Thursday Thirteen #22

As you can see, time is ticking away until the triathlon. Since it is on my mind a lot lately, I decided to list thirteen of the things I will need to bring with me on race day. Of course, this list is not all inclusive. I have a much longer list sitting with the rest of my race stuff. This could be a continuing TT topic! ;)

Thirteen Things Things I Need to Bring on Triathlon Day!

1. Timing chip and strap

2. Swim cap and race numbers given with race materials during pick up

3. Goggles

4. Towel

5. Bike helmet with race number affixed to front

6. Fix-a-flat kit & bike pump

7. Running shoes/socks

8. Shirt I plan to wear during the run with race numbers pinned to it.

9. Sunglasses

10. Food/snacks to eat during and/or after race.

11. Bottled water/fluid replacement drink on full bottle in cage on bike to drink during the bike leg. Additional fluids to enjoy after the race.

12. Sunscreen

13. Cell phone

I didn't mention bike because it will already be there. We pick up race materials and lock our bikes in the staging area the day before the race.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

About My Thursday Thirteen

I have a lot on my plate today and hope to get to my Thursday Thirteen later, but can't make any promises I will. If I don't get a chance today, I will definitely be here with TT #22 (or is it #23?) next week!

And I'm off...

Dress Shopping -- UGH!

We have a wedding Friday afternoon, and I have been looking for a dress for a couple weeks now. The reception is at a country club so I want something not too casual, but not black tie formal either. Do you know how hard it is to find something like that? I did find one this afternoon, but now that I have it home I think the style is too mature for me. Guess that means I have to go back to pounding the tiles of the mall once again tomorrow.

Tuesday's Tri Training: 35 minute run
Today's Tri Training: REST (If that's what you call running from store to store in two malls.)

Tri Training

This is for you Martha! ;)

Saturday was such a beautiful day here so I decided to go on a training run, but combine it with a walk. I walked a little over 4 miles from home and ran back only stopping once during. I walked for about five minutes and continue my run! Boy, did that feel good. I am pretty sure I got to the 3.1 mile mark before I had to stop.

Today I went on a nice bike ride. I don't know the exact mileage, but got a pretty close number from usatf.org/routes/map/. It was 8.25 miles in about 40 minutes. No resting here. I think the challenge with the bike portion will come after swimming half a mile.

To kind of try to tackle that, I plan to bike to & from one of my swimming sessions each week. This week I will probably do that on Thursday! It's less than three miles from home, but I think it will tell me a lot about how it will feel to swim then ride!

She's FOURTEEN!

Happy Birthday Livie-Liv!

The first "professional" picture of 7 lb 3oz Olivia!
Taken May 21, 1993

Bob's feelings these days:
Many a man wishes he were strong enough to tear a telephone book in half - especially if he has a teenage daughter. -- Guy Lombardo

Daughters are like flowers, they fill the world with beauty, and sometimes attract pests. -- Author Unknown

I'm It Once Again

Jenny over at J's Thoughts and Musings has tagged me for another Meme about me.

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I was a single mom working as an assistant manger at McDonald's. My shifts were not set. So I spent a lot of time carting a darling little almost four year old from babysitter to babysitter depending on my shift. The poor girl didn't know which "sitter" she would see from one day to the next. Thankfully, they were all family or like family.

I was also "helping" Bob shop for my engagement ring! ;) (June 28 will be 10 years since we were engaged.)

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Getting ready to go visit BIL & SIL for my nephew's baptism. It ended up being the last time I saw my DH's grandma before she passed away.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. Almonds
2. Pear with Laughing Cow cheese
3. Apple with peanut butter
4. Dove Promises (dark chocolate of course)
5. Peanut M&M's

Five songs that you know all the lyrics:
1. Vogue -- Madonna
2. You Oughta Know -- Alanis Morissette
3. Ice, Ice Baby -- Vanilla Ice
4. Hanky Panky -- Madonna (from my bad girl karaoke days...lol)
5. Summer Nights -- John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Buy a little cottage in Door County, WI
2. Put more college money aside for Olivia
3. Vacation more
4. Buy DH the boat & convertible he thinks he needs now...lol!
5. Let my DH retire early and find him a hobby to keep him busy...lol!

Five bad habits:
1. Procrastination (oh no, Jenny! This is my number 1 bad habit!)
2. Avoiding arguments/disagreements (Keeping this one at number 2!)
3. Nail biting, but I am getting better at this one. I have almost broken it.
4. Peanut M&M's (yep, my favorite snack is a bad habit)
5. Gossiping with mom about extended family. (Ouch, that one was hard to type.)

Five things you like doing:
1. Working in the yard
2. Decorating my home
3. Sewing
4. Taking pictures
5. Blogging

Five things you would never wear again:
1. Banana clips
2. Leggings
3. Leg Warmers
4. Jellies
5. And everything else listed in my TT #5...LOL!

Five favorite toys:
1. My camera
2. My MP3 player
3. My bike
4. DirecTV/TiVo
5. My computer

And Now for the important stuff...

