Mother's Day, Sex Toys and Good Friends

I've been dreading Mother's Day most of this last week. On Mother's Day last year, I was back home in Hawaii scattering my mom's ashes into the ocean, with my sisters, my friend James, my father and a Pastor.

Scattering Mom's Ashes and Flowers

Though I've come a long way in being at peace with my mother's passing, significant dates still bite me in the ass.  Mother's Day this year was no exception.  All week long I could feel a dark cloud forming over me and I knew a meltdown was coming.

It happened the day before Mother's Day in a grocery store parking lot. The thought of buying groceries to celebrate Mother's Day was suddenly more than I could handle. I sat in my car, thankfully parked far from the entrance, and had myself a state of the art meltdown, complete with the "ugly cry". The "ugly cry" is when your sobbing resembles a cat hacking up a fur ball, while snot cakes your face.  It's not attractive.

My friend Cami texted me and I admitted I was having a meltdown in the grocery store parking lot, made worse by the fact that I was about out of tissue and really had to pee.  She offered to come get me, but I ended up driving to her house for a very therapeutic chat. After some great TLC from Cami and her dog Pluto, I was able to head home.

I spoke to my daughter before I left Cami's and warned her that I was having a rough time because I missed Grandma, but I would be okay and home soon.  Like many kids, my kids can be selfish pains in the butt, but they really come through for me when I need them.

I arrived home to a clean house, my favorite pasta, and three kinds of cake!  My kids know what to do when mom is in crisis and they went into action.  They also gave me my Mother's Day presents.  When I pulled my first present out of the bag I thought it was a sex toy, which made me think "Geez they really are going all out to handle my stress.". Turns out the "Electric Rabbit" is an electronic corkscrew for opening wine.

Now keep in mind my two older girls are 22 and 20, and inherited my open sense of humor, so it was possible that they had gotten me a sex toy for Mother's Day.

Not a sex toy

The kids hung out with me, and we devoured the pasta and cake.  We watched spooky movies and I even took a nap, which I almost never do. Grief is exhausting.

I woke up on Mother's Day feeling a bit better, but still fairly depressed.  I wanted to just spend the day under my blanket in bed.  After crying away most of the prior day, my eyes were puffier than a puffer fish.

Unfortunately no one in my house was thoughtful enough to have had hemorrhoids recently.  If they had, we would have had Preparation H in the house, which would have done wonders for the bags under my eyes.

We headed to Lago Tacos for brunch. I made it through most of the meal, but then had to leave for the car when my grief overwhelmed me again.  If I was a more attractive crier I may have just remained at the table, but we all now know I am not, so for the good of the other diners I retreated to the privacy of my car.  I'm thoughtful like that.

In the last 24 hours I've gone from a very dark place, back into the light of life, because I'm surrounded by people who care and want to help.  Sometimes I just have to let them.

Weekly Wisdom: 5 Things I learned This Week to Avoid Being Sued for Sexual Harassment or Discrimination

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't learn something about myself or the world around me.  Each Saturday I hope to share my weekly pearls of wisdom, which I pick up during the week while out and about, in a new series called "Weekly Wisdom".

1. Older caucasian Minnesotan men instructing you on how to operate a Street Car Trolley don't find it amusing  when you point out to them how your fellow Chinese Street Car enthusiast is a pretty good driver, considering she is both female and Asian.  Lesson learned: Jokes about minorities can only be shared with other minorities, and despite the stereotype not all female Asians are bad drivers.

The First Hawaiian and Chinese Street Car Trolley Operating Team in Excelsior

2.  Mouthing the words to a song while on the elliptical at the gym can make others uncomfortable. Even if not out loud as previously requested by the health club's management. Especially if you are singing the chorus to the song "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. Who knew there were so many lip readers at the gym. Lesson learned: People who read lips go to the gym so be careful.

3. This is a "Water element meant for decoration only" and not a place to soak your feet after a workout.  Since they feel so strongly about it, I suggested they post a sign.  Despite my impulse control issues, I tend to follow posted signs and written rules.  Lesson learned: Though my Hawaiian instinct is to enter a body of water, not all bodies of water are to be entered, and mainlanders can be uptight about such things.

