Belle rocks with KC and the Sunshine Band

Thank you Chris!

A big 'thanks' to Chris for the photos taken at district solo and ensemble. The kids did a super job, and will be returning to state in April to compete there.

Happy 60th. Father Pat

Today we celebrate with Father Pat, who is touring the Holy Land. Can't wait to hear of his adventures there! Through the wonders of Facebook and Twitter, we can have a 'virtual tour' with him. We are blessed with a beautiful day also.

Birthday afternoon...

Birthday morning...

We had a busy morning today. Shopped a little at Festival, and visited Grandpa and his coworkers at Holy Family. Off to the 'Y' this afternoon for a play date with Stephanie and her 2 children, then shrimp fettuccine alfredo and grilled asparagus for dinner tonight:) Elise is 27. Woot Woot!

shake your booty

Opening for the symphonic band...

Just back from Chicago, Elle's jazz combo opened for the FDL Symphonic Band concert on Sunday. Here is a little clip Elise took with her phone. Not the best quality, but I'm happy to share it:) They did an excellent job.

Cardinal Singers in the Windy City

2 birthdays today :)

Wishing a happy birthday to my niece Krissy on her 26th, and her little Tanner who is 1 today! We hope they have a great day, and we're looking forward to our weekend together in April. XXOOXXOOXXOO

Waiting for real spring...

We were up super early today, to help Elle pack and get to the high school by 7:30. The coach was there, and the music kids are off to a weekend in Chicago. Between the music and instruction, they will have a little time downtown, and then home again on Sunday afternoon in time for another concert at the PAC at 2PM. The public is welcome:) Henry has been spending a lot of time bird watching from his window. The birds are really starting to come to life, after a long winter. Can't wait for real spring!

Out of the funk...

This icy rain is the worst way to start the day. It's so dark and gloomy the animals are all still asleep. And with so much mourning in the community over the loss of the officer, (it seems everyone knows either the family, or his partner, or wife, or the shooter and his family) it's a struggle to get moving. I'm happy though to see my bulbs coming through the frozen soil:) Also trying to stay positive by sending off some birthday cards and gifts to family and friends. Hard to believe little nephew Tanner will be 1, and his Mom Krissy will celebrate her golden birthday on the 26th! Unfortunately, during the party Elle will be in Chicago attending a jazz seminar, Eva is booked for a wedding, and Paul and I are headed south to pick up Elise and Belle for a visit. In mid April however, we're taking a weekend off to 'hang out' with Krissy and Tanner at a local hotel and pool. So we'll get a chance to 'catch up' and do a little celebrating too:) Tomorrow is a busy day at the assisted living, with a dinner meeting later in the day, followed by the memorial service for officer Birkholz.

sad news

For those of you following the story of Savannah, the girl in Elise's community, here is the newspaper article from yesterday.

MT. JULIET, Tenn. – A young girl in Mt. Juliet has lost her fight with cancer.

11-year-old Savannah Swandal passed away around 12 p.m. Monday. She had been battling a rare form of cancer for the third time.

In February, friends put up lime green bows all over Mt. Juliet to support her in her fight against the disease.

In 2005, Savannah was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast-growing and rare form cancer that left her with tumors throughout her body.

tragedy in Fond du lac

Many of you from out of town have inquired about the 6 hour shooting standoff here today. Officer Craig Birkholz, 28, was shot and killed at the scene on Division and Lincoln. (For those of you trying to place this location, it is about 2 blocks north of our first home on Warner Street.) He was with the Fond du Lac Police Department for two years. A memorial service will be held at Holy Family Church, where he was a member, at 7 PM on Wednesday evening. Let's continue to pray for the families, and the other officers hurt, especially officer Ryan Williams who is at Theda Clark in critical condition. His canine companion was also hit and is having surgery as well. Photo is of officer Birkholz.

Supermoon excitement:)

Spent the day with Elle shopping, going out for lunch and taking a super long walk. We are excited for the closest full moon in 18 years, and so far the sky in the east is clear. Crossing our fingers for some nice viewing after 7:30. Paul and Eva had a busy day at middle school solo and ensemble, with Paul accompanying and Eva judging vocal and violin selections. They also had a wedding thrown in, and a booking tonight with the combo band. Something like a 16 hour day for Paul, but he enjoys it. Elle and I are planning a spinach quiche for supper, and then she's heading out to a friend's house for movies, while I clean the garage. Ugh. At least I'll have that beautiful moon to keep me company!

Aliyah's new 'do'

Aliyah went off to school today wearing a green wig:) The kids were encouraged to wear green. As I am not a 'smidge' Irish, the day really doesn't have any special meaning, other than the Catholic significance. When we toured Ireland, the locals laughed at how the Americans celebrate this day. They said they usually attend morning mass (I can attest to the fact that the churches and cathedrals were full, even on ordinary weekdays,) and they DONT eat corned beef and cabbage, at least our hosts said they didn't. Most eat a variety of fish, and we enjoyed sea bass, tilapia, grouper, tile and other local favorites. They were served with veggies and every type of boiled, broiled, grilled, au gratin, and mashed potato. We sometimes had 3 potato choices at every meal. While they do enjoy the pubs, the types of beers and whiskeys are locally supplied, and you won't find many drinking already in the morning as you do here. What a shame it has turned out to be a 'drinkfest' in some communities. The bars open at 7 AM with folks waiting down the block. I know of people who take the day off, for no other reason than to party. I wonder how many people even know who St. Patrick was? Oh well, enough of my rant. Today is not quite as nice as yesterday weather wise, so Eva and I are going to the gym this morning, while she is still enjoying time off for spring break. Yesterday we tromped around Rienzi Cemetery until 7 PM before it started to get dark. It was really beautiful with everything melting and the birds all out in full voice:) It was also a very good day for me, in terms of getting a lot done. I had to renew my driver's license, and was pleased with a really nice photo for a change, and still being able to ace the vision screening without glasses. Small little victories. I also shored up my volunteer schedule at a local assisted living, and received information on the palliative care program. I will be attending a brief workshop next week, following a 'get to know you' chili supper, to get started with occasional hours in that program also. I'm looking forward to these new challenges! Most of all, I'm looking forward to a long visit from my lovely little Grandfille soon:) Just in time to celebrate Elise's birthday on the 29th, and mine on the 31st.

Happy Birthday to Mary:)

Today we celebrate with longtime friend Mary Seiler. I dug up this old (November 1973) photo from our cheer leading days in 8th. grade at Saint Boniface. Mary is in the middle of the back row, and I am next to her on the right of photo. My foster sister Petie used to make fun of us and call us 'rah rahs' but we had a great time out there:) Sorry for the poor quality, but what a great memory. My high school boyfriend Mike is practicing behind me.

Congrats to Sarah and Randy!

Here is little Isabelle, born at 3:30 PM Saturday. She weighs 8lbs, 2oz, and measures 20 inches. Congratulations to the parents, and to Grandma McCrae who was able to be an active part of the birth. It's always a happy day when babies come:)

Coworkers new baby on the way:)

Paul and Elle just headed out to Holy Family for a wedding, and I am heading up to St. Agnes to see my friend Sarah, who is in labor with her baby girl. She is naming her Isabelle! I had wanted to finish a gift for her but it didn't happen, so that will have to wait. Bringing Sarah some GS thin mint cookies which are her favorite! Keep her in your prayers. She has been in the hospital since 11PM last night without much progress. Just taking a little break now to check e-mails and off again I go.

celebrations:)

Thanks to Elise today for the cute bath pic of Belle. Godfather Devin is having a nice week long visit in Nashville. What fun! Tonight for dinner Paul wanted his favorite Johnsonville brats on the grill, so we are obliging, but Elle and I are having a New York strip instead, as we are not big brat fans:P Eva is attending the American Choral Directors Association national conference in Chicago this week, and texted yesterday saying she had lunch with a former Marian Prof. James is also in attendance, and I'm sure, if they're anything like the Pastoral Music conventions, there is plenty to see and do...and buy! Yesterday, I attended mass at the Nazareth Court assisted living facility, which was 1 of 5 that Paul played for. In the afternoon, I played a little canasta with some elderly, as the start of my quest for 40 days of small good deeds for Lent. Let's hope I can stick with it! Today I'm visiting a wheelchair bound woman and hoping to bundle her up and take her for a long walk. The sunshine is breaking through and we're expected almost 40 for a high. Hit me with it!

Makes it all worth it!

Thanks to Theresa and the Annie cast for the great thank you today:) We also want to wish a happy birthday this week to my lovely sister Jill and my hubby Paul! I made a carrot cake to celebrate. Tonight we're having Elle's favorite Cajun meal...jambalaya, in honor of Mardi Gras. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the start of lent, so we'll party a little tonight. Our New Orleans trip last year was the BEST from the music to the food, and I'm glad we could bring some favorites back with us. We even tried grilled gator! Congrats also to Elle for a very successful weekend in District Solo and Ensemble. She received starred firsts in all 9 of her entries! So it's off to state in April to compete again on the state level. She also was inducted last night in National Honor Society, so she's feeling pretty happy with herself:) Now I'm off to pick up Aliyah, then to the gym for a while and back home to relax.
Avoir une bonne soirée!

musical weekend

Aliyah picked out the pictures for today...just random ones that she likes. Here is the info on the district solo and ensemble weekend for interested locals. It doesn't mention that the jazz band and combo perform tonight. Free of charge. Come one and all! Article from the paper:

Hundreds of music students from area schools will participate in a Wisconsin School Music Association sanctioned Music Festival hosted at Fond du Lac High School on Saturday.

During the festival, which is free and open to the public, students will perform vocal and instrumental solos, duets, trios, and small ensembles before an adjudicator.

The WSMA Solo & Ensemble Festival will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival will draw students from a number of area schools, including Fond du Lac High School, Menasha High School, Neenah High School, Oshkosh North High School, Oshkosh West High School, and St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mount Calvary.

Sarah Mc Veigh, choir director from Fond du Lac High School, will serve as festival manager.

Thanks to Matt and Chris for the cute SnowBall pics today!

Aliyah's blog tonight...

Hi everybody. I am not old enough to blog on here, so Momma Julie is letting me write. I'm on letter Q for multiplication tables, and I have 2 band concerts coming up in April. I'm playing with Ellie and the high schoolers at Band-o-rama on Sunday April 10th at 2 o clock. Um, my Mom's birthday is in June and she'll be 47. She works 2 jobs, and I love her very much. I'm going to put flowers on my Aunt Denise's grave in the springtime. Hope everyone is fine and looking forward to spring. That's it.

Happy Birthday to nephew Andyroo:)

Pic today is nephew Andy with his lovely sisters, Gretchen and Kristen. Wishing him a great day of celebration, on his 24th! We are enjoying a morning with Aliyah since the elementary school has off today. Elle has a half day, so we are all meeting for lunch later. She finally settled on a theater costume late last night, for the musical theater number this weekend at Solo and Ensemble. She feels comfortable about all of her numbers, which include vocal solo, barbershop, sax solo, jazz band and jazz combo groups, and hand bells. Any interested folks can come, as it is at the Fondy PAC, which only happens about once every 5 years. The jazz group competitions are Friday PM. Nice entertainment for no charge, so come out and see some wonderfully talented kids:) Elle has the van today, so Aliyah and I plan to walk to the gym, and afterward do a little housecleaning. My friend Joelean still has 2 female sheltie puppies available for purchase. Text or call me if interested. I can get the details.