Wisconsin in the News

How refreshing it is that Wisconsin makes the National news stage for our political disagreements instead of the most recent abusive parent or serial killer news? If only Governor Walker hadn't mentioned beer and brats in his victory speech! Talk about setting stereotypes back a step.

But his talk about working together is nice and he also half admitted not asking for advice on how he went about shutting down collective bargaining. I felt that was a small white flag towards the future improvements he's promised.

75% voter turn out is fantastic--you shouldn't be complaining if you didn't vote. Every vote matters! Just ask Senator Wanggaard of Racine....it appears as though he is losing by 800 votes.

It really is too bad we have the expense of this recall to shoulder, but that is what democracy is all about. Too bad we don't get much of a break with ads, protests or political phone calls either....they will just shift from state politics to National politics with the presidential election on the horizon.

I sure appreciate living in the free world!

Literacy Services

I was invited to the Literacy Services luncheon today at the Pfister Hotel. I used to be more involved with this group, participating in an annual spelling bee and once, assisting with a book fair.

This is one luncheon I love attending. The student's stories are very inspiring to hear and the organization rocks it out of the ballpark on so many levels. They have programs to teach anyone how to read, to teach someone where English is their second language and they also assist student's who are going for their GED.

The time commitment is 90 minutes per week...I'd love to do it if I could find someone to alternate weeks with me. That would only be two nights per month and that doesn't seem so hard from a time commitment standpoint.

Every year I feel like I should do more. Give money, or volunteer my time....I cannot imagine not being able to read. Not to be able to read a road sign, read your child's homework, notes from the teachers, or their report cards. Reading is my escape. It takes me back in time, it surrounds me in Gothic romance, a scintillating mystery, or a silly comedy. It is how I tune out my long day in the office.

Time to step it up...what shall I do?

Statistics

As a certified Six Sigma black belt, I have to say that I love all things statistics. When I see pundit polls, bar charts or percentages in print, my pleasure meter goes into overdrive being the devil's advocate to decipher what is in print and look at the stats from another viewpoint. Angles the average viewer would not know or care to think about. Imagine my surprise to find that Google keeps track of who is viewing my blog and where they are found around the globe. As someone who had an emphasis in Geography for my undergrad, it was cool, but also a bit weird to see that three people in Russia viewed my blog, or four from Brazil. Even more weird were the folks from Egypt reading my blog. Hmmm. There are Packer Fans all over...or perhaps because I mention menopause in my intro. Or they are folks like me--nosey, interested individuals who like to read what others write about when they feel the urge to be creative and publish their thoughts. Yeah, I'll go with that one....other thoughts I have are too disturbing to publish!

Single Parenthood

Corey is gone for work this week and I am riding solo with Megan....for 5 days. This will be a test of my patience not having a buffer for her energy and talkiness. Gads the girl loves to talk!

Mother's day was Sunday and it was bittersweet. I kept hoping Sarah would surprise me and walk through the door but I had to be content with my day as it was. My parents came in and I treated them to the Domes in Milwaukee. We came back to our house for a lunch of hardrolls and ham salad. I also put out chips and pickles and a fruit salad. Chocolate Chip cookies for dessert. It was a nice day all-in-all and I shouldn't complain.

Since Corey left for North Carolina around noon, Megan and I ended our weekend by watching a cute movie called "The Hotel for Dogs" I let her stay up past her bedtime but she was good about it.

If ever you want a taste of single parenthood, chase your spouse away for a few days and get a feel for how much he/she does help you out around the house. My daughter said to me this morning "Do you know how to run the dishwasher since dad isn't here?" Gotta love their perception vs reality!

Only three days left....but who is counting?

The Secret Garden

One of my favorite books as a young girl was "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I finally purchased the video for Megan's birthday and we are watching it this afternoon. A beautiful way to end the weekend. As it says on the video box, "magic and hope bloom."

The second movie is "A Little Princess" which is another story by Burnett. I don't remember reading the book, but sure enjoyed watching the VHS movie with Sarah when she was younger. That movie moved us both (still does) of make believe, having zest for life and loving a parent above all else.

