Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Here's to You Grandma and Grandpa!















My Grandparents have always been there for their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. They are getting older...they cannot physically "be there" even though they desire it. That is why I wanted to visit them. My folks and my family live the closest to them right now (only 2 hours away). I guess that makes us the lucky ones. Making the drive, visiting and going back home is easy to do in one day(when you are not dealing with bad winter weather). Here is a picture from our last visit with them!

Christmas time is special for us for three reasons (1) Celebrating Christmas as the time of Jesus's birth, (2) My daughter was born on the 23rd of December and (3) Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary; it is the 26th of December. My family wanted to visit with my Grandparents because they just celebrated their 67th year of marriage. Are you wondering if I typed that correctly? Yes, 67 years. Amazing. Their secret? Their faith, their patience, their humor and their love. What great role models!

Here's to you Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks for being such good role models! Thanks for being you! We love you!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Merry Christmas, Santa and family

One of the hardest thing about the holidays is all the food...cookies...cookies and more cookies. The kids (and I) love to decorate cut-out cookies. Here are some pictures of our fun we had and our final products! Picture 1: getting all the supplies ready:


















The kids doing their thing...

















The final products...yum yum yum.















Beside the yearly fun of cookies...the kids make all types of creations as school. This year our son made gingerbread houses minus the gingerbread. They use graham crackers, frosting and all types of food related items for decorating.















The Piepers did their traditional Christmas eve activities...
We had supper at my parents' home. After that, we opened gifts and then headed off to church for Christmas eve service. Every year we take a family picture in front of the tree. This is our 2008 photo!

We had a wonderful Christmas day. All our purchases were done with cash this year...a first. We've been dealing with some debt issues so with careful planning, cutting on other household spending/bills and purchasing items at a big discount, the kids were able to received some of the things they really wanted.

Santa brought our daughter some Kohler Blue Bombers clothing, an iPod, an iPod docking station/alarm clock and a few small items in her stocking. The rest of the items were from family. She loves everything! She is an appreciative receiver of gifts - so many smiles - so thankful - so gracious. I believe the fact that she knows the truth about Santa and that mom and dad bought everything might help.



Santa brought our son a new bike, a race track, a robot with remote control and a few small items in his stocking. The rest of the items were from family. Our son started off the morning as a gift snob (really pissed off the hubby and me). He acted like he hated the bike and couldn't care less about the track. All he liked was the robot. After about 3 hours, he was exited about the track and bike. I just don't know about that boy. We were about to strangle him.


We thought it was funny that each of us received some kind of footwear for Christmas this year. We thought it would be cute to take a picture!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My have things changed!

I've been busy - aren't we all?

I've also been playing in a new place when I have free time - Face book. If you've missed me posting anything recently, I've been posting them there instead of here.

I read back at my previous entries...sorry for being such a bummer. I was bummed when school started (now my adrenaline never stops) and I'm always on the go, but I like it! I was really really bummed after the election, partly because Obama won, but mostly because I watched my husband work so hard and put himself out there like that and lost. I feel better. Alex may run again. We recently learned that VanAkkren put his hat in the ring to run for Mayor of Sheboygan. Should he win that race, the assembly seat opens up again and Alex could run for that position again. He is not sure if he wants to do that again - it really drained our family's energy and it really hurt us to receive the types of letters and phone calls we got last time. The things said to us were lies - yet people feel the need to propagate them.

So, as I said, things HAVE changed...my attitude, my car I drive, my size of my clothes and my hair. Even the kids are looking different. Here is a picture of me with the kids taken just today. Take a good look...



Did you figure it out? Allison had about 8 inches of hair cut off. In addition, she got her ears pierced (for her birthday...for the third time). Okay, when she turned 7, we took her to get her ears pierced for her birthday. Within a few weeks the dog jumped up on her and knocked it out. We tried to put it back in but the hole already closed in those few minutes. Try number two happened when she turned 8. This time the earrings lasted until March but then when she was allowed to change to new earrings, the holes got so infected so fast that we had to take the earrings out and let the holes close. The third time is going to be the charm. If you look at Christian, he even got his hair cut...no more scruffy hair. It's short and styled.

I want to point out and show off my hair...still red (love the color) but I wear it shorter. I have gotten so many compliments from friends, co-workers and students as to how fun and funky my new do is.

Next, my size...I started a new online food journal on July 28th this summer. I document what I eat (foods, portions, everything). It is quite an eye-opener seeing how much one can eat in a day, especially snacking. I used the site's food calculator to determine how many calories I should be taking in if I want to safely lose weight. I then saw my doctor and told him about the site and he said that everything that I was doing was safe and should proceed. However, I not only changed my diet, but continued to work out three days a week. Currently, I spin Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 5 am. It may seem early, but I enjoy it. There are a great group of women that I work out with! I am now down 21 pounds! I was wearing size 14 shorts and large shirts and now I have size 10 pants and jeans and medium for tops. I am more than halfway to my goal. I want to have a BMI that is not in the obese range - for my age and height, that puts me at 125 pounds. I only have 15 more pounds to go (okay - do the math now and figure out where I started). I realized how good I was doing when I was able to put on a dress that I haven't worn since the gift opening after Alex and I were married.



