Oh the joys of owning a dog........

Bitter cold, strong winds descend on area
By Mike Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Dec. 21, 2008 9:36 a.m.


Southeastern Milwaukee got hit with 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight, and winds gusting up to 50 mph and bitterly cold wind chills are expected to make digging out somewhat of a problem.


About 2.2 inches of snow was reported at Mitchell International Airport. Brown Deer had 3.8 inches and West Bend 3.4 inches.
Of more concern today is the wind and cold.
The National Weather Service says we will be lucky if the temperature gets above zero today.


Wind chills early this morning were hovering in the minus 30 to minus 39 range. Mineral Point reported minus 39, Milwaukee and West Bend minus 33, Kenosha minus 36 and Waukesha minus 31.


The strongest wind gusts were reported at Kenosha harbor, at 50 mph, and at Milwaukee's marina at 45 mph.

More snow is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, with 2 to 4 inches possible on Tuesday and 4 to 8 on Wednesday.

"I just doesn't end," said meteorologist Penny Zabel.

A snow day should be relaxing.........

but, at 4:45 a.m., I got a text message alert that school was closed.
The scout, who cant' get up at 7 for school, was up at 6:10; at 6:20, a voice message came through on the phone line... school was closed. at 6:40, I was out to plow 3 driveways.

The front of my house..... I left that for scout to shovel.

The 2nd layer is what fell after I plowed the three driveways

my baby should be nice and warm!

Stay warm and everyone have a great holiday!

Fib vs. Lie

Scout told me a story today after school, It is a good one, I have to tell you that and I am actually very proud of him. But then he made a comment and made me wonder if it was true. So I asked if it was a fib and he said a lie? I said not exactly.

I told him a lie is when you say something and you know it isn't true. A fib is when you tell a story and it grows and you add a few things for effect. So a little while later, he comes by and tells me that he told a little bit of a fib in the story and only one little bit wasn't true and he told me which part. It actually was for effect and it wasn't that big of a fib. As he gave me a hug and told me he was sorry, I said "It's OK, Paw (his grandpa) does it all the time".

Life is like a path of snow,

where you walk, your steps will show. That is one of my favorite quotes and I'm sorry I don't remember where I got it from, but I have carried it for 20 years.

I thought of it again yesterday morning. One of the dogs dropped a tennis ball in my garden and a rabbit had a few foot prints to it; probably thinking it was an apple.

SO I threw an apple out for him yesterday and again last night. The apples are gone and there are a million footprints and a half of million rabbit poops! Well, at least the garden is fenced off a bit so the dog can not get at the rabbit poops, but I am sure hoping for a little snow for the first time in my life!

Thursday Mish Mash

Ivanhoe From Ohio with Love thought that I may do this meme. She was right ;o) I think she knows I love these things!

So here goes:

1. Five names you go by: Kat, MOM, Katherine, Katey and Mrs. M.

2. Three things you are wearing right now: sweats, t-shirt and vest.

3. Two things you want very badly at the moment: sunny beach & ocean (I agree, so I'll keep this one!)

4. Three people who will probably fill this out or maybe will or maybe won’t: hopefully one of my readers, 'cause I'm taking this from Ivanhoe and she already called Amber.

5. Two things you did last night: baked bread and cookies, then dinner

6. Two things you ate today: cookie one and cookie two

7. Two people you last talked to on the phone: my mom and my friend Mona

8. Two things you are going to do tomorrow: go to work, a mass mailing

9. Two longest car rides: Milwaukee to Memphis (13 hours) and New York to Atlanta - I don't remember the time. I did all the driving for both.

