Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Nattering the tadpoles


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

Alison, playing with rocks


The Learned Owl bookstore in Hudson, Ohio


watching


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

gabbing


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

delightful Amy :)


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

blowing bubbles


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

upside down Maddy


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

William and Gretchen


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Originally uploaded by Karen54301

the belfry


the belfry
Originally uploaded by Karen54301

Aunt Gretchen & Maddy


Aunt Gretchen & Maddy
Originally uploaded by Karen54301

Maddy and Gordon


Maddy and Gordon
Originally uploaded by Karen54301

sick

I'm sick. It sucks. I'm trying to get over whatever crud I've developed, but it's wearing me out! grrrr...

Friday, June 27, 2008

Mid June already?

We've been crazy busy ... looking forward to no plans ... heh...like that's ever going to happen.

But today, I'm pampering myself to a massage and treating Joe and Maddy by attending the opening night of Wall-E! We're in the middle of break right now, but there is so much to do. I'm not complaining TOO loudly .... I love my job. Just a lot to do before July 7th.

We have got the flower beds all pretty & mulched, and have to get all of the weeds out of the vegetable garden this weekend. Pictures coming soon.

Getting the house in order and doing some putzing work this weekend. We're heading to Cleveland OH to celebrate the 4th, the wedding of my cousin Rebecca, and a family reunion. I think I could use about 6 days of recuperation time after we get home on the 7th. It'll be Maddy's first time in an airplane, and boy is she excited!

Monday, June 09, 2008

nothing like a half-assed apology

It was a horrible end of a wonderful place. There were a lot of hard feelings. More than a few accusations. And still after 2 years, it hurts like hell.

And the one man who (some have argued) could have helped the Weidner Center from drowning is finally leaving town. Many are celebrating.

In Sunday's (June 8, 2008) Green Bay Press Gazette, he might have finally apologized; he may have admitted he was wrong. Can it be true?

There've been tough decisions, but I think they were absolutely necessary ones. The Weidner Center — I feel very good that it's on a financially sustainable basis now, but my biggest mistake was listening to the "experts" about the Weidner Center, instead of the very clear signals the marketplace was sending.

The model of bringing in Broadway shows to cover the overhead was no longer working — every week of Broadway we put out there, we lost a quarter of a million dollars, so as a consequence over a course of about three years, we had $5 million in red ink trying to keep that going under the old model. If I'd done a better job and had more experience, I'd have gone to the new model earlier.

I can only hope that he doesn't screw up lives at the Western Washington University where he is headed.

Good riddance.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

phone log

Dad: "Hello?"
Me: "Hiya, Pop! Wanna feel older than you might already be feeling?"
Dad: "Uh oh, now what?"
Me: "I'm getting bifocals."

pause

Dad: "How old are you?"
snort


Yeah...it's like that. I'm 38 1/2, thank-you-very-much, and I'm getting bifocals. Yippeee.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Busy busy

We had a busy Memorial Day weekend.

Got the house cleaned-ish on Saturday morning. Did some laundry. Left for the cottage for one night. Maddy got to spend time with her cousins Hannah and Nate. The three of them are 6 months apart in age. Quite fun to see the three of them play so nicely together. The men-folk got the dock in and did some errands and chores around the house. I was a lazy bum and did very little other than pick rocks and watch Maddy.

We got home on Sunday night and we were all exhausted. Slept in until 9am on Monday morning. It was already 70 degrees out! We got a headstart on the day ahead: spreading 7 1/2 yards of woodchips, planting the veg. garden, and weeding. It was a GLORIOUS day.

My folks, Julie, and Haddy & William came up from Madison for the day. Mom and I went to the greenhouse to get our annuals. Dad and Joe did wood-chips. Julie was in charge of the kids and assisted with going to the park, playing at the house, and doing some crafts.

But that wasn't all. We ended up with a house-ful by the end of the day: Jodi, Jed, Stacey, Dean & baby Joey came over to plant the vegetable garden; and Caroline, Zak, Teresa, Jason and Gavin came over to eat and entertain us and be entertained.

It was a busy busy weekend. It was certainly difficult coming into work this morning. Oy...I'm a beat....

:)

Friday, May 16, 2008

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Big girl bike!

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We're ok

It's amazing how much one's body and mind can recover from such loss as we've experienced lately. That's not to say we're 100%, but we're ok.

Every once in a while, Maddy will look at me with such emotion and say how sad she is that the baby died. There's been a lot of hugging and a lot of downtime for the three of us as a family. Maddy's taken to sleeping on the floor and wanting us to sleep with her. We do what we can, but it's been a bit frustrating, especially if we have work to do. I've ordered some books to hopefully assist her (and us) in this phase.

We'll be honoring Steven's life this coming Saturday. It will be a small gathering in Oconto.