As for my car...We sold the Audi A6. It was a sad day (mainly for the hubby). It was a sexy car. It served us well. My hubby met a great group of people and became friends with them because of this car. We needed to sell it because it was going to take too much money to repair the transmission. We now purchased a Taurus X. I actually like this car. It is not something I'd turn my head at as it goes past me on the road (our Audi made heads turn). It does have seating for 6. It is better for a family, our family. Financially it is a better fit because the car payment for this car is $80 less per month than what we were paying for the Audi.



My attitude has changed. I don't know how to put into words how it is different, but I generally feel different and I exude a different attitude. I can tell from my interactions with others around me. I am feeling fulfilled with what I am doing at work. I am feeling connections with my students in the midst of teaching them about the periodic table (really, how much do you remember or care about the periodic table? My students are doing a phenomenal job of learning about it!). I am loving my career. I am looking forward to Christmas break, but not because it is a break from school, but because it is more time with my family celebrating a truly joyous time!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Tired

Yes - I am physically tired. I have been up late and up VERY early...constantly working (first quarter ends today), and not eating well. I am also upset about the election results. So many emotions...My head aches; I think too much; I feel angry.

I've never declared a party...but now I never want to be a democrat.
*election fraud - you never hear of republicans leaving MPLS or Chicago to falsely register in WI...no, it's the (the bad) democrats that inflate their numbers by voting multiple times. Wisconsin has had investigations that prove election fraud is rampant in this state and these investigations are stopped by (democratic) judges and our (democratic) Governor.
*bribery - ACORN - enough said.
*intimidation - (the bad) democrats frequently came into the republican headquarters and threatened the volunteers working there. Alex and I received hate mail. We also received threatening phone calls at our house by self-professed democrats.
*the media - It is amazing that any republican can get a decent message out to people with the media as hell-bent as it is on slamming and criticizing them! There were independent studies done that told of how many negative stories were aired about Obama vs McCain. The ONLY fair network had 40% of their stories negative for both candidates was the FOX network. MSNBC was the most unfair network with negative stories about Obama happening in the teens while negative stories about McCain were occurring over 70% of the time!!!

I am sick to my stomach. I guarantee at my measly pay (less than Obama's $250K, $200K or even $150K) that my taxes will go up. I will be paying for someone else's health care, their welfare and their laziness. I will be paying more for the stuff I need because businesses will need to charge me more to make up for the taxes imposed on them! I am upset about the changes that will occur - how marriage will be defined, abortion, socialized medicine (yea - that's what will happen...)

Those that I spoke to today feel as I do. So now we will have to endure. Sigh...

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Too Funny - Happy Halloween!



After seeing this, Alex and I were reminded of a comedian who was using the idea of trick-or-treating to explain taxes.



Parents...if Obama gets in, we get to take a hell of a lot more candy from the kids to explain what taxes mean! Is that a good thing?!???

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Stewardship

A lesson taught in church this morning...yes, the pastor showed a music video. This story really touched our family in more ways than imaginable.

Monday, October 13, 2008

A Normal Day

4:15 am - Alarm goes off for me to wake up, brush teeth, get on workout clothes, pack up for the day
4:30 am - Out the door, get in car - drive to Plymouth
4:50 am - Walk into Riverview school, put stuff in locker room
5:00 am - Spinning class
5:50 am - Showering, getting ready
6:30 am - Drive to PHS
6:45 am - Set up lab for today; finish correcting tests
7:55 am - Sub during my prep time
8:45 am - Teach
10:15 am - Still correcting those tests
11:32 am - Handing back the recently corrected tests; begin new chapter on the Periodic Table
12:22 pm - Eat Lunch, make this post
12:50 pm - Enter grades
1:10 pm - Teach
2:45 pm - Work at the After School Academy AND do the Detention room
4:15 pm - Negotiations Meeting with School Board
6:00 pm - Pick up kids from Alex (who is now teaching his class at SFHS)
6:30 pm - Make supper
7:30 pm - Check kids' homework, Make sure the son takes a shower and both kids get their reading in for the day
8:30 pm - Kids' bed time; Correct essays & Lab reports; plan lessons
12:00 am - go to bed, sleep for 5 hours and begin again.

And I wonder why with being a room parent, a soccer mom, a Girl Scout leader, helping with Boy Scouts, helping with Alex's campaign and part of a book club that I have no social life...AND why I am tired all the time. When will summer vacation get here?

Monday, October 6, 2008

Growing up

My husband and I have been talking a lot as to when to have the talk with our daughter. Oh, not the sex talk and how your body changes...I've already started those talks with her. No, I'm talking about Santa, the Easter Bunny, St. Nick and yes, the Toothfairy. I remember CLEARLY the night my mother told me there was no Santa. I was in 4th grade (my daughter is in 4th grade). I was in the minority in my grade (being a believer, that is). My parents didn't want me getting teased in school. It happened on Christmas eve on our way to church. It sucked! I cried. I was mad. And then I had to "keep it a secret" from my little sister. I told my hubby we were going to talk to our daughter well before Christmas eve. We've been working up the nerve and the right time to talk with her. We know many in her class have older siblings and those kids in her class have been talking about 'No Santa' for a couple of years.

We did it last night.

