Independence Day!

Heading to La Crosse on Saturday for the 4th of July weekend...picnic at Tom and Nancy's, Riverfest, lunch at Rudy's drive in, the Pearl, some shopping and lots of relaxing by the beautiful Mississippi...can't wait to go HOME and be with the family.  Heidi

S U P R E M E C O U R T J U S T I C E S....

...Prosser and Bradley.  Just the tip of the iceberg, but absolutely unacceptable behavior on both parts...they should GO.  Once again, voters need to be a bit more careful of who they vote into these very important offices...Heidi

it's a recession when it happens to someone else, it's a depression....

...when it happens to YOU (not sure who said that but it's true!).  So sorry to hear that you've been laid off.  Not good. 

The spending sprees by the state legislatures have our states in a heap of trouble...maybe they need to all be thrown out??!  Chris's pay is going to be cut by $1,000/mo next month... permanently.  That is money that we don't "absorb."  So, now what happens?  In Chris's department, he is losing his top four examiners, with combined 100+ years of experiences examining banks, credit unions, etc....the FINANACIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of Wisconsin.  They're leaving because they are losing benefits and may lose their sick time (that could be used to purchase health care, etc) they've accrued over the years.  What does that mean?  It means hiring "new people" without that very important experience....it's happening all over WI State Government.  The ramifications are just beginning to be felt...

People need to expect more out of their legislatures and hold them to frugal spending.

On a happy note, we get to see you and the kids in two sleeps!  Yahoo!  love, Heidi

fusion tacos tonight?

$2.50 tacos
handmade tacos filled with roasted pork, fish, shrimp, brisket, pork served with slaw and cilantro...yum! Cool, hip casual atmosphere. The chips and salsa are really tasty! It's not your taco bell...hopefully popping up near you!

 

4th of July!!!

        

style...what's yours?

I took the quiz on bhg.com and it says I am Polished Casual-"You love to mix and match your favorites from several styles, so Polished Casual is the best way to describe your look. Crisp, fresh, and always comfortable, this approach anchors itself in neutral, subtle hues and furniture that isn't fussy but isn't slouchy either. Pair your clean-lined sofa with a dark leather wing chair or a weathered metal table—anything goes, but simplicity is key."

I think my style is more New York apartment- modern with a twist.  I like

parts of these rooms--

Ethan Allen- with pieces collected at other stores, maybe throw in a litte vintage

 What's yours?

Giada

Seriously, Sissy, how do you not LOVE Giada??  We agree on most everything and it was pretty funny when we were dishing via phone that you mentioned how you can't stand her...I think she is adorable, funny, smart, sweet and a good cook...I learn a lot of my cooking from her show.  Interesting...

THIS is the woman I can't stand...

  I don't even know her name, but she is part of the duo, Sugarland.  If I don't have the Food Network or the news on in my kitchen, I have CMT on and if she comes on...it's like nails on a chalkboard to me...I literally can't change the channel quickly enough.  And, I don't know why exactly...Emma feels the same way....she's just a phoney bologna...a favorite dig comes to mind (hope it doesn't bring back bad memories)...I just want to say "you think you're soooo cool."  Juvenile, yes, but it's what pops into my head.

Heidi

fine dining....and a good price

Yesterday we went to Redstone Restaurant in Eden Prairie for breakfast. We had gone a few years ago and enjoyed it. Steve had been wanting to go back, even just for a quick happy hour, but I always thought of somewhere else to go, never really wanting to drive that far for an ok experience as I remembered. I thought Father's Day would be a good day to go back, just for him.

The experience we had was great. First they couldn't find my reservation, but she said no worries we will get you right in. They offered free mimosa's, which we declined, when we first sat down. (Not wanting a mid day hangover) She asked if any of us needed a dark linen, instead of their white napkins, in case we were wearing dark clothes, we declined. (Later, as we left realizing what she was talking about, my brown skirt was covered in white lint.) They started us off with complimentary cinnamon rolls. Everytime we ate something she brought us new silverware. The great service continued throughout the meal. The food came out slow, never being rushed through any part. They had screens on all their windows,  which allowed the breeze coming in off a small lake outside.

This is not an expensive restaurant. But the service was like no other for this type of restaurant. We didn't expect it, but we loved it. It made Father's Day special....for a special guy!
love, k:)

She bugs me!

Ok, I don't like to be negative in our blog, but we just realized we have different opinions of Giada, so I thought, this is good to blog about! Ok, where do I start. I can't even pin point one thing that bugs me about her, its just everything.  I can't watch her cook, it's something with her hands. Like she is a too delicate. I know that sounds weird. She is sort of phoney, a pretender. I can't even watch the Next Food Network Star, because she is a judge. k :(

I like her style!

That was the best "intent" letter I have ever seen....and to top it off it worked-way to go Emma! Just like we have said before, our kids don't ask for too much. They have a good life, and have what they need to be "comfortable". But when they really want to do something, and put that much effort into making their point, it is easy to say yes.