10. Two of your favorite beverages: coffee and tea.

Go ahead and do this one. It's all about you and it's fun :o)


The rules for this tag are:1.) Copy the badge and put it on your blog
2.) Link back who pass you this tag
3.) Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friend with.
How about I pass this award on to all of you top ten entrecard droppers and top ten commentors in my side bar widgets? You must be my friends coming to see me every day, right? A big thank you, guys & gals!
Last thing on my mind for today is the black box in my side bar. I added this widget about a week ago. Did you try it yet? Just click on the word "decide" and it will take you to few choices. Keep clicking on the choices that you prefer and you will end your journey at a mystery blog. Go on, try it. It's a fun way to meet new bloggers that took the same choices as you did. You can even ad your two choices and your blog url if you want to.

Letters

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of days, and am now inspired by a post at But Why Mommy.

When I was younger, my grandparents lived in California for many, many years. My grandmother always said, "write me a letter and I will write you back" or "Don't forget to write me a letter".

I always did.

My grandfather died and ten years later, my grandmother. When we were going through her belongings; stacks of letters were found from all six grand-daughters in a cupboard. We all had a bonding moment, sadly our last, reading the letters and finding one of someones in our piles. We had a blast trading them all.

The other day, I found one of those letters I had written and thought I would share. I was 15 at the time. I'm including all the typos!

Aug. 10, 1982

Dear Papa and Nana,

Hi How are you .Did you see the show Monday ? It was called Filthy Rich. It is really Good. I hope they make a
regular series of it . Are you still watch-ing Faclon Crest?
I love that show sooooooooooo ( ect... ) much.!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Did you see it last Friday? It was really good.I can't wait untill they start the series over. Are you still interested
in Dallas? I personally do no like the show anymore. It hardly ever changes . The same people do the same things ever show. There is hardly any variety of the show.

P apa how is your golf coming along? Did you like my idea about you trying to teach me again? I hope so .

As you seee We finally go the typewriter fixed. How is my typing? Is it getter better. I agree. It needs a little work.

When is your Plane coming in. I know on August 23, but, could I have the times, and the flight number?!!!!!!!!

Well, I better go , it is getting late and I have to get to bed. Good - Night and sleep tight and dont let the bed bugs bite.

Your loving granddaughter,

P.S. I hope you like the Alligator? Know you can be "preppy".


ROTFLMAO, I totally remember finding this cloth type alligator sticker and sending it and typing on our electric typewriter and trying to make corrections with the correction tape. HA HA and sometimes you were barely touch the keys and they would hit the page.

What memories! Memories I would not have had, if I didn't find the letter.

Did anyone else have "The Preppy HandBook?". My "preppy name" was Kikki, what was yours?

Recession

So we are officially in a recession... Notice anything about this email?

from
CNN Breaking News
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:24 AM
subjectCNN Breaking

-- The U.S. entered a recession in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Wordless Wednesday

A B C D E F G.....

I stealthily stole this meme from the Sassy Irish Lassie - Kat who originally shamelessly stole it from Decisionally Challenged. I mean, what is a meme if you don't have to secretly hijack it right? What?? That is not how a meme works? Darn!! I have been doing it wrong all along. Oh well!

A is for age: I am 42 years young. :)

B is for burger of choice: Mmmm Cheeseburger! The works 'ya know, mayo, pickles are a must... ketchup, mustard, - you know the works!

C is for the car I drive: a 2001 Volvo V70 Wagon.

D is for your dog's name: Seamus.... and of course my step-daughter the Meg dog.

E is for essential item you use every day: Coffee maker and tooth brush. - (I'm going to steel this one too)

F is for favorite TV show at the moment: hummm, just one?? OK, Dancing with the Stars.

G is for favorite game: Tennis anyone?

H is for home state: Wisconsin

I is for instruments you play: I CAN play the piano, but do I is the question.

J is for favorite juice: I'm not really a juice person.

K is for whose bum you'd like to kick: no one at the minute, but I'm sure my newly hormonal kid will be on my list soon.

L is for last restaurant at which you ate: I can't actually recall.

M is for your favorite Muppet: Grover hands down!


N is for number of piercings: 5 and they are all in my ears.

O is for overnight hospital stays: Well thanks to out patient surgery, not that many... two for actual situations that were a couple of days to a week each.

