Jingle Bells

Had a busy week with work and Christmas parties! Always fun to party with your co-workers. Things were going along great, the boss made a speech about how we are all family, etc. and then thirty minutes later a fight breaks out between significant others (boyfriends of employees) and the party is over! That was on Thursday night.
Friday- I went to surprise my Grandma on her 91st birthday!!! Her birthday was actually on Saturday but I couldn't make it on Saturday and she doesn't have access to a phone at the rehab hospital. She loved the surprise! It was fun, I took her a singing balloon and mini cupcakes with candles! Nice visit.
Stopped to have dinner with my dad on the way home. Friday fish fry in Wisconsin! Nothing compares! (well, that's not exactly true- one of the best fish fries ever was at Stoke's cabin in MN)
Saturday was the hospital Christmas party. THings went well except we had a terrible snow storm. Horrendous roads on the way home! Total white out! For you southern readers, that means it is snowing and blowing so much that when you look out your windshield all you see is white!!! Tense drive home but we made it safely!!
Yesterday- we watched football, cleaned house, did laundry, etc. Go Packers! Another win and another record for Brett Favre! Sports Illustrated Man of the Year!!! How awesome is that! We are so excited we might try to go to the game next weekend! Yeah!

Holiday Cheer

What a week! Very busy and on top of that we had snow/ice two days this week - making travel difficult! Oh well. Yesterday I was TGIFing! We went to a holiday party last night and had a good time! Today we are off to the city to see Jersey Boys and partake on some fine dining!
Next week is my company's Christmas party.... I need to bring either an ornament or CD for the gift exchange. Any suggestions on a CD's?

GoodBye Clutter, Hello Organization

YEah!!! I spent several hours today cleaning up clutter!!! Feels really good! Got rid of a ton of excess paper, magazines, newspapers, etc. Organized my work papers and bills. What a boring but important accomplishment!
Now onto cleaning the house! I cooked (well, really it was Aaron) a turkey the weekend of thanksgiving and discovered yesterday, when trying to bake something else, that the turkey dripped on the bottom of the oven creating a burnt smelly smoky residue. So, I am cleaning the oven today!! Exciting! Tune in for more craziness!!!

Thanksgiving In Review

Happy Thanks-giving!!! Aaron and I had a great time at his family's house for Thanks-giving! We made the turkey centerpiece and pilgrim hat's.... they were a hit! Although, few people ate the cheese on the turkey skewers, but all loved the grapes! We stayed over there until 1:30 AM! Crazy! It was a good decision to go as a couple, and it was a nice visit. Friday, we headed north to have another Thanksgiving with my family, sans both my brothers and their wives. We went to visit with my grandmother who fell 6 weeks ago and broke her shoulder. She is now in rehab (nursing home) trying to gain strength and motion. I attached a photo, Aaron took the picture but that is my whole family on my mom's side. We are a shrinking bunch! REally miss people when they don't show up. Saturday, Aaron and I relaxed! Actually, I had to round on a patient, but after that we relaxed. Today- we are going to get the Christmas tree and then cook our own turkey! REally wanted some turkey leftovers!

What a great weekend! Lots to be thankful for this year! Hope all my friends had an enjoyable Thanksgiving!

FootBall Weekend

What a great weekend! I planted half my new set of plants on Thursday. I was quite proud of my accomplishment especially since planting the new plants required re-planting some of the old plants! The neighbor came over and told me I was doing a good job! I had my ipod and was enjoying my planting experience, so I am not sure if he liked my plants or my dance!

Friday, Aaron came home and we went for a nice dinner at Pikk's Tavern, a new steak house. It was good!

Saturday, we loaded up the car with friends and headed to South Bend to watch the Notre Dame game with Aaron's brother and family. I had never been to a ND game before! It was a great game and ND won!!!! Maybe I should go to all the games, considering this was their second win of the season.

Sunday, again watched football! My Packers are on fire! Favre looks great! What makes it better is the Bears lost!!!!! Packers play the Lions on Thanksgiving...... so that gives me something to do @ Skube's house!

