My birthday weekend turned out to be much more fun--and not at all depressing!--than I was expecting it to be. Fred and I took off on the bike before 8 AM Saturday, me telling myself that I really wasn't 50 yet because I was born at 5:15 PM. We stopped in Wausau for breakfast at IHOP, then continued to Mosinee where Fred had a meeting at the airport. I entertained myself by reading and listening to passengers having fits because their flights were cancelled. By 1:30 we were on the road to Antigo where we met our friends Bill and Jennifer on their Honda Goldwing for the ride to the Amberg Hilton. The temperature was in the 80s, and the trip was an amazing sensory experience--passing through warm air currents, then cold ones; smelling the scents of farms, fields, and fall; feeling bugs splat on my forehead at 60 mph, and the trees!! Oh, the trees...flaming russet and crimson, plum, amber--I wish I had the 64-box of Crayolas here so I could choose color names to do them justice!
We got to the cabin a little after 4:30, and our nextdoor neighbors Annie and Lori immediately drove up. Not unusual--they knew it was my birthday. But then Bonnie from my bowling team (and Fred's office) and her husband Mike pulled into the driveway, and Bonnie was wearing a button with my first grade picture on it that said "Little Cheryl turns 50 today"!! Finally it clicked: I was getting a surprise party! My wonderful husband had planned it and arranged things when he was at the cabin the weekend before. More friends continued to drive in within the next hour: Penny and Jay, Renee and Ted, Josh, Billie and girls, Lee and Gail, Gene; Paul and Lauri all the way from Eau Claire, and Tom and Gail. I was completely fooled--no idea whatsoever!
I was treated to similar "old fogey" gifts that I have gleefully given other friends over the years on their 40th-50th b-days: a cane, black leis, a black whistle to use when I fall and can't get up, a book called "Sex After 50" (I also own "Sex After 40", which I didn't read, either!), a new bra whose long skinny cups hang down to my waist, etc. It's true; what goes around comes around. Some of the presents were nice ones, including money and goodies for my soldiers, sunflower decor for my kitchen, and enough fixings for daiquiris and margaritas to last me till I'm at least 50 and a half!
Eight friends spent the night, and after one of Fred's cabin breakfasts and some more conversation around the campfire, they headed for home. Fred and I, along with Bill and Jennifer, got on the bikes and rode south to Peshtigo to visit the Peshtigo Fire Museum. I will write more about that tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday so special. Whether it was being at the party, a phone call, or sending a card. present, or e-mail/Facebook wish, it is ALL greatly appreciated!!
I feel extremely lucky! Especially grateful to be married to Fred!!
Somebody over the weekend made the comment that now I'm in my Golden Years. Uh--I think I'm still in the aluminum years, as the pile of cans by my lawn chair Saturday night would indicate. I'll save the Geritol for my 75th!!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Excuses and More
I apologize to the readers of The Daily Mom who may have noticed that it hasn't been too "daily" lately. Maybe I should change the name! I have been a slacker I admit, but like any lazy bum I do have a lot of excuses!!
--We've had the best weather of the summer the past two weeks here. Sunny and in the upper 70s-low 80s every day. I have to take advantage of it while it lasts!
--Walking the dogs through the woods as the trees turn brilliant colors is something I look forward to every day now. I don't think there is anything more beautiful in nature than the fall colors, and Wisconsin has some of the best! They almost make it worth enduring the winter that follows.
--I've done a lot of running around lately--Elk Mound to Madison and back, plus regular weekly errands and chores. I walk with my friend Cindy once a week, followed by a stop for something to drink and maybe a bakery treat and chatting. Yakking takes less time than thinking of a topic and writing about it!
--Fred had a couple nights this week when he couldn't sleep--which meant I was awake a lot, too. He confessed to having coffee at an evening meeting one of the nights as we lay awake at 2:30. He asked for suggestions on how to get to sleep, and I said that a pillow pushed down on his face would probably work. He didn't like that idea. Katie recommended that we have separate "Grandma and Grandpa" bedrooms. He didn't like that one, either.
--I've been contemplating the impending 50th birthday--and eating a lot of chocolate. We are riding over to the Amberg Hilton on the Harley Saturday and celebrating it with some friends there. We'll visit the Peshtigo Fire Museum Sunday and be back in time for the Packers-Bears game that night.