No tears. No anger. She was quite impressed that her father and I have taken such great care in keeping her faith in Santa so strong. She was even more impressed when she thought of all her gifts - "So you and dad bought me my bike? And the guitar? The My Twinn doll? When would you do that? Where would you hide them? How did they get under the tree?" She actually smiled, like she was ready to hear it all. Then she told us to have no worries about her little brother, that she'd probably forget it all by morning. That didn't happen. She was in the bathroom with me as I am getting ready asking me more questions and I needed to tell her "not now; Your brother will be up any minute and may hear us talking." Throughout the day, my mind has wondered to my little girl, who is growing up so fast, and wondering if she is bursting inside to talk about the new information she now has.

She'll be 10 soon. She is still my little girl. My girl who now knows the truth. Losing a tooth, Christmas and Easter won't be the same. I feel sad.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

My Kids

Okay - today marks the "one month" date until the election; so the whole family was out today helping dad with his campaign. We were knocking on doors and dropping off literature. So as my son and I were walking along, he sees an Obama sign and says "Mom, don't look at it...it will burn out your eyes and make you a zombie!"

Next story...
Yesterday my son had a friend over to play. My son says to his friend "In my class everyone is voting for McCain." His friend replies "Yeah, my whole class is voting for McCain too." My son adds on "In Ben's class there is someone who is voting for Obama." When my son's friend asks who it is. My son named the individual and then says "I have no clue why he would do that!" The two boys sat there laughing and then went on to play Bak-gu-gon (however it is spelled). The boys are 7. Smart boys!

Next story...
My daughter and I are watching "The Mummy Returns" or whatever it is called...it's the second Mummy movie. The part with the little pygmy cannibal creatures starts and I call them pygmy cannibals. My daughter asks what a cannibal is so I define it for her. The then tells me that she no longer wants to eat their soup.
me: "Huh??"
girl: "You know, Cannibal's tomato soup"
me: "Baa haa haa haa haa...hee hee hee"

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

This is a great feeling!

My husband did it! He has won the Primary race for the 26th assembly race and is now the Republican candidate! He won this evening by having 804 votes while his opponent had 563 votes. I am so incredibly proud of him! He now has less than 60 days to work even harder now to "dethrone" the incumbent. I am all smiles for my man!!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Mamma Mia!

I am so excited! Yesterday I received my ticket to see the Musical Mamma Mia! In addition, my friend, Kim, gave me a birthday present...ABBA's GOLD CD (and I am listening to it right now!) Thank you - thank you - thank you for the CD - I am so happy right now listening to the words, the music and thinking how these songs got us through some of those morning bike rides!

Be happy listening to the music as well! (This is from the movie - which I saw as well - but nothing can beat the original!)

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Envy

I would like this for my kids...I would have loved to have one when I was a kid...hell, I'd play in one now as an adult! Only problem is we don't have much of a yard or any big trees so our kids (and me, too) are out of luck!

Friday, August 29, 2008

I just don't know what to title this entry

Yesterday was our school district's district-wide inservice where the district administrator, school board president and others address all employees. During this inservice we were "trained" in blood-borne pathogens followed by a presentation on pandemics, specifically addressing that a flu pandemic will occur and that the "when" is unknown. This presentation was down right depressing. Statements like "people you know WILL die" were told to us. I cannot put into words the dismal message that was given. Then we had a video. It was to teach us how to sneeze. I don't know if it was because the presentation we just had was so gloomy, but the video had the entire auditorium in stitches. I found it this morning on the internet. It is five minutes or so, so it isn't that long.

"Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves?"
(be sure to click on the "Watch Video" link on the left side)

As for going back to school...I'm not sure if anyone in our family is ready for school to begin. The kids had an amazing summer. We now have more kids in the neighborhood and we constantly have someone showing up at our door asking if one or both of the kids can come out and play. In addition, both have had four great weeks at Camp-Y-Coda. Neither one of them has said anything about being excited for school to begin. As for me, when I got into my classroom, I was really depressed. It is an interior room with no windows and it feels a lot like a cave. It might be that I just turned 40. In any case, the beginning of this school year, my 18th year in teaching, I just don't seem to have my normal excited attitude as I've had in the past.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Not When She Is 9 Years Old!

My daughter cried.

She cried when I took her school clothes shopping.

She cried while in the dressing room when the jeans she picked out didn't fit her.

What have I done? Have I shown so little love for my own (chubby) body that my daughter has learned to hate herself as well?

She wouldn't talk to me at first, she just sat there with tears in her eyes and her face turning red. I pleaded for her to talk to me. I got mad when she wouldn't. She finally said that she didn't want to buy any clothes because she hates the way her body is changing. (Breaking heart)

I always tell her I love her. I always tell her she is smart and beautiful and amazing in her abilities. She must also hear me say how I want to lose weight and that I think I am fat. But I exercise and I thought I talk about it in a positive way. I make healthy meals for the whole family, not just for me. So where did I go wrong?

I have always taken her into the dressing room with me when I try on clothes. I am short. For the width that I am, the pants are always too long. My pants always get hemmed. My daughter has inherited that from me. So, she finds jeans that are the "right length" and then she cannot button the pants.

Nine years old is too young to feel this way. Actually, I don't ever want my daughter to hate herself whatever age she is! No girl should be made to feel this way.

What is a mom to do?

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Real Quick

My husband was watching our son play RockBand. He decided to record him AND put the recording on You-Tube. Mind you, (1) he's 7 years old (2) he's playing this on Medium and (3) he's not wearing his glasses (arrrggh!).