4. When going to a couple's house for dinner make sure the wine you hand them isn't called "Menage a Trois".  If you do make this mistake and realize it as soon as you hand the bottle over, don't spend the next five minutes rambling and nervously tripping over your words, trying to explain that you didn't realize what the wine was called and it isn't some kind of message or hint.  Not that there is anything wrong with them, because if you were a swinger, which you aren't, they would totally be invited to the key party. Needless to say they now think I'm crazy and I may not be invited back. Lesson learned: It's better to just shut up and have people suspect you are a swinger, rather than just crazy.

5. When using google images to search for a picture of a bottle of Menage a Trois wine it's very important to add the word "wine" at the end of Menage a Trois, otherwise you get some very interesting imagery that you can't unsee.  Lesson learned: Think through phrases before using google images.

Making the Best of a Crappy Spring

If you live in the Lake Minnetonka area of Minnesota as I do, you have probably been experiencing the spring that never came. Snowstorms, rain and cold, with the rare nice day thrown in so we don't all slit our wrists.  My years in Minnesota have taught me that you have to get out and enjoy those nice days when you can.

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is one of my favorite places to escape to for some outdoor time and exercise. With multiple trails and a three mile loop that you can drive or walk, there are opportunities abound to drink in the beauty of a nice day.

It was a favorite place of my mom's, so I sometimes take a bottle of wine to the Japanese garden she loved, and toast to her memory. Unless alcohol consumption there is illegal, if that's the case I meant to say I toast her with my "water bottle".

My favorite toasting spot

One of the many walking trails

I'm happy to say that I'm back hiking their trails again.  I had to take some time off after my "piss and fall" sometime ago.  I had slipped and fallen on dog pee at a big box pet store. Not my most graceful moment in public, but I like to think I did it with style. As a result my knee had been giving me problems.

I've been going to SuNu Wellness Center in Minnetonka for Chiropractic treatment, which has helped with my knee and also my back and shoulder pain from being on the computer so much. Keeping up on facebook drama is time consuming, and Pinterest doesn't pin itself. These things take time and dedication.

Additionally I've been seeing a Physical Therapist. Not really seeing one myself, my sister Lana goes to one. Oddly she has a similar knee issue but her's is not the result of a "piss and fall". Lana has way better insurance than I do so I ride on her Physical Therapy coat tails by copying her exercises.

My sister and I have share a couple of ailments, which has worked to my benefit in not having to seek out my own medical care. Sometimes I even suggest that Lana discuss some of my issues with her therapist.  Apparently I have ADD and a touch of OCD, which are probably a result of my years growing up in a cult.

Even though the weather isn't cooperating at the moment here in the Lake Minnetonka area, I think it's important we do our best to keep the spirit of spring alive.  There never seems to be a perfect time to do anything. Be it the interruptions caused by a "piss and fall" or the mood killer of a snowy spring.  So plan those BBQs, they just may have to be indoors. Get out and support our local businesses, and don't buy warm clothes. Go out and get a fabulous summer outfit!

This Saturday May 4th, 3-7pm in Excelsior at the corner of Lake and Water Street, you will find a "Bingo & Burgers by the Bay", a fun event with beer from the Excelsior Brewery and Burgers from Maynard's, happening rain or shine to benefit our Excelsior 4th of July fireworks. Hope to see you there celebrating spring, with or without the cooperation of Mother Nature.

Tin Foil Hat? Yes please!

I'm convinced that there are sinister shenanigans taking place in my city.  Someone or someones are putting something in our drinking water, which is causing me to sprout gray hair at an alarming rate. I opted out of aging, so my signs of aging must be the result of a dastardly plot.

Recently I shared my suspicions with my hair stylist Senait, at Ovations Salon and Spa. Senait is very worldly, having been trained in France and also here in Minnesota as a hair stylist.  She has also traveled all over the world.  After I told her about my suspected sinister shenanigans, she suggested a treatment using tin foil.

Now, tin foil can be used to block the brain from electromagnetic fields preventing mind control or mind reading.  I know this to be true as I read it on Wikipedia and the internet never lies.  I contemplated Senait's suggestions and thought that maybe the tin foil treatment would also block the effects of whatever was in my drinking water causing my gray hair to sprout.

I shared my hypothesis with Senait. She mumbled something about having to go mix a color and that she would be right back.  Upon her return we started my tin foil hat treatment.

Protective Tin Foil Hat Treatment

As part of my special tin foil hat treatment to protect me from the agents secretly causing my gray, Senait gave me a relaxing scalp massage, and even a haircut complete with styling tips.