Hit a wine tasting charity event yesterday afternoon and had a really good time. Got a little tipsy, though! Today, I have the day off so I am going shopping this afternoon. Aaron and I got up early and finished planting the remainder of plants. Sure does go faster with two people!!! Our weather is pretty chilly now, maybe even some snow flurries on Thursday! I will try to post some photos of the plants, but really just ended up putting them in the ground where they could fit just to get them planted. I will have to rearrange in the spring. ( i really mean the landscape guy will do that part)

I am making some treats for Thanksgiving. Wasn't going to bring anything, but all my office staff thought that was rude so I am making pilgrim hats and a fruit turkey centerpiece. See below! Recipes are on http://familyfun.go.com/

Oops, I did it again!!!

Couldn't resist.... went back to remus farms and bought more plants!!! This time all smaller plants, always wanted some forcynthia (i know that is not how you spell it, but i like it better that way) and a whole bunch of other plants too! I will post a photo after I get them all in the ground. Our weather here is great! 65 degrees today, slight drizzle but who cares!

Aaron wants to go to his parents house for Thanksgiving. I am really torn on this one. I am trying to make it happen for him, but I have such a difficult time getting along with his family that it is painful to go there. For a recap, he has eight siblings and now half are married with several children each! Pack all those people along with some aunts, uncles, cousins and that is a house full! We, meaning me mostly, don't get alongwith his immediate family for several reasons. All of them silly, but i basically get ignored and left by myself like I have a socially unacceptable disease while aaron gets smothered with attention. I think aaron understands what his family does and how poorly they treat me but it is hard to not like your own family when they treat you so well. Ugh, I will probably suck it up and go over there. But first, I will get my hair done, buy a new outfit and a new pair of fall boots and workout like a mad lady!!!! If I can't join them, might as well make them hate me even more! Bad attitude, I know. Can't help it. These people really get my goat!

I have a busy work week. The crazy season has started early. I had to work every day last week, and it looks like it for this week too! Poor baby, right?! I usually only work 3 or 4 days a week. That leaves me time to get caught up on all the other stuff, like charts, billing, meetings, etc. Also, house work, grocery shopping, phone calls. The end of the year is really a busy time but it doesn't typically start until after Thanksgiving. I guess this is good though, I am gearing up to ask for a year end bonus and also a raise for next year. THat should prove interesting!!!

Those Are Some Trees!!!

I love trees! And am addicted to shopping all the fall sales at the local nurseries. I actually buy it all, burning bushes, forsynthia, day lillies, ornamental grasses, etc. but lately I have been into the evergreens, spruces, arborvitae, etc. Well, needless to say, I went shopping yesterday and bought some more trees. Aaron really didn't say too much when I called him to tell him I would like to buy some trees --- so i bought six of them. When he came to pick them up, all he could say was "Six of them" over and over. I didn't realize until we got home that he was actually a little upset, well he thought I was crazy for buying so many right before winter. And, our temperature has been dipping really low during the nighttime with impending frost due shortly so we have to plant them really quickly. Aaron has this expression "Cynth dreams it Skub builds it". Well- he is probably right. He was thinking this tree idea would create a ton of work for him, so I told him not to worry - I would dig the holes. Well- I started digging today. These trees are HUGE and require HUGE holes!!! I was out in the yard digging and had maybe gotten a hole 18" in diameter maybe 6" deep when along comes Devin, our landscape buddy! How lucky am I!! Not only is he good looking but he offered to bring his guys over tomorrow and knock out this tree planting for me! I hope this makes me look like a hero to Skub!!!! He might have to change his expression!! Check out the load of trees!

Halloween 2007

Happy Halloween!!!! Here are some photos from the Halloween party. Always a good time!

A Blast From the Past

Last night I spoke to Jim Kazmierkowski. Hadn't talked to him in quite awhile. It was really nice catching up with him on college people and the latest happenings. Jim and his wife, Perl, are expecting their second baby, due next March! He also told me that Carlson is getting married! And that Johanns found a girl he really liked but after a dozen dates, it turned out to be a no go.
I was going to share my blog site with him and advised him to develop one of his own. Anyone else interested in sharing their site? He asked about all you Morris women!!!! I told him how hot everyone is and how great Breard's boobs are! Too bad you didn't show them off in college- it might have been an entirely different experience socially.
I am off for a week of vacation! I might end up taking my computer if I get an internet card tomorrow. I FINALLY got my laptop back, however- several things are weird! Like the screen display intensity is dim, and the quick play feature of my HP pavilion doesn't work. Not sure how to turn it on - if it is off, or if it just doesn't work. Maybe Cari could give me a shout out to her hubby and see what he thinks?!?!! Help a sister out!!
Miss all my girls!!!!
LOL

Photo

Here is my caterpillar and the hole he put in the amarylis leaf blade!