INSTRUCTIONS:
Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

The blog. Yep, the blog.
Dog's Eye View
Inside Mo's Mind
J's Thoughts and Musings
Just Bloggin' Along

Next select five people to tag:
Kelle at Come Do the Speed Limit With Me
Martha at Elizabeth Hill Cottage
GP at Fish Creek House
Shelbi at Keeper of the Chocolates
Stacy at Stacy Sews

If you choose to do the Meme, comment back so we can learn even more about you.

I'm It Once Again!

I reposted this entry above, and it now has comments. I have NO idea why this one did not. Some blogger glitch I suppose! I went through all my settings and nothing was changed. Test entries had comments available so who knows!

Thursday Thirteen #21

I consider myself a good speller, but there are a few words I get hung up on over & over again. I either misspell them often or have to think about them a little longer than most words. Apparently, some of them are commonly misspelled words. It's good to know I am not alone.

Thirteen Words Commonly Caught In My Spell Check!

1. broccoli

2. calendar

3. definitely

4. judgment

5. license

6. lightning

7. liquefy

8. maintenance

9. ninety

10. satellite

11. separate

12. triathlon (I spoke of this one already...LOL)

13. vacuum

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

What Flower Are You?

I am a Snapdragon!
Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh.

What Flower Are You?

I like little online quizzes like this! Some of them describe me pretty well. Others are WAY off! I think this one is pretty accurate other than mischief being my middle name...lol!

Women Skipping Mammograms

From themilwaukeechannel.com:

Mammogram Rate Falls 4 Percent

The rate of women getting mammograms to screen for breast cancer fell 4 percent from 2000 to 2005, according to a study at the National Cancer Institute.

In a news release, author Dr. Nancy Breen said that regular mammography is the best tool for early cancer detection for women over 40, and that it has reduced breast cancer mortality.

In studies from 1987 to 2000, the rate of women over 40 getting the exam went from 39 percent to 70 percent. Numbers from 2005 show the rate is now 66 percent.

The paper said that the small change is significant because it shows a shift in direction.

Breen reported that the drops were more sharp in women over age 50 and those with higher incomces -- groups that had previously shown higher rates of screening. The screening rate dropped 6.8 percent for women ages 50 to 64.

Rates went up, however, for American Indian women.

The authors said they are concerned that a drop in screening could mean fewer cases of cancer caught early.

The report was published in the journal CANCER.

I think this is a shame! We hear over & over again about early detection! We cannot ignore our health!

Evidence

Here is the evidence of why we should wait until later in May to plant around here:

See the words "FROSTY MORNING" on Thursday!?! What's crazier is today we hit 91! Yes, from 91 to frost in one week! That's Wisconsin for you...LOL! We are close enough to Lake Michigan that we should be protected from the frost, but just a few miles from us gardeners will be scrambling to bring in pots and cover tender seedlings.

Our New Wheels

I FINALLY got my bike over the weekend! I absolutely love the colors! (The photo is of my bike.)

Bob decided he wanted one too. I am looking forward to family bike rides. You don't even know how long I have been wanting bikes for the entire family. Olivia had one already. Now Bob & I can join her on some long bike rides on the local bike trails!

Now, I need to do some googling for bike racks that go in the back of a pick-up in case we decide to go on one of the trails a bit further away!

Plant for the Cure at Lowe's

This is the first spring we have a Lowe's nearby. I was so excited to be able to pick up this year's Plant for the Cure geranium! It is such a pretty shade of pink!

And it's planted! Woohoo...our growing season is so very near! (If there is the threat of frost, I can move the planter into the garage for protection.)

Thursday Thirteen #20

Thirteen Quotes About Mothers or Motherhood!

1. A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother — and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment. -- Anna Jarvis, promoter of the establishment of Mother's Day

2. My mother could make anybody feel guilty -- she used to get letters of apology from people she didn't even know. -- Joan Rivers

3. Sometimes when I look at all my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have stayed a virgin. -- Lillian Carter, at the 1980 Democratic Convention, where her son was nominated for a second term as US President

4. A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. -- Tenneva Jordan

5. And so our mothers and grandmothers have, more often than not anonymously, handed on the creative spark, the seed of the flower they themselves never hoped to see -- or like a sealed letter they could not plainly read. -- Alice Walker

6. Why do grandparents and grandchildren get along so well? They have the same enemy -- the mother. -- Claudette Colbert

7. By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class. -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

8. I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best I could bring to it. -- Rose Kennedy

9. If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent. -- Bette Davis

10. Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs...since the payment is pure love. -- Mildred B. Vermont

11. Spend at least one Mother's Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate for a flu shot, dump him. -- Erma Bombeck

12. Motherhood brings as much joy as ever, but it still brings boredom, exhaustion, and sorrow too. Nothing else ever will make you as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired, for nothing is quite as hard as helping a person develop his own individuality especially while you struggle to keep your own. -- Marguerite Kelly and Elia Parsons

13. Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers, and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world. -- Kate Douglas Wiggin

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Two Months and Counting

The triathlon is two months from today! Here's where I am at:

1. I am up able to run a little over 2 miles at this point. When I started training a month ago, I couldn't even run a mile. (The run is 3.1 miles.)