P is for people you were with today: WAY to many... I went to the Snow Board Club meeting tonight. (and why do parents have to try and change the rules???)

Q is for what you do with your quiet time: why blog of coarse

R is for biggest regret: moving back to Wisconsin?


S is for status: Happily married to Hubby.


T is for time you woke up today: 6:10 and my husband was shaking me and I didn't even hit him.


U is for what you consider unique about yourself: I'm a thinker and a helper. I also do not take help from people very easily.


V is for vegetable you love: Corn on the cob.

W is for worst habit: ooh, that's a secret I'm not sharing... sorry.

X is for x-rays you've had: MRI's, Dental, and many when I broke my femur and there was so much bleeding they didn't know I had broken my femur.

Y is for yummy food you ate today: It was a run and go day... what can I say.

Z is for zodiac: Leo the Lion and if you know me, you'll agree.

Be sure to let me know if you steal this meme play along! I would love to read your answers.

Photo Hunt

Photohunt #139's theme is Metal. These photos were taken at the local BUG FEST this June.

The best reaction, is not reaction

I am serious! So WHY are we repeating Al-Qaeda's demeaning racial term? Really, you are just enforcing their poor behaviour so STOP IT will you!

I remember

My son's prinicpal asked what I remembered about middle school. Here is what I remember about my middle school years.

Everyone doing cheer leading in 6th grade, then the 5 "girls" continued on while the rest of us did volleyball, basketball and baseball. Who would want to be a cheerleader anyway?

playing keep away - tackle football girls against the boys. Whoever touched the wall at the end of recess won. If we were lucky, John Heckle played on our side and didn't switch back to the boys at the end of recess.

building forts in the trailer for the newspaper drive.

at the church picnic we ran out of soda for the soda fight and switched to beer. I remember my dad getting mad that I was all covered in goo and couldn't ride home in the car, I had to walk.

playing tag in the church while the parents were at the spaghetti social in the basement.

going off with my friend Lisa and her two dogs for the day pretending we were lost in a jungle and we were plane crash survivors. We of coarse had packed a lunch.

days and weeks of monopoly games and as soon as we were finished we would pack up and move to the next persons house only to start again.

sleepovers and watching Channel 6's the late show and then the late late show - they were always scary movies. I also remember the national anthem being played when TV went off for the night.

swimming - as most of us had pools.

going to Stonewood Village and "shopping". I remember buying my mom a rose with a card that said with deepest sympathies because she got mad that I called home "collect" thinking it was a free call and I saved her a quarter.

rollerskating on Friday nights and thinking it was "weird" that certain kids skated during couples time - holding hands.

my friend Ross asking me to "go with him" and I said "go where" and then he clarified and I said "Why would we do that?". (I was on the phone in the closet too. That's where I did all my talking on the phone) We weren't friends anymore after that.

I remember playing kick the can and "jail" at night, camping in tents and playing cards all night long. I remember the neighbor boys sneaking up to scare us, but they didn't.

Bonnie Bell lipsticks, wearing my mom's high heeled boots to a party and trying to convince our mom's to take us to see the movie GREASE. It was rated R back then. We all went and no one got pregnant until we were married.

I remember cupcake day. 15 cents each, and two for a quarter. I remember the cupcake fights too... I did say we were tom boys?

I'm sure I can go on forever. :)

USS Freedom

Yesterday, the USS Freedom was commissioned in Milwaukee. We haven't had that since World War II. The commissioning is when the ship is officially put on watch. Someone asked me how we obtained tickets. I said I "knew someone". LOL My scout! Thank you to my scout for the opportunity to take part in such a special event!

God Bless America and the USS Freedom.

Thank you for picking Milwaukee.

Nightmare

Yesterday my friend called on her way hom from work that she didn''t know where to vote. This said friend, I got to register at her current residence and she has yet to vote. SO I said I would inquire for her, when I took my son back to the location I voted at, for a scout meeting. I truly was excited she wanted to vote. I walked in with a huge smile on my face and this lady who wasn't exactly pleasant when I was there to vote, says to me BEFORE I even opened my mouth - that I could not vote twice.

