Who Knew?

Probably you.

I learned something from my nieces last week. They are 8 and 5. We went to the Children's Museum, and somehow a conversation of fruits and vegetables came up. One of them said "A cucumber is a fruit." WHAT? Seriously folks, I feel a little stupid. "If it has seeds, it's a fruit. If it doesn't, it's a vegetable." Huh. I guess I wasn't paying attention that day. (One question: what do you call the English-or SEEDLESS-cucumber?)

Well this changes a lot! Cucumbers are fruit. Squash is a fruit. Tomatoes are fruit. Dang! Maybe I can tell Dave (who doesn't eat vegetables) "Honey, squash is FRUIT! You can eat it!!!"

Time

Where has it gone? In just TWO WEEKS, I will be staring at this clock live and in person



Yes, the clock at Grand Central Station in NYC. We're staying VERY close to Grand Central. And I can't wait to get there. It's been 9 years (to the month, actually) since I was there last. Not the best time of my life, unfortunately. I was visiting a friend. Same friend this time, but it will be different. Have I mentioned I can't wait to get there????

Ok, I think I'm going to go look up how to fill in those holes in my front yard left from pulling out those bushes.

Rachael Ray Show

Yes, Rachael Ray is getting her own show. She begins taping in July. OOH, we're going to NY in July! She tapes literally .23 miles from our hotel. OOOOOHHHH! That would be SO COOOL! She is my cooking HERO. LOVE HER!



She's taping Tues-Thurs, 11am & 2pm. You can request to be at a taping right on her website.

Oh yeah....WE'RE FLYING IN LATE ON THURSDAY AND LEAVING MONDAY AFTERNOON.

DAMN IT!!!

It's all about me, right?

Here's another survey!

1. My ex is...a passing thought
2. I am listening to...Quaker Steak & Lube commercial
3. Maybe I should...try to explain
4. I love...my life
5. My bestfriends...are forever
6. I don't understand...a lot
7. I lost...my mind
8. People say...stop
9. The meaning of my screen name is...my job
10. Love is...the best thing ever
11. Somewhere, someone is...not understanding
12. I will always...have myself
13. Forever seems...hopeful
14. I never want to...hurt you EVER again
15. My mobile phone...is somewhere...in my purse?
16. When I wake up in the morning...morning? i think "why am I awake!"
17. I get annoyed...people who don't listen
18. Parties are...fun...for the most part
19. My Dog is...no dogs for me
20. Kisses are the best when...they're from someone you love
21. Today I...babysat
22. I Wish I...hadn't
23. Tomorrow I will...work
24. I really want...to be in NYC!
25. My room is...messy

Worlds Worst and Best Shovels

I went to the store today to get a shovel. After last nights de-landscaping, I needed to finish up. I needed to get to the root of the problem, so to speak. So, I bought a shovel at a discount store.

I got home with said shovel, used it for about 5 minutes, and the damn thing BROKE. Seriously. I wasn't hitting someone with it, I was trying to dig. Isn't that what shovels are for? Well it broke right where the metal meets the wood. I offer you a version of the worlds worst shovel. I can't find the exact one online, unfortunately.


So, we took that one back and went to a different store for a new shovel. Twice the price and ALL METAL, it's called "The World's Best Shovel". So, we bought it. And you know what? I believe it. I pulled out some NASTY roots with that thing, and it's still working.

Here you go, the World's Best Shovel (mine says it right on the shovel) from Fiskars of all companies. I thought they just made scissors.


And the damn bushes I pulled out with it:



This was the last of the 3, and was as big as the other 2 put together. On here it looks like a big scary animal ready to bite!



Next? The roses. Wish me luck.

Another weekend gone!

It was a busy one, but a good one! Friday night was volleyball, and it seemed like everyone brought their kid with them! Shawn brought Kalina (13 months), Sarah brought Vincent (7 months) and Mary brought Grace (almost 3 years). It was a fun time, and finally a decent (but a little warm) night for volleyball. Saturday was another work day, then to my parents' house to celebrate Father's Day. It was just going to be me and dave with my parents, but my brother, sister-in-law and their 2 kids joined in. It was also a good time. Sunday we got up and headed to Dave's brother's house for a second father's day. more good food, a little wine...and I was BEAT. I thought I'd fall asleep at the table. I only had 2 glasses, but ended up taking a 2 hour nap when we got home. Then it was off to work for me, as another week started!
Today I slept in as late as I could. So when 2pm rolled around, I felt the need to get my butt out of bed. So I went to work out, then came home and mowed the lawn. Then I pulled out a plant we don't like. And Dave cleaned the gutters. We have a lot of plans for our landscaping...we'll see how it all goes. We're going for the minimalist look though, that's for sure.
So, here we are. Another week. Hope yours started off good!

What time of day are you?

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Wanna hear a story?

If so, keep reading. If not...then, well...don't! :o)

It's the story of my friend Dena. Those who know me know of her. So I'm telling those of you that don't know me!

The story starts in 1986. Yes, 20 years ago. If I remember correctly (which it is possible I don't), I was reading one of my brother's magazines and in the back there were pictures and ads, if you will, for pen-pals. One of the girls was 3 years older than me, and I thought "What the heck!" (I was 10. I said heck. I'd say hell if it were to happen today)! So, I wrote to this girl, Marcella, who lived in Brooklyn, NY.

A few weeks later, I got a letter back. Only it wasn't from Marcella, but her cousin Dena. Marcella was bombarded with letters, and Dena was my same age, so she gave her the letter.

For a few years we wrote back and forth as often as we could, comparing likes and dislikes and things that young girls do. Boys and music and all the important things. After a few years of writing, we tried talking. But before talking on the phone, we figured we'd send cassette tapes back and forth. I'd talk in one and tell stories, then send it to her. She'd talk on the other side and send it back to me. We did this because, being the age we were, we thought it would be a FORTUNE to talk on the phone between Wisconsin and New York. The first tape I got from her...well, I was a little naive to say the least. I didn't know not everyone talked the same! I didn't know there was such thing as New York accent. (Or a Wisconsin accent, if you must think there is one!)

We talked on the phone a couple of times, but it really was easiest to write our letters. We even had nick-names for each other. She was Doc (her initials are DR) and I was Kid (mine being KD). My first car had license plates of GOKIDGO.
Anyway, we continued to write until 1997. Yes, after 11 years and a couple failed attempts, we decided to meet. I flew out to New York in July, and what happened next is a story in itself. Without getting into too much detail, I will tell you it was not a good experience. Two 21 year old girls who lived WORLDS apart completely clashing after all that time. It was just weird to think we wouldn't get along. But we didn't. It was bad, and after some nasty exchanges via snail-mail, we stopped communicating alltogether.

After 2 years, I wrote her a letter. In it I basically said that I wanted closure. If we weren't going to be friends anymore, then I at least wanted it to end on good terms. I got a letter back from her, and I couldn't believe it. She was apologizing for the way my trip had turned out, and telling me she was glad I'd written.

We continued from there, sending emails this time rather than letters. We'd caught up with technology and it was SO easy to communicate. We became closer than we were before. Letter/email communication is a very interesting thing when it's all you have. We still don't speak on the phone very often (unless it's big news, like when I got engaged), but I think we have the most open friendship because of it.

SO, after 6 more years, it was time for another trip. I had asked her to be in my wedding, and it would be the second time we'd ever met. I knew it would be an emotional time, so I planned a trip out there to be kind of a buffer. February '05 came and I was to head out. That week, I got sicker than I'd been in a LONG time. It was the first time I called in sick to my job since I started in July '02. Come to find out, Dena was sick too. And a snowstorm was headed to NY. So, my trip got cancelled. Fast forward to July, just 1 day before my wedding. Dave and I on the way to the airport to pick her up (along with her boyfriend Greg). I was SO nervous. I thought I'd get sick. I considered her one of my best friends, yet I hadn't seen her in 8 years, and that was a disaster. When I saw her coming down the escalator at the airport, the fear and nervousness drained out of me, and it was like it was supposed to be. Seeing an old friend after a long absence.

I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her that weekend, but what time we did spend together was great. We've both grown up a LOT since that first visit. Dave and I are going to visit her next month, and we can't wait.

And that is the story of my friend Dena. I hope you enjoyed it!

Neglect!

I feel like I've been spending too much time on myspace and not enough time here lately. So, I'm taking a break from myspace and focusing on blogger! (As if it really matters!)

So, 3 weeks ago, I went to the doctor for a consultation and she said "let's get some blood, we'll test it, and go from there." So, I did that. She said it would take about a week for the results. I gave FIVE VIALS of blood. (I know...could have been worse, but it seemed like a lot!) Anyway, I waited and waited to hear back. 10 days later (last friday) I finally get a phone call. What did they say? Huh? Wait for it.....

The tests were inconclusive and we need to you come back and give 5 more vials of blood.

So yeah, that's what I did today. I sure hope tomorrow's more fun!

Gettin' a Packer Fix!

Today was the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game. It was SO fun. It's where we got engaged in 2004, and we wanted to make it a yearly tradition. We couldn't go last year, but we made sure to get there this year. They have fun on the field (it's Packer offense vs. defense) and make it a great time for everyone. The weather was good, traffic tolerable...all-in-all, a very good day.

Favre up to bat

Last season out-of-nowhere superstar, Samkon Gado

Donald Driver, hitting one of his (at least) 2 homeruns of the day

The score when we left was 21-8, offense. It was a lot of fun, and now we're ready for some football!!!

Your pronounciation lesson for today

You are VERY into sports. So much so that you WORK FOR ESPN RADIO. So, I shouldn't have to explain this to you. But apparently I do.

Dirk Nowitzky. He is from Germany, currently playing his eighth season with the Dallas Mavericks. But you already know that, because as I said, you work for ESPN Radio. You must not, however, know how to pronounce Nowitzky. Now, I know it looks like it might be "no-witz-key". It is not. So stop saying it that way. Say it the right way, please. Nuh-vitz-key. Easy enough? Yes, it is. It must be, because that is how almost everyone that has anything to do with the NBA pronounces it. Now, I've not heard Dirk pronounce his last name, but I'm pretty sure he would not say "no-witz-key", being from Germany and all.

Thanks. Have a good day.

I got nothin'

So, here you go. The ABC's of me. Again. I stole this one from my friend Vanessa. Feel free to steal it from me!

A- Available?:*Nope
A - Age?:*30
A - Allerigic to?:*nothin'

B - Best Friend?:*Dave
B - Beer?:*yes please
B - Birthday?:*Jan 19

C - Crush?*great local band!
C - Car? *one with lots of hail damage
C - Candy?:*Chocolate

D - Day or Night?:*night
D - Dream Car?:*i'm trying to find it!
D - Dog or Cat?:* Cats Sami & Blu

E - Easiest friend to talk to?:*Dave, Sarah
E - Eggnog?:*Yum!
E - Email?:*way too much

F - Favorite Month?:*July
F - Favorite Color?:*yellow
F - Favorite Memory?:*so far? getting married

G - Gummy Bears or Worms?:*bears
G - Giver or Taker?:*Giver
G - Gum?:*not so much

H - Hair Color?:*brown
H - Height?*5'5"
H - Happy?:*Absolutely...for the most part

I - Ice Cream?:*MMM! Breyer's Twix ROCKS!
I - Instrument?:*none
I - Idol?:*American? NO thanks

J - Jewelry?:*have a bunch I don't wear
J - Job?:*pretty fun!
J - Jail?:*haven't been

K - Kids?:*just my cats
K - Kixboxing?:*don't hurt me!
K - Kindergarden? *Ms McWilliams. She was SO cool!

L - Longest Car Ride:*Madison to San Francisco
L - LOVE?:*ABSOLUTELY!
L - Last Kiss?*after lunch today

M - Milk Flavor?:*chocolate please!
M - Most Missed Person?:*too many
M - Movie Last Watched?:*Kiss The Girls...the book was better

N - Number of Siblings?:*One older brother
N - Number of Tattoos?:*2 or 3
N - Name?:*Kari

O - One Wish?:*If I tell you, it won't come true
O - One Phobia?:*fire. i can watch a contained one (like a bonfire) but that's it
O - One regret?:*not knowing

P - Pet Peeves?:*idiotic drivers
P - Part of the Opposite Sex's Body You Like Most?:*his left ring finger with the wedding band on it!
P - Part of your Personality You Like Most?:*dependable

Q - Quote?:*Vern Tessio: If I could only have one food for the rest of my life? That's easy. Cherry Pez. Cherry flavor Pez. There's no doubt about it.
Q - Quick or Slow?:*Both

R - Reason to Smile?:*life is good
R - Reality TV Show?:*Real World, Big Brother
R - Reasons to Cry?:*not knowing

S - Song Last Heard?:*Hmm...Sammy Kershaw, She Don't Know She's Beautiful
S - Season?:*fall
S - Shoes?:*went shopping for them today!

T - Time You Woke?*11:30am
T - Time Now?:*743pm
T - Time for Bed?:*4am

U - U Love Someone?*Very much
U - Unpredictable?:*not really
U - Underwear?:*yes

V - Vegetable You Hate?:*lima beans
V - Vegetable You Love?:*corn
V - Vacation Spot?:*NYC next month!

W- Worst Habits?:*not knowing when to stop
W- Where Are You Going to Travel Next?:*Appleton this weekend for the Brett Favre Celebrity Softball Game
W- Weather Right Now?:*Sunny and warm

X - X-Rays?:*not for a while
X - X-Rated Porn?:*is there any other kind?
X - X-tra special someone?*I've got a couple!

Y - Year You Were Born?:*1976
Y - Year It Is Now?:*2006
Y - Yellow?:*my car

Z - Zoo Animal?:*tiger
Z - Zodiac?:*Capricorn
Z - Zoolander?:*Haven't seen it

6-6-6

Why do those numbers signal the end of the world? Because Damien made it so. We went to see "The Omen" today. Man, you can tell it's the end of the school year. Teenagers EVERYWHERE. Laughing. There was not much funny in this movie! Dave and I made a pact that if and when we have teenagers, we will tell them to be quiet at the movies. They'll understand when they're 30. Yeah, they won't listen. But at least we can say we tried. When we got out of our showing (which wasn't packed, but wasn't empty either) the line was REALLY long. And full of more teenagers. I'm so glad we went when we did.

So on a day such as today, if something abnormal happens, it's because the devil did it. Right? My phone wasn't letting me get my voicemail. I put in my password, and it asked me to put in my password. Repeat. I had to start over. THEN, the soda machine took the dollar the opposite way the picture shows. AND, my sub took a long time, so they made good by giving me a free cookie without me even complaining. Now, I know my cell phone sucks sometimes. Like when I try to erase a particular contact, it freezes and I have to take the battery out and put it back in to use it. Only with THAT particular number. And the soda machine will take whatever it feels (or doesn't feel) like taking. And sometimes customer service IS a priority. But because of those 3 numbers, it's the beginning of the end of the world.

Whew!

It was quite a busy weekend, but it was ALL GOOD!

Friday I got up early so I could spend time with my friend Sarah and her 6 month old, Tatum, in town from Texas. It was so nice to see them. Tatum's at that stage where she cries at anyone except her mom, so I didn't hold her much. But it was really good to see them both. Hopefully they'll be back in September.
Friday night was my remote at the speedway, and after a short bout of rain, we got everything set up and it was a good time. I left before the races got underway. I was SO tired. But the local Pepsi folks were there with their new promotion vehicle, and it was way cool. It's the Toyota FJ Cruiser. I don't need anything that rugged, but it was neat. I'm more up for a Nissan Murano, and that still won't be for a while yet. Who knows what I'll want by then!
Saturday we did yard work and while Dave was away, I started cleaning/drinking wine. I was making some desserts for the baby shower, as well as preparing dinner for Rob & John, and I had to go to the store to get chicken. Then I realized I'd already had 3/4 of a bottle of Wollersheim Winery Prairie Fume. So, I had to wait til he got home to take me to the store. We had Chicken Parmigiana for dinner, and 4 more bottles of wine. It was a good time!
Sunday, I got up "early" and started preparing for the shower. Thankfully, Gertie & Jess showed up to help finish, and there really was just enough space for everyone. Lots of good times, great gifts for Babe, and a LOT of leftover food. I sent a bunch home w/Babe and some with my parents.

Now I'm watching "The Game" with Dave and Blu, and relaxing from the weekend. My week starts in about 3 1/2 hours, and I'm NOT ready for it!!!

Friday randomness

just some things about me that you might not know. You might not even care. But I'm doing it anyway!

-I'm addicted to Milio's subs. #2 or #15, please. On a french roll.
-I think people tell me things just to see if it hurts me sometimes. It does, but I don't tell them that. Is that bad?
-I don't care that he hasn't spoken to me in 4 1/2 months. Yeah, I bring it up on here sometimes. But I don't care. I wish he would just be gone from my life.
-I'm going to New York in just over 40 days!!!
-I am going for a face-to-face interview for a volunteer position at Domestic Abuse Intervention Services on Monday!
-This weekend is super busy! My friend from Texas is in town, I'll see her Friday. I also have a remote at another speedway Friday night. Saturday, Rob & John are coming over for dinner. And Sunday is Babe's baby shower at my house. Hope I survive! (I would link to Rob, but I don't know his site off the top of my head. It's in my bloglines!)
-I recently saw a show with the Q1 Tower in it, and now I want to visit Australia just to see it! (Come on Rob, get going, would you???)
-If I find a new blog I like to read, I will probably go back to the BEGINNING and read the whole thing. If I can make it through and still enjoy reading, I'll add it to my list!
-Dave and I may not talk all day when we're not together (he's at work or out of town or something) but no matter what, we'll call to say goodnight EVERY night we're not together. Which is every weeknight, since I work overnights!

Is there a point to this post? Maybe. I guess we'll never know.

Happy Friday! Have a fabulous weekend!