So the next time I write here, I'll be 50 (but I can't promise more maturity!) I'm not going to be bummed about it when my dad and brother didn't even get to reach this decade. Kenny Chesney has a new song out called "I'm Alive" that expresses a good attitude about life, one I will try to adopt. It goes like this:
"So damn easy to say that life's so hard. Everybody's got their share of battle scars . As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well.
It'd be easy to add up all the pain, and all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames. Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain...But not me... I'm alive.
And today you know that's good enough for me. Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see?Today's the first day of the rest of my life, and I'm alive and well...I'm alive and well.
Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight. It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight. This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life--now I'm alive and well.
And today you know that's good enough for me. Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see?Today's the first day of the rest of my life...Now I'm alive and well. Yeah I'm alive and well...
Happy birthday to me! :)
--We've had the best weather of the summer the past two weeks here. Sunny and in the upper 70s-low 80s every day. I have to take advantage of it while it lasts!
--Walking the dogs through the woods as the trees turn brilliant colors is something I look forward to every day now. I don't think there is anything more beautiful in nature than the fall colors, and Wisconsin has some of the best! They almost make it worth enduring the winter that follows.
--I've done a lot of running around lately--Elk Mound to Madison and back, plus regular weekly errands and chores. I walk with my friend Cindy once a week, followed by a stop for something to drink and maybe a bakery treat and chatting. Yakking takes less time than thinking of a topic and writing about it!
--Fred had a couple nights this week when he couldn't sleep--which meant I was awake a lot, too. He confessed to having coffee at an evening meeting one of the nights as we lay awake at 2:30. He asked for suggestions on how to get to sleep, and I said that a pillow pushed down on his face would probably work. He didn't like that idea. Katie recommended that we have separate "Grandma and Grandpa" bedrooms. He didn't like that one, either.
--I've been contemplating the impending 50th birthday--and eating a lot of chocolate. We are riding over to the Amberg Hilton on the Harley Saturday and celebrating it with some friends there. We'll visit the Peshtigo Fire Museum Sunday and be back in time for the Packers-Bears game that night.
So the next time I write here, I'll be 50 (but I can't promise more maturity!) I'm not going to be bummed about it when my dad and brother didn't even get to reach this decade. Kenny Chesney has a new song out called "I'm Alive" that expresses a good attitude about life, one I will try to adopt. It goes like this:
"So damn easy to say that life's so hard. Everybody's got their share of battle scars . As for me I'd like to thank my lucky stars that I'm alive and well.
It'd be easy to add up all the pain, and all the dreams you've sat and watch go up in flames. Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain...But not me... I'm alive.
And today you know that's good enough for me. Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see?Today's the first day of the rest of my life, and I'm alive and well...I'm alive and well.
Stars are dancin' on the water here tonight. It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight. This motor's caught its wind and brought me back to life--now I'm alive and well.
And today you know that's good enough for me. Breathing in and out's a blessing can't you see?Today's the first day of the rest of my life...Now I'm alive and well. Yeah I'm alive and well...
Happy birthday to me! :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Another Soldier in the Family
On Sunday I had the honor of meeting my fifth anysoldier.com contact in the five years that I have been supporting the troops. She is from Whitewater, WI and happened to be in Madison for the Badger game while home on leave. Since I spent the weekend down there too, we made plans to meet for lunch.
Captain Theresa Giorno and her boyfriend, James--who is also in the Army--both returned in August from deployments in Kuwait and Iraq. Theresa had received one of my cards from an Anysoldier "card swap", and she sent me a picture and letter at Christmas. I wrote back and continued sending her letters and packages--including Valentine's Day, her 25th birthday in May, her promotion to Captain in June...and she wrote back in response to every one.
Meeting her and James was just like my other get-togethers in the past: a real thrill!! She brought me a big bottle of wine, and I gave her a picture frame. We talked for an hour and a half about her experiences overseas, her family, and her new Boston terrier puppy, Achilles. Theresa reads my blog and I read hers, so we already knew a lot about each other--but a face-to-face conversation and a hug are still the best!!
