Luck of the something...

What is Luck? Is it defined as the force that seems to operate for good or ill in a person's life, as in shaping circumstances, events, or opportunities. Did you hear that part...OR ILL?

Well, I know it sounds cliché, but with my luck...anything can happen!

This past few weeks I have had a few instances where I thanked my lucky stars, and made note to myself that something happened to me because it was Just My Luck.

On Monday of last week, I was fine, felt healthy - was energetic, got things done around the house, then it hit me - major headaches. I felt the back of my head and I npticed a small bump. That bump over the next three days grew to be the size of a golf ball - on the back of my head. Gross you say? Darn right it's gross. I felt so self consious, but what's more is I felt scared. Immediatley the thoughts ran through my head....Cancer...tumor...God only knows what!
So, thanks to a little convincing of my friend Melissa, I went into the good ole Isle clinic.

I was diagnosed with MRSA.

MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

Serious?!?! Who would get MRSA on their head? Me. That's who. That's just my luck! Ugh. So, they put me on meds and 5 days later - it's still very painful, but at least it's not life threatening anymore.

What about my good luck you ask? Well, for every down there is an up and I had a pretty successful week last week at work. Our Entertainment Director has booked some amazing acts for our casinos and we brought in Martin Short, the comedian. One of his requests was to find a loved, local celebrity to come in to do the "Jiminy Glick" skit.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Martin Short and this hilarious skit...he transforms into a 300-pound, talk-show host alter-ego “Jimmy Glick” (from Comedy Central) and he interviews celebrities.

In fact, Martin Short, as “Glick,” has interviewed some of the biggest stars in Hollywood such as Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Hanks, Regis Philbin, Diane Keaton, Jamie Lee Curtis, and David Schwimmer. He asks irrelevant questions, spreads misinformation, and often doesn’t pay attention long enough to hear his guests’ answers. Pretty much hilarious...

So, the local celebrity I chose was....none other than Dave Ryan from 101.3 KDWB. He is the ever-popular morning show host in the Twin Cities - I think pretty much everyone has heard of him. And he was absolutley perfect for the skit! They meshed so well and the audience loved it!
Here are some pictures from the show...oh and if for some reason you have been living on a remote island for the last 14 years and don't know who Dave Ryan is...check him out at www.kdwb.com - you won't be disappointed.

Martin Short is obviously the one in the fat suit...

Night out in Zimmerman!!

Last week was a tough week.

Parish, my sister Ashley and I all had reasons to celebrate and reasons to let loose...so, we decided to head to the big town of Zimmerman for dinner and drinks.

It was so much fun, we made new friends, worked on our dance moves...and I have the pictures to prove it!

SUPERMAN

Recent Pictures

My sister, Lindsey, turned 24 on March 27. We had a little family get together that following weekend. Here she is cutting her cake!! :)

NICE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINZ!

Jackson had a busy week last week. He got all of his shots, plus a fantastic new hair cut!

He LOVES to be outside, so yesterday, as it was pouring rain, we dressed him up in his rain gear.

Good visit, great dessert!

Parish's mom and grandparents came to visit us this weekend - we sure had a nice time. They left this morning and I am sure they are not anxious to get home. While we were all relaxing, listening to the rain and watching our green grass soak up the added moisture - Grand Rapids and Dora Lake were getting pounded with 23 feet of snow! Cindy, Grandma and Grandpa got to stay an extra day, which was really nice.

The ladies went and played Bingo in St. Cloud on Saturday - no winners, unfortunatley...but we all made out like bandits at Sam's Club. Parish and Grandpa put up our new screen door. We are SO excited about that!! (Funny what you get excited about when you are a home owner).

Also, I made a to die for dessert last night. It is only 2 points for a piece in Weight Watchers too! Talk about hitting the jackpot!!

It's been a while!

Sorry for the lack of updated posts, life around the Barten household has been VERY busy. It's budget season at work, which means the Marketing Plan is due right around the corner, which means I have been staying late at work to get it done and ready for our presentation in June.
Parish has been doing great, he's lost 12 lbs already (wish I could say the same), but he's worked out every day, running at least 3 miles. I am so proud of him and the work he has done to get himself healthy.

We had a great Easter, we spend it with Cindy up in Grand Rapids. We got to decorate Easter Eggs with Nicki, Chad and Haylee. I don't know who was more excited - Nicki and I or Haylee. She is such a riot. I am trying to plan a weekend for us to head down to Mall of America so Haylee can see Dora (who she LOVES).

I was going through my computer this last week and I found a picture that I have been meaning to find for a long time...

I will set the scene for you...

Cindy was at work, so was Nicki and Chad was working on the house. We (Gooner, Parish, Haylee and I) spent the whole afternoon playing the Hokey Poker, Ring a round the rosie, "Dotties" (which is like playing restaurant to Haylee) and singing "Santa Claus is coming to town." We were all so tired, but little Haylee kept laughing and smiling and so we kept playing and playing. I think this picture shows just how hands on Gooner was a grandpa. As Parish and I look back, we are so grateful for this day and the wonderful Christmas that we had with him.

Hope you all enjoy!