Whirlwind

List most people, the next days will be a whirlwind.
Tomorrow: work and teach class at the Y
Wednesday: work until noon, go to sister's for Xmas dinner and mass
Thursday: drive to Milwaukee and pick up sister's family at airport, then go to the farm for the family Christmas.
Friday: chill at the farm
Saturday: "Bieda" side of the family Christmas party at the Legion in Pulaski
Sunday: Packers game with Tara
Monday: work
Tuesday: work
Wednesday: leave for Texas at 6 am, come back Sunday night

5 Times I Honestly Hate Being Single

1. When you have a party, wedding, some kind of social function, and you have NO ONE to go with you. It's not that I CAN'T go myself, but sometimes I just don't WANT to. I don't want to walk in alone. I don't want to try to find a table to sit at alone. I don't want to have to tell other people over and over that I am there alone. Because I'm usually alone, I've all but mastered the art of striking up conversations with total strangers. But just because I can do it, it doesn't always mean I want to.

2. When I'm having a crappy day. It's just nice to be able to tell someone you didn't have a great day, and then once you tell them, you feel better.

3. When something goes awry in the house. The shower faucet is broken. There is no hot water. The sump pump won't turn off. The sewer is backed up. The furnace isn't running. There's a mouse. It's not like I need a husband or a bf to know how to fix all these things. In fact, I wouldn't care if he were less handy than I, but at least it would be nice to have someone help me figure out what to do or who to call, or to say "don't worry about it" when I start wondering how bad the sitch is.

4. When you see all these ads about getting someone something for Christmas. It's not about the diamond earrings, or that I'm not getting anything like that to open, but the fact that I don't have someone to GIVE something to.

5. When you get a foot of snow and have no one to help you shovel, or when you need a back rub. Enough said.

Waiting

I really hate waiting, and I suck at it. My dad didn't want any of us here today during his surgery, but I didn't care, because I was going to come anyway. I'm keeping mom company more than anything, otherwise she'd be here by herself. When dad told her he didn't want any of the kids "seeing him after surgery," I said, "fine, tell him I'll come see you and not look at him."

He's so stubborn. Wonder where I get it from??

More Stuff

- Just got back from WLA yesterday, and I'm POOPED! I attended some good sessions, but I can honestly say I had WAY more fun outside of the sessions! Got to see and catch up with a lot of people, so that was nice. The only thing I don't like is sitting, sitting, sitting all day, and eating crap, crap, crap.
- Stopped at Trader Joe's on my way back to stock up on two-buck-Chuck (Charles Shaw) wine for my Festivus party. Should be a good time.
- Busy week ahead. Attending the Rotary meeting Tuesday morning, the one that is sponsoring me to Morocco. Have two training workshops, as well as hosting a teen brown bag. Am teaching my normal kickboxing classes, as well as subbing for a strength class on Friday and another kickboxing class on Saturday. And November was supposed to be a not-as-busy month. Right......
- Tomorrow am attending my nephews' joint bday parties, and then going to my other nephew's high school play.
- Next Sunday we are meeting at the farm to help cut, stack, pile wood for mom and dad, and then we'll watch the game and celebrate Bella's (niece) bday. It's dawning on me that mom and dad are starting to get...old. No old really, but that they can't do the things they once did. Maybe it's about time?!? Dad, until lately with his knee, has not shown many signs of slowing down.

Message to my Niece

Stuff

- Dad decided he will have a prostatectomy to remove the cancer in his prostate. I know he has been speaking to his doctor, and he will probably undergo surgery sometime in the next few weeks. He seems in good spirits and more than anything, just wants to get it done. After that, he'll have surgery on his knee (which is how this all started in the first place).

- I have my first team meeting with the Morocco group this Saturday. I haven't met anyone, but I will probably know them all pretty well before we begin our big adventure. After that I'll be working at the Wine and Beer Fund Raiser at Crystal Springs for my friend's library. I get to sell raffle tickets, while sampling wine. Yay!

- Still working out a lot, or trying to. Elizabeth and I still meet with Shaun once a week. I think I'm getting stronger, or at least I better be. I'd really like to drop a good 10 pounds, as I think it would make a big difference in how I feel. I did take the RealAge test again, and my real age is "24." :)

- Attending the WLA Conference next week. Hopefully the conference will start on a high note after Election Day!

- The economy scares the crap out of me. They say every family is a job loss away from foreclosing on their home, and I would be no different. Nothing seems very stable or certain, and most of the world still continues to hate us. (Thank you, W!) At least gas has been going down.

- Where in the heck did October go? I still haven't flipped my September calendar!

It's Positive, But We're Optimistic

So after the appointment yesterday with the urologist, I'm feeling a bit better about my dad's prognosis. It sounds like they caught the cancer early enough, and his chances of curing it are "greater than 95%." He needs to decide which form of treatment is best for him, and they all have their side affects. Still, when it comes to life or death, I'll take the side affects.

On a more selfish note, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and brain-overloaded right now. Because I was the only other person in the room, everyone else (siblings) is asking me stuff. What is the doctor like? Does she seem "good?" Should dad get a second opinion? What do you think he should do? What do you think he'll end up doing?

I really don't know. I'm not a cancer expert. And I'm not dad.

I know dad will do what's best for him, whether it's seeking another opinion or not or getting the surgery vs. the radiation or if he feels comfortable with his dr. or not. We can give him all the opinions we want, but in the end, it's up to him. And it should be up to him.

I know everyone of us means well. We just want the cancer gone, because none of us are ready to face life without him.

It's Positive

That's what my mom said on Monday afternoon when I was in the middle of grocery shopping.
My dad's biopsy came back positive for prostate cancer.

She told me she was talking to my sister when dad got the call on his cell phone that morning. And when my sister found out, she cried. So somewhere in the middle of the honey and the beans and the tea aisle, I cried, too. And I didn't care if people saw me cry. Neither did mom. I'm sure Mom cried at some point, even though by the time we spoke she sounded in good spirits.

I know it's common in men his age, it's slow growing, there are lots of treatment options and usually is curable. But I still can't help but freak out a little when I hear the word "cancer."

He and my mom are going back on Friday to discuss his options. I offered to go along for moral support. As of now we don't know where it's at, how soon they caught it, what grade it is, etc. I'm only hoping it was detected early enough and that is hasn't spread. The good news is that he hasn't had any of the symptoms for prostate cancer, and he's not worried about it. On Friday I talked to him at my nephew's football game, before he knew of the biopsy results.