It's Friday

Yeah! It's Friday and Aaron is coming home tonight, albeit @ 2 am, so i guess that makes it tomorrow! Oh well- it will be nice to see him.

Went out on Wednesday and had a little (ok, a lot) of adult beverages. Haven't done that in a while. Sure felt somewhat sick yesterday.

Happy Birthday MOM! Congrat's on another wonderful year!!! WE are going out to Seattle for a nice vacation together next week. Hope the weather holds for us as we plan to go exploring!!!

Wish I could post photos... I have been doing some home improvement projects like painting and hanging curtains. THis old computer doesn't recognize the USB ports and I have tried to download the software to no avail. My laptop should come in next week :) Keep your fingers crossed.

The temperature here dropped from 90 degrees on Monday to 59 degrees today! Ugh! THat really sucks. Not that 60 degrees by itself is bad but the 30 degree drop makes you feel like it is 40 degrees outside. Brutal!

Hope everyone is doing well. I am hosting a costume halloween party - if you are interested in attending- give me a holler!!!

Damn Take Out Food!

Forgot Rule #1 when ordering take out food:
Check to make sure all that you ordered is in the bag!!!
Thought I would grab some BW3's tonight and wanted six naked tenders with medium sauce and a side salad. I cut up the chicken and dip it in the sauce and then sprinkle it on the salad, the medium sauce is like my salad dressing. Well- sure enough, I get home and the clerk forgot the medium sauce! Bummer!

Kudos to Home Depot

So, I thought I had a mouse in the house. Woke up on Tuesday to some black "crumbs" on my window ledge in the kitchen. Was in complete denial and just cleaned up the "mess". Went to bed- the house was in order. Get up on Wednesday and the same "crumbs" are in the same location on the window ledge. Almost as if somebody was playing a game with me. On further evaluation, it appeared that whatever was pooping on the ledge was eating my amaryllis plant leaves! I texted a picture to Skube and he thought it might be a mouse. Having seen mouse droppings several years ago, I was skeptical. It didn't look like mouse turds. And do mice eat plants??? The internet said that mice eat anything, including plants. Still really didn't think it was a mouse but what could it be then??? Any ideas??

Well- I went to Home Depot to pick up some of those glue pads so that I could at least "trap" what ever it is and see it. I needed help in finding that particular item and the saleslady was telling me about the different varieties of traps. I ended up telling her my story. She said- no way is it a mouse, maybe it is a caterpillar! A what!!!! Caterpillar! Come on - don't you think I would see that!!!!
And this feeding only happens at night. We researched in some books at home depot but the lady thought for sure it was a nocturnal caterpillar.
I got home late that night and had placed my plant on the deck that morning because I felt it was contaminated. Before going to bed, I thought I should check on the plant! Guess what..... a huge caterpillar was on the blade of the plant!!!! Took several photos for the lady at HD!!!! I was impressed! Not a mouse, invasion of the caterpillar!!! FYI- the poop from a caterpillar is called frass! Not sure if you can ever use that info or not but it is great fertilizer for plants!

Wii

I got a Wii, nintendo's new gaming system. This thing is hilarious. I have the standard sports games that came with it and then got Transformers. I haven't played the transformers game yet. You all should check it out! I just read this morning that a hospital is using the gaming system to rehab patients! See- I am on the cutting edge!!

Go Packers Go!!! Sorry to all you Vikings fans, but you have to just love Brett Favre! How cool is he! Aaron is going up to Green Bay for his next job and I am sending ALL my green bay packers gear with him so that he can track down Brett and get him to autograph something, anything!

I have been increasing my workouts and decreasing my eating (especially bad food items like chips and fries) and I was doing really well before I went to Fla. Now- I feel I look better but still weigh about the same. I am working on my stomach...use to have a nice one, but not anymore! Where is my linea alba!!! I put that in for Katie!

