Flying by the Seat of our Pants

Dear Tracey and Anna,
This is a blog to you, and for us to remember our crazy, spur of the moment, amazing trip!

This is the lady who triggered our trip...the Pioneer Woman, herself, in person, and we were in the FRONT ROW to see her and hear her speak and we LOVE her.  We three smiled through the entire talk and then got our books signed and were able to speak with her a minute and get our photo taken with her.  It was amazing!  Sarah buzzed over to join us and now that we think of it, she's the one who introduced us to Pioneer Woman in the first place.  BTW, there's something special about seeing and hearing authors speak, it makes it so real.

 

Above are the rules of the day :-)  OK, sorry, they are too small to read.  We arrived by 9:30 am and got our wrist bands.  Then we took turns sitting in the front row waiting for 2 pm to arrive.  We would take turns holding our spot while some of us went off to:  get a warm pretzel, read the new cookbook, buy a Cinnabon, a fun Starbucks coffee, a smoothie and a bag of chips, a pair of skinny jeans, a new hoodie and two pair of pj pants, and get a French manicure. OK, so how cool is all of that?!!!

 Above:  Our view for 5 1/2 hours as we waited in the front row.

And, then our turn.  We went up together and gave the Pioneer Woman a gift of a Packer scarf to remember us Wisconsin gals.  She is so nice, and so real, and had a gorgeous red leather purse which we later saw in a Wilson's store.

The rest of our weekend was pretty cool too.  Great Delta flights, nice "quarters" at the Sheraton in Richfield with free shuttle service to and from.  Shopping and window shopping at the MOA and fine food and beverages throughout the days.

Then Sunday night we went to see the Material Girl, 
Madonna, in concert in St. Paul.  Fabulous and crazy
 people watching, great seats, expensive taxi rides,
and we only wished she hadn't done her wild new
stuff and instead had done all of her oldies, but then
 it wouldn't have been Madonna would it?  Sorry the
picture is blurry :-(

I came away with wanting to get some Dansko shoes someday.  These look fun.  Thanks Tracey. 






And wanting to go see the final Twilight movie with Anna.
Fun friends, fun times and hope for many more adventures together, especially without crafts.
From, "Hey Grandma, here's your water".

...more memories, snap snap

 

Parallel 44 Winery with good friends.  A respite with live music during a very active day.

"Frozen Tundra" was my favorite.





And then to change it up a notch...lunch at the fest.







We all got in the water this year except for Andy and Ed, AND we had FUN!  It can only get better as these grandchildren get more competitive at "keep away".

A visit to the Amish countryside up North is so very interesting.  I just cant' get enough of it. 

 Two little girls barefoot, playing with cucumbers.

Pick your own flowers.

And the sound of clip clop, clip clop.

How lucky we are to have friends who invite us to go to a Packer game with them every year!

I couldn't resist talking to a friendly San Francisco fan before the game.  Asked him some questions and he shamed me with all of his knowledge about the 49'rs.   We were sure to
win, but no...we didn't :-(  Glad I didn't run into him after the game.

Bob bought a new hat that day ~~~ and came home this weekend for the game.  He worked out of town for 9 weeks this summer and only came home 2 weekends -- Jimmy Buffett of course ranked right up there on top.

Jimmy, on a hot day and a warm night,with great friends, beach balls flying through the air, after cheeseburgers in paradise, smiles at all the people watching, with a friend who drew the gals (for some odd [shell bra] reason), best porta potty around, pineapple flag, hot dogs on the grill afterward, running into a fun friend from Des Plaines.  Always wondering how Jimmy's scheduled stop at Alpine Valley seems to fit into our summer plans~~

...and if you are still reading, do you realize, that when you go grocery shopping, you pick up an item and place it in your cart, then you remove the item and place the it it on the cash register track, then after they bag it, you place the item in your car, then you get home and carry the item into the house, you remove the item from the grocery bag, and then you finally place the item in the cupboard or shelf or refrigerator.  But nope, you handle it one more time when you finally use the item.

...and when I look in the mirror, this is who I see:

Chicago once a year~~~

Tidbits

OK, so I discovered a new process to help my breakfasts not be neglected.  Buy a wonderful, special loaf of bread.  Make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Double wrap them and freeze them one by one.  On my way to work, grab one and by the time I eat it in an hour or so, it's thawed and delicious.  Could work for lunches too, but I don't know how many PB&J sandwiches Bob would enjoy in a week.

