Scenic Drive of Death-

The family was in need of a mini vacation so we decided to head off to one of our favorite places- the North Shore.

We got to Duluth and stayed at a very nice hotel with a water park inside and had a ton of fun with the girls (we wont mention the inner tube fiasco- ok) and we got a relatively decent start the next morning on our next adventures.

We had no set plans what-so-ever!!

We stopped at Gooseberry Falls, and Toms Logging Camp (THAT is one of our favorites- its a bit cheesy but a lot of fun)



The Next part of our journey took us up to Two Harbors, where the trip went "deadly" im sad to report.

We all know and understand the circle of life- I also grew up in the country and hunting was a partof lifestyle at that time- however, I have a very hard time with what I saw today.

Not only did I see it ONCE- but I saw this disturbing vision TWICE! For anyone that knows me- they know that this particular animal is one of my absolute favorites- truly!!


Again, I know in order to keep the populations down- you have to be able to control the herds and all the jazz-

I just kept seeing this poor gals head in some shop that sells cheap souveniers somewhere.

So, I for one will never be able to look at a Moose Head hanging anywhere, ever again.

Hair- a glorious thing

Today on my normal route home, I was pleasantly suprised when I saw this lovely elderly woman walking with her grand- daughter or so I assume it was her grand- daughter.

They appeared to be deep in conversation and the youngster was waving her arms and really telling a tale I am sure. They truly seemed to be enjoying each others company.

As I was waiting at the stop light along Rice street, the wonderful thing about these two was the fact that they were totally oblivious to the fact the grandma had her in rollers and that she was sporting them as if she was.... the Mona Lisa.

I LUV that.

Meaning of Life

Live. Love. Laugh. ~or something to that affect.

As I have been reflecting back over my life, my many careers, my loves, my losses, friendships gained and lost, knowledged learned and yet to be learned- I have come to understand the true meaning of life.

I know that people search for this their entire lives, yet, I have found it at a mere 36.5 and I have to tell you, it is pretty "eye" opening.

.. and all I really had to do, was stop and wait for it to find me.

As it dawned on me what the true meaning was, I was elaited and yet felt completely stupid at the simplicity of it. I did a Homer Simpson and said a big, "DOH" and biddied myself in the forehead and said, "Of Course!"

But Im not the only one that has figured out the secret. Many different cultures and religions understand what the true meaning of life is as well- it is depicted in some of theworlds greatest art- "how can you tell?" you may ask me. By looking at it.

I know that I havent gave the secret away as of yet- and Im not sure that I want too...but I can promise you this:

This has been a summer of discovery for me. Discovering the things that are most important in my life. To love, to laugh , to live fully - that is my promise (HINT: and by the way, that does coincide with the true meaning of life)

Something .. ?... odd

I was driving home from work today when all of a sudden this motorcycle comes out of no-where and the guy on the motorcycle is in SCRUBS!!!

That was kind of funny to me. I thought, Im sure he didnt wear those scrubs to work and that he just happened to wear those home "after" work... but.. what IF he didnt???

He wasnt exactly sterile all day was he - Hmmmmm, curious.

Tall Tale that is 100% true!!

Many years ago, my family and I use to go up to my husbands mothers cabin for fishing, boating and all out fun (never mind that she was and is an evil troll), and we would attempt to have a great time, with all of the other family that would be there.

This one particular summer, grandpa had bought a new pontoon boat and the boys seemed to monopolize a majority of the time..sun up to sundown- they had the boat and my sister-in-law and I were a bit sick of it and decided to grab our fishing poles and take the paddle boat out just a "ways" to see if the fish were biting.

A couple of girls out on the lake isnt all that strange, but we had fishing poles.

FISHING POLES on a paddle boat.

What the hell were we thinking, and I swear it had to be 147 degrees that day.

What we failed to notice was, that we ended up paddling to one end of the lake and just sitting there... gabbing about nothing AND just fishing(and not catching anything)

ALL OF A SUDDEN.. it happened.............

I thought I snagged a piece of wood.... but Ohhh NOOOOO. It was the Monster Fish of the Lake I kid you not. My sister-in-law and I were excited at first then realized at the same moment that we had no actual gear to catch this Monster Fish of the Lake.

Panic started to set in as the paddle boat started to move... yes, started to move. This Monster Fish... actually pulled us from one end of the lake to damn near the other.