Make believe helps one forget their troubles...wish mine could go away that easily!

Master's Degree Paid in Full

Well today my student loan payment came out of my checking account for the final time. I thought my final payment would be over $500 this month, but it ended up being only $224--bonus! I've been making those payments for more than 10 years now...sure feels good!

Not that I'll see any of the money....it will go towards my daughter's rent at college. Always a payment there....for the next few years anyway.

Still feels good though!

Easter Blessings

We were naughty and did not fight the crowds at mass this morning. Instead, we slept in a bit, read the paper and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast of bagels and bacon. Since it wasn't too cold outside,we decided to go for a bike ride.

Since Megan and I have not been for a ride yet this year, we opted for a short ride. Starting at the trail head of the Glacial Drumlin trail, we road out to Sunset Park, which is about 3.66 miles one way.

Sarah joined us too and was surprised how far 3.6 miles is in reality. She wants to run in a 5K in a month...a big step for someone who has never ran other than a bit on the tread mill. Not that I'm one to judge...I need to get my butt moving daily.

Today was a great way to welcome Spring...thank you sunshine! Happy Easter!

Sleepovers and Hangovers

My oldest is home from college for spring break. Her two BFFs came and spent the night and it is so heartwarming to hear the giggling that only young girls can do. I am so grateful she has such good friends who are good kids, come from good families and have good values. The timing on last night's adventure wasn't the best. Hubby had to go into work for an overnight change to the company's infrastructure and since all did not go well, he didn't get home until after 8 a.m. Which means as I sit here and work outside the sleeping area in my office off of the bedroom, I worry that a phone call will happen any moment and will wake him up. If the girls were not downstairs, I could set up shop down there. I feel I can focus better with snoring background noises than giggling. :-) Last night's adventures had more casualties than my hubby. My daughter ate too much junk food and got violently ill this a.m. Think Melissa McCarthy (aka Megan in the movie Bridesmaids)where stuff is coming out both ends.... Guess eating a rich Italian Meatloaf, loaded mashed potatoes, cupcakes, chips and dip, ramen noodle salad and cookies, it gets a bit much for the tummy (which is used to basic college fare) can handle. At least she is old enough to successfully make it to the basement bathroom without throwing up all over. (and if she did throw up all over, she would have had to clean up!) Another sunny day in Waukesha!

Tired Slob

How did I let my bedroom get to this state? As I put away months of jewelry I've worn and tangled at the end of my dresser, dust surfaces that haven't seen the back end of a dust rag in months, I wonder how I can let things go this way?

Our bedroom is quite large. We live in an old Victorian home that is over 120 years old. Our queen bed, two night stands and a tall boy dresser are tucked into the old "dressing room" and my office is what some might coin the bedroom. My dresser, a hutch, file cabinet, my desk, and a fireplace occupy the space. So does years of clutter, filing to be done, clothes worn once but not enough to throw in the wash. Kids art projects, dry cleaning, ironing board....you get the idea.

If I would just put stuff away as I take it off, put folded laundry away as my hubby brings it upstairs, all would be well with the world. I found a pair of earrings I've been looking for--then remembered they are broke and in need of repair.

As I type this blog, I feel my aching feet, sniffle at the dust I'm uncovering, and revel that I've uncovered 2 1/2 feet of clutter from my dresser. Can I change?

Inspiration

While tweaking my profile on Facebook, Archbishop (new Cardinal actually)Timothy Dolan is next to Eminem and Ellen DeGeneres. Three public figures who are so drastically different!

I enjoy reading Cardinal Dolan's blogs--because now that he is based in New York, we do not get to hear his radio messages like I used to. Especially this time of year with Lent beginning on Wednesday.

What folks hate about Eminem, I admire. He isn't afraid to say what he is thinking, even if it means his music is tagged as "explicit." He sure has endured a lot in his young age and I like that a white boy can rap.

Ellen's lifestyle doesn't jive with my Catholic values, but she is a good role model with her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor.

Wouldn't it be cool to eat dinner with all four of them at once? Quite the interesting topics of conversation I'm sure!