Hey...however the biopsy comes back, I'll deal with it. That's all we can do.

Geez, he makes it sound so easy!
Mom said he's in good spirits. Still milking the cows, eating his favorite ice cream and popcorn, doing his thing and probably more worried about we kids than he is about himself. He's always been like that. She said he doesn't want any of us to worry, which is almost impossible. How do you not worry about your dad, even if he's the toughest man you've ever known?

But all we can do in the meantime is wait. Wait for more information and then decide what to do. Wait and pray.

32

I turn 32 today, and I really don't care anymore about getting older.
Bring it on, I say!

I'm looking forward to celebrating tonight and eating cake. Birthdays, if anything, are a great excuse to get drunk with friends and eat cake.

Go Brewers!

After 26 years, it finally happened!
Go Brewers!!

Now, if we can only get the Packers and Badgers to win....

No Tampa

In lieu of my acceptance for the GSE to Morocco next Spring, I decided it was probably in my best interest to cancel/postpone my trip to Tampa in February. I'm a little bummed, but I do think the money I will save (plus the vacation days) will be well worth it. Luckily, my flight was reserved on award miles, and I didn't lose those, and I didn't pay a deposit for my motel.

Plus...maybe after the GSE is done, I can tack on a few days in....Spain!?! As my boss said, it's just across the water the Straight of Gibraltar from Morocco, kind of like taking the ferry from Manitowoc to Michigan. Well, not quite.... :)

I'm Going to Morocco!!

Yesterday I did my phone interview with the Rotary District to get a chance to participate in a Group Study Exchange program in Morocco. I'm in Sacramento this week for the ARSL Conference, which is fabulous, so I had to do my interview by phone. I knew I would be nervous, and they fired some thought-provoking questions at me. (What would say in Morocco if asked about the war in Iraq?) I knew I had to be happy that I at least tried, but only four people could go, and nine people applied.

But I got the email yesterday that I was chosen, and I can hardly believe it!!!! So next April, I will get to spend a month in Morocco, doing vocational activities, meeting other Rotarians, giving presentations with the other team members and learning about how their libraries work.

I'm still pinching myself. :)

I Did the Right Thing...I Hope

I recently met a guy online and we arranged to have dinner last week. Well, we both weren't feeling well, so we decided to reschedule it for this week.

I don't know why, but I just couldn't sense a chemistry, even communicating via text, phone and email. I'm not going to get into the ins and outs of why I didn't feel it - I just didn't. So I told him I didn't want to meet.

I just couldn't go through the "how are you/let's get to know each other/let's see if there is chemistry/tell me about your family and your hobbies and your favorite color" even for a few hours over dinner. I just couldn't do it, when I'd just be going through the motions.

He respected my decision and thanked me for being honest. He thanked ME?! He also said he thinks I'm a cool person and he'd like to be friends. Gosh...now I feel like the schmuck.

But, I honestly thought it would be better calling off the date if I did not feel the same way. Maybe going through with it would've been worse and less honest?

I hope so.

Here and There

- I was nervous this morning for some reason. Even though I'm not "going back to school" and nothing at work has changed, it seems like that back-to-school feeling never goes away.
- The next few months are going to be nuts at work, but that's a good thing.
- In a little over a month, I turn 32. Yikes!
- In a little over 2 weeks, I'll be in Sacramento for the ARSL (Association for Rural and Small Libraries) Conference, and I'm really looking forward to this! I think I will get a lot out of it, and the line up of speakers look fantastic!
-

I Hate the End of August

Summer is almost over, and that totally, totally sucks!
Where did it go?
I love fall and its colors and smells.
But I will miss summer.

Sad

I'm sad about the Brett Favre sitch. The whole thing just makes me sad. I'm sad that he probably won't be a Packer anymore. I'm sad that he's going to play for someone else. The team does need to move on and move forward, and he is only one man, but there is no denying what he did for the Green Bay Packers for the last 16 years.

He will, in my mind, always be a legend, on and off the field.

Where Could Men Find Me?

I had a message waiting for me on my desk yesterday. It said to call Rita at the B & B I stayed at in Florence a week ago. Hmmm, I thought. Did the credit card not go through? Did I leave something behind? Because I was out of the office all day, and had to dash to my class at St Vs, I decided I would call her this morning.

I got Rita on the phone, and she laughed and said, "you might want to sit down." I said, ok, is something wrong? She said, "oh no, it's charming more than anything."

She went on, "Do you remember writing in the journal last week that was placed on the desk in the room?" I said, "of course," (Journals are kept so guests can write down their thoughts about their stay. I basically wrote in the journal what I said in the previous post....how I went to the B & B after not going last summer, etc. etc.)
She said, "well, a gentleman stayed in the same room you did earlier this week, and he came downstairs for breakfast and asked if I had read what you wrote. I told him I hadn't, so he ran back up to the room and grabbed the journal for me to read. He thought what you said was very well written, and that you seemed like someone he wanted to meet."

WHAT!?!?!?

Rita and I were both laughing at this point, and of course, I wanted details. She explained he was an attorney who lived in Wittenberg and was at the B & B for business, same as I. She said he's the nicest man, golfs, attractive, etc. Nice, I thought.

I asked, "how old is he."
She said, "57."
WHOA!! I told her, "I'm only 31, so I don't think that would work, Rita." She laughed and said, "yeah, I figured you were too young for him, and 26 years is too much of a difference, Jamie."
I said, "I definitely agree, Rita!" (the mother was coming out in her). :)

She said, "of course I was not going to give him your number, but I did tell him I would call you. In fact, he called here last night saying he forgot some papers, but I really think he was checking to see if I had talked to you yet."

We talked a little more, and I explained if we were closer in age, I would possibly be interested in meeting him. She definitely understood. She said, "he just really liked what you wrote, and he's not weird or a perv or anything (that's good!), and thought you would be an interesting person to meet. I asked her to please call him back and that while I'm flattered he wants to meet me, the age gap is too great. She said she would.

I also told Rita to keep me in mind and to look out for other single (younger) men who might come by the B & B. Before we hung up, she said, "I did like what you wrote, and I'm glad you have the attitude that you don't need a man in your life to be happy. That's great you are still doing what you want."

I said although it's hard at times, I do what I can.

So who knows where men might find me? Maybe it's true that it could be in the oddest of circumstances. I must admit that it is one of the strangest things I've ever heard, but secretly, it did make my day. :)

I went to Florence

I accomplished one goal this summer, and that was to go to Florence, WI. I decided to do some library trips, as I've never been to those "up north" libraries in our system. It was the perfect reason to go - get away and get some work done at the same time.

This little trip really meant something special to me. Last summer, I wanted to take a trip with my ex-bf to Florence, and I proposed staying at the Lakeside B & B. I didn't care when we went, it was on Fisher Lake (which meant he could canoe, fish, hike, etc.) and I offered to pitch in for the cost. For whatever reason, we never went.

Well, darn it. I still wanted to go to Florence and to the B & B, so I did. IT WAS FANTASTIC! The room was beautiful, the host was kind, the breakfast was great, the view of the lake was spectacular and the town was charming. The last time I was in Florence was about 10 years ago, and I only drove through it. A lot has changed in 10 years. After dinner on Thursday night, I even went canoeing around the lake by myself. The sun was just starting to set, and it was so peaceful. At night I could hear the loons on the lake. On Friday morning I took a walk. It was wonderful.

I was so glad and honestly, proud, of myself for doing this...without a man!! I definitely plan on going back someday, and maybe next time I will have someone to go with who is really special.

I'm Going to Tampa in February

I did it, and I'm either half insane or half crazy, maybe both.
I booked a flight to Tampa for February of 2009. I don't know where I'm staying, I don't know who else is going, I don't know what it will cost, but I'll land in Tampa on Feb. 18 and I'll leave on Feb. 22. Four nights, five days.

I will most likely be going by myself, and I'm perfectly fine with that.

I don't think I'm totally crazy. I did use my Midwest miles to book the flight. I wanted to do this before they start charging for award travel, which is what many airlines are doing.

And I figured if I had a free flight coming, I'm going to go where I want (somewhere warm) and when I want (when it's not warm here). Up until now, I considered saving up to go to Costa Rica, taking a cruise from LA or going to Vegas. I don't know that Tampa would be my first choice on a free flight, but I do know two things. It will be warmer than here next February, and I'll be itching to get away. There are tons of cute towns along the Gulf Coast, so that is probably where I'll end up if I end up renting a car.

So now when I'm having a crummy day, I'll just think about Tampa in February...

I'm not a librarian

I will say this until I'm blue in the face.
I'm not a librarian. I don't claim to be a librarian. I've never claimed to be a librarian. I don't play one on TV. Even if I were on TV, I wouldn't play a librarian. I don't have my MLS. I have no intention of getting one. I already have a Master's degree, and don't have the desire to get another one.

I'm not a librarian. But that doesn't mean I'm not qualified for the job I have or that I don't deserve to work with librarians.

Don't get me wrong. I have the utmost respect for librarians, all kinds of them, whether they work at the largest library in the world, or in a town of 100 people. I think they are fabulous whether they have their MLS or not. They are intelligent, creative, smart, energetic, caring people who don't get paid nearly enough for what they do or the crazy patrons they sometimes encounter.

I enjoy working with them, providing services for them and making their jobs easier. That is MY job. I'm a library consultant. I'm not a librarian.

I don't encounter patrons. I don't shelve books. I don't do story times. I wouldn't mind doing those things, but that is not my job. I work behind the scenes, which is not the same thing as working in a library.

I revisited my "responsibilities" and "education requirements" that were listed when my position was posted, just to clarify. In the 2+ years I've been here, I have not only met the requirements, but I've exceeded them. I've done everything my employer has asked, and then some. I have brought enthusiasm, creativeness and ideas that are outside of the box.

My responsibilities have grown. I'm doing more than when I started, and that's a testament to my employer's faith in me and in my skills. I have the right skills for this job. I can honestly say I love what I do, and it doesn't feel like a job. I'm not perfect, and I'm always looking to improve, but I'm also proud of what I've accomplished.

I don't know everything about libraries, and I probably never will. I learn new things every day, and I'm grateful for that. I still don't know all the crazy acronyms or the ins and outs of the Dewey Decimal System (or if that should even be capitalized?).

And that's ok, because I'm not a librarian.

Home

I'm finally home!
I had a great time in Anaheim at the conference, and an even better time visiting with relatives in Long Beach. After a somewhat strenuous flight home, I spent some time with my sister's family who was in town from Omaha. Then I went up to Crooked Lake, and of course, had a great time. Last night my parents had the whole fam over for grilling out and fireworks, and I was finally able to bring Kelly home. The two of us are both pretty tuckered out!

Anaheim

I made it to Anaheim safe and sound for the ALA Conference. They say around 25,000 librarians are here. I'm starting to realize that the real value of attending these conferences is not entirely in the sessions, but in the people you meet. Isn't it who you know and not always what you know? I think there is some value in the sessions, but more importantly, it's making those connections.

I've been to Downtown Disney every night this week. It's a neat area, with shops, restaurants, live music, etc. We ate at an excellent tapas bar last night, and a great pizza place the night before. The only bad thing is that I'm not working out a lot. We walk quite a bit, but it's not like a work out. Oh well...there is time for that when I get home I guess.

Car

After seven years, thousands of miles, some nickel and diming, interesting memories, and a few roads trips, "Noonen" is officially retired.

I just got a new (used) vehicle this afternoon - an '06 Nissan Sentra. I'm just tickled pink that I have a cd player, keyless entry and air conditioning!!

I'm not crazy about having a car payment (for the first time), but I guess I need to get used to the "American Dream" like mostly everyone else. What are you gonna do? I was able to trade Noonen in for more than I thought, and I was able to save enough for a decent down payment.

I got my money's worth out of Noonen, but as of today, it had no a/c, a broken inside door handle, some leaking oil, a driver's door that would not open from the outside with the key, a window that would not open, and probably some other things I was unaware of.

So.....I deserve this!!!

6

I'm down 6 pounds since Memorial Day. That's a good thing, and I can already tell. My stomach feels flatter and the love handles are starting to diminish.