I am tired from my trip south. THe airline lost my luggage on the way back. Never had that problem before. Wasn't really sure what to do!!! ANyway, had to go to work on Tuesday with little makeup, no hair products or hair dryer and I had to brush my teeth with my finger. Not a pretty day!!!

Did a revision surgery on a rheumatoid patient this week using some innovative products and the case went really well. I hope she recovers nicely... what a boost for her if she does, she will be able to walk "normally" again!

Not sure what to do this weekend. Still flying solo!

Hi From Florida

Hey Friends!
I am currently in Florida on the last day, fly out in 4 hours. Enjoyed my stay but did all adult things. Laid out at the clubhouse (managed to improve my tan), ate seafood, went to Kennedy Space Center (but got there too late so we didn't go through), hit Cocoa Beach, did the City Walk, etc. No Disney or Epcot this trip.
No Mickey Mouse :(

In my last blog, I faked ya'll out. I am not currently planning on moving my house and belongings. I am pondering my work and possibly a job change. Sorry to pump fake you guys.

Catch you guys later!!!
LOL to all my friends who read my blog. Ditto Breard's thoughts on the blog!

Fla!!!

Florida here I come!!
Crazy week! I entertained myself for the second straight week! I managed to talk to Stokes, so all is good!
Breard must be busy--- she isn't posting at all compared to how she use to post.
Glad George will get the bunny back. I remember my favorite blanket, took it everywhere. Just call me Linus! The blanket finally just wore out, shreds of fabric.


Still pondering my next move.

And now the rest of the story!

Ok- I'm back. Where did I leave off....
Keeli and I went out to meet the girls from work and my x-ray tech (who is currently separated and going thru a divorce) brought with her this dude she is seeing. I personally do not like him but I have high standards for the guys my friends date- so maybe that is not unusual that I don't like him BUT Aaron did not like him either and it has to take a LOT for Aaron not to like someone (ususally if he can drink beer he is ok in Aaron's book) Aaron thinks this guy has a vocabulary of 42 words!!! Enough said- she seems to really like him. Anyway, he offended keeli right off the bat. We had a good time at the first bar but really wanted to do some dancing so we headed off to a dance club. I called a friend from the hospital who happens to be male, to meet us ladies out at the club. (my friend is nice but he makes way more money than we do, so it just seems right that he buys us drinks! Just like college!) WE head out and my friend is there, we are dancing and drinking and having a great time when my x-ray tech and her boyfriend show up. He flipped off Keeli and I think some words were said because my hospital friend took off after mr. 42 word vocabulary to kick his a$$!!! Crazy- didn't even know that hospital friend would do that!!! Surprising! Four REALLY big bouncers came over and ended that event. When I approached my office girl- her reaction was that it was "funny". Funny????!!!??? ARe you crazy! You can't just flip people off in public.... that is not funny! Missed what is funny about that, you don't even know these people and you flip them off! Isn't that symbol internationally known!!!
Well- maybe I am overreacting but it makes me look bad to the hospital friend that my office staff's dude is so rude. Thoughts are welcome.
Sunday- I woke up early (damn red bull!) and went to church with my mom, then apple picking all day in MI! When I say picking - I mean selecting already picked apples. But we traveled around to several fruit farms to select them. Caught the football games via radio. GO Packers!!! Yeah- Brett Favre!

You know that heart sinking feeling?!?!?

I discovered this morning that I have the same problem that I had when all of us college girls went to Danielle's cabin around fourth of july back in 2002 (Man - was it that long ago?) If you don't know what I am talking about - too bad. I am not sharing it. Just made my heart sink, terrible feeling!

Anyway- Moving on! Great weekend, although it was sans Skube! Friday night, I went up to Chicago, south side, and had sushi and saki bombs with Keeli and her mom. We had a great night out. Then on Saturday, I slept in (sorry to write that since most of my friends reading this have kids and don't usually get that luxury) and then wnet outside and replanted some azaleas that weren't doing so well in the front yard, so i put them in the back yard. I then replaced them with some rhododendron in the front. Hope that works out better. THen i picked up Keeli and we went to the art fair (bought two ceramic pieces) and the to the outlet mall. We followed that little shopping excursion with a trip to BW3's and the rest of the Michigan vs. ND football competition of the losers game!!! Michigan beat the snot out of ND, in case you didn't catch it. ND sucks bad this year (aaron is a big fan)!!!
Saturday night - the office girls went out since my receptionist just had a baby and this was her first night out and drinking!!! I have to go to work now but I will fill you in on the rest of Saturday night later today!

