I spy with my little eye.........

Something GREEN

My dog is smarter than a 5th Grader!

Well, if they had a show like that I know he would win!

Last night, we were at the neighbors house and her kids wanted to throw the ball to my dog. The older boy kept taking the ball from his sister and thowing it and I finally made sure she got a turn.

The mom said, "Last time" as the kids had to go inside and the boy pressed for that last turn. The girl said she wanted her turn - which it was technically and it would have been her second throw. I made she got to throw the ball and then the boy said, oops I mean whined, "I want one more turn."

Seamus kept the ball in his mouth and started heading down the driveway. He stopped at the curb, looked both ways, walked across the street and straight in the back yard.

You see, he knows when it is my final answer, it is my final answer. Last turn is last turn.

Peanut Butter Pups

I don't know about you, but I really don't use my microwave much. I use it for heating up cold coffee and hot dogs and that's about it.

I did find a recipe in an article written by Karen Herzog, for dog treats and they are SO easy, you just have to make them. I want to share it with you!





Peanut Butter Pups
Makes 2 dozen large or 4 dozen small dog biscuits
1½ cups whole-wheat flour
¼ cup rolled oats
¼ cup milk powder
1 teaspoon baking powder


¾ cup milk¾ cups creamy peanut butter


In a large mixing bowl using a fork, blend flour, oats, dry milk and baking powder. Mix in milk and peanut butter. Dough will be stiff and dry. Knead to incorporate ingredients.

Roll out dough to between 1/8- and ¼-inch-thickness; ¼-inch is too thick. Cut into 4 dozen small or 2 dozen large biscuits.

Coat any microwave-safe flat surface, such as glass plate, with vegetable oil spray. (She uses the glass carousel of her microwave.)
In batches, place biscuits on the surface and microwave 5 minutes on high (100% power).

Remove plate and let cool until biscuits are hard and dry. (Don't cool in microwave, as the cooking process creates steam.) Repeat with remaining biscuits. Store baked treats in an airtight container or plastic bag and place in refrigerator or freezer.

Note: Crunchy, dry treats are good for your dog's teeth.

My dog loves them!! And when I first made these, I could not find my doggy cookie cutters, so I used my Pampered Chef Apple Slicer, as you can see from the photo. It works great - the treats are perfect bite sizes AND you make so many more at one time!

These are so healthy and you can add carrots and apples to your recipe too!

Wordless Wednesday

Who I read - Take Two

I Should Be Folding Laundry - I'm mostly a lurker here. I sometimes do not know what to say. A lovely woman, outgoing and fun. I enjoy reading about her new house and gardens, heartbreaking as she lost two loved ones just before I started reading. James and Jake, her unborn twins. I will never know her pain, I wish I could help her more.

Communique by Ivanhoe - a blogging buddy of mine for awhile! Newly wed, a foreigner and many more things in common that is is scary. (in a good way :) ) I'm sure if we lived near each other we would be very good friends. Never best friends - 'cause we both don't believe in calling people "best friends" - ha! Check out her blog about installing her own fence posts... hats off to you my friend for doing this!

My Sweet Life at the moment Kelsey is lying on a beach somewhere in Mexico... her second vacation in like a month. Kelsey always emails you back about her comment - which is so nice. She offers a lot of tips on photography and did I mention she was on vacation AGAIN? Well she has some guest bloggers this week like Mommy Always Wins and Where the Boys Are.

Badger Blogger - Prosqtor's Progress - Plenty of Horne - my political blogs about things not put in the local news here in Milwaukee. Honest and truth that will prevail!

A Not So Desperate Housewife - a look into the life of a service wife while her husband is in Iraq. I enjoyed reading about the Homecoming and their vacation. I was shocked when I found out he returned to the front so quickly and when I first started reading her blog she had a count down of 83 days until she would kiss her husband. I could NEVER imagine that.

Viva Voce - another long time blogging friend of mine... well as long as I have been on blogger regularly so only a few months, but a friend none the less! Did you know she has a hedgehog for a pet? How fun is that?! BTW Amber, you need to change your bio. You are no longer dating the same boy for three years... you are now engaged! So if you love weddings I'm sure she will be blogging more about them in the months to come! Oh, and you can all thank Amber for introducing me to iGoogle or I would have lost you all!

Scenic Explorer - a guy by the name of Eric, who just moved here a few weeks ago. He is blogging by photos, about his experiences here in Milwaukee. I fun way to rediscover my city.

Worn Out Woman - I think I was attracted to her site just by the name alone. I am Worn Out and tired my friends. I also feel a connection to her because she is a mother of only one boy. He is five and so I get a few good laughs when she relays some of the stories. She is also blessed one and I love reading her blessings. It reminds me to be thankful, and not complain.

Play in the City has moved over here to Between the Bars. Every city has to have their Carrie Bradshaw and KC is ours. Her blogs are out and about in Milwaukee. Honest, and fun. KC has become one of my best blogging buddies. Although she is single, and I am married with a child; I enjoy some of her outings and either dreaming of being single again or finding things for our family to do.

Instamom - OMG they should make a sitcom out of her life. Marriage came with a child she loves unconditionally, minime and her (gasp) twin boys! Lots of smiles and thank goodness it isn't me's when I read her blog.

Sunflower Hill is a blogger that found me from a comment some where (take note again lurkers) I am just getting to know her. She lives on a farm and has three children. I have been enjoying her blogs for the past week now, I hope you do too!

Mommyalways wins found me after a comment I left as she was a guest blogger here. Turns out we live about 20 minutes from each other. No wonder I could relate to her about leaving a six pack for the garbage men!

Where the Boys Are - my find of the day. Three boys, one husband and a mom... I know I'm going to enjoy this one! I found her as a guest blogger here.

Whew, I can't believe I got these all on a Take Two. How about you... do you have any good blogs to share?

And the winner.......

drum roll please!


Colleen (1st entry) from Mommy Always Wins. How funny is that? I am emailing as I type this. Mommy Always Wins and I have just recently connected. She found me through a comment as a guest blogger at My Sweet Life. (another great blog) Turns out we live less than 10 miles from each other.... Congrats Colleen! You better hop over to her blog and congratulate her, she has a great give a way posted today!

Don't forget

Closed at noon today.... My Give away!

Who I read Part One

Thank goodness for igoogle, otherwise I would have lost everyone of my precious bloggers when I changed my layout. I will you all back soon, but first I want to figure out how to add three columns and a personal header.



In the mean time, I would thought I would feature who I read and why. No particular order, probably my igoogle.com order. I hope you find them as interesting as I do.



Chicago Plus One - Use to be Plus or Minus One. A single gal, living in Milwaukee would blog on jsonline.com. She became so popular they asked her to do a weekly column. Unfortunately, shortly after, she took a job in Chicago. I was glad to find her on blogspot.com. Busy with her new job, family and getting to know a new city, she blogs occasional.



Retro Housewife Goes Green - a new find for me and Eco friendly home ideas. I am still working on my 100 Eco things I do. Just remember every little bit helps.



Motherhood in NYC - Thoughts of a NYC Mother. An enjoyable read for me, as I miss NYC very much and wonder if I made the right choice or not to move here when I was 8 months pregnant. She has another blog called I Know What You Are Reading. If you what others are reading on their commute in NYC, check it out! It is a blog that has a purpose. (unlike myself)



Fried Okra. I still haven't figured out what it is, (Fried Okra that is.. I think it is a southern dish) but this lady was a guest blogger over here and that is how I discovered her. The fact that she had lived in my current/hometown made me curious. So far, I have enjoyed all her posts, I'm sure you would too. If I could tear away myself from all these blogs and comments, I'm sure I too, could figure out to have the three column layout she has.



We Make Words - light, artsy and interesting. A nice break for the day. - same as sfgirlbybay.



Andrea - Just-As-I-Am . Life of a mom with two girls. Honest, fun and a look into a variety of activities in her life.



Anymommyouthere - With a name like anymommy, how could you NOT click and find out more? I saw a comment somewhere and have this be a lesson to you lurkers that commenting isn't so bad. Anymommy is a great read - adoption, birth, potty training (I'm still peeing in my pants thinking of those blogs) and serious stuff too. I love her honesty and topics. She is an excellent writer as well. Check out My Baby Is Covered in Urine, Game Over and It Just Keeps Getting Better and Better . I started reading her right before that time and have been hooked ever since.



From Grey to Green - Another Eco Friendly blog - my first find to be honest with you. I won her preserve toothbrush and will blog about that when I am ready to send it back. You should read her "did you know" blog, I am glad I did.... stopped me from buying some #8 tomatoes.



Oh, I could go on - but I'll stop here and do a Part two. I hate leaving people out, (remember I did do my igoogle order) but I want you to enjoy who I enjoy and take the time to read their links and know those that make up a part of my day (if my husband knew the amount of the day - oh boy). But I think of you all when I experience things in life...from what I read on the blogs.





Stay tuned for Part Two.

And then there was one....

For the last four years, I've pretty much been a single mom. My husband opened his own business and works 6 days a week, 12 or more hours a day. We hardly ever see him.


So it has pretty much has been myself and the little scout - UNTIL now. Somewhere my husband got hooked up with a guy in Rochester, MN and $3,000.00's later we are into go-karting (yes with a K).

So now the past three weeks on Saturday and Sunday, I've pretty much been on my own. Today was the first day of driving on the practice track. The season is April until October.


I guess it is going to take some time to get use to being all by myself. Today I didn't know what to do with myself, so I wasted the whole day watching rerun back to back episodes of "Deadliest Catch".

OOH Baby, I'm a Rock Star!

Well, not quite, but close enough I guess. Yesterday I went to the DMV to get my drivers license renewed. (I guess 8 years have gone by already) and the girl at the counter said did I know who I looked like? I start thinking no - way not again. 'cause THAT hasn't happened in 12 years.

Sure enough, she thinks that I look like Tori Spelling. BUT she is not the only one. I use to frequent Saratoga Springs, New York and people up there thought the same thing. So much so, they would stare at me. Like walk by and stare and almost walk into a wall stare at me. I personally don't see it, but OK - I can take a compliment. BUT THEN, there is that back handed insult right after.

Yes,I know I'm not a size two. I'm not, nor will I ever be or do I want to be. SO WHY bring it up? So yesterday the gal says to me, how people probably look around and say is that Tori? Is she pregnant?

Geeze, what a way to ruin a gals day - like it isn't hard enough turning 41.

A Give Away!! YAY!!

I am very excited to announce my very first give-a-way. Although I would love each and everyone of you to win, there can only be one winner - because I only have one. It is a Brookstone photo key chain holder. Very new - complete with software, and never taken out of the box.

So how will I pick a winner? I will write each and everyone of you down on a slip of paper and pick a winner. Well, I won't, but the little scout will, as I know he will enjoy doing it.

BUT first, you have to tell me about yourself - in order to enter. I would like to know how you came up with your blog title and your "handle" and if it wouldn't be to much to ask, I would like to know what makes you blog. So not to hard - and not to much to ask - right?

Now this contest will be until NOON (Central Time) on the 29th of July, because I have a few bloggers that are on vacation and I want to make sure they get a chance.

So I will go first, My blogger name is wfbdoglover. I was a volunteer for a golden retriever rescue and the website person made me wfbdoglover to access the site. WFB stands for Whitefish Bay - the town I live in AND obviously I'm a dog lover. Well, I love all animals. I decided that I wouldn't write anything I wouldn't want anyone to see and so on the web - anywhere, I'm WFBDOGLOVER. (well except one political site I blog on)

Anyway, I picked WALK ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET, as it is one of my favorite things I did while I lived in New York. I use to read Cosmo Magazine and they would have a list of thing you should do. One was always walk on the sunny side of the street. If you have ever been to New York, you'll know that sometimes a side of the street is all shade because of the tall buildings - I would always cross over and think of that saying.

WHY do I blog? Well, although my zip code is 53217 - I really feel it should be 90210. You see, I feel like Andrea on that show. Andrea was one of the brainy, less attractive people on the show. NOT that I don't think I'm THAT "unattractive", I'm just different. I really don't care about fashion. I'm more sporty, with a bit of classic thrown in. I like makeup and dressing up, but having every $500.00 fashion bag - well, just isn't my thing. I have a pink back pack for the summer and in the winter a black one (and it is coach, my pretties).

I don't care about status - or what people THINK is status. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty or think and fix a problem, rather than spend countless hours finding ways to avoid it AND, in a way, I'm an activist. If an issue bothers me (ie: kids without a lunch regularly) I'm going to find a way to get them a lunch. (shamefully, after a year, I did fail on that one)

So, I blog for the friendship to be honest. So that's me.. now your turn! Good luck!

31 years ago

I had a dream of being the first female priest or the first female professional football player or the first female race car driver.



Sadly, Dianca Patrick is the only one that has succeeded in these categories - and with much resistance I might add.



This weekend, there are three woman that want to be ordained and the Catholic Church is going to excommunicate them.

I wonder when this world will start treating people with respect and equality.

HOW am I holding up?

They were barely gone an hour and my son called wondering "How I was holding up." (meaning without them) (ha ha)

If I hadn't gone to a meeting at Village Hall, I would have been dancing around like Tom Cruise in my underwear! (eh, eh eh)

Hello? Is anybody home up there?

Sometimes you just gotta wonder what goes on upstairs in the brain of a man. I mean really.

My husband went to go buy a cooler last night, as he and my son are going to the race track today and tomorrow - my son is getting into go-cart racing.

I made lunches this morning, and asked my husband where the cooler was and he says "In the truck". I walk out to the truck and open it up and low and behold before my very eyes, is a cooler the size big enough to hold a small child. (I actually said a swordfish to him)

My first reaction is - how am I going to keep this thing cool - BUT why should I worry about that, WHEN THE WHOLE THING IS FILLED TO THE TOP WITH ICE. LIKE 100 lbs OF IT.

(shaking head)

I've been packing lunches for my son for 8 years. That's right - he is 11, but including daycare - I've been packing lunches for 8 + years. I told my husband last night that I stuck a whole box of juice pouches in the freezer. They act as a cooler, you don't have the mess (OR WASTE) of ice and they are super good cold and whatever isn't used, isn't wasted and can be refrozen for the next day.

I have four cases of water in the house and he goes and buys more water as well... I guess I am just so mad at the thoughtlessness of the waste of ice twice a week. Bigger isn't always better......

blogs

Happy Friday everyone. I wrote a blog last night, while sitting outside and lost my wireless. When I picked up my neighbors WiFi, I lost my blog post. Once it is gone out of my mind to my keyboard - it is gone... sorry about that.

I am going to have a give way next week. Just a little something something. I wanted to wait, as one of my regulars is out of town in Hawaii no less - lucky gal.

So enjoy the weekend and I hope to see more of your blogs - I love reading everyone of them!!

I need your help please

Dear friends,

I need your help. A very good person, Play in the City, needs some votes. Not because she needs to win - just needs some votes.

I'll explain when I have permission, but please please vote, by reading her blog here. I would be greatful.

Farm Shopping

One day, I was reading our local paper and noticed all these robberies at a farm. (People were stealing apples) I googled the name and found Barthel's Fruit Farm.

That was three season's ago. We went apple picking. I got on their mailing list and last year I took my mom on "an outing" and bought her a hanging basket for Mother's Day. This has now become a tradition with us and this year, we went on Father's Day while the guys went golfing.

All of the flowers are Organic and more than reasonable in price. The red flower basket I got, was $17.00's. With a Clematis, my hanging basket, a perennial and my mom's hanging basket, my whole order came to $54.00's. You can see my mom loaded up on a few items as well.

We have gone as a family to pick apples and pumpkins, again organic. This farm does sell to the local stores here, but it is way more fun to go and pick them yourself. I encourage you to find a local farm, and spend some quality family time together picking apples, flowers and/or pumpkins.

Damn Yankees!

Tickets! Tickets!

Get your Tickets here!
Last night was opening night of Damn Yankees at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove. The musical by Douglass Wallop and George Abbott;Music, with lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler runs July 11-13, 17-20, 24-27, 31- August 3, 2008. Tickets are $20.00.

