Christmas 2008

Hard to believe, but Christmas has come and gone, and now we're staring 2009 square in the face.  Where did the time go?  Looking back on the year, it's amazing how many changes have come to our lives.

Christmas was really nice this year.  Darren and Megan spent the holiday with us.  Darren made a great meal, we opened gifts and went to church, then stayed up until 4 AM talking to my brother and his girlfriend.  Reminiscing, telling stories.  It was a nice first Christmas together.

Christmas Day we had lunch at my mom's and dinner with Darren's family while the boys went with their dad.  Darren's dad makes beautiful wooden pens and gave me a set of two - I was really touched by the gesture.

Of course on Christmas night we had to meet up with our friends at Loppnow's for a holiday drink and the funniest thing of the week walked in the door in the form of our friend Derek, who lost a bet and was forced to wear nothing but long johns and a pimp jacket to the bar.  You've gotta love THAT photo - hysterical!

After six days off for me and five for Darren, it's back to work as usual, though we are looking forward to spending New Year's Eve at the Jefferson for John Greiner's Big Band celebration.  2009, here we come.

Rowan Scores....

Rowan scored his first ever points tonight at his basketball game.  He's worked really hard to improve his game and I'm so proud of him for reaching beyond his comfort zone and going out for a sport.  When I look at these pictures of him I can hardly believe how grown up he's getting.

Choraliers Concert Photos

Holidays Are Coming....

It seems like just yesterday that we were lounging by the pool enjoying the heat. Now, the temperature is 4 below zero with a wind chill of 20 below. Crazy. Why do we live here? Someone remind me!
Here at the house we're getting ready for the holidays. I've decided to pare down my shopping considerably this year and I'm almost done. The last two Christmases have been difficult, to say the least, but I find myself looking forward to this one with unexpected optimism. We've had plenty of events to get us into the holiday mood. Nutcracker was last week, the boys were in their Choraliers Christmas concert last night, and tonight we'll head to the Grand to see Megan in the Wausau West choir concert.
The tree is up and decorated and I managed to throw some lights on the bushes outside, so the house looks ready. This weekend we plan to lay low and just bake some cookies, enjoy our families together. Though this year has brought so many changes - not all of them good ones - I do find myself happier and more content than I have been in a long time. I just wish my dad was here to share in it with all of us.

Free Starbucks Today

Free Starbucks coffee today for voters (and liars, as my friend Ed Bove supposes) - just head on in, tell 'em you voted, and get a free cuppa joe. Not sure if this makes them liberal or conservative, but it sure is nice of 'em.

Halloween

Another Halloween has come and gone - it's one of my favorite holidays.  Always fun to dress up and be someone else for a night - and see the craziness everywhere.  This year I was Marilyn Monroe to Darren's Joe DiMaggio.  We had tickets to the very ill-attended Copper Box Halloween Party on Artsblock, then went to City Grill, Lopps, and finally Mountain Lanes. Kind of a weird night - not as many people out and about as I would have thought.  The kids all went trick or treating together and had a good night of fun.  I've never seen so much candy in this house, I swear.

I've been thinking a lot about how damaged past relationships can make us.  How we cling to fear - the fear of history repeating itself.  I don't know how to get past that, at times.  I suppose it all just takes time.

This is my final weekend off until my vacation in December, so we're making the most of it by having a complete "do nothing" day.  The sun is shining, the air is warm, and I think it's just really going to be a great day.

Una Notte Bella a Success

The planning is over and the 26th annual Una Notte Bella fundraiser for the Wausau Conservatory was a success.  150 people attended this event, and thousands of dollars were raised for scholarships at our school.  I co-chaired this year's event with Amy Plier.  French Milwaukee based musician Robin Pluer provided the entertainment to match the french theme, and our french dinner was superb.  The kids both sang with Choraliers for the event as well.  Darren and I had a great night.

Thriller - the Scramble

It's that time of year again - when Halloween is near, it's time to put together the soundtrack for Wausau Dance Theatre's annual production of THRILLER - a Dance SpookTacular.  Always fun - but always hectic!  This year's script is a good one and I think the show will be great.  Devon will have a cameo walk on role but nothing too big, which is good, we are far too busy this year to be running to a million practices.  I'm still waiting on one more piece of music to come in to make the final podcast.....and I'm trying not to pull my hair out by the handful.

Unwritten Rules for Men - from Men's Health

Oh, these are good for men OR women.....

• Never ask a woman if she wants to have sex by asking her if she wants to have sex.
  
• It is more important to have good health insurance than good health.
  