Now protected

The result is no more gray, and a fabulous hair style as a bonus. My tin foil hat treatments will need to be repeated every few months, to give me a booster to fight the effects of whatever is being placed in the water, causing gray hair.

Be aware of the signs of sinister shenanigans in your area. Do you find yourself experiencing any of the following?

• Gray hair 
• Daily ponytail wearing because your hair has no style
• Limp, flat hair
• Obsessive hat wearing to cover your gray or lack of style
• Out of control curly hair
• Being mistaken for Big Foot because of your out of control curly hair

If you are suffering from any of these ailments, you must call Ovations Salon and Spa at 952-474-8777 and make an appointment immediately! The terrorist only win when we do nothing.

Expectation Vs. Reality

Lately I've been contemplating the difference between expectations and reality.  Often what we visualize, expect, or even plan for, is not always what we end up with.  But, is that always such a bad thing?

I'll give you a few recent examples.  Two years ago when we got our adorable Maltese named Loki, I had visions of him running through our yard with his pure white hair flowing in the breeze, on a beautiful spring day.  Here is my expectation versus reality.

In reality on our first "spring day" this year, Loki decided to channel his inner piggy and give himself a mud bath.  It was a pain in the butt to clean him, the carpet and myself up, but my son and I did it together, and it was nice to spend that time with him.  He saw it as an adventure.

I've been seeing pictures of friends wearing their hair in a gorgeous bun with the use of a sock.  It's called the sock bun. Despite watching multiple youtube videos on how to create this look this is what my expectation versus reality looked like.

I look ridiculous, but I laughed my butt off.  I may never master the sock bun, but I know I don't take myself too seriously.

After contemplating all of this I realized something.  I realized that I may not always end up where I expect, but sometimes the reality turns out to be even better.  I end up learning patience, laughing harder and enjoying the simplicity of a less complicated endeavor.

At the end of the day I'm content in my perfectly imperfect world.  I'm thankful that things don't always turn out how we expect them to.  If they did, I think we might miss out on things we didn't even know we were missing.

Mommalicious Joins the Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce

There has not been a better partnership since Lewis and Clark, or Lucy and Ethel.  I've joined forces with the Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce and have become one of their newest members.

Given my involvement in the community aka:" How I'm always sticking my nose in other people's business.", it seemed only fitting that I officially became a member.  Plus their meetings are served over a yummy sit down lunch at Biella in downtown Excelsior, and their parties tend to involve copious amounts of wine, which is just fine by me.

As part of this new partnership I'm working with the Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission on a community TV show called "Out and About".  Basically it will highlight the latest and greatest happenings in Excelsior and surrounding communities.

At today's monthly Chamber luncheon at Biella, we shot our first edition of "Out and About". Later I'll be able to share it on my blog.  Below is a photo of me doing my first on camera shots. I'm not loving the bright spotlight. I look best in candle light, but the Production Manager Chris Vogt said shooting our show using candle light was just not going to happen.

Out and About TV 

Normally I hate meetings and avoid them like the dentist. It turns out that these Chamber luncheons are quite informative, and I'm so glad I went.  Here are the highlights that have me excited:

• As soon as the weather warms up Twin Town Pedicabs will have about 8 cabs running in and around Excelsior.  For a small fee they will bike your drunk butt home after a night out on the town, providing you don't live that far.  I suppose families will also enjoy a pedicab around town. 

• Biella is expanding and will be moving to the corner of 2nd Street and Water St.  They will be adding a steak menu. There will NOT be a separate steakhouse in that spot.  They are shooting for an end of June opening.

• Because of the strike or walk out or something involving the Minnesota Orchestra, at this year's 4th of July celebration "The Wolverine Orchestra" will be headlining in their place.

• The Chamber's "Celebration of Community and Person of the Year" party is on April 19th from 6-9pm. I checked and yes there will be wine.  You can get tickets at this link: "A Chamber Celebration of Community and The Person of the Year Award"

Excelsior Historian and Author Bob Williams was the guest speaker today. He was quite charming and full of anecdotes of what life was like in Excelsior during the depression era.  Bob just turned 91 this past December.  I'm amazed with what he can remember and share, when I couldn't tell you what I had for lunch two days ago.

Here is a little video of my pedicab ride down Water St. today.

Adventures in the Excelsior Luck O' The Lake 5K

As you may have read earlier on my blog, I've signed up for three 5Ks but I had never done one, until this past Saturday.  The Jake O'Connor's Luck O' the Lake 5K was my very first!