After taking care of a soldier for several months, they become a part of your family. The ones who continue to stay in touch after they come back show just how much the support from home meant to them while they were deployed. We have been invited to two weddings, and I also feel like an honorary grandma to Taylor J. and Dreyden S., both two years old, after supporting their dads through two deployments so far. I haven't met either of them yet, but I know we will some day.
Thanks, Theresa and James, for your service to our country and for taking the time to meet me. Welcome home!!
Captain Theresa Giorno and her boyfriend, James--who is also in the Army--both returned in August from deployments in Kuwait and Iraq. Theresa had received one of my cards from an Anysoldier "card swap", and she sent me a picture and letter at Christmas. I wrote back and continued sending her letters and packages--including Valentine's Day, her 25th birthday in May, her promotion to Captain in June...and she wrote back in response to every one.
Meeting her and James was just like my other get-togethers in the past: a real thrill!! She brought me a big bottle of wine, and I gave her a picture frame. We talked for an hour and a half about her experiences overseas, her family, and her new Boston terrier puppy, Achilles. Theresa reads my blog and I read hers, so we already knew a lot about each other--but a face-to-face conversation and a hug are still the best!!
After taking care of a soldier for several months, they become a part of your family. The ones who continue to stay in touch after they come back show just how much the support from home meant to them while they were deployed. We have been invited to two weddings, and I also feel like an honorary grandma to Taylor J. and Dreyden S., both two years old, after supporting their dads through two deployments so far. I haven't met either of them yet, but I know we will some day.
Thanks, Theresa and James, for your service to our country and for taking the time to meet me. Welcome home!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Husband Swap
Last weekend we had two guy friends stay here with us to attend a retirement party Saturday night. When they took their stuff upstairs, I told them to use the lamps in the bedroom they'd be staying in because the overhead light was burned out. The light is in the ceiling fan, and it has a round, coiled bulb that I'd never seen before. I tried weeks ago to remove it and get a new one, but I couldn't figure out how to take off the chains for the fan/light and get the fixture off. I told Fred about it, but he hadn't had time to look at it.
A few minutes after I mentioned it to our guests, Paul came downstairs with the burned-out bulb in hand! (He is the friend whose wife Lauri suggested I make a "honey-do" list for Fred last spring.) Of course, I was quite impressed that just mentioning the problem got almost instant results--and not only that, but I bought a new bulb the next day and Paul replaced it and reassembled the whole fixture. Fred was soon commenting in a catty voice, "Ooo, why don't you have Paul replace the window in the basement, too!" We all laughed, but it got me thinking...maybe that's not a bad idea!
We wives could start a program where we "swap" husbands for a day to get some long-overdue chores done. Think of the advantages: we wouldn't nag a guy who is our friend like we might do to our husband. For a man, doing a favor for a friend probably seems less like work than doing it for the old ball and chain. A friend probably won't say, "Will you make me a sandwich?" and plop down to watch TV mid-way through the job, either.
We could each make a list of our husbands' talents (most of them, anyway), and then choose whoever was best suited to the jobs we wanted done. One day every few months could be Husband Swap Day. While the men work on their chore lists, we women could go shopping, have lunch, and come up with new projects for the next swap day.
I think it could work! I live with a perfectly capable handy-man; finding time to DO the chores is the hardest part for him. Here is a list of his skills: carpentry, basic plumbing and electricity, changing oil, yard work, painting, doing firewood, moving furniture, cleaning garages/basements, hauling stuff, making macaroni and cheese and scrambled eggs--and playing gin.
Just don't ask him to change a light bulb.
**Happy 23rd birthday, Erica!!!!!
A few minutes after I mentioned it to our guests, Paul came downstairs with the burned-out bulb in hand! (He is the friend whose wife Lauri suggested I make a "honey-do" list for Fred last spring.) Of course, I was quite impressed that just mentioning the problem got almost instant results--and not only that, but I bought a new bulb the next day and Paul replaced it and reassembled the whole fixture. Fred was soon commenting in a catty voice, "Ooo, why don't you have Paul replace the window in the basement, too!" We all laughed, but it got me thinking...maybe that's not a bad idea!
We wives could start a program where we "swap" husbands for a day to get some long-overdue chores done. Think of the advantages: we wouldn't nag a guy who is our friend like we might do to our husband. For a man, doing a favor for a friend probably seems less like work than doing it for the old ball and chain. A friend probably won't say, "Will you make me a sandwich?" and plop down to watch TV mid-way through the job, either.
