Elf on the Shelf

This could be the original elf on the shelf as far as I know. Mom always had this little guy in the kitchen.

He has been repaired more times than you can count including again last night.

Juiced Nutrition update and an ugly incident

This blog is where I post my thoughts, my story, my travels, etc. I have shied away from writing about my business because I didn't want this place to be about promotion.

But my business has become my life and my life is impacted by my business.

So the honestly the business is doing really, really poorly.

People say it is the weather...time of year...holidays...etc. While those may be partially true, it seems that the business itself is not catching on. There are nearly 1,000 tenants in the three buildings that the business is located in yet rarely does a resident drop in. Emails and promotions to the residents have fallen like an overnight snow.

Hours go by between customers. So far there has not been a day without at least one customer but I am anticipating the day when there are zero customers.

I have done social media - Facebook and Instagram - including running ads on both platforms. Also running ad on Yelp which I wasn't aware that I had done. Ironically, I believe the Yelp ad has brought in a few customers but they have mostly been out-of-towners so not likely to return.

One Yelp customer did come in several times before leaving town. And another Yelp customer who was visiting town did bring her parents who live in the neighborhood back to the store. These customers give the illusion that the idea of the store is not crazy but to say they are few and far between is even an exaggeration.

The simple fact that friends I have known for a long time and who have been supportive in words but have not been supportive in deeds seems to indicate that the idea of the store was misguided.

The initial idea of the store was to provide protein shakes for pre- and post-workout nutrition. The majority of customers are not coming from nor going to a workout or class. So the initial idea was wrong. The marketing has shifted to providing a healthy and nutritional whole food ingredient meal source.

The location is potentially a problem because there are no other retail stores nearby or within eye-shot. The location along the Midtown Greenway could be an advantage in the spring and summer but that is just speculation (though the choice of location was based on this).

Another problem I face is that my mother's passing right before the store opened has greatly impacted my enthusiasm. My mom was always my champion even when she questioned what I was doing. I always knew she had my back and could be supportive in her way. That support is gone and there really isn't anything or anyone to replace that.

It sometimes help me to write out my thoughts so I may continue to do this here.

Today's post was prompted by an incident that just happened as I was walking home from the coffee shop. The incident was  unrelated to the business.

First all, I patronize a local coffee shop-bakery and am honestly pissed off that the owners have not come to my store but I still support their business. As I was walking home in my now usual funk, I coughed and a man 50 yards ahead of me turned around and yelled at me, "What the fuck, you fucking gay homo!" -- or something like that.

I was dumbstruck. What on earth was that!? Was he crazy? Did he mistake me for someone else? He kept rambling on about my probably wanting to break the law and I deserved it and that he was crazy and that I was crazy and that he was a musician and that he apologized and that I deserved it and that I looked liked someone he knew and that I deserved it.

I am not a violent person and I had no desire to do anything other than leave and crawl away.

Christmas Eve lanterns

Each year a small group gathers at Martha's for Christmas Eve. Martha shares her polish heritage Christmas Eve traditions and foods.

This year Kelly and Elliot brought Chinese lanterns to light and launch. It was truly magical to see them float away on a cold, calm night.

Martha releases her lantern with much trepidation. As it floats off to the west, you can see a previous one as a tiny dot of light in the distance.

Elliot releases a lantern. It floats directly up before moving off to the west with the others.

Kelly releases as a neighbor shouts out asking where we got these.

Marlin is the first to release. We are all amazed at how far they go before we cannot see them any longer.

It is cold!

Everyone (my family) expects that it is always cold in Minnesota. That is, of course, not true. But today is definitely not helping with the myth.

It was -10 at my house this morning (got to -11 before sunrise). And it was -18 at the airport.

There wasn't any wind to speak of so the three block walk to work wasn't too bad.

I was able to do the boiling water trick again!

Frankie therapy

I think Frankie is having some discomfort from arthritis.

He spends part of the day in the upstairs bathroom sink or the top of the toilet tank. He spends the other part of the day on the heated bathroom floor.

It is his version of hot and cold therapy.

The sparkle of a winter morning. Near zero temps....crispy, crackly, shiny.