Tina and I modeling our race attire. Photo by Susan Austin

From the left: Deb and Tina who ran ahead, me and Jill who stuck with me. Photo by Susan Austin

About 500 people dressed in a variety of St. Patrick's Day outfits showed up for the run in Excelsior.  The run benefited the Excelsior - Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce and the community events it supports. It started at the Excelsior Brewery, and ended at Jake O'Connor's Public House aka: our local Irish Pub. 

If you know me, you know I am NOT a runner.  But, boy did I run when that race started.  I ran until there wasn't a camera in sight.  Then I started walking.  I'm out of shape, and not crazy.  Vain, but not crazy.

Evidence of my running.

Eventually I realized I was in the back of the pack, and pulling up the rear.  Apparently the police car behind me was not my personal escort, but was the cop car at the end of the run protecting the runners. I tried not to take the occasional gunning of his engine as a "Hurry the heck up", but more as a sign of support.

Two of my girlfriends (Jill and Alex), who are in much better shape than I, abandoned their dignity and stuck with me, even though I had to mostly walk.  The cold 19 degree winter air wasn't doing my Hawaiian lungs any favors either.  

Being one to make lemonade out of lemons, I treated the last mile as a parade, breaking out my pageant wave to the passing cars and volunteers on the sidelines.  I thought of asking the police officer behind me if I could ride on his car and wave, like in a real parade, but my girlfriends said it wouldn't count as finishing the 5K if I did that.

At just under 50 minutes after starting, I crossed the finish line.  Not so much to fanfare, as to the sound of people breaking down tables and packing up.  Even my police escort abandoned me a block earlier.  My two girlfriends stood with me arm in arm and we crossed the finish line, completing my first ever, and possibly last 5K.

If it hadn't been for the Chiropractic treatment I've been getting at SuNu Wellness Center, especially for my knee, I may not have been able to finish at all. I'm a work in progress.  Maybe by the time the 2nd Annual Luck O' The Lake rolls around next year, I'll be ready to do more running in it, or at least not come in last.

Much fun and celebration followed at Jake O'Connor's Irish Pub.

After party with the girls.

Note: Thank you Susan Austin Images for two of the above photos.

Why I'm Obsessed with Antiquity Rose

Photo by: Al Whitaker

One of my favorite lunch spots in Excelsior is Antiquity Rose. I'm there at least twice a week having lunch with my sister or friends. It's where we go when we want some home cooked goodness in a comforting atmosphere.

The waitresses and staff are like family, and are a real hoot to hang out with while you enjoy lunch or breakfast.  Don't be surprised to see a little good natured ribbing between a particular waitress named Martha, and the cook Sheila. They deserve their own reality show.

From Vege Wraps and Salads, to Casseroles and Homemade Desserts, they have it all.  Right now I'm obsessed with their Garden Salad with a scoop of Tuna. I order it without the Cheese and Croutons, and with extra cucumbers.

My Current Obsession

I'm also a huge fan of their Chef Salad.  They make their own Blue Cheese dressing, that is amazing!  I always order it on the side.

Chef Salad

Their food is homemade, along with their desserts.  Feast your eyes on their Pecan Pie. It's so good!

Homemade Pecan Pie

Antiquity Rose is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00am till 2:30pm for Lunch. For Breakfast they are open Saturday from 8:00am-10:30am.  It's a fun place to meet up, catch up and enjoy a fabulous meal.

Why I'm Giving Up Swearing Like a Sailor for the Middle East

If there is one bug I have it's the "Travel Bug".  In way it's kind of odd that I love to travel so much, as I hate going more than 10 minutes from my home for any of my day to day activities such as: the grocery store, happy hour, the gym, happy hour, or whatever else.  The gym I hate overall, but I've been twice this week, which is a record for me and why I included it.

I've fondled the nipples of sculptures in Paris, I've experienced the all-inclusive gluttony of Mexico.  I've gotten lost in the streets of London and have jet skied in Aruba.  I've stayed up all night in Vegas and have spent hours taking in the beauty of Central Park in New York during the Fall.  From road trips to Mount Rushmore to ghost hunting in New Orleans, I've hit many but not all of the hot spots in the U.S.

Well, there has been one international destination on my bucket list that I have contemplated, which will become a reality later this year. This Fall I'm going to Dubai!