2. I am able to swim 600 yards without stopping. (The swim is half a mile which is 880 yards.)

3. I am able to bike 15 miles without being too run down. (The bike is 12.4 miles.)

4. I have lost 8.5 lbs! (Still have a little to lose to get into my capris from last summer.)

5. I have DRASTICALLY cut my Diet Pepsi consumption. Until about two weeks ago, I drank Diet Pepsi ALL day long. I probably had 8-10 cans a day. The most I have had on any day since I got sick is ONE. This past Friday & Saturday I didn't have a single one. I have replaced the sodas with water & iced green tea.

6. I have passed my fundraising goal of $250 and haven't sent out letters other than to online contacts. (I need to get these out this week!)

I think I am in good shape, but need to keep it up! This week is a heavy training week with workouts Monday - Friday. Next week is really light. Then it builds as the date gets closer with light workouts the week prior to the event.

Tag! I'm it!

Jenny at J's Thoughts and Musings tagged me to share 10 interesting facts about myself. I will have to see if I can think of any I haven't shared yet.

1. Until I was in about 5th grade I was one of the tallest kids in my classes. I became one of the shortest practically over night. (I'm 5'3".)

2. I have this strange hole in my left ear. It is hard to explain, but it looks like I have my ear pierced where the top of the ear connects to the head. It is genetic: my grandma & Olivia have it on right ear. My uncle and I have it on the left. I have met one other person who has this.

3. In high school, I was in our church's youth choir. Each summer we would go on tour to churches in nearby states. I toured in Michigan, Minnesota, and Iowa. Minnesota was by far the most fun year and most beautiful area. (No offense Michiganites and Iowinians.) I am sure you are thinking what's strange about this, but you haven't heard me singing skills...LOL!

4. My uncle is a Baptist pastor. My great-aunt & uncle were missionaries in Africa. Their daughter is carrying on their work.

5. With the exception of the year I was at college, I have lived in the same county all my life.

6. I have not missed voting in an election since I was of legal voting age.

7. I met three of the four members of Stryper when a friend got tix and backstage passes to a concert when we were sixteen. I also caught one of the Bibles they throw into the crowd during their show.

8. I fell off my bike when my brother "kissed my tire". I broke my leg, broke off part of a tooth and chipped another when my face hit the road.

9. I can't stand cartoons or clowns!

10. I have never watched a Star Wars or Star Trek movie.

Now I have to tag 10 people to share their interesting facts. (This is, of course, optional!) I won't have ten since most of those I would tag have already posted their interesting facts. I now tag: Kelle (Come Do the Speed Limit With Me), Martha (Elizabeth Hill Cottage), and Heather (Heather J's Life). If anyone else would like to share, feel free to do so!

Thursday Thirteen #19

Today is my husband's birthday. So in honor of his birthday, today's list is thirteen things about Bob!

Thirteen Things About My Favorite Birthday Guy!

1. Born May 3, 1970

2. Born & raised in Cudahy, WI.

3. He is German & Swedish.

4. He has awesome red hair.

5. He has gorgeous brown eyes.

6. He is EXTREMELY quiet until he gets to know someone. Then you cannot get him to stop talking...lol!

7. He is the funniest man I know.

8. His laugh is contagious.

9. He has three degrees: an accounting, the Masters in Tax, and a Law degree.

10. He earned a FULL scholarship to attend law school and graduated #1.

11. He is a partner at a large law firm in Milwakee.

12. He is very picky about his hair and gets it cut every other Saturday at 11 AM. (Shhhh, don't tell him I told you all...lol!)

13. Last, but not least he is my best friend!

I love you, honey! Happy Birthday!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

We Love Our Team

You know how I LOVE the Packers!

There is a waiting list for season tickets for the Packers. There are now nearly 74,000* names on that list. According to a number crunching assistant professor at St. Norbert College**, if you put your name on that list today, it will be 473 years before you become a season ticket holder. Do you think Favre will still be playing then? LOL!!

I guess I am in a sporty mood today! ;)

*An all-time high!
**Bob graduated from St Norbert in 1992.

Another Baseball Entry

I am no longer a huge baseball fan, but was as a teen. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Brewers only appearance in the World Series. I remember that year well! With Brewer as my maiden a last name, I got teased by other kids constantly about being related to the team, being their mascot, having season tickets, etc. All I wanted was to marry The Ignitor, Paul Molitor...LOL!

It is early in the season, but the Brewers are atop the standings. As of this afternoon, they had the best record in baseball. People in town are excited about Brewer baseball again. It's kind of fun!

Silly Words

I ran across this quote today and thought it was kind of cute!

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.

Brewer Batting Against Breast Cancer

From the Official Site of The Brewers:

While the final details of Bill Hall's first big contract were being ironed out, the 27-year-old Brewer considered starting his own charitable foundation. But the more he mulled, it made just as much sense to contribute to one already close to his heart.

Hall donated $25,000 on Monday to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Brewers announced a special Pink Bat Ticket Package for the new Club on the Club at Miller Park. Only 125 of the $222 packages are available, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Komen Foundation.

Hall was one of many Major Leaguers who used pink bats on Mother's Day last season as part of Major League Baseball's efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer. But Hall gained nationwide -- and worldwide, he says -- attention when he hit a game-winning, 10th-inning home run with the bat to beat the Mets. His mom, Vergie, was in the stands that day at Miller Park.