Cozumel

I've put the Cozumel photos on Shutterfly. Hopefully this works. Cozumel photos

Was joined this year by Dave again, Jill who hasn't been down since my 50th birthday and new folks, Jay and Penny (Jill's brother and sister-in-law) and Jill's dad, Dave. That made two Dave's.

The Taylor's had a last minute cancellation. They were very much missed.

For the first time we went to watch the swimming to cycling transition of the Cozumel Ironman, it was awesome.

We hit all the good spots... Casa Denis and Martin the best waiter ever, Casa Mission, the east coast beaches and fresh fish, shopping, snorkeling, Chankanaab and more.

A difference a day makes

Went from nearly 60 degrees to a crazy rain, wind, snow storm.

snow on the flowers

backyard snow

Sunday morning cold sunrise

Storm track

No annual leaf drop

For several years I've been posting the annual ginko tree leaf drop. When the temperature goes below freezing, all the leaves drop at once. This year the drop has not happened because we haven't had a freeze yet and the wind has taken care of removing the leaves.

The forecast is for snow tomorrow but it probably still won't be below freezing. These roses will most likely make through the snow.

Mom-Grandma-Great Grandma Photobook for 90th birthday

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive photobook layouts so you can make your book just the way you want.

Juiced Nutrition open

It has been a very crazy few weeks. My new business, Juiced Nutrition, has opened. I'm calling November 1 the official first day though I opened the doors the week before with just me manning the counter and figuring out the blenders, sinks, refrig, freezer, etc.

There are now three people working with me. Yes, I am a job creator! Now I just did customers to make money to pay the employees.

The store is a work in progress. There is more décor to work on and the delivery business is not in place yet. I need to up the marketing. Finding the time and resources is tricky.

The citrus electrolyte is popular

My DIY a-frame chalkboard sign.

My hero, JT, adding support for the sail board

Friends stopping by and supporting

Sunrise (we open at 6am)

It is all about fresh, whole foods.

I voted

It felt good to vote. A neighbor was flying the flag.

A run for Jacob

Jacob Wetterling has been missing for the past 27 years. His kidnapper was finally revealed this year. Jacob was murdered and buried on the same night that he was taken. His family have been advocating for child safety ever since Jacob went missing.

This year the foundation that was setup in Jacob's name sponsored a 5k run. My Running For Brunch group participated in the event. It was a beautiful day and fitting tribute to Jacob.

before

after

Store update

I have been debating on whether to keep this blog going. I started it back in 2007 primarily for my mom. I'll keep going for now and see how I feel. May be it will be a way for me to keep her more in mind.

The construction build-out phase of the store has virtually wrapped up. Everything was going well until today when the health inspector expressed several problems from his perspective. Frustration hardly begins to describe my feelings.

Nonetheless, here are some photos of the progress.

girls with bike frames

part of the sports equipment décor - a paddleboard

the bike frame light fixtures

http://juicednutritionuptown.com/pages/about-us

I am really going to miss her

My mom passed away yesterday. I started this blog nearly ten years ago primarily to keep my mom informed while I was in London, England on a work assignment. That project was supposed to last six to nine months but only ended up being three. I’ve kept the blog going to keep mom up to date. I would hear from her if I didn’t keep the posts coming. It seems appropriate that I am composing this on a trip that was intended to see her.

As an adult I can honestly say my mom was my best friend. We would talk every Sunday and traveled together many times. But one of my earliest memories of my mom was when she helped me try to get the electric meter to stop spinning. I was probably five or so. We would check the meter and if the dial was still spinning, we would run back in the house to find another thing to turn off or unplug. I asked her several years ago if she remembered that and she said she did.

Mom came to Minnesota many times including multiple times for my birthday which is at the coldest time of the year. Her first visit included a day when the high temperature was -1.

Mom also visited me when I was in London. My sister Betty had been sick and mom went to South Carolina to help out. She flew home from my sister’s, repacked her bag and flew to London. She was in her 80’s! And I found out that it was not her visit time through London. She had driven from Germany to Scotland with three children and another one on the way. That drive took her on a ferry across the English Channel to Southampton through London to Scotland.

We took multiple trips to Kansas which is where mom is from. She was always proud to be a Kansan.

My last trip with mom was just this past May. We went to Shenandoah National Park and Luray Caverns. We had a blast. We laughed and teased each other the entire time.

I am really going to miss her.

