So I'm talking with Sharen like I normally do when either one of us is bored with work and she mentions that Billy is coming home. Billy is a South Elgin Firefighter married to a Reuter - yes one that is related to my sister Vicki and her family. He has been in Iraq for the last 10 months.
"Yeah they are having the fire truck pick him up at the oasis and then the motorcycles "Patriot Guard" are meeting them at the Tyler Creek forest preserve right off the tollway at 31."
"Did anyone call the paper?" That's the newspaper blood in me talking!
"No I don't think so."
"I'll call you right back,"
I get on the phone call the newsroom and tell them what is going on.
Here are the results.
It looks so much better on the front page of the paper!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
MY Heroes
Mom and I took some flowers over to decorate the graves of my Dad and my brother Lester. My Dad had been gone 15 years in April. I got the flowers from my garden except for the Iris'. Those Sharen gave me. Mom said that Dad was probably smiling down at us. Red, white and blue (okay purple but close enough) Lilacs, Red Tulips, and Bridal wreath - were all flowers we had in the yard growing up on Forest.
Dad served our country as a Marine and fought in WWII at Iwo Jima.
I love you, Dad.
Lester Has been gone 20 years this May 31. Mom knew exactly where to find Lester's grave marker and the planter buried in the ground for his flowers.
Lester was a service man in the United States Air Force.
I miss you, Bro.
My husband is a US Marine.
His father served in the Army!
His son in the Navy!
I'm proud to be related to all these men.
A special thank you also to my brother-in-law, Bill for his service in the Marines. My nephew Joe, in the Army, and my other nephew Ed who is currently serving his country in the Army in Iraq.
Dad served our country as a Marine and fought in WWII at Iwo Jima.
I love you, Dad.
Lester Has been gone 20 years this May 31. Mom knew exactly where to find Lester's grave marker and the planter buried in the ground for his flowers.
Lester was a service man in the United States Air Force.
I miss you, Bro.
My husband is a US Marine.
His father served in the Army!
His son in the Navy!
I'm proud to be related to all these men.
A special thank you also to my brother-in-law, Bill for his service in the Marines. My nephew Joe, in the Army, and my other nephew Ed who is currently serving his country in the Army in Iraq.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Use It Up......
Wear it out.
Make it do.
Or do without!!!
Anybody that knows me - knows these are my favorite words to live by. Just ask Bryan about me and my obsession with paper towels.
At work there are 2 people with a key to the supply closet. I'm one of them.
Everyone in the Advertising Department must come to me for everything. I DO keep a small supply of everyday things like pens, paperclips and folders that they can get at. But I'm the one to "stock the drawer".
So Nancy (she's one of the good guys) wants a steno pad. They keep these under lock and key for the reporters.
I ask to see hers and how many pages she has left. She thinks I'm the paper police!
I recite my famous saying. Use it up etc. and by now everyone here can finish it for me. I check her pad and decide that she could use a new one.
She followed me to the closet and locked me in. :)
She thought that she was punishing me! Thank you God - I hate early holiday deadlines and the hassle. I didn't cave - They needed me more than I needed to work. After about what felt like 10 minutes they let me out.
Some days I love my job. It helps that my boss is out with knee surgery.
Make it do.
Or do without!!!
Anybody that knows me - knows these are my favorite words to live by. Just ask Bryan about me and my obsession with paper towels.
At work there are 2 people with a key to the supply closet. I'm one of them.
Everyone in the Advertising Department must come to me for everything. I DO keep a small supply of everyday things like pens, paperclips and folders that they can get at. But I'm the one to "stock the drawer".
So Nancy (she's one of the good guys) wants a steno pad. They keep these under lock and key for the reporters.
I ask to see hers and how many pages she has left. She thinks I'm the paper police!
I recite my famous saying. Use it up etc. and by now everyone here can finish it for me. I check her pad and decide that she could use a new one.
She followed me to the closet and locked me in. :)
She thought that she was punishing me! Thank you God - I hate early holiday deadlines and the hassle. I didn't cave - They needed me more than I needed to work. After about what felt like 10 minutes they let me out.
Some days I love my job. It helps that my boss is out with knee surgery.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
1430 days
That is how long Mike and I have lived on Shady.
To get to our house you have to go over railroad tracks. I travel over this road at least twice a day, sometimes more. I have NEVER had to sit and wait for a train. Until this morning!
Mike has complained about stopping for a train sometimes twice a day and it doesn't matter if he's driving or riding his bike to work he gets stopped. Sharen hits it regularly too, but not me.
It took 5 minutes for it to pass. I enjoyed all the art work on the tankers.
It brought back a childhood memory of "counting the red cars only".
To get to our house you have to go over railroad tracks. I travel over this road at least twice a day, sometimes more. I have NEVER had to sit and wait for a train. Until this morning!
Mike has complained about stopping for a train sometimes twice a day and it doesn't matter if he's driving or riding his bike to work he gets stopped. Sharen hits it regularly too, but not me.
It took 5 minutes for it to pass. I enjoyed all the art work on the tankers.
It brought back a childhood memory of "counting the red cars only".
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bowling Trip
We decide to leave after work on Thursday. Cheryl takes the day off and Michelle calls in sick. So I guess they wait for the part timer. ME!
We avoid Chicago completely (88 to 355 to 80)and the drive went pretty smooth. We stop in Jackson MI for some dinner cause Cheryl said so and we were asked "Smoking or Non-smoking"? Haven't heard that in a while.
Find the hotel (we were in room 144). We had 15 steps to our wheels. Start to settle in and realize that we don't have a bottle opener for the Corona. After trying all possible tricks while drinking a Miller lite. I found the perfect thing.
Worked like a charm.
Friday during the day we took a ride to see the alleys and how far it was and these bowling pins were all up and down the street.
Of course we had to stop for a picture. This one was on the corner by our hotel.
We spend the afternoon drinking bloody Marys by the pool (it was empty). Cheryl was in charge of making sure Michelle and I had the right amount of alchol because we can't drink while bowling. She did a find good job too. I'm glad she came with us.
I tried planting this but it didn't grow.
The team bowled well - I was very consistant 170,171,169. I think the high game for the night from everybody in the whole place was 195. Brutal.
Saturday morning came early (Cheryl slept in) for our doubles and singles. (7:30). Yikes! I stumbled through the doubles and woke up and bowled a 535 for singles. Finished with a 201 and got a 200 pin. I also bet on myself and won $50 bucks in my brackets.
After bowling the fun really started. Cheryl and I took Michelle horseback riding. She has never been on a horse. I haven't been since Bryan was little and Cheryl's last time was on her honeymoon.
Here we are!
I had the biggest horse in the stables (they save them for fat people) named Greta. Cheryl most definitely had the fattest horse, Shammu it wanted to stop and eat all the time and Michelle had a really pretty horse named G.W. We rode through a state park and it was awesome!!!!
Now I'm starving and Cheryl suggested a Mexican restaurant that we had passed on the way. I was hankering for a Margarita. I was not disappointed. Yummy!
Michelle had brought some mix with so we can make some more Margaritas back in the room. I asked if we had any salt. Nope...
I can't say who but one of these two ladies loves me enough to
DO THIS!!!!!
Just like always this bowling trip was a great get-away.
We avoid Chicago completely (88 to 355 to 80)and the drive went pretty smooth. We stop in Jackson MI for some dinner cause Cheryl said so and we were asked "Smoking or Non-smoking"? Haven't heard that in a while.
Find the hotel (we were in room 144). We had 15 steps to our wheels. Start to settle in and realize that we don't have a bottle opener for the Corona. After trying all possible tricks while drinking a Miller lite. I found the perfect thing.
Worked like a charm.Friday during the day we took a ride to see the alleys and how far it was and these bowling pins were all up and down the street.
Of course we had to stop for a picture. This one was on the corner by our hotel.
We spend the afternoon drinking bloody Marys by the pool (it was empty). Cheryl was in charge of making sure Michelle and I had the right amount of alchol because we can't drink while bowling. She did a find good job too. I'm glad she came with us.
I tried planting this but it didn't grow.
The team bowled well - I was very consistant 170,171,169. I think the high game for the night from everybody in the whole place was 195. Brutal.
Saturday morning came early (Cheryl slept in) for our doubles and singles. (7:30). Yikes! I stumbled through the doubles and woke up and bowled a 535 for singles. Finished with a 201 and got a 200 pin. I also bet on myself and won $50 bucks in my brackets.
After bowling the fun really started. Cheryl and I took Michelle horseback riding. She has never been on a horse. I haven't been since Bryan was little and Cheryl's last time was on her honeymoon.
Here we are!
I had the biggest horse in the stables (they save them for fat people) named Greta. Cheryl most definitely had the fattest horse, Shammu it wanted to stop and eat all the time and Michelle had a really pretty horse named G.W. We rode through a state park and it was awesome!!!!
Now I'm starving and Cheryl suggested a Mexican restaurant that we had passed on the way. I was hankering for a Margarita. I was not disappointed. Yummy!
Michelle had brought some mix with so we can make some more Margaritas back in the room. I asked if we had any salt. Nope...
I can't say who but one of these two ladies loves me enough to
DO THIS!!!!!
Just like always this bowling trip was a great get-away.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Today I'm bothered....
by the car that cut me off to get in my lane and went STRAIGHT when I wanted to turn right
by the next idiot tailgating me that had his windshield wipers on (it's NOT raining dude)
by the Reps who want to know if I'm running their Revenue reports today. Hellllooo I do it every Wednesday.
by the fact that no one can make coffee but ME - come on
and the worst off all.....
My chiropractor died this weekend. That in itself sucks - I loved him. (Don't worry! Mike knows). I know you are not supposed to have feelings for your doctor, but this guy took me from a helpless, hopeless, weeping, pathetic broken down person and gave me a life back.
His obit did not list that he had a twin - it just says brothers. We talked about being twins a lot and I know he was proud of that and it bothers me that it wasn't mentioned in his obit. Call it a twin thing. I'm really gonna miss him.
by the next idiot tailgating me that had his windshield wipers on (it's NOT raining dude)
by the Reps who want to know if I'm running their Revenue reports today. Hellllooo I do it every Wednesday.
by the fact that no one can make coffee but ME - come on
and the worst off all.....
My chiropractor died this weekend. That in itself sucks - I loved him. (Don't worry! Mike knows). I know you are not supposed to have feelings for your doctor, but this guy took me from a helpless, hopeless, weeping, pathetic broken down person and gave me a life back.
His obit did not list that he had a twin - it just says brothers. We talked about being twins a lot and I know he was proud of that and it bothers me that it wasn't mentioned in his obit. Call it a twin thing. I'm really gonna miss him.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day weekend
I know Mother's day is just supposed to be on Sunday, but I had the opportunity to get a weekend out of it.
Friday - I picked up my mother after my doctor's app. (I have a healthy body - for a 55 yr old. Did she have to add that last remark).
With Linda out of town I invited Mom over to spend some quality time with her twin babies. Sharen and Dup came over too. Mike cooked some kickass hamburgers on the grill and I made her favorite 3 bean salad, made with Splenda cause of her diabetes and some deviled eggs. She loves grilled hamburgers and raved about them.
Sharen supplied dessert. Strawberry shortcakes with whipped topping. YUM!!
Saturday - Bryan shows up with his portable hard drive. I've been wanting to get some of his 80's tunes onto my ipod for my trip this weekend. After he takes me out for breakfast he sat at my computer and down loaded 460 albums and 3980 songs. I have a fine selection to listen too now. See you don't have to spend alot of money on your Mom just put up with her stupid questions about her itunes and ipod and she is VERY HAPPY. Thanks, Bud.
Sunday - You know the old song "You don't know what you got until you loose it" Mike bought me a Brita water pitcher and I can kiss my well water goodbye but then I can look forward to more trips to the bathroom. Don't Care!
In the afternoon Stacy, Kory and the grand kids show up with a hanging basket. Brian strolls in with a gift card to Lowes. Yipee more flowers.
Thanks guys - I had a great Mother's Day Weekend.
Friday - I picked up my mother after my doctor's app. (I have a healthy body - for a 55 yr old. Did she have to add that last remark).
With Linda out of town I invited Mom over to spend some quality time with her twin babies. Sharen and Dup came over too. Mike cooked some kickass hamburgers on the grill and I made her favorite 3 bean salad, made with Splenda cause of her diabetes and some deviled eggs. She loves grilled hamburgers and raved about them.
Sharen supplied dessert. Strawberry shortcakes with whipped topping. YUM!!
Saturday - Bryan shows up with his portable hard drive. I've been wanting to get some of his 80's tunes onto my ipod for my trip this weekend. After he takes me out for breakfast he sat at my computer and down loaded 460 albums and 3980 songs. I have a fine selection to listen too now. See you don't have to spend alot of money on your Mom just put up with her stupid questions about her itunes and ipod and she is VERY HAPPY. Thanks, Bud.
Sunday - You know the old song "You don't know what you got until you loose it" Mike bought me a Brita water pitcher and I can kiss my well water goodbye but then I can look forward to more trips to the bathroom. Don't Care!
In the afternoon Stacy, Kory and the grand kids show up with a hanging basket. Brian strolls in with a gift card to Lowes. Yipee more flowers.
Thanks guys - I had a great Mother's Day Weekend.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Commercial
You know that commercial that has the two birds talking about the idiot bird that flew into the sliding doors.
I think he just died flying into my picture window. I was reading my paper this morning sitting by my front picture window and all of a sudden this big thud. I look out and the poor sucker is dead lying in my flowers. I asked Mike to wash the window last week. He must of done a good job, but now there is a streak where the bird smashed.
Side note: Washing windows is my favorite household duty. Nothing to me like a clean window. I can't wait until we get our new windows put in so I don't have to battle these stupid aluminum storms.
I think he just died flying into my picture window. I was reading my paper this morning sitting by my front picture window and all of a sudden this big thud. I look out and the poor sucker is dead lying in my flowers. I asked Mike to wash the window last week. He must of done a good job, but now there is a streak where the bird smashed.
Side note: Washing windows is my favorite household duty. Nothing to me like a clean window. I can't wait until we get our new windows put in so I don't have to battle these stupid aluminum storms.
Golf
The City of Elgin Golf League started last night at Wing Park. I would of posted a picture, but it was not pretty.
I hold my breath (I haven't swung a club since my birthday last Sept.) but get off the first tee only to lose my ball in the rough. Was all down hill from there. The group in front of us hit Mike's ball on the 4th hole. I lost one around the fourth green (I found this one - only because I was going to look until dark if I had too). Mike lost one on his drive on the 6th.
The wind pickup and it got cold - for me anyway - Mike still just had on his golf shirt with the short sleeve windbreaker that Bryan had bought him. The six green is right next to the parking lot and my back was telling me RUN to your car and get in and go home. So that is exactly just what I did.
Really - I didn't want to over do, because I have Nationals next weekend. Gotta save my back for bowling.
I hold my breath (I haven't swung a club since my birthday last Sept.) but get off the first tee only to lose my ball in the rough. Was all down hill from there. The group in front of us hit Mike's ball on the 4th hole. I lost one around the fourth green (I found this one - only because I was going to look until dark if I had too). Mike lost one on his drive on the 6th.
The wind pickup and it got cold - for me anyway - Mike still just had on his golf shirt with the short sleeve windbreaker that Bryan had bought him. The six green is right next to the parking lot and my back was telling me RUN to your car and get in and go home. So that is exactly just what I did.
Really - I didn't want to over do, because I have Nationals next weekend. Gotta save my back for bowling.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Mine & Vicki's
Grandsons are playing baseball together on the same teams this year.
Logan and Jeremy are on the Pirates. Coached by Craig and Stacy.
Dylan and Jackson are on the Yankees. Check out the knees on those Yankees. While the Pirates were playing their game on Sunday the two Yankee boys were playing catch - more like catch and slide.
Logan and Jeremy are on the Pirates. Coached by Craig and Stacy.
Dylan and Jackson are on the Yankees. Check out the knees on those Yankees. While the Pirates were playing their game on Sunday the two Yankee boys were playing catch - more like catch and slide.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
While Mikes Away....
Karen plays....
Saturday night I decide to go over to the bowling alley and pick up my ball for the tourney Michelle and I are going to in 2 weeks. I knew that Michelle, Cheryl and Deanna would be there bowling in their couples league. I thought I could put the pressure on Deanna one more time for her to join us in Detroit. I had a couple beers there and got a call from Terri she and Byron were going over to listen to Kiley sing in her rock band and asked if I wanted to come.
Yeah - why not?
I meet up with them at the Elgin Public House in beautiful downtown Elgin.
The band was your typical garage band. Neither Byron nor I like rock music and I was telling Terri that I didn't recognize any songs. I thought maybe one by Led Zeppelin - but no. I know where Kiley gets her personality from. Terri knew the words to every song. I could tell She wanted to be the one up there singing, but no it was just Kiley.
Saturday night I decide to go over to the bowling alley and pick up my ball for the tourney Michelle and I are going to in 2 weeks. I knew that Michelle, Cheryl and Deanna would be there bowling in their couples league. I thought I could put the pressure on Deanna one more time for her to join us in Detroit. I had a couple beers there and got a call from Terri she and Byron were going over to listen to Kiley sing in her rock band and asked if I wanted to come.
Yeah - why not?
I meet up with them at the Elgin Public House in beautiful downtown Elgin.
The band was your typical garage band. Neither Byron nor I like rock music and I was telling Terri that I didn't recognize any songs. I thought maybe one by Led Zeppelin - but no. I know where Kiley gets her personality from. Terri knew the words to every song. I could tell She wanted to be the one up there singing, but no it was just Kiley.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Boring Friday with Happy Feet
Mike has taken off for his first "Over 50 Traveling Softball" Tourney for the year in Indy. I usually like these quite weekends to catch up. I love to putz around the house.(Putzing is doing something while not really doing anything that has to be done or that someone would notice, watering plants, sweeping out the garage, filling the bird feeder, pull some weeds - you know - putzing)
This weekend is the annual neighborhood garage sale. Sharen is participating this year. I brought her some of my books to sell and told myself do NOT bring anything home. OOPS!
I brought some books home, but not as many as I gave for her to sell, so I'm proud of myself there, and then I found some slippers that Dups mother had but didn't wear. I think I'm going to spend the whole weekend in these slippers while I putz.
I have happy feet!!!
This weekend is the annual neighborhood garage sale. Sharen is participating this year. I brought her some of my books to sell and told myself do NOT bring anything home. OOPS!
I brought some books home, but not as many as I gave for her to sell, so I'm proud of myself there, and then I found some slippers that Dups mother had but didn't wear. I think I'm going to spend the whole weekend in these slippers while I putz.
I have happy feet!!!
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