"If it wasn't the biggest moment in my career, it was one of them," Hall said.

At the time, he didn't realize the impact it had on others.

"I knew it was a big home run with my mom in the stands, but little did I know that it would mean a lot more for a whole lot of people," Hall said. "The notes and letters I received from hitting that home run, I knew I raised a lot of people's spirits.

"If I could do that just hitting a home run, I knew there was a lot more I could do."

Several weeks after his dramatic homer, Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio spent more than $25,000 to buy the pink bat at auction on MLB.com, and presented it as a gift to Vergie Hall. The money went to the Komen Foundation.

Read the rest of the article at milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com.

All Spiffed Up

Before coming down with the bug Bob had, I worked on ridding our front yard and front entry of the winter mess. The spring/summer doormat I bought when we moved in seven years ago had seen better days so it had to be replaced.


I LOVE the replacement I found a couple months ago at Kohl's! The Welcome portion came along with the black mat which is heavy rubber. The other two inserts were purchased separately, and there are about 12 others. It will be nice to have one that is heavy enough that it won't blow across our porch big step (haha).

Next on the replacing list are the dingy doorbell & the knob on the screen door. I just noticed how horrible they look in this picture. Now to stop coming up with more work for myself...LOL!

Wow, What a Lampshade

The gals at the cottage have given me a brilliant idea for a lampshade! Isn't this lovely? I have a couple lamps that would love to show off this look. My to do list is growing! LOL!

Thursday Thirteen #18

Thirteen Famous (or infamous) Wisconsinites!

You can decide whether they are famous or infamous...LOL! I purposely left off our crop of serial killers! Not sure what kind of traffic their names would bring! I shudder to think of it.

1. Tony Shalhoub (Adrian Monk on the series Monk)

2. Charlotte Rae (Mrs. Garrett on Different Strokes & Facts of Life)

3. John Matuszak (Oakland Raider turned actor) He went to the same high school I did. Only a few years before me...lol!

4. Amy Pietz (Annie on Caroline in the City) I went to school with her.

5. Oprah Winfrey (needs no explanation...LOL) While she was not born in Wisconsin, Oprah spent a few years in Milwaukee as a child.

6. Dan Jansen (Olympic Speedskater)

7. Alan Kulwicki (NASCAR Winston Cup Champion) Alan was killed in a plane crash on April 1, 1993 in a plane crash near Bristol, TN.

8. Paul (and Morgan) Hamm (Olympic Gymnasts)

9. Mark Grudzelanik pronounced grud-zuh-LAH-nick (Kansas City Royal) I also went to school with Mark until his family moved to Texas during high school.

10. Les Paul (musician, inventor)

11. Violent Femmes (musicians -- Blister in the Sun)

12. BoDeans (musicians -- Closer to Free)

13. Tommy Thompson (former WI Governor & Health & Human Services Secretary, 2008 Presidential candidate) I met him at a mock press conference for high school newspaper staffs when I was about 17. It was just weeks after he was elected as our 42nd Governor.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Rosie & The View

This entry has nothing to do with my political beliefs. I do not post my political beliefs here. That is not because I don't have any or don't care. In fact, the opposite is true. I follow what is happening VERY regularly. I feel there are enough political blogs out there and no matter what side you are on the comments turn personal, nasty, and/or hateful. I, however, want to say I am glad to see Rosie won't be returning to The View after this season. I think she is a mean, bitter woman who has no place on network television. Bye bye Rosie! :)

Sickness

Did you miss me? LOL!!

Bob has been home sick the last two days. That doesn't mean he had the day off. Just that he stayed home and worked from here. He has been hogging the computer! (Bad Bob...lol!) Since he is napping now, I thought I would say hello!

Keep this between us: Men are kind of big babies when they get sick, aren't they? LOL!!

Tri Triumphs!

Today, I had two triathlon triumphs. One in training & one in fundraising!

First the training triumph: I ran 3 miles in 40 minutes today. I did slow to a fast walk twice, but that was for less than half a mile.

The fundraising triumph: Even though the ChipIn! Widget to the right says $210, I am at my goal of $250 with a few donations that have been made through the other options!

Just because I am at my fundraising goal that doesn't mean I am going to stop! I would LOVE to raise even more for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and National Association of TEAM Survivor.

Again, I would like to thank those who have already made a donation! I appreciate your generosity!

Hokie Hope

Today, we are all Hokies!

Thursday Thirteen #17

This week is all about me...LOL! Well, not really, but my TT is. My first TT was Thirteen Things About Me, and it continues here with my 17th edition!

Thirteen More Things About ME!

1. I used to be EXTREMELY shy.

2. I grew up in a house that was over 100 years old. It wasn't a working farm when we were there, but it was a GREAT place to grow up with the barn, sheds, chicken coop, milk house and over four acres of land.

3. I used to pretend I was Linda Fratianne or Dorothy Hamill when my brother and I would skate on the MANY areas of on our land that would flood then freeze. (We named most of them...lol!)

4. I was on the swim team in high school.

5. I was the news editor of our high school paper -- The Sword & Shield.

6. My first job was at a local frozen custard shop.

7. I was almost 21 when I finally go my driver's license.

8. I met my husband while we were both managers at McDonald's.

9. I attended Hamburger U!

10. I am married to an attorney. He usually represents the employer in employment issues such as discrimation, unemployment, workmen's comp and similar claims.

11. I hate revolving doors to the point I almost freeze when I have to use one.

12. I am a neat freak, but there is one closet in our house that is a DISASTER! It is the one in our computer room. My husband keeps work papers in there. I would be so embarrassed if anyone looked into it.

13. The clothing in my closet is arranged by type of garment & then color. The colors are sorted whites, reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, blacks. Within each group the colors go from lightest to darkest. I know I am a freak...rofl!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Just Don't Do It

I was looking back in my blog archives when I came across a good example of why I shouldn't put a to do list on my blog. The "permanent" evidence that I did not complete what I had planned to in January. LOL!! It was my second Thursday Thirteen.

Thirteen Things TO DO IN JANUARY 2007
1. Pick out tile, counter top, and vanity for upstairs bathroom.
2. Declutter, organize, and clean the basement.
3. Take donations to Salvation Army Donation Center.
4. Buy shelving system for basement.
5. List good items just taking up space on eBay.
6. Organize printed photos in albums.
7. Finish organizing digital photos.
8. BACK UP new newly organized photos!
9. Take more pictures.
10. Scrap at least one page per week (either digital or paper).
11. Buy dress for 2007 Reinhart Winter Gala.
12. Help Bob pick out his tuxedo for the Gala.
13. Attend 2007 Winter Gala on January 27 and have fun!

I guess it is a good thing that I have completed more than half of them. However, it is a reminder of #13 from my first TT, "I am a neat freak, who tends to procrastinate."

Sincerely,

Penny the Procrastinator (lol!)

We have decided to wait until later this year for the bathroom. I would rather spend time outside when the weather is nice than in the bathroom working on redecorating.

Opening A Can of Worms

Do you find yourself adding more work to your day when you decide to do tackle a quick home spruce up project? That happens to me quite often and today was NO exception! The pictures will most likely speak for themselves! :)

Before

Those dirty rings!

After

As you can probably see, today's light fixture project lead to painting the ceiling. I am a neat freak and had no idea the ceiling was so disgusting up there. We replaced a light fixture in the entry last spring, and the ceiling on the first floor wasn't anything like this. I wonder if the previous owners (smokers) didn't paint that part of the ceiling when the painted the rest of the house before putting it on the market. At least now it is all crisp and clean!

I am very pleased with the results! I can't wait to see how it is once it is dark tonight.

Here's the light fixture we put up last spring. It was one of the pieces we brought back from Bob's great aunt's place in Florida.

Vintage Italian Tole Light Fixture
(complete with the made in Italy metal tag)

I Love Rachel Ashwell!

Most of you know how much I love the shabby chic/cottage style. I have been looking for a different light fixture to replace the one at the top of our stairway. It's a builder basic. I have hated it for the last seven years. The style isn't that bad, but it is just not me. What I hate is the light it gives off -- I should really say lack of light. It only has one bulb and max wattage is 60. I was browsing a Target this afternoon when I discovered the Simply Shabby Chic Metal Rose Chandelier. This will be a perfect replacement. The price was GREAT at just $39.99!

I can't hang it yet because I don't have the right type of bulb or a ceiling plate. This light is plug in that I am going to convert to hardwire. I am going to pick those up tomorrow so I can hang it. I will post before and after pictures for you all to see. It will be nice to be able to see in our linen closet finally!

I think I am going to add some "crystal" beading to dress it up a little bit, but those can be added after I have it up!

My Side Hurts

No, not from running!! From laughing...

Click HERE. Then scroll down to #23 in the "search results"!

hahahahaha!

Thursday Thirteen #16

I saw a couple bloggers using searches that brought visitors to their blogs as their Thursday Thirteen topic. Since I find these searches interesting (and funny at times) I thought I would share mine.

Thirteen Searches Bringing Readers to My Blog

1. Sheryl Crow's cancer bracelet what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

2. video "lindsey adams"

3. milwaukee sausages angels

4. i lost my salivary gland stones

5. fiestaware colors kitchen makeover

6. ashly delgrosso cardio video

7. "everyday minerals" suppliers

8. chipin.com blogspot

9. warholize a photo

10. tony penny blogspot

11. birthday wishes for brother quotes

12. grocery game penny

13. gass + shoes

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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These April Showers Bring

Snow plowers -- UGH! We have about 6 inches of snow on the ground. It began this morning with rain, turned to small snowflakes at about 6:30 AM, then around 9:30 the flakes were GIANT. It was like it was snowing snowballs. The flakes returned to a more normal size and it continued until about 4 this afternoon. Guess what it turned to then. Yep -- RAIN! The rain will turn back to snow overnight and is supposed to leave another 2-3 inches.

Time to shovel what has pretty much turned into six inches of slush!

Today's Tri Training: 40 minutes on bike (inside of course) for 10.2 miles! A light work out on the strength training circuit. 20 minutes in the pool. I didn't keep track of the laps just swam until I needed to rest for a bit and then started again. Did this twice for about 10 minutes each.

