Story A Day

It was a fun-filled day off, here’s how it went…

• 5 mile bike ride around Como Park (it took a few times around to get to 5 miles).
• Walk around Como Park with Tim, marveled at all the people sitting in traffic trying to find parking rather than riding the shuttle.
• Mowed the lawn while Tim finished the bridge for the garden, and hung a pulley system for our kayak.
• Did a few real estate showings.
• Walked to DQ with Tim and Christy for some yummy ice cream.
• Blogging

A lovely day!

Tim and I spent Saturday morning purchasing a new car for him.  He’s been driving his Ford Focus for about 10 years, and we decided it was time for the move to a hybrid.  Check out his new wheels (which I get to drive once in a while, too )…

Apparently my work this morning, plus a walk around the lake, plus a productive day at work = very sleepy.  Time for bed!

It’s one of those days with not too much excitement to write about   I was at work for a good chunk of the day, since we had a 3 hour board meeting to wrap up the BSP strategic planning process this evening.  Upon arriving home I promptly left again to drive my sister down to my mom’s to retrieve a car for her to use this weekend.  Now, back home and watching the news.  I don’t mind a not too exciting day once in a while, no complaints

I’m sure many of you have heard the ad campaign recently for the “Be the Match” marrow donor program.  I’ve previously thought about joining the list, but forgot about it.  However, the recent campaign, combined with the amazing recovery of Tim’s cousin from cancer, got me thinking about it again.  They are especially in need of people with a variety of ethnicities in their background.  I figure my mix of Irish and Mexican is on the rarer end, especially since they are in great need of people form Hispanic/Latino origin.  It was super easy.  I signed up online, and they mailed me four q-tips in an envelope to send back with a cheek swab sample.  Easy!  So, you should think about joining, too!   Here’s the website: Be the Match

My sister, Christy, arrived from DC today. We went out to dinner with my mom this evening, and then we walked with Tim to the DQ in Roseville, earning our ice cream cones with the couple of miles that we walked

Tim and I were driving to one of the rental units today to install the AC units and had a scary near-miss on the highway!  We had just exited on to 35W south from 94W.  Those of you from the area are probably familiar with the spot.  Once you exit there is a wide grassy median between the westbound side of 94 and the veering southbound side of 35W.  Just after we exited, a car came flying across the grassy median, going straight across the 35W lanes.  It was going full speed, and grass and dirt flew everywhere as it plowed over the median.  We were also going full speed and it was right in our path, but too close for me to stop as it flew (literally, it was airborne) into our lane.  I slammed the gas and veered around it sharply (well, it was instinct really, I wasn’t consciously thinking about it at that point).  Scary.  Too close for comfort.  Amazingly, the car managed to get to the far side and slow down without being hit, or hitting anyone.  We’re still not sure how it ended up on our side of the road.  I could go a long time without another close call like that one!

Today was Teacher Welcome Event at BSP, meaning it’s the first time we had (almost) all of the faculty in one place. It was great to see the energy and start to get a feel for the dynamic. It’s a great crew of people, and I am very excited to launch into the summer program in just a few short weeks!

We’ve had contractors working in our yard over the course of the last couple weeks, between rain events.  We hired them to build a stone retaining wall to level the hill in our yard, and construct a fence.  They didn’t quite finish the fence today (apparently the order got miscommunicated and they didn’t have enough posts), but they will be finishing near the end of next week.  This photo shows how it’s shaping up.  You’ll also notice that the tree is still alive!  We are very excited that it seems to be doing ok after about 2 weeks in its new spot – still crossing out fingers and watering it a ton! 

State Representative Otremba retires from District 11B
http://www.echopress.com/event/article/id/75029/

State Representative Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, announced today that she is retiring from the Minnesota House of Representatives after serving seven terms in office.

Otremba represents District 11B, which covers the eastern half of Douglas County and all of Todd County. In Douglas County, the district includes some of Alexandria (parts of wards 1, 2 and 3), the cities of Carlos, Nelson and Osakis, and the townships of Alexandria, Belle River, Carlos, Ida, Miltona, Orange, Osakis and Spruce Hill.

A DFL candidate from Staples, Amy L. Hunter, has filed for the District 11B position. Mary Franson of Alexandria is the endorsed Republican candidate.

Otremba issued the following statement:

“It has been an incredible privilege to serve the citizens of District 11B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. There is no greater honor in a democracy than to be selected by one’s fellow citizens to represent them in the halls of government. I will always be grateful for the years I’ve had to serve in our beautiful Capitol, working to enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans.”

“Public service has been a part of my life, even before I came to the Legislature. In fact, it was my dad who brought me to my first precinct caucus. Since that day, I’ve never stopped working to shine a light on the wonderful things than make Greater Minnesotas quality of life so special. I will continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to rural Minnesotans – agriculture, the environment and conservation, health care, quality education and a firm commitment to protecting life from conception until natural death.”

“Now I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, especially with my two grandbabies. I’m also looking forward to having more time with all of the friends Ive made over the years who continue to be such a big part of my life. And I might even do a little sewing, too.”

“I cannot say ‘thank you’ often enough to the voters of Todd and Douglas for giving me and my beloved husband Ken the opportunity to be their voice in the Minnesota House. It has been a blessing and a gift.”

Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher issued the following statement about Representative Otremba:

“Representative Otremba’s legacy in the Minnesota House will stand for generations. She was a tireless advocate on behalf of rural Minnesota. Her community, her district and Minnesota are better off because of her work.”

Otremba was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in November of 1997 in a special election held after the death of her husband, Representative Ken Otremba. Her win was the first special election victory by a DFLer in Minnesota history.

A licensed K-12 teacher, she made rural health care and education some of her top legislative priorities. One of her first actions after being elected to the Minnesota House was to create a critical access program that enabled rural hospitals to receive funding to provide public health care services. She also passed legislation to provide farm families with access to affordable health insurance, and worked to improve mental health care services, especially for children, in rural areas.

She was one of 10 pro-life Minnesota delegates to the 1992 Democratic National Convention.

Otremba currently serves as chair of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee, and is a member of the Ways and Means Committee. She also serves on the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee for the Veterans Affairs Division and on the Finance subcommittees for the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division and the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division.

Active in a number of legislative commissions and community organizations, Otremba is a member of the Early Childhood Caucus; the Legislative Committee to End Poverty; the Legislative Energy Commission; Minnesota Agriculture Education Advisory Board; Rural Health Advisory Board; Democrats for Life; the Minnesota Farmers Union; Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Catholic Woman’s Association and the Todd County Historical Society.