Summertime

It seems summertime is finally here with great temperatures and sunshine.  This past week has been notably good and we are all enjoying the pool.

The summer concert series has begun as well, a Wednesday night tradition that we all enjoy.  My symphony played in the one two weeks ago, then John & Dana Greiner's group played one week after that.  This week it's reggae, followed by John Altenburgh's group the next week.  Concerts in the Clouds have also begun and my symphony will be playing on Saturday, July 19th.  Looking forward to that.  

As of about a month ago, I officially became a full-fledged DePaul University student.  Did I mention that?  Looking to complete my degree with an emphasis in arts management.  Of course I had to accessorize.....and I am now the proud owner of a DePaul t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat and license plate frame.  (Dork.  I know.)  Classes are going well this summer and I am working at testing out of a few subject areas to accelerate the process.

Wednesday morning my friend Dana and I are going for massages at the spa - I can't wait.  Then vacation starts Sunday for a week.  Love my job - but I'm still counting the days and looking forward to a nice break with not a lot on my plate!

More kayaking.....

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Rowan was all smiles. Beth said he had great instincts - now he can't wait to learn more about the sport!

Devon in his gear

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Getting ready to hit the river!

Kayaking

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

My dear friend Beth Rypstadt was in town over the weekend for kayaking fun, and she kindly offered to show the kids the ropes. They had a great time - THANKS, BETH!!!!

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Chilling out at the 400 block watching Greiner and co. Its great!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld

Bah! Humbug!

After just a year and a half, my MacBook bit the dust on Saturday.  One minute it was on and working fine.....the next, it was dead.  Fried motherboard.  WTF???  SO incredibly mad.  Took it to HappyMac (where, by the way, they are awesome) but got the bad news today that my problem would cost more than a new MacBook to fix.  Crazy!  All my papers, files.....gone.  So......after negotiating a decent trade for parts and getting a DePaul University discount, I came home with a brand new MacBook.  The new one isn't quite as nice as the old one, I'm afraid, but I'm on a budget - feel guilty enough as it is having to buy this one - but I would have spent the same on a new PC.....and I am in love with the macs.....so here we are.  I have never been so happy to have a Blackberry, though, because thanks to the synchronization software I was able to transfer all my iCal entries back onto my new Mac - and all my contacts, too - whew!  That saved a LOT of headaches.  And I was able to transfer my ipod stuff back to iTunes.

Students are also able to get a free ipod shuffle after rebate - so I'm going to get one for John.  He has a super old one and would enjoy a new one, so I'll be doing that for him soon.  

Gotta run.....programs to download......stuff to record!

Not FLIP Flops - FIT Flops

Today my new Fit Flops arrived. Incredible! My friend Dana told me about them - they're the flip flop "with the gym built in" - designed to give your calves a workout while you walk, ease back pain & fatigue, and mimic barefoot walking as much as possible. They're not the most GORGEOUS shoes I've ever owned - but one day in, and I'm sold. I bought the pink ones and after trying them have ordered the bronze. I walk barefoot all the time - in fact, if i didn't have to wear shoes, I never would. But of course, I can't walk barefoot all the time. :( Thought I'd give these a try, and I'm glad I did. Check out all the interesting benefits here.
At $49, it's definitely the most expensive flip flop I've ever owned. But I'm hoping it's also the best. Buy them online at Victoria's Secret, Bath & Bodyworks, and Macy's.

Coming of Age

At 12, Rowan is looking for ways to earn money this summer, so one of the things he wanted to learn to do was to cut the grass. It will be nice for John, too, not to have to do it all summer anymore, so we agreed it was time for him to learn. My brother has oodles of patience with this kind of thing (unlike me!) so today he's teaching Rowan the art of Lawn Mowing. I can't believe he's old enough to be doing this. And of course......I know there will come a time when he regrets learning how! :)

Memorial Day parade

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

The kids marched in the Memorial Day Parade this weekend for their Boy Scout troop. I only had my small camera and they went by so quickly I didn't get many shots. But I was so proud of them. My dad would have been, too. The memorial ceremony following the parade was nice, too. Hard to believe summer is almost here!

1:1000 Photo Group #4: Music

It's time to post photos for our photo group, a small group of fellow bloggers who enjoy photography. For each theme, we are to post five photos we've taken in the spirit of the theme, which this time is music. I've been slacking off and not posting as I should, but I did manage to snap a few photos this time around!
If you'd like to join the group, click here for details. I'll post links to participating blogs as soon as I know they've posted, so check back for the links in the days to come.
Regular participants blogs (and past photos) can be found here:
CJ's blog
Ed's blog
Tyson's blog
Ryan's blog

Family

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

Here is Ann's award winning piece, shown with both Ann and one of the judges from the show. You really have to see the detail to appreciate the intricate work she's done. This will be on display in the Loft at the CVA, downtown Wausau, for a month.

Ann's Award

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

My incredibly talented aunt, Ann, is an amazing artist who excels at a variety of media types. Her paintings are beautiful, her wood carvings nothing short of incredible. During her recovery from breast cancer surgery earlier this year, she worked on a carving piece using a big hunk of wood from my father. The wood took shape into a surprising group of faces and arms - something she called "family". Last week, Ann entered the piece in the Center for Visual Arts annual Memorial Show. We all attended the opening cocktail party, and Ann had been notified she'd won something in the juried show, though she assumed it was an honorable mention, the only previous award she'd received through the CVA's shows. We were all so excited when the judges announced that Ann had won BEST OF SHOW for her piece! She won a cash prize - but most importantly, was given a much needed shot in the arm, validation that her work is appreciated. I cried when they called her name. This photo shows Ann accepting the award - I'll post a photo of the piece next.

Surviving High Gas Prices

Almost May~

April has been a busy month, and I'm glad to see May peeking around the corner on the calendar. Just six weeks until school lets out for the summer, and it will be nice to have the kids at home all day. Less running, too, and more sleep which always improves my mood and my health.
I've been busy in the yard despite the colder than normal April, fixing my stone patio (needed a fill between the crevices, that kind of thing), raking and cleaning up the backyard in preparation for the warmer months. I can't wait until it's time to put out bright pots of flowers and open the pool. We scored a free patio umbrella on Freecycle and it even matches our cushions, so that will add to the deck's usability this summer as well.
I hope to have my eons old student loans completely paid off this week - just in time to take out new ones, as I will be registering within the week for the summer session at DePaul. Looking to take Digital Photography and either a creative writing or Truth in Democracy class (or, perhaps, all 3 if I'm feeling particularly energetic.) I can't wait to begin!
This weekend, I played in the Wausau Symphony and Band's spring concert - "The Greatest Generation", featuring wonderful music from the 40's. Porgy and Bess, some Irving Berlin, Sentimental Journey......all that terrific music that reminds me of my parents. I cried on the way home, wishing Dad had been there to see it. He would have loved it. My dear friend Duff Damos was kind enough to make the trek here from Rhinelander to narrate a very special piece called the Navajo Code Talkers - a piece honoring the Navajo marines who developed an unbreakable code that helped the Allies win World War 2. His deep, wonderful voice was perfect for the narration, and the larger than usual audience appreciated every word. What a wonderful gift to share with us - thanks Duff!
Tomorrow, a new rite of passage for Rowan, who after 11 years wearing glasses will finally get contac lenses. He is so excited - and I'm so happy for him! It will make him so much more confident, which is especially important now that we know he'll be going to Horace Mann next year. (The Montessori school only goes through 6th grade, and isn't ready to expand quite yet.) I'll be sure to take a photo of Rowan, sans glasses, and post it tomorrow night.

Arts Alive

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Originally uploaded by shereenflynn

The girls and I at Arts Alive 2008. From left - me, Ann, Tabby, and Kathy. It was Ann's 40th birthday, so Kathy drove up from Rhinelader. We had a great time!

Arts Alive is an annual fundraiser for Aspirus Hospice - a cause near and dear to my heart, especially after my father's experience last year. I have been on their advisory board for three years, helping to plan this event that honors the life of the late Kathy Ferris, an old friend who deserves all the honors she can possibly receive. She was an incredible woman.

The event includes a three hour auction/cocktail party that I host annually at the Jefferson Street Inn. This year we had approximately 50 pieces of art donated by regional artists. Some were offered in a silent auction, some in the live auction part of the evening. There is live music, food, and a table of specialty beer available for free, always a big hit. Typically we raise between 15 and 20 thousand dollars after expenses - this year should be no exception, with over 400 tickets sold.

Kathy came from Chicago - one of my oldest friends - and stayed to celebrate Ann's 40th birthday. She was here for the whole weekend, and we had a nice time. It was great to see her, and nice to take a break from my hectic life for a change. Thanks, Kath!

Views From the Pit

Photos taken from the pit during the Allegro dance performances last month. I was in the orchestra pit, and it was hard to get a decent angle.

Happy Spring

April showers bring May flowers. So what does the snow bring? A headache! But some gorgeous views this morning! Still....the late snow is not doing great things for my psyche. Can summer really be just around the corner? Stay tuned.....

Better Hair Photo

Okay, here is a better look at the new hair.

It Doesn't Take Much....

....to make me laugh. Your video of the day:

Ahhh.....Spring.....

....when a young girl's fancy turns to - new haircuts! I went in for a trim and a highlight today and wound up having six inches cut off. What was I thinking? It was just getting too long - and I was feeling "too forty" - maybe this will help perk me up a bit.