The Milwaukee Indians?

The Cleveland Indians have moved their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers to Miller Park. All tickets are $10!

What I really want to know is will the sausages race? LOL!

ETA: I found the answer! The Klement's Racing Sausages will race! Woohoo!

Playin' with Blogger

I spent a little time working on my blog layout today. I have been wanting a three column template for sometime and was finally able to locate one. It just happened to be a modified version of the template I was already using. What are the odds? All it required was a little resize to my banner. I also added a footer -- it's just a band of "paper" from the same kit I used from my banner.

It's SO Quiet Here

Friday morning around 8:30 AM, my mom picked up Olivia, and they headed for Natchez, MS. They will be spending the week down there and expect to be home sometime late Saturday night. I am going to get a lot done around the house this week, but it sure is quiet.

I started triathlon training today, and it felt good! It was supposed to be a 15 minute swim & 20 minute run along with some strength training. The pool was closed for classes while I was a the Y so I didn't get it in. Now that I have the pool schedule and know the open swim hours I can adjust my workout time. Today's scheduled swim will be done on Wednesday. I am looking forward to some warm weather so I don't have to be inside for the run & bike portions.

Day Late Easter Greetings

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!

Triathlon Fundraising

My triathlon fundraising is off to a great start!

Anyone interested in donating or reading more about the triathlon may do so at penny.chipin.com/2007-triathlon. Later today I will be adding a link to my sidebar.

I would like to thank those who have already made generous donations. THANK YOU!!

Next week I will be kicking into training mode! I am using some triathlon training information I got online until I attend the training seminar on April 18.

(SIDEBAR: Does anyone else have a hard time typing triathlon? I want to add an extra "a" after the "th". That one is understandable, but I have no clue why my finger automatically goes to type a "g" at the end. Oh yeah, I am participating in a "triathalong"! DOH!!)

Thursday Thirteen #15

In honor of the last day of the Easter parties at McDonald's I have decided to list names of boys & girls along with the meaning of the name. All of these names are boys & girls who attended one of the parties over the past two weeks. I picked these names because I like them, and either they aren't used nearly enough or I had never met any one (in person) with the name.

The meanings of the names listed below are from babynamesworld.com.

Thirteen Names & Their Meanings

1. Cole (coal; dark one)

2. Lola (sorrows)

3. Zoe (life)

4. Chloe (green shoot)

5. Phoebe (bright)

6. Violette (violet, that was obvious, hey? LOL!)

7. Oliver (elf army)

8. Aubriana (elfin king)

9. Adin (slender)

10. Jonah (dove)

11. Edwyn (rich friend) Would you believe my dad AND Bob's brother both have Edwin as a middle name?

12. Elijah (my God is the Lord)

13. Silas (of the forest)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Two Little Words

The two little words ALL CLEAR mean so much! Today I am thankful a dear friend heard those words from her doctor! Praise the Lord for many answered prayers!

This Doesn't Add Up

April + 29 degrees + 45 mph winds = Spring

I don't think so! I could be worse -- we could be getting the 17 inches of snow that fell just a few hours north of here! I want warmer weather!

The real answer: April + 29 degrees + 45 mph winds = YUCK!

Seven Down One to Go

Tomorrow is the last day of the Easter parties for the year. I will be glad when they are over. I am so tired of Easter Bunny Says (Simon Says), the Easter Bunny Pokey (Hokey Pokey), and the Bunny Hop. If I see another Easter Bunny after tomorrow, I swear I will go cRaZy...lol! That is, of course, if I have any sanity left after the party with 39 kids between the ages of 3 and 5! UGH -- 39!

Triathlete? Me?

Not yet, but I am going to be. Today, my friend and I registered for the Danskin Women's Triathlon Series. We will participate in the Chicagoland triathlon on July 7-8, 2007! 100% of the funds I raise will be divided equally between the National Association of TEAM Survivor and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

If you would like to donate, contact me using the link in my profile and I will send you the information to do so!

I am really looking forward to this! :)

Flickr Fun

Bob's parents sent me a beautiful mixed floral bouquet for my birthday! In typical Penny fashion I had to take some pictures of it! After uploading to my flickr account, I found a place to create this clever little mosaic with the images.Notice the little faux butterfly in the bottom left photo? Isn't it sweet!?!

I also Warholized a scanned portrait of Olivia. She was 1 when this picture was taken.

You can Warholize your photo with the Warholizer here!

Thursday Thirteen #14

I have had a few ideas running through my head for topics today. The first: Since this is my fourteenth edition, a list of the topics of my first thirteen editions. (I thought this was a little lame...LOL)! The second: 13 more things about me. (I like this one because I can continue until I have enough to do a 100 (or is it 101) list.) The third (and the winner): A list of some of the songs I want need to purchase from iTunes. I am getting tired of the songs on my playlist. They need a spring makeover!

My Next Thirteen iTunes Songs

1. "Nothing to Lose" Mat Kearney

2. "Read My Mind" The Killers (unless I decide to get Sam's Town)

3. "Tell Me 'Bout It" Joss Stone

4. "Before He Cheats" Carrie Underwood

5. "The Sweet Escape" Gwen Stefani

6. "Colorful" Rocco Deluca and the Burden

7. "The Diary of Jane" Breaking Benjamin

8. "Molly Anna" Incubus

9. "Leave the Pieces" The Wreckers

10. "I'll Stand By You" The Pretenders (Thanks for the reminder American Idol contestant, Gina!)