• Don't bluff more than once in a poker game with friends.
  
• When one of the big bosses at work unexpectedly says something really cheery and friendly to you, he means absolutely nothing by it. Not even if he's your father.
  
• Wear as much black as you can. It makes you look slimmer and cooler. But avoid black jeans, they just look silly.
  
• When someone in your family is going through a divorce, always side with the blood relative.
  
• Pointedly praising something unusual a person owns or has done will make you appear far smarter in his eyes than a 10-minute discourse on world events.
  
• Be aware that most people are operating on a very condensed version of the 10 Commandments: the part about murder.
• Be careful about publicly discussing your hobbies, as most hobbies strike people as somewhat pathetic: most notably, collecting stamps, coins, or anything else, bird-watching, bowling, rockhounding, spelunking, table tennis, poetry, dog shows, chat rooms, polka music, yoga, herpetology, marathon running, and religion. The only hobbies you can safely own up to when among people you need to impress are fly-fishing and golf.
  
• Never buy anyone a gift at a kiosk.
  
• When choosing a bottle of wine to bring to a dinner party, spend between 10 and 15 dollars. That's for a bottle, not a gallon.
  
• The person who sincerely says to you, "I want to get to know you better," is a person you don't want to know at all.
  

Sunday - not FunDay

There are days when it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. You know the kind.
Spilled her coffee, broke her shoelace.....smeared the lipstick on her face.....she left a note and said I'm sorry, I......had a bad day again.....
Ah, Fuel. But, I digress.
I seem to be a bit of an emotional wreck these days, on a rollercoaster that just won't stop. After being comfortably unhappy for so long, it's hard for me now to be......oh, I don't know.....someone who gives a shit. Because good grief, now I worry about everything. 
Some days I find myself missing my dad so much. I wish he was here to talk to, to run things past. I wish he could whisk in and take over, helping the boys with their homework and unloading the dishwasher. I wish I could have had just one more year, one more chance to learn all I could from him, because he was always so wise, and always seemed to have the answers. Now, all I have is my memories.
I really did have a great weekend, but now the work week starts anew, the running begins, the hectic schedule, the getting up at 6AM. Sometimes I just feel as though the work never ends.

Something To Keep In Mind for Valentine's Day

Megan's First High School Dance

This weekend was Wausau West homecoming, and Megan went to the dance. We shopped together for her dress and had a great time picking out the perfect thing. We were so happy for her to go - how fun. And she looks absolutely beautiful!

SNL Weekend Update

Gas Signs Truth in Advertising

Here's A Tip.....

DO NOT FLIP OFF A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY _ A man was arrested over the weekend after he gave a Dodge County, Wisconsin, sheriff's deputy the middle finger. The deputy was driving along in his squad car when Ronald Whatley gave him the middle finger after driving past the officer. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and Whatley was arrested for operating on a suspended driver's license and for having open intoxicants in the vehicle. The deputy later stated, "One would think that if you do not have a valid driver's license and have open intoxicants in the vehicle you may not want to attract attention to yourself."
Special thanks to Interprep for that little tidbit.

Where Does The Time Go?

Good grief, it's really been 11 days since I last posted? Sheesh. What a slacker. It's that time of year.
Though fall is beautiful, it's one of my least favorite seasons because the falling leaves combined with my birthday always make me sad. Another year has passed, another school year begins, the kids are another year older and closer to leaving. So, while I have much happiness in my life right now, I'm still a bit melancholy.
Snap out of it, I know.
After Simon died, I couldn't take Sasha's crying, so I have adopted a wonderful kitten from the Humane Society. We've named her Cleo (despite Darren's best efforts to have us name her Mrs. Butterworth...) and she immediately blended into our houseful of animals. Just a funny little purr box. I love her!
In the meantime, life has been good as we have all adjusted to the many changes in our lives these past few months. John is moving in with his girlfriend, who seems to make him very happy (and the kids like her, too). The kids have eased into a new school year. And I have found happiness as well, most unexpectedly. So we're all good.
This weekend, the last weekend of summer, we saw the most beautiful avacado shaped moon. What a sight. It even brought out the romantic in me (which, trust me, is saying something.) We all went downtown to Exhibitour, had a lazy Sunday, enjoyed Darren's ribs and corn.....and enjoyed the summerlike weather. I wish it would stay this way forever.

Went to see Meg play volleyball for West against Mosinee. Had a great time but just could not get past those horrid purple swirly socks the Mosinee girls had to wear. What volleyball mom thought up this bright little idea?

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Last night on the way to rehearsal I saw the biggest and most beautiful rainbow ever. Snapped a cell photo from the car. How beautiful is that?

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More Birthday Photos

40th Birthday Party

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

This weekend, a milestone - turned 40 on Saturday. My best friends were awesome. Had abbreviated book club followed by a night at the Fillmor where we made a ridiculous spectacle of ourselves. I seriously have not laughed that hard in so long. It was absolutely the best birthday. I had been dreading it - but now I feel fine. I spent Saturday with my family and had everyone here for a cookout. Darren and the kids went swimming (even though it was FREEZING) and played basketball for hours, the kids all hit the hot tub, and we all had a great, relaxing, lazy day and night. Just terrific.
The only (and significant) thing that ruined an otherwise perfect weekend off was that Simon, my incredible, smart, sassy cat - died Saturday afternoon. He'd gotten sick for the third and final time just Friday - it happened so fast. I'm absolutely devastated - he was without a doubt the best cat I have ever had. Not exactly a great birthday present - yet, in a way, it was easier on the kids to have it happen when there was so much positive stuff happening - they didn't have time to dwell on the sadness.

Click on the photo of me and Dana to visit my Flickr site and see all the photos from the weekend.  (Well, okay, not ALL the photos.......LOL.....)

Corn Roast 2008

A family tradition for decades is the annual Big Falls Corn Roast, which I know I've written about on this blog on previous years.  The roast is held on the Sunday before Labor Day every year, and Big Falls (pop. 75) swells to hold five to ten thousand visitors.  There's a parade followed by a festival with live music, beer, raffles, lots of food, and all the corn you care to eat.  The corn is free, donated by area farmers, and each year they go through about 6 TONS of corn.  It's insanity.  I didn't attend last year, because it was too close to my father's passing - and going without him just seemed unthinkable.  But this year the kids talked me into it.  Just before I left, Darren called from his big music camping festival in Birnamwood, asking me to come get his 14 year old daughter Meg, who was not having a good weekend of it, so I picked her and her best friend Grace up along the way.  I would have just taken them home, but they were game to come to the fest, so we all went and had a great time.  When I drove them home, all the lights were off on the north end of town (EVERYTHING - creepy!) so I just brought the girls to my house, and they and the boys are in the living room watching a movie and eating plenty of junk food.  It's nice to have a house full - and they are great girls.  

Tattoo Photos

In celebration of turning 40 and beginning life anew, my friends Julie and Dana gave me a tattoo - and yesterday was the day. It's a lower back tattoo (TRAMP STAMP at 40 - OMG) and it's my 4th tattoo. The other ones were done years ago and I thought I was over the tattoo thing, but I found that I really wanted this - so Hoss fit me in and after 2 1/2 hours of excruciating pain I now have a beautiful musical back tattoo. I say excruciating pain because truly it was, and that's saying something.....I have NEVER had pain during a tattoo before but this location is so sensitive I almost passed out - CRIPES! But it was worth it - I love it. Check out the photos.

I chose Hoss partly for his reputation, but largely because he for years has supported the Arts Alive Hospice fundraisers that I work with.  He has been a sponsor every year, and I feel it's important to recognize those who give to the community by giving back business when I can.  He was terrific (and didn't laugh at me when I almost died on the table.....)

Meanwhile on the home front, we are all settling into our new lives.  The kids seem at peace.  The time they spend with John (which is frequent) is filled with fun and laughter.  And at home we are having a blast together.  I reconnected with someone from my past who makes me feel terrific.  And I'm so blessed to have support from family and friends who have been wonderful to all of us.  There will be bumps in the road.....but I feel positive we'll all make it through.

Today"s Plan.....A New Tattoo

At 3 crucial junctures in my life I have gotten tattoos. After the last one, I thought I was finished. But turning 40 next week coupled with the big change in my personal life has led me to decide on a new one - a lower back tattoo that I'm getting today at 4pm with Hoss. Dana and Julie pitched together to pay - it's a birthday gift. Can't wait. Watch for photos - Dana's coming to take pics for me.

Great Sportsmanship.....LOL!

Adjusting.....

Yesterday, my husband of 13 years moved out of the house.  This has been a long time coming and I can honestly say that I think we will be better friends once the dust has settled.  We are both looking forward to a new chapter in our lives and the challenges ahead.  Finally told the kids yesterday afternoon when they got home from the lake......after a few tears they too realized that this will be better for all of us.  And so.....a new life begins.  Sad.  Scared.  But relieved, too.

My dad always said 13 was the luckiest number - maybe it's true, and this was the best time to leave.  I know it won't be easy, but luckily John moved in with his brother about 6 blocks away, so the kids can go back and forth easily.  And despite the tears, we are both moving forward and wish each other well.  Still.....it's a huge adjustment for all of us.  I know my dad is watching me and giving me the strength I need to make it through - and I have incredible friends and family for support....I am not alone.

Photos from Julies family bbq!

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Here's the view from backstage at blues fest. Thanks Darren!
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Pic from blues fest
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Una Notte Bella 2008

The planning is on for Una Notte Bella 2008, the Conservatory's annual fundraiser in October and this year I'm co-chairing the event with Amy Plier.  Our theme this year is France, and we're planning an incredible evening with a french flair - wonderful food and an incredible Milwaukee based French musician, Robin Pluer.  One cool thing this year is a project started by one of the WCM parents - taking completely unusable violins and turning them into artwork to auction off.  16 regional artists have agreed to create a piece, and the first one has just arrived from artist Mark Mittlestadt - this is entitled - HOT MUSIC.  I love it - and can't wait to see the rest as they begin to trickle in.

Olympics

The Summer Olympics has me mesmerized - I love the games as I always have.  Is Michael Phelps not the Bionic Man?  Holy crap.  Gotta love it.  And those synchronized divers?  Wow.  We saw the Chinese pair with their hair cut and styled exactly the same.....Rowan looked at me, shook his head and said - now, that's just creepy.

Still irritated that the games ended up in China....but watching those Chinese gymnasts last night I couldn't help but root for them.  Their floor exercises were works of art compared to our tumbling acts.  And, too, you've gotta wonder what it's like for them if they lose.  (They won gold - a sigh of relief, no one's gonna get shot today.)

Oh, I'm being unfair, I suppose.

Note to the volleyball players - get the undies out of your @sses, please.  (Yes, I am obsessed with the volleyball outfits. I know.  I KNOW!)

In Olympics news, (and in support of my what-it's-like-not-to-win-in-China-theory), China's men's gymnastics coach said he would throw himself off the highest building in China if his men's team didn't win gold.  

Seriously.  SERIOUSLY?

In which case Michael Phelps would have rushed to the nearest phone booth, ripped off his clothes, and flown to save the coach in the nick of time.

One would hope, anyway.  Thankfully, the Chinese won gold and we'll never have to know.

Lose Your Camera?

Check the I Found Your Camera blog at www.ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com - It posts photos that people have found, either physical pictures or those in cameras or on memory cards. People email the photos to the blog’s founder, Matt Preprost, along with information about where and when they were found. Preprost then posts the pictures online, hoping that people will spot themselves in the photos and claim them. Nearly 100 photo sets have been posted to the blog, and 10 of them have been claimed. That 10% success rate encourages Preprost to keep up his work. He says the photos contain memories that their owners probably thought were gone for good, and to give those memories back to them is very rewarding.

Three years ago Dana and I lost a camera up at the Hodag Country Music Festival - I can honestly say I hope those photos DON'T show up on the I Found Your Camera blog......LOL!

Central WI Idol

This past weekend, I was asked to judge a singing competition for Fox called Central Wisconsin Idol.  The winner of this local competition won a guaranteed audition with American Idol Producers on August 18th in New Jersey along with an all expenses paid trip.  I was happy to be part of the process and there was a lot of raw talent there.  Trayce, the other judge, agreed that with training some of these people could be incredible.  But the minute I heard the winner open her mouth and sing I knew she was the one - the total package.  Congratulations to Tana DeLonay, who is a Conservatory student and former Choralation singer.  I would not be surprised if she ended up on the show - she is amazing!

Summertime....

....is my favorite season.

I love everything about it.  The sunshine, the breezes.  The cool nights.  I love that the kids are here with me instead of off at school all day long.  I love not having to get up early to get them off to school, since I always have to work really late at night.  I love spending my lunch hour floating in the pool with a good book and an iced tea.  And I love that the kids and I have time to do silly things together.  Tonight at about 9, we decided to all climb into the convertible and go for a spin.  We went to visit my dad at the cemetery, then went and got an ice cream at DQ.....then sat around the kitchen table and played a rip roaring game of Yahtzee, which Rowan won handily.  (I came in 2nd, and Devon 3rd.  Good thing they are both good sports!)  I suppose most people reading this would roll their eyes and think - eghad, a Saturday night playing Yahtzee and eating ice cream?  But to us it was fun.  We laughed and giggled and broke the zoom on my blackberry trying to take photos in the car (don't ask) and discussed why, exactly, their friend Joey has decided not to take a shower for the rest of the summer.  (Again - you don't want to know.)

At 11 and 12, I'm lucky they still want to hang out with their old mom.  I must seem pretty ancient to them sometimes.

I wish the summer would never end.

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Simon thinks those olympics volleyball outfits look just a little too tight in the butt. How comfortable can THAT be?
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Why I love working at home!
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WOMAN FINDS CHEESUS

A Missouri woman (High Ridge) says she has found Jesus in a bag of Cheetos. Kelly Ramey bought a bag of the popular snack food at a convenience store, and inside the bag she felt something unusual. Ramey said, "I thought, 'Oh my that looks like Jesus on the cross.' It was just like wow." Most family and friends agree with her that the Cheeto looks like Jesus on the cross, though one friend says the snack looks like a horse head. Ramey says her husband has a special name for it. "He calls him Cheesus." If you plan to buy it from her through an eBay auction, forget it -- she plans to keep it in a safe deposit box.

Just So We're Clear.......

.....she said......"There will be no f$cking crying when the hair starts falling to the floor".

This is what Dana said when I asked her to CUT IT OFF - glad she did it. "And throw some BLONDE in it too, while you're at it, willya?"

Midlife crisis?  WHAT midlife crisis, silly?

Rowan's Tapout

Rowan's Tapout
Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Last night at Camp Tesomas, Rowan was chosen for the Order of the Arrow, a high honor in scouting. Those chosen are voted upon secretly, and they are grabbed from the crowd, tapped out by the "chief", and put through what is called "the ordeal" - spending a night alone in the woods, followed by a day of hard labor with nothing but bread and water for food. This culminates in a huge celebration and dinner as the boys become members of the Order. This was Rowan's first year of eligibility and both he and his best friend Wyatt were both chosen. Here's a photo of him being tapped out. Click on the photo for more pictures of the ceremony. We are so proud of him!

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One of the auction items for una notte bella!
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Another Symphony Photo

Wausau Symphony photos
Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Thanks to Angela Uhl-Chmiel for the photos!

Wausau Symphony in the Clouds

Wausau Symphony photos
Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Earlier tonight, I was so pleased to perform with the Wausau Symphony as part of the Concert in the Clouds series at Rib Mountain State Park. The concerts are performed there in the ampitheater looking over Wauasu. it is a beautiful place to hear music, bring wine, take a picnic - concerts I have enjoyed hearing for years - but this is the first time I actually PLAYED in one. It was wonderful - and we played to a record crowd despite a tornado watch and impending severe storms. Bravo!

Goodbye, Annmarie

When I was a child, my mother's best friend would visit frequently with her husband and three daughters.  Annie, two years my junior, was my playmate over many summers at our cottage.  I can still see her smile and hear her laughter as we splashed on the shoreline, though it always seemed she was a little afraid of the water.

How ironic, then, that she chose to die by drowning herself.  

After weeks of wondering, Annie's body washed ashore across Lake Michigan near Grand Rapids, some 90 miles from Milwaukee where she took her own life.  Click here for the story.

Rest in peace, my old friend.

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This weeks show, a celtic group called Green Tea, was moved inside due to inclement weather. Good music though. Bought the CD!
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Rowan and me
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Vacation - OVER

It was a great week of vacation.  For the most part, the weather cooperated and I enjoyed myself so much.  Nice break!  My last vacation was in November, so this was a much needed respite.  I spent a lot of time in the pool and have a nasty burn to prove it.  Dana and I went to Hodag as always, stayed at the cottage, and enjoyed the gorgeous weather.  The only bummer was that my convertible's window is now stuck in the "down" position and I'm certain it's going to be ridiculously expensive to fix it.  It's at the shop now, and they'll call me Monday with the damages.  

Chalk fest was a blast, not happy with my piece this year but had fun doing it anyway.  My whole body is sore from chalking.  Balloon fest was a bust since we have 25 mph winds that have prevailed the entire weekend.  Julie and her kids came over twice this weekend and had a blast in the pool - so nice that our kids get along so well.  We played cards, drank wine, and just had a great weekend.....very low key.

One more week and the kids head up to Scout camp.  I hope the weather is great for their adventures.

I have a huge assignment to finish today for class, and as I said, it's back to the grind.....so that's it for the update today!

Finishing up.....

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Still not sure what it needs yet but taking a break. Worked on it for four hours in the blazing sun - glad of the breeze!

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Mine is almost done!!!
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