My New Baby

My Razr has seen better days and it was time for my upgrade so I ordered this baby today. She should arrive sometime Tuesday!

New Look

My new banner is complete. I will be tweaking the colors of the titles, text, links, etc, but my new look is basically complete.

The images in the banner were taken by me in our yard last summer. I chose the colors because Valentine's Day will be here soon and the rose shots because it's bitterly cold here today.

Chevy

This is the only Chevy in my life that I am pleased with right now.

Chevy enjoying the warm sun on an extremely cold winter afternoon. This dog loves taking his naps in the sun.

The other one (my Blazer) is back at the mechanic for another problem.

Why is it when you start talking about paying a vehicle off you have trouble, and the day after you do pay off the vehicle you have trouble again? It's almost as if the car know and wants to be the center of attention again.

The Dress

Here is the best shot I could get of the dress. The true color is so hard to capture which must be why I cannot find it online.

The shot on the left is pretty close to capturing the true color that the black overlay gives to the overall dress color. On the right is the color of the satin. Pretty close to one of those hot 80s colors, isn't it?

Only In Milwaukee

We have some great things in Milwaukee, but we also have some things that are let's just say WEIRD! Well, this goes into the weird category! Love Happy Days and want to see The Fonz in Bronze? Well, you will be able to do that starting Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee. You can read all about it here.

My Oh My

Where has this week gone? I can't believe Thursday is about over already. It was a busy week with a lot of running. Not the kind of running (on the treadmill) I should be doing, but running none the less.

Next Saturday is our annual black tie gala. I was out shopping for a dress yesterday and am happy to say I found one relatively quickly. As usual, I can't find a picture of it online, but will take one to share. Because of the coloring it is really hard to photograph and get it to look like real life. I took a picture earlier & I looks like it is just a blueish green or greenish blue satin dress. When in reality, it is turquoise satin with sheer black over it which makes it look awesome. The color underneath I would never wear alone. It is so 1980s...LOL! I will try to get a better picture for you all to see.

Five for Fighting

When you have a moment, please visit whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com to watch a moving video. The band, Five for Fighting, is donating $0.40 to Autism Speaks for each time this video is viewed. The funding Autism Speaks receives goes toward research studies to help find a cure for Autism.

Note: As with all forwards I receive, I checked this out on snopes.com & it is real.

Monday Menu Plan #7

January 21 - January 28, 2007

Monday: Quesadillas

Tuesday: Baked Ziti, salad, and garlic bread

Wednesday: Chicken enchiladas and spanish rice

Thursday: Pork tenderloin, baked potatoes, and sugar snap peas

Friday: Stuffed meatloaf (leaving out salami to keep fat content down), brown rice, and broccoli,

Saturday: Dine Out

Sunday: Leftovers and/or sandwiches

Anthropologie

I just learned today that Anthropologie has finally come to Milwaukee. I knew one was coming and have been so excited for it to open. Well, I just read today was opening day. I didn't have time to go, but I plan to next week! Woohoo!

Coming Soon

I realized this morning that my blog is still dressed for Christmas while my house is not. So it's time to come up with a new look.

The Countdown Is On

Before we know it the NASCAR season will be in full force!!

Milwaukee Soldier Killed in Iraq

While we don't know this family personally, my thoughts today are with the family of a local serviceman who was killed in Iraq.

Army Pfc. Keith E. Lloyd, 26, died Saturday in Tal Afar, Iraq. He died of wounds sustained when his vehicle hit an IED.

Keith was a graduate of the high school in the town we live. Olivia said they observed a moment of silence during school today in honor of Keith.

Thank you to all the men & women in uniform & their families who make many sacrifices for our freedom.

Thank you Keith & thank you Lloyd family.

Road to the Super Bowl

goes through Green Bay.