11. "Steady As She Goes" Raconteurs

12. "Boston" Augustana

13. "Suddenly I See" KT Tunstall

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Thirty-Seven Here We Are...

Yes, Vince Vaughn and I share a birthday! I couldn't believe it when I read we were the same age. I always thought he was SO much older...LOL!

Also celebrating birthdays today are: Reba McEntire, Shanna Moakler, Julia Stiles, my first boyfriend's dad, that kid, Jim, I went to school with from K-12, and my cousin's little boy, Trenton! Happy Birthday everyone! ;)

Another Reminder

Today, we learned White House Press Secretary Tony Snow's cancer has returned. It is another reminder of how vigilant cancer survivors must be when it comes to their health. As well as a reminder to those of us who fight to see a cure, that we must continue that fight!

Back to "Work"

You are probably wondering why an Easter bunny and McDonald's are in the same picture...lol!

The franchisee I worked for almost 9 years ago has a program where preschoolers and other young children come to a restaurant in their area for a little field trip. The children usually range in age from 3-6. They eat either breakfast or lunch, play a couple games, have their picture taken with the Easter bunny (or Santa), do an art project, and have a mini-tour of McDonald's behind the scenes.

I spent a good portion of my McDonald's career doing these parties (and as an assistant manager). I also ran similar parties which were open to the public for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. I can't even count how many of these parties I did in the nearly 10 years I worked for McDonald's. I don't even want to think of what the number would be if I added in all the birthday parties. I think I could do them in my sleep...LOL!

So naturally, when the stores were having trouble staffing the stores for regular business let alone these special parties, I came to mind as a helper. While I have no desire to go back there on a regular basis, it is fun to get out and help for a couple weeks each year.

I won't be around much in morning Monday - Thursday this week or next.

Elizabeth Edwards

Yesterday we learned that Elizabeth's breast cancer has returned in bone. The cancer is treatable, but not curable. In the press conference she said she expected to live next week as she lived last week. Her husband, Senator John Edwards, will continue to campaign for President. Those are great examples of their positive outlook. That is so important when facing a cancer diagnosis!

Label Cloud

Yeah, I was finally able to locate a site with instructions and/or links for instructions to tweak my blog! I added a label cloud to the side bar today. I like the way it looks and it makes it easier for readers to find topics they are interested in reading.

Check out BlogU if you want to tweak your blog and make it more you! :)

Thursday Thirteen #13

This week's Thursday Thirteen is in honor of the arrival of spring!

Welcome Spring in Thirteen Languages

1. English: Welcome spring!

2. French: Accueillez le printemps!

3. German: Begrüßen Sie Frühling!

4. Portuguese: Dê as boas-vindas a Primavera!

5. Russian: Приветствуйте весну!

6. Spanish: ¡Dé la bienvenida a primavera!

7. Swedish: Välkomnande språng!

8. Dutch: Welkomstgroet voorjaar!

9. Italian: Benvenuto primavera!

10. Danish: Velkommen affjedre!

11. Welsh: Chroesawa darddu!

12. Polish: Mile widziany skakać!

13. Finnish: Mieluinen alkulähde!

I used tranexp.com for the translations!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Bye Bye

Slave to Target will be removed from my sidebar since it is not going to be around any longer. I enjoyed visiting Slave to Target and sharing Red Cart Romance with my fellow Target lovers. STT you will be missed!

Welcome Home

Our dear friend Scott is home from Afghanistan after a one year deployment. It is SO good to know he is home safe and sound.

Scott & Erin we can't wait to see you and the kids! We love you guys!

The Verdict Is In...

The jury reached a verdict in the Steven Avery trial yesterday afternoon. He was found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon. The jurors acquitted him of mutilating a corpse. I find that part mind boggling, but I wasn't in the court room to hear all the evidence. While I wouldn't want to be on a jury for a trial of this nature, I would like to be a fly on the wall to see and hear what goes on. Wouldn't you?

Now the attention turns to his nephew, an alleged accomplice. His trial begins in under way in April.

Carolynn's Crew 2007

Carolynn has announced this year's plans for Carolynn's Crew! You can read all about it in her journal at pinkribbonmiracle.com. Three cheers for "going home"!

Thursday Thirteen #12

Since I chose things about the color red for my Valentine's Day topic, I decided to carry on the tradition and list thirteen things about the color green for St. Patrick's Day.

Thirteen Things About the Color Green

1. Green signifies life & renewal.

2. Going green is used to referred to environmental friendliness.

3. Green is a restful color.

4. To the Egyptians green is a sacred color which represents hope & the joy of spring.

5. Green is said to be the most restful color for the human eye to see.

6. Green man is the God of fertility in Celtic myths.

7. Green around the gills means someone is pale or sickly.

8. Green with envy & the green-eyed monster both refer to jealousy.

9. A green racetrack means rain has washed all the rubber off the track. (This one's for you, Carolynn...rofl -- ducking!)