We're ok. Spring is here. The seeds have been started for the vegetable garden and have begun to sprout under the grow-lights in the basement. We're planning the patio. Joe's dug a trench between the house and garage.

It's all going to be ok. :)

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Monday, April 28, 2008

Steven's obituary

Eckberg, Steven

Steven Eckberg, Grand View, Wis., formerly of Green Bay, died April 20, 2008, doing what he loved best on a wonderful spring day, riding his motorcycle. He was always grateful to God for "another beautiful day in paradise". Steven enjoyed living in Grand View, where he could "coon" hunt with his best bud, "Bub" and the fishing was always good there too. Lake Superior was a great place for sailing, another of his passions. Steve loved the wind in his face, or his nose in a good book from the Drummond Library.

He was born to Clarence and Elizabeth (Betty) Eckberg on Aug. 28, 1952, in Green Bay, Wis. He is survived by his mother, brothers and sisters; also nephews and cousins.

Memorial service will be May 17, at 10 a.m. at the Oconto Catholic Cemetery in Oconto. Burial in Oconto Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up at PCM Credit Union - Steven Eckberg, 781 Willard, Green Bay, WI 54304. Memorial proceeds will be donated in Steven's name to the Drummond Library.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Enough already

Steven was 56. He lived off the grid and off the land up in northern Wisconsin. He was an interesting man, had an interesting life, and was a good man.

My favorite story to tell about Uncle Steven (my father-in-law's brother) was what he brought to our house right after Madeline was born: a fresh baked loaf of bread and a frozen leg of deer. The cats were quite amazed as we ended up thawing it in the bathtub because it was so big.

This makes 3 losses. Enough already.

Motorcycle vs. deer crash
Man loses life after motorcycle hits deer.

Posted: Monday, April 21, 2008 at 10:43 a.m.

IRON COUNTY, WI -- A Wisconsin man is dead after an accident in Iron County, Wisconsin.

The crash happened on Highway 77, about four miles west of Hurley, in Pence. The victim, Steven Eckberg of Grandview, Wisconsin, hit a deer while driving his motorcycle down the road.

Eckberg was taken to Grand View Hospital in Ironwood where he was pronounced dead. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Peace.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

on loss redux

Baby D'Argo went to the farm today. Literally - not the metaphorical version parents of old told their children.

D'Argo had high creatine levels - his kidneys were that of a cat 3 times his age. He took to telling us his problems by peeing on the counters, on books, on papers, on anything that he thought would get our attention. After 7 months and over $1500 dollars later, we needed options.

Our friend Julie had an option I could deal with: there was a farm where they take care of not only calves but also the cats who live in the barn. Plenty of straw - plenty of food - plenty of cat companionship.

So D'Argo went to the farm today. He'll be ok. He's a fiesty kitty (as be-fits the namesake of a Luxan warrior).

We love you ... be well... Christmas cat

D'Argo

Saturday, April 12, 2008

on loss

I had a miscarriage yesterday. During my first ob appointment and my first ultrasound, we found that there was no heartbeat. Joe was thankfully able to make this first appointment. I was so thankful that we were able to have at least a picture to take home as well. It was real, at least for a little while.

Because my body hadn't yet figured out that the fetus was viable, it hadn't yet begun to spontaneously miscarry, so I had a D&C in the afternoon and was home by 8pm.

Everyone at the hospital was fantastic and treated us and our loss with great respect. I don't hold to the thought of "everything happens for a reason." I do, however, think that "there is a reason for this to have happened."

The best thing anyone said to me was the gal who walked me down to the car. I had a few women who told us they were sorry for our loss, one who talked insistently about "God's plan" (whatever), and many who were just there to hold my hand and let me and Joe go through our emotions.

The best thing that was said though was that one gal who wished us only one thing: hope.

I know it's not uncommon.
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage.
American Pregnancy Association
As a woman of "advanced maternal age", ie, over 35, I had a 20%-35% risk.

We'll be ok. We'll be able to try again in a few months, I know. It's going to be a scary road. But we will be ok.

Thanks for listening and thinking of us.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

on hormones, and other fun things

Hormones suck in general. They rule a girl's life. Seriously. Girls unite. Damn.

I'm 9 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy is similar to my first with Madeline. With Maddy, I was sick for 9 months. Threw up every 3rd day. It was not fun. I know every pregnancy is different, but oh my dear stars, PLEASE be very very different! I've not been feeling the best so far. I won't disgust you with my tales of "praying to the porcelain gods". You get the idea.

I have a stash of saltines and peppermint tea under my desk. I have been going to sleep really amazingly early, taking naps when I can. My hair is not behaving and I am finding I can't use the same products in it. My regular clothes are too tight. I'm only 9 frickin' weeks along, but I'm finding myself in a few maternity clothes already.