I took a huge offense to that and looked crushed. I asked someone else for help and this lady says she had to vote here. An older man comes by with a map and we looked it up. My friend had to vote at a different park, trust me - I quietly let her know. I am so proud my friend voted.

I woke up at 11:15 in a fright tonight. I am sick with a fever, the TV was on and yesterday morning there was a problem with my State Senate election. We still did not know who won. HOW can my vote count? For President that is. How can they call the race at 10 and night and aroun 4 p.m. I finally found out who won my state Senate Race. I feel like my vote didn't count all day and I just woke up in a fright that this lady did not count my vote.

Isn't that bad?

Corpse Flower

Friday we were off to the Milwaukee Public Museum to see Titanic. Unfortunately, I was unable to take photos :(. It is a grand exhibit and if it comes to your town, I definately recommend seeing it!

As our luck would hold, we have a Corpse Flower on display and it didn't open so we did not smell any dead flesh. This photo was from Friday about noon. Can you believe how fast it grows?

You can always check out the web cam - the lower left box will take you to the link!

Update, our local newspaper has a better cam connection!

Photo Hunt #134

I haven't done a photo hunt in awhile. This week's theme is BLUE! The skyline of Milwaukee had a great blue background and the blue light on the building is the gas company. The inside shot is a display at Discovery World, a interactive museum here in Milwaukee. This display is of the great lakes.

And since I couldn't get a good shot in the wind.... I went video this week!

Dogster

Alright, alright - the indians are getting restless, so here is the dog blog I promised. :)

Way before myspace, facebook and blogspot there was dogster! Dogster is a webpage that you can create for your dog. It can be a lot of fun, requesting friends, looking at pups and leaving bones.

Seamus has had a page for a very long time. SOOO long, that I can't remember the password, so after a google search I found him.

And if you don't have a dog... no problem! They now have catster!

Last Year

2day

Ruby Tuesday

Lucky us to be ASKED to host the Milwaukee Admirals Home Opener Game this past Saturday Night.

You see lots of red...
Even the Ice Hogs had red
The Merks Cheese had a race. Swiss Almond won and everyone boo'd.

There was even a race with apples!

Have a great day everyone!

The Bestest Day E-V-E-R

I will spare you all the photo of the grass snake...(the rest of the photos are here).

It was the BEST day. A gal, her dog and a lovely hike!

The "Secret is Out"

I was sitting at the dining room table and "the scout" is on the living room floor. Out of the clear blue, he says "Victoria's Secret".

Stopping Dead in my Tracks, I say "Where did you see THAT?".

He says "On your butt".

I look down on at my lap and I have a black skirt on. OMG, I thought to myself, I've been walking around with my skirt tucked in my underwear. I smooth out my butt. No undie grundies.

Where did you see that? I say confused.

On your butt, says the scout.

Smoothing my butt one more time, I say HOW?

You can see it through your skirt, says he.
(Silver under black and the right lighting will do that, ya know)

Maybe next time I should go for something a little bolder like this.

Meg the Babysitter

Tonight we had a bit of an emergency. My husband's regular car is getting some body work done and since it is a favor for a favor - its taking awhile they started two weeks ago) to fix TWO doors that someone (thank goodness it wasn't ME) hit with a snowplow truck last winter. So my husband has been driving a truck he picked up to tow the trailer for the go-karts.

Anyhow, back to the drama. I ran to the store and came back. Someone came and dropped off their car for my husband to work on their vehicle tomorrow. He had to pull up our other two cars to fit this one in the driveway. When he did that, he notice break fluid was leaking from the truck and he is still really mad about it as I type this.

So thinking quick, I said "How about I run you to work, you can work on both vehicles tomorrow and I can bring you and the scout to the truck on Saturday morning early. After a little coaxing, he agreed.