Perpetual Grumpiness

I hate myself lately. By 6 p.m. I am the worst form of evil....so tired and grumpy. This isn't good for my disposition or anyone within a 6 ft. radius. I'm raring to go at 5:30 a.m. but by 5:30 p.m.--watch out! Is it my age? My lack of exercise? Hormones? Stress? All of the above?

Whatever it is, I need to take action! Beginning tomorrow, after a long night's rest, and mass, I will go for a walk. It's a start...on my way to a new me. :-)

Friday Night Funk

One should look forward to the weekend but it seems like when Friday night rolls around I have absolutely no energy to do anything. Nothing, nada. No initiative--just want to crawl into bed and sleep. Work sometimes sucks the life out of me. :-(

48 in January in Wisconsin?

I reveled in the sunshine today when I ran some errands over lunch today. My car temperature gauge said 48 degrees! This seems to be the norm this year instead of the usual very cold temperatures. I worry about my perennial flowers and some of the farmer's crops without the blanket of snow, but I have to say I'm digging all of the sunshine!

UW-Madison Band

Got to experience the Madison band at a fundraiser for Oconomowoc High School bands. Very entertaining of course. Two former classmates of my oldest daughter are in the band. They put on a very good and entertaining show. Got to spoil my youngest daughter by taking her for ice cream after the show.

Renting Movies

I mailed a care package to Sarah, my oldest daughter today. Our post office is within walking distance, which I like. There also happens to be a video rental store nearby as well. Since renting a movie through Time Warner Cable is cost prohibitive, I decided to rent through the store. I was able to get almost three times as many rentals for the price I would have rented one movie through the cable provider.

After an evening of doing absolutely nothing last night, I was productive this morning...making Valentine cut out cookies for the care package and getting the dishes caught up.

Productivity

Disruptions were minimal today at work. First two early meetings were cancelled and that left the day wide open to be productive. Got some documentation completed along with a record number of items crossed off of my TO DO list. Hoping tomorrow will be as productive!

Had an amazing night with Megan. Sarah was working at her job in Madison and Corey was at a wood working guild meeting so it was just her and I. We ate breakfast for supper, did dishes, practiced her piano a bit and we read some from a book about giant squids that no human has seen alive (only dead, washed up on the shore bodies). Quite interesting. I like evenings like this when we have time for her not to compete for any attention and she is more relaxed and amenable.

One Sentence Blogging

I was inspired today from an article in Good Housekeeping magazine (February 2012 issue) to keep a journal but be realistic about what I write. Try and write one sentence a day about a memory of the day or something witty one of my kids has said etc. Can I do this? Can I keep it to one sentence?

Today was quite relaxing. After mass I was able to read the paper, several magazines, and watch a slew of movies with the girls. I made a large batch of spaghetti and generally lazed about all day in my lounge chair! Nice!

No TV?

It's 8 p.m. and our cable is out...which forces me to do something constructive...I've been constructive all day....come on! I want some mind-numbing nothing, some witty dialog, some easy comedy or some HGTV education why my decor is screwed up.

My youngest is at the park with her father and my oldest is working on summer school homework for college. 8 p.m. is too late in the evening to get anything started but too early to hit the sack--remember, hubby is at the park ;-) Guess I'll have to read a book...

Not Pregnant!

Nothing like shopping with your youngest daughter to bring you back to reality! Yesterday I was shopping for a summer dress and while trying on a particularly tight one she said "You know mom, if people didn't know you, they'd think you were pregnant!"

OK, I have grown a bit of a gut...there is truth to what she says...Out of the mouths of babes and drunks comes the truth! Makes me want to improve my diet!

No Energy Friday Nights

I'm sure it is an age thing, but I know many people older than myself that make a night of it every Friday night. I can barely keep my eyes open past 6 p.m. What's with that?

I do work hard all week long--10 hour days at work and usually some time in the yard after supper. Gardening is my passion...my flower gardens are evidence of that. This year I have a vegetable garden on top of that. So with all of that activity you'd think I'd have a lot of energy? No way. I just can't seem to catch my second wind.

Time to go for ice cream....now that got me going!