Over the past 18 months I have been helping to prepare for the American Planning Association's 2009 national planning conference in Minneapolis. The conference, after 5 days ended today. It was a lot of work, but so much fun during it. I spent most of the past week up at the Minneapolis convention center, preparing for and the attending the conference.

It's amazing what 4,500 professionals in the city planning field look like in one spot. It's an amazing amount of knowledge and synergy. I met collegues from at least 13 other states, and had the opportunity to hear what is working in other places around the country.

In my professional career I have attended many conferences...but this one tops it all. While I am exhausted and am on information overload, I am glad that I not only had the opportunity to attend, but also to participate in the behind the scenes preparation.

GO BSU BEAVER HOCKEY!!!

In case you didn't know, the Bemidji State University men's hockey team is in the Frozen Four (yes, it's like the Final Four, but for hockey).

GO BEAVERS!!!!

Potholes

In Minnesota there are two seasons...winter and road construction. While the road construction season hasn't started yet, I think of many roads which could be done...mainly in the city that I live in.

I was coming home this afternoon from work and it just amazed me what horrible condition the roads are in where I live. No where else I have really seen it this bad. It's not only local streets but also county owned roads.

Maybe...someday once the state gets out of it's $6 billion deficit we may have better roads. Until then, I just hope the shocks on my car keep on working.

A loyal running companion

No, I don't have a dog that will go out for a run with me. And no, my husband won't get up at the early hour I do to go for a run; however, my cat will always get up with me. For those of you thinking that Fred goes on a run with me...well, no...he doesn't do quite that either.

We have long side windows by our front door, and as I am making my way back from my run, and come up my driveway I see I little figure watching out the side windows. There is Fred...he's always there...morning after morning when I get back waiting for me. Okay, so the motivation is that I feed him a treat when I get back, but it's fun to think that he's waiting there to greet me.

A new CD

James got a new CD this past weekend. As I was looking at it I realized it was a Christmas CD. Of course he was really excited about it and so we played it. Yes, it is Lent...and we are three past Christmas. Oh well...might as well get some use out of it. It was rather relaxing listening to it.

It's starting to warm up...so I wonder how my caterpillar is doing? I will have to watch for him to come out soon!

While we moved a few times growing up, our family has lived in Rosemout for over 20 years, so I have always considered it my "hometown".

My parents are moving next weekend to a new home. While a new set of memories will be made there, it will be different. No more Christmases in the old house and while my bedroom was turned into something else many years ago, it was always my bedroom. There will no longer be my bedroom, or Abby's bedroom. It's my parents home now..no longer my old home. It's sad, but I am very excited for my parents!