Dubai

Dubai is known for many things, including its opulence.  My travel partner for this grand adventure will be none other than one of my very best friends, James.  James traveled with my sister and I to Hawaii last year when we scattered my mom's ashes.  Below is a photo of James after he protected us in the waters of Hawaii by fighting off a Tiger Shark.  I still think it was a local fish, but we are going along with the "Shark" story.

James protecting us from "Sharks".

If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know that James and I have had many adventures together.  I'll be spending the next several months learning what I can about Dubai, the culture, the etiquette there, and I'll also learn some basic Arabic.

The thing I know right off the bat is that I have to stop swearing like a sailor, as you can NOT swear out loud in public in Dubai.  Yesterday I said the "S" word only once, so I'm off to a good start. I told James he should do the same and start now, as his potty mouth makes me sound like a Kindergarten teacher.

We will explore the parties, the fashion, the sights but also the people and the culture.  I'm really looking forward to learning more about Dubai and its people.  One thing we won't be doing is going to their indoor ski park.  I'm not leaving snowy Minnesota for the desert to go skiing.

Big Thrill Factory in Minnetonka

Hurricane Grill & Wings NOW OPEN

Hurricane Grill and Wings  is a restaurant from Florida with locations around the Southern United States and now Minnesota.  One is in Burnsville and one opens on Monday March 4th right here in Minnetonka on Highway 7 and 101.

The other night I was able to preview Hurricane Grill before their opening this week.  The Stud Muffin and I met up with another couple at our friends Bob and Cindi's house. The men folk were in rare form and excited about trying a new place.

Stud Muffin and the men folk before heading out.

 When we arrived at Hurricane Grill we spent a little time at the bar while our table was being prepared.  Our friends Eric and Jill introduced us to a beer called Landshark.  The Stud Muffin and I don't often drink beer but when we do, it's usually from the Excelsior Brewery. It is our hope that Hurricane Grill will  support our local brewery and starts carrying a beer or two from the Excelsior Brewery.  Having said that, the Landshark was enjoyable.  The men folk seemed particularly put in a party mood by it.

The Stud Muffin and Eric at our table.

For our first appetizer we had their Shrimp BLT Quesadilla, and it was yummy. I must admit, it was my first time having shrimp and bacon together.  They did a great job of giving the quesadilla that nice, crunchy, toasted taste.

 Our second appetizer was also new to me.  It was their Conch Fritters. I considered stabbing my friends with my fork so that I could have all the Conch Fritters for myself, but reconsidered after the Stud Muffin pointed out we could always order more.  Jill was smart enough to snap a photo, while I was focused on shoveling these into my mouth.

Photo by Jill

Our waitstaff were fabulous, and very upbeat, which went well with the beachy Florida feel of Hurricane Grill.  A nice escape during a Minnesota winter.  Our meal progressed with pork sandwiches, chicken wings and salmon.  The pork sandwiches were very tasty as were the fries, which I think were flavored with a touch of parmesan cheese.  The salmon was a bit dry and not something we would order again.

They have a ton of sauces, which will be fun to experiment with when trying their chicken wings. All in all, it's a fun place to take friends or the family for a taste of Florida.

Lago Tacos - My New Obsession

Having been raised on an island in the Pacific, I'm use to not having to travel that far from my home for what I need, be it the grocery store, restaurants, shopping etc.  I think that has a lot to do with why I love living in Excelsior, Minnesota.  Everything I need is nearby.

Until recently, we were in need of a Taco place. For months I've obsessed over the opening of Lago Tacos on Water Street in Excelsior.

Peering into the windows, willing them to open

Finally last week they threw open their doors and introduced the town to their 28 different types of tequila, Street Style Tacos, and massive Burritos. I've already been there four times, and I'm happy to say that they were worth the wait.

I've worked my way through about half of their menu items.  Right now my favorite is their Steak Quesadillas. Their Walleye Tacos and El Pastor (Pork) Tacos are also at the top of my list.

Steak Quesadillas

Lago Tacos serves lunch starting at 11am, and dinner with a Happy Hour from 3pm-6pm. Starting March 16th they will be serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays when they will open at 8:00am. I'm counting the days until March 16th when I can try their breakfast menu.

If you see me running...

Anyone who knows me well knows that, if you see me running it means I'm being chased by a zombie, or Bradley Cooper is in town, meaning a restraining order against me will probably follow.

