At Stan's farm...

Sylvie

Happy 4th. birthday to another top dog, Sylvie. She lives a very pampered life in Lomira with friend Janice and her cat Peridot. What wonderful weather today to help celebrate:)

Happy Birthday to our protector...

Our collie McTavish is 13 years old today. Photo is from a fall camping trip, with Tavish and I taking the photo. Today for his birthday he ate a tuna sandwich, and fell asleep on his favorite futon. He is the greatest dog. He has always known who was 'safe' and not. He put himself many times between the UPS man and the girls when they were little. He is very special.

Happy 160th...

On this date in 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th. state in the U.S union. The 'badger state' actually got the name from Wisconsin lead mines called badgers...not the little animals. Just a little trivia:)

from the parade

A little scoop from Elise...

Thought I'd share this from Nashville.

Did you have a nice Memorial Day? I did! James and I and two other couples (VERY good friends of ours) went out on the boat on Percy Priest Lake ALL DAY! (it was about 90 degrees) I got a little sun burned, and we ate good food…drank…and got caught in the rain! We had a GREAT day. Then James and I went back to our house, got stuff together, and went back over to our friends Dusty and Amy’s (our best friends down here…) and we played the Wii all night! SO FUN! What did you guys do? I have my chorus rehearsal today (because we had off yesterday when we usually have it) so Amy and I (she's in the chorus with me) are going together like we do each week, and getting some food before we go! :) the two of us have a little too much fun together! :)
Well, I hope that you had a nice weekend! I will get back to you on the dates that I’m going to come and visit.  Loves and kisses!
XOXOXOXO

Elise Estes
Enrollment Processor/Scheduler
High Tech Institute-Nashville
615.232.3708

Memorial Day services...

This has been such a neat day. Our blended families know many who serve (or served) in the military, and we remember their contributions today. The mass this morning was very nice, as was the parade, per Paul and Elle. I couldn't attend the parade. I had a client running a fever, one who was bed bound due to a body shell that's being reworked, and one who went out with her family. We had no one left that could go. The only possible person had been up all night, and fell asleep at 7:10 AM, so we couldn't wake him...he was toast. The other staff and I grilled out, and brought the group home folks outside and entertained them with bubbles, games and such. Tonight I took Dustin to Subway for his favorite sub, and spent a few hours in the camper playing cards with him. We're going camping this weekend, but he's never been camping before, so I've been spending time playing games and relaxing there so he feels comfortable. I hope he enjoys the camping trip. Paul, Elle and I enjoyed watching a concert of Eva's tonight, on a local channel, and Henry and Earl spent the day outdoors, so were pooped out tonight:) Henry is featured in the KFIZ newsletter. Go here if you'd like to see the pic. http://newsletter.kfiz.com./

Happy Birthday to Tatum and True:)

Photo is of True and Krissy...I am waiting for the photos from today. Tatum and True celebrated birthdays with a party. She's 4 and he is 6. Congratulations also goes out to Hannah, who is expecting a son. How nice for Hannah and her daughters. He will be welcomed and spoiled, I am sure. Aunty Julie is planning a trip out there soon, perhaps when Elise comes to visit.

busy day

Today I was super busy, but for the most part the day was very pleasant. I had to take a client to Appleton to an appointment and another to an appointment in Fondy. When I got back to the residence, our autistic young man was breaking bulbs in the chandelier, because they were not the same. Foolish on our part. The poor guy was confused because the bulbs were out of order. Really makes you think about things. Autistics think SO differently. Wouldn't it be great to fully understand this disorder. Perhaps someday we will.

Photo was taken by Eva. I was trying to play Don Giovanni. It is frustrating for me...I know how it should sound, but I can't get there fast enough...I also get calluses on my fingers. I remember Eva being 4 years old and playing the violin in her sleep. It is a vocation, I am sure. Friend Stanley plays the violin and viola and remembers Sister Cecilia and the Marian group of musicians. They were a great group of professionals. Wish we could turn back time and get a few tips.

cute parrot story

Thanks to Elise for finding the following.
Lost parrot tells veterinarian his address
African grey parrot — missing two weeks — is returned to owners The Associated Press updated 7:06 a.m. CT, Wed., May. 21, 2008
TOKYO - When Yosuke the parrot flew out of his cage and got lost, he did exactly what he had been taught — recite his name and address to a stranger willing to help.
Police rescued the African grey parrot two weeks ago from a neighbor's roof in the city of Nagareyama, near Tokyo. After spending a night at the station, he was transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital while police searched for clues, local policeman Shinjiro Uemura said. He kept mum with the cops, but began chatting after a few days with the vet. "I'm Mr. Yosuke Nakamura," the bird told the veterinarian, according to Uemura. The parrot also provided his full home address, down to the street number, and even entertained the hospital staff by singing songs.
"We checked the address, and what do you know, a Nakamura family really lived there. So we told them we've found Yosuke," Uemura said. The Nakamura family told police they had been teaching the bird its name and address for about two years. But Yosuke apparently wasn't keen on opening up to police officials. "I tried to be friendly and talked to him, but he completely ignored me," Uemura said.

new baby

Congratulations go out to James' boss and his wife following the birth of their 3rd. child. The siblings are darling children...I know from the photos on the side of Elise's frig :) 'Carson' weighed in at 9 pounds and 8 ounces and was 22inches long, and enters the world with an older sister and brother. My goodness. That's hard for me to imagine. When Elle came home she was 5 pounds and 10 ounces and 18 inches. Elise was also under 6 when she came home, having been born a little over 6 pounds. Congrats to the parents, and thoughts and prayers go out to Mom for a healthy postpartum recovery. Elise and a friend from work are visiting tomorrow. It's always a happy day when a new baby is born :)

unusual afternoon

Today I took some clients to Walmart to shop. Not needing anything myself, I took advantage of the nice weather and waited outside. I noticed a group of people waiting for the city bus. One middle-aged man was swearing at a college student...REALLY swearing, folks. The student was not responding at all. Apparently, the older guy lives in the same apartment complex. He was yelling things like, 'yeh, college boy thinks he's so smart' and 'wimpy college boy doesn't fight' and just nonsense like that. The student finally just said 'hey, I don't want to fight. I have a right to live there just like you do, let's just leave each other alone.' The older man said he was a coward not to want to fight, etc. etc. The older (and MUCH bigger) man then lunged onto this kid and starting punching him and then strangling him. The student did not fight back...he later told us that he was 'too smart' for that. Another woman called 911 and she and I worked to break it up. The cops asked us for written witness statements, and after a short while they hauled him to jail with cuffs on. It seems the cops knew him well. They'd been called to his apartment the night before because he was punching his girlfriend. She, by the way, was standing right next to him when this happened, but 'didn't see anything.' How sad is that? It turns out the kid is a freshman at Marian. He was really very nice. He said the man harasses him all the time, and he always just ignores him. The other woman who called 911, mentioned that she manages an apartment complex of 60 apartments. Since the student's lease is up this month, they exchanged names, and he'll be renting from her. He used my cell to call his Mom in West Bend and told her what happened. Jeezh. There sure are alot of ANGRY people out there. Frightening.

cool photo

Thanks to Krissy for sending along her vacation photos from St. John. I thought this one was especially nice.

Funny...thanks to John for passing it along!

> >> Julie Andrews Turns 69. This is really good. I hope you enjoy it.
> >>
> >> To commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a
> >> special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the
> >> benefit of the AARP. > >> One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' > >> from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics
> >> she used: (Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!
> >>
> >> Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
> >> Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
> >> Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
> >> These are a few of my favorite things.
> >>
> >> Cadillacs and cataracts ,and hearing aids and glasses,
> >> Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
> >> Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
> >> These are a few of my favorite things.
> >>
> >> When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
> >> When the knees go bad,
> >> I simply remember my favorite things,
> >> And then I don't feel so bad.
> >>
> >> Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
> >> No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
> >> Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
> >> These are a few of my favorite things.
> >>
> >> Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
> >> Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
> >> And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
> >> When we remember our favorite things.
> >>
> >> When the joints ache, When the hips break,
> >> When the eyes grow dim,
> >> Then I remember the great life I've had,
> >> And then I don't feel so bad.
> >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >
> >> (Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores. Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who would appreciate it.)

at the playground :)

Happy Birthday, Gmare!

It's a milestone birthday for Grandma Mare today, and she's celebrating with friends over breakfast. Wish I could be there:) This morning I'm continuing to drain the pool and get that ready to open. We didn't plan to drain it this year, but a wind storm tore off the cover and fouled up the water, so we're starting fresh. Aliyah and Dustin are coming over after school, and we have plans to visit Lakeside Park as they prepare for Walleye Weekend. Everything is getting a facelift, from putting in new bricks near the rides, to painting the lighthouse. It's always fun to see what's new. Heading off this morning to finish getting annuals and veg plants for the garden. I wish it would warm up...it's currently 42 degrees.

Thanks for photos...

Thanks to sister-in-law Kathy and Elise for the new photos and e-mails. I'm bleary-eyed tonight, having worked for a gal going to a wedding, and a sick staff. I covered from 7 AM to 11PM. Actually, it went very smoothly, and we made a new dish...a 'taco bake' for the group and they loved it. To Kathy, I enjoyed the e-mail and can't believe another year of college has passed for our girls. Eva plans to move on to bigger and brighter things, although we don't know yet where she will transfer. She is thinking about a college out of state. She's teaching violin now at the UW for some extra dollars. To Elise and James, thanks for the neat zoo photos from Nashville. I didn't know the zoo was so nice. We were scheduled to visit a few years ago, when I accompanied Elle's choir on a musical tour, but the plans changed. Thanks also for the cute photos of my newest grand-critter. How cute he is! You know I love all kinds of animals, except spiders:( I sent you a little surprise in the mail. Miss y'all and love you:)

Finally Spring...

We have lots of things to do today. Jo and Tim have an art exhibit at the Rahr Museum, and Elle and I are taking True and Tatum to see it, followed by dinner at a friend's restaurant. After that, I plan to put in some more perennials in the front of the house, and move the raspberry plants (that Stan gave me) to a different location. I spent the last few days with Dustin, and we put the camper up and already have slept in it. Now we have the 'summer' feeling and can't wait to go for the weekends. I have been neglecting Henry and Earl because of a busy work schedule, but am giving them a bath today. They always enjoy that, and also spending the afternoon in the outdoor aviary. We bought a new 2008 Hyundai yesterday, to save on gas. Eva, Elle and friend Lisa took it out last night to the Connect Internet Cafe, and then out for flavored coffee. They had a great time. The car has all the bells and whistles, and is the new toy for awhile. Love that new car smell:)

Friends and family...if you can help, great!

Hi folks,
I'm forwarding an e-mail. Many of the Manitowoc folks remember Jenny Hughes King. The e-mail is regarding a good friend of hers from high school, who spent a lot of time with us in the Warner Street house. Help if you can. Thanks a bunch.

Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 6:57 PM
From: Jennifer King jen_hughes@charter.net
To: Jennifer King jen_hughes@charter.net
Subject: If you are...
Size: 8 KB

Hi Everyone,

I’m having a Tastefully Simple catalog party for my friend Jenni (Klotz) Nelson.

Jenni became a rep several years ago when she left teaching kindergarten to become a stay-at-home mom after her twins were born. Sadly, in January she found out that one of the twins, her son Ty, has leukemia. Since then her family’s life has turned upside down and they will be battling this cancer with full force for a minimum of 2.5 years. As a result her Tastefully Simple duties have been put on an indefinite hold. So I asked her if I could help out and have one last catalog party for her.

If you are familiar with Tastefully Simple, great! If you aren’t familiar, check out the website below. They have some really great items and many that make great appetizers or hors d’oeuvres for summertime gatherings and picnics. I’m taking orders through Friday so if you’re interested please let me know what you would like!

Hope all is well and I’ll chat with you soon!
Jenny

WEBSITE: http://www.tastefullysimple.com/Cultures/en-US/
From: Jennifer King

Really good day today:)

I read Martha's blog yesterday, and she wrote that her hubby makes a great granola. The story brings back memories from my teenage years. Many of you may know of Natural Ovens Bakery, run by Paul Stitt from Manitowoc. Well, my friends Mary and Angie and I babysat his children from his first marriage, because he lived 3 doors down on the lake. He was a chemistry major then, I believe. He gave me a whey product (while he was trying out recipes for his granola) to feed to my pet mice. The ones that ate the whey grew twice as large as the rest. It was fun then...now I wish I knew what I gave the critters. Anyway, he remarried and built a house on the lake next to brother Jeff's land. It is a circular home and very different. Natural Ovens makes a great granola that is pricey, but stays with you all morning. As for today, I visited with my autistic client, and brought the family a bible that they requested...seems they lost theirs. I was tired after 8 hours, but felt pretty good overall. It really helps to have the sun come up early.
Photo is one from the performance of Snow White. Not a good photo. We were not supposed to take any photos, and Paul's camera was not set for action shots.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the Moms out there, here's to a great day. Had to share one of my cards...it's from Paul. The inside reads "Quite the family we have." How true, and we're certainly grateful for our many blessings.

after dance photos

pleasant weekend

The trip to Manitowoc was very nice. I stopped at Jo's and picked up the kids to join us for lunch. They were funny...talked all the way there:) Today is dress rehearsal for the dance recital, so hopefully I can take some photos of Elle and Aliyah on stage and in costume. Will update later today.

Poor Minnie

Photo is of family friend Creg and Aliyah after the wedding ceremony. They have become good friends. I spoke to Minnie earlier. She actually called me at work...which she never does. It seems a driver from Oshkosh went through a red light and t-boned her jeep on the passenger side. Aliyah was on that side, but she was secured in a booster. With Liyah's medical history, the ambulance crew thoroughly checked her out. Minnie can't drive the vehicle, it's been totaled. This is her week-end off, so we have a little time to work on getting her another vehicle before Monday. Prayers are needed folks.