We could each make a list of our husbands' talents (most of them, anyway), and then choose whoever was best suited to the jobs we wanted done. One day every few months could be Husband Swap Day. While the men work on their chore lists, we women could go shopping, have lunch, and come up with new projects for the next swap day.
I think it could work! I live with a perfectly capable handy-man; finding time to DO the chores is the hardest part for him. Here is a list of his skills: carpentry, basic plumbing and electricity, changing oil, yard work, painting, doing firewood, moving furniture, cleaning garages/basements, hauling stuff, making macaroni and cheese and scrambled eggs--and playing gin.
Just don't ask him to change a light bulb.
**Happy 23rd birthday, Erica!!!!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Techno-Dummy
I have never claimed to be knowledgeable where technology is concerned--which some of you already know. I've screwed up our universal remote for our TV/satellite dish; didn't know that there are different kinds of USB cords; waited two years after getting a digital camera before I attempted to use it. The girls had to teach me how to text message, and Katie or Fred still silence my cell phone for me in movie theaters.
Before my friend Mary moved to China a month ago, she told me that we'd be able to talk to each other for free on our computers using Skype. All I needed to do was download the Skype program, get an ID, and wait for us to be online at the same time--not really a problem with the exactly 12-hour time difference.
I was really excited the weekend before last when Mary appeared on Skype and dialed my computer! I answered the call and could hear her "Hello there!" as clear as a bell from the other side of the world. I started talking and she asked, "Cheryl? Can you hear me?" Well, yeah, I could hear her plain as day, but she obviously couldn't hear me. Skype also lets you instant message, so I sent her an IM that apparently my microphone wasn't working. She continued telling me about everything going on there while I frantically tried to figure out what was wrong. I tried the control panel, settings, anything with the word "audio" in the description. Nothing. I spoke loudly into anything on my 2-year-old laptop that looked like it could be a built-in microphone. "MARY?? CAN YOU HEAR ME??" She continued to soliloquize about the hot humid weather and the girls' adjustments to their new schools. Finally I gave up, telling her in an IM that I would dig up my Dell owner's manual and solve the microphone problem so we could converse next time.
Well--it turns out that my computer does not have a built-in mike! I'd just assumed--(which makes an ass out of me)--that any newer computer has one. DUH.
A trip to Wally World and $8.88 later, I had a new microphone and was all set for Mary's next appearance online. I even did a practice audio recording to make sure it worked!
Yesterday I had a 45-minute chat with my dear friend--and she has a computer with a built-in webcam so I could even see her!! At first it kind of looked like she didn't have teeth, but then it got better.
I am totally awestruck by the capabilities of today's communication technology! Who are the brainiacs that come up with this stuff?! It's way beyond anything that goes on in my head; I can barely even use it, let alone think it up! But I will enthusiastically enlist Skype to keep in touch with Mary--and Katie, too, when she goes to Ireland next semester. I'm going to wait on investing in a webcam, though. Not even my BFF needs to see what I look like first thing in the morning!
Before my friend Mary moved to China a month ago, she told me that we'd be able to talk to each other for free on our computers using Skype. All I needed to do was download the Skype program, get an ID, and wait for us to be online at the same time--not really a problem with the exactly 12-hour time difference.
I was really excited the weekend before last when Mary appeared on Skype and dialed my computer! I answered the call and could hear her "Hello there!" as clear as a bell from the other side of the world. I started talking and she asked, "Cheryl? Can you hear me?" Well, yeah, I could hear her plain as day, but she obviously couldn't hear me. Skype also lets you instant message, so I sent her an IM that apparently my microphone wasn't working. She continued telling me about everything going on there while I frantically tried to figure out what was wrong. I tried the control panel, settings, anything with the word "audio" in the description. Nothing. I spoke loudly into anything on my 2-year-old laptop that looked like it could be a built-in microphone. "MARY?? CAN YOU HEAR ME??" She continued to soliloquize about the hot humid weather and the girls' adjustments to their new schools. Finally I gave up, telling her in an IM that I would dig up my Dell owner's manual and solve the microphone problem so we could converse next time.