2 weeks notice

Summer Vacation is just about over for the kids and me. I have one week left with them and then I go back for inservices. The kids only have 2 weeks left of summer vacation! I am going to recap our adventures this summer, in pictures (mainly).

Our summers begin with our annual trip to the county airport for their Wings & Wheels celebration for Father's day. This year the kids made paper rockets and were able to launch them using a set-up with pipes and a 2-L soda bottle. After that, my husband took the kids for their annual ride in the airplane. This year our son was able to sit in the front seat with the pilot and was given the opportunity to hold the controls. They were able to fly over Kohler and take pictures of our house from above. My daughter also took pictures of the school and Woodlake Market. They also flew over the city of Sheboygan. This weekend was also a big race weekend for one of our friends so he (Brice) and his girlfriend (Laura) were staying with us and came out to the airport as well.






These first two are when I took the kids to Appleton to visit my friend, Annie, and her kids. We went to a local park to go letterboxing. They loved exploring, finding the hidden treasure and finding a turtle (that at first we thought was dead).






Now are my pictures from the 4th of July. Since our family was IN the parade this year, I have no pictures OF the parade, however a few friends and my parents were able to see the parade (and take a few shots), but I have not seen them yet. What I do have is a picture of is when our friend Donny spotted a tortoise in the bushes (because our dog was acting all excited). It just so happened the day before I received a "lost and found" note from a neighborhood youth. We called and sure enough, this was the missing pet. Another picture is of the Ravine Park where all of Kohler meet to listen to the Kiel band play and then enjoy the fireworks. Everyone sets out blankets and chairs (as early as the 3rd of July) to claim the best spot. No one steals the items laid out. The last one is self-explanatory and quite beautiful!


My son's teacher, Mrs. Nebel, held a party at her house for all the kids and their siblings at her home. I have a group shot of all the kids who were there. If you look above the house, you can see when this was taken...just as everybody was about to leave (a huge storm with hail was approaching). The other pictures are of my kids enjoying one of the many activities that Mrs. Nebel had for all the kids - from swimming, to the trampoline, to legos and FOOD!












Camp pictures...The kids spent a lot of time in camp. My daughter was at Girl Scout Camp (Left) and Drama camp (Below) and 3 other weeks of other camps; while my son was in Wet-n-Wild camp with his two best friends (Left & Below) and also had 3 other weeks of camps.














My son was invited by one of his best friends to be a part of the Jr. Coho Derby this year. His step father is an avid fisherman and has a really nice boat. This was my son's first time out on Lake Michigan in a boat - and fishing for that big of a fish. He caught a 4.58 lb, a 4.51 lb and a 10.12 lb King Salmon. His friend caught a King Salmon over 13 lbs so he won a trophy. In order to have the fish be "yours" the kid had to reel it in all by themselves. How exciting is that?


My Grandfather turned 90! Our family traveled to Marinette on an early Sunday morning to join my Grandparents and my parents to celebrate this. In addition, we celebrated that on August 27th, my Grandmother will be 88 (I'll be 40 on that date).










We took a trip to Green Bay to go to Bay Beach. This is always a favorite for the kids. This was the first year our daughter was tall enough to drive the bumper cars herself. They enjoyed the swings, the playground and the train. I was able to take a few pictures as my husband and daughter as they were coming down the big blue slide.


I planned another ladies luncheon with a few of the ladies I worked with when I worked at New Holstein High School (now 7 years ago). This year my friend and mentor, Judy, was unable to attend. It was too close to her 50th wedding anniversary and she had company at her home. The ladies who were able to attend Mary, Grace, Jackie, myself and Annie. We had a nice time being able to catch up on what everyone is up to - work - husbands - children - and grandchildren (not for all of us).

Sunday, August 10, 2008

You may want to try these

Earlier I was writing that I am trying to count my calories and keep a journal of what I am eating. Now I am searching for new and easy recipes. I really do not look for "how healthy" they are, just that I am able to determine the information so I can record it. I found two recipes that are just awesome!

Recipe #1 - Thai Chicken with Basil

Ingredients you will need... 1.3 lbs chicken breast cut in 1 by 2 inch pieces, 2 Tbls of Asian fish sauce, 1.5 Tbls soy sauce, 1 Tbls water, 1.5 Tbls sugar, 2 Tbls cooking oil, 1 large onion cut into thin slices (I prefer to use scallions - I like their flavor), 3 fresh red chiles cut into thin slices OR 0.25 tsp dried red pepper flakes, 3 cloves of garlic - minced, 1.5 cups of lightly packed fresh basil leaves

Directions... In a bowl, combine chicken with fish sauce, soy sauce, water and sugar. In a nonstick pan or wok, heat oil - add onions and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in chiles and garlic, cook for 30 sec longer. Add chicken to the hot pan. Cook until almost done, stirring about 3 minutes. Add the marinade and cook 30 seconds longer. Remove from heat and add 1 cup of basil. Serve with the remaining basil.

I do not serve rice or noodles with this, instead, I prefer to serve with green vegetables and a side of fruit. I have gotten rave reviews from my family. My biggest complement is that my son (who rarely eats meat) loves the chicken.

Recipe # 2 - Easy Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients... 3 lb beef tenderloin, 0.75 cup soy sauce (I prefer the low sodium), 1 stick of butter (that's it!!)