Life in the slow lane

Okay so I survived a whole week by myself! The weirdest part is how quite it is!!!
I miss dialog! I find myself talking just to hear something. I'm not bored, just a little lonely!
It is a shame I can't hang out with my brothers and their families, it just doesn't work out that way :( Still working on those relationships.
Anyway- I am still pondering work. It has been a challenging year and with Aaron's new line of work and travel schedule I am thinking about doing something different.
Like write a book!?!!
Looking forward to my trip south next week. I am currently trying to get some football tickets for next weekend- hope that works out!

Went out for sushi last night in Chicago... had a few saki bombs! Maybe two too many! I am hanging out with the office girls tonight. Then picking Michigan apples tomorrow with my mom.
Still trying to get a hold of STokes! If you are out there - email me!!!!

Thursday

Weather has cooled off considerably here. Fall has arrived. I have been a little lazy lately. Need to get my yard ready for winter with some final fertilizer and maybe even some grass seed and black dirt in places.
I have been trying to work out too. Not sure how that is going. I bought a scale and am weighing myself daily. Ugh! Would like to shape myself out of 9#'s or so.
Heading down to see Aaron next weekend and am really looking forward to the trip.
Not much new to report. Still floating along.

Aha! Back Bloggin'

Well- my computer currently only lets me access to "certain" online accounts. Those accounts vary by day. Friday, I tried in vain to post and every attempt froze up the computer. Maybe by Christmas I will have my house back in order.

Anyway- Skube is traveling for work and is in Orlando! Tough job!
Packers WON today and sorry folks but the Bears LOST!!!!
Planning a trip to Seattle with my mom for October....should be fun to go back, hope the weather holds. WE should plan another Morris adventure. That would be awesome. Just planting the seed.

Stokes- I am calling you tonight, hope I catch you. Don't mean to put you off but things have been crazy.

Had a golf outing yesterday that I did terrible at. Hope Jeny is golfing better :)
Need to do some more laundry, incidently, I ordered some of the Lia Sophia jewelry and I like the pieces. Somewhat unique things. I ventured outside my usual silver to some torquise and another piece that is brownish. Would like to post photos but my USB port is fried and my laptop has not been replaced yet!

Katie- Did you pass? How was it?

Try and Make Grands!

Aaron came home for the weekend (he has been working out of town lately) and wanted to make a good breakfast; eggs, sausage, grands bisquits, etc. He was so excited I really felt bad when I had to tell him - no oven, no Grands!!! Sorry, quite the disappointment!
My office girl is going to deliver her baby any day now. She went in to the hospital on Friday but did the "walk of shame" as Breard called it! She felt embarrassed to be told to go home, but sometimes that is how it goes.

I am hosting a Lia Sophia party next Friday and you'll are invited to come over. There won't be any baked goods but plenty of adult libations!!!!

Made pickles today and also beer! Hope they both turn out.
Would love to get to MN to see Stokes, Jack, Henry, Katie, Hope, Danielle, etc. I am going to check out flights right now, while I have use of Aaron's computer!!!

Lightning Strikes!

I had lightning strike my house and wreck havoc with my electrical system. Crazy things are happening! Neither one of my computers at home works, nor my oven (not affecting me too much on that loss) but other weird things have happened too. Like my cell phone jumps an hour ahead. How does that happen, shouldn't it be synched to satellite? Weird! My I-Pass transponder to pay the tolls isn't working. Crazy!
Dealing with the insurance adjuster has been a complete headache and I haven't resovled one problem yet.

lip gloss

I bought this flavored shiny lip gloss from Victoria's Secret and I really like it. It smells good and tastes good too. The only problem is I like licking my lips to taste the flavor of the gloss and have dried out my lips. What a great concept. Create a flavored gloss so tasty that you lick it off constantly, needing to reapply and use way more of the product! Genius. Pure Genius.

Feeling Better

Thank God I am feeling better! What a crazy week! I really haven't been able to eat much and have been experiencing significant stomach/intestinal cramping that I thought maybe I had a bowel obstruction! To make matters worse, Aaron was working out of town all week! Yeah- it sucks to be sick but it is worse to be alone and sick! I actually made it to work every day this week (not sure why I am so dedicated to my job, especially in light of current events) but then would come home and crash. My problem was lingering so many days that yesterday I logged on to the internet and googled "abdominal pain" and the first thing that came up was a webpage for "are you pregnant?". No, I am not! But when I told Aaron about this, ( I thought it was kinda humorous) he gave a completely different reaction. More along the lines of "better not be". Interesting! Like that cell phone commercial, where the girl calls her husband in the airport to tell him she is pregnant and right after she gives him the news, the cell phone drops the call so she misses his reaction and she is like " way to step up Roger!". Way to step up Aaron!
Don't think I have forgotten all the bets out there ... I specifically remember Hope saying I would get knock-up before I got married! But not this time.

I am flying to San Antonio next week Thurs- Sun for work, staying right on the riverwalk in a nice hotel if anyone wants to come down you are more than welcome to crash out in my hotel, plus I can hook you up with some great dinners too! If you fly near my times, you can catch free transportation to the airport and back!!! If you haven't been there, the riverwalk is awesome and definitely worth seeing, plus for all my married with children friends, if you can get grandma and grandpa to take charge, there are some great going out spots too!
Jsut a thought!

Kat Woman

Okay Katie! In my previous post, I was just wondering in which part of the city this particular bridge was located. Have I traveled this bridge before?

Texas BBQ

Forgot to mention the Texas BBQ. Aaron wanted to experience true texas bbq (like he sees on the food network) so I found this place in the middle of Texas (no lie) and we travelled great distances to go and eat here. Interestingly enough, the address i found on the internet lead us to a run down house. Aaron and I were about to get really upset when I rounded the corner and found the large smoke grills and store front. Apparently, they started out of their house but now it is a big time operation. Anyway- they had several large grills like the one in the picture and you just walk up and select your own meat. Then you proceed inside, where they weigh your meat, you pay for it, and then enjoy it picnic style with free bread, jalapenos, and the fixin's. Great food!!! Cooper's rocked! p.s. you can order it from the internet too!

Texas BBQ

Photos

Just got back from a trip to San Antonio for Cari's wedding reception. We had a great time! I promised Aaron a trip down the river in a tube while we were there and although the area has been getting a ton of rain we finally got to go tubing on Monday! It was a great time but would not recommend the Comal river- pick the guadelupe instead. Managed to come home with some weird type of illness. Not that you care but had some GI turmoil on Monday night/Tuesday, yesterday had a high fever instead, today back to the GI turmoil. Not sure what is going on but I am basically unable to eat. Great for losing weight but not so good for daily functioning! Hope to feel better tomorrow- just in time for the weekend!!!

Here's a shout out to my friend Sunita!!! Congrats on your new job - what a great opportunity for you! Yeah!!! You go girl!

Scary bridge collapse in MN! Where is that located? (My sense of direction is off.)

80's song titles and artists

I have to put this in my blog as I am really proud of myself!
Since I have XM in my car, I have started paying attention to song titles and artists. Now- historically, I am not the best at this category.
We typically partake in the local bar sponsored trivia night which consists of 5 rounds; 3 rounds of 2 songs( name artist and song title) and 10 questions and 2 rounds of 12 photos (i.d. the celeb/person). If you win a round- you get a free round of drinks for your team and if you win 1st or 2nd place over all you get a $25 gift certificate. Most times we can eek out a free round of drinks but lately we had been winning!!! Yeah team. Well, the last few weeks only three players (out of 10) have shown up. Aaron, me and Tony (a 23 yr old). Needless to say, we haven't been doing so great. But this week, the d.j. forgot his photos for the photo round so instead, he played a cd of 80's hits - name the song and artist for 12 songs. I ended up getting 8 1/2 correct and won my team a free round of drinks! Man was it exciting!!!! Although, I kept thinking how Breard would kick my @ss in this, and how fun this would have been in college!!!! I am sure this disc is available somewhere, possibly Jeny has it! Songs from Asia, Toto, Men at Work, Michael Jackson, The Police! Priceless!!!

Creepy Cop Story

Ok. So I have been in a funk lately and was running a wee bit late yesterday for this surgery case at Northlake (30 minutes from my house in the middle of Gary). Not sure why, I got up on time but was late leaving and then I was out of gas. So on my way to the hospital - I took a detour and got gas. After the pit stop, it was easier to take a different hwy instead of the freeway. I have traveled this road several times and it takes you thru the north part of Gary but puts you right at the hospital. Well- there was this cop driving along side of me on the road. I noticed him - particularly since he was driving weird, hurrying up to get in front of me then slowing down to get behind me, then pulling up next to me at lights, etc. I didn't think much of it until he was ahead of me and then did some ghetto driving to pull right up on my ass behind me. By now, I am almost to the hospital. He then turns on his lights!! I thought that couldn't possibly be for me but pulled onto a side street to let him pass and he pulls up behind me. He asked for my license and registration and tells me my plate is expired. As he is standing there all cocky- he wanted a good reason to NOt impound my car immediately! Impound my car...What??? ARe you crazy!
So I said that I was late for a surgery over at the hospital and needed my car. He said " Oh, you are a doctor?" "yes" "Well- that is a physical I would look forward to having weekly" (My mouth was falling open... he did not just say that!) To which I reply- Oh no- not that kind of doctor. I am a foot doctor.
"Not for one day a week your not." (Yikes- you are really scaring me now, in the middle of Gary all by myself with this law enforcement dude) He actually told me he would look forward to turning his head and coughing!!!!
Then he handed my license back and let me go. I proceed to the next light and he motions for me to roll down my window. I did and he says he will check on me tomorrow to make sure my license plate is renewed. Then he followed me to the hospital! Crazy!
I know you are all thinking he pulled me over for speeding but apparently I'm just hot! Or a psycho magnet? Not sure which one!!!!!

Incidently- the girl that was having surgery was 17 years old. She broke her ankle jumping out of a three story window. Apparently, she got caught "doing it" with her girlfriend and thought it best to escape by jumping out her window!!! She totally messed up her ankle and will be regretting that decision in 5 years! Worst ankle I have seen on such a young person!!!!

Ups and Downs

I had a great weekend - for the most part. It was a really difficult week due to some discord with my partner in the business; but to top it off, one of my referring primary care doctors blew his lid and went off on me Friday morning when I asked him to admit his patient to the hospital. Long story short, I admitted the patient thru another G.P. and this guy found out and was even more pissed! But the patient is doing a lot better - and I guess that is what it is all about!

Friday night we went over to the nativity fest, which is a HUGE party thrown by a catholic church. It was fun, lots of people I knew. They also had this bungee/trampoline game there. It looked like fun! You get to jump on the trampoline and the bungee cords are attached around your waist - so it vaults you high in the air. I was a little scared to try it since all the other participants were children and I weigh three times those little kids, but I got up and did it! It was great! So much fun... I was even doing flips!

Then on Saturday- we went to the Gary Airshow. It was a great weather day and we sat out on the beach with some friends just drinking, swimming, and watching the planes. The Stealth Bomber was the coolest! The pilot flew over us three times. One from left to right, one from right to left and then he came straight for us and went right over our heads! How scary would that be in a war situation! By the time you hear him- game over..... hence the stealth part in the plane's name.

Yesterday- I went to church with my mom. Then we all went over to the new Bass Pro Shop store. The place is HUGE! THey have everything you could possibly need except a pedometer (which is what we went there for) and the funny thing is my mom picked one up in the Brass Pro shop in branson, MO last month and wanted another! So I guess the stores do not all carry the same things. Apparently, people in Branson walk, people in Portage do not! It took three salespeople to find one that actually knew what a pedometer was.... youth these days!
We picked up some sweet corn for dinner, yummy! and then headed over to Greg and Mary's for desert. Spent some time with Kaylen, my niece, who I have not seen for 6 months. we had a nice visit! Hopefully things are back on track there.

Whew! I think I had a Breard weekend! Chock full of activities! I rather enjoyed it too!

Thanks Friends!

