I am saddened to say that 3 weeks ago now I pulled my achallies and am no longer running. I plan to get back into it, but have to rest it. I was up to 8 min runs and enjoying it like crazy. Lost 10lbs, and was doing really good! I WILL get back into it!! I have only gained one pound since then, am doing well in watching what I'm eating, and am proud of what I have done...when all is healed, I plan to get back into running...until then, I'm stuck with Zumba and Jillian Michaels with my friend Lisa Bloedel....

Dad's second Cateract Eye surgery

1/24/12

Today my Dad had his second Cataract surgery on his eye. He's been a little grumpy. But certainly better than last time. He's sensitive to the ways things are, but they say that's the sedation meds they gave him. I hope that the passing off to Becky tonight goes smoothly. I have to drive him to Mt.Horeb to meet Becky at work.

The treadmill and stair master are my new friend. Starting today I will be doing a running program. With the help of a friend, I found a great app on my Ipod called "Get Running". I started today and did 8  one minute running periods, then in between each of those, you walk at a brisk pace for a minute and a half. I will continue this each week 3 days a week. The other 2 days I will continue to do Zumba or Jillian Michael's work out videos.  My hope is that in continuing this, I will be losing weight, and on top of that I will be able to RUN the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk in June, 2012.  Here is a photo of me today, I hope when I am done in June, to look completely different!! Wish me luck!!

Megan's Birthday Party 2012

December 30, 2011

Megan has been playing Basketball on a team with school

5th grade Jr Comets

she is enjoying herself to the fullest! She decided for her 11th Birthday she would like to go to a Womans Badger Basketball game. The game closest to her Birthday, and without going on a school night was December 30th, 2011. They played Ohio State, who were 13-0, and the Badgers were 4-8 so that meant for a tough game for the Badgers.Ohio State ended up winning...77-61.   Megan wanted to invite 3 of her friends. Payton Zerfluh, Kirsten Oliver, and Sydney Bloedel. They were all excited. We went to eat before the game at the Nitty Gritty by the Kohls Center. This is a famous Birthday Bar, and Megan had never been there.  

I have been there many times from age 18 thru I believe age 30 was the last time I'd gone. It was a Birthday tradition....one we may have started with Megan! She loved it, and so did the girls. They ate chicken fingers, french fries, pickle, and the worlds smallest sunde. Then we headed off to the game. Calvin has been working at the Kohl's center for games with CNC, so he knew where to go to get on TV!! We sat in the FIRST ROW behind the basket! Girls LOVED our spot. We made signs that said GO BADGERS and IT'S MY BIRTHDAY....GO BADGERS!!

Here the girls (and Tyler) found themselves on the JUMBO TRON!!!! You can see the excitement on their faces! Too CUTE!! The Badgers ended up loosing their game, but none the less they all had fun. We even got to see Joline Anderson. She was a player for the Badgers who was the all time leader in scoring for the Badgers, AND she was the all time scorer for high school! Simply amazing!!

When we were finished with the game we came home to eat a cookie cake and open presents. A sleep over was in order too. I believe after the game I heard Megan say  to her friends...."this is the best Birthday I've had"!! Makes me smile, yet oh so sad....My baby girl...is 11!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the girls (and Tyler) the morning after. EXAUSTED!!! Think she was right...it was a pretty special Birthday!!! :)

Christmas Winter Concert
December 19, 2011

Here is Megan before her Winter Concert at school. She plays the clarinet. She is enjoying it emencely, and did a great job!! She has never played an instrument before, so this was a whole new experience for her. She was very nervous, but did an excellent job! We are so very proud of her. Nana, Uncle Ken and our neighbor Marylou even came to see her!

Megan and Tyler just before her concert. Although they fight sometimes, they do love each other.

The concert. First year 5th grade students. Playing songs such as hot cross buns, Camp town races, Good king Wencalasals,Go tell aunt Rodie, lightly row...

an UPDATE of the past year......

SO much has happened since my last post. On February 11, 2011 our world turned up side down. Our Governor (Scott Walker) turned Wisconsin into a battle ground.  He has taken the state and divided many friends and families against each other..... He  proposed a bill (Budget repair bill) to strip the Union's from their right to bargain  and an individual from their rights in many ways in the state. On February 14th and the following weekend we marched the capital with several  other thousands of people, sometimes hundreds of thousands On February 16 some of the area schools were closed due to Teachers  calling in" sick", and although Albany Teachers chose not to do it, I would've supported them if they did, because I believe Teachers are the future, and teaching our children is a very important job.    On February 17, fourteen wonderful senators left our state and went into hiding....John Erpenbach who is our constituent, was one of those people, leaving for what the people believed in....for the rights of others. On February 19, 2011 there were more than 65,000 people who gathering at the Capital. The building was occupied by many thousands of people, sleeping there for days on end.


http://youtu.be/WbG-oHtubCY 

People from all over were sending pizza from Ian's Pizza (a local pizza joint) in support of the "attacks on the working class". Governor Walker threatened the Senators with many things, taking away their paychecks, printer use and allowing them any access to the Capital.Doors were locked and not unlocked when they were supposed to be. Camera's were not allowed, no signs, he "said" there was $ 8,0000+ damage to the Capital because of the signs posted inside.  This went on , and is still going on today, until he signed the bill on March 11, 2011. The day of hell!!!  It has been a long year of many angry nights, and hardships for many families. Many Teachers contracts were in jeopardy and the fight was on for many state workers, public workers (my husband)***Our household alone will lose $500.00/month****** the list has grown. Our Schools have lost funding, 850.000 to be exact. The horror continues. So many lies that come, and continue to come from Scott Walkers mouth, the Koch Brothers mouths and the Fitzgerald brothers......  On Saturday December 1, 2011..... I signed a Petition to Recall him. The recall petition started November 15th, and in 3 days we had over 300,000 signatures. We need 560,000 to recall the S.O.B!!

This along with many other things have consumed our lives. It's caused Calvin to begin with a second job.CSC Services, it's basically security for all University games, that has taken away family time.... It's caused financial hardship, spending less, hopefully it won't take the wonderful family moments of camping during the summer or our home from us. Only god knows what lies ahead for us. May he help us with whatever needs be.

We had a BLIZZARD over night.... since Monday we have recieved  16-18 inches of snow. It has been CRAZY! The kids got out of school early on Tuesday at 1, and they closed schools Tuesday afternoon for Wednesday already! Overnight, we had really bad winds, and the drifts are really high! EVERYTHING is closed, no daycare kids (thats a first in my yrs of daycare) its just crazy out..... although my mom and Ken are in Florida along with all my other aunts, really hoping they are enjoying it...because someday I am going to be there with them!!!!!!!!! I hate winter!!