Directions... Melt the butter. Add the soy sauce. Put the beef tenderloin in a glass cooking dish and add the butter-soy mixture. Cook for 10 minutes at 350°. Turn over the meat and cook an addition 30 - 40 minutes (until the meat is 140°). Let it set for 5-10 minutes.

Again, I try to stay away from grains, potato or noodles with this and serve a salad, cooked vegetables and a side of fresh fruit. This 3 lb piece of meat served our family of 4 for two meals AND the kids had another meal out of it AND I made two salad topped with the meat in thin slices (with a small amount of the marinade as a dressing). The way I made so many meals out of this is portioning. I cut the whole meat into slices/portions and when I need to reheat, I only heat the amount I will need so that the other pieces do not get over-cooked. This meal was praised by my family more than any meal I have made in a long time PLUS it was sooooo easy to make. My son even ate this meat - for a total of three meals!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Fortuitous Entry

I have so many different things on my mind...there will be no cohesive transitions from one point to the next and for that I am sorry...

I have a whole day to myself. What am I going to do? Both of the kids are at camp this week and my husband works from 8 - 3 pm, then must do some campaigning. His palm cards arrived and now the hours and hours of door-to-door knocking begins. I wasn't like this on Monday or Tuesday. I had gone to work and was doing inventory of the chemical supply areas, but today, nothing. I did get up and ride with Kim today; we did a hard-earned hour-and-a-half of biking. I feel good after those bike rides! The television is just a bad and wasteful idea. I turned it off so I don't get sucked in (I should really hide the remote as well).

I want to do some scrapping today. Lisa would be proud of me. I also need to thank her for the wonderful card she sent me (add to my to-do list).

Brat days has come and gone. We were to be in the parade ("Elect Alex for Assembly"), but some drunk driver had other ideas and drove into the parade route, injuring some of the observers so the parade was canceled. The injured people are doing fine now and the guy who did the damage is in jail - and that is what really matters. None-the-less, it would have been nice to get Alex's name out there in that kind of venue. I took this picture while we were waiting for our turn to go in the parade (spot #57a of many). My mother-in-law was the driver, my mother was going to resupply the handouts to hubby and me and refill the candy containers for the kids as they ran out. Do you like how we match the car???

School will be starting soon. Arrgghh. I feel like I have spent so little time this summer doing nothing and a whole lot of time keeping busy. I used to be bored over summer break and couldn't wait for the school year to begin. I have three more weeks and I go back for an in-service. Oh, that is when I turn 40! Yep, that is on my mind as well. 40. I'm moving to a new age bracket when I need to fill out my age for something. I need my mammogram. I need another colon exam. What other places do they need to investigate? Isn't this the magic age the experts say is when you need to exercise more and eat less because now the pounds will really add on? Is menopause coming soon?

Speaking of gaining weight...I found an on-line journal to keep track of my food intake and my exercise. I have been tracking my normal diet (including the snacks; I've tried really hard to NOT snack. Some days I am really successful, others I am not). I am able to see how many calories I take in and how many I use when I bike. I also do a daily morning weigh-in and enter that as well. In one week I have lost 5 pounds. It is not much when you consider my starting weight. I do have a goal. I want to be in the "not obese" section for my next BMI test I have. To do that I need to be at 125 lbs. I haven't been that since BEFORE I got married, maybe even before I was engaged. So, I am going to keep track of my food intake, keep exercising (like I have been for over three years - yes three years of YMCA classes, biking in the summers, spinning classes with my school district). I am going to see if I can change something - anything. And, I am writing it all down so that if nothing works I can go to my doctor and say, "See, I HAVE been trying and I still can't drop the weight; are you sure there isn't anything medically wrong??!?"

There is something that I am looking forward to this week...a luncheon that is planned for a few of the ladies I used to work with in New Holstein. We are planning to eat at the Brickhouse Bistro for lunch this Friday. Last week another friend from PHS had a luncheon at her house that many of us attended, and she made it a "Swap stuff" party as well. We brought things - toys, decor, clothes, books - and laid them on a table. After lunch, we drew numbers as to who would pick first and so on. Then we chose items from the table to keep. Anything not taken at the end of the party would be donated to a charity. What a way cool idea!

I guess my day of "what to do" has been filled with completing this entry and scrapping and I will also read Gap Creek, as for that is the next book chosen my the book club. I just picked it up last night. Off to have some me time!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Today is August 3rd - and that is important to me!

12 years.

2 children; 3 places that we've lived; 2 jobs that I've had; 10 jobs changes my husband had (and a new business owner for the last 4 years!); 1 dog; 30 more pounds to my body; too many cars...

50 million "I love you's"; 100 million hand holds; 75 million hugs; an uncountable number of laughs...

living with and loving my husband - a priceless and unmeasurable experience!

Happy Anniversary!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

If you have the time

I've always been a fan of Joss Whedon's work. My most favorite is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Here is my short story (with a 30 minute long video...sorry)

So I was on the internet and saw the latest Bumbo video. My kids are fans of the first three. My mother-in-law was interested in it because the kids were interested in it. Then she told me to type in Dr. Horrible. See, my mother-in-law had heard about this while watching The View and I guess this is the newest, biggest thing on the internet. I did the search and found a short movie that stars Neil Patrick Harris AND it is created by Joss Whedon. It is also a musical...and it's funny. It was created during the writer's strike. It was created because Joss was bored and wanted to do something. If you have the time to watch this, it is funny!

