We are sitting on the balcony, looking at the totally blue ocean and watching the swimmers at the pool. Jerry is having his last beer. We just got back from Coconuts. The temp. is about 70 and sunny! I do still need to put on my long pants , but for now, it’s all good!
It was a wonderful vacation! What is left to say but: THANK YOU MOM AND DAD. You have given us, our children, and our childrens children—-so much!! WE LOVE YOU.
Two weeks sounded so long. But now–it is almost over! Where did the time go? The weather has been so wonderful. All week the reports said rain on Saturday. Today, Saturday, was probably one of the best days we have had so far! It never rained all day! Tonight we had a drizzle of rain that lasted all of 10 minutes. Tomorrow, the cold front will be coming, at least that is what they say. 60-70 but not a cloud in the sky! That is just about perfect, to me.
So, we just got back from dinner. we went to Grills, but it was to long of a wait, so we ended up at Rusty’s which was actually very good. And, since we were all sufficiently satisfied we came home. I am just about to dance my way to the bedroom. good night–until tomorrow.
Dear Hubby,
Do you think I wouldn’t notice?? Of course I would notice! You have always threatened me, but I never thought you would actually do it!! I just can’t believe it! Here we are in Cocoa Beach having a fan-dango vacation, and what do you go and do behind my back?? And do you REALLY think that I wouldn’t notice??
Well I noticed!
Of course I noticed!!
Good thing it was just a little duck tape and could be easily removed. And by the way, I will be wearing them tomorrow—duck free! (and you will love it!)
For those of you that are not football genius’s like I am—Cooney is the Oconomowoc football teams. Yes, I did say TEAMS. I know, it is a bit confusing, cus you would think that each team should have their own name! I was a little confused at first, too. The last couple of years when Zach was in middle school, he was a Cooney guy, and now that he is a Freshman in high school, he is still a Cooney guy!! There must be like 10 different teams named COONEY!!
So, the other day we went to his game. I have to say—I DON’T GET IT! People just sit on those hard metal bleachers IN THE COLD! We got there a little late, so the score was already 19/0–Cooney was winning!! (Yeah Cooney!!) But after we got there, no one else scored any points for the rest of the game!!! So, I DON’T GET IT. You sit in the cold for hours, watching the scoreboard timer, waiting for the game to be over and wishing that they would forget to pause the clock when they are huddling up–just so it would end faster!! The best part of the game is watching my awesome grandson (who looks really cute in his purple and gold) and also–taking his picture. He is #84, which is a pretty cute number too!
But let me just say that it probably would have been more fun to go the the last home game! Zach was like the assistant coach, or president or captain thing. And not only that—he did the really awesome things like catch the ball and run the touch down and I think he did an interception! He was soooo good, that they gave him the GAME BALL!!! So, he showed it to me and I was Shocked!! The ball was purple, and only about 4 inches big—It must have been REALLY hard to play the whole game with that little purple ball!!! I’m just sayin—GOOD JOB ZACH!!!
All of my close friends and family know that I am totally obsessed with tomato basils. If you are not familiar with it let me just share this amazing and healthy snack: On top of a triscuit, put a slice of tomato, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella cheese, ground pepper, sea salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Put them under the broiler for approx. 3 minutes (just until the cheese starts to melt) Yummmmmm it is soooo delish!! A day without T/B is like a day without sunshine!!
One day I bought 2 boxes of Triscuits, since we were having company. When I opened them up, both boxes were totally burnt!! I hate to take things back to the store. But now that I am a computer genius, I decided that I would find their website, and write them an e. I was telling my daughter Sara this story, and she told me that this was definitely blog worthy and that I should share my “Dear Triscuit” letter with you, so here goes:
To whom it may concern,
It has been almost 1 year since my husband first made me some tomato/basil/+ on Triscuits. Since then I have been totally addicted! I love the taste! I eat them almost every day, either for lunch (when I am home), or for a snack after work. I also serve them whenever we have company, and I have turned many of my friends and family onto them! I think my husband told me that he got the original recipe off of the Triscuit box. Thanks for that! Needless to say, I buy a lot of Triscuits!!! Yesterday I bought 2 boxes, since we were having company. I was not very happy when I opened the box and the majority of them were burnt! I then looked at the other box and they were burnt too!! I was very disappointed!! My husband and our friends were fine with them, or at least that is what they said, but it really bothered me. I don’t like anything with dark edges!! I totally hate to take things back to the store, so that is why I am writing to you. I really feel that these 2 boxes should be replaced. I always buy the Family size reduced fat Triscuits. With the economy in such bad shape, I really do hate to spend hard earned money on something that I can not eat! I know I am acting like a drama queen (lol) but I am a woman who knows what she wants, and I don’t feel that I should have to pay for inferior product—I’m just saying!! Thanks for letting me vent, and I would appreciate your prompt attention to this matter. Terri
But that is not the end of the story. As I was filling in all my info, I accidentally sent it, before I entered my state in the address portion. So then I filled in my state and resent it. But, for whatever reason, I pushed the “back” arrow to check something else on the form. Then I got to thinking that maybe that action would have also taken back my letter, so I sent it a third time!! LOL
Next time I checked my email I had received 2 letters from Triscuit. Both of them stated that they were very sorry and that I would receive reimbursement in the mail. Of course not long after I wrote this letter we needed more T’s. Sure enough, since the next box was purchased at the same store, once again it was burnt!! The good news is that before I had a chance to write another letter, I received 3 coupons in the mail for free boxes of T’s!!
There is actually a moral to this story! Don’t be afraid to ask for quality when spending your hard earned money. After all, without consumers, where would the manufacturers be today?! I rest my case!
Here it is Sunday—a whole week since I posted my last blog! I have been so busy this week catching up with all of my work that I put off during “family time”! And even though it is Sunday night, I still have at least a couple of hours of work to do before bed, so there really isn’t any time to write a new blog! However, a while ago I wrote down some thought, and since it is actually something that I can just post without spending a lot of extra time right now, I do believe that it is time to share those thoughts, don’t you?
I titled it “Time Line”. It was just something that stuck in my mind long enough to actually write it down. ( I must have had a slow week, when I wrote it!) So here goes:
“The difference between a goal and a dream—is a time line!” How profound is that!! I heard that statement on TV a while ago, and it has stuck with me. I think it was Dr. Phil. The show was talking about goals and dreams and how to get what you want out of life. I can’t tell you much else about the show, but that “one line” stuck in my head and got me thinking about my own life, dreams and goals, and these are a few of my thoughts.
I have a wonderful life. I thank God everyday for giving me this life. But in all of these years, I don’t remember having too many goals. I think I mostly had dreams. When I was young, I always dreamed of being a famous dancer. I loved to dance and I still do. I took dance lessons for 7 years. Even when the lessons ended, my dreams did not. In fact, I sometimes imagine myself studying dance again and maybe becoming a dance teacher. I remember a few times when I took Brittany to dance class, I would get angry at the way the teacher was teaching. I would visualize myself as the teacher, thinking that I could do a much better job! But of course, no “time line” so I guess it was (is) a dream, not a goal.
I never had any career goals. Things just sort of fell into my lap. Every job that I have had in my life I totally enjoyed, while I had it. I have done many things through the years. I have been an insurance claims auditor, a bartender/cook/waitress, a store manager and now a business owner. Not to mention my most important job as a wife/mother/grandmother. And my advice about that is: If you don’t have the job you want, you have to enjoy the job you have, or do something to change it—and maybe that is like a ”time line” thing. Occasionally I would get to a point where I would start to hate the job I had. So, I would make a decision to change things—and I would stick to that decision. I have always been stubborn that way!! Life is way to short to stay somewhere that you are unhappy. It is not easy changing your direction, but it is worth it — to be happy! I never put a time line on it, I just made up my mind and did it.
Now I have my own business, and it is the best thing for me right now. Will it always be? Maybe not. Do I have any goals for my business? Just to always do my best job possible for my customers. Occasionally I think about getting a real job, but for now I am happy with my life.
Goals or dreams. I think I mostly have dreams—-that almost always come true. I am a lucky woman.
I watched the preseason Packer game last night. Your number was there (on many fans), but you were not. However, because you weren’t there, is exactly why I watched it!! I just wanted to see the man who was taking your place. I wanted to see if he could live up to your legacy. And guess what? I think that Erin Rogers will do just fine! When he threw the ball, it seemed to go exactly where it should! Woohoo! I think he didn’t have any of those incomplete things, which I guess is a good thing! So___don’t worry about the Packer fans. They will miss you, but, they will do just fine with #12 instead of #4. In fact, maybe they will do 3 times better, if you know what I mean!! I’m just sayin!
Dear Erin,
I am very proud of you. It must have been really scary throwing the first pass!! You did a fine job and I think things will just get better. I felt so bad that you were put right in the middle of all the Brett drama. You know how much everyone loved Brett, but I really think that (in time) you will earn the love—I am sure of it. In fact, I am totally rooting for you! Just don’t let fame turn you into a corrupt bad boy!! Of course, I must say—your replacement needs a little more practice!! After you left the game, it didn’t take long for us to change the channel to “2 1/2 Men”. I’m just sayin!
Dear NFL,
I really think that you have way too many pre-games!! Don’t you think that ONE pre-game for each team would be enough? Nobody really cares about the pre’s (except for maybe fanatic football fans)!! And while we are talking about it, I question how you determine “who” plays “who” in these games!! This is my suggestion. Besides the fact that there should only be one “pre” for each team, I think that it would be so much more exciting if you take into consideration the ranking from last year. I think that the team that won the most games last year, should play against the team that won the second most games! The team that was 3rd, should play the 4th, and continue down the row. That way fans can get a better idea on how the season will proceed! And even though these games don’t count, maybe the teams would try harder to show what they got, if there is only one! I’m just sayin!!
Dear Peeps,
I am really sorry to write 2 sport blogs in a row! Can you even fathom that I have gotten to be such a football genius?! Of course you all know that this is much more about a SOAP OPERA than a SPORT, right? So, I promise that my next blog will be about something totally unrelated to football, even though I am planning on watching the Brett’s Jets game on Saturday or Sunday or whenever! I’m just sayin!
Love, Terri P.S. Thanks to CTW and Erik for egging me on! I do love my comments!
This is so totally unlike me to talk about sports!! But really it is more about a soap opera, than a football team! Yes, I am talking about the whole Brett Favre, Green Bay Packer thing. OMG—could there be anymore drama?
I have never been a sports fan. I don’t like to watch sports on TV, not even Packer games, although I guess I do tolerate the Packers more than–say–the Brewers!! But really, a re-run of “Darma and Gregg”, or any “Lifetime” movie is more entertaining to me than any sport broadcast, including the Super Bowl!!
So, at the end of last season, Brett retired!! Now, usually when people retire, they will find something else to do, like volunteer work, or greeting peeps at Walmart!!! But not Brett! Oh No!! He retired, and then he said, oooops, I made a mistake!!! Only kidding!!! I really am not going to retire!!! Since his (fake) retirement, I just can’t even tell you how many shows I have been watching or listening too, that have been interrupted by a “special news report” about BRETT updates!! And these interruptions always seem to come at a critical part of the program—never during a commercial! And lately, they have been breaking in just to tell everyone that there is nothing new to report about Brett! Don ‘t you just hate that??
This has been going on now for so long, it has actually taken the form of a soap! The continuing soga!! Now he has been traded to one of those New York Teams. And I guess this is a good thing cus he won’t be in competition with the Packers–something about a different category or league or branch or something, except that maybe we can play against him in the Superbowl? Do you really think that could happen??
But, What is funny about the whole thing is that I actually listen to what they are saying in these reports (sometimes), cus it has gotten so bizarre and soapish!! And, don’t tell my hubby, but I am thinking of watching the first Packer (pre-season) game! After all, I have to check out the new quarterback! (I think he might be a babe!!) The one and only replacement for the one-man soap!
One of the great things about getting older, is enjoying your children—as adults. In the past, we have enjoyed the years of watching them grow. We praised their accomplishments, and lived through their mistakes. We gave them the best education we could, and hopefully taught them through example, all the good things in life, while trying to keep them from the evil influences of the world around us.
We are so blessed! All 3 of our children have grown up to be awesome additions to our world. They have all found their perfect life partner, too! And hopefully our family will continue to grow, and someday, who knows, one of our grandchildren might be “President”!!
Now our work is done. We no longer have to be “the bad guy” or the spoiler of the fun! Our years of being the teacher, the example, the authority, are done. Now instead, we can just be their friends. We can hang with them, go out with them and get silly with them, if we want! They are all wonderful adults and we look forward to our times together.
This past weekend we took a trip to MN to visit our youngest daughter Angela, and her fiancée, Nick. I have to say, we had a fantastic time. I am thinking that our family gatherings are like many others. When we get together, it is all about eating, drinking, and just enjoying each other and the time we have together. We don’t do anything spectacular, or fancy. Once and awhile we will go to a nice restaurant, but usually it is just a sandwich at the nearby sports bar, or sometimes, good old home cookin’. But dinner is always proceeded by cocktail hour. We all have our drink of choice, and of course you can’t have cocktails without putting out some snacks—Tomato Basil anyone??
Lately, we have added a new tradition to our adult family gatherings. I do believe that it was Nick that was the first one that asked me if I wanted to do a “shot”! In our mature adulthood, we don’t over do it, and we never slam shots if we are the driver! But we have enjoyed our “shots” together on more than one occasion. Sometimes other family members get in the act too. I am the lucky one though. We usually drink Tequila shots, and since that is my normal drink of choice, (tequila on the rocks with a lime) it just tastes sooooooo good!!! But this weekend, Nick and I actually did a whiskey shot, cus that is what he likes!!! I’m just saying—-even though he chilled the bottle, it still was no where near the great taste of the tequila—I rest my case!!
Nick and I enjoying our night cap!
Jerry’s 60th birthday party. In the back—(left) Maggie, my daughter-in-law (Kevin is taking the picture, he is the designated driver!!). (right) Angela. Front row, beside me is the guest of honor, followed by Deac, and then Nick (our sons-in-law).
I always seem to be right in the middle of the tequilla shots!!
I am a lucky woman! I not only have a wonderful family, but they are all great friends!! Cheers!
It must have been at least 25 years ago when Jerry and I were searching for a Birthday present for my father—the man who had everything!! Daddy was a great man, and deserved the “best birthday present—ever!” After (what seemed like) hours of shopping, we found the perfect gift: “Executive Bowling”.
E B was a “desk top” game that you could set out, and (oh, I don’t know), play with it when you had the door closed to your office?? Or put it on your coffee table for friends and family to play with, like a chess set?? But since dad was quite the bowler in his day, we just thought that this would be fun—–rather than a tie, or a belt! I remember that when we gave it to him, he was nice enough to pretend that he loved it, and he set it up and we all sort of played with it for awhile, but soon it made it’s way to a drawer.
A few years ago when daddy passed on to his new life, my brothers, sisters, children, nieces and nephews, all had a chance to go through mom and dad’s house, and take anything that they wanted. As I was looking through drawers, I found the “Executive Bowling” game. I brought it home with me, and Jerry questioned my reason for taking it. I said, “I don’t know—-maybe our grandkids would like to play with it!” Of course he laughed at me and said that they would never give it a second look. “It is way too much work!!” he said. In this generation of computerized games, PC2 or 3 or whatever (and now Wii), he thought that they would never take the time to play with EB. After all, you had to manually set up the pins every time you rolled the ball down the wooden alley! “It’s too old-fashioned!!”
That brings us to this last weekend when 3 of our grandchildren came to spend the night. Tony 10, Zach 14, Brittany 16, (and Bogie their dog.)
Now, EVERY TIME they come for a visit, one of them asks to play “Executive Bowling”. This has been the “most often played” game that we have ever had in our house! We have played it soooo much, that the shiny gold bowling pins have become dark with tarnish!! And it is not just ONE of the kids that want to play. They actually ALL enjoy it! Of course, this weekend we did spend plenty of time Bowling with the “Wii”, and also doing some “Wii” racing. But even with all the new fangled “high tech” games, EB is never forgotten or left out! Fun was had by all! And—some day soon, our youngest grandson Michael (9 mo.), and any future grandchildren we have, will also be introduced to “Executive Bowling”.
I do believe that my daddy looks down from heaven every time the kids ask to play EB, smiles, and says: “that was my best birthday present ever!” I love you, Daddy!!