Great Ideas! Thanks so much! The baby shower is for a first-time mom (my cousin) and she is having a boy due in late August. They also live in Minneapolis! I thought about making a blanket for her but just don't seem to have the time and really, in all honesty, haven't done any sewing lately.
I am looking forward to the weekend. Tonight is the Portage Catholic church's fundraiser--- I am not catholic but those catholics sure know how to throw a party!!!
And then tomorrow is the Gary Air Show-- I am going to go over to my friends house and crash their party :)

More on my midweek crisis next week.
Oh, and I almost forgot, I am heading over to my brother Greg and sister-in-law Mary's house on Sunday to deliver the 1 year-old's gift --- wish me luck!!!

Your Input Needed

Okay guys! I need advice! I have a baby shower coming up and the registry is full! What is a well needed but not always thought of before the baby comes gift?
And- I have a one year old's birthday party to go to..... what do one year olds like to do?

I have had a troubling week at work. Yesterday was especially bad, the kind where now I am questioning everything! Don't even want to talk about it until I figure some things out.

Much Ado About Nothing

What is new?!?! What is new!?! Not too much happening but have been very busy. How does that work out? Managed to get out on the boat a few more times. A few have asked about it.... we bought it last year when we rented the lake house for the week. Picked it up for a reasonable price. It is a 14' Bombadier Sea Doo speed boat. The thing really flies but like all Sea Doos - are susceptible to damage to the motor/parts. Not sure why that is but it is! Anyway- the boat goes fast and is great for pulling a tube but not so great for waterskiing and can only hold 4 people. Next time , I would suggest a skiing boat. They are also reasonable and fast.

Our weather is HOT and HUMID! I planted three flats of flowers and have not been able to keep up with watering them! And forget the lawn... might have to put a pool in instead! Now that is a great idea!

Congratulations to my friend Cari on her wedding! Can't wait to see you at the end of the month!

The Weekend

We had a great weather weekend and I thought it would be nice to take our boat out. Last year we rented a cabin on the lake for a week and bought a 14' speed boat so we could go tubing and waterskiing. Well- we soon found out our boat needed a little work! After vacation last year- the boat got a tune up and new seats! Actually- the seats just got done on Wednesday so I wanted to try the boat out (so did Aaron) and see what our new and improved speed boat could do! We headed out to a local lake on Saturday and had a GREAT time tubing and attempting to waterski! The boat was flying! We just got carried away with how fast the boat could go - we ended up shredding the fabric liner of our tube! I am sure others on the lake were laughing at us but we really had a great time! I woke up today (2 days later) and am as stiff as a board! Damm- getting older sucks! Didn't think I was THAT out of shape! Yesterday wasn't so bad but today....SORE!!! Oh well- off to work I go!

Aaron's Birthday!

Yeah! Aaron finally caught up to me in age and we celebrated like rockstars. I made him jumbo cupcakes and he blew out ALL the candles...I guess no girlfriends! Then we hung out with some friends for a night of good clean jackassery!!!!

PHOTOS

Hello!
Here are a couple of photos from the Dallas trip/ bachelorette party. The wild and crazy ones are yet to come! I am master chef making some "male anatomy" sugar cookies! And one of Jeny and me!!! Remind anyone of college?!? Just add booze and boys!!!!

Cross-Town Rival

Cubs vs. White Sox OFAI outing was Saturday! Too bad the weather didn't cooperate better (drizzly and light rain most of the time) but we had a blast!!!
Then I cruised up north for my dad's 65th birthday party! Great day!

I had a great day out in Shipshewana. It was fun to visit all the little shops. I picked up a couple of cool gifts. (at least I think they are cool). I had lunch with the boys and then did some shopping. Here are some photos of the water slides Aaron is building/assembling. They are HUGE! A child's paradise! Where was this stuff when I was little!!!

Pod Girl!

Hello Everyone!
Recent developments have forced me to start a new blog site. I will be posting on this one from now on. Funny- I started blogging after my girlfriends from college picked it up and have really become attached to it.

Today- I am off to Shipshewana to hang out with the Amish, shop the flea market and check out Aaron's new project. I will take my camera and post some photos later.

Glad to hear the MN babies are doing well!
Kudos to Saera on the birth of her fourth child: a baby boy! Can't wait for photos!