Friday, July 25, 2008

I've had it all along

I started a book club. We've read one book and met just a few nights ago at my house. We read The Secret Life of Bees. A real good book to start with; It has great writing, symbolism, things to think about for discussion and it's basically a girl book. It just so happens that only females are in the book club as well. Anyway, as we were talking about the story and the interaction of its characters, we focused in on the Daughters of Mary and the celebrations these women had - how they would dress up, sing, dance, eat, laugh, and love together. I remember as I read about these women, how I admired their closeness and how I wished to have that kind of passion in my life as well. I sometimes feel like Lily, an outsider looking in at established groups of women hoping to be invited so that I can fit in, belonging somewhere, belonging to someone. When we were talking in book club I said something to the fact that I wished to have the same kind of relationship with a group of women. Not really much else was said about that topic and we went on to other parts of the book.

Last night I had a few of my friends over for a few drinks and then we went to see Mamma Mia! (the movie - the stage show will be coming to Milwaukee this fall). First I need to say how much I love Abba songs. I did not know what the story was about ahead of time. Again, I was given many images on the big screen of groups of women who have an immense closeness that they just break into song and dance at the drop of a hat (actually, I really loved that about the movie). As we were leaving the movie, one of my friends (who was also at book club the night before) brought up what I had said about my desire in being a part of a close knit group and related it to the movie.

And then this morning, as I was riding my bike with Kim (oh, we hit the 20 mile mark...we biked from Kohler to Plymouth and back) we were singing Abba songs and just talking and then we were just riding without talking. When it was quiet, I was doing quite a bit of thinking and this is what I came up with.

I have that. I have what I was wishing for. It's just that we don't wear frilly and decorative hats. We don't do the conga while dancing around a statue of Mary. We don't dress in crazy clothes and put on shows singing Abba songs (however, I might try to convince Jenny, Sarah, Tina or Cat to do something like that for the annual food drive assembly that our school does every year...I think it is just crazy enough to be a blast). I have a lot of "daughters of Mary" groups in my life. I have my biking buddy, Kim. I have my friends at work who will try being a part of a book club. I have my friends at work who like doing a girls' nite out. I have my friends in Kohler who will also try being a part of a book club. I have my friends who will come and celebrate my birthday or my husband's campaign when we have a party. I have friends that feel free to ask favors of me and know that I love to help. I have friends where I can be the one asking for help and they are there for me. I have Sarah, who will get happy about our schedules matching so we can have lunch together for the next school year. I have my friends that get together and we scrapbook on a Friday night or a weekend event. I have my sister, my mom, my grandmother and my wonderful, amazing daughter.

I don't know what I was wanting...I think I just needed to open my eyes.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Ohhh sooo GROSS (and funny)!

My son was playing in the kitchen with his sister - fell on his butt and was very upset because his booty was in pain. He came to me for a kiss - yes - on his butt, but I said NO!

We started giggling about how I wasn't going to kiss anyone's butt. He sat down near me, then got onto his hands and knees (sticking his butt at me) forcing me to push him away (since I will not kiss a butt). This is when my daughter entered the room and now the two of them are questioning whether a kiss on the lips will be transferred to the butt. My son says he poops my love out all the time. I said that my love was not poopable. My daughter then questioned if my love was tootable.
I replied that my love was neither poopable nor tootable. Then the rest of the questions came from them. We have now determined that my love is not poopable, tootable, peeable, pukable, pickable, burpable or bleedable.

Now, the thing that got us all laughing was to try to say this..."I do not have poopable, tootable, peeable, pukable, pickable, burpable or bleedable love!" Really - try to say this without screwing up the words...it's really fun!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Mother-Daughter Time

This week my son is at camp - a really great camp as well. It is called Wet-n-wild. He has his two best friends with him as well. They swim (in a pool and in a lake); they go down a water slide; they have water gun fights; today they are at the Blue Harbor Resort at the indoor water park. My son comes home exhausted saying "do I have to go outside? I'd like to relax now". He goes to bed right away, sleeps soundly through the night and is difficult to wake for the next day.

My daughter is not at camp this week. I offered to call some of her friend's parents and arrange play dates for her. She said "No, Mom, I want to spend my time with you!"

Monday we mostly hung around the house and then went fishing.

Tuesday we rode our bikes to Sheboygan Falls, did some shopping and then met my father for lunch at a great little eatery in downtown Falls, the Bread and Bean. We sat there for just over an hour - three generations just talking about what is going on. That was real nice.

Wednesday we saw a movie. The local theater shows movies for a really small cost and that includes popcorn! We saw Nim's Island. After that we ran some minor errands, then out to lunch at another little place in Sheboygan called Field to Fork. They had excellent food from local markets (and they make their own cheeses!). Then we went over to the Entourage Salon and Spa for pedicures. We had the full treatment done and my daughter loved her first experience at having a professional pedicure. The day ended with some mighty big scares - about the time we were heading home (and to then pick up my son from the bus stop) a huge storm came and there was a tornado spotted a few miles north of our home. We headed straight home for the basement, hoping the camp was doing the right thing and had the kids in a shelter spot until the weather was clear (and they did).

Today we spent the morning cleaning up the yard from all the debris. When we walked the dog earlier, we saw numerous uprooted trees and huge branches along the roads for the village crews to pick up/mulch. Our house was lucky and we did not have any damage, but some of our neighbors have trees/branches on parts of their homes. (Yesterdays weather was the top of the news in Milwaukee AND was highlighted in the weather section of Good Morning America.) We shared a late breakfast together and played some Rock Band. I love to watch my girl jam on the guitar! After lunch we will be going over to my parent's house for an afternoon in the pool.

All in all, I'd say that my girl and I have had a terrific week of mother-daughter bonding. She has told me that she is quite happy with the time we've spent together. 9 years old is a wonderful age. She loves spending time with me, wants to do activities with me and looks to my opinion about choices she makes. She'll grow up too fast and soon my little girl will be off doing her own thing. These are the best times of my life.

Thank you my sweet girl - I love you so much!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Whazzup

1. My Hubby has all his proper documentation in by the deadlines...he should be on the ballot come Nov 4th!

2. OK - so what I found was a terrific little article - I really liked what it had to say about Americans because I found truth in it. I thought I quoted the correct individual, but I have had someone comment on its origin. I haven't had time to argue the point of who the author is, and really, I do not want to. My only point was how disgusted I am with the media and more and their complaints about our current state of affairs. I admire my husband because he wants to make change by getting involved in government - not as a lifetime politician, but as a citizen taking his turn.

3. I've started the summer reading book club as I had wanted! We have our first book chosen and I am hosting the first gathering in a few weeks.

4. The kids are enjoying camp. Our daughter has even gone away to sleep-away camp with the girl scouts. Except for coming home with 40+ mosquito bites, she had a great time.

5. We saw the Spiderwick Chronicles a week ago. $2.50 a kid and popcorn included is such a deal - so much that each of my kids brought a friend with them and I didn't mind paying.

6. We were able to spend 3 days with Don and Julie - they came up bright and early on the 4th and participated in the parade with us - SOOO COOL! They came up for the 4th of July party we hosted and stayed just to hang out with us. I love that!

7. The upstairs is painted now. I found an awesome color that just pops with the white wood trim and the newly finished floor my husband worked so hard on.

8. Kim and I rode our bikes from our homes all the way to Wolf's Chrysler (it is one mile away from Hwy 57), so when you consider the round trip route, it was 18.5 miles or so. We plan to make it all the way to Hwy 57 to reach our 20 mile goal!!!

9. The kids have been able to spend some quality time with my parents. I love that. My father took my son fishing and actually watched him for an entire day while I had to fill in for my husband because he was in Madison for the day.

10. I started a Facebook page to chat with my local friends. Even found a long lost college roommate. I am attempting to find other friends, but things are going slow (I do not get to sit at the computer for long periods of time).

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Jay Leno said...we should listen

No matter what your political convictions are this is eye opener.
What a thankless people we are!!!


Subject: Jay Leno on President Bush (Surprising)


Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks. Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A New Kind of Support

It has become official. My husband will be running for the 26th Assembly seat for the Republican Party. He and Job Hou-Seye will be in Primary race first, then if he wins that he will run against Democrat incumbent Terry Vanakkeren.

We are treading new ground. I will need to be more than a wife, mother and teacher for the next 6 months, and should he win, I will take on even more roles with my husband needing to be in Madison frequently. My husband and I talked things over and are ready for this new commitment - this new challenge - this great opportunity!

As new information comes to light, I will share them with you. As for now - it is just this news I wanted to share.

Wish us luck!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Icing on the cake

What makes my life that much more incredible?

I already know that my husband is wonderful. He is supportive and constantly tells me he loves me. That is good. Very cool.

I really do believe that my kids rock. Being a parent is work - and it should be - but I love this work and my kids make that job a whole lot of fun.

My family is the most delicious cake I devour daily (I guess that is why I am overweight - I eat too much cake)! Our friends are the sweet frosting. We have been so lucky lately being able to spend so much time with friends and make some new ones. This is my way of saying I love you all...Jon and Candy, Donny and Julie, Kim, Annie, Sarah and Catherine! I also want to say that I am thankful for making new friends...Brice and Laura, Jenny and Tina!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Countdown to Summer

Just 3 weeks of school left (the kids have less than me!)

My 2008 summer to do list...
  • Take the kids to the Dells (in particular, Noah's Ark)
  • Go to the summer movie series - they are just $2.50 a movie WITH popcorn and they have movies the kids have not seen yet!
  • Go to the museum and the zoo in Milwaukee
  • Host a 4th of July Party and invite the friends
  • See more of Don and Julie and Jon and Candy - we had such blast with them this past weekend, we have to get together with them more often!
  • Exercise with Kim - ride our bikes further than we have in the past summers!
  • Learn how to use the new exercise thing my husband got for me.
  • Scrapbook
  • Get together with Catherine and Sarah over summer - with and without the kids!
  • Get the upstairs finished (painted, furnished and looking put-together)
  • Do my curriculum work early in the summer rather than leaving it until the last days before school begins.
  • Keep track of the funny quotes my kids say (for example, the kids were talking about something that their dad bought at a rummage sale and how much it cost. My son says "But you need to include the shipping and handling!"
  • Visit my relatives - my Grandma and Grandpa, my sister, Alex's mom and sisters
  • Go to the beach
  • Create and hide a letterbox with the kids
  • Begin a summer reading book club
  • Play more Rock Band
  • Have some date nights with the husband

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Ups and Downs

Ever get news...news that is hard to explain, to understand, to hear? Well, our family received that kind of news. My husband's mother is sick; her heart is unbelievably bad and the doctors are amazed that she is, well, alive. Telling the kids this was so difficult. Watching my husband is torture. He lost his father already and now he has been told he will lose his mother. What is inscrutable is that we are told that an end is near. That is not what is supposed to happen. I mean, everyday that I leave the house, I just assume that I will come back and be with the kids. Sure, I could get hit by a bus and die, but really, the likelihood is near nil. My husband talks to either one of his sisters or his mother just about every night now.

