Respit (res-pit)

Sometimes you need to getaway... We've made annual trips to Grand Forks for the past couple years. The trip usually involves fun meals, great conversation, and good friends. We also always try to incorporate Sioux Hockey in it too. The kicker is, whenever we go it's colder than heck! The highs on Saturday were -8. That's without the windchill. This coming week is suppose to have a warm up and we get above 0.

We started off the trip with a stop in Fargo. I love the Wurst Bier Hall's pretzels. We had a nice snack out of that before running at errands at Fleet Farm and Babies/Toys R Us. Good thing the pretzels were a high spot, as I was thoroughly disappointed in what Toys R Us had to offer in regards to baby items. If that's how all their stores are, I don't think I need to go to another again,

Upon arriving at Grand Forks, we ate a light lunch at Bonzer's, ran some errands, checked into our hotel, and then headed over to Kim and Jon's aka Scraperville. We thoroughly enjoy this friendship as they enjoy food and traveling like we do and their kids are fun to visit with. Whenever we leave their house, Matt looks at me and says, "I could talk to them for hours." And what always makes me chuckle inside is that usually we do!

They shared their seats with us at the game... they are amazing seats. Fourth row, center, behind the team. Matt loves it because about the second period you can start to smell the players. I'm always amazed because of how fast the game goes from this view point. This was the first time we had experienced the backlash to the new mascot name. It's been an ongoing process to get to Fighting Hawks and I would say that they aren't anywhere close, actually.

After an amazing breakfast the next day, we took off home. We had to prep the house as this coming week is New Flooring Week! When we moved into the house, Matt had definite reservations because it lacked the modern look that he was hoping for. After many conversations and 2 more views, I convinced him that we could give it the look that we wanted. It's been a slow start but 2016 has really kicked this into full speed with all the things we've done in the kitchen. So there we were working with a contractor to take the tile out of the foyer, the carpet out of the dining, and prepped the yellowed linoleum in the kitchen to be covered in cortex.

We snapped a few before pics. And also snapped some phase 1 pics of the completed demo work. The best part whenever we've had someone work on our house is how well they tell us it's made or kept up. That always makes me feel good about our decision to take a chance on this house and make it our own.

The only other big news of the week was the amazing blinding pain that slowly crept up my sciatic over the past week. By Sunday evening, I could barely walk and had had a few personal pity parties. On Monday, I called the chiropractor and headed in. Best decision of the week, by far.

Best meal: Red Pepper... usually I have a grinder but I thoroughly enjoyed the heck out of the tacos this time. Such a good food buzz!

Name of the week: Susan Hockey Remynse - this name was provided by Scraper. We'd, of course, call her Sue. Thank you for your contribution.
Cravings: Milk, chips and salsa, Mexican anything (despite Matt's hope... he was hoping the cravings would be more Chinese in ethnicity)
Pregnancy symptoms: lack of sleep, runny nose/irritated sinuses, larger belly, sciatica nerve pain, missing belly button, weird dreams.

Driving home after the game...
ALR: Have you ever noticed how similar sports and religion are?
MJR scoffs: What?!
ALR: No serious-there are rituals, sayings, interactions, a congregation, and understanding from those within the following. I'm not trying to be blasphemous.
MJR now considering with seriousness: I hadn't thought of it this way.
ALR: Think of a church service where you have the pastor or priest. They say something and those within the flock respond in a manner. That happens during the entire sports game. When they introduce the players....
MJR: Ahh, I see, they say "Who's he, he sucks sh.."
ALR: Right. Or when the announcer says, "One minute of play remaining.
MJR: And the crowd says "Thank you"
ALR: And the announcer responds back to the crowd even and says "You're Welcome." I mean it's the little things but there is a camaraderie between those attending just like what people look for in a congregation. Especially those that attend regularly. Those that wear the appropriate gear. 
Think of the student section even like the chorus where people enjoy responding to them. 
MJR: I see what you mean.
ALR: I just find it interesting.