This musical is funny, delightful - with excellent acting. The set and costumes are outstanding. All of the characters are perfectly matched with the performers, but a special mention should be made for William Jackson who plays Mr. Applegate. His presence on stage is prominent and commanding.

Young Joe Hardy, played by David Finley, will warm your heart with his "boyish charm".

The children's ensemble has children 12 and under in the performance. If you have young children, it is always nice to take them to shows with their peers. Mine is 11 - he thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Other than a slightly suggestive dance by Lola "Whatever Lola Wants". Lola is played by Samantha Deibler, whom is a recent graduate from Milwaukee High School of the Arts dance department. The dance was "suggestive" as a High School Student can get. (I am making mention of this for any stiffly conventional potential patrons.)

This musical is fast-paced, humorous and entertaining for an audience of all ages. You do not need to be a sports fan (I'm not) to enjoy!

***Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race. As Joe helps create a winning team, he realizes the true worth of the life he's left behind. The catchy score is filled with rousing production numbers and popular favorites like "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants.”(Music Theatre International)

Show times:

Thursdays at 7:30 pm

Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm

Sunday, July 13 at 2:00 pmSundays, July 20 & 27 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm

Sunday, August 3 at 2:00 pm
Hurry and get your Tickets before they are all sold out!
Photo and ***from sunsetplayhouse.com

I could not speak

I don't know if you figured out yet or not, but I am a pretty outspoken person. Today, I could not speak. I stood there in horror as I watched a situation right before my eyes.

As I previously mentioned, we went to the movies. As we exited, my son saw himself on a commercial he is in from one of the sponsors for the $2.50 summer movie deals. We were going to wait for the loop to run through and show his friends and watch it again and then the incident happened.

A woman, who was clearly with a daycare of some sort started talking sternly and tersely to this boy that looked to be about four. Take your partner's hand, she said. He stood there and just looked blank. TAKE YOUR PARTNER'S HAND OR YOU DO NOT COME TO THE NEXT MOVIE. He stood there looking, as if he didn't know what to do. I think his partner already had someones hand. ONE, she snapped, TWO OR YOU DO NOT COME TO THE NEXT MOVIE, she snaps again - he held his head down in shame. THREE she demands and he looks around. YOU CAN TAKE ANYONE AND IT CAN BE MORE THAN TWO -FOUR, his head drops down again. A little boy quietly moved to the right and grabbed his hand. The front lady came to these boys and knelt down and softly spoke to him and then they moved on.

I was so shocked that I could not speak. I can not remember the boys name. I burst into tears. As the group moved forward, another group came by. I stopped a lady and said through choked tears - Do you know that group - that lady there? No why she says. I really couldn't tell you if I told her everything or not, but she apologized for me being upset and see if there was anything they could do and then they were all gone. The buses, the crowd, everyone.

I couldn't think, I couldn't talk and I just cried for what seemed like 10 minutes. I couldn't wait anymore for that commercial to come around and told my son we would have to see it another time. I cried all the way home - for a whole hour. I kept thinking, does this mother know what she was sending her child off to for the day?

I called the movie theater and spoke with the General Manager. I asked him to review the tapes. He said he would, but it wouldn't be in 5 minutes. He said he would get back to me and has not.

Wisconsin has a State Agency that monitors Day Cares. I called them and was put in touch with a supervisor. She called the movie theater and he thinks they are going to be back in a week and 1/2 and is going to try to get a name. While on hold, I began to think clearly. We all had to turn our tickets in at the cash register to get our free popcorn, I could identify her from that. They were going to call back the movie theater and see if he would work with us on that or check the buses out front, if there were cameras there. We could check with the bus company and see who they picked up.

If you have kids, hug them tight and think of this little boy and if your kids are in daycare, make sure you take the time for surprise visits and make sure your child is being treated respectfully.

At the Movies........

Lucky you if you live in Nebraska, North Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio or Minnesota.

Wednesday and Thursday is the Marcus Theater's Kids Rule promotion all summer long. For $2.50 you can get a free complimentary size popcorn and see a movie.

