A little late... but I wanted to wait for the party!

So on Saturday we woke up extra early and hopped into the truck. We left for Sconnie for Susha's 30th birthday bash. She actually turned on the 5th... so a bit belated... but not forgotten! We reached my sister PJM's house around noon or so I think. We hung out for a bit but then we were off to the cheese factory! Yes... I love cheese that much that I make a special trip to get fresh cheese when I can. (Hint for those co-workers of mine... cheese factory + this week is Kim's treat week = curds for everyone and more!)

When we finished there we went to my Grandma's apartment. We gave her her Christmas present from my sister's families and Jerome and I. She loved the idea of a gift certificate for the grocery store. We ate cheese curds and looked at pictures from our wedding together. I looked at the photos on her walls and saw one that is from when my Dad and his brother were really little... I laughed it was such a cute picture.

We wrapped up at Grandma's and headed back to PJM's house to change for the party. We met up with Susha, her hubby, her parents, her brother and wife and a few other folks at The Bar for wings and beers. We ended up staying there for the night, dancing the night away. There was even a Cougar (after consulting my Urban Dictionary though I found out that she was actually a Jaguar!) there who had some fun with one of the guys that was there for Susha's party!

We came home on Sunday and had Papa Murphy's Gourmet Chicken Garlic pizza. Ohhh so delicious! Tomatoes, onions, and grilled chicken in a white sauce with cheese.... Yummmy! Hope you had a good weekend!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

This past weekend I got the tree put up and the holiday decorations out. There was a bit of a debate as to where to put the tree this year since we have some additional furniture in the living room - the two striped chairs and ottomans. Ends up that I put it in the same exact spot as last year in front of the side window.

The tree went up with the same decorations as years pasts... with the exception of two. The first is one that I didn't put up... Lily's paw printed ornament up. But what I did put up brought a smile to my face... what do you think?


On Saturday it snowed our first "storm" of the season. We got about 7 to 8 inches of snow plus drifts in places. And today it's snowed another 3 to 4 inches already... and is still snowing. Ugh. I would be complaining more... but.... I have to say that dumpster diving paid off this past year. Remember that snow blower that I said I picked up and hoped that it would work... well... IT DOES! Yahooo! Free snow blower!

The girls ended up not coming over this weekend... so... I didn't get as much candy making done as I had hoped. (I was thinking I could teach them some of the recipes for what my family makes this time of the year.) Needless to say, I still got some done.... chex mix, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut clusters, cornflake cookies, cashew turtles, and Jerome pecan candy. I had wanted to also do some of Ella's sugar cookies, Oreo Balls and who knows what else... but I'll have to do that some other time. Check out the new recipe blog for recipes and photos.

I did also make the lasagna that I had planned on - even without the extra mouths but I didn't get to the point of wrapping presents... which I need to do before we head to Wisconsin so I don't have to ship GWM and MJM's presents.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

So the cities are under a winter storm watch. We could get up to a foot of snow by Sunday...

To make it a bit more like the holidays the girls should be coming over for the weekend all three: PST, JST, and Tink. I plan to make Christmas candy this weekend and put up the tree and other decor. I'm even planning on wrapping up the presents for shipping out (oh to be ahead of the game... you think it will happen????).

I think I'll also put together some lasagna this weekend... with all the mouths we'll be feeding it will probably go quickly.

Storm August 2007

Update: We came home from Anna's to find that our power had been restored! I asked a neighbor how long it had been on since we were gone most of the day and he said only about an hour before we came home! Which would mean from Saturday at 3am until Sunday at 7pm is when we had no power. Ugh.


Holy Cats!

So Friday night we had JST over for the night. We ran to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner and walked away with $100 worth of grocery - surprise surprise. We watched a movie and just hung out until we decided to head to bed. We were asleep in our house when for some reason I awoke. It was 3am. Outside there was flashes of lighting - but no lighting bolts - just the sky was light up like daylight. I nudged Jerome and told him to move the car that was on the lawn since it looked like it was going to rain. He got up in a dash and tossed on some shorts and headed outside.

