Bumper Stickers

We don't put bumper stickers on our cars, but I still enjoy reading what others put on theirs. Saw this one this morning:


It is still making me chuckle almost 12 hours later! *giggle*

Organization Idea

I have ALWAYS struggled with organizing my spices. They are stacked alphabetically in the original containers, but it doesn't really work for me. I have been searching off and on for something else. I don't want them sitting out on the counter and don't want to attach any hardware inside the cabinet door.

A couple years ago I was watching a decorating show on HGTV or TLC and someone used magnetic paint in a child's room. I have always remembered this paint and thought it would be cool to use inside a cabinet to make a little message center or something like that. Well, fast forward to today when I noticed magnetic spice tins at BB&B. Couple dozen of these brilliant little tins paired with the magnetic paint inside that cabinet, and I think I will have that problem solved! I hope to do this next week. I will let you all know how it goes when I am done!

Bathroom Project

Today's to do list (the bathroom):

• paint ceiling
• hang border
• hang pictures
  
• order larger print (Essence by Kimberly Poloson)
• new hand towels, soap pump, trash can, etc.

I love days that are that productive. Yes, the bathroom is small, but it always feels good to get a project done. Well, it's not completely done, but the last part of that list will be easy.

Here are a couple pictures (the second is most true to the actual color):



The print I had in there before adding the border did not match the style of the border at all. The solution: cut three images from the border put in three 5x7 frames that were not being used, and taaadaaaa--instant art for the bare wall!

The towels, soap pump, and other accessories don't really go either, but I don't have a quick fix for those. They will just stay until I go to the mall with grandma next week. I also plan to replace the mirror sometime!

Home Improvement Stores

I love browsing around the home improvement stores. I needed some ceiling paint, wallpaper adhesive and a couple other things so I stopped at Menard's. While there I spotted one of the strangest products I have seen in a LONG time! Have you heard of Paint Pourri? In case you haven't, and you have the same look on your face I had when I first looked at the package. It is not scented paint, but a packet of fragrance you add to your gallon of paint. The scent can last 6-12 months. You better make sure you like the scent you choose before you paint. That's a long time to have to put up with a dud fragrance.

Don't Drink the Project Runway Water

LOL!!

From people.aol.com: Project Runway judge Nina Garcia and her husband, David Conrod, a senior managing director at Guggenheim Capital, are expecting their first child together in March, Garcia confirms exclusively to PEOPLE.

"This baby must have some amazing fashion sense," Garcia says, "waiting until empire waists and volume came back into fashion!"

I love that quote...lol!

One Step Closer

I ordered a border for our half bath last week, and today it arrived! That means I am one step closer to having a completely decorated bathroom! I plan to tackle it on Wednesday or Thursday. It's a tiny room so it should only take a few hours to hang. I can't wait to have that step done. Then I will have a find a print or two to hang. I have my eye on a couple, but will decide after the border is up.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte

Carolynn, Kelle, and Diane...

I will be thinking of you!! I wish you all a safe walk with no blisters!! :)

For those of you who don't know, these three dear ladies have made the trip to Charlotte to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this weekend! They raised over $8,000 for the cause. Great work ladies!

Project Runway Finale

I totally loved the outcome of this show! I fell in love with Jeffery's collection, and Uli's was a VERY close second. I have always LOVED Laura's designs, but she has kind of a narrow scope -- lots of evening wear. Her pieces were always sewn to perfection. During the season I liked Michael, but I thought he lost a little something when it came to his collection.

The Century Mark

I just noticed my entry yesterday brought me to 100!

Must Be The Season

Catalogs, catalogs, and more catalogs! That's what our mailbox was full of today! Guess it is time for the catalog retailers to remind us that there are only 67 shopping days until Christmas. As if the trees full of ornaments in the stores aren't enough.

Anyone done shopping yet? LOL!

Key to the Cure

Oscar de la Renta Key To The Cure T-Shirt

Show your support for the fight against women's cancers with a limited edition cotton T-shirt designed by Oscar de la Renta exclusively for Saks Fifth Avenue's Key To The Cure. $31 from the sale of each T-shirt will benefit the Women's Cancer Research Fund.

If interested, you can order this t-shirt from saks.com. My sweet husband ordered this shirt for me yesterday! What a nice surprise! He has NEVER placed an online order! Yes, he has said I want this or that, but then it is my job to find it online and order. I have even had to order my own gifts before! :)

Thank you, honey! Do I have to take away your credit card now? LOL!!

I Love Words

I ran across this quote by Evan Esar today:

You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth.

I searched for more of his quotes. Some of his others are as funny as this one is good. A couple funny ones:

Housework is what a woman does that nobody notices unless she hasn't done it.

It takes hundreds of nuts to hold a car together, but it takes only one of them to scatter it all over the highway.

Good News In the NASCAR World

Here's an update to the sad news I posted about a few months ago!

NASCAR legend Parsons says he is cancer-free
By Greg Engle, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service

CONCORD, N.C. -- Benny Parsons, the 1973 Cup champion-turned NBC/TNT broadcaster, said Friday at Lowe's Motor Speedway that he is now cancer-free.

"Three months ago my family doctor called me into his office and told me I had lung cancer," Parsons said. "So Rick Hendrick told me if I was going to fight cancer, you have to get [oncologist Steven A.] Limentani. He helped Rick through his leukemia 10 years ago. So we did.

"The last three months we have been battling the disease. Then Wednesday, I had a scan and [Limentani] called me Wednesday afternoon with the best news: 'The cancer is gone ... see ya.'"

The rest of the story can be read at nascar.com.

On a less serious note, Kevin Harvick is the Busch Series Champion! Woohoo Kev!! :)

Campaign for Real Beauty

Have you seen Evolution?

This is a GREAT message for our young girls. I know a few older girls who could learn a thing or two from these ads as well...lol!

Cold & Snow!

There wasn't much, but we did get some snow! My word it is COLD here now! It is 38 degrees here right now which wouldn't be too bad if the winds weren't 30-35 mph! That makes the wind chill 24 degrees! I don't mind the cold weather, but this is a little too soon for me.

The pictures I posted yesterday were taken late yesterday afternoon. Here are the same flowers this morning:


They won't be around much longer with the cold that is here! :( Here are a couple more shots of our yard with the itty bitty snowfall.


Nothing like the two FEET they are expecting in Upper Michigain -- YIKES!

Shhhh...Don't Tell Our Hydrangea It's October 11

Or the roses...

By tomorrow morning they will probably be covered in frost. The temperature is dropping so quickly here right now that you could probably see the movement in a thermometer. There is a chance for SNOW, but no accumulation is expect. At least not tonight, but it won't be long before there will be.

Confession

It's not that "good" a confession! If you were thinking you would have some dirt on me, sorry...lol!!

I have turned into a Rachael Ray fan. Not because I sit and watch her new show, but because it is on in the house for noise while I am cleaning, surfing the web, doing a craft, or getting ready to face my day. I late September she made Spaghetti & Meatball Stoup (yes, stoup -- thicker than soup, but thinner than stew). Well, I made it tonight and it was YUM-O!

So are you going to tune in tomorrow? hehehe!!

