Tuesday, February 27, 2007

ORD to SFO = Heaven in the 02.07


A few weeks ago I finally got to go to San Francisco, a city I was raring to see! It was a work event, which had its pluses (paid airfare, hotel and meals) and minues (crunch times, touring solo, and looking like a fool when squealing about wonderments to oneself).

Nonetheless it was fabulous! And the trip came during a very chilly spell of the freezing winds and snow of Chicago.

The first thing I did upon arrival was to hop on a trolley, or is that a cable car...hum the cute bus-car things seen in the Rice-a-Roni commercials, yes those ones!

On the car, they let you dangle off the side! For absolute fun!

While riding I took in the amazing homes and architecture.

Pretty....

Destination: Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco's own 'Navy Pier'.

Here you can find loads of fresh seafood, including yummy crab! After this pic was snapped I ate this whole lot...in 5 minutes...piggy style. I'm NOT kidding.

Near the Wharf is the Ghirardeli Chocolate Factory, hmmmmmmm!

A look inside the main square of the factory shows there are no oompa loompas running this choclate haven, sad. But there is a pretty fountain.

Down by the water there are sweet little smelly sea lions. This one here was packed in my suitcase and now lives in my tub. Doesn't she look like Miss. Honey!?

Oooooh!!! Jolene's Dream House!

Later I decide to take a bus tour on this renovated trolley...cable car...noo trolley, um whatever...

My new friend Veronica from LA (we just met on the tour!) takes my pics, then I take hers!

On the tour we see the Presido... did you know the Spanish were posted in this area first, then the Mexican army took over and in 1846 the US Army took control of the area....Um yes you probably knew that, and, um yes so did I!

On the grounds is a pet cemetary for the deceased pets of the army families that lived on the grounds.

Here the bus drives under one of the modern seven wonders of the world, The Golden Gate Bridge. AWESOME!

And viola! I'm on the otherside!

Back on the trolley to Union Square where I was staying.

On the way I get to see the North Beach neighbor, this area is considered Little Italy.

Between Union Square and North Beach I found the cutest cafes in various allies, like this one here...at night they are bumpin'!

Before I left, and after days of hard work at the Moscone Convention Center, :) I got a chance to explore Chinatown, where they were celebrating their new year, the Year of the Pig.

Chinatown is crazy fun and the children, in celebration of the year, throw snaps for fun....and the grown-ups dress in costumes, light firecrackers and play music throughout the sidewalks and streets....

I decide to stay for lunch in this lively neighborhood. While waiting for my lunch, the couple next to me left and this other couple quickly sat down to clean their plates!


Now promise me, you'll go visit somewhere fun right now too! Go, now. Scat! Scoot! Go on! Get!

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Marilyn Jean

On February 11, 1942 an amazing baby was born, Miss Marilyn Jean.... Little Marilyn was the most perfect creation of Marjorie and Lee. Beautiful Marilyn grew up as the second of eight children, ooooofta!

Look here and see how GORGEOUS Marilyn is!

Marilyn was soooo helpful to her Mom, and she still is today! First she helped her Mom raise Michael, Steven, Susan, Lisa, Cindy, and Johnny....and now she drives her to her favorite store and helps her around her house... Once, when her Mom was a smoker, she even tried to get her to stop smoking by poking holes in the cigarettes.... She's always watched out for her health!

Here's Marilyn with her big sister, Barb.


I know it's hard to decipher which girl is cuter, but it's pretty obvious to me that the CUTEST girl is Miss. Marilyn! (Hint that's her on the right!) Barb and Marilyn were only a year apart and were often dressed in matching outfits.

The sweet and smart Marilyn was always in style...here, in high school, she dons some very cute specs!



After school Marilyn grew up to work for Mr. H in his downtown office....
Once a photographer took her photo while on her lunch break and the next day the shot was in the Star Tribune! I SO wish I had that photograph...basically she was walking by a group of men on their "smoke breaks" and they were all gawking at her...of course they were! So the caption went something like this: "On Nicolet Mall business men on their smoke breaks ogle the attractive secretaries on their lunch breaks."

Well since I don't have that photo, I do have this one, which does showcase the super-duper hottie factor of Miss. Marilyn!



Ooooh here she is again, working a fundraiser I believe..um let's hope!

One and All Come to the Picnic!


Soon Miss. Marilyn decided to quit breaking so many hearts and get married to the very lucky Jack Turner. They lived in Coon Rapids together and began their family with, first little Davy, then Joey, their precious girl. In 1978 they moved to a newly built home in New Brighton, a wonderful place, not only because it was bigger, but also because it was much closer to her own Mom.

Marilyn began to decorate her home and decided to dive deep into the luxury of 1970's decor!


The only thing that was not hand-sewn by Marilyn in this room was the plant... she made the bedspread, curtains, rocking cushions, planter holder, and yup, even the clown suit! Her wonderful husband put up that GORGEOUS wallpaper. The flowers on the left was the one other purchase. She found them on a romantic outing with her husband at the Minnesota State Fair.


Here is another Marilyn creation. For Halloween one year Jolene wanted to be a teenage girl of the '50s, so Marilyn designed the costume and made the darling poodle skirt! Anyone ready for a sock-hop!?



Oh look, yum!


Throughout the years, Marilyn took WONDERFUL care of her family. She provided delicious foods, such as the nummy spinach dip shown here (hello Martha, eat you heart out), and she was always there for her kids during chicken pox, kitty sicknesses, and tantrums....

She also played Santa VERY well! Her perfect children, Davy and Joey, were always in shock over all the fun gifts!



Miss. Marilyn is the sweetest, prettiest Mom... she is truly the most selfless person I know... She is so absolutely generous and giving...the whole world should take life lessons from Miss Marilyn and then we'd for sure have world peace!

Title photo by Nick Gordon