Thank you, Giants! I was rootin' for you yesterday, but can't say I will be doing the same Sunday! :)

Menu Plan Monday #6

January 14 - January 20, 2007

Monday: Oven "Fried" Chicken Breasts, Sautéed Asparagus, Steamed Cauliflower

Tuesday: Chili Rubbed Flank Steak, Long Grain Rice, Corn

Wednesday: Chicken Orecchiette, Salad, Crusty Bread with Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese for Dipping

Thursday: Crock Pot Beef Casserole, WW Egg Noodles, Seasoned Green Beans

Friday: Quesdillas

Saturday: Dine out

Sunday: Leftovers and/or sandwiches

Yes, I am recycling last week's meal plan. We ended up only having the quesdillas. Bob had chicken last weekend, then our favorite restaurant had his favorite chicken parm last week so he had to have it on Monday. Since we ate out Monday's meal, I was planning to move each meal down a day, but he had chicken again (on a salad this time) for lunch last Tuesday. Needless to say, he didn't want chicken for supper so I made a dish his mom used to make. There was so much leftover we had it again on Wednesday. Thursday I did not cook because I didn't feel like it after sitting on the side of the road for hours.

At least the grocery list for this week will be short!

Diagnosis: Fuel Pump

The garage we use to repair our vehicles called early this morning with their diagnosis and a quote on my car. It was the fuel pump and some related parts. Bob took the call and I can't remember what he said, but it wasn't a cheap repair! The diagnostics, parts, labor, and tax came to a little under $800. The repair was finished around 2:30 PM and is ready to be picked up. The garage is in walking distance, but I just don't feel like leaving the house today so I will pick it up in the morning.

I am thankful for competent, honest mechanics. Jerry and Chad are worth their weight on gold! Thanks guys!

My Week of Irony

The week of January 7, 2008 from here on out will be known as my week of irony.

I spent nearly 3 hours this afternoon sitting on the side of I-43 waiting for a tow truck to show up. While traveling north in a two lane construction zone with concrete barriers on each side, my car suddenly seemed like it didn't want to accelerate. I took my foot off the gas looked at the gages and everything looked fine. I put my foot back on the gas and it was OK for a moment, but returned. I again took my foot off the gas, checked gages, and pressed the pedal again. NOTHING! It is the worst feeling in the world to be on the interstate going 40 (and dropping) MPH while people behind you are going well over the posted limit of 55. Thankfully, I had enough speed left in my vehicle to get out of that two-laned construction area with no shoulder. However, I did not have enough speed to get completely over to the emergency shoulder. I was out of traffic, but it was still in a lane. At times there were cars, trucks, and semis just inches from my car. I could feel the car shake as semis went by. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life.

I called AAA, told them where I was and the situation. The woman I talked to supposedly called the sherriff's department to come before she called the towing company. Several squads went by during this time, but not a single one stopped to check on me. I sat in that situation for 40 minutes before a sheriff stopped. He was very nice, he moved an orange barrel out of the way and gave my car a push with his to get me out of traffic. I was a little more comfortable having a couple feet between my car and zipping the traffic. Another sheriff stopped about 30 minutes later just to make sure I was still OK.

AAA had given me a 2 hour window of when the tow truck would be there and said my call was flagged an EMERGENCY since I was sitting on the interstate. Well, that window came and went without a tow truck stopping. I called AAA back, explained my disgust with the service, and explained once again I was not in the safest situation. I am pretty sure I could have called any local towing company directly and gotten out of there in less than an hour. It's not like we were having bad weather, it was an unseasonable warm day with dry roads. The second person I spoke with put me on hold while she called the garage that was supposed to be coming. She told me the truck would be behind me in about five minutes. Well, it was more like ten. I suspect that driver had just gotten my info!

I called Bob as soon as it happened and he came to my rescue. Bob was able to park up in front of the barrels in a safer spot than I was, but it still wasn't a safe area for either of us to be walking. We waited in our separate cars and talk on our cell phones a lot. It was a HUGE comfort having him there. Since I broke down near his office, he brought me back to the office with him so he could get out something that needed to go out yesterday and pack up his stuff. I waited at the bar in the restaurant downstairs, had a much needed glass of wine, and nice conversation with a couple people there.

As William Shakespeare said, All's Well that Ends Well!

If you are still reading thank you, but you are probably waiting for the irony. Well, I opened the mail box, pulled out the mail, and what's on top? The AAA renewal statement. I am not sure I will be renewing after this experience. We have only used them two times in nine years. The first time was fine. They came as they said they would in the amount of time they said, but it was also a job we could find a neighbor to help with or buy a set of jumper cables. This time left a really bad impression of the service with me. I still had to pay for the tow truck to take my car any further than five miles. (My plan pays for the hook-up & first five miles.) At $80 over 8 years I don't think we are getting our money out of it. I am pretty sure one towing & a set of jumper cables would come in under $640.

The other irony isn't as scary or bad, but Tuesday before I talked about the Project Runway designer t-shirts and ordered one. Wednesday night the designer of the t-shirt I ordered got kicked off! :( It arrived today! I guess my shirt is a collector's item!...LOL!

Happy Birthday Erin

Hope you had a wonderful day. I am looking forward to the party on Sunday. Who says adults can't have a bowling birthday party? LOL!

Farlo Funzionare

Italian for make it work!

Those of you who are Project Runway fans know that line is used often on the show. I recently discovered you can purchase t-shirts designed by your favorite Project Runway designers. (Don't know where I have been...LOL!) It just so happens that my favorite t-shirt was also designed by my favorite PR designer!

designed by Season 4's Kevin (my favorite)

Runway fans: Who are your favorites?

REALLY Wacky!

If I told you it was 64 degrees, raining, hailing, thundering, lightening, and there is a tornado warning in the county with which we share our southern border, what month would you think it was? It's JANUARY -- this isn't supposed to happen this time of year!

A tornado has touched down in a county in northern Illinois. There are reports of injuries and pretty severe damage, but reports are early. There maybe more developing in Kenosha & Racine County.

I have taken some pictures, but am keeping a CLOSE eye on the weather as the path of the tornado producing storm takes could be right our direction.

I'm signing off now, but will update you as soon as I can. This is getting a little too close for comfort.

Menu Plan Monday #5

With the new year upon us, I have decided to get back into the habit of planning and posting my menu plan each Monday. I haven't been very good about planning since I posted my last Menu Plan Monday menu. Planning means fewer sandwiches and last minute runs to the store for some sort of meat that isn't frozen rock solid. It also means less eating out & healthier meals. It's time to PLAN again!!

January 7 - January 13, 2007

Monday: Oven "Fried" Chicken Breasts, Sautéed Asparagus, Steamed Cauliflower

Tuesday: Chili Rubbed Flank Steak, Long Grain Rice, Corn

Wednesday: Chicken Orecchiette, Salad, Crusty Bread with Olive Oil and Parmesan Cheese for Dipping

Thursday: Crock Pot Beef Casserole, WW Egg Noodles, Seasoned Green Beans

Friday: Quesdillas

Saturday: Dine out

Sunday: Leftovers and/or sandwiches

Breast Cancer: Dorothy Hamill

The 1976 Olympic ice skating champion has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. Her rep says her prognosis is favorable, but she will have to take some time off from skating.

source: people.com

The Other Boleyn Girl

I just found out today that The Other Boleyn Girl starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Eric Bana is coming to the big screen in February 2008! I read the book by Philippa Gregory about 3 years ago, and fell in love with this author immediately. I have since read read many of her books. This will definitely be on my list of movies to see.

New Flickr Photos

I have uploaded a few new pictures to my flickr account & hope to be adding more in the next few days. I still need to edit & organize, but they are ready for viewing.

taken during the snow storm on Friday, December 28

Happy New Year

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions. -- Joey Adams

This made me chuckle & I just couldn't resist posting it!