Celebrity Fantasy League

Not into sports fantasy leagues? If you are a celebrity junkie, Girls In The Know may be the place for you! :)

No School (again)

Olivia was off school again today. This time it was for parent/teacher conferences. She is doing well so far! We have been on her to keep up her grades and are proud that she has so far!

ABC News: Person of the Week

This story is for you, Carolynn! :)

Lindsey Adams
Teen Racecar Driver Dedicates Career to Breast Cancer Awareness

abcnews.com

Oct. 6, 2006 — Lindsey Adams has traded her cheerleading uniform for a race car as she mixes her love of speed with a cause that's close to her heart.

The desire to race is in her blood — her father and her grandfather were also race car divers. "My earliest memory is actually at the motocross track, begging to race," Adams said.

She eventually got behind the wheel, and now wants to go all the way to the Indy 500. The 19-year-old is so serious about becoming a professional race car driver that she deferred a college scholarship to keep racing, despite her status as one of the few women in the sport.

"Being a female in racing, it's like the big pink elephant in the room," Adams said. "The guys definitely did not make it easy for me."

She said it was hard for guys to lose to someone driving a hot pink formula Mazda. "Because there's a girl that shows up to the track in a cheerleading uniform … she goes and puts on a racing suit and she kicks your butt," Adams added.

Driving for the Cure

Adams is now making her pink car work for her own purposes. The rosy colored hue happens to symbolize breast cancer awareness, a cause she is embraces because her mother survived the disease.
Her mother, Debbie Adams, initially postponed cancer treatment because she was pregnant with Lindsey, opting for a single mastectomy after her daughter was born.

"My mom had battled for her life," Adams said. "And she was there for my sister and me only because she willed herself to be there."

Then, when Adams was 17, her mother had two bad mammograms.

"She was just like, 'I'm exhausted. I'm tired. I don't want to worry anymore,'" Adams said. "So she made the decision to have a mastectomy."

Adams said it was then that she realized her mother's disease was not something that was "just going to go away."

"It was real to her this time," Debbie Adams said. "She said, 'Mom, someday I'm going to do a race for the cure.' I said, 'You better win that one!' But then I started thinking about how we win, and how surviving is a win."

Adams is dedicating tomorrow's Grand Bayou Road Race — at the No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. — to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and her career to finding the cure.

"Right now, we're sending out a mass mailing. I think it's like 500 letters, which doesn't seem a lot to a lot of people, but it's just me and my mom that's doing it, that's putting this all together," Adams said.

Together, mother and daughter have given a painful experience a purpose, and an exciting career deeper meaning.

"[I'm] given this opportunity to race, to be a champion, to be a role model, and I wanted to use that for something other than the vain pleasure of being famous," Adams said. "I wanted it to be something where … I could make a difference on a bigger level than just the motor sports circuit."

What a refreshing thing (the last quote) for a 19 year-old to say.

Sheryl Crow: Life After Cancer

By Jenny Sundel

Almost six months after being cancer-free, Sheryl Crow is "the happiest I've been in years." The singer, who's touring the U.S. with John Mayer, says that having breast cancer redefined her life. "I think it was a great release for me, just going through the experience. It’s what you do with the experience that really defines who you become."

So, how is she different now? "I let go of a lot of the pressure I used to put on myself. I was very self-critical and I also was a person who would never say no to anything," she told us a recent Estée Lauder breast-cancer benefit in Beverly Hills. "I was conscious at all times of making sure everybody was happy before myself, and now I’ve just made it a practice to say 'no' once a day, just for the exercise of it!”

Though Crow – who wears a custom-made gold bracelet with the words "Breathe" and "That which does not kill me makes me stronger" as well as her diagnosis date inscribed on it as a spiritual reminder – is already looking forward to celebrating her one-year anniversary. "It depends where I'm at in my life," she says. "I might take a trip."

from: people.aol.com

Boxing Anyone?

If you are thinking of taking up boxing, why not purchase some pink boxing gloves. Let's knockout breast cancer!

everlastboxing.com
Aren't they cool?

A Reminder for Me

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~ Hans Hofmann

It's About Time

From packers.com

Green Bay Packers on Tuesday released cornerback Ahmad Carroll. Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson made the announcement.

Carroll, the Packers' first-round selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, played 34 games in three seasons, starting 28 contests. He had 104 tackles (95 solo), three interceptions, three sacks, 26 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

What they forget to mention is all the blown coverages and the umpteen million hands to the face penalties!

Chevy Likes Shoes

This morning while walking past the living room I found Chevy sleeping in the sunshine. Not far from him were a couple dog toys and a "foreign" object...

Dog toys? LOL!

It should be to the left of the dress in front of the vase on the window seat!

This was taken another day, but this is where he sleeps every sunny morning.
This dog LOVES the sun.

Sewing Success!

I worked on a sewing project most of the day Saturday. It was so much fun to be at the maching again making something wearable. I scrapped the top project for now and worked on a dress. I still have to put in the zipper, hem, and make a couple alterations to the shoulders. The way the instructions in the pattern said to sew them it leaves points. I don't want to walk around with pointed shoulders...lol!!

I chose to make the dress pictured on the left:


Here's my not quite finished version:


In the picture my dress looks like a shapeless kimono. That is because the zipper isn't in and it's just hanging there gaping open in the back. Once it is finished I will have Bob or Olivia take a pic of me wearing it. You will then see it isn't shapeless at all...lol!

My inspiration for the dress: A Dress A Day and Boden. I really want the Boden dress, but I don't wear dresses often enough to justify the $128 price tag. I will settle for my red & black Butterick 4849 that cost me less than $40 for fabric, a zipper, and the pattern.

Also, ignore that "fast" on the pattern. With all the pieces and facings on this dress it is not fast...lol!!

Me, Myself, and I

That's who I am hanging out with tonight! At least I have the dogs to talk to...lol!

Bob is at his annual work retreat -- two days of talking about the firm. Sounds like fun, hey? LOL!

Olivia is camping with Girl Scouts. I remember going to the camp ground she is at when I was her age. It was one of the most fun places we ever visted with Girl Scouts. There are hiking trails in the bluffs overlooking a lake. It is so beautiful. They spend most of Saturday hiking. She will be tired when she comes home Sunday afternoon.

This is just one of the views from the bluffs!

Ahhhh, Organized & Clean

I spent the day in our full bath and gave it a much needed fall cleaning from ceiling to floor. It took most of the day, but what a difference. If you don't see me for a while, I might be standing in the door way of the bathroom admiring the shining sink, tub, floor, and walls...lol!

Bob & Olivia better not mess it up! *hehehe*

I'm Afraid

Very afraid! Two entries in a row with Oprah in the title! Maybe I should make it Oprah Week on my blog...rofl!

Elizabeth Edwards' Oprah Appearance

I knew a little about this family prior to today. Most of it from the 2004 election campaign. Politics had nothing to do with why I was interested in seeing Elizabeth on Oprah today. I like stories about how people deal with tough times in their lives and use what they have been through to help others deal with the same or similar tough times.

Listening to this woman speak about the unexpected death of her son tore my heart out. I cannot imagine the pain of having to bury a child. She also spoke a little bit about breast cancer. About when she found the lump, the importance of mammograms, and her diagnosis and treatment. I thought the whole show should have been about the Edwards, but unfortunately it was not. Guess the appearance on Oprah did its job...lol. I am going out to pick up Saving Graces tomorrow.