The scout was getting ready for bed and was in the shower. I told him what happened and that I would call the neighbor and she would be available in case of an emergency. He said OK, but still sounded a bit uneasy. I asked if he wanted Meg to come over and "babysit" and he said yes! - so Precious (above) came over to babysit for about 45 mins. We came home, she was fast asleep on her wag bag in his room and so was he. It took almost another half hour and 3 treats to get her back out of his room - what can I say, she likes us - she really likes us!

Da Hubby

This morning my husband woke me, as I had fallen asleep on the couch last night. When I woke, I was a bit disoriented and thought it was in the middle of the afternoon. I asked him, "what are you doing home?". Well, he was all dressed for work already. I wonder what he thought of that one?

I'm IT

Tag, You're It!
I have been tagged by Sunflower Hill!



I'm sure there are many more than six but here are six Quarkey Things about ME - thanks to Sunflower Hill for the meme.

1.) I love to make up conversations for babies and pets - based on their facial expressions.

2.) I can not use a computer and utilize that finger pad mouse. I have to have the hand grabbing one.

3.) I very rarely buy store bought baked goods. If we are going to eat them...I'll make them myself.

4.) I love reality TV shows. I watch A LOT of them.

5.) I hate voicemail. Leaving it and getting it. Most times, I just call the person back without listening.

6) I might not wear make up all the time, but always wear lipstick.



Here are the rules:1.) Post the rules on your blog...2.) Write 6 random things about yourself...3.) Tag 6 people...4.) Please pass it along for fun!Okay, so I tag...1. Worn out Woman 2. NYC Mom 3. Sleepless in Wisconsin 4. Communique by Ivanhoe 5. Vica Voice 6. YOU!

FREE Night at the Theater

For those of you that know me well, FREE is my middle name. In other words, if it is FREE, I'm there!

So I want to share with you a little secret I have. Tickets go on sale FOR FREE OCTOBER 1st across the country. 100 theaters across the country open their doors and offer tickets to their plays!

Check it out at http://www.freenightoftheater.net/ I sure hope it is in your area.

We went last year and enjoyed The Quilt Maker.

Nancy Drew

I've come to the conclusion, the best movies for me are usually a PG or PG-13 movie rating. Last night, I watched Nancy Drew, another good trailer is here. I will not give you the imb link because it gives the whole story away.

This movie is action packed and makes you wonder "who did it". It also made me feel like running out and solving a mystery. If you loved the books growing up, you should definately see this movie. I sure hope they make another one! Bravo!

Photo Hunt Theme #129

is View. This is the view from our hotel room last February at the Kalahari Waterpark. (don't you just love the music?) Good thing they have the largest indoor water park.

You can't take the City out of the Girl

Tonight I drove 4 of the Boy Scouts to Camp Erin for their Camporee outing. Almost 50 scouts are attending this fabulous event. On our way out, we saw three of these and we road along side one of these. Now in my neck of the woods, we only drive city limits, 25-30 mph tops. You usually stop and let them cross, as they can do a lot of damage to your car. One of my passengers was a life scout, since we were on a two lane highway, he told me to step on it, and I did. It passed behind us.. (whew)

Part of my responsibility was to drive INTO the campsite. I followed the scout master, almost hitting a tree on a sharp turn. We had a bit of a wait to figure out camp assignments and the boys started to unload and set up camp. It was fun to watch, and I could kick myself for not bringing my camera.

It got dark really fast and I asked my passengers to unload their items so I could leave. Well, I got lost. That's right = no GPS and NO cell phone service. I couldn't even call for help if I wanted to. So after 1/2 an hour of wandering around gravel road and almost finding myself in a pond and camp sites 18 & 19, I FINALLY hit pavement. The best part of that adventure was seeing one of these hopping along the road. I knew the pavement would take me to the parking lot. As I'm driving around, I saw the volleyball court and the parking lot, but could not find a way TO GET TO IT! I almost drove across it, but my poor baby - well, I just couldn't risk hurting her any more.

After skidding to a stop - I almost ended up on gravel road again. A quick reverse and I FINALLY hit the parking lot. I just wanted to kiss the ground. So much for it looking like fun to camp out.

20 minutes later, I was back to civilization and cell phone service. My husband had a campfire waiting in our back yard, when I got home, and we sat outside and chatted for a bit!

Next year, I'm asking for a map AND bringing my camera or maybe I should have them hike in?

Now back to my cherry Koolaid and Vodka. I say that, backwards as I can barely taste the koolaid!

Nature

One thing I love about where we live is that I am still so close to nature - even though I am still in the city.

Last week, there was a deer on my block. Yesterday, my dog flushed out a rabbit from my garden and then he and the cat double teamed it and were stalking together. (no rabbit was hurt in that situation)

Today, I was standing on my back deck and a little squirrel came around the side of my house. He stood up with a nut in his mouth and stared at me. Made my morning.

We regularly see coyotes, raccoons, foxes, possums, hawks, wood peckers, even cute red squirrels and chip monks.

How close are you to nature? Who lives in your neighborhood?

Note to Homeroom Teacher

I bet you in a million years this teacher will never get an email like this from another parent during his career.

Hi Mr. Homeroom Teacher,

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend with your new baby girl! A million congrats to you and your wife!

I just wanted to inform you on The Scouts's trip to the ER this weekend. He is doing well and no serious injuries did occur, but he - mean we, had an eventful day nonetheless. The Scout is go kart racing, as you know. Saturday is practice and Sunday is race day. During practice time, everyone is on the track. Everyone, meaning all classes and different kart styles/speeds and ages. The Scout was in a group of 5 - many older kids and they were all being respectful and obeying the rules. The group of five was coming into a turn. Robert has an X on the back of his kart (see photo. That means no one is allowed to pass him on a turn, only on a straight away. A 6th driver came up, he was driving not so respectful most of the day. He tried to pass everyone (all 5) on the turn. His kart hit the grass and he spun into The Scout. Once he hit The Scout, he straightened out and quite frankly, left the track. He must of been from another kart club, because no one has a record of his car and two of the Board Members, that witnessed the accident, didn't know this kid either. Anyhow, The Scout ejected from the Kart (a very rare occurance to eject) and hit some of the bean bag cushions.

He got up and tried to take off his helmet. At that point, all the EMT's went running and were yelling at him not to do that, had him get back down and started to assess him. This club, has very strict and caring emergency procedures. 911 was called, an ambulance appeared, and Robert got his first ride in an ambulance, strapped to a flat board and put in a neck brace. Quite honestly, it is standard procedure. He was checked out in the ER, X-Ray ed and released.

He will be out of gym class for a week. We will see how he is on Monday - but right now he is taking 650 MG of Tylenol, every four to six hours. His shoulder is probably going to be bruised and we had to ice it and he has a sling. His right thigh is probably going to be pretty bruised as well. Over all, he is happy, confident and ready to race again. His last words to my husband, as the shut the ambulance door is "Don't Call Mom". I thought that was kinda funny. I just thought I would offer an explanation to you - in case you had a little trouble following the story in class. I've also told him not to mention the Hit and Run portion of the story and just to say someone hit him - which is obviously true. I'm sure he will be eating up all the attention Monday. I'm sure he will be a little stiff and sore too.

The Scouts Mom

Wew, what a scare and I walked to my car at the mall, got on the freeway and drove 40 miles in all of 45 minutes. Move over people, Mother Bear was on her way!

Photo Hunt #128 is......

ROAD .... as in neglected ROAD. Those pot holes took 4 months to get filled. and that icy road.. never - sat like that for 3 weeks, even after numerous calls from neighbors to our Village. OH, and the newspaper boxes... two plus years! Believe it or not, our tax range is $4,000 - $56,000 per house. This is no slummy neighborhood - but the way they respond to repairs around here, you would think they would.