Visually Impaired

Well, Maddie has officially joined the visually impaired ranks of the other members of our family. She got her first pair of glasses this past week. She has been incredibly responsible and has worn them every day without fail.

It was funny (and a bit frustrating for me) when we picked them out together a couple weeks ago. Actually, there was no we involved in the process. It was just her. I tried by darndest to impart my opinion upon her as to which glasses I liked. But she really couldn't have cared less about my opinion. Not in the least.

She knows what she likes. And she knows what she doesn't.

So I just relaxed the "control-freak" part of my personality. And bit my tongue.

I guess I'm raising a strong, independent, and opinionated young woman.

...a strong, independent, and opinionated young woman who has pretty good taste in glasses.

Girls Night Out...with Jon

I went to the Bon Jovi concert with a group of girlfriends on Wednesday night. It was so great and we had a blast!

We started the night with some appetizers and a few drinks. Then we took a shuttle bus, and a few drinks, to the Xcel Center for the concert. Then we listened to Daughtry and had a drink. Then Bon Jovi came out, we had a drink, screamed/sang really loud and danced like crazy. Then we all planned a girls-only weekend trip to Mexico this summer.

(Surprise, honey! I told them all you'd be cool with it...)

(Love you!)

Me, Laura, Dee, Stephanie, Cindy, Lisa, Bev, Heather

We had really great seats! And I figured out how to use my new camera phone.

He was so great! Some of their old songs totally brought me back to 1986. Remember "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Wanted Dead or Alive"? Or how about "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Bad Medicine"? Ooooo, or what about "I'll Be There for You"?

You're feeling it, aren't you?

Now...go ratt your hair up as high as you can, dust off that old blue eye shadow, get those jeans tucked and rolled, close your eyes and think about the good ol' days.

(...yeah, I know. We'll talk about the Mexico trip.)

Spring in Minnesota

Here are a few signs that spring-like weather is on it's way to Minnesota:

1. Forgotten power-sources from outdoor Christmas lights are revealed once again.

2. Neighborhood baseball resumes and kids can be found playing on dirty mounds of snow...sans socks and wearing jean jackets.

3. Damn sports equipment laying all over the yard snow again.


OK...so it's been a long time since my last post. In fact, it's been so long, that these pictures seem truly obsolete right now as we are blanketed in a layer of that white stuff once again.


SPRING!?!?!? WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?

Ode to Brett

I've finally composed myself enough to post a little tribute to my man, Brett. Didn't you just want to hug him at the teary press conference?

Here is a pretty cool video tribute to Brett Favre from YouTube. I guess it's only cool if you are a Packers fan. Or if you love Brett Favre. Or if you can't imagine watching the Packers playing without him. Or if you think he's really, really cute. Or if you like the soundtrack from "300" or "Gladiator".

And if not, I guess you would think it's pretty cheesy.

Ha! Get it? Cheesy!


Good Lord, I think I'm delirious in my mourning...





Anyway, thought I'd pull some pictures from my own collection in tribute to him:

This is way back in 1997 - getting ready for the Super Bowl victory

1998 - Packer babies
2005 - 10th Anniversary trip to Door County - stop at Lambeau Me and my guy during the playoffs 2008

And this one's my favorite! Aren't they cute little cheeseheads??

New look...

Aside from playing with my camera and exploring the wonders of PhotoShop, I've also had another project in the works this week.

Some of you may know that I LOVE to paint. In fact, back when we moved into our new house in 2002, every wall in every room in my house was painted within a few months. We've now been living with this green paint for over 5 years.

Although change was the primary reason for the new decor, it is also very important to actually move your stove away from the wall every few years in order to vacuum the hordes of dust bunnies from underneath and scrape away the years of dried goop that has run down the sides of the tucked-in appliance.

That sure wasn't pretty...

Here are some before pictures:




And here is what it looks like now:

You may notice that the little insets where the TV and cable/stereo components set are still the original color. For that project, I'll need the assistance of my big, strong, and technically-inclined husband.

Boy, it would sure be too bad if that big, heavy, ginormous TV dropped and broke while we were moving it. I'd just hate to have to buy a new one. Say, like one of those pretty-plasma-flat-screen-thingies that just hang on the wall.

Yeah. That really would be too bad.

Swimming Summary

The kids wrapped up their fall/winter season this past weekend at A/B Finals. Maddie pulled together 6 qualifying times (50 Free, 50 Back, 100 Free, 200 Free, 100 Breast, and 100 IM) and Will had 1 in his 100 Free. They both swam great, had a blast, and were absolutely thrilled to be there!

So, now that I have a little free time, about 879 swim pictures, and a brand new book called "Photoshop Elements 6 for Dummies", I decided to take on a little video-editing project:

You didn't know I was into Rap/ Hip-Hop music, did you?