Today I have to teach kickboxing at noon, and Elizabeth and I are training with Shaun after work. It won't be fun. He tortured us last week, and I was sore for days. Today is going to be tough, but I'll muddle through somehow. Last week when we were doing tricep dips off the bench, Elizabeth said, "hey, if this isn't a good reason to lose weight (as in, the less you weigh, the less you have to lift yourself up), I don't know what is!"

Amen, sister!

Crooked Lake

Well, another fun time was had up by the lake. Too bad the weather wasn't better, but we still had fun. We took a ride into Lakewood and visited the fudge shop, because it rained for the better part of Saturday. Tara and I didn't get back to her cottage until 8:30 am yesterday ("after bar" was slightly extended). When her Aunty Bev asked where we were, she said, "I'm 31, so I no longer have to tell you." Hilarious! And true...

4

I'm down four pounds since last week, which is a good thing. If I can drop another 8-10, I'd feel even better. Tonight I start my "buddy" personal training sessions at the Y with my friend, Elizabeth. Shaun will be our trainer for 5 sessions. When he asked what we wanted or where we wanted to focus, I just said, "kick our butts." I'm sure he will, and I'll be grateful for it.

Pet Walk

Kelly and I did the Pet Walk on Saturday, with proceeds going to the Bay Area Humane Society. I was a little worried about how she would do around the hundreds of dogs, (seeing as she doesn't really like other dogs), but she did very well. As long as I kept her moving and close to me and some mutt wasn't trying to sniff her butt during a water break, she was fine!

She didn't have any trouble with the 3.1-mile walk, and even had energy to spare!

Move More, Eat a Little Less

I stepped on the scale this morning for the first time in several, several weeks.
Yikes!
I wasn't surprised. When I don't work out as much and insist on needing ice cream or cheetos or popcorn before going to bed, I'm going to gain weight. It's that simple. I need to drop a good 10 pounds, and 15 would be ideal.

My (free!) Y membership has been useless, and I feel sluggish. Pants that use to be loose are now fitting well, and pants that fit well are becoming a little more snug.

Not good.
Oh sure, I'd like to think that since I was teaching a strength class that maybe I was gaining some muscle, and maybe that's true, but I also know my clothes don't lie.
So I'm going to do something I should've done awhile back: set some goals!

I'm not going to count calories or fat grams or carbs or measure my food. I'm not going to get caught up on sizes or ounces or eating a slab of chicken the size of my palm. That's never worked for me. With me, there is no magical equation. I simply need to move more and eat a little less.

I've never been one to focus hugely on weight. I want my clothes to feel good, I want energy, I want toned muscles and I want to feel strong. I've always focused on how I've "felt."

I have the basics down. I eat well, and I substitute when I need to (mustard for mayonnaise, yogurt for sour cream). I rarely drink soda and drink lots of water. I've cut back on coffee and started drinking green and black tea. If I know I'm going out for pizza at dinner, I eat a salad for lunch. I eat from the four food groups, and probably eat more fruits and veggies than ever before. My cholesterol and blood pressure are great. I just need to move more and eat a little less, especially less of the stuff I don't need.

When I was in my heyday I was at the Y at least 4 times a week, and I didn't worry about what I ate. When I work out, I eat better. When I work out, I feel better.

These are my goals. Not for a week. Not for a month. Not for 6 months, but for life. If I follow this, I will feel like my old, energetic self again.

1. Record what you eat (either on the blog, notebook or email)
2. Drink lots of water
3. Get to the Y or teach a class at least 4 times a week (at least 30 minutes)
4. Get in some daily activity (yardwork, housework, walk dog, etc)
5. Have fun, love yourself, be kind, flirt with boys, and continue to live your life to the fullest.

:)

Off to Omaha

I leave for Omaha in a few hours, and I fly back on Monday afternoon. It will be nice to see little Mary Madeleine, and of course, their new house. I can hardly believe Memorial Day weekend is here already. The weather sure doesn't make it seem like it, but it's here!

5 Things

There are 5 things I want to accomplish this summer, in no particular order.

1. Go kayaking in Door County. You can rent kayaks, get a quick lesson and paddle through the caves along the peninsula. I saw brochures when I was up there last week, and I've never done it, but it looked fun.
2. Go to a drive-in movie. Again, never did this. There is also one of these still running near Fish Creek.
3. Paint my living room and entrance. My living room walls need a new color and the entrance walls are dirty and need a face lift.
4. Go to Florence. Wisconsin, not Italy. I have not been to the library in Florence, or Niagara, so this would be a good excuse to visit the area. I might be able to convince Brandon to take a road trip with me.
5. Have people over for drinks or host a small party. Enough said.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I watched Ben and Bella all day on Saturday. We went to Bay Beach, McDonald's, the library, Culver's for ice cream and then to Marquette Park to play on the swings. This was Ben during his nap after lunch. We had a very fun and busy day! I felt the same way yesterday....

Crooked Lake Characters

I'm so glad it's almost "summer." Summer to me, means....farmers markets, Bay Beach, swimming outside, Brewers games, bbq-ing and Crooked Lake!

For the past decade or so, a couple weekends out of the summer I venture up to T's family cottage in Crooked Lake, or "CL" as we call it. K attends when she can, and sometimes B comes with her. We hang out with G and D (T's parents), Aunty B, and her grandma before she passed away.

There are always good times had up by the lake. Good meals, good drinks, fireworks, drives into "town" or into the big city of Crivitz, and nights at the local drinking holes. And at these drinking holes we always meet some characters. Some we see every summer and some we meet only once (and sometimes that's enough!)

Here, as far as I can remember, is a list of our favorite CL "cast of characters."

- Keven: (yes, with two e's). The latest and greatest bartender at Randall's, which was formerly Steiny's, and before that, Chris and Dave's. Keven used to work in Vegas but now spends his time at the lake. He's very popular among the "ladies" and he makes drinks nice and strong. We constantly remind him his name is spelled wrong.

- Billy Zane: This is the boy T had a crush on for most of her life at the cabin. After he shaved his head, he looked like Billy Zane from the Titanic. His family lived in the cabin next door up until a few years ago. Sadly, though, Billy Zane married and had children, and eventually T moved on, too.

Abe: This gomer was Billy Zane's friend and was obsessed with T. He sat with her fam and looked at baby pictures of her. I think he even asked her out.

- Scary Larry: This was Billy Zane's dad. Larry could never remember my name, and he always had a drink in his hand, whether I arrived at the cabin at 8 am or 8 pm. Hmmmm.....

-Kevin Costner: Kevin (spelled the normal way) was Billy Zane's brother and Larry's oldest son. He looked an awful lot like Kevin Costner, and was pretty fun to drink with at the campfire.

- Brian: This was one of Billy Zane's friends that Scary Larry wanted to set me up with a few years back. I thought he was alright until he managed to polish off a twelve-pack while we were all hanging out on a SUNDAY AFTERNOON. Yeah...

-Hitler: We met Hitler when we were in our early 20s at one of the bars. He had a major crush on K, and even asked T's mom if she thought "he had a chance with her." Yeah, T and I would've set him straight right away. He either had a moustache like Hitler, or just dirt above his lip. We could never tell.

The Pilot (aka Nancy Boy): The pilot was the son of the other neighbors, and we met him a few summers back. He wasn't too shabby and even seemed pretty cool, until he CHOSE to go play cards with Mommy and Daddy instead of going out drinking with us. BOR-ING!

-Whitey: We saw Whitey for two consecutive summers at the lake, but now he's disappeared. Whitey lived in Freedom, and had the whitest teeth in the world (hence, his name). Whitey kind of had a thing for T, and one year she did give him her email address. I guess they still don't have email access in Freedom, because she never heard from him.

-Timmy: Tim is a CL "regular," as in he lives there year- round. He's always at The Pines, or the local karaoke place on Saturday nights. His voice is so good that I was honored when he agreed to a duet with me on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. (I wanted to do a duet from "Grease" but Timmy, with his mullet and cut-off denim shirt, had something against John Travolta. Imagine that!) We were smashingly good, and it was a crowd pleaser.

-Bonnie: This lady owns one of the local establishments, and runs the karaoke on Saturday nights. That's fine and dandy and all, but why does she have to sing every other song?!?!

-Hippy: Hippy was a 50-something bartender one year at the Pines, and kept wanting to dance with me. He looked and dressed like a hippy, and I remember twirling around with him to the BeeGee's "How Deep is Your Love." Yeah...good times.

Paul Walker and his wife Pam: We met Paul Walker and his wife Pam last summer in early August. I don't think Paul Walker was his real name, but he sure looked like him. Pam was her actual name. They were fun and we ended up at their cottage for an after bar, along with Pete from Appleton (see below) and his friends.

Crivitz hottie: Yeah, T tried chasing down this one in the gravel parking lot of the gas station with the T-bird.

One-armed pool player: I think K played this guy in pool at the Pines. He was pretty good.

8 streakers: These guys invited T and I to go skinny dipping with them at the public beach. We snuck up on them, and then when they realized we were watching, they got a little mad. We escaped before the Oconto County cops showed up.

Shoreline bartender: This loser wouldn't make me a dirty girl scout shot. So then I had to reach across the bar, grab him by the collar, and insist, "I want a dirty girl scout!" He said, "yeah, so do I." I said, "yeah, you WOULD, ya perve!" I don't think I ever got one....but don't worry. I'm sure I crushed chips on the floor for that.

-Pete from Appleton: We met Pete and his buddies the same night we met Paul Walker and Pam last summer. I remember when he walked into Randall's, T said he was "actually hot, and not just Crooked Lake hot, but like even Green Bay hot." I only saw Pete that one night, I don't remember much about him, other than he was good at (tonsil) hockey...

There you have it. The CL cast of characters.
Who will be added to the list this summer????

Taking a Break

I went on a date about a week after I got back from China. I was asked to go on another one, but I'm choosing not to. Another guy mentioned "doing something" recently, but I don't want to see him, either. I really can't explain it. Maybe I have too much else to focus on? That could very well be true. And it dawned on me yesterday, that for the first time in like, three years, I'm not:

-dating anyone
-interested in anyone
-lusting after anyone
-someone's girlfriend
-texting anyone
-calling anyone
-thinking about anyone
-waiting for someone to call me
-wanting to be "set up"
-waiting to meet someone
-feeling bad about someone not being interested in me
-being chased or chasing anyone

And you know something? It seriously feels GREAT!!

Point

I get to go to the exciting city of Stevens Point today, for a conference. Actually, I like the town - have some fond memories of partying there with my friend Kelly in our college days. I actually am part of a panel tomorrow for our outreach project on serving Spanish speakers in libraries. Hopefully it will go ok.

Happy 10th Bday, Kelly!

We celebrated Kelly's birthday yesterday! We had burgers, chili, potato salad, taco dip, fruit, veggies, and a big birthday cake. She got some bones, a new harness and some treats. On Friday, she got a "spa" bath by a dog groomer, so she smelled and looked extra pretty for her party.
There are more photos on my flickr page.








This is what she looked like at the end of the day. Totally wiped out! Actually, after everyone left and I cleaned up, she and I both napped for a few hours. Although she is older, she certainly does not look or act like 10. She is in great shape for her age.

What can I say? She is my pride and joy!

E Day

Things I have done to help save the earth:
- am replacing all light bulbs in the house with energy-efficient ones
- started breaking down smaller boxes to recycle
- started using environmental-friendly dryer sheets
- will start cleaning with old shirts and dishrags
- will not run my furnace or ac in the next few months unless I absolutely need to.
- will air dry more clothes now that it is summer
- am using the Brita pitcher and filling up old plastic bottles instead of constantly buying bottled water
- carpooling or running errands in one stretch
- turn off the lights when not in the room
- turn off the water in the shower when shaving my legs, as well as the faucet when brushing my teeth
- use latex paint (not oil) when painting rooms in the house
- don't use pesticides on my lawn
- don't litter
- don't use a land line
- will keep driving my fuel-efficient car
- run the wash machine when it's full, and use cold water
- eat less meat
- buy fruit and veggies locally

Things I should do to save the earth:
- replace my very old furnace
- replace my windows
- use recycled paper to print stuff that's not as important at work
- boycott styrofoam
- insulate the house better
- grow a garden

Things I will not do to save the earth:
- bike to work. I don't own a bike, I don't really want one and I carry way too much crap to work to consider it. I'll walk somewhere before bike.
- send a card to my friend whose father just passed away instead of driving to the wake service an hour from home.
- not shower as often. Sorry, just can't do it
-turn down my water heater. I like hot showers
- work at home
- not use hand wipes to clean off equipment at the Y
- switch to all organic food, organic clothes or organic make-up
- give up eating meat entirely
- become a tree-hugging-granola girl

Happy Anniversary

This is my 2nd Anniversary at NFLS! The past two years have just flown. I can't believe how much I've learned, and how much my position has evolved in just two years.
I can honestly say I love my job. It's not perfect, but what job is?! It's a great fit for me, and I get a lot of freedom, which I like.
I guess time does fly when you're having fun!

Back

What can I say?! China was just amazing!
The gardens, the amount of people, the way of life, the shopping, the buildings, the tour group, etc.

It feels like a dream that I was actually there. Needless to say, it's been tough getting back into my normal work/life routine. I met some great people on the companion tour, also.

It was one of the best trips I've ever taken, and I don't regret going for a minute!

Ready!

I'm soooooo ready to ditch this popsicle stand!!!!
How I will make it through the next few hours at work I haven't a clue!?!

I'm Ready!

I'm packed and ready to go! I wish I was leaving for China today, because I will be SO anxious the next few days. I have:

Wet wipes
Travel Charmin (apparently public toilets in some places consist of a long trough where you "squat.")
Purell
Immodium AD
Airborne
Three magazines (for the 14-hour flight from San Fran to Beijing)
Journal
Passport
Luggage Locks
Snacks
Money Belt
Clothes, socks, undies, workout shoes, comfy shoes, toiletries


To Do:
Take Kelly to the farm
Get cash at the Bank (lots of 1's for street vendors)
Tidy up house
Drink lots of water
Get lots of rest

Dart Fun!

Too Much Technology

I'm looking at my desk, and I have:

- a digital camera to download photos from yesterday's meeting
- my flash drive
- my new cell phone with text messages popping up from time to time
- a digital recorder my boss lent to me
- the work laptop so I can download some notes from yesterday's meeting that i forgot to save with my flash drive
- my ipod


I have a facebook page, a personal flickr page, a work flickr page, a geni family tree page, a good reads page, a work email address, a hotmail address, a gmail address, unlimited text messaging, an RSS feed, a personal blog, two work blogs, an instant messenger account, a meebo account, a youTube account, an imeem account, a sketchcast account, an iTunes account, I belong to two wiki pages, manage 1 wiki page, I started paying my credit card online, I check bank statements online, I send e-cards online, I read the newspaper online, I book airline flights online, I register for conferences online, I'm dating online and I'd probably eat and go to the bathroom online if I could!
(Now wouldn't that be something! You type in a login and password and out comes a cheeseburger and fries from your cd drive!)

Logins, passwords, check boxes, agreements, uploads, downloads, verifications, memberships, password questions, mother's maiden name, grandfather's name, his grandfather's name, popups, notifications.

And I wonder why my head is constantly spinning??!?!
Enough already. This is getting out of control!

I'm communicating more and more through keys and buttons. I love technology, and I love what it does for us. I love that it makes life easier and more convenient. I love that everything is so readily available. I understand this is the way of the world and it's required. It's required for me and for the work I do.

But it's becoming too much.

I don't want text or instant messaging as the best means to reach me. I don't want to be one of those people who can't go on vacation without checking email. I don't want "my whole life" to be in my cell phone. I found it pathetic that the other day someone asked me for a friend's number, and I had no clue what it was. Of course, I had forgotten my cell at home that day.

"Um...# 4 on speed dial?"
"I can say 'call Tom's cell' and then the number pops up?

Super. I was a big help.

I also don't want to turn into one of those people who forgets what it's like to actually talk to people. I need interaction. I need face time. I think we all do to some extent.

I need a break, and it's up to me to back off, at least a little. I just need to find a happy medium. Whether it's no text messaging on Sundays or no emails on Saturdays, or cutting back on the sites I sign up for....it just has to be done.

I tH!nK s0.
:>)

The (Dumb) Things We Do For Love

I happened to catch a snippet of "Judge Judy" the other day, and she made a comment to one of the female defendants.
"I don't know why you did that, but women do dumb things when they are in love."

Blunt, but true. We do dumb things. I'm sure men do dumb things, too.
So it got me thinking of the dumb things I have done for love. Or was it lust? Or was it a crush? Or was it merely action? It hardly matters at this point. I can laugh about them now. Some things occurred years ago, and others more recently.

- joined a bowling league (I suck at bowling) and often wore a skirt to the games. Oh yeah, that looked stellar with my bowling shoes
- planned a bday party around someone else's work schedule (he never showed)
- bought a fishing license which I used a whopping two times, and never caught a fish
- went to church on a weekly basis to check out the alter man
- stayed out till 2 am after playing vball, on a weeknight
- hung out at Mad Dog's, the meat market in Madison, in the hopes of finding a former flame
- went to Michigan Tech for winter carnival, once again, in the hopes of finding a former flame
- went to some "after bar" while vacationing in Phoenix
- went to "Eric's cabin" on a cruise ship
- let "Eric" visit my cabin after hours, against the ship rules
- drove with Tara to Kansas City so I could meet Tara's cousin who, at the time, had a psycho girlfriend
- alternated my walk home from college classes so I could pass my lustman on the foot bridge

I'm sure there are many more. Ahhh...the (dumb) things we do for love.

Haiku for Brett

Awesome memories.
You made the right decision.
But we'll still miss you.

What a Difference a Year Makes

When I think back to a year ago, I can't believe how different I was.
I hated my house, I worried all the time, I obsessed about little things and I cared way too much about what other people thought. I was very unhappy.

Well, now I like my house, and I worry, but not as much. I still obsess, but not to the point where it consumes my life. And I still care what people think, but hardly as much as I used to. I'm much happier.

Why the change? I got the help I needed. I talked about it. I dated a guy, who didn't turn out to be a great fit, but it was good for me in the time it lasted. I got a dog. I started doing the things I wanted to do. I stopped caring about others' opinions.
These were all good things that happened, and they were necessary. And I learned a lot from them.

I'm grateful I am still not that person, because I'm much, much happier now.

Lots 'o Stuff

- Feeling VERY under the weather. Last night I fell asleep right after Idol was done. I am getting a good 8-9 hours of sleep a night, and I still wake up groggy. Tired all the time. Maybe it's the weather?

- Am now teaching a resistance band class on Tuesdays. It's a nice change from kickboxing (still doing that on Thursdays), and I my muscles could use some toning. Marcia and I have our review next week. I can't believe I have been teaching for a year - time flies!

- Kelly had her annual check up last week, and it was all good. She cried a little when they had to take blood from her paw, and they made me leave the room, but she was a trooper!! I don't ever regret taking her.

- My dad turns....gosh...68 tomorrow? Yes, 68. He was born in 1940. He is a Leap Year baby, but we still celebrate his bday every year. He could pass for 50 easily. He still gets up at 3:30 am everyday to milk the cows. We all want him to retire, but he won't. Just too stubborn, and probably still enjoys it enough. He has been farming for 51 years, since age 17. I really hope if I make it to age 68 that I am not working.

- My brother Jeff's wrestling team at Kaukauna is competing in team state in Madison tomorrow. They actually have a great chance at being state champs, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for him!! He has done remarkable things with that program in the 16 years he has been head coach. I'm very proud of my big brother!

- My nieces and nephews will be presenting a check at the CP Telethon at Sunday, from "Carnival on the Farm." They are usually on around 12 pm, and they do this every year. They all wear their red shirts, and it's really cute. Afterwards we are heading to John and Amy's house for the twins b-day party. They turn "2" on March 10, but they are having the party early. We WERE going to have a b-day party for dad tomorrow, but now that Jeff's team is at state, Dad will probably go to that. So we'll probably celebrate his bday on Sunday, too.

-Can't BELIEVE I leave for China in three weeks! Haven't even had the time to think or prepare yet because of everything else going on. It will be here and gone before I know it!

32 Days...

Until I leave for Beijing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai. And I have the vaccinations to prove it!

Is It Possible???

I've always claimed that single men do not go to church, especially to Catholic church.
Well, I know that they do and they are out there, but they are typically the types who still live with their mothers and wear bow ties.

However, today I struck gold. I struck something at least, and at the 8 am mass nonetheless!

I saw a man at church. Good looking. Not just good looking, but something definitely date-able and kiss-able. He wasn't wearing a wedding ring, and he wasn't sitting in a pew with a wife and 2.5 kids, as most men are his age in church. He was dressed nicely, and more than likely looked as though he didn't just roll out of bed and throw on some clothes like I did. Now that's impressive. Any guy who puts some effort into looking decent for church at that hour deserves a medal.
He did the prayer at the end of the mass, and kept his book open during the recessional so he could sing along. Not that I was checking him out or anything...

And it just so happened that when I was leaving the lot, he was driving in front of me, in a black Honda Accord. He's likes a quality vehicle. Nice.

I know he could've left the wife and kids at home, as well as his wedding ring, but I'm guessing not. Maybe I finally proved myself wrong.

Single, (good-looking) men do go to Catholic church.

Good 'Ole Green Bay

"I'm SOOOOOOOOOO bored with Green Bay. Just so bored with it. Bored."
Alright. That's not the best way to impress a gal on a first date - by calling her home "boring."

"Really?" I asked. "I actually like it here."
"Well, tell me what you like about it."
So I told him, and by the time I was done, he agreed with me.

You want to know what I'm sick and tired of? People ripping on my home!
I get it, and I understand. Green Bay is not Chicago. It is not Madison. It is not Milwaukee. And it's not the flawless, smoke-free city of Appleton, either.

It's Green Bay. It's meat and potatoes. It's Packers football. It's toilet paper and the pollution that goes along with it. It's blue collar. It's conservative. It's Republican. It's backwards at times, with its aldermen making asinine comments in public. It's bars with lots of smokers. It's disgusting. It's lacking in big museums and big department stores and lots of sushi restaurants.
In some ways, it's a lot of things I'm not.
It's definitely not perfect.

But you know what? I love it anyway. And I always will.

I love that on a Sunday afternoon I can hear the roaring crowd over at Lambeau Field. I love that I can take my dog for a walk and feel safe. I love that someone with my salary can afford to own a home, because that's not the case in every city. I love that our tallest building is a hospital downtown. I love that people are friendly, and that neighbors will help neighbors. I love that the media during football games portray it as living in the North Pole, even though that's not the case - we have summers! I love that people consider cars slowing up on Hwy. 41 as rush-hour traffic.

I love Bay Beach, even though the bay is too gross to even dip a toenail into. I love the Weidner Center. I love the libraries. I love the Packers. I love Brett Favre. I love the beer and brats. I love the Mexican eateries sprouting up all over the place. I love Kroll's hamburgers. I love Escapades margaritas. I love a good fish fry at The Settlement. I love that some women still tight roll their jeans and have 80s bangs. I love that I can still spot a mullet once in awhile.

If people are that bored or unhappy here, they can move to a bigger city with more class, culture and a cosmopolitan feel. It's that simple. No one is forcing the naysayers to stay. And if I need to leave dodge for awhile, I do.
But you know what? I'm always ready to come back. I always miss it.

People complain about the lack of diversity. I hate to say it, but we are all diverse. Diversity is made up of so many more factors than origin and skin color. And if you're still not convinced, visit the East side of town or take a stroll through the public schools. We are not lacking in diversity.

When I was at the "International" Austin Straubel airport last week, I overheard a young Giants fan talking on the phone. "You gotta come here, man. No....I'm serious. The next time the Giants play here, you gotta come. It's a lot of fun."

He was right, even if he was a Giants fan. It's fun. It's a good city. It is what it is.
It's perfect for me.

And just for the record - I don't like sushi, anyway.

V is Back

Just when I thought "Vince" was out of the picture, he wants to meet for dinner this week. I guess we are meeting on Wednesday night. Who knows? It might be fun!

I Miss My "Pretty Girl"

Tomorrow I get back from Orlando, and I miss Kelly more than I missed my luggage on Tuesday afternoon.

Kelly is staying at my parents' house, and although she is fine and probably very happy, I miss her dearly. I miss her sleeping and trying to snuggle with me at night. I miss her licking my face so I wake up in the morning. I miss her being pesty when I get home from work. I miss getting up from the couch only to find dog hair on my pants. I even miss bundling up at 6 am in the freezing cold temps so I can take her for a walk.

She means the world to me. I can't wait to see her tomorrow.

I Don't Want a Nice Guy

That's right - you heard me.
I don't want a nice guy.

I need one. I demand one. I deserve one.

When in the history of "womankind" was a "nice guy" a bonus?
"Bonuses" are things like having a full set of teeth or not going bald at the age of 27.

It shouldn't be a bonus. It shouldn't be the icing on the cake. It shouldn't be the burger and fries and we'll throw in the side salad for free.

It's a necessity. The last time I checked with my single female friends, they weren't actually seeking jerks. Who wants to date a jerk? Hopefully no one.

I've looked at enough online profile files throughout the years, and it seems like "nice guy" is the big catchphrase.
Nice guy looking for Nice Girl.
I'm just a regular, nice guy.
Nice Girl Needed to Befriend Nice Guy.

That's fine and dandy and all, but I, and I hope my friends, would want more than just a nice guy. Nice girls deserve nice guys, just as nice guys deserve nice girls.

I don't want a nice guy.

It Arrived

My luggage is here! My luggage is here!
Hooray! No more shampooing my hair with dish soap. No more shopping for cheap shirts at Wal-Mart. In fact, some I will even return. No more walking around in public without make-up and relying on my "natural" looks. No more granny panties! No more just sticking my feet in the hot tub. I can actually go in! No more looking like white trash with a black bra and white t-shirt.

I never thought I would be so happy to see my luggage!
Hip, hip....Hooray!!

For everything else...

Three-pack of Hanes Granny Panties: $6
White, ugly, "Florida" t-shirt from Wal-greens (which looks stellar over my black bra): $6.50
Black flip flops: $2.50
Black capri pants, tank top, beige bra, white t-shirt from Wal-Mart: $26
Soap, toothbrush and lotion: $5
Grateful that skin is remotely clear and acne-free on a day without a make-up bag: $0
Non-shampooed hair in over 24 hours: kind of gross
Arriving in Orlando 6 hours late (@ 2:30 am), sans luggage: pain in the butt


Sitting by the pool, sipping a summer hummer, reading a magazine in 70-degree weather:

PRICELESS.

Oh well...

Watching that game last night was painful. We had our chances (too many), but just didn't bring our A-game.
I don't think the Giants are the better team, but last night they sure were. So in that case, they deserved to move on.

It's a bummer, but life goes on. It really is only a game.

The Pack does have a lot to be proud of this season, and they accomplished a lot for being the youngest team in the NFL. Who would've thought they would've made it this far in the first place?

Thanks for another great season of memories, Packers!

Crazy Couple Weeks

On Thursday I completed my first HOLA! (Hispanic Outreach Library Action) Project, that took place in Wausau. It went very well! But because of the storm, I didn't get back into town until Friday. Tomorrow I leave for a week-long tech conference in Orlando, which I do not mind one bit with these cold temps now here. But it's made for a crazy time!

Go Pack Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go Pack Go!

What an AMAZING weekend of football!
Saturday's game was awesome, but I think the Giants winning last night was even better. I can't believe the NFC Championship will be played at Lambeau! We had a GREAT time tailgating at the Lambeaulance (although I paid for it yesterday a little bit).

The buzz is in the air, and the whole town just feels so electric.
I truly love football season!

Giving up on "Grey's"

Yup, you heard me. I'm giving up.

In the first season, I watched "Grey's Anatomy" because it followed "Desperate Housewives." I liked it enough to keep watching it.
In season two, I liked it a lot, and enjoyed it more than DH.
In season three, I still liked it enough that I followed it to its new Thursday night time slot.
In season four, I'm to the point where I'll watch something else. The Office. Something on CBS. Anything.

I haven't been as faithful of a viewer this season, I will admit, but I'm just tired of it.
I'm tired of Meredith and McDreamy and their will-they-won't-they-get-together thing they have going on. Enough already.
I'm tired of Meredith being mean to her half-sister, Lexie, although last night she was nice and made her breakfast.
I'm tired of George eavesdropping on conversations.
I'm tired of George and Izzie, not even together. I am not fond of either of them.
I'm tired of Izzie and Christina's constant spats (when did these two start hating each other anyway?).
I'm tired of seeing Callie feel hurt and loathing in self pity. Her character and acting skills are not being utilized to its fullest potential.
I'm tired of Alex always being a jerk.
I'm tired of Bailey not being as tough as she used to be.

I miss Addison. I miss Burke. I miss the story lines that kept me coming back for more each week.
There's just nothing there to keep me coming back.

She Found Me!

I opened my inbox this morning to find a wonderful surprise!
My college friend, Amy, sent me an email, asking if she had the right address. She sent me a Christmas card LAST year, and being the dum-dum that I am, I lost the card, which also contained her new email, address and phone number. She got married in the fall of 2006 and moved with her husband to Columbus, IN - a city of about 40,000 about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis. I didn't make it to her wedding, and the Christmas card was the last I had heard from her.

Until now! I've missed her very much, so hopefully we can start reconnecting.
Yay!

Rain

Rain go away, come again some other day!

I will take the warmer temps, though. :)

Things to NOT Say to the Single Gal in Her 30s (and Probably Beyond...)

1) It's his loss.
Oh, really? Then why am I the one who feels like a pile of doo-doo????

2) If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be.
Then will someone please enlighten me on what IS meant to be?

3) Oh well, at least you're putting yourself out there. I give you credit for trying.
Do I get a Popsicle or gold star for at least trying?

4) Why aren't you married yet?
Geez, I dunno. Why don't we ask the single, greater-Green Bay male population?

5) Is that grey hair?
Yes, thanks for noticing. Are you expecting, or did you just eat too much peanut brittle over the Holidays?

6) Auntie Jamie, why don't you have any kids?
Because I'd like to be married first.

7) Auntie Jamie, well then why aren't you married?
See # 4.

8) You're too picky.
Well you know what? I'm smart, funny, sassy, educated, independent, ambitious, well-traveled, fun and devastatingly attractive, so sue me and my big butt for not wanting or waiting for the same!

9) I would set you up with _____, but I like you too much, and you're too good for him.
Wait a minute...I thought I was too picky? Now I'm TOO good?

10) You can't be single forever, Jamie.
Actually, I can.

11) You should consider trying ________
a) speed dating
b) dating websites
c) meeting men through a church group

a) been there
b) done that
c) single men don't go to church