If I'm running a zombie is coming or I'm after Bradley Cooper

 Even when I use to work out regularly, running was not a part of my routine if I could help it. This may all change for a good cause. The Jake O'Conners Luck o' The Lake 5K Fun Run is March 16th right here in Excelsior.  The 5K benefits Community Events such as Art on the Lake, 4th of July and others.

It kicks off at the Excelsior Brewery, which is a plus.  I'm not sure where it ends, but I know for me it will end at Jake O'Conners Public House aka: Our very own Irish Pub in Excelsior.  More than likely I'll be doing more walking during the 5K than running.  Either way, I'll be out supporting a great cause in our community.

You can sign up for the 5K by visiting this link Jake O'Conners Luck o' The Lake 5K.  You can also support community efforts buy purchasing a fabulous Luck o' The Lake 5K hoodie.  I'm wearing mine here.

You can purchase a hoodie at the following Excelsior businesses:

Patisserie Margo
Brightwater Clothing and Gear
Excelsior Brewing Company
Jake O'Conners Public House

I've signed up for 3 5Ks but I've never done one. It's on my bucket list to do one, so this one looks promising.

Hope to see you there! Dressing up to show your St. Patrick's Day spirit is encouraged, unless you are Bradley Cooper, then just show up topless in a speedo.

Just Call me Judge Natalie

Word must really be getting out about how much of a food enthusiast I am.  Recently I was invited to be a judge at the first annual Southshore Sizzle, which is a Lake Minnetonka Iron Chef style competition benefiting the ICA Food Shelf.  Four Lake Minnetonka restaurants went head to head to compete for the Golden Cleaver Award.

Competing restaurants were:

Ike's Minnetonka
318 Cafe
Joey Nova's
Hazellewood Grille

My claim to fame as a local food enthusiast is that I was the first Excelsior resident to eat one of everything at our local European Bakery, Patisserie Margo.  At least I'm pretty sure this is why I was invited to sit at the judges table with National Meteorologist Paul Douglas, MyTalk 107.1 Talk Show Host Bradley Traynor, Around Town TV Host Carla Beaurline and President of InVision Optical Anthony Bosca.

Senior Editor from Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine Melinda Nelson, was the emcee of the evening.  The woman is just a hoot and a half!

Sizzle Judges with Emcee Melinda Nelson

Because I was going to be eating a decent amount of food, and drinking as much free wine as I could get my hands on, I wore my tried and true compression garment known as Spanx under a dress that was forgiving in the waist area. Nothing helps you remember to keeps your Abs in, and encourages good posture like full body Spanx.

I digress, this is supposed to be about the Southshore Sizzle, not how I hold in my muffin top.  The participating chefs were able to choose ingredients from a table and were given the "secret" ingredient, which was Filet Mignon, along with an Italian sausage.

 I have to be honest. I lobbied for the secret ingredient to be one of my all time favorite meats, Spam.  Being from Hawaii I've had a lifelong love affair with this succulent canned meat. Needless to say my idea was shot down, which I thought was surprising being that Spam is produced here in Minnesota.

As judges we were given a dish that each Chef put together.  We judged each based on Taste, Presentation, and Originality.  Though all were delicious, one stood out.  The winner was Joey Nova's, who happened to be the underdog.  Here are the judges, emcee and the team from Joey Nova's.

I had such a great time taking part in this event. I've now judged a cooking competition and pageants, so my judging resume has really expanded.  Though, I think I prefer these cooking competitions over judging Pageants because the food is better.  

It was a bonus that my bio was read correctly at this event. During one of the pageants I judged, as I turned facing and waving to the crowd, the emcee announced that I was a "Popular Lake Minnetonka Communist!"  The sheet said "Columnist".  I just shrugged my shoulders and took my seat. I figured I'd been called worse.

Doggie Yoga at Adogo Pet Hotel

When your oldest kids are in college and your youngest can wipe his own butt and feed himself, how might a Lake Minnetonka Mom spend her time?  Doing "Doga" Doggie Yoga, of course.

I grabbed my pups TJ and Loki and headed over to Adogo Pet Hotel to experience "Doga" with my daughter Shelby and Yoga Instructor Milissa Link from Tree of Life Yoga.  Enjoy the video.

3 Women in Their 40's Go Ice Boating

A few of my fellow Lake Minnetonka moms and I have been working on our "Life List".  It' basically a bucket list, but life list sounds better.