We were so screwed. We were dehydrated, tired, had no gear to get rid of this fish or catch him for PROOF, plus we now had to paddle ALL the way back to the cabin at the opposite end of the lake.

I know that our families have never- ever believed us...but I felt the power of the Monster Fish of the Lake that day- Ohhh yes, the power.

All about..... me of course

I know that people dont always understand tattooing and that is just fine. I personally didnt get into tattoo's until I was well into my late 20's.


I am on a mission.

A mission, to put works of art that I help create on my person. Not just any piece of art, but art that speaks to me and means something, has a story that is waiting to be told - or a secret yet undiscovered.

Crazy of me??? Maybe
Insane? Possibly
Unattractive? To some maybe

I love 'em. I have started a LARGE arm piece that I am in love with. It is beautiful and I can not wait until it is finished.I have another two 4 hour session. I have already had two sessions already.

I have also changed my hair. Yep! Its a shocker I know- a stylist changing her hair, but this is unlike anything that I have really ever done before. I have the whole Bettie Page thing going on and I love it. You heard correctly. I have Bettie Page hair and it looks fabulous.

Bettie Bangs!
Luscious black locks!!

AS far as being part of the normal every day population, I dont think that I fit that criteria- however, I am something unique- and I love that about me.

Halie's summer

Summer hasnt even begun yet, and already, I havent seen my children. They seem to be growing up quicker than my hair is turning gray.

Halie has now become one of the employed. Ohhh heart be still. She will now have her own money to waste on fast food, makeup, fast food and yet, more fast food.

Yippee!!

Where is her place of employment:


I LOVE this place.They really do have the best Fast Food Noodles ever- its right up Halie's alley when it comes to favorite things!

Halie has also been helping me with my side venture,Classic Cherry Productions.

In doing that, she was able to get a few vintage Pin Up pictures taken by Latrisha and make some money on the side. How cool is that for a 16 year old.







Summer school has also entered our lives. Halie has to make up three credits, so that she will be able to graduate with the rest of her class when the time comes. Three credits- 3 credits- 3!!

She has vowed to never fail a class again because summer school sucks!!! Its 6 hours long and really cuts into her social life.

Thankfully~ I have never had to do summer school myself, but if I did- I would want it to be like this:

The Unexplained

A lot of things happen in our lives that make us stop to laugh, cry, wonder, try to explain and really- take a step back and ask ourselves "why"... but during my recent camping trip, the only alternative for everyone involved, was to simply shake our heads and absorb the craziness that happening before our eyes.

Whether I am in traffic or happen to be Googling something.. I seem to come across Porta Potties.. so Porta Potties are just a part of who I am I guess in some twisted way. Now, you may seem to think that this picture is not that halarious- however, the story surrounding it- is quite, well- different- let me explain.

Nixie (names have been changed to protect the innocent- and also the one IN the Porta Pottie) had to use the facility.... however, she seemed to be having a lot of fun that day with the local beverages.. she got over to the Porta Pottie and realized that it was dark inside- her pants got caught on the handle and she needed help.

She of course couldnt say anything, all she could do was stick her head out every few seconds and laugh- stick her head back in - stick her head out and laugh- stick her head back in - and so on. Finally- after we all figured out that she wasnt playing and really DID need some help.. Marashino went to her rescue. By this time- our entire camp site was in tears.

I guess you had to be there for the full affect. If that wasnt enough- check out what Nixie did later:

She gave us the Campground Version of Stephen King's IT....

(the real story is, she was trying to throw her water bottle in the garbage can and missed- she didnt have her shows on- and didnt want to walk over any closer because she was hollering,"People PEEEEEED over there"!!!) Some nice man did pick up her bottle for her.

That weekend was awesome! Not because it was 40 degrees at night, or that it wasnt hot during the day- but because there are people in the world that will allow you to see them like this.

Fun, carefree, alive, vibrant and beautiful!! I have great friends- and I am thankful to have been able to share this time with them.

Hippies, Hemp, Tie-Dye and Music!



Camping, Marshmellows, Hot Dogs and The Great Grape War!



The Lower Lenai, The naps and cheering on the porta pottie users....

Yep- its time once again, to pack up the gear. Hit Chipotle on the way to Camp Runamuck... and do it all once again!!


(((((SIGHHHHHHH))))) Cant wait!!