A beautiful day. A beautiful city.

My Saturday morning run around Lake Calhoun. The morning sun on the lake, sail boats and shoreline were stunning. Thank you Minneapolis Parks for making our city so wonderful.

Apple sauce

This photo looks weird but homemade applesauce is so so good.

Too soon

These are in my local grocery store. Way too soon.

Crazy lightening

This is from last Wednesday. We had another crazy storm. The lightning was fantastic and so was the thunder. I thought for sure you would be able to hear it but all you can hear is the pouring rain.

Apple Fest - soggy but still fun

The day started with rain then the sun came out then clouds then rain and sun and clouds. All the weather in one afternoon. I was super prepared this year. It helped having the later start of 3pm. I even got the garage ready in case of rain. And we used it.

Had a really good turn out, too. Lots of apple-inspired treats. I didn't get a chance to try everything. I have to figure out a better way to host so I can talk with more guests and eat more. I was so busy and enjoying the event, I forgot to take photos.

Apple cake. I took it out of pan too soon. It broke.

Major favorite. Lil' smokees wrapped in bacon with apples and brown sugar. 

Another use for my Gorilla Cart

Visit with mom

Some of you may not know that my mom has been in the hospital lately. She is home now and on hospice care.

She first went in the hospital about 3 weeks ago for 3 or 4 day. She was sent home with medication for coronary heart disease. She has two major blockages and an aneurism. She was only home for a few days and had to go back to hospital.

The second hospital stay was a total of 7 days. She is home now with my niece Kathy staying with her and a hospice nurse and aide visiting occasionally.

I visited her while she was in the hospital the second time and the first days of this last home stay.

Sunrise at the MSP airport waiting to fly to DCA

I picked up my brother John from Union Station downtown DC

We passed the new Museum of African American Culture and History

For the first time ever, I stopped to see the Abingdon House site at National Airport.

I have passed the site dozens of times over the decades. The moments of reflection were very welcomed.

Another busy weekend. Running, walking, cycling, bowling

Another busy weekend started with my usual run Saturday morning to meet the gals for coffee at Starbucks in St. Louis Park. I need to get some running miles in before the Twin Cities Marathon 10 miler in October.

Saturday evening was the Chinese Lantern Lighting ceremony at Lakewood Cemetery. Lakewood is about five blocks from my house so I walked over. Lakewood is a very large and old cemetery near lakes Calhoun and Harriet.

Kay and Christine drew and wrote on their lanterns. I wrote on the bases.

Our lanterns weren't floating out into the lake so I waded in to encourage them along.

I had not visited the cemetery's chapel. It is famous for the glass mosaics. This is a photo of the ceiling. It was stunning in the artificial light.

Early Sunday, Jenny and I rode the intermediate route (25 miles) of the Minneapolis Parks Bike Tour. It was a perfectly gorgeous day.

Sunday evening was the start of Sunday Goers bowling league. After all that I had already done this weekend, I thought bowling a 172 and 173 was pretty good. The third game was only a 115.

Product Registration - example Gorilla Cart

Earlier this Spring I bought a Gorilla Cart wagon. I blogged about it here.

I nearly always register products that I purchase. Primarily in case there is a recall for some reason then the manufacturer can contact me. In the case of my Gorilla Cart wagon, I was contacted by the manufacturer for a marketing survey. The three lovely people with me in the photo came to my house and PAID ME to give my opinion.

They asked me questions about how I use my cart and general life questions even. I also got to provide feedback on possible future products. I had a great time.

By the way I really like my Gorilla Cart.

Weekend athletics

I am going to count helping Kathy recycle her TV as an athletic activity. The thing weighed a ton. We pushed it down both her indoor steps and outdoor concrete steps. Then rolled it to her SUV. Thank goodness she has a hatch back so we could just slide it in.

From Kathy's place in Apple Valley, I rode my bike home. Total mileage was 26 miles. All but about a mile was on dedicated bike/pedestrian trails.

We are so fortunate in Minnesota to have a great trail system.

Crossed the Mendota Bridge for the first time. From the bridge you can see Minneapolis to the west and Saint Paul to the north.

On Sunday joined the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy fighters for hill sprints in Theodore Wirth Park. There were only four of us so it went quickly without much rest between hill runs. Ugh.