Ok, enough complaining. I'm ready to ENJOY being pregnant! As I tell my students: "Attitude IS everything."

I'm just not ready to give up the saltines just quite yet!

Friday, March 21, 2008

me me me

Wow ... "Better living through pharmaceuticals", as my father says, and it's true. The antibiotics are working well. Everyday my elbow gets better and better. I'm not in pain like I was only a few days ago. Still haven't a clue as to why I got the infection in the elbow like I did, but I'm glad it's settling down.

Now ... for the nausea to calm down and I'll be a happy camper!

Letterman's Top Ten Reasons to Watch Battlestar Galactica's New Season

ooo...I so enjoyed this! Looking forward to the last season!

Monday, March 17, 2008

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra

I can use any and all help from anyone and anything I can get.


no seriously, this sucks

  • Maddy was sick on Thursday night. (vomiting whilst in the car-seat was NOT fun)
  • I haven't been feeling well lately (at five weeks pregnant - did I mention that yet?), the nauseousness seems to have started early.
  • I was in the ER with a nasty case of cellulitis. Seriously painful; dreadfully uncomfortable.
















I'm ready to enjoy my pregnancy. I'm ready for all my family to FEEL WELL.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Icicles

Winter 2008

Winter 2008


Winter 2008

Winter 2008

Pictures from the Day in Milwaukee

Mom, Samantha & Madeline at the Tea Room

Nana Sue, Maddy and Samantha at the Tea Room

Alison and Haddy

Alison and Haddy

Waiting for the Lion King to start

William, Nana Sue and Haddy waiting for the Lion King to begin

Google Talk

So, if you would like, and if I'm available, you may find me online! --------> Come by and say HI!

To be posted soon...

Pics from Day in Milwaukee...

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

4 Year-Old Kindergarten

Oh boy. Decisions to make.

The Green Bay public school district will be offering 4K this coming fall. It's only 3 1/4 hours for 4 days a week.

She's very smart (of course) and does quite good at the YWCA (4 days a week now).
  • Is Maddy ready for 4-year K?
  • Are we ready?
hmmmm....

Thoughts?

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

In which I vent

I try not to, but I need to vent every once in a while.
  • Please do not complain about who won the primaries if you did not even bother to vote.
  • Please do not talk loudly or answer your cell phone in the library when you just saw me post the "Please Be Respectful" poster!
  • Please do not belittle yourself! You are going to be OK! Life is never going to be easy. School is not what it was 10 or 15 or 20 years ago.
update
  • And PLEASE quit sighing ... drives me NUTS.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

life is (or how I describe life right now)

  • crazy busy
  • snowy and windy and blustery
  • wintery
  • sinus cruddy
  • fun politically
  • stressful
  • never boring!

Monday, February 04, 2008

What I did this weekend...



I began to learn how to knit this weekend! :) I started - knitted - purled and then finished a small sample. It was horrible - lots of missed stitches, but it's a start. Picked up an awesome book & used the small knitting needles and yarn Joe got me for Christmas, and started.

More to follow, I'm sure!

Thanks to my mother, Jenica, Heather and David for inspiring me to try (again) this art!

Monday, January 28, 2008

On this day ....

1986: Seven dead in space shuttle disaster.

I can never forget. I know exactly where I was - in high school, peeking in the classroom where they had the TV and live-feed set up. I was 16. I still can't look at the video without crying.

In memory ....

Thursday, January 24, 2008

*waves*

It's the anniversary of my birth. I am 38 years old today, and I'm proud of every grey hair, every wrinkle (now that's a new thing!), all my baby-belly fat I haven't lost, everything about me. It took a LONG time to say this, but this is the only body I'll ever have, so I gotta learn to love ME. I didn't say it was easy, but now that I'm in my late 30s (oy), I gotta learn how to love ME.

Going out to eat with Maddy and Joe tonight - probably to a fun kid-birthday place. Going out on Saturday night for sushi and ? afterwards with Joe. :) I received so many nice b'day messages, via e-cards, phone messages, and physical cards, even from my new co-workers. I do so love my job!

I'll wear proudly my age - just don't ever tell me I'm too old to do something! I'll dance circles around ya!

teehee

Monday, January 21, 2008

Presidential milkshakes

Everything you needed to know about the Presidential candidates.