I figured I would take a look at what was outside to see if I really wanted to deal with it getting wet since we were having a Block Party Saturday afternoon. Off came the cushions of the chairs and we tossed the carpet pieces into the garage.

When that was done I went inside and turned on the TV to watch the weather channel. It stated that we were going to get some high winds (50-60 mph) and there was a sever thunderstorm warning. And then it happened... the TV cut off along with the fans, air, lights, clocks... you name it. The power was out.

It's kinda funny that JST had made the remark before heading to bed that there was a flash light in her room! Good thing as we needed it. We found the other flash light and I light some candles. I just stayed watching the rain since it's been so long since we've had some like this.

It started to rain and the winds picked up. I went downstairs to check the window/wall in the laundry room... sure enough there was a leak. A bad leak. It was spurting out of the window well. Ughhhh. I grabbed the dirty towels from the laundry and started sopping up the mess. I ran upstairs to get the mop.

Jerome woke JST up and told her that it was cooler the basement to go and sleep downstairs. Which, we all did after having a quick snack and chat. (Gotta love having an 8 month pregnant person in the house!)

I called the electric company and their machine stated that we should have power by 8am. Fine and good - we don't really need it while we sleep downstairs. We woke up at 9am or so, with no power. I called the electric company again. Now, it stated that we may not have electricity until end of day Tuesday. WHAT?!?!?!?! ugh.

There was a pretty good sized branch in the middle of the road from the tree that recently lost big branches when Monty Crew was at our house last. We had twigs and a few branches in the yard but nothing major. I figured we better check the gutters since I noticed a few of our neighbors up in theirs. Sure enough it was packed. I got to cleaning it out.

Since we had no power, we didn't dare go in the fridge for long. And, with an electric stove now we had to cook our bacon, eggs, and grits on the grill! It was kinda fun, until we realized that both of our cars were in the garage - that has an electric opener.

JST's mom and sisters came to pick her up and take her back to the land of A/C and TVs. We of course stayed in our "campsite". I called Lisa and asked if she had power. Sure enough she did, so I asked if we could bring over stuff from our deep freezer and our fridge/freezer. I packed up the two coolers and we were on our way. We hung out there until about 3 pm when we left for our Block Party, that we weren't even sure if it was still going to go on.

I set out two chairs and a table out front and brought the charcoal grill around front too. We figured we could grill up some of this chicken from the freezer for the party... and figured other people may want to too.

We hung out with Denise and her daughter and a few of the other neighbors showed up too. We ended up going to Denise's garage to "congregate" and stay dry as it decided to rain again.

We headed home and went to the basement to sleep. I'm starting to feel the pains of not sleep in my bed... the floor and that couch are not cutting it. Ughhh. I awoke this morning hoping we would have electricity... not the case. So, today, we headed over to Anna's where we are BBQing up the last of the meat that we kept.

I'm sure I'll be calling into my renter's insurance this coming week. Wonder if they will cover everything????

We went around the neighborhood to find out that about 5 block south of us many large trees were down, along with power lines and electric poles snapped in half. We took pictures, but I'm not sure when I'll be able to load them here.

And by the way, I am not cracked up for this whole camping thing!

Calling all party goers...

Save the date - Saturday, November 3rd.

A quick Sconnie Trip

Friday night we set the alarm clock to wake us up around 4:45 am. Yes, that's right on a SATURDAY! Jerome woke up some time around 4 am and started his shower. Once he was ready he woke up the bear, I mean me, and tossed me in the shower. We were headed to Sconnie for the day/night mainly to pick up our wedding photo album.

We left around 5 am and saw the sun starting to rise - that's the first time in a long time for me. And it was such a red sky that got me thinking of Dad's old sailor saying... red sky at night sailors delight, red sky in morn sailors be warned.



We stopped for breakfast at McDonald's after I woke up from my sleep and also to fill up the tank. We were back on our way and made it to my parents house around 9 am.

Once we were there I immediately went into the photos. Ughhhhh! There was no picture of us with Anna, there was the black and white photo of Jerome that turned out way grainy, there was one of me and my family that when blown up didn't fit that framing of the page thus white strips around the photo - ummm no... fake the wall and carpet or crop it different! Not to mention all of the ones that were out of focus! And then our large wall photo had totally different coloring from the same photo that was in our book. What the heck?

I will say it again, never do business with Together Photography. Their customer service sucks. Their contract is worded funny, and they chose to pick out our photos - even the blurry ones! Ugh.

So, I took the book and Jerome and I headed down to their shop. Of course, no one was there because it's a Saturday and they are out taking awful pictures of someones wedding. So I called my mom to have her look up the phone number for their New London location, perhaps someone would be there. Nope, that number isn't listed. Grrrr. So I called the owner at her home - but she didn't answer either. I left a message at their location in town saying I wasn't please with my photos and that I am only in town today and tomorrow, that someone should contact me asap.

With that said and done we left and went to The Monty Crew's house for lunch. We had planned to BBQ for lunch, but before that Jerome and Andy were going to build some shelving units for Delaney and Maddee's room while Trisha and I were going to head off to Target for some baby food that was 2 cents a jar.

On our way there though, my phone rang. It was Jerome's daughter JST who is due in September with Jerome's first grand baby. She was having some tightening and she thought contractions. Oh boy. Ends up it was nothing out of the ordinary and the baby is still inside for the time being!

Trisha, Baby M and Baby D and I left for Target. Funny thing happened... we ran into my sister P, brother-in-law J and their kids MJM and GWM. Too funny. They were off to buy glue sticks for MJM's first school year in kindergarten. We split ways and headed to the baby section.

I asked Trisha what Delaney needed, since you know, she's already got three kids! Apparently crib sheets are in order. Can do. Next. ;)

We headed to baby food land and stocked the cart. We headed for the check out and the cashier flicked her light on and called a manager over. Apparently Target's coupon won't work at her Target... how annoying. We even spoke with a manager who said that "corporate" sent out a statement that said to limit people to two coupons... COME ON! Needless to say, I'll be trying at my Target here in the cities.

When we got back the guys were wrapping up the shelving unit and we started the food. It was delish! My compliments to the chefs :) We hung out for a bit longer as I got my baby fix knowing the next time I see Baby D he won't like me, but then again there will be a new Baby D that will "hafta" like me!

We headed home and ate dinner with the family. Mashed potatoes, caramel carrots, beef roast... YUM! Then it was time for cards. PJM, mom and I played 500 solitaire. Mom ended up in first place, I got 2nd and PJM... well she lost. And then PJM and I played 100 solitaire and I won. Yippy!

We woke up the next morning and took showers. We came downstairs and said that the clock in the bedroom doesn't keep time... since it was 11am and the clock said 9am! Jeeze! We had breakfast and then hopped in the car for home. We planned to take the long way home so that we could stop at our favorite cheese factory - too bad they aren't open on SUNDAYS :( Grrrr.

So we kept heading the long way instead of turning around. We went through Green Bay when Jerome said something about taking a picture of Lambeau field. Why taking a moving picture, instead we went and actually went inside. It was first trip inside the stadium... you could totally feel the love. We hopped back in the car and were on our way when someone stated that he should have found the bathroom before leaving. So we made a pit stop for an ice cream cone and potty break at the McDonald's down the street from the stadium - it was even decked out in Packer attire!

We drove home and ended up stopping at our other cheese factory stop for some curds and a brick of cheese - and gas and switching of drivers. Once we were in the cities we stopped for dinner. We unpacked the car after and then Jerome left to see how JST was doing. All is good as far as we know now.

Weekend in review

Friday night I was invited to a purse party... and you know me... I had to go! On my way there I met up with Lisa for a brief exchange and went on my way. The party was at a Pampered Chef consultant from my cluster's house. I haven't seen her, or her sweet little one since my director had a holiday party at her house - two Christmas's ago! It was good to see and catch up with her.

Saturday morning Jerome and I awoke and started picking up the house. My sister and her two kids were on their way back home after visiting with mom and dad and heading for Chicago for the weekend for a wedding. The had a layover at the airport here and we weren't sure if we were going to be heading out for lunch or making it at our house... so... of course we picked up a little. Ends up that we headed to AppleBee's for lunch.

I had the Aloha Burger. YUM-O! I totally have a thing for pineapple. I love it. Especially since going to Cancun, Mexico and having fresh pineapple every morning. Jerome had a Chicken Strip platter, Tammy had some sort of salad and the kids... well of course had hamburgers and chicken fingers!

AKT, my niece and godchild, (and the flower girl that didn't make it down the isle at our wedding) managed to drop her bottle of beer on the floor which happens... no biggie but of course she cried. Poor girl. She's getting so big!

ALT, my oldest niece, was a barrel of fun! She sat next to me which was nice, I was able to poke and tickle her while we waited for our food to come. Jerome had the camera and took plenty of pictures I would guess, but I don't think I looked at them!

The bill came and we left. I was taking them back to the airport. Stupid me, instead of getting on Hwy 5 to the airport didn't get off the ramp and ended up taking them on 494. I hope they weren't too late. I didn't get a call so I assume they made their flight. SORRY AGAIN!

Once I left the airport and returned home I jumped in bed for a quick nap as we were going to a party Saturday night. Last weekend at the birthday BBQ at Lisa's house we were invited to E's house for his birthday bash. Lisa gave me the heads up that it could be an all nighter - aka leave at 6am kind of party... thus the nap Saturday afternoon. We had a good time at E's and even watched an HBO boxing fight on the the projection screen that was attached to the back of his house... I wish I had taken a picture!

Sunday we woke up and headed out for breakfast. I had been craving pancakes. Yes, pancakes. I wanted Denny's fluffy pancakes. Scary I know. So off we went, plus we had a $5 off coupon for there!

After breakfast we went home and were gathering items to go to Anna's house. She had purchased at mirror from our garage sale that she needed hanging but didn't have a stud finder. So I took Jerome, ha ha ha... (stud finder). No really, we went and hung up the mirror in her kitchen/dining room.

Once that was finished we headed to Lisa and Rod's to pick up the battery charger for the car (the bucket). Apparently there is something going on with the battery of my old car... I don't know I don't drive it but Jerome does. I headed in for a quick nap while dozing off to the TV while Jerome was outside.

We did end up slapping some paint on the wall Sunday night to see if we liked the color... I have a feeling I'll be painting the rest tonight... I like!

That's about it. C-ya later!

Sink and more...

We acquired a pedestal sink from Linda and Dennis since they recently installed a different pedestal sink in their bathroom. Friday Jerome started working on the upstairs bathroom as soon as we got home from work. I had taken all of the toiletries out of the bathroom earlier in the week, leaving just the essentials. Well those essentials came out on Friday.

I ran to Home Depot to get new lines for the sink and some pipe g

lue while Jerome took out the current sink. When I returned Jerome was working on removing the current (our new) faucet and installing it onto the new pedestal sink.

I don't know if time got away from us or what, but soon we saw the clock hit midnight and we decided lights out, we'll work on it tomorrow. So bright and early Saturday we set out to Menard's to look at how the pedestal bowl should mount onto the wall as they had the same set up plates as what we found at our corner hardware store. We headed back and Jerome started working on the sink again.

I opted to stay out of the whole sink mess unless I was called in for help. Instead I rearranged the closet in the office. It needed a little help, plus we were going to be tidying the room up now that Lil wasn't living in there. We borrowed a Kirby vacuum just for this very purpose.... to bad we will need to borrow it again once Jerome's daughter PST brings down the shampooer portion of the device. We defiantly need to shampoo that carpet again, thanks to Lil...on not thanks....

Anyways.... I worked on the closet.

