It's official...

We have our flight booked for Hawaii and our hotels in Hawaii. Yes, I said hotelS! We're staying most of the time in Honolulu but will be spending our actual anniversary on the North Shore.
We will be staying in San Francisco for a couple of days but still no decision on a hotel there yet...the debate rages on.
I am finally excited about this trip! I may even brave a snorkel....the jury is still out on that.

Now some Jen randomness:
I will be answering your questions in my next post.
Can you believe it's the last day of June? Christmas is less than 6 months away...
The weather has been amazing the past couple of days - slightly overcast and mid 70s.

I've been tagged!

by La! 7 random things about me:

1. I love chocolate and caramel
2. Books are my weakness - can't get enough
3. I wish everyday for an extra 2 hours in that day
4. I don't take bubble baths as much as I used to and miss them!
5. If I had the time, I would cook dinner every night
6. I still dream of being a writer - maybe someday that book will get finished...
7. My family is amazing!

Thanks, La!
Don't forget to ask your question in the previous post. :D

I tag: Latharia, Andie, Brianna, Alison and Elizabeth

I'm at a loss...

So, here's what this post will be. Post a question you want to know about me in the comments and I will answer them.

Updating

Yes, there will be more Wisconsin pictures coming... (sorry to bore you all...)

Work is going well. There has been some little drama but nothing that will ruin me. ;) I have a co-worker who can be a little difficult sometimes, but there's one everywhere you go.

Do I dare write this? Do I? I am afraid to jinx it. Nothing is concrete yet, but....
It looks like we're going to Hawaii for our anniversary in November. We talked about several places - Bahamas, Florida, California, Paris... Yes, Paris! DH was ready to take me and I was ready to say yes but I freaked at the last minute. So, it looks (at the moment) like it's Hawaii. I cross my fingers it will really happen.

DD is doing great with potty training - finally! All week she only had 2 accidents. So, we're off for some "big girl" shopping today.

We got registration for DS for the fall. UGH - high school will break us...

Other than this, not much is new. I hope you're all enjoying summer. Thanks for stopping by.
HUGS!

Scrappings

I am hosting a cyber crop this weekend at http://www.memorycreators.com. Come join in the fun!

Wisconsin, part 1

The gardens........

This was one of SEVERAL lamps (several of which I'm sure were Tiffany) in the house.

The view from the Sun Deck:

DD watching one of the player pianos.

Wall of carousel horses

The Infinity Room for a Scenic Overlook

Inside the Infinity Room

We visited Taliensen (see previous post)

Romeo & Juliet water tower








Hillside School on the estate

Hillside School again - it still houses the School of Architecture

DS out side Hillside School

Travels

2 trips in 2 weeks...whew!

We're still on Disney Detox. Whew... We stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside - I wasn't very impressed with that property - very overgrown and spread out. The staff left MUCH to be desired! The weather was very nice! We had a brief downpour on Saturday morning, but it was sunny other than that.
I think we hit everything we wanted to at all 4 parks while we were at Disney World. The kids met a few characters. My brother and his family drove up from southern Florida to spend a couple of days with us and that was wonderful! DS made his quest for smashed pennies - he has BOOKS of those things from everywhere! He collected quite a few more. DD & I missed all the fireworks shows and "louder" attractions because the noise bothers her ears, but that's ok. All in all, we had a great time! We hope to go back and hopefully for a little longer.

Last weekend, we went to southern Wisonsin to play tourists - again! We had a wonderful time and the weather was PERFECT!!!!!!!!! Sunny and lower 80s. We stayed at House on the Rock Inn - very nice! We visited House on the Rock and Taliesen (Frank Lloyd Wright's home) and took one of the tours there. We swung through New Glarus on our way home on Sunday for a few hours. Then met my sister & her fiance' in Janesville for a late lunch. I'm ALMOST caught up on laundry.

DH & I are starting to plan where we would like to go for our 10th anniversary. Hmmm... Oh the possibilities.