10. A person with a green thumb is good with plants.

11. A greenback is US currency.

12. Some say the color green has healing powers.

13. A person who is said to be green is a novice or inexperienced.

Red was a much more interesting color...lol! I did my research on the color green at about.com , colormatters.com, and crystallinks.com.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Going to the Jury

The Steven Avery trial I talked about a little over a month ago is going to jury tomorrow. I think it is a complete joke that his defense is claiming evidence was planted on his property. I wasn't in court, but have followed the trial enough to form an opinion that this man should be found guilty.

May Teresa's family find closure & justice from the verdict once it is reached. I cannot even begin imagine what they have gone through!

Visual DNA

In the last couple days, I have run across Visual DNA here & here! I guess it's a sign I need to include it on my blog! :) What's your VisualDNA?

Finally Finished

I think I have finally finished adding all the labels to my blog entries from before I switched to the new blogger. What a job! My favorite no doubt is photos!

I will have to double check, but I need a break from adding and looking for missing labels right now...lol!

ETA: Ooops, I completely missed October, but WILL finish those this week!

Spring Sunlight

I love the spring sunlight that floods through our living room windows this time of year.

We are now having unseasonably warm weather. What is normal anymore? First we were much cooler and now much warmer. This is Wisconsin! Soon we could be shoveling snow again. Good thing about snow storms this time of year is the snow doesn't stick around long.

Tomorrow is going to be another lovely day, and I plan to do a miniature spring clean-up in the yard.

Hopefully, I will find some of my tulips beginning to look through the dirt! The leaves on the rhododendron aren't all curled up like they are when it is so cold. I noticed the leaves fully spread out today sunning themselves in the warm light. They aren't greening up yet, but sunning themselves is the first sign! Heck, I would even be happy to see those hostas that bug me coming up!

The Birdies From I Heart Target

Here are the cute little salt 'n peppa shakers I mentioned in my entry from Tuesday.


Aren't they sweet?

Thursday Thirteen #11

We have had unseasonably cold weather for the past couple weeks, and it is making me long for spring even more. A warm up is in the forecast starting tomorrow and heading to near 50 by the middle of next week. While it is still MUCH too early to plant here, I am beginning to draw up planting plans for spring. So my Thirteen today is on 13 flowers/plants I will be planting in a couple months (Yes, months! It is risky to plant anything you can't move inside before Memorial day around here.)

Thirteen Flowers I Plan to Plant Somewhere in My Yard

1. White Boltonia

2. Jupiter's Beard

3. Shasta Daisy

4. Siberian Iris

5. Catmint

6. Morning Light Fountain Grass

7. Dwarf Purple Coneflower

8. Cushion Spurge

9. Creeping Baby's Breath

10. Candy Stripe Creeping Phlox

11. Palace Purple Coralbells

12. Allium (Ornamental Onion)

13. Daylily (not sure of the variety yet)

* Links to other Thursday Thirteens * ctina m.o.m. amy melessa (a must read; alternate names for her blog) christine raggedy jessica

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Never Fear

My Thursday Thirteen will soon be here!

With Bob being off work Friday and Olivia being off school Monday my days are SO confused. I have been thinking it was Wednesday ALL day long!

I Heart Target!

I found the cutest little white bird salt & pepper shakers this afternoon. I cannot find them on the website, but will post a pic tomorrow after I have them in their new home.

These aren't in store, at least not my Target, but check out their version of Wellies at target.com! SO cute! I am thinking of order two pair for myself! How about three?

Don't Cha

Don't cha wish...err...sorry, I broke into Pussycat Doll lingo there. Don't you wish had known you could be the next Pussycat Doll? ROFL! The search is on for the next Doll!

Festival Graphics

I told you I would be rolling out a new look in a very short time. While this one isn't as springy as the last look, I like it a little better. I think the colors of my last look were a little too sweet. If that makes any sense at all...lol!

These are also from shabbyprincess.com.

Time Off, but Back Now

For those who were wondering where I was, Bob took Friday off work. We spent the day getting new tires on my Blazer, looking for floor tiles for our full bath remodel, and just hanging out at our favorite lunch/dinner stop. Even though we were mostly taking care of things that need to be done, it was nice to have Bob along.

We found tile that is a possibility, but want to look around a little more first before making that decision.

Thursday Thirteen #10

Thirteen Things to Do When You Visit Milwaukee, WI
(in no particular order)

1. Tour Miller Brewing Co. & don't forget to pick up a souvenir tee or glass at the Girl in the Moon Gift Shop.

2. Tour the Pabst Mansion.

3. Look for Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture.

4. Visit the Milwaukee Public Museum and stroll the Streets of Old Milwaukee.

5. Eat frozen custard at Leon's.

6. Visit the Mitchell Park Domes.

7. Go to a Friday Fish Fry.

8. Take a boat ride on Lake Michigan.

9. Stroll through Boerner Botanical Gardens.

10. Visit Miller Park for a Brewer game and The Sausage Race.

11. Attend Summerfest, the world's largest music festival.

12. Rollerblade, bike, or jog in Grant Park.

13. Tour a Harley-Davidson factory.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens! karenw amy christine jenny qtpies7 ali

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants