Medieval helpdesk with English subtitles

"So, what's new in your world, Karen?"

• Had my nieces for the weekend. Oi. Not that they were awful - not at all. Maddy enjoyed having them visit, and Samantha and Alison were not exactly happy to be leaving Sunday afternoon. There were some really nice moments that I'll treasure. That said, S & A are not my children and, well, taught dear sweet M some things I'd rather not have her learn (Like saying "I don't like you" instead of "I'm frustrated!").
  
• I lost my voice - literally. Turns out coughing and sinus drainage isn't good for the vocal chords. Go figure. Of course, dear husband was "so sorry" to hear that I was to be on vocal rest for a bit. ha ha
• My 25' x 12' garden has been tilled and the potatoes have been planted. The rest (onions, squash, beans, broccoli, spinach, celery, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, carrots, herbs, and peppers) the next few weeks.
• A new section has been tilled in the way back for the "native" garden.
• A new section has been tilled at the side for the "vertical" garden.

YEAH! I love springtime.

Life

I've always loved Thursdays. It's a time to look forward to the weekend and give thanks for all that has happened.

Trapeze artist:




We spent a wonderful Mother's Day weekend at the cottage (just inside Door County). I let my dear daughter become a next-generation tree-rat., thanks to her uncles. The highest she went up was probably 25 feet. OMG. I must have been crazy!

Going UP!


This is Maddy, doing "ROCK STAR" - probably at 15 feet. So calm - no fear.



Her uncles, tree arborists Justin & Zac, are the epitomy of tree-rat.



All in all, a beautiful weekend....


Thankfully we have the new(to us) car and a fully-functioning replaced sump-pump. We spent a VERY enjoyable evening seeing the LION KING in Appleton last evening. Wow. See it if you are able. I just spent 3 hours with the rest of the faculty and staff in recognition of the college's hard work this past academic year. Maddy and I are getting over the frakin' cough we both had from our spring allergy attacks. The plants are growing (like weeds) in the "greenhouse" and we're making strides finding someone to till the LARGE plot. (Thanks to my dear husband who suffered an injury removing the sod to make it larger.)

This weekend, we will be hosting dear niece Alison and dear niece Samantha. Maddy is so excited to see her cousins. They haven't been able to spend a lot of time together as they live in Lodi (home of Susie the Duck). Haven't a clue as to what we will do, but I don't think that's going to be a problem. Sunday is also Joe and my 7th wedding anniversary. :)

If you want to see more pictures, check out my flickr page!

Death by PowerPoint

Hilarious video!

Updates

It's a perfectly muggy beautiful spring day here in Northeast Wisconsin. The birds are singing, the grass is growing, flowers are flowering and my seasonal allergies are awful. As they say...Better Living Through Pharmaceuticals. So, after the eye drops, the nasal spray, and the decongestant, I'm ready to go out into the great green world.

Update #1: I still love my job! It's not really news or an update, but I do indeed love my job. I know I'm one of the few and I know I'm extremely lucky. My department is shifting a bit, but it'll be even better :D

Update #2: The Jetta died last week. We indeed ran it until it couldn't run no more (or in this case until the brakes died). It was the last straw in a long list of symptoms the Jetta exhibited over the past few years as it heralded its ultimate demise. Long live "the grape".

Update #3: We were able to find a really cute, nice, new-to-us, affordable Honda Accord to replace the Jetta that died. Leather interior - sun roof - low-for-its age mileage. NICE!

Update #4: A few months ago I mentioned that I wanted to go check out the GBUU. Well, we have been and we are still continuing to go!

Update #5: We've (Jodi, Stacey and myself) started the seedlings for the expanded garden (oy - that's a lot of garden!) and Joe (my darling amazing husband) was able to remove the sod for said expanded garden (even with the whining about biting ants). Soon we'll be able to do the planting!

Ok Ok....work is calling....darn work....:) But I do love it!

Rethinking How Title IX Is Applied

Morning Edition, May 2, 2007 · As more young women go to college funding for some men's sports will be reduced to comply with Title IX. That's the federal law requiring schools to offer athletic programs in proportion to gender population. Should the law be tweaked to address inconsistencies?

Listen to Frank Deford's take on Title IX. I was never an athlete, but I am a musician. As I was driving down to work, listening to his very thoughtful commentary, I found myself applauding his suggestions.

Of course it is!

The full moon, that is. Craziness seems to be running rampant in our household.

The carpet removal was successful (thanks to Jodi, Gavin, Teresa, Jason, Terri, and Julie!). The result - something that looks like a brand new house! Getting all of our house back in some semblance of order is the tricky part. But I'm pleased it looks as good as it does.

Of course, however, the Jetta has decided to caput. SOOO...off to the used car lots with the little $ we have to find a replacement.

Maddy has decided that she wants to see the moon while she goes to bed. The moon, however, has not been cooperating, ending in tears and frustration for all.

*sigh* Life is crazy, but I wouldn't know what do with myself if it were any other way!

Happy May Day everyone!