Finally figured out how to transfer that video from Labor Day weekend to YouTube - check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwh10FUi8ZE
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
I AM.....
The spelling bee champion of the world!
Er.....no.
My friends know I am a stickler for proper grammar and perfect spelling. I don't tolerate sloppiness and have a natural gift for spelling. When I was 10, Andrea Schultz and I won the John Marshall spelling bee, moving on to the city finals, where I faltered after misspelling "anemometer" for the first and only time in my life.
That said, I've noted in the blog the fact that I sell handmade jewelry at my best friend's hair salon. Two weeks ago, I ordered cute, quirky business cards (pictured somewhere on the blog with some of the jewelry I sell) to advertise my baubles. These cards are included in every purchase, cheerily stating "Shereen's Beads - Handmade Qaulity Baubles".
Oh yes. QAULITY.
Of course, these cards have been given to every customer in the past two weeks.
Just fabyulous.
Er.....no.
My friends know I am a stickler for proper grammar and perfect spelling. I don't tolerate sloppiness and have a natural gift for spelling. When I was 10, Andrea Schultz and I won the John Marshall spelling bee, moving on to the city finals, where I faltered after misspelling "anemometer" for the first and only time in my life.
That said, I've noted in the blog the fact that I sell handmade jewelry at my best friend's hair salon. Two weeks ago, I ordered cute, quirky business cards (pictured somewhere on the blog with some of the jewelry I sell) to advertise my baubles. These cards are included in every purchase, cheerily stating "Shereen's Beads - Handmade Qaulity Baubles".
Oh yes. QAULITY.
Of course, these cards have been given to every customer in the past two weeks.
Just fabyulous.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Just Trying Out.....
.....the new camera. It works! Bought a fun little Kodak V530 digital to keep in my purse. It's a terrific compact camera with a Schneider Kreuznach lens. Not the quality of my Minolta Dimage series but for the size and price, I think I'm going to be very happy with it. Plus, it's bright red.....gotta love that! :)
Friday, September 22, 2006
TGIF
Loooooooong week. Devon hurt his hand at football practice. Thankfully it's not broken, just badly sprained - but he's in a lot of pain. Today I walked him into school, told the substitute teacher the story and that the ER doc said "no Phy Ed" for today since we were not yet sure it wasn't broken, and thought all was well. Unfortunately, that's not what happened. Upon picking him up from school I was told that he was forced to participate in PE anyway......I was absolutely so mad I was spitting nails. I seriously think all phy ed teachers have to pass a sadism class in order to get their teaching certificate. And yes, I fired off a very angry email to the principal and teacher upon arriving back home.Rowan was sick this week, too - he keeps getting these headaches all the time. I think it's time to get those checked out, too.
Rowan has been invited to participate in the People to People Ambassador program, which gives kids the opportunity to travel with a group each year to another country. The upcoming trip is to England and Ireland, and although it sounds like a fantastic opportunity I am having a hard time convincing myself that it's safe for him to fly. I went to the informational meeting last night, and while it's intriguing (and expensive - five grand!) - I just can't imagine letting him go overseas for 20 days.
All in all it's just been a very long week - and although I work all weekend it should be less hectic and hopefully I can catch up on my sleep.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Where the Germs Are
A recent survey shows which office-based jobs host the most bacteria. Here is the list, going from careers with the most to least germs on workspace surfaces:
Teacher
Accountant
Banker
Radio host (because we are all pigs)
Doctor
Television producer
Consultant
Publicist
Lawyer
The study (conducted by a University of Arizona microbiologist) showed that the average bacteria per square inch of workspace surfaces ranged from 17,800 for teachers to 900 for lawyers. Phones are the workplace's top spots for bacteria. Next are desks, computer keyboards, and computer mice.
Wednesday
Fall is in full swing. The air is crisp and cool and the leaves have begun to change. It's a beautiful time of year in Wisconsin.
Last night at my monthly bunco game with the girls, Tabby and I stayed behind to help Ann clean up and - of course - to talk about the night. There is one person in particular that I am not particularly fond of, but during our after-bunco discussion I realized that she probably doesn't really have any friends. How lucky I am to have so many truly good friends.
Rowan visited the orthodontist today to have his spacers put in for next week's headgear and retainer. All for the low, low price of just 3 thousand dollars. Ohhhh, how it hurt to write that check. And then there'll be ANOTHER three grand for braces! I'm SO in the wrong business. Of course, I played bunco last month in my orthodontists' house, as his wife is in the group - a mere 1.1 million dollar mansion......as I work my tail off to pay off the headgear!
My second 20 year high school reunion is just around the corner - 2nd week of October - and I'm starting to panic. I have nothing to wear! And of course I'm going to be seeing every boy that ever broke my heart, so it's important to look good. (This is the sole reason every woman attends her reunion, just so you know.) Cripes - time to hit the stores. At least I have no wrinkles....and I still have good hair! (Thanks, Dana!)
Last night at my monthly bunco game with the girls, Tabby and I stayed behind to help Ann clean up and - of course - to talk about the night. There is one person in particular that I am not particularly fond of, but during our after-bunco discussion I realized that she probably doesn't really have any friends. How lucky I am to have so many truly good friends.
Rowan visited the orthodontist today to have his spacers put in for next week's headgear and retainer. All for the low, low price of just 3 thousand dollars. Ohhhh, how it hurt to write that check. And then there'll be ANOTHER three grand for braces! I'm SO in the wrong business. Of course, I played bunco last month in my orthodontists' house, as his wife is in the group - a mere 1.1 million dollar mansion......as I work my tail off to pay off the headgear!
My second 20 year high school reunion is just around the corner - 2nd week of October - and I'm starting to panic. I have nothing to wear! And of course I'm going to be seeing every boy that ever broke my heart, so it's important to look good. (This is the sole reason every woman attends her reunion, just so you know.) Cripes - time to hit the stores. At least I have no wrinkles....and I still have good hair! (Thanks, Dana!)
Monday, September 18, 2006
Melancholy Monday
&#^$%@ Steelers. Ruined a perfectly good football pick week! Great matchup for Monday night football, though.
Speaking of football, the kids game ended in a tie - the game was called early thanks to a nasty storm. So much for Channel 7's half million dollar Titan weather prediction of sunny skies with a high of 78. Bah! Someday I would really just love to see Chad just stand up and admit "we have no clue about tomorrow's weather - just dress in layers and bring an umbrella". They'd get points for honesty, wouldn't they?
I bought the kids a cell phone today. Yes, I know they're too young for it. But they have to have some way to contact me if I drop them off at football and someone gets hurt. Or skiing, or sledding, or whatever. They think they're pretty cool now. No text messaging allowed, however.
I've been thinking a lot about the ties that bind, and what keeps people together, or apart. How relationships change through the years, yet somehow remain relevant. It's strange to love someone for years, isn't it? Through growth and change and life altering events, some feelings never die, regardless of whether they are appropriate or acceptable. There are so many forks in the road as we live our lives.....so many opportunities to make the right choice, or the wrong one. Opportunities to make it all right.....or keep on pretending. I wish we could choose who we love.....but try as I might, it never quite seems to work out that way.
Speaking of football, the kids game ended in a tie - the game was called early thanks to a nasty storm. So much for Channel 7's half million dollar Titan weather prediction of sunny skies with a high of 78. Bah! Someday I would really just love to see Chad just stand up and admit "we have no clue about tomorrow's weather - just dress in layers and bring an umbrella". They'd get points for honesty, wouldn't they?
I bought the kids a cell phone today. Yes, I know they're too young for it. But they have to have some way to contact me if I drop them off at football and someone gets hurt. Or skiing, or sledding, or whatever. They think they're pretty cool now. No text messaging allowed, however.
I've been thinking a lot about the ties that bind, and what keeps people together, or apart. How relationships change through the years, yet somehow remain relevant. It's strange to love someone for years, isn't it? Through growth and change and life altering events, some feelings never die, regardless of whether they are appropriate or acceptable. There are so many forks in the road as we live our lives.....so many opportunities to make the right choice, or the wrong one. Opportunities to make it all right.....or keep on pretending. I wish we could choose who we love.....but try as I might, it never quite seems to work out that way.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Oh. My
Apple - Trailers - Borat - Trailer
Click the link, laugh your butt off. Not exactly....um.....PC.
Click the link, laugh your butt off. Not exactly....um.....PC.
Wednesday Grumbles and Cheer
Today I created a radio ad for a client who will remain unnamed - and it's hands down the worst commercial I have ever had a part in. Ever! I know the client is always right - but in this case, they don't know just how wrong they are. All I know is, when I hear it on the radio, I'll be turning the dial. Cripes.
I had my monthly lunch today with three friends from high school, and as always, it was a great time. I would have liked to stay at the cafe all day. Although we usually only see each other the one time per month, perhaps two if we're all at bunco - lunch is always full of laughter and comraderie. We are able to share our secrets with each other without fear of retribution, and we all celebrate our successes - and mourn our losses. Upon arriving home, we each had emails in our inbox from another friend telling us about the death of a classmate's mother. Throughout the afternoon, more information was shared, and quite a group will be making the drive to attend her funeral on Friday. It always amazes me how close that group truly is, even after 20 years, and how much they all look out for one another. I know if I needed any one of them, all I would have to do is say the word and they'd circle the wagons. It's a good feeling.
I had my monthly lunch today with three friends from high school, and as always, it was a great time. I would have liked to stay at the cafe all day. Although we usually only see each other the one time per month, perhaps two if we're all at bunco - lunch is always full of laughter and comraderie. We are able to share our secrets with each other without fear of retribution, and we all celebrate our successes - and mourn our losses. Upon arriving home, we each had emails in our inbox from another friend telling us about the death of a classmate's mother. Throughout the afternoon, more information was shared, and quite a group will be making the drive to attend her funeral on Friday. It always amazes me how close that group truly is, even after 20 years, and how much they all look out for one another. I know if I needed any one of them, all I would have to do is say the word and they'd circle the wagons. It's a good feeling.
Hey, Kids - It's Mister Microphone!
YouTube - hey kids! it's mister microphone!
Click the link - it really brings you back. "Hey, Good Lookin'!" Hilarious!
Click the link - it really brings you back. "Hey, Good Lookin'!" Hilarious!
Monday, September 11, 2006
YouTube - David Letterman comments attack on the U.S. ( 9/11 WTC )
YouTube - David Letterman comments attack on the U.S. ( 9/11 WTC )
Five years after the attacks on this country, the tears come just as easily as they did back then. I can remember every detail of every moment of that day from what my children were wearing to what I had for breakfast. It is etched in my mind forever. Click the link for David Letterman's first show after the attacks and hear his opening monologue. God Bless America.
Five years after the attacks on this country, the tears come just as easily as they did back then. I can remember every detail of every moment of that day from what my children were wearing to what I had for breakfast. It is etched in my mind forever. Click the link for David Letterman's first show after the attacks and hear his opening monologue. God Bless America.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Football Begins
Oh, and did we get our butts kicked! Great lessons learned by all, and I'll bet the coach will be hard on those kids at practice this week, which is good. I want it to be fun, but tackle football is serious stuff - and when they're screwing around all through practice they're not learning safe play tactics. At any rate, Devon at number 8 is a safety and made one tackle. Rowan, number 45, began as a defensive tackle, but the coach quickly deduced that he's much better suited as offensive tackle. He's doing a great job blocking. It's tough for him - but he tries hard - and I can't argue with that. Our next game is Saturday, and I hope they'll all be fired up and ready to take on the challenge. 
The 80's Are Alive And Well
Well, at least they were last night at Tim and Amy's 80's Revival Party. Kathy came up from Chicago, and the group of us donned once familiar attire from our formative years and headed off to the party. As Kathy said, "we just have no BUSINESS dressing like this anymore!" Our hair was so big we could barely get into the SUV. The footwear was probably the funniest of all. Amy found some great hot pink pumps at Goodwill, and those granny boots on Tabby along with her stretchy gold belt with a heart buckle.....priceless. Tabby would kill me if she knew that the photo of her with a beer bong was posted on the web for all to see.....so.....shhhhh! Ann said that the saddest thing for her was that everything she wore except for the plastic ballet flats was something that was still in her closet. Even the boxy blazer with the big huge shoulder pads. What were we thinking back then? But the killer outfit of the night award goes to none other than Tim, wearing his old football jersey and matching athletic shorts. I'll never forget the sight of him as long as I live. And, nice headstand, Amy!!!!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Play A Game With David Copperfield
Play A Game With Coperfield Video - Flash Player Installation
Here's something fun if you have a spare couple of minutes.
Here's something fun if you have a spare couple of minutes.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Big Falls Corn Roast 2006
Labor Day weekend means our annual trek to the Big Falls Corn Roast, held every Sunday of Labor Day weekend. I've gone every year since I was born. Big Falls is a tiny town, population 75, in Waupaca County - about an hour's drive from here. My father keeps a small house there, and we spend the day eating our fair share of corn, watching the crazy 45 minute parade, and playing Bingo. My brother Dave comes, and we close down the beer tent and head to the village bar afterward. It's always fun. This year there was no Bingo (some sort of planning fiasco, I hear) and I had to forego spending the night due to a work conflict, but we all had a ball anyway. The craziest stuff happens in Big Falls during the corn roast, when the population swells to nearly 8 thousand people. I once saw a drunk man put an entire roll of quarters up his nose, one right after another. (I don't even want to know how THOSE came out!) The area farmers donate over 6 TON of sweet corn that's roasted by the bow hunters association and given away. Yum! This year at the parade I caught the funniest thing I've ever gotten on videotape - a float from a bar with a bunch of guys in grass skirts (and not much more) bellowing out "Fat Bottom Girls" - hilarious! Now, if only I can figure out how to pull that video off the mini-dv and onto the laptop, it's You Tube bound.
I'll post it here if I can ever figure the thing out. Ahhhh........the corn roast.....it makes the rockin' world go 'round!
I'll post it here if I can ever figure the thing out. Ahhhh........the corn roast.....it makes the rockin' world go 'round!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Holiday Weekend
I love holidays. Big ones, little ones, every kind of holiday. Even though I work most of them, including this weekend, they always make me happy. Labor Day weekend is a time to look back on the fun we had all summer and accept the coming seasonal change. Today we were invited to a picnic at our friends home - Julie and Rob - and were treated to a fantastic dinner. After a delicious meal and perhaps too much vodka I'm now sitting in front of the computer, compulsively shopping for fall clothes on Ebay. I'm addicted - it's like the world's biggest shopping mall and I can go there in my favorite pajamas.
Several days ago, Devon brought out one of our photo scrapbooks from three years ago. It was fun to look through the photos and remember all the fun things we did - but I can't believe how quickly my children have grown. I want to make the most of every single minute with them, and I can't imagine the inevitable day when they leave me for new adventures. I can't bear the thought.
Try as I might, my patience wears thin at times - too much to do, too little time to do it - and too much frustration at doing it alone - and I worry that I'm not a good mother.......I just don't want my kids sitting around at Christmastime at age 40 sipping Tom & Jerry's talking about how screwed up their mother was. (Like we do.)
Several days ago, Devon brought out one of our photo scrapbooks from three years ago. It was fun to look through the photos and remember all the fun things we did - but I can't believe how quickly my children have grown. I want to make the most of every single minute with them, and I can't imagine the inevitable day when they leave me for new adventures. I can't bear the thought.
Try as I might, my patience wears thin at times - too much to do, too little time to do it - and too much frustration at doing it alone - and I worry that I'm not a good mother.......I just don't want my kids sitting around at Christmastime at age 40 sipping Tom & Jerry's talking about how screwed up their mother was. (Like we do.)
Friday, September 01, 2006
Last Picnic of the Summer
The kids start school on Tuesday, so we took some time today to have a picnic up at Rib Mountain State Park. It was gorgeous - and surprisingly quiet, with very few others enjoying the crisp September air. We grabbed a bucket of chicken, a couple bottles of wine, and away we went. A great time was had by all. Farewell, summer!
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