Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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!
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?
Good riddance.
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?
I can only hope that he doesn't screw up lives at the Western Washington University where he is headed.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.
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
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....
:)
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
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. :)
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. :)
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.
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 crashPeace.
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.
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.As a woman of "advanced maternal age", ie, over 35, I had a 20%-35% risk.
American Pregnancy Association
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!
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!
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
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.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Pictures from the Day in Milwaukee
Mom, Samantha & Madeline at the Tea Room
Alison and Haddy
Waiting for the Lion King to start
Alison and Haddy
Waiting for the Lion King to start
Google Talk
So, if you would like, and if I'm available, you may find me online! --------> Come by and say HI!
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).
Thoughts?
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?
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.
- 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!
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