Wednesday's Oprah

I am not a big Oprah fan, but I do check weekly to see who will be making an appearance. She can keep the shows of traveling cross country with Gail. BORING...LOL!! However, this one caught my interest:

The Day Your World Falls Apart - Elizabeth Edwards - They looked picture perfect, hand-in-hand, every night on the news. Now, what you haven't heard about the day their world fell apart. Elizabeth Edwards and her husband, Senator John Edwards on their heartbreaking loss. And, how she handled her breast cancer. Today's Oprah.

I plan to watch! In fact, TiVo is already set to go so I don't forget. It's on at 4pm here, and that's a busy time of the afternoon for me.

Bye, Bye Summer

Just before midnight central time tonight we say farewell to summer and HELLO autumn. This is my favorite time of year. I am ready for it! :) I can see a few trees beginning to turn, but the peak is still a few weeks off. It's a beautiful time of year.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~ Albert Camus

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face.
~John Donne

Rekindling My Sewing Passion

Finally! I chose fabric and a pattern for my first clothing project in a LONG time. I spent quite a bit of time on some pattern websites and sewing blogs today. I chose a kimono style shirt from Simplicity 4020. I was inspired to do this by Stacy Sews!

Here it is:

In this fabric:

The fabric is a jersey knit in olive green (a bit lighter than it appears in the scan) with gold flecks. It is SO soft!

The Office Returns Tonight

In honor of the return of Bob's favorite show...

The Office Denim Day PSA

Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, is nuts. Sometimes the things he says are just so wrong it makes them funny. Here's one of my favorites: "This is our receptionist, Pam. . . . If you think she's cute now, you should have seen her a couple years ago.

Frost? Say It Isn't So

Sounds like we may be getting our first frost of the season and WAY too early if you ask me. Being this close to Lake Michigan we don't usually see our first frost until late October or early November. I want fall; not summer straight into winter...lol!!

Over the weekend I kept feeling like I was coming down with something. Well, I was right! I have some sort of cold type bug. It took full hold Monday evening and has made me pretty miserable the last two days. Today it has moved to my sinuses and given me a whoppin' sinus headache. If it doesn't let up some tomorrow, I will be visiting my doctor so it doesn't turn into one of my tough to kick sinus infections.

Off to eat some soup & rest, rest, rest! :)

Oh No! Not Another Shopping Story

I am sure you all are getting sick of my shopping stories, but I wanted to note this milestone. :) I didn't save big percentage wise this week. Only about 27%, but I was able to skip ALL my Grocery Game Li$ts. We are so well stocked that we didn't need anything on those lists. Can you believe I only spent $27.61 on groceries this week? All we needed was produce, milk, cottage cheese, and eggs. Those things you can't really stock up on when the prices are at their lowest. Prior to the Grocery Game I spent about $150/week and had nothing in the house. Our cupboards are overflowing with options now!

There are two things we are getting low on and would love to have show up on the li$t next week -- toilet paper and paper towels. There is enough to last another week, but I don't like being this low and think about paying (gasp) full price...lol!

New Fav Song

It's like the Bee Gees have made a comeback...lol!! It makes me want to dance EVERY time I hear it! Love, love, love it! :)

I Don't Feel Like Dancing by Scissor Sisters

Chocolate Milk After Exercise?

It sounds good to me! I HATE those sports drinks and always need something more than water after a workout. My body always seems to want something in the dairy family. Could this be the answer for me?

Fitness News
From the: Journal Sentinel
Posted: Sept. 17, 2006
Chocolate milk may speed your recovery

For a lot of people who do endurance activities, the longer they are out exercising, the more they think about the food and drink they want to consume when they get done.

How about chocolate milk?

A new study suggests that chocolate milk is an effective post-exercise recovery drink and an inexpensive alternative to traditional fluid replacement and carbohydrate replacement drinks.

The study involved nine endurance cyclists who exercised to exhaustion and drank either low-fat chocolate milk; Gatorade (a fluid replacement drink) or Endurox (a carbohydrate replacement drink).

The cyclists who drank chocolate milk during a rest period were able to bike nearly twice as long than those who drank the Endurox and as long as those who drank the Gatorade. The researchers speculated that chocolate milk had a beneficial combination of carbohydrate and protein.

"Our study indicates that chocolate milk is a strong alternative to some commercial recovery aids in helping athletes recover from strenuous, energy-depleting exercise," co-author, Joel Stager, a professor of kinesiology at Indiana University, said in a statement. "Chocolate contains an optimal carbohydrate to protein ratio."

A 154-pound male would need to drink 17 to 27 ounces of chocolate milk to meet recommendations for post-exercise carbohydrate. A 132-pound female would need to drink 14.5 to 23 ounces.

The study, which appeared in the International of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, was funded, in part, by the Dairy and Nutrition Council.

Volleyball Fun

Saturday Morning Olivia had her first volleyball games of the season. The played a doubleheader. Her team did pretty well. They won the first match, but lost the second. The team they played in the second match was fresh because they did not play a doubleheader. You could see the girls on Olivia's team getting pretty tired during the sixth game. That's okay -- every team will be playing two doubleheaders it will all even out in the end. Of course, it doesn't matter since they don't keep track of W-L records in the rec league in our area. It is kind of silly, but makes for alot nicer parents when you are sitting and watching the games. :)

Beautiful Days

Today (and yesterday as a matter of fact) were the most gorgeous days! I will take a little lot of rain anyday if it means I can enjoy two days like we just had. The sky was the most glorious blue with a few lovely puffy clouds. The temps were in the low 70s and a I see a few trees beginning to change color.

While weather wise the day was beautiful, it was a little stressful. As some of you know, just about everyone over 45 on my dad's side of the family has or died from some sort of heart ailment. We got a call last night that my dad was going to be having a heart catheratization. I believe this was his fourth since 1997. Apparently, he has been having pain in his back (near the shoulder blade) and down his arm off and on since March, and didn't tell anyone. Thankfully, my stepmom noticed how much pain he was in and made him go to the doctor.

The procedure went fine, but he did have to have a pretty severe blockage clean out and a stint placed there. Another area the balloon was used. He was home about two hours after the procedure. He is doing well other than being tired.

I worry about this man constantly. After the first cath he stopped smoking for awhile, but now smokes as much as before if not more. He hasn't changed his eating habits. He does have one thing going for him and that's excercise. He delivers fuel oil for a living and that is no easy job! Just wish he would listen to the doctors, my stepmom, my brothers and I when we tell him he needs to make changes. Both his parents and one brother died of heart disease. His other brother had 6 bypasses when he was 52. My dad is just one stubborn man!

That is one of the things that motivates me to maintain a healthy weight and excercise almost daily.

Ack!

I can't believe Lukas won RockStar: Supernova! Booo...lol!! I will forever be on The Rand Wagon!

Don't Forget

Set your TiVo (DVR) to record Dancing with the Stars! *snicker* Looking forward to seeing Emmitt's moves and Tony!

One of this season's new professional dancers grew up not far from where we live. Meet Jesse DeSoto.

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

I am SO sick of rain...

RAIN -- Saturday
RAIN -- Sunday
RAIN -- Monday
RAIN -- Tuesday
RAIN -- Tomorrow

It has been unseasonably cold and wet since Saturday afternoon. I am looking forward to the drying out and warming up forecasted for later this week. After all this rain our lawn will need to be baled after it is cut...lol!

Five Years -- We Remember

World Trade Center
New York, NY

aPentagon
Washington, DC

United Airlines Flight 93
Shanksville, PA

As a Reminder

This is on its way to my house to be a physical reminder to simplify! It will probably go in the family room!

Simplify

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~ Hans Hoffman

Tuesday and Wednesday evenings I was just exhausted. I have decided that simplifying my life needs to involve more than just the stuff in my home. It also needs to include my schedule and what I decide to put on it.

I will start by moving my workouts back to early mornings (I have been going late mornings the last couple weeks). I think taking care of ME by working out first thing each morning will really help. As women we tend to put everyone ahead of ourselves. Bad grammer aside, there is truth to the saying, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I also need to do a better job of actually planning my days instead of just running from here to there.

Run, Run, Run

I need a nap after just thinking about all the running I did yesterday. I need to put a reminder in my calendar for next year to stay home on the first day of school. I was more exhausted than Olivia.

• 5:30 Wake to have a little quiet time before making sure Bob & Olivia are ready for their days.
• 7:15 Leave house to drop Olivia & neighbor boy off at school
• 7:30 Back home to make Bob's lunch and make sure he has everything he needs to face the day.
• 8:00 Make and eat breakfast
• 8:25 Shower and get ready to face my day
• 9:35 Leave for grandma's to take her to a dentist appointment, Wal-Mart, lunch, and the grocery store.
• 2:20 Back home to put away the few groceries I picked up.
• 2:35 Leave to pick Olivia up from school
• 3:05 HOME SWEET HOME, but not for long
• 4:15 Leave for the Y, to change the family membership to individual (no sense paying for Bob and Olivia if they aren't going to use it. Grrr!) and workout.
• 4:30 Workout for a little over an hour
• 6:00 HOME SWEET HOME
• 6:15 Make dinner after checking the mail. Woohoo! My FOOT SOLDIERS: Stories From the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk book arrived. This book has a chapter on a dear friend's battle with breast cancer while pregnant.
• 7:00 Clean up kitchen
• 8:00 ish Visit with Bob while he works out on the BowFlex (at least someone is using it...lol)
• 8:45 Warm-up supper for Bob
• 9:05 Finally, I get to sit down! We watch Rockstar: SuperNova recorded on the life changing TiVo, of course. Also watch a few amazing performances over again. (GO TOBY or MAGNI!!)
• 10:00 Move to the den to be with Bob while he does a little work. Begin to read the wonderful little book, but have to put it down because I am dozing from my day of running. :(
• 1:30 Wake up in the chair in the den and decide it's time for my bed! LOL!
  

Today doesn't look like it is going to be much better, but tomorrow I do not plan to leave the house other than two trips to school! I am looking forward to that!

Where Has the Time Gone?

I cannot believe Labor Day is here. We didn't have any plans for today other than a little yardwork. The rain has put a damper on that. Looks like it will have to wait!

Olivia goes back to school tomorrow. She says she isn't looking forward to it, but I know she is. Her backpack was organized for weeks. Thursday night was the open house for the kids to meet their teachers. It is school tradition to bring your supplies and items to decorate your locker on this night, and guess what Olivia did. Now does that sound like a girl "not" looking forward to starting school? LOL!


I know I am looking forward to school starting. It is time to get back to the normal routine. Bob has been working so many hours, Olivia has been running to do things with her friends, and try to plan a decent meal around that. With the exception of Sunday lunches, I think the three of us have only eaten together once since before Bob went to Arizona. I like routines and am looking forward to getting back into one.

Milwaukee County Zoo's Lucy

Earlier today, I heard some news that made me a bit sad. Lucy the Elephant had to be put to be put down this morning.

Zoo Euthanizes Lucy the Elephant
The Associated Press

Published: September 1, 2006

Lucy the elephant, believed to be the world's fourth-oldest African elephant in captivity, was euthanized Friday morning after staffers found her lying down in her stall, the Milwaukee County Zoo said.

The medical staff had recently decided that if the 46-year-old elephant were found lying down again, she would be euthanized, spokeswoman Jennifer Diliberti said.

In June, Lucy became ill and was unable to stand up in the African exhibit yard. A crane was brought in to lift the 9,000-pound (4,050-kilogram) animal to her feet; she struggled for a few days after that but improved.

Diliberti said Lucy was found lying down in late July but was able to get up on her own.

Brittany, Lucy's companion and the only other elephant at the zoo, was allowed in Lucy's stall after she was euthanized so she could grieve, Diliberti said.

She said the zoo hopes to get another elephant soon as a companion for Brittany, who is in her late 20s. Lucy spent 44 years at the zoo.

"It's just so sad but she had a good, long life here so that's good," Diliberti said.

Needless to say, she has been there longer than I can remember. Her yard was one of my favorite stops at the zoo.

source: iht.com

Volleyball Time

Olivia had her first volleyball practice of the season. They added doubleheaders for the first and last weeks of the season this year. In the past, they played six teams and this year it will be eight teams. I am looking forward to the Saturday morning games. It is fun to watch how much the kids improve each week.

Bengals 48, Packers 17

It's going to be a loooooong NFL season! I know it's only the pre-season, but the Packers haven't looked all that hot so far. Let's hope they turn things around and quickly!

They play again Friday afternoon.

Whew!

The fix was a simple one!

Apparently, the template I am using had some sort of bug (only showed up in IE) that sent my sidebar links to the bottom of the page when italic is used in a post. I just needed to make a little change in the CSS code. I thought I did that, but it turns out I missed one itty bitty } symbol that threw off my whole blog.

Whew, glad it was an easy fix! :)

Oh My!

What happened to my pretty pink blog? There is some sort of weird bug? I will have to look into and work on this tomorrow!

I'm Ready for Some Football

Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals -- time for kick off!

Grandma Spoils Granddaughter

Suprise, hey? LOL!!

Olivia spent the weekend with my mom, and they did some SERIOUS school shopping. My mom dropped Olivia off at home while we were at church yesterday. When we walked in the door, Olivia had half the kitchen table covered with new clothing and SHOES my mom got for her. Not one of the piles on the table were only one deep...lol!

Olivia and I both thank you! I love you, Mom!

Date Night

Olivia is spending the weekend with my mom! I decided to ask Bob out. He said yes...lol!! He has worked so much this week and will be all weekend. It will be nice to spend time with him without the piles work papers in front of him.

I better go get ready for my date!

22,603.75 Pounds!

FitLinxx is AWESOME. Once a month my instructor prints out a sheet that tells how I am doing on the machines that are contected to FitLinxx. There are ten connected. It keeps track of number of workouts, sets, reps, total weight lifted, my lift speed, my drop speed, and if I let the weights touch (a big no no...lol).

Yes, I have lifted over 22,603.75 pounds in 8 workouts on the machines that are connected to FitLinxx. I have actually lifted 10 times -- one day the log in kiosk wasn't working and the other was today. Those numbers aren't in there. Neither are five additional machines I work on. So I imagine the real numbers are probably close to double what is on the print out.

According to the print out, my lift speed is good. Up in two seconds. That's easy, in fact as you do more reps it gets harder to lift in that short of a time. I need to work on my drop speed. Do you know how hard it is to bring the weights down in 4 seconds? LOL! Chest press is the one I have to work on most.

The number for weights touching seems way high to me. I think some of the touches are from when my range was being set. One machine has 6 touches and I know I did not let the weights touch six times. You get this strange beep from the FitLinxx when the weights touch, and I would remember hearing that sound six times from one machine...lol!

So drop time and touches are what I will be working on!

It's time to register for fall classes. I am going to check out the book and might sign up for a class or two.

Very Vera

I was excited to hear this. I like her style...

KOHL'S AND VERA WANG ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE NEW COLLECTION
Introducing Very Vera by Vera Wang

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., August 24, 2006 — Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) is teaming up with Vera Wang to create Very Vera by Vera Wang - as a premium fashion and lifestyle brand. The exclusive brand will be available in all Kohl's stores and on Kohls.com starting Fall 2007.

The Very Vera by Vera Wang brand is licensed by a subsidiary of Vera Wang Group to Kohl's under a long-term agreement. Kohl's will be the exclusive provider and marketer in the United States of all Very Vera by Vera Wang merchandise such as sportswear, intimate apparel, handbags, leather accessories, jewelry, footwear, linens and towels.

"The Very Vera by Vera Wang brand will retain my personal design sensibility of a relaxed effortless approach to fashion," Vera Wang states. "I am thrilled to create a collection of creative lifestyle and apparel products for Kohl's. This new partnership with Kohl's, a company with incredible integrity and trust in the marketplace, is a true honor."

source: kohl's.com

Mission Accomplished

When we have a simple job on a to do list why do we put it off for so long?

About three weeks ago I moved our phone/answering machine from the bedroom into the den. It just makes more sense in here. This, of course, created a problem. I needed another socket to plug the iron into. Since there was an unused extension cord in here. I started unplugging the TV every morning, plugging in that extension cord, plugging the TV into that, and then plugging in the iron. After I was done ironing I would reverse the process. I know it's silly and you are probably wondering why I didn't just leave the extension cord there. Well, I have this thing about cords and them being see in my house. They drive me crazy!!

Well, shortly after I moved the phone and discovered my outlet dilemma, I remembered we had a turn-one-socket-into-three gizmo being used in the family room where a surge protector would make more sense. An extra surge protector was in the basement. So if I don't even have to remember to pick up these items at the store why did it take nearly three weeks for me to cross it off my list?

Today I move it to my Ta Da list...lol!!

I Heart Signing "Reality" Shows

American Idol is the best, but Rock Star: Supernova does find some really GREAT talent! Some are a little strange, but you would have to be to fit in with the guys that make up this group. Gilby Clark (Guns 'n Roses guitarist), Jason Newsted (Metallica bassist), and Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe drummer & my new crush...lol). Funniest line from Rock Star this season had to be last week when Tommy Lee told one of the "rockers" her interpretation of "I Will Survive" was "sauteed in wrong sauce". I am still laughing about that one.

There is a new one (signing show) coming! It starts next week and is called Celebrity Duets! Celebrities not necessarily known for signing will be paired with a recording artist.

Recording artists scheduled: Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Belinda Carlisle, Taylor Dayne, Peter Frampton, Macy Gray, James Ingram, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Brian McKnight, Aaron Neville, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Dionne Warwick, and Lee Ann Womack.

Celebrites not known for their signing are: Chris Jericho (WWE World Champion), Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess, Battlestar Galactica), Cheech Marin (Cars, Nash Bridges), Carly Patterson (2004 Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast), Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye), Hal Sparks (Queer as Folk), and Lea Thompson (Back to the Future, Caroline in the City).

I sound like TV junkie! I'm really not!

Speaking of music (and note to self): I need to pick up Christina Aguilera's new CD Back to Basics!! :)

Race Fan Fashion for A Cause

I ran across the article below on jsonline.com today.
Track Couture, a Memphis company, usually produces clothing inspired by NASCAR and racing. But this time the inspiration is personal. Kathleen Smith, co-founder of the company, has unveiled a new T-shirt in memory of her late sister, Wendy Smith Rice, who died unexpectedly last year.

Smith Rice died from Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) Type 2, which causes more than 3,000 sudden, unexplained deaths in the United States every year.

The shirt, a white, long-sleeve tee with black sleeves and a checkered pink and black heart in the front, was designed to raise awareness about the disease and raise money for related medical research.

The shirts sell for $29.99, of which $19.99 will be donated to the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation. For more information, visit www.trackcouture.com/charity.aspx. - Vikki Ortiz


It may be because I am living a rock (lol), but this is the first time I have heard of Track Couture! Fashion for race fans? I think I am in love!!!

The list of drivers they have merchandise for is limited, but my guy (Tony Stewart) is available. I am going to have to take a long look at the site and pick out some new race day gear.

How about Race Royalty or Pit Lizard? :)

I Love Weekends

Yep, another busy weekend. I cherish that time, but wish it didn't go so fast.


Friday Evening: Dinner with Bob's parents. It was their last night in town and was SO hard to say good bye at the end of the night. We sure miss having them just a few minutes up the road.

Saturday Afternoon/Evening: Celebrated my grandma's 85th birthday. We waited until today because my Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Wayne are here from California for a high school reunion. It was also a date when my Uncle Ron & Aunt Gail could make it here from Michigan. The only ones missing were my Uncle Rick & Aunt Cindy who were attending a wedding out of town. It was nice to have most of the family together. We don't get to see them very often. It's always a good time when we do.

Sunday: A beautiful relaxing day! Church, out to lunch, watched the race (maybe a little nap too...lol), and then a nice evening walk with Bob. The weather was beautiful yesterday and the cool, crisp air of the late summer nights is beginning to set in here. I love this time of year!

Yesterday was my Dad's 60 birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! It was wonderful talking to you yesterday. You always make me laugh. I love you, Daddy! :)

Dancing with the Stars

The third season is nearly here! Have you seen the line-up for this season yet? Could be pretty interesting...lol!!

TUCKER CARLSON (professional dancer Elena Grinenko)
MONIQUE COLEMAN (professional dancer Louis Van Amstel)
SARA EVANS (professional dancer Tony Dovolani)
WILLA FORD (professional dancer Maxsim Chmerkovskiy)
VIVICA A. FOX (professional dancer Nick Kosovich)
HARRY HAMLIN (professional dancer Ashly Delgrosso)< href="http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancing/">Dancing with the Stars.

I am glad to see Tony, Max, Edyta, and Cheryl back. I think Ashly needs to go away. I find her dance style hard to watch.

QUICK, Inexpensive, SIMPLE

Those are exactly the types of suppers I LOVE! Last night I wanted a pasta meal, but wanted sauce other than spaghetti. Here is what I came up with:

Perdue Short Cuts Italian Style Grilled Chicken ($1.00)
Ragu Light Parmesan Alfredo Sauce (19¢)
Bird's Eye SteamFresh Broccoli/Cauliflower (70¢)
Whole Wheat Fettucini (FREE)

Yes, supper to feed three with enough left over for my lunch today was only $1.89! It turned out so yummy and only took about 15 minutes to get to the table. Funny that most of that time was boiling the noodles...lol!

August 15, 1998

For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart.
It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.

Happy Anniversary Bob! I LOVE YOU!
(Boy, do we look young there!)

Home Again

Sama's funeral was wonderful*. It was small, but that was what Sama wanted. Just family and a few people from the church.

When Sama moved to Arizona with Bob's parents, she left the home she had lived in since she was just 4 years old. Can you imagine living in the same house for 87 years? When Sama's health declined, she said over and over she wanted to go home -- home to Wisconsin. This made the message at the service about going home even more touching.

The funeral procession drove past and slowed in front of the home the home where she lived 87 years. She is now home with those who have gone before her and more importantly The Lord.

*I know it sounds silly to say a funeral was wonderul, but it really was!

Successful Workout Week

I have made it to the Y everyday this week. Wednesday and today I did not get up with before the birds. I feel great other than a few aches and pains. No pain, no gain right? LOL!!

Bob's parents are coming into town tomorrow afternoon, and his grandma's funeral is on Monday. Not sure how much I will be around much for the next few days.

Ya'll have a great weekend!

This Morning

Shortly before 5:00 this morning Bob's grandma passed away. While we miss her already, we take great comfort in knowing she is no longer in so much pain.

The grave is but a covered bridge leading from light to light, through a brief darkness! -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Treadmill Dance

I saw a portion of a video from youtube.com this morning on Good Morning America. I thought it was hilarious. Check out The Treadmill Dance.

Now that takes coordination! I have a hard time just walking and running a treadmill...LOL!!

Full Steam Ahead!

I "officially" started my Y workouts today! I was up and at 'em bright and early this morning. I entered the parking lot before the doors were open at 5:30. (note to self: leave house five minutes later...lol) I feel really good about my workout plan and look forward to doing it each morning!

Bob is home from Arizona. Now the hectic month at the firm starts. It's late and he is still at work dealing with things that piled up while he was away. Something tells me there are going to be some late nights in the next few weeks. He is an over achiever and puts so much pressure on himself to get it all done.

The time in Arizona was great for him. Not only did he get to see his parents and most importantly his grandma, but he also got a much needed break from work. He didn't pull out one bit of work while he was there. No position statements, contract, settlement agreements, etc.

REG-GIE, REG-GIE!

From espn.com:

Reggie White Member of the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2006

Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, 6-5, 291
Played: 1985-1992 Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1998 Green Bay Packers, 2000 Carolina Panthers. 15 seasons, 232 games.

Highights: Selected in the first round (fourth player overall) of 1984 supplemental draft. Nicknamed "Minister of Defense," joined Eagles after two years with USFL's Memphis Showboats. During eight seasons with Eagles recorded more sacks (124) than games played (121). In 1987, recorded 21 sacks, second most in NFL history at the time. Became only player to accumulate 20 or more sacks in just 12 games. His 1.75 average sacks per game in that season was also a record. In 1993, went to Green Bay and recorded another 68.5 sacks, becoming Packers' all-time sack leader. A dominant defensive performer, at time of retirement his 198 sacks were NFL record. Important contributor to Packers two Super Bowl appearances. Chosen the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and 1998. Briefly retired following 1998 season. Signed with Carolina Panthers for 2000 season. Elected to 13 straight Pro Bowls. Picked All-Pro 13 of 15 seasons, including 10 as first-team selection.

Died Dec. 26, 2004 at age 43.

He was real and stood for what he believed in. Those that played with him always talk about the impact he had on their lives.

I am really ready for the football season to kick into gear. The Packers are playing tonight. It is just a scrimmage against each other, but it's still a sell out at Lambeau. It's not even a real game and they still fill the seats!

Counting the Minutes

Not really counting, but I am looking forward to seeing Bob. Only two hours until his flight is due in! It will be so nice to see his smiling face!

Missed you, hon! Welcome home!

It's SO Quiet Here

Bob is in Arizona...
Olivia went to the Wisconsin State Fair with her cousin...
Boomer is sleeping on Olivia's bed...
Chevy is sleeping in the chair near me...

I don't remember the last time the house was this quiet. It's kind of nice to have that quiet time once in a while.

It's ME time, and I don't know what to do...lol!!

Feel the Burn :)

I can feel that good workout burn already!

The way my workout was Mon, Wed, Fri were my cardio (treadmill) days. Tues, Thur, and Sat were my BowFlex days. Sun I rest...lol! I stuck with mostly cardio today. I did a very little bit of weight training. That was just to get my computer program set up. Each machine is hooked up to a computer that keeps track of your workouts. (Oh no, my trainer can see what I am doing even when she isn't there...lol!) I enter my ID into the touch screen at each machine and it tells you where to set weight, seats, bars, etc. It is also set with the correct range of motion to keep track of reps. It scolds you when you let the weight you are lifting touch the stack or if you don't complete a rep. Not really scolds, but it beeps and doesn't count the incompleted reps.

Tomorrow afternoon I will go to finish up the computer set up and do my weight lifting. The trainer I was supposed to meet with wasn't in because of a family emergency. The trainer I did meet with was doubled up with appointments. She got me as far as she would with the initial set up, but we agreed to meet tomorrow rather than have her rush with either one of us "new" exercisers.

My new workout plan is going to include swimming. I plan to do that Mon, Wed, Fri morning. I will strength train Tues, Thurs, and Sat along with that I will do a warm and cool down on one of the cardio machines.

I will keep you posted on my progress!

Today's the Day

Today is the day I have been looking forward to for a week! I meet with the trainer for my orientation at the gym later this afternoon. My workout WILL finally be kicked up a notch!

Here's to rock hard muscles...lol!!

UPS Was Just Here

Look what UPS just delivered for me!

That sweet husband of mine ordered it Sunday night while I wasn't looking so it would be delivered today.

It is a GREAT shade of red and has the American Family Insurance logo along with a darling heart on the left side...

In AZ Safe and Sound

Bob arrived in Tucson safely this morning. Who knew the temps there would be cooler than at home? It was 88 there and 98 here!

Can You See Me Now?

I think I figured out why some of you couldn't see my header! Are you using IE? I took a look at my blog from IE and couldn't see it either. I worked a little magic with the code and now I can see it. Hope you guys can too!

Arizona, Here He Comes

Bob is not fond of flying, but he leaves tomorrow morning for Arizona. It took weeks for me to get him to purchase the tickets. He will return Saturday evening.

Boy, am I going to miss that man. This will be the longest we have been apart since we have been married. Olivia and I are staying home. Since this was a last minute planned trip there were just too many things that didn't work out for us to travel together.

We have been planning on going out to Arizona in the spring to visit Bob's parents, grandma, and take in some Brewers and Cubs spring training games. Since Sama isn't doing very well I think it is very important that at least Bob get out there to spend time with her.

I better get the laundry finished so I can pack his suitcase!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 85th Birthday Grandma Minnie! I love you, missed going out bummin' with you last week. I am looking forward to seeing you this week for our weekly "date"! (Yes, I know she won't see this...lol!)

Here We Go Brewers

...and Bratwurst...lol!

Yes, the Brewers won this afternoon and so did the Bratwurst...lol!! I was pullin' for the Italian Sausage...rofl!

A Little WI Sports News

From Packers.com: The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance Thursday announced the theme of this year's Packers cap campaign, the Packers Heart Cap, to raise money for the fight against heart disease.

This is the second joint campaign for the two organizations. Last year's effort, the Packers Breast Cancer Cap, raised more than $1 million for the fight against breast cancer.

Through sales of the Packers Heart Cap, a red baseball-styled cap featuring the Packers' 'G' on the front, with an American Family Insurance logo and green and gold heart on the side, the two organizations will raise money to be distributed to statewide charities focusing on heart disease research, prevention and support.

From milwaukeebrewers.com: Chorizo will join the Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage and Hot Dog for a race on "Cerveceros Day" -- that's "Brewers" in Spanish -- following the sixth inning of Saturday's Brewers-Reds game at Miller Park. Chorizo will then be "optioned out to the Minor Leagues for more seasoning," according to Melvin, though there is also the issue of Major League Baseball's approval process for new mascots. The Sausage Race will officially become a five-weenie affair beginning on Opening Day of 2007.

Yes, we really have sausage mascots in Milwaukee, and I will be seeing them (minus Mr Chorizo) on Sunday afternoon!

Card Carrying Member

I am now a card carrying member of a gym. The YMCA to be exact.

I know what you are thinking. Don't you own a treadmill and BowFlex? Don't your parents own a company that manufactures fitness equipment? Yes, yes and yes...lol!! I find the using the treadmill in our basement boring, I have hit a wall with the BowFlex workouts and I am not going to go workout in the showroom at my parents company during business hours. I don't want to be alone in that old, creepy building after hours.

I know it is time to kick my workout up a notch or two. One of the things I am really longing for in my workout is swimming. Just some simple laps in the pool. This will bring back memories of high school.

I wasn't able to set up my orientation and meeting with a trainer until next Wednesday, but I am still able to use the equipment. Tomorrow morning I will be up bright and early to head over to the Y for my morning swim. I am looking forward to it SO much!

Sad News In the NASCAR World

From NASCAR.com: Benny Parsons, 1973 NASCAR champion and television analyst for NBC/TNT, revealed Wednesday that he has lung cancer and expects to begin treatment immediately. However, he plans to continue working, beginning with the Aug. 6 race at Indianapolis.

You can read the complete story here.

Darling Notecards

While making my morning stop at one of my favorite blogs, I was introduced to Rock Scissor Paper. They have the most darling 50s looking dress, shoe, etc notecards.

I love notecards and stationery. I just have a very hard time bringing myself to use my favorites.

I will let you know if (and what) I order when I break down...lol!!

Miss USA in the PR Gown

I want this evening gown:



You can see a better picture of Tara Conner, Miss USA, in the gown here.

Where Is the Summer Going

There are school supplies all over the stores, and they have been out there for a few weeks now. It seems each year the supplies and cool weather clothes come out earlier and earlier.

I know kids in a lot of areas go back to school soon, but around here they don't start until after Labor Day. Do we really need to have our supplies purchased two months ahead of time? I guess so because I am beginning to pick up Olivia's supplies while the sales are good and things aren't picked over. You know she can't have the "plain" solid color notebooks and folders that were good enough for us...lol!! If they will get her to do well in school I am all for it, but in late September (to her) they will just be dumb things she has to take to class to take notes and home to do homework...lol.

Then one thing I want to know is why do we have send 8th graders to school with a package of overhead projector markers? Is it to make clean up easier for the kids who get caught tagging their desks, the walls or the bathroom stalls? Hmmm...I just wonder...lol!

When I Grow Up

When I grow up, I would love to be a fashion (or interior) designer! I have LOVED sewing since I was about 6.

I have been watching this season's Project Runway. From what I have seen in the first two episodes I really like the styles of Laura Bennett and Kayne Gillaspie.

The task in last night's episode was to design a dress for Miss USA, Tara Conner, to wear in the Miss Universe pagent. (I believe it airs this Sunday night.) Kayne was the winning designer. Isn't that dress stunning? I think I want one...lol!! Ooooh, Kayne!! hehehe!

Watching Project Runway is stirring up the sewing passion in me again. I have the itch to make myself some new clothing. However, my trips to the local JoAnn's in the last two weeks have left much to be desired in the fabric department. Unless you are looking to do some crafting or make a dress out of polar fleece. I guess I will have to venture out of the immediate area a bit or hit eBay.

Oooops!

I should have published this post yesterday (July 18, 2006), but instead I saved it as a draft!

We finally cooled off from the HOT temps that have been around the country the last week or so. I looks like that won't last long. I have to get the grass cut before we are back up near 90. It's not fun to do yard work in that.

Here are the pics I promised Monday!

This variety of Day Lily is called Pardon Me.
It's blooming like crazy right now.

Our Unique Hydrangea will be in "full" bloom soon.

The name unique really fits this hydrangea. The buds on the flower head never seem to all open at once. It gives the flower a lovely lacely look. I love having dried hydrengeas in the house. I am not sure how these dry, but I am planning on giving it a try this year. I'll let you all know how they turn out.

Bloggin' Slacker

Boy, have I been a bloggin' slacker the last few days...lol!?!

Here are a few pics from the weekend...

The curio mentioned in Thursday's entry.

The baskets!
The one on the left is the one $5.00 treasure!!

The view of the moon was incredible here Saturday night. It was HUGE, an awesome shade of orange, and so low in the horizon. The only thing that can be seen in the picture is the moon so you just can't get tell how huge or low in the sky it appeared. The color in the photo is true to what we saw here. I don't think I have ever seen the moon look like that. I am pretty sure it had something to do with the hot, humid weather we had along with most of the country this weekend.

The AWESOME Orange Moon!

I plan to take a few out in the yard today and will post them later. More blooming and close to blooming plants. :)

Find of the Season

I dropped Olivia off at her summer violin class this morning. Since it is only an hour long, and I hate to drive home and be in the house for about 25-30 minutes before I have to leave again I decided to hit a few rummages. I found the most wonderful item for an awesome price. Before I tell you what my little treasure is I have to tell a little story of why I have (and LOVE) this collection.

In January of 2005, Bob's great aunt passed away. His great uncle passed away before we were married, and I never met him. She was a wonderful lady and from what I hear Uncle Bill was just as wonderful. They never had any children and always treated Bob's mom like their own. Bob and his brother were treated (read spoiled...lol) like grandchildren. When she passed away, they left most everything to Bob & Jim.

So last summer when we went down to Florida to clean out her house and get it ready to put on the market. We walk in to her home and there is this darling little curio. It's about the size of a sofa table with just one glass shelf and of course the bottom. It is filled with Murano glass and Capodimonte. It was sitting right next to her chair. I knew by the way those items were displayed that she loved them. There was no way I was going to leave that curio for the person who bought her home. I wanted to be home and in the family. We had so much stuff to bring back home it just wouldn't fit on that first trip. Knowing that bummed me out, but thankfully we needed to make a second trip to finish getting her home ready to put on the market. On the second trip we had plenty of room for the curio. YEAH!! I knew didn't know much about Murano glass or Capodimonte, but I knew enough to know that some of the pieces were probably brought back from when she and Uncle Bill visited Italy while he was station over in Europe.

We brought the Murano and Capo home on the first trip so we knew it was safe. Bob's brother and his wife have the Murano and we kept the Capo. It has that shabby chic look I LOVE. The curio has a spot in the entry of our home and it is filled with her Capodimonte and the one piece I already had. On top is a her small Capo basket. It is the only thing on top of the curio and I knew it need more on it. I could just never find that right things to put there.

Well, I am sure can see where this is going. At a rummage, I ran across a much larger Capodimonte basket, It could be the fraternal twin of the one that we already had. I practically ran over to the table it was sitting on to grab it and check the tag. When I looked at the tag, I think I let out an audible gasp. Not because it was high, but because it was FIVE dollars. I cannot find anything on the web similar to it right now, but I know back when we brought her things home last year there a small one (the one I already had) on eBay that went for $105.00. There are a couple chips on two of the roses, but those will be facing the wall.

I still call it Aunt Vi's collection and I was SO thrilled to add to it for her today.

We love you and miss you Aunt Vi!

Finally & Just In Time

I finally finished painting the outside of the fence and the arbor and just in time. The HOT, HUMID weather will be back for the weekend.

BEFORE
This photo was taken last summer.
Just imagine what another Wisconsin winter did to it!

AFTER
This was taken just an hour ago.
I am so pleased with the way it turned out.
There was just a slight color change.

Other stuff is happening in the yard as well. The hydrangeas are looking glorious!

This was taken tonight and is the same flower I posted a picture of late in June.

The hostas (yuck!) are blooming. Soon (read tomorrow) I will be cutting those flowers off. I hate them. I am planning to remove most of them from our yard. They line the entire sidewalk along the side of the garage. The previous owners didn't use much creativity when it came to planting that area. I have never counted, but there must be about 18 hostas along there ALL in a straight line. Did I say YUCK ? LOL!!

It looks like we will have our first day lily bloom of the season tomorrow morning. I sure hope so. I love the variety we planted. (Note to self: purchase more of those day lilies...lol!!)

The rest of the painting projects I have planned will probably have to wait until the fall. Usually when we hit mid-July the temps aren't great for painting and/or staining. Although, today was beautiful here near the lake. Mid 70's and not much humidity until late this afternoon.

I do have one good thing to say about the humidity. It makes the sunsets even more beautiful.

Off to watch Project Runway and Rock Star: Supernova! :)

Please Say It Isn't So

From nascar.com:

Scott Savol, who finished in the top five of American Idol Season 4, will be part of pre-race activities for the Pennsylvania 500 Nextel Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, July 23, 2006.

I just hope that will be one of the weeks they don't show the person who sings God Bless America!!

JTRS Lovers: Remember Karner Blue?

The 2002 Event Shoe that was inspired by the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Well, here's a bit from a story that was in our paper today...



A Nudge for Nature
Wisconsin program nurtures the flowers that feed the endangered Karner blue butterfly
By MEG JONES

Willard - The pale blue butterfly - hardly bigger than a nickel - fluttered and flitted at the side of the Clark County road dotted with lupine and other wildflowers.

It's no wonder the Karner blue butterfly was sticking close to the lupines, because the purple flower is breakfast, lunch and dinner for the endangered species during its larval stage. As a small caterpillar, the creature eats only wild lupine, snacking on the flower's leaves and leaving behind tiny marks like miniature window panes.

You can read the complete story here.

My Thoughts on the Sheryl Crow GMA Interview

Yesterday's segment was mostly about the break-up with Lance. That wasn't the part I was looking forward to seeing.

Today's segment was about her diagnosis and treatment. She had a lumpectomy followed by seven weeks of radiation. Her skin on her breast was burned, her breast became hard and painful. The toughest part for her, however, was the fatigue. She surrouded herself with friends.

I was a bit disappointed with the things she stressed in the interview. She did mention the importance of knowing family medical history. The only mention of yearly mammograms was when she said if you know you have breast cancer in your family to have a baseline mammo and follow-up yearly. I think she should have stressed yearly mammograms period. Many, many, many women are diagnosed daily with NO family history of breast cancer. Monthly self exams were never even mentioned.

I know she may have mentioned all those things, but it could have been cut out for whatever reason. If that is the case, I say shame on the editors of the piece.

Knowing how Sheryl Crow takes issues and makes them her battle, I was wondering what she would do with breast cancer. I have to say I was disappointed.

Oh, How I Love Cleaning & Organizing

Earlier this summer I made a plan to do a deep cleaning/organizing in the house by taking one room each week. Today while working, I was thinking how crazy I was to schedule the kitchen for a week when I only had three days to work on it. Well, just a few mintues ago I ran across the schedule, and I am not so crazy after all...lol!

Needless, to say the family room didn't get done. I can take care of it in just a couple hours tomorrow. It's a small room with only a few pieces of furniture. They are easy to move for the big vacuuming. Next week is really kitchen week. Oh well, at least now I have a good start...lol!! I got the inside of all the lower cabinets wiped out and organized as well as the drawers. I was planning to tackle the pantry tomorrow, but will hold off on that until next week. It really needs to be done. I need to move some of our less (read almost never...lol) used small items to the basement to make more room for my growing stockpile of groceries.

Speaking of groceries, would you believe I spent less than $45 on groceries this week? Almost half of that was on some GREAT Diet Pepsi sales they were running around the area. Woohoo!

Sheryl Crow Interview on GMA

I forgot to mention: I am looking forward to the Sheryl Crow interview on Good Morning America tomorrow and Friday. I will TiVo it because I just can't bring myself to sit and watch two mornings of GMA. Many of those people on there drive me nuts...lol!

They're SOOOOO Dreamy

Nickelback, my favorite group, is in town tonight with Hoobastank! I don't care about Hoobastank, but one of these days I WILL see a Nickelback show. I hear they are awesome live. If it wasn't for the short work week, we would so be there. How dare Chad and the gang not check my schedule before coming to the area...LOL!!

They are performing at Summerfest which is said to be the world's largest musical festival. Most of the music is free with the price of admission which is only about $15 this year. Each evening there is a band that plays the mainstage and of course that show isn't free. The free stages usually have a lot of great acts as well. They are usually those who have had big hits in the past or those who are just getting started. A few of this years free acts are (or were) Dierks Bentley, All-American Rejects, Alice Cooper (that one was for you C...lol), Lynard Skynard, and The Fray. There really is something for everyone.

My boys are on the mainstage tonight! I hope everyone going has an awesome time!

Happy Independence Day

Let us NEVER forget the sacrifices made by so many so we can enjoy the freedom we do each day!

I LOVE Sundays

Sundays like this one that is! Other than church we did not go anywhere today. I spent it relaxing on the deck, catching up on a little laundry, working on a couple scrapbook layouts, and tweaking the header for this blog! (It's up. If you can't see the header try clicking refresh while holding down the shift key.) I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Bob is off work tomorrow and Tuesday. Olivia is off from her summer orchestra class all week. I am looking forward to the next couple days where we can be together and just relax like today. :)