Today I saw a woman much older than me sitting in Barnes & Noble perusing her purchased bag full of Harlequin paperbacks, one front and back cover at a time.

This summer on one really, really HOT day, I took my bra off at work and felt much cooler and no one knew it.

I'm loving piano music by a guy named Ola Gjeilo - favorite song "Madison".

Fantasy Football is a riot - absorbing some of my free time (what free time? I wake up in the middle of the night and check the Scorecard and League action.)

Go Packers

Go Badgers

Go Brewers

2012 Happy Birthday Raina

Happy Birthday Raina, or as Dad would say Happy Birthday "Rainer Dainer". 

Hope your men (and Bailee too) treat you like a proper princess today!

This is about you, therefore below are some photos of YOU, well Eli snuck into one shot.

Since up North, the Cottage, North Twin Lake, is one of your favorite places, this blog should put you into a nice frame of mind anytime you read it.

 You are our planner!  There comes a time every summer when you get the itch to start the plans -- food plans, sleeping arrangements, games to bring, and you communicate so wonderfully with all of us about it.  It makes it so easy - not like the "good 'ol days" when mom was stressed to the max and that stress rubbed off onto you kids and then onto Dad when he got home from work and had to pack the car, trailer or boat.  I always felt so guilty of what I was bringing.  Sneaking in those books, games, quarters and toys.

 But now we share and it's you who gets the ball rolling and makes sure fairness plays a big part of things.

 Is this the life, or what?  IT IS THE LIFE!

 I think it's where you come to treasure the small things in life that make us all happy.  Sleeping in, napping, reading book after book, dining out, cooking in, riding in the boat, driving the boat, watching the family in action, gabbing and laughing with friends, fishing, gossiping, and playing games galore.

 OK, so swimmers itch found us and you in particular.  And one year you twisted your neck and we had to hit the E.R. to make sure you were ok, and your boyfriend was missed when he wasn't there, and then you brought him (ANDY) who has now come to love it up there too.  **Magic**

 Yes, there was the time when you dreamed that we and the other two families would just move up there and live year around.  No matter what I said, you thought it would be the greatest.

 And there were a few years when you made omelets to order.  We would fill out our choices the night before and the next morning you would cook and deliver the most delicious omelets to anyone at the resort who wanted one.  Oh how we all loved that - can you do that again some year?

You would drive the boat, Sarah would put the bait on, take the fish off and the three of us would fish.

And now you bring your family every year, Andy, Eli and Hugh are a part of the scene.  We still all fit into one of the rentals and there's usually someone sleeping, and someone reading, someone drinking and someone eating and kids are playing or johnny jumping - or it's raining and off to town someone goes.  

Other memories - Risk games, Clue games, Boggle until we were crying from giggles, Pictionary, Catch Phrase, poker, Nertz AND OF COURSE, YES, you are the champion and can talk, eat and play and still win.  You and Colleen going off on your own, the two "little girls" who grew up to become gorgeous women, wives and mothers.

Wishing you many fun birthdays to come and many years at the/a cottage too, where you can let it all hang out and wear your pjs to the dock!

Have a super birthday.

Summer

I insist that my summer isn’t over yet!  

Bob and I need to go for another boat ride on Geneva Lake, take a free tourist boat ride too, enjoy Bash on the Bayou on Lake Como, go to Chuck’s, eat corn on the cob, and more…His entire August was spent working in Texas, so his summer was cut short.  Meanwhile, I’m finding ear plugs in all of Bob's jeans and shorts from the long lasting Texas job - must be noisy there!

Camped at Bluemound State Park and enjoyed every single little moment.  Pork roast in cast iron pot over the fire for supper, yum.

Greg & Liz had the most amazing wedding ever!  I want to relive the entire weekend.  

Enjoyed visiting with California relation who came in their RV...Schneider Family Picnic...

Yes, went to the Zoo too...Survivor of course...up North at the cottage...babysitting for Eli and Hugh...West Allis Farmer's Market where I smiled for the first entire half hour while walking around...