This week, the movie is Horton Hears a Who. Movies run unil August 14th. What a great way to catch up on some fairly new releases.

I'll see you "at the movies".

Wordless Wednesday

Sorry about the colors, I was trying something with my other programs this morning and can not spend any more time on this...

Clean up

Just to clean up a few things. Our little squirrel that was in distressed labor died before a vet could get to the Humane Society. Our baby cardinal was put down as he might have fallen, and had a deep cut into his internal organs.

I just got an email my snapfish order has been completed and will be shipping (YAY!) and lastly our morning conversation today went like this.

Child: What are you doing?
Me: Making pancakes
Child: Silence (a bit awkward)
Me: excuse me (ie: move out of my way - HA)
Child: OK
Me: Do you want Chocolate Chips in yours?
Child: YES PLEASE - runs off happy!

Yesterday Morning

Me - How about pancakes for breakfast.
Child - As long as we have scrambled eggs
Child - and waffles
Me - (thinking) burned

Today is going to be
ME - We are having pancakes for breakfast.

Someone once gave me a tip. Don't ask a child, tell them.

I love pancakes! Do you?

Snapfish

If you haven't heard of snapfish.com, you must check it out! When I signed up, I received twenty free photos. I just had to pay shipping/handling which was only a couple of dollars.

I've been getting regular specials and received for the second time 50 prints for a penny each. The last time I did that, the shipping was about $5.00's and the photos turned out nicely. The turn around is quick, I've had some mail delays, but they did replace a lost package that eventually showed up.

Use coupon code JUL4PENNY08 at checkout. Hurry, this offer ends July 12!

It's in the bag

My parents and I are at "war". A bag war! They would come over and "bring things" in paper bags and I would try to send them home, but they would not take them - they didn't want the bag. They were dumping it ON ME. (hee hee)

So on the fourth, I went over the night before to bring my cheese cake I had no room in the fridge for and left a bag. The next day, I brought two more "bags" of things. When it came time to go home, I crammed everything in my backpack and carried the left over cheese cake and left a bag on their breakfast stools. My mom came running out with something else to bring home in that bag.

This morning my dad shows up with my son's shoes and some legos he left over there. Guess what? They were in another Hallmark bag with handles...

parents 3
me 2

I was thinking about making a banana bread and dropping it off with a ding dong ditch style at the door step.

Does your family have any "wars" going on?

JUST SAY NO

Remember that saying growing up? It was a TV commercial - just say no to drugs. That applies to kids too. It is good for you to say no. Say it with me N_O. N+O = NO. There you go, just let it roll off your tounge. NO. Easy right?

It is healthy for your kids to hear that. You don't have to give into every whim and buy everything you see. Think about it.

Movie $6.50. Popcorn, slushy and a bag of candy = whatever, but it is a lot. Do they need candy AND a popcorn AND a slushy? Especially if you think your child is over weight. Setting limits is a good thing to be honest with you.

THEN you get a take out pizza for dinner for the family and while you are waiting for them to make your pizza, just because the kids wander down to the Hobby Store - and they find something ('cause they always do) doesn't mean you have to buy it.

So after that, the whole car ride home by friends son sulked no different than he did in the car to the movie theater, to the swimming pool, to the pizza place and all the way home. So if you just said NO, nothing would have changed anyways.

Happy Fourth of July

Wishing you all a very Happy 4th of July and remember to keep your pets inside or on a leash today. They get very scared with the fireworks and can get spooked and run off!

Enjoy the festivities!

Baby Cardinal

Somebody leaving the nest! This is a baby cardinal. We had fun watching this afternoon.


More photos here.


Last time this happened, Seamus brought him to me in his mouth. He was "keeping it safe" until mommy got home.

Wordless Wednesday

Everyone Loves a Slip in Slide......... (what's scary is the dog remembers, got excited and understood the phrase - Go Down the slip in slide!)

MIA

I know, I know, I've been neglecting my blog lately. Sorry, but I've been busy, busy, busy!!!

We kicked off Friday with a presentation at Discovery World, for my son's week long class - On and Under Lake Michigan. We had a bit of time at the end, and were able to run through the Les Paul exhibit. Les Paul is from Waukesha, Wisconsin and invented the Electric Guitar.

Saturday, I spent most of the day cleaning and then quickly getting ready for my brother n'law's last US concert in Illinois. We hand a 1 -1/2 hour drive to Johnsburg, IL - a small village just over the Wisconsin border. I enjoy country roads, so it was a nice peaceful drive. We didn't know that they didn't start playing until 10:00 p.m. and had a nice two hour visit with the band. Emotions were running high between, The Black Molly's and Million Dollar Reload. The friendship between the two were unbelievable. It was fun to watch and be included in. My husband was able to spend time with his "baby brother" and we were able to hang out on the bus after the bar closed. (missing middle brother is here) I drank water all night and my husband had a really nice time . Before we knew it, the sun was coming up and we really had to get home. It was 5:30 a.m. and we headed off in the sunrise. I never look back, because then you really aren't saying good-bye. We are looking forward to their tour this fall. They have been great for my spirits and a pleasure to have at our house one night. Such sweet and respectful lads. They were so nice to my son and he actually called me at a really good time, I was sitting outside with Kie, B.A.M and Davey and he got to talk to all of them, as well as his Uncle Kieran. I was grateful to my mom for keeping him over night, so we didn't have a time limit - I never knew we would stay out all night and he was a little sad that he couldn't come.

The best part of the night for me, was when someone asked me if I was with the band. I was a bit taken back, then smiled and said - 'ya know, I've always wanted to say that! - That was a good laugh - or as they say in Ireland "good crack". (Slang for Good Fun - :) )

So Davey, BAM, Andy, Phil, and Kie, thanks for the best two nights in a long while! We miss ya lads! (wipes small tear from her eye)

I'll give a little plug here for Reverie, we heard them the first night of the tour and hung out with the dummer the last night.

Sunday was a very interesting day to say the least. I set two timers and told my son when the first one went off to walk the dog and when the second one went off, to wake me. (thank goodness for independent 11 year olds) I caught two hours of sleep and took him down the street to Little Joe's birthday party. A four year old who loves my son! I came home about 2:00 and my little scout came home about 3:30. We got ready to go to a merit badge counselor meeting at 4:00. We picked up dinner and after that, I was down for another two our nap. My husband of coarse, slept the whole day.

Monday we headed to Summerfest, the worlds largest music festival. 10 days, 11 bands playing at one time - yada yada yada. Sorry no photos folks, I didn't want my camera confiscated. So after seeing the sign that camera was illegal, I didn't bring it out. We did hear Darryl Stuermer play, went on the John Lennon Educational Peace Bus, did the kids activities, won a few head phones and a $1.00 lotto, then headed home about 4:00. My son got a little overwhelmed with all the people, and found out he is exactly like me. He looked at the ground and I steered him out of the park - of coarse we were at the farthest end and had to walk to the opposite end, but he did OK. At least he didn't start hyperventilate like I usually do. Karen wrote a cool blog about things to do at Summerfest, you can read about it here.

Yesterday we rested! Today I've been to Menard's by 9:00 to return some hoses we bought this season and they sprung leaks already. I can't say enough about the customer service I received today. Everyone was pleasant, friendly and positive. I had to ask three times to find something and the employees BROUGHT ME to where I needed to be. I had my husband's credit card to do the return and the gal came out to the machine to get it printed for me. As annoyed as I was, as to how long it took me to do everything, I could not complain as the service was so outstanding.

I stopped by the McDonalds to grab my son the hashbrowns I promised and the window lady was nice and friendly. I asked to have my meal double bagged because I had a 15 minute ride and didn't think I would make it to the McDonalds by my house before they stopped serving breakfast - her reply NO PROBLEM. I got to the take away window and the man asked if I had something special, I replied the double bag need and he replied OH, No Problem and promptly did what I had requested with a SMILE and a have a great day. Maybe there is hope for the world - yet!

So much for Wordless Wednesday. Well, that's me for today. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to unstick my butt from the chair and make some lunch for the scout and his little scout friend. At least we caught up and you know where I was for the past few days! Have a great one (smiling) and let me know what you've been up to!