Steve and I are argue about this sometimes. He was raised differently. If they wanted something, they had to earn it. That is why he started working when he was 14. The focus became about the money, and what he could get and just how to survive. I think kids should work, but just enough to have a little money in their bank account. We want them to focus on school, not making money..yet.

He thinks our kids have too much. I say no, not as much as others. Not that I want them to have as much as the other kids at school, just that his statement is incorrect. My goal for my kids is to have them go off as adults and be able to say they had a good life at home. They had what they needed and felt loved. They got to explore art, music, history and good food from their home town. If they do that, I will be happy, and feel I was successful at our job as parents!
love, k :)

Happy Father's Day, Daddyo...

Hope you have a great day, Pops!  You're a wonderful Dad and Papa...what you gave me growing up was the belief that I could do/be anything.  I still think I can!  Thank you and love you very much - Heidi

p.s. all of your grandchildren have YOU in their heads when making a decision..."what would Papa think" and that is a very good thing!

It's like it happened over night...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmEG1a-g1cM

I LOVE this song/video for so many reasons...

Shared it with Mom and Dad knowing they could relate having both of us as teenage daughters (!) - they said Mom had that vest outfit from the 70's and we had the little striped terry outfit.  I remember both!  I also remember the exact scenario over and over again of us walking out of our rooms and either Mom or Dad saying "ah no, go change - you're not wearing that."  Remember the awesome green swimsuit I wanted to buy in the Caymans and Dad said a big, fat N O.  And the hair from the 80's...and the station wagon with fake wood on the side! 

And now I am the mother of a teenage daughter (and son!) that is heading into her senior year.  "It's like it happened overnight, we're always wrong, they're always right.  We used to be the ones breaking the rules.  Now we're just mothers and we're just fathers of teenage daughters." 

It did happen overnight.  All of a sudden she is almost grown up, but to me it's like it was yesterday that she would follow me around our kitchen in Cottage Grove with a stool (so she could see the countertop) saying "I do it."  Now she wants to go out every night and her friends are very important.  I get it...I just don't have to love it.  Emma has been E A S Y to raise...I'm not ready for her to leave the nest.  I already am missing her!

I am so excited for her, but I am so sad about how quickly it all went.  18 years is not enough of her in our home.  I love my teenage daughter.

Heidi

E & K at the concert...

Simply fun...

On Thursday, Emma had persuaded Chris and I to take her and her friend Karen to a "Summer Bash B96" concert in south Chicago last night....a six hour concert with bands like Far East Movement, Joe Jonas (I have heard of him of course), Chris Brown (girlfriend beater), Big Time Rush, Lupe Fiasco, New Boyz, Pitbull, Jay Sean and Keri Hilson...who are these bands?! 

When Emma wants to do something, she goes all out.  Thursday night, she presented to Chris and me a one page, in color/very cute, summary of her "points" and "explanations" of each point (she said pros and cons didn't work because there were no cons!).  Her points were (summarizing below - each explanation was long):

1.  only $50 (explanation: she would pay)

2.  AFTER the ACT she took yesterday a.m. (explanation: she will focus and not be distrracted...)

3.  Several different performers (explanation: not just a Jonas obsession...)

4.  It's fun!  (explanation - need to include the full explanation..."This is a spontaneous, spur of the moment, random, FUN thing that Karen and I would love to do.  This is the summer before our SENIOR year..OUR LAST YEAR TOGETHER.  This is the time to do fun, random, SAFE, stuff like this.  Be thankful we like concerts, not drugs and alcohol.")

In closing....

"PLEASE think about this.  I love to do stuff like this.  This is something that doesn't conflict with school, swimming or work and it's simply FUN.  For all the work I put into swimming throughout the summer, and the pain that I go through, I need fun breaks like this.  It's a spontaneous, last minute thing that is just fun!  Please think about it HARD before you say anything!  I love you to the moon and back.  XXO Emma"

Of course we were impressed, laughing, touched and said yes.  It popped into my head that Peter might like to go (he's never been to a concert like that) and she said no problem!  That sealed the deal.  In my mind, if she is willing to include her 15 year old brother, she deserves to go!  Peter was so excited!

They left around noon (I decided to stay home)...checking in practically hourly!  Got into the concert around 4...by 8:30 Peter was ready to leave.  Chris had been hanging out in Oak Brook and went to a movie.  Emma was texting that "Peter was lame" and Peter was texting that "he was surrounded by very trashy people."  Chris picked up Peter while the girls stayed until 11....got home at 2:30 a.m, saying they had the BEST time....needless to say, they are all still sleeping as I write.

She can't fully appreciated it yet, but these are great, great days...days of "simply fun"...just like she said!

Heidi

Facebook funnies...

Facebook status lines are often weird, funny, screaming for attention or just goofy.  I am going to start posting ones that I see on my wall that strike me as any of the previously mentioned adjectives...I promise not to be mean...just stating the facts! 

FB post #1

"____is enjoying living more in the present, for ME, and not worrying about what others say or think... liberating." 

This is from someone who is almost 40, single, travels all the time and doesn't have a care in the world.

Heidi

new schedule...

Summer "schedule" is wonderful...Emma off to practice at 5 a.m....me up and enjoying the quiet...making coffee, reading the paper, putzing in the garden...Chris up walking George...Emma home at 7:30 for breakfast and to say good bye to Chris as he's out the door....Emma usually heading back to bed...all the while Peter still sleeping...I am in my office until they both get up by 11 or so (Peter the teenager usually sleeps until 10 now)...lunch together and then the afternoon fun plans (for them) and me usually back in my office until 4 when Emma goes to afternoon practice and Peter heads to the ball park either for a game (we all go to his games) or to ump....all back home for dinner by 7'ish...it's all so good and easy. 

Weekends have been awesome...games, umping jobs, lots of garden work, the pool (swim meets start on Saturday), grilling and hanging out in the porch.  This is the happiest time of the year.

Heidi

love the style!

and not so much....



who dresses these poor girls??!!

Heidi

Bits of this and that...

WOW, opened up the blog and what do I see...numerous blogs from you...rock on Sissy!

Would I like to be the sister of the future Queen of England?  YES.  I think this may be a new generation, hopefully modernizing the monarchy a bit without losing the tradition (you know I am BIG on tradition) and I think being so close to histrory in the making would be amazing.  Pippa will be Kate's most trusted confidant...hopefully they can keep their wits about them and not screw up like the past!

Hostas...I agree...love love love them!  I will take some pictures of my hosta collection (all from my father in law's vast collection).  I am sitting in my porch right now and they are just beautiful to look at around our micro pond and scattered about - I love the fact that they are all so different.  My favorite are the blue ones, but probably my all time favorite is "spilt milk"...I will post a pic of that one. 

Charlie and I definitely spend the most time in the porch...watching birds and chipmunks!  The key to bird watching/attracting is having fresh water available by their feeder full of seed.  Right now, it's a flurry of activity with lots of yellow and red finches.  Saw my first Indigo Bunting a couple of weeks ago...amazing bird - see above.  I also keep a hummingbird feeder and have seen green hummingbirds over the last couple of weeks.  I could watch all day!  I think my creative outlet is the garden and flowers...maybe cooking too.

You, however, are an artist (baby you were born this way!) and really should be in a creative job...not talking about back taxes!  I remember straightening felt in the shop!  I think you need to start a job on the side...create something you can sell...your pillows, the awesome frames you made for Christmas.  Remember when you did original party invites and birth announcements???  They were adorable!!!!  Go for it Sissy!

It's going to be hot hot hot this week!  Can you believe I've been happy that it's hot?!  It just feels good (although my a/c is in full blast mode!).  The kids have been loving the pool - especially after hot baseball games.

Have a good week - glad Evan and Lily will finally be done with school!!!  Summertime!  Heidi

wouldn't it be nice....

                                     

need something

Ok, I have been thinking about this for awhile.....I need to do something. I don't know what THAT is but I have some ideas. My creative side is not being used. I feel like Snowball, a caged up hamster. 

I am thinking of painting, not walls, pictures. Or maybe getting Whammie Pajamies finished, (childrens book), or get the sewing machine out and make Lily and I some skirts, (elastic waist short, bright fabric). My job is so not me, so I need to find me outside of work.

Thanks to our Mom and my Dad, who owned a hobby shop and always dabbled in some new craft or project- I was blessed with that gene. Was it the straigtening of the felt that got me hooked?? Ha!
love, k:)

                                                  

my kind of plant

                                
                                              Hostas!
Love them! I know you have a lot of different varieties sissy. I have a few different kinds. My favorite is my giant ones by my front steps, just plain green. You can't kill them, and they are perfect anywhere. The best part is, if you divide them, they come back even heartier. :)love, k

how would you like to be

the sister of the Queen to be....I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. How would you feel sissy. I don't think I would like it too much.
However, you are correct. Classy, young, well dressed woman. That is really nice to see. The Brits know how to do that correctly. Did you see her handbag.....one of my spring picks!
:)love, k

almost summer

Why is that summer begins when the kids get out of school??!! Your summer always starts early, your kids always get out earlier than mine. Evan gets out next Tuesday, and Lily the following Tuesday. No more homework battles, less tears, no more early nights. Summer is a good thing!

Summer at my house is having windows open, front door and back door open. The breeze blows right through the house. The backyard is used again, and the porch rocker is used nightly. I wake up with a smile, and go to bed tired. The sounds I hear are birds chirping, Lily's scooter cruising down the sidewalk and golf clubs swinging in the front yard. I agree, aaaahhhhhh.