Today we crossed "ice boating" off our lists during an Arctic Fever event that happens each year in our community.  Special thanks to the very brave Terry Foster for taking us out on his ice boat on Lake Minnetonka.

Scientology and Lawrence Wright's Book "Going Clear"

The Church of Scientology continues to experience a massive shit storm of negative media.  It's raining turds for a group that refuses to admit any wrong doing.


Last night NBC's Rockcenter aired an interview with Oscar winning Director Paul Haggis who left Scientology, and Pulitzer Prize winning author Lawrence Wright, who just wrote a book on Scientology called "Going Clear ".

If you didn't catch last night's episode of Rockcenter you can see it here: "Director calls some Scientology teachings 'madness'."  Be sure to watch the second part, which shares what happened to one family broken apart by Scientology.  Sadly, they are one of many.

I'm amazed that the Church of Scientology thinks they can get away with claiming they don't put the screws to parishioners to "disconnect" (cut ties) with people who leave Scientology.  A big reason many remained trapped in Scientology is because they know the Church will make sure that any relationships an individual leaving has with other Scientologist is ended.

It doesn't matter if they are your mother, child, friends or bosses.  The Church fears that the few remaining Scientologist will find out what the rest of the world already knows.  It's the same reason why Scientologist are indoctrinated into believing that they can not watch or read anything that contradicts what they are told in Scientology.

When you leave Scientology your remaining friends and family are called into the Church and "briefed" on what an asshat you are.  Often they are told lies about you in an effort to turn your friends and family against you.  When my family and I left the Church, many of our friends were called in and told some pretty outrageous things about us, and why we left.

We heard from friends who told us what they were told.  They said they knew it wasn't true but had to disconnect from us or they would loose their own friends and family who remained in the Church.  They continued to believe that their spiritual freedom was in the hands of Scientology, and without it they would suffer the Christian equivalent of going to hell.

The Church even uses social media to spread the word to your friends and family across the country that they need to disconnect from you. Below is a facebook message that was cut and pasted from a message sent from a Scientologist in the Twin Cities named Megan Finstrom, who goes by Megan Parfitt on facebook.  It and messages like it were sent to multiple friends of mine on across the country.  She and other Scientologist are instructed by Church staff to do this.  The Church often has its parishioners do its dirty work, so they can appear to have clean hands.

 In Megan's case she refers people to Karen Wesling who is a Twin Cities Church of Scientology staff member and probably Megan's handler.  Megan was kind enough to even provide instructions on how to not only unfriend the Stud Muffin and I, but also my parents, just to be on the safe side.

An "HCO order" is a document that the Church creates stating your offenses against the Church, often made up.  They post this for people to see in lunch rooms and common areas, thereby warning Scientologist to stay away from you.

"PTS Type C" is Church jargon which means that we threatened to take legal action against the Church.

"Org" is short for Organization meaning the Church.

From: Facebook <notification+m-j5j51_@facebookmail.com>

Subject: Megan Parfitt sent you a message on Facebook...

To: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Date: Sunday, January 10, 2010, 3:06 PM

Subject: Important

Hi,

There is an HCO order posted in the Twin Cities org regarding Natalie and Brad Hagemo. They are declared PTS Type C. Please remove them from your facebook friends asap. Their family members should also be removed: Corey Wilcox and Donna-Gail Wilcox.

You can do this by going to "friends" and hit x for delete.

Please go into the org and see Karen Wesling if you have any questions, data to report and to view the order.

Thanks, Megan

(For those of you out of state, you can reach Karen by calling 612-338-5111)

Many friends disconnected from us.  In the three years since we left, many friends have reconnected with us.  Some have left the Church themselves, fed up with the demands for money, abuses and manipulation. Some maintain the appearance of still being with the Church, so as not to rock the boat for their friends and family who are still brainwashed by the false control the Church exerts.  Some remained disconnected completely, fearing that they risk their spiritual freedom if they were to speak to us.

The thing is, the Church of Scientology, like any cult, only has power over you if you grant them that power.  They play on an individuals fear, they use threats and other manipulative tactics.  Take back your own power and sense of self, and you see that they are nothing more than a bully on the playground.

I'm reading Lawrence Wright's book "Going Clear".  It is shedding further light on what I was involved with and why you feel trapped in Scientology.  It truly is a prison of belief.