I drink your milkshake! -Daniel Plainview

I drink your milkshake, even though I opposed drinking your milkshake four years ago. -Mitt Romney

I drink your milkshake, but only if the Bible says it's allowed. -Mike Huckabee

I may drink your milkshake for another 100 years, if that's what it takes. -John McCain

I drank a milkshake on 9/11. -Rudy Giuliani

I'll drink your milkshake a few months after everyone else does. -Fred Thompson

I drink your milkshake, but I'm paying for it with gold. -Ron Paul

America deserves a new milkshake. -Barack Obama

I will fight the corporations so that you can drink your own milkshake. -John Edwards

I have 35 years of milkshake-drinking experience. *sob* -Hillary Clinton

I peacefully drink your milkshake. -Dennis Kucinich

It depends on what your definition of "milkshake" is. -Bill Clinton

I voted for drinking your milkshake before I voted against it. -John Kerry

Global warming is melting your milkshake. -Al Gore

We're making good progress in the war on milkshakes, and make no mistake: we will prevail. -George W. Bush

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Crazy

It's been crazy here lately. The quarter here at the college started on the 7th, and we've expanded to over 100 students. I won't bore you with details, but I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with Maddy and Joe this weekend, especially watching the BIG GAME on Sunday night. :)

Joe on the field

Yes, this is Joe, working on the sidelines at last Saturday's snowy game. He is an NFL Instant Replay Technician, which means he helps with the replays. He got about 10 sec. of airtime last game! There are lots more pictures of the game on our Flickr.com page!

Go Pack Go!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

I'm ok

The zapping sucked. BIG. But the good news is that whatever the neuro-doc saw, my surgeon didn't think it required any surgery. :) YIPPEE

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Downtown Green Bay is calling.

Green Bay - more than the Packers!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Zapped again ....

I knew my arm and elbow wouldn't be 100% better after the surgery in October 2006. I knew it wouldn't be back to completely normal. It was actually amazingly good after just 60 days actually!

However, shortly after I started playing cello again in September, I started getting numbness in the top of my right hand. It would happen whilst doing just about anything, including not doing a single thing. It would start up my right thumb area, sometimes include the index and middle fingers, and radiate up my arm. It felt different than the compression in the elbow of the ulna nerve. It hurt too.

So, I showed up at the orthopedic surgeon's last week and told him what I've been experiencing as of late. I didn't want to be there. I was done with the Year of the Elbow. But I did the only thing I could do, other than ignore it. Dr. S*** sent me to the nerve doctor, again....

Being zapped again by the very kind Dr. W*** was worse than the first time. I knew it would hurt again. I knew what to anticipate.

Yet again, Dr. W*** was as wonderful as he could possibly be, treating me as a person and taking the time to talk me through the painful zapping process. He explained exactly what he was doing, and what he was looking for. I told him I was going to blog this, so this is my giant THANK YOU! to Dr. W***! (Wait for the applause!)

Diagnosis (to be confirmed by Dr. S***) is that I have yet another compressed nerve - a branch of the radial nerve - the posterior interosseus nerve.

Fig. 1. —Drawing shows course of radial nerve (thick arrows) deep in relation to brachioradialis muscle (arrowheads) at elbow where radial nerve divides into posterior interosseous nerve (thin arrows) and superficial radial nerve. S = supinator.


To be continued.....(sigh)

Monday, December 17, 2007

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Stacey and Dean. Happy Birthday, baby Joey. What a darling boy.

Joey


The Kolze family

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Presidential candidates ... who really represents your beliefs the best?



Very impressive. I was a bit shocked about who matched my beliefs. Check it out!



"Glassbooth connects you to the presidential candidate that represents your beliefs the best."

Glassbooth is a nonprofit organization that is creating innovative ways to access political information. An informed and interested democracy is a powerful thing. As an organization acting in the public’s interest, we are very serious about our core principles:

  • Integrity

  • Nonbias

  • Nonpartisan

  • Transparency

  • Insight

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Wishlist...




Someone tell my husband I want one of these! :)

I'd love to learn how to knit, especially this shawl!

This guy is cute!

So is this one!

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Mystery solved...

There have been odd scratching sounds coming from a corner of the front bedroom's ceiling. A little odd, but they've come and gone so infrequently, we haven't investigated thoroughly.

Mystery has been solved whilst Joe was up in the attic retrieving the holiday bins. 2 bats have been hibernating in the attic. Joe took pictures. I played with my new computer's Movie Maker feature. Enjoy!
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And now the film....


Friday, November 30, 2007

Updates

  • I'm tired. Busy - crazy busy. Happy
  • I'm playing my cello tonight for the first time since The Year of the Elbow. Looking forward to it!
  • Again, I'm feeling Brett's pain from last night's game. It was horrible that they lost, to that team, but it's not the end of the world, and it was fantastic to see that Aaron Rodgers could actually step it up!
  • It was Joe's birthday last night - fun night had by all!
  • It's going to snow a lot tomorrow night. Actually looking forward to it! We're under a winter storm watch with up to 7 inches expected. Let the Holidays begin!
  • Joe gave me an early Christmas present: an HP laptop with Vista and Office 2007 installed. So far, I love it!
  • Maddy is doing great and her 4th b'day will be on the 23rd. Oh my stars! How did she get so old?!

And for your goofy pleasure: