Back to Minnesota

I had a fun weekend back in Minnesota. I headed home on Thursday night after work to be home for my niece Ashley's wedding on Saturday.

Friday was cold and rainy so it was a great day to run some errands and get some things done around the house. I have to admit it's strange to be home for the first time since Kelsey went to college - very quiet being there with her being gone. Will make our return for Thanksgiving that much better!

Saturday morning I played golf with Lorie, Barb and Liz. It was a perfect fall day in the 60s and felt great to walk and carry my clubs - I've gotten too used to riding a cart when I play in Florida! I caught a quick hour visit with Janet Thompson on the St. Olaf campus during Homecoming before heading home to get ready for the wedding.

We had a great time at Ashley and Norbert's wedding...it was fun for me to see so many friends and extended family there - a good time to catch up with everyone.

Sunday I went to church and made our traditional fall Sunday noon meal - a pot of chili and apple crisp - always helps the Vikings win. I finished packing before heading to the airport for my 5 pm flight. Luckily both flights were on-time and I got back to West Palm on schedule - a little tired but glad to have had the time at home.

~Le Ann

Beach, golf and football weekend

This week started with me dog sitting for a few days - taking care of Riley and Scout. Friday night I met some friends from work at Hurricanes for happy hour...before Pam and I went home in search of food for dinner. We kicked around going out to eat, but decided we'd stay home and eat leftovers from the 'frig before they turn into science experiments.

Saturday I met Kathy for our beach walk. We decided to give the famous Jupiter establishment, Dune Dogs, a try for lunch! We spent the afternoon watching the Gopher football game then the Iowa game on TV. Fun to follow the undefeated Hawkeyes this year!

Sunday I played golf with Drew on the Squire Course then headed home to watch the Vikings game, who are also undefeated so far this year!

~Le Ann

Beach therapy

The weekend began with some much needed beach therapy...Friday night I met Ron and Kathy Stepanek, Kathy, Pam, Linda and Mallory for beach therapy. It was fun to sit on the beach and unwind from the week as the sun went down. On the way home, we stopped at Cold Stone for some ice cream then watched the movie Duplicity.

Saturday morning we walked at the beach then watched the Iowa/Iowa State football game on TV. We also watched the Minnesota Gopher game, too. Great to get Big 10 football down here in the thick of SEC country.

Sunday we met for breakfast at the Juno Beach Café before our weekend morning beach walk. I spent the rest of the day watching the Vikings beat the Browns. Not really a Favre fan but if he helps the Vikings win, that's a Martha Stewart "good thing."

~Le Ann

Labor Day Weekend

The three day weekend finally arrived. Friday night Sandy and I met for dinner at Brio to catch up after she had been traveling all week.

Saturday morning Kathy and I walked at the beach after we'd missed a few weekends due to our travel schedules. Saturday night Pam, Kathy and I met for dinner at Smokey Bones, followed by Pam and me visiting Barnes and Noble and Starbucks.

Sunday morning I played golf with Kirk, Bob and Jason on the Squire course. Jason and I played against Kirk and Bob and closed them out on the 14th hole! After golf I met Kathy for lunch at the Waterway Cafe then went to the movie Julie and Julia...after a hot morning on the golf course, it felt great to sit in the air conditioning to watch a movie on a Sunday afternoon!

Monday morning Kathy and I walked at the beach before I spent the rest of the day in the pool and watching golf on TV. I finished the day by grilling chicken for dinner and eating outside. It was a great three-day weekend - wish we had them more often!

~Le Ann

San Diego State University

I had a great time the past three days in San Diego. My weekend began early Thursday morning when I got up at 3:30 a.m. to catch a 5:30 flight to Atlanta, then on to San Diego. I arrived in San Diego at 10 a.m. and had two hours to wait until Kelsey and David arrived. We went right to campus and Kelsey got her textbooks at the bookstore. Next stop on our list was a MAJOR trip to Target to stock up on all the dorm room essentials. Thursday night Kelsey went to the Zoo, while David and I ate dinner along the water at the Fish Grotto.

Friday morning we could begin moving in at 8:00 and we were on campus by 8:05. Kelsey checked-in, got her ID card, room keys and evaluation form and we started the move-in process...temperatures were in the 90's, there were at least 150 kids moving all their worldly possessions into their rooms - a six story dorm with only one elevator working! Of course, Kelsey's room is on the 5th floor, so up and down the stairs we went! After a few more trips to Target, we met some friends for dinner and called it a night.

Saturday morning we met Kelsey on campus for convocation. Following the ceremony, we made yet another trip to Target before having lunch and dropping Kelsey off for the day. David flew back to Minneapolis at 4:30, so after I took him to the airport, I went to Torrey Pines and toured the golf courses. I met my cousin Scott and Danette Markel and their children for dinner at Islands, before I went to the airport for my 11 pm red-eye flight to Atlanta.

I arrived in Atlanta at 6 a.m. and watched the sunrise before my 8:30 flight to West Palm. Kathy and I went to Juno Beach Cafe for breakfast before I headed home to sleep for four hours. It was a fun few days helping Kelsey move into her dorm room and get settled.

~Le Ann

Hanging out at the beach

It was another hot weekend in Florida, with temperatures still in the 90s (feels like it's been in the 90s since May!) Friday night was pizza and movie night - we tried a new pizza place and will NOT be going back there...not only did the pizza look bad, it tasted just as bad.

Saturday we walked along the beach and I spent the rest of the day at the pool. Sunday was another beach walk morning, followed by lunch at Panera and then I headed home to watch the Solheim Cup. Great to see team USA retain the Cup!

Getting ready this week to head to San Diego to take Kelsey to college...next update from California!

~Le Ann

PGA Championship

It's been a fun ten days at home for the PGA Championship. I got home on Thursday evening so I could attend the Minnesota Lynx basketball game on Friday night. I helped the Minnesota Section give golf lessons at the Lynx game and we promoted the PGA Championship by giving away practice round tickets.

The entire week went by so quickly and it was great to see so many Minnesota friends at Hazeltine. The crowds were amazing and the weather was perfect! Kelsey and Brooke worked ten days in the Merchandise Tent and saw some TOUR players as well as lots of spectators. As usual, the back nine on Sunday provided the best showdown between YE Yang and Tiger Woods - with Yang winning his second TOUR event this year (after winning the Honda Classic in March.)

Monday night after a day of errands, I headed back to West Palm Beach. The best part of the tournament this year was being able to stay at home and be with my family for ten days.

~Le Ann