I'm still working part-time at the library and full-time for the lending company, about 55 hours/week. I am usually pretty wiped at night and it takes a lot for me to get laundry done, the dishwasher run, pick up or whatever. I will REALLY try to stay up with my blog better.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks for stopping by!

Disney

I can't believe we did all we did and saw all we saw in 4 "short" days. We had a blast and were exhausted by the time we got home.

I haven't forgotten....

I swear I will do the Disney update, but my jobs have kept me very busy and tired! Hopefully after this weekend, I can get some pictures and "tales" up. I hope you're all having a great week!

Easing back in....

It's been a LONG time so I'll start with an easy entry - my new 'do....

Before:
After:

I still have to take one with the new highlights in it....

Happy May!

Hello! Sorry, this week got away from me....

The weather has been wonderful! Spring has finally arrived!!!! (yes, I'm jumping for joy)

DS's Scholastic Bowl team lost their Sectional meet on Monday night. He was pretty upset and just talked about it yesterday for the first time since Monday. I'm glad they all got the experience and exposure to that level of competition, though.

I made my appointment for my annual haircut for tomorrow. I will post pictures....

In the biggest news of the week, we're going to see the Mouse. Yes, that's right - Disney World. It was a very spontaneous decision but we're all excited! DH & I discussed, decised and booked it within 3 hours on Sunday morning. DD is beside herself. She can't wait to see Cinderella (god help us if we don't find her...)! She tells anyone who will listen how many days it is until we go! My brother and his family are hoping to drive up for at least a day. I am excited to see them!

Have a great weekend - more news as it breaks... :)

TAG!

Holly tagged me...

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. I wish I had more hours in the day to do things.
2. I am a die hard Cubs fan.
3. My favorite color is blue.
4. I am a huge procrastinator.
5. I hope to write and publish a book
6. I hope to visit Italy someday
7. I am an avid reader

I am tagging: Brianna, Alison, Rachel, Marie, Katie, Mandy and Andie.

Me again!

Yes, 2 posts this week...exciting....

I have survived Week 3 of the new job - whew! I am liking it and the people I work with are fantastic! This 2 job thing is killing me, though....

DS Scholastic Bowl team won their regional meet on Tuesday and are going to the state sectionals on Monday night - we'll see how they fair there. Positive attitude!

The weather is supposed to be wonderful again this weekend! DH planted our new trees yesterday (Arbor Day) and they look great. Our yard is coloring up again and the grass is turning green - I love this time of year!

Not much else is new. I hope you're all well!
Have a great weekend!

Checking in...

Hello blogger friends!

First of all, let me say, our computer died for a couple of weeks so there was not a lot of on-line activity for me.

Second, I will try to get around to visit your blogs very soon!

I started my new full-time job on the the 9th. It's been great! I think I am in with an AMAZING company who truly appreciates their employees! The benefits are unbelievable! Things I never dreamed of....

Spring is finally springing here! The flowers are doing well, it's been a little warmer, some rain, some sun. It's getting green and that's what I like.

I don't know what else to write right now, but wanted to let you know I'm still here and will update whenever I can!

I hope you are all doing well and will try to blog visit soon!

Weekend photos

A few shots of Chicago:

Guess who's wine glass is who's! (hee hee) It was REALLY good wine!
WONDERFUL show! (I ran the whole emotional gammet - laughing, crying, etc, etc)

My DH sitting in one of the window seats in our hotel room:

Our hotel:

Frank Lloyd Wright's home:

A day at the zoo:

My previous post spells out our weekend a little more!

What a weekend!

We had a great weekend! This was the first birthday I had looked forward to in quite a few years!

We took the kids to my parents' and DD couldn't wait for us to leave! We got into the city and checked into the hotel but our room wasn't ready, grabbed a light lunch and went to the show. WICKED was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it! DH enjoyed it but not like I did - a little too much thought on his part. We went back to the hotel to check out our room - SWANKY! We don't stay in nice places so it was a treat! We stayed at Hotel Monaco - if you have some extra money, it's worth it! We got a great deal, that's why we stayed! We had a glass of wine and headed out to dinner at Morton's Steakhouse - oh my word! We had crab legs, shared a steak and had amazing desserts. It was a HUGE splurge and so much more than we should have spent but we couldn't remember the last time we'd gone out. We were SO full when we left - I almost had to crawl back to the hotel.

Sunday, we went to Corner Bakery for breakfast and took a walk. It was wonderful to be able to take some pictures without worrying about running into people walking. We stopped in Oak Park on the way home to see Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio. That was very interesting! We also took the walking tour of homes he designed in the neighborhood. Of course, it started to POUR when we started the walking tour. Figures... It was ok! We had birthday dinner at my parent's Sunday night for myself, my brother and my other brother's girlfriend. Grilled out!

We took the kids to the zoo yesterday. The weather was nice! I also accepted a full time job as a customer service rep at an ag lending facility. I feel SO relieved! Of course, now I have to go shopping for work clothes....blech!

I will post some weekend pictures in a day or 2.

Friday's here!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I survived 2 interviews yesterday and I think they went fairly well. We'll see what next week brings!

It's a wonderful weekend coming up! DH & I are heading to Chicago for the night tomorrow. We're going to see WICKED and staying down there. The kids are going to my parents'. We haven't been away together in a long time and I am so ready for it!

Sunday night, we're going to my parents' for birthday dinner for my brother and I. That's usually fun - lots of story swapping.

I hope you all have a great weekend and hopefully I'll have pictures to share next week.

Wednesday blah blah blah!

Hi all! I've been neglectful - sorry! I'll try to recap the past few days without boring you to death!

Saturday - I worked in the afternoon, scrapped a little and debated with DH about a possible road trip....

Sunday - It was GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! Sunny and mid 70s. We took the kids for a bike ride and I worked in the afternoon. I rode my bike to work - it was so great! I ALMOST felt like a kid again - hair blowing in the wind, pedaling away.... We grilled out for the first time this year - burgers! MMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! More debate about possible trip.

Monday - I woke up and DH was not in bed. Ok.... I come downstairs and he says "We're booked!" Ummm, ok.... So, we will be road tripping over Memorial Day weekend. For better or worse. It was an amazingly beautiful day! Sunny, almost 80 - yes! Spring!

I took DD to circle time at the library and she INSISTED on wearing her Glinda outfit:

She LITERALLY stopped traffic while we were crossing the street. The first guy rolled down his window and said, "Don't shake your head, mom! There's a law about letting princesses cross the street." When we got home, she & I played outside for an hour - she took a GREAT nap! While she napped, I sat on the deck in the sun and finished my book. Fabulous!

Tuesday - I took a bike ride in the morning through our "arboretum" (such as it is) and took a lot of pictures. Some were good, some not so good. It was enjoyable. The sun came out in the afternoon.

Today - DD is home again - we'll see what the day holds...

Hope you're all having a good week!

Mom Moments

Yesterday was a HUGE break through in potty training....DD went poopy on the potty! WOO HOO!!!!!!! Cause for celebration! Today - not real interested....sigh!

Today as I stood in McD's with DH & DS at lunch, I realized, DS is now taller than me! WHAT? Wait! When did this happen? A couple of weeks ago, he still had a little to go before he passed me. What? Sigh....

A Skulls Challenge

Jaime's challenge was to take a walk on a different route and photograph what you see. Here's some of what I saw:

Which way to go?....

My shadow:

The shadows of the bushes caught my attention when there was a bird flitting around.

I have walked by this house literally 100s of time but NEVER from that direction so I have always missed this gorgeous front door!

A scooter in honor of Jamie!

I loved all the birdhouses.

Remember the days of "unsafe" playgrounds? Remember those "things" with the giant springs that you rock back & forth on? Well, the spring has been broken on this one for about 2 years and I've always meant to take a picture of it.

That was my walk on a brisk, March afternoon! Thanks Jamie for helping me look at things differently!