Football Picks Winner

As a follow-up to an earlier post, I actually won the final week of our football pool--and therefore I've recooped my entry fee into the pool +$5. Woo Hoo!

New Year's Resolutions

What is it about this time of year that we all make resolutions to get better in some way, shape or form? Along with the new year, new hopes to improve something "lacking" in our lives. I have several pointed new year's resolutions....I want to track them throughout the year to see if I keep them longer than just a few weeks!

1. I will apply for a night teaching position with Cardinal Stritch University or Ottawa University by the end of January.
2. Our bedroom will be picked up and organized by the end of January (you have no idea how HUGE this will be!)
3. I would like to knit a scarf to wear with my newest winter coat by the end of January.
4. I would like to complete a beaded loom bracelet by the end of May.
5. I will strive to pay all of bills on time this year!

Governor Lee Sherman Dreyfuss

May he rest in peace. He came into office when I was a senior in high school, so he was governor of our fair state while I was in college. I wish more politicians were like him. A genuinely caring man--wanting the best for his constituents. The last six years I've got reacquainted with him through his columns in the Waukesha Freeman newspaper.

He was best known for his signature red vest. The state of Wisconsin was blessed by having a man like him as a resident, as a leader and as a governor.

Back to Work Blahs

After having a four-day weekend for the new year, it sure was hard to trudge back into work yesterday! The weather didn't help--10 degrees above zero and quite windy yesterday too. Today it is a bit colder, only 6 degrees this morning on my drive in.

Over the holiday, we implemented a new form at work and the form went out with an explanatory e-mail. You wouldn't believe the idiotic messages I was getting yesterday with bizzare questions. Think people!

One of my employees took a day of vacation yesterday--today she called in "sick." I put sick in quotes because last year I believe she had almost two weeks of sick days....come on people! Something I need to put an end to--no one is that sick unless they are in the hospital.

Ear Aches and children

My little one (3 1/2) has been complaining of an ear ache the past two days....and we couldn't get into her pediatrician until this a.m. Well not exactly her doctor, but another doctor in the practice. This morning she woke saying her ear was blocked and she wanted to make it "good" again....as she was pulling on her left ear.

There is nothing worse as a parent than to have one of your kids suffering. She isn't keen on seeing the doctor so I'm not looking forward to going to the doctor's office today at all.

One of the boys

As I sit here contemplating this week's football picks for the pool I am in, I wonder why I'm even bothering? This year especially, I've been hit with a rash of "I don't care" syndrome...and when the picks were due, I wasn't in the mental frame of mind to get them done in a timely manner.

I've held my own in the past and have even been in the top ten, but this year....I hate to admit, I'm in the basement of the standings. Since this is our last week--I'm hoping against all hopes that I will score high enough to win a week and recoop my $35 entry fee. I certainly will not be in the top ten!

At least the Packers are in the playoffs....

Positive Mental Attitude

I remember my mother giving me a book her boss had given her back when I was in high school. The words "Positive Mental Attitude" were in the title somewhere. I need a dose of this PMA on a daily basis of late and I recall reading that book cover to cover. It didn't apply to me much at the time, but it certainly applied to my mom. And as we all shudder to realize as we get older--I've become my mother!

Last week, I listened to the Jean Chatzky radio program on XM radio and her guest that day was Mike Robbins. He talked about his book "Focus on the Good Stuff--The Power of Appreciation." None of the bookstores in town carried it so I will be ordering it today online. I can't wait for it to arrive! He was very motivating and when looking over his website on the book, there are several chapters that appeal to me.

I hope that I can apply his principles here at work. I'll keep you posted.

Finally a day off!

I have a doctor appt. this afternoon so decided to take the entire day off work. Great for my psyche of late and perhaps, great for my house. Great for my house if I get my ass in gear and get doing the things I should do, and not the things I want to do. I want to laze about and not be responsible. I should get my bedroom organized, get the fall gardening finished and cleaned up for winter and bake some cookies. *sigh*

There are plenty of organization shows on HGTV that would have a field day in our bedroom. We live in an old Victorian and I have a bedroom parlour outside of the room we sleep. This parlour currently is an organizational nightmare. The other day we barely had path through to the closet! Neecey from Clean Sweep would be psycho-analyzing me right now--I could use her advice.

It's a beautiful fall day--the sun is shining--I may chuck it all and take a walk.

Slug That I Am

This is the first weekend we've had completely free in months. Instead of putting the house in order and getting caught up on my bills though, I've spent the weekend relaxing and taking time for me. Important for my psyche.

My daughter's volleyball team didn't score well enough to continue through the tournaments. The state competition for marching bands was last Saturday, so we're enjoying having a weekend to ourselves. (The kids from South got 4th place at State.)

Yesterday we visiting a petting farm north of North Lake, Wisconsin. They had miniature donkeys, llamas, goats, geese, chickens and turkeys. Megan seemed to enjoy herself despite the cold and windy weather. We also bought our pumpkins for carving.

Today I've begun work decluttering our bedroom (which really needs an overhaul!) and getting all domestic in the kitchen. I have bread cooking right now in the bread machine. It is the first time we've attempted to make any bread in there in a long time...over a year at least. I think the last time I tried it we ended up with a boat anchor. It sure smells good in the house right now.

Corey put the final coat of paint on our back porch today and is cleaning out the garage. I need to get back at it and work on the pit upstairs called our bedroom....

Marching Band

Yes, I'm officially a "bando." My sophomore is in the Waukesha South Marching Blackshirts and today was their first competition of the season. It wasn't officially a competition, because it was an exhibition. It was an opportunity for the bands to get their feet wet and work out some kinks of competing. All three Waukesha high schools were there, along with Muskego High School and UW-Whitewater. I enjoy the comraderie the parents have--even talking with parents from other schools. The band kids are a super group and are supportive of one another.

Began the day driving to the zoo and turning in my pledges for Juvenile Diabetes. I collected $2250 so far this year. What extremely generous coworkers I have. I hope they find a cure in my lifetime before I die from this disease!

What a perfect sunny day to be outdoors supporting the kids. It is already after 8 p.m. and I have yet to read today's paper! So I bid you good night.

Junk Mail

What is it with older adults, somewhat new to the Internet, and forwarding old jokes? Pictures of that Hallmark nut Maxine, cutesey pictures of puppies and kitties doing whacky things, some old joke about why husbands make better doorknobs....you get the picture.

I finally had to ask my favorite aunt to quit forwarding jokes etc. after not checking my mail for a week, only to come back in 7 days later and having daily messages from my ISP stating I've exceeded my mail quota....out of 127 messages I think 1/3 of them were from my aunt How do you politely tell her you love hearing from her....just no more jokes...please?!

Potty Training

For all the parents out there...you can relate to that moment in time when your child finally made it through a night without wetting their pull-ups....or the day when she made it all day without any accidents. We're well beyond that stage in my home now...she is still wearing pull-ups at night and at naptime, but that is more to use up our stock and not out of necessity.

What motivates one child, will not motivate another. The magic this time around were clothes for her Barbie dolls and the lure of Dora underpants. If only all big tasks in life could be bribed into success with under garments and clothing!

President Ford

President Gerald Ford was one of the first presidents I remember being aware of in school. Sure, I watched President Kennedy's funeral, and watched Tricky Dick's "I am not a crook" speech--but with President Ford, I was old enough to take an interest and follow his years in office.

I remember my shock when I heard he had pardoned Richard Nixon....now I see what a wise decision that was for him to make. He set the wheels in motion to calm a nation hell-bent to think the worst of the presidency and the Federal government.

And who can forget Chevy Chase imitating him on Saturday Night Live?

May Gerald Ford rest in peace.

Proud Mother

We attended a bandquet (that is the way they spelled it) the other night at school. The marching band season is over and the kids got to celebrate their talents with a catered dinner and awards.

What an awesome group of kids. Responsiblity, supportiveness, and good comeraderie were evident all evening long. Their band reminds me of the childhood book called "The Little Engine That Could." Only 80 members strong, competing against bands of 200 or more. They did a super job!

Time Crunch

It's been two weeks since I last blogged. I'm entering the busiest time of year at work and am starting to feel the pinch. Because of that, I want to remind myself of what I am thankful for:

(1) My health. Despite being Type 1 diabetic for 18 years, I enjoy good eye sight, all my limbs and only minor issues that most 45-year-olds experience.
(2) My family. I have a wonderfully supportive and loving husband, a superb 14-year-old daughter who makes me so proud to be her mom and a very eclectic and cute 2 1/2-year-old that has as many fun moments as the exasperating ones! Not to mention my extended family who will be babysitting this weekend so my hubby and I can get away by ourselves. :-)
(3) Supportive friends. From my friend Liz who understands when I have to again blow her off for lunch due to work obligations; to my beading buddies (Jeanne, Hope, and Pam) who are always there for me in good times and bad every lunch hour; to my friend Jennie who is always good for a quick lunch, venting and a few laughs.

Marching Band Competition

This afternoon was my daughter's second to last performance this year for marching band. It was a competition in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Their band took last in their class (AAAA). The class is determined by the number of students in the school...unfortunately, there are only 80 kids in this band, compared to 300 to 330 in the other two bands in town. Their performance was great and outstanding....it is just that with only 76 kids...their sound gets sucked out in the wide open spaces of the stadium. Very discouraging for the kids.

Homecoming

My "little" girl went to her first homecoming today. The football game was last night and the dance is this evening. She got together with friends to get dressed and prep, all the parents showed up for photos before they went out to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner before going to the dance. She wore a black halter dress and she looked so grown up and beautiful. I'm a very proud mama. :-)

Winter Here We Come!

It sure was nippy outside today...woke up to the high 30s and with the wind, it didn't warm up much. It is hard to believe it was so warm this past weekend and then the weather switches up and we've had snow flurries twice this week already. Only in Wisconsin!

There is nothing more pleasurable than being a mother to an outstanding young lady. My 14-year-old continues to do well in school while juggling marching band and volleyball. Tonight was her last meet at another high school in town and after the meet, the varsity coach told us she will move her up to the varsity team for the last week of practice! It will help her improve her skills as a middle, let her compete with players who are more talented than her and give the varsity players experience working with someone as tall as her. She has 2 inches on their tallest player. I'm very proud of her!

Fall Blunder

As warm and lovely as yesterday was, today was alternately grey & cloudy with occasional bits of sun. The wind picked up and I believe today's high was around 60* Farenheit (compared to yesterday's 80*F). What a difference a day can make!

Speaking of a different day - it was so refreshing to spend a day at work without a coworker getting under my skin. It was quiet (she was a talker) and productive for all of us who sit nearby. Friday was her last day before moving into a new job somewhere else. Good bye, good luck, good riddance! :-)

It is nice to have the family unit as one again. Sarah got home from an all-weekend trip up north late last night...she found her phone somewhere (after going the weekend without it) and all is right with the world!

Fall Spendor

What a wonderful weekend in Wisconsin! This is what I came back to Wisconsin for back in 1992....crisp, fall days--apple cider vendors, long walks, farmer's market and no need for a jacket.

Yesterday we began our day downtown at Metro Market...purchased some chicken breasts for supper as well as some eggplants. Also visited with our friend Bill Palmer who sells honey outside at the farmer's market. He's good by the way--easy to strike up a conversation with and his product is delicious! We bought blueberry and raspberry flavored honey dip and he gave us some pecan dip....all very nummy. After wandering around in the Third Ward for a while, we decided to stop at the new Palermo's pizza villa for lunch, only to find it is only open Monday - Friday. So we opted for a Greek restaurant on the south side. I enjoyed my spinach feta omelette but it could have used more feta. Corey's chicken sandwich was a bit on the greasy side as was Megan's grilled cheese sandwich. Because the day was so nice, we decided to drive up to Holy Hill.

The drive was perfect....sunny and clear--the leaves on the trees were brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow and green. Very scenic. We saw a sign for the new Cabella's store and decided to visit there as well. It was their grand opening and there were cops all over. I think the cops directing traffic was a bit overkill for the time we were there. They had a man demonstrating carving logs into bears etc. He used small chainsaws. They had a kettle corn vendor, boating vendors, a race car...quite the grand opening. Mr. & Mrs. Cabella and their son were there signing post card pictures and I had one signed for my dad.

Holy Hill was breathtaking. The winding, curvy drive was very scenic, but the location is just fantasic for open vistas and enjoying the brilliant day. Because Megan isn't the quietest person, we opted to skip visiting the chapel and decided to stay outdoors. We followed the stations of the cross, but we followed them backwards. We had missed a turn off on the main road that would have allowed us to follow them in order. So we started with 12 and worked our way down. It was a workout for us because Megan is 35 lbs. now in the stroller and most of it was up hill.

It sure has been nice to spend the weekend doing relaxing things with the family. Too bad Sarah had to be up north for her marching band competition. Hopefully we'll have warm weather next Saturday when she has off from volleyball and marching band so we can perhaps go for a hike at Lapham Peak and shop in Delafield.