Jimmy Buffett with good friends, smiling lots, sweating more, beach balls flying on the hill, great music, cheeseburgers in paradise, and hot dogs at end the night when we met up with a good friend who found us by our pineapple flag :-)

The Walworth County Fair - eats galore, cream puff was my first favorite, rib eye sandwich 2nd.  Didn't win any ribbons on my knitting needle cushion, but think I should have received a Merit Badge (they are pink) just for creativity.  I will put a picture of it here~~~so you can get your laugh of the day.  Water gun game, ferris wheel ride, listening to REO Speedwagon on a beautiful night with an almost full moon smiling at us.  Heard some fancier dressed folks walk into the Methodist Church home cooked food building say “now this is Americana”.  Wonder who they were, asked some staff, but they didn’t know.  However they were served and waited on, unlike the rest of us who went through the line with our trays.  Bought 3 goofy Fair items which I hope I really use/display.  

First annual grandchildren visit "THE BAY" for the beach and Skip's for lunch, hope they return next summer.  Superman ice cream was enjoyed by 3 grandsons, who couldn't describe the taste, but it brought smiles.  

Time for Lake Puckaway with friends, first Packer game of the season, maybe a Badger game when we visit our niece in Madison, bus trip to Chicago and more…slow down summer!

Old summer memories~~~kool-aid, cinnamon toast, forts, playing cowboys and Indians, climbing trees, swinging high, going to Cedar Lake, going to Lake Michigan near Lake Forest, Adler Pool, “Railroad Salvage”, walking to Mason’s Drug Store for 10 cent flavored cokes at the counter, walking to the library, the Dorfler/Wagner picnic with a mountain of prizes and fun games galore.

What are some of your favorite old summer memories?

I Will Survive

OK, memories or things I took away from the 7th Annual Schneider Survivor Challenge, hosted by last year's winner...Lisa.

Great menu/beverage planning.

Skittles challenge was my favorite.

A photographer was hired this year.

It was fun to "see" Jane at intermission.
Rum Chata shots

How many more years can this "geriatric" participate?

Raina won by a  "nose" or was it a bullet?

 I came in last place.

Around the fire...

Jodi Picoult seems to be the favorite author of all, majority ruled.
I'll be adding to this post.

Happy Birthday Sarah

Dad and I wish our oldest daughter the best birthday ever, today, while packing to head to one of her favorite places in the world, the day after her 10th wedding anniversary, with a house filled with treasured loves.  

No, she doesn't sleep in the car on long rides.

Yes, her personality changes every time she gets her hair cut.

Yes, she's a last minute person who pulls things together and out of her hat in amazing ways.

Yes, she's competitive and a gambler, with a smile.

Style, hers is amazing and so comfortable.

No, she never wanted to learn to cook from me.

And yes, she is a delicious cook on her own, with a little help from her mother-in-law, friends, the Pioneer Woman and her grandparents.

Yes, she's a great sister, there for her sister and brother always.

Yes, she's a very caring person and an awesome daughter.

Yes, she gets excited about all new ventures in life, all stepping stones.  It is invigorating and amazing to see her joy.  

She's the first to apologize or explain herself if she says something wrong, calls you right back to say she's sorry.

Sarah is an amazing mother and wife and her family shows it -- you can feel it when you are around them.

Sarah has taught us, her parents, lots about life along the way and inspired us to be better people ourselves.

Hope you had a special day.

Love, Mom & Dad

Summerfest 2012

Had the chance to walk the walk to Summerfest from our parking spot at Cass & Wells.  Met up with Paul & Betty, 3 rock stages and then we found country singer Whitney Duncan (*see below) at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Stage.  Comfort set in and we liked the crowd and her music.  Still, walked round trip the length of the grounds and more, saw the new BMO Harris Pavillon - cool place - and Lucille's Dueling Piano venue, no tables available at JoJo's Martini Lounge, then back to the Briggs stage and ate on center bench seats while listening to Chasin Mason perform.  The wind was blowing and I didn't even have a purse.  Betty and I ventured over to the Marcus around 9:30 pm thinking we could sneak in to sit on the grass and listen to Steven Tyler and Aerosmith, but we couldn't get in :-(   Back to Paul & Bob and our bench seats for Phil Vassar - what a show!  People watching is amazing at Summerfest.  Men holding their woman's purse, standing on benches for hours bopping to the tunes, cowboy hats, cow girl boots, cute sundresses, everyone knowing the words to the tunes, food lines, beer lines, smiling faces, and yes, crowds everywhere.

Long ride home to Google Whitney Duncan and Phil Vassar to clarify just what we were listening to.  It was a great summer day after an easy going family picnic up North and a little car shopping too.

 *Survivor: South Pacific

Beginning September 2011, Whitney Duncan appeared as a contestant on the CBS reality television series, Survivor: South Pacific, as part of the Savaii tribe. Duncan formed a very close, romantic bond with Keith Tollefson, and the two teamed up with Jim Rice and another romantic pair, Ozzy Lusth and Elyse Umemoto, early on within the tribe. At the urging of Rice, Duncan cooperated in the elimination of Umemoto to limit Lusth's power.

At the merge, Duncan and the rest of the old Savaii tribe were betrayed by former tribemate John Cochran, leading to the voting out of the entire former Savaii tribe; Duncan herself was voted out on Day 27. Losing a Redemption Island duel the next day against former tribemates Lusth and Dawn Meehan, Duncan placed 9th and was part of the Jury.^[5]

More...

For those of you heard me admit my questioning interest in Quick Sand:

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/125548

Thanks Greg for sending me the link :-)

Charley lost his first top front tooth!
Sydney started walking.
Henry is swimming like a fish.
Ahhhh, I dream to see these three in person soon.

I lost inches, but no weight yet...patience is a virtue.

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

 Andre Gide

Yesterday Bob trimmed a dead bush.

I hosed down our sidewalks and thought of my Dad the entire time.

Spontaneity and friendship - what a combo!  Highlight of our weekend was "all of a sudden" (as my Uncle Don used to say) meeting good friends for a drink, sitting outside overlooking a lake, and chatting away in the wind.

 A summer night at the Delavan band shell listening to the perfect
sound of Martha Berner for over 2 hours - what could be better?

Got Santana Dawson's autograph on my Packer hat - woo hoo and
what a nice guy he is!  Saw Bart Starr and his wife too, they are 78 years old and remember, in person, Vince Lombardi's wise words.  Loved walking at the zoo in the VLCC Cancer Walk.

I put a poll on my blog (right side) two weeks ago, and not a single vote yet :-(
but it's ok.  Everyone is out and about doing their summer thing.

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,
A church filled with family and friends.
I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,
He said one that would make me his wife.
~Author Unknown

April and May 2012

Just some stuff I may want to remember or reflect on for myself ~~~

To clear drains, put 2-3 Alka-Seltzer tablets down the sink, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Leave for a few minutes, then run hot water.  It works!

I successfully received my 2nd (annual ?) cortisone shot in my right knee and I could feel it work almost immediately.  Ahhh, I love to walk.

Special Ice Cream Moments with Eli

 

Raina enlightened me as to a great thing a one $ dollar bill can buy - McDonald's diet coke (and it's LARGE!)

Did my first 5K and will do more - I don't have to run, and it's the perfect walking distance!  Walked the "Color Run" in Racine, along the shores of Lake Michigan, with Liz, Sarah and Raina - what a joy.  Everyone was smiling and pink walking shoes are ok.

Joined a "gym" and got a personal trainer to get me started - what an experience!  I have increased weights and reps and did things I've never ever done before.

Found a dress for the wedding and some fun jewelry but the shoes, oh wow, what shoes can I wear?  Need surgery on my left foot/big toe but thinking of putting it off until November.  Tried on several shoes, but nothing works so far.  It takes patience and I want them to be dressy and comfortable too.  Help!

Went on a Mystery Bus Tour with two friends.  Made it an overnight adventure beforehand, with shopping, a movie, fun supper out and games in the motel.  Realized that we enjoyed the comfortable bus travel but would prefer to choose our destination ourselves and not be surprised.  We talked about each making up our own surprise adventure and sharing it with the others ~~ let's see if we really do it.  First, get the date chosen...  Oh did you want to know where we went?  Ok, it was McDonald Headquarters, Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Illinois.

Finally got 3 new appliances that we were badly in need of.  Stuck with white and love them so far. 

Hugh got baptized on Mother's Day and it was a wonderful way to spend the day.

Hugh Robert Roeder

With friends, we started a new book club and enjoyed our first get together.  Supper, chatting, laughing and discussing the book "Caught" started us out on a new adventure in life.  We need to name our group.

Got to know Liz even better during the shower weekend.  Everyone was so generous and we put poor Liz on the spot with a few games, but she was an awesome trooper.  Greg joined us after fishing with Bob in the morning.  

Bob finally got new tires for the Mazda and now we want to buzz off here and there with our hair flying in the wind.  So we are in the midst of Memorial Dayweekend and we set out on Saturday afternoon for East Troy, city-wide garage sales going on, brat/corn fest in the square with live music, and old classic cars on display at Gus's.  Tommy Thompson was campaigning in the square and shook both Bob's and my hand, interesting moments as we listened to a band called Mostly Water playing Eagles tunes and classic rock.  Fun people watching too~~~ok, is this fashion or fun or what:  a guy with a bald spot on top of his head, wearing too big for him black Converse high tops, with black socks, plaid shorts down to his knees, black t-shirt with white wording - and dancing and smiling with friends, obviously in his own element, having fun, like so what, and it made me smile.  I have to get myself some of those shoes!


Happy Memorial Day weekend to all of you!  Sorry for the rambling in this blog, but it's where I'm at today. 

March Monkey Business

and the beat goes on...
We returned from our All-Inclusive trip, full of memories that make us smile.
Bucket list item checked off: Finally mastered a Segway!
2 days of work, then off to babysit for 3 grandchildren, ages 7, 4 and 1, I am ready!
Assistance from Greg and his "pockets full of magic". I really appreciated his help.
Big changes at work in our department - should I quit or should I smile and embrace?
Appliance "window" shopping on St. Pat's Day. Then corned beef etc. with Bob at some of our favorite haunts and then off to play cards with friends - what a great day! Whew~~
March Madness excitement, upsets, wins and a big loss for me! So, I'll cheer for Bob to win.
We are filling in our calendar for upcoming months.
Trying on mother-of-the groom dresses, to no avail.
8 nights of family visitors--such exuberance to keep us grandparents on our toes.
Time for a new doctor for me, hope I like her.
And the zoo, we finally made it to the zoo!

Exhale, breathe, walk and get the bike ready for this early spring and here comes April.

February 2012 is Busy

So busy at work that I can't clean my desk.
Doctor appointments that need to be taken care of.
Called employer's benefits department.
Called Social Security to find out about 2012 payments....and asked Medicare questions....and made Medicare decisions for me, for now.
Eli time while one of his day care gals goes on vacation.
My bag is packed for that last minute call.
Birthdays galore: Paul, Andy, Larry, Chip, Ed, Emma, Lynette, Uncle Jim, Gerald, mine and a new baby or two!
A Super Bowl without the Packers....relaxing!
Packing for an all-inclusive vacation.
Chili Cook Off in the Bay, my lips were burning.
Planning to go on a Mystery Bus Tour in April. Anticipation!!
Pre-party with all-inclusive friends - all of us excited!
Had a major birthday, brought Hershey bars to work for a treat.
Received many cards and loved them all, so special.
42nd anniversary at a gorgeous resort in riviera maya.

Perfect weather, soft skin again, floAting aimlessly in the ocean or pool, lalala.

Hugh Robert on the 19th.

Our "star is born" niece in a high school musical!

The Bowery for ribs...finally. Delicious!

Friends are so special.

Made these dog biscuits for Bailee-Boo and Bob and I tried one to make sure they were ok.

Bob's Shoes, Part 2

He's home now, so you can see he wore the pair of brown shoes on the right!

There is a shoe closet one yard from this photo!!
Last Saturday at Kohl's he was looking for new brown shoes (and yes, I rolled my eyes)!!!

Bob's Shoes

He's not home...I wonder which pair of brown shoes he wore to work today?

January 2012 Reflections

Someone at work said that I don't have a filter (over my mouth).
I hope our friends think that my vacation clothes are timeless.
I am nesting too, as is Raina, and my bag is packed.
This month I will have mastered my new wireless keyboard for my iPad!
Found my dog bone cutters and dog biscuit recipe~~Bailee, just wait!
Curled up with Words With Friends lots this month.

We have an Aaron Rodgers calendar hanging in our office.

A weekend with Eli and Bailee here was invigorating and special.
Enjoyed to the max a whirlwind weekend celebrating Sydney's 1st birthday, her baptism and Charley's first pinewood derby. Joyful family moments.
Enjoyed my friends' overnight visit, eating, gabbing, chick-flick, & shopping of course.
Tried 4 new recipes this month - love it.
I still have a few New Year e-mail greetings to respond to, and I will!
Football emotions rose high and low, and I am sad that the season is over.
Fantasy Football a must for next season.
My comfy black loafer shoes were found 3 months after I lost them!

I love my new red Lodge pot!

February here we come~~~with lots of birthdays, two births, Valentine's Day, a 42nd anniversary, babysitting, and an all inclusive trip with 14 of us!