I picked up a few other odds and ends around the house and thought about making some lunch. Everything I wanted to make I didn't have the other half of. You know what I mean.... want to make a sandwich but there was no meat that I like and no cheese or lettuce. I wanted to make Polynesian, but again no cheese. I wanted to make tator tot hot dish... but no circle meat. Ughh. I wasn't going to go to the store for just cheese. And plus we don't want much left over since we're going out of town and I'll need to get whatever ingredients I need for Linda's potluck Fourth of July party. I'm not going today.

Jerome called me into the bathroom. Finally it was mounted on the wall correctly. The lines we being put on and the water was ready to be turned back on. Gently. Slowly. Leak. Ugh. Jerome went back to work on the sink. He called me back in shortly there after and all was well. Whew... there is now plenty of floor space in the bathroom... almost enough for a dance floor!

While I was putting away some of the tools I knocked my ring on the cabinet. I guess I must have thought it was a pretty good wack that I better check my ring. Good thing I did... my diamond popped out and was sitting in the cabinet. Off to Burnsville I go to take it in with hopes for it to be fixed by Wednesday for me to pick up. I even had them call the jeweler to make sure he would be in on Wednesday as we're going out of town soon! Should be no problem. Whew! (Mind you I took it in around Christmas and was turned away because the didn't think the could fix it in time for all the holiday parties and such... and hadn't taken it back yet!)

We headed cleaned up and headed over to Anna's house for a late night BBQ and Rum and Cokes. Yum... Rum and Coke... never thought I liked them. They were pretty good Saturday night!

Sunday when I woke up I was in our bed alone. I didn't hear or feel Jerome get up... but he was. There he was down stairs vacuuming the floor with the borrowed Kirby. Boy that thing does a great job... I just couldn't imagine spending that much on a vacuum cleaner though!

Jerome wanted to the steps... and I wanted him to do them! But he was having a hard time getting the regular long handle off of the vacuum cleaner to swap out the small hand held handle. Well, after I looked at for 5 minuets I had the handle off and the other one on. He did the stairs.

Then onto upstairs. I cleaned out the room while Jerome was working on the steps. I pulled everything off of the floor but left all the big pieces in place. I won't pull everything out of the room until we have the shampooer portion. For some reason the suction wasn't working very well. We gave PST a call and she walked me through step by step on what to do. We fixed the issue and went onto cleaning.

When that was finished, I'm not sure if Jerome's second job instinct kicked into high gear or what but out came the mop. Jerome mopped the kitchen floor... and did an excellent job at it if I do say so myself, (he should do it more often now!). I started gathering clothes and bags for California as we will be leaving soon while he was mopping.

Jerome wrapped up mopping and jumped in the shower. He then left to return the vacuum cleaner. While he was gone I rolled all our clothes for the trip and started to actually pack our suitcases. I looked at the outfits that I wanted to take and realized that I really needed a pair of white tennies to make everything work. I also needed to pick up some one quart bags for our carry on liquids/gels since we aren't checking our bags. Off to Walmart I went.

There I debated on two different shoes... one was, get this... $5 the other $6.50. FOR THE PAIR! One was a clog type (slip foot in with no back) and the other your basic white laced tennie. I ended up with the tennie for $5! That's the cheapest pair of shoes I've purchased in a LONG time.

I made it home and still no Jerome. I had been at WallyWorld for an hour at least. I gave him a call. He was on his way home.

I made steaks and potatoes on the grill for dinner. Yum-o.

CWFTW - Can't Wait For The Weekend!

Sad to say on a Monday, but CWFTW! I don't think I have ever looked forward to a weekend like I am for this coming weekend. Why you ask... I don't have any plans, we aren't going anywhere that I know of, we finally get to clean the house. For the past EIGHT, count them, EIGHT weekends we have had something to do, or at least I've had big things to do.

So this weekend... I'm thinking straighten up the house, find the bottom of the laundry pile, check out my garden - I haven't seen it... I hope it's okay!, set up the sewing section again... ohhhh maybe find a place for Lily to live so that I can shampoo the carpet... again.... I can't wait!