In the mist of this, our daughter has been watching her fish die. I know fish are fish, but my daughter bought these fish herself; the tank is in her room. She's named them! Oh, and her ghost shrimp has disappeared as well. There is a joke in there about "ghost shrimp" and "disappearing" but I can't make it right now.

So, I titled this "Ups and Downs". I should write about those ups. My husband has tested the waters of the fish tank. Fine. Talked to the fish experts - the "Rosey Reds" that my daughter bought need more space. My husband has increased that space about 10 fold. Our daughter now has a huge fish tank in her room and the remaining fish seem to be doing better. Maybe we can get a few more.

This past Thursday was "Bring you son/daughter to work day". It is always the 4th Thursday of the month of April. This year I was not the only teacher that brought a daughter! My daughter had a blast! She helped my Chemistry classes review for their test by operating the computer for our Jeopardy review game. She also helped the Physical Science class with their lab on Kinetic and Potential Energy. My students loved her visit. They thought she was adorable and smart. It was an exhausting day. When I had my normal "breaks", instead of doing my own quiet activities, I needed to "entertain" her or assist in motivating her to do her homework. When we got home, I took a nap and the kids continued playing.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Good Morning

Woke up early (too early) but fell back to sleep ;-)

Talked with my husband ;-)

Snuggled with the kids in bed ;-)

The boy child wanted to read a chapter book; the girl child wanted to help. Best Friends ;-)

Making breakfast - soon going to leave for the first soccer games of the spring season ;-)

Good Morning!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The end is near - a new beginning

In the last two weeks, both kids were a part of two more chess tournaments...one in Wisconsin Dells (at the Kalahari) and one hosted by KOHLER! Both kids had a blast even though neither one excelled (actually, at the Kohler tournament, our daughter ranked higher than her brother for the first time). We have one more week of chess practice and then we have the end of the year party. No more chess. Good thing we have a couple of chess sets at home - we can play anytime. The kids are playing each other right now. Cool.

This week both of the kids begin soccer. The first games are this Saturday. Our son has played for 2 years now. Our daughter was never interested until recently. She begins on a team this week.

Things are pretty exciting around here!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Mark Belling is right - again!

So I was driving my husband's car. He had the radio on an AM station. He's got Sirius stuff and navigation stuff and other stuff that confuses me so when something is on the radio is stays on by default since I do not know how to turn it off. It was The Mark Belling's show.

He was talking about the idiotic idea of using ethanol for fuel and that FINALLY the liberals in Washington and at the major newspapers in New York have now realized it as well. My husband has been complaining about ethanol for over a year now and has been touting the ramifications that will occur once the government mandates its use. He even gases his car at a gas station that advertises "No ethanol sold here". Well, the ethanol insanity is finally being seen as a huge mistake. FINALLY! On a personal note - I see it when I go grocery shopping. Last week I was astonished at how much money I spent - and each month it gets worse! World wide there are disastrous effects from prices of staples increasing to destruction of virgin lands for farming to starvation. If you want to read the article from the New York Times that Belling read on the air, I have created a link here.

This is a link to the podcast where he talks about it.

The second thing that I heard about almost made me (sorry) crap my pants. I couldn't believe that I was agreeing so much with Belling with his views in illegal immigration. It began with a story of some local girls who were illegally here since they were 1 and 3 years old (parents brought them here) and now as adults are being deported, not because they did anything illegal (they didn't) but because ICE has paperwork on them because of their parents. He thought that was wrong to deport them (as do I). He viewed his opinion that the immigration laws we have here in the USA are bad (I agree as well) and need to changed greatly. Finally, he said that to deal with our current problem with illegal immigration we (the USA) should 1 - build a wall; 2 - protect our borders; and 3 - deport those illegals who have committed a crime here in the US. Why should we get rid of those that are here working hard? Why not change the laws so that those that want to be here and live a life free of crime can live here? What a brilliant idea! I have another link here for the podcast that discusses this topic as well.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Another Chess Tournament with Great Results!

The kids were in another chess tournament this weekend. Both performed quite well! Our Kohler team had 4 kids in the K-5 group. The K-5 group took home the 4th place team trophy. We had two kids from the 4th grade, my daughter in the 3rd grade and my son in the first grade.

The boy child won 3 matches, had a stalemate on one match and lost two matches. He came in 13th place. The girl child won 1 match, had stalemate on one match and lost 4 matches. She came in 31st place. I am so proud of both of them! The both try so hard and do not give up trying to learn more strategies.

Also, the kids were in the local paper for a previous tournament. Click on the link and scroll down to "page 16" of the Kohler Villager. It was just about a full page article. Pretty cool.

Kohler Villager

We have two more tournaments in the next two weeks. We will be doing a lot of practicing. Wish them both lots of luck!