Well, if you insist . . .

Troy wanted a McDonald's Mocha Frappe this afternoon. We had just worked out and done a Target run, so I was really more interested in having some lunch since I was starving by this point. **Side Note: I usually become very crabby when I get hungry. My family likes to tease about this . . . only when they are a healthy distance from me.** I told Troy I didn't want one but we could still go and get him one. In a very depressing voice he declined the offer and veered the car back to the Carlson Homestead.

Why is it that we have such a hard time enjoying treats when we have to do it sans our partner in crime? I am the same way. Just last week, I wanted a Blizzard in the worst way and Troy didn't feel like one, but he was more than happy to run over to Dairy Queen and get one for me. "No thanks . . . . (heavy sigh) . . . " Maybe it has to do with the calories canceling each other out. If we both get a treat then the calories don't count, or at the very least we will both be fat cows together.

I would argue that this thought process even stems into other meals, like appetizers. Isn't it the best when the friend you're dining with suggests that you get an appetizer? Heck yes, I'll share one with you! We have friends who are like that when we go out to eat with them, and for that reason (along with enjoying their company, blah, blah, blah) we love to go out with them. You sit down in the restaurant and before you have even perused the menu, we'll hear, "You guys want margaritas? How about some chips and guac? Fried ice cream after dinner?" It is fantabulous (fantastic + fabulous = fantabulous).

This would probably be the part of my blog when I feel that power of self confidence festering in my belly and offer some kind of a message about fighting that inner conflict to enjoy desserts/mozzarella sticks/mojitos alone, but who am I kidding? I know that I won't be able to. And to be honest, there are few people out there who can fight it. Don't you love it when you are a witness to that? I love it when the idea of getting a fun treat comes up and then the offer has a negative response. You can almost see the wheels turning in the offer-ee's head and then she stands up straight and says those magical words, "I'm going to get one anyway." Don't you feel like patting her on the back and saying, "Good for you!! You fought it . . . . can I maybe have a little taste?"

All this talk makes me want something sweet. I'm going to annoy Troy until he gets a Blizzard with me and if he says no then I guess I'll go find something in the kitchen. I might still have some Swedish Fish in the pantry . . .

There's No Place Like Home

Dorothy may have had it right when she spoke those now famous words. Even though she lived in Kansas . . . no thank you. But home is definitely a feeling of comfort, regardless of where you actually live. I have lived in Minnesota for four years (not including my college time) and even though I love our cozy townhouse and could really be happy living almost anywhere with Troy, sometimes Minnesota doesn't feel like home to me. When we go home to Chicago to visit family, it is always a whirlwind of events and though it is sometimes really stressful, I tear up almost every time we leave. I have usually composed myself by the time we get to the Belvidere Oasis - or on good trips - Medieval Times. Troy is a great sport about it too; he'll pat my knee and let me have my moment until I can behave like a grown up again.

To be honest, I don't even know if I would want to move back to Illinois, much to my parents' dismay. Sometimes I think it would be fun to live somewhere other than the Midwest, much to Troy's parents' dismay. However, I have tried to make the best of living in Minnesota. I have made some great friends, we belong to a fantastic church and we have good jobs. There are just a few things that I can't get over that are Pure Minnesota:

1. Popcorn Ceilings. Umm, what are you trying to hide up there? Mold, cracks, little critters? Not to mention what a major pain it is to paint the walls when you have these little balls of who-knows-what hanging for dear life in an unnatural, upside-down state.

2. Hunters. Everyone hunts here, expect for Troy and me. I actually know people who take time off of work to go get Bambi, strap him to the hood of the truck and mount his head on the family room wall! I went to a friend's house and hung up my coat in the closet. There was this weird looking duffel and I teased him about it being a body bag. Then he told me that was where he kept his hunting riffles. Umm, what? In your front hall closet? Weird.

3. Crappy Pizza. Trust me.

4. Passive Drivers. Oh man, I am really opening up a can with this one. The thing of it is, that Minnesotans are just too darn nice and this extends into the driving. No, really, it's not my turn, just go already.

5. Blizzards over Spring Break. There is always a snowstorm near the end of March/beginning of April that puts me over the edge.

6. Ice Fishing. Let me get this straight, you want me to drive out in the middle of the lake in your truck, drill a hole in the ice and sit there all day? Just because you call it a "house" doesn't mean I want to hang out there. I don't care how thick the ice is, I would rather stay in my real house,and drink hot chocolate without fear of going for an impromptu polar swim.


7. Peppermint Bon Bon Ice Cream. When anyone else in the country orders this delicious treat, they are expecting to receive pink ice cream with candy cane or peppermint bits swirled around. When Minnesotans order this, they expect to get what the rest of us know as Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. I have had many a disappointed desert experience due to this.

Now, before all you die-hard Minnesotans come after me, I thought it would only be fair to also list things that I like about Minnesota. Tonia, this is for you.

1. Long Summer Nights. It seriously doesn't get dark until after 9 or 9:30 in the summertime. I can definately tell a difference between a summer night here and a summer night in Chicago. It is awesome. It is also the reason why things don't get done at my house because I am always thinking, "It can't be that late, it's still light outside."

2. Minnesota Accents. These are the best, and if you can find a grandpa or grandma with one, it's even better. Be warned, it is addicting and I find myself dropping the long "o" more often than not. If you have not heard a Minnesotan accent, enjoy this clip. Bobby's mom has a great one.

3. No Sales Tax on Clothes. Awesomeness. Enough said.

4. Skyways. For those of you who don't know, these are enclosed hallways that are connected to the buildings in Minneapolis which makes it awesome for walking around downtown in the winter.

There, now that I got that off my chest, it is important to realize that even if we moved to Hawaii tomorrow, I would probably still be homesick for Chicago, WGN and Italian Beef sandwiches, and still have a list of things that I thought was weird about my new habitat . . . granted, if we moved to Hawaii, that list would be much shorter and might only have the crappy pizza comment.