Well--it turns out that my computer does not have a built-in mike! I'd just assumed--(which makes an ass out of me)--that any newer computer has one. DUH.
A trip to Wally World and $8.88 later, I had a new microphone and was all set for Mary's next appearance online. I even did a practice audio recording to make sure it worked!
Yesterday I had a 45-minute chat with my dear friend--and she has a computer with a built-in webcam so I could even see her!! At first it kind of looked like she didn't have teeth, but then it got better.
I am totally awestruck by the capabilities of today's communication technology! Who are the brainiacs that come up with this stuff?! It's way beyond anything that goes on in my head; I can barely even use it, let alone think it up! But I will enthusiastically enlist Skype to keep in touch with Mary--and Katie, too, when she goes to Ireland next semester. I'm going to wait on investing in a webcam, though. Not even my BFF needs to see what I look like first thing in the morning!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Summer Farewell
The last day of August!! It seems like the summer went by in a flash--and I guess it did--because we were always busy! If I read back over my blogs since Memorial Day, there was something going on just about every week and during the weeks, too. Traveling--to the cabin, Elk Mound, Madison, Hayward, Mindoro, Bruce, Bayfield; having company both here and at the Hilton; taking care of lawns and houses and dogs; riding the Harley, writing lots of letters, taking lots of pictures, reading when I had the time. (Ten books for the summer, and I'm way behind on my goal of 75 for the year) Even finding time to write my blog has been hard the past couple weeks, as evidenced by the few and far-between entries here!
I didn't get around to several things I'd planned to do. I only went fishing once, but I guess there is still time for that during the fall. I missed all of the Thursday night concerts in town along the Riverwalk and have yet to get to the farmer's market here. I forgot to plant sunflowers until it was too late, and I never bought that bikini. (Hahaha) My diet sputtered and stalled.
Tomorrow a new month begins, and we already have plans every weekend through mid-October. We must feel the need to do as much as we can before the long winter arrives again--especially since we already had frost this morning and Fred had to scrape the windshield before going to work! Football season is upon us, and bowling league starts next week...the holidays will arrive in the blink of an eye. Fall is my favorite time of the year, with cool weather and beautiful trees--but like summer, it won't last long enough. So I plan to make the most of every remaining nice day, from today until I dig out that snow shovel.
I didn't get around to several things I'd planned to do. I only went fishing once, but I guess there is still time for that during the fall. I missed all of the Thursday night concerts in town along the Riverwalk and have yet to get to the farmer's market here. I forgot to plant sunflowers until it was too late, and I never bought that bikini. (Hahaha) My diet sputtered and stalled.
Tomorrow a new month begins, and we already have plans every weekend through mid-October. We must feel the need to do as much as we can before the long winter arrives again--especially since we already had frost this morning and Fred had to scrape the windshield before going to work! Football season is upon us, and bowling league starts next week...the holidays will arrive in the blink of an eye. Fall is my favorite time of the year, with cool weather and beautiful trees--but like summer, it won't last long enough. So I plan to make the most of every remaining nice day, from today until I dig out that snow shovel.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Mother's Son
Yesterday I had one of the most moving experiences of my life. I was able to meet my friend Cathi from Osborn, MO for the first time after getting to know her through e-mails, letters, and phone calls over the past year or so.
Cathi and I have both supported the troops using anysoldier.com for several years. Through our participation in "card swaps" and the anysoldier forum, we learned about each other's families. Both her sons were in the Army, but she also sent packages to other soldiers who needed things and didn't get much support from home. Cathi and I discovered much in common, and I found out that her family had lived only 25 miles from where I grew up in western Wisconsin when her husband--also in the Army--was stationed at Fort McCoy in the 80s.
On Memorial Day I wrote about the devastating loss Cathi's family suffered in January when her younger son Matthew's helicopter was shot down over Kirkuk, Iraq. Yesterday I had the privilege of getting to know Matthew through the memories of his mother. She brought along the scrapbook she had made for his wake, and I saw pages of him with his parents, brother, grandparents, and cousins. He kissed his bride and became a devoted father to a son and daughter. I saw the young boy who always wanted to fly join the Army and become a member of the 82nd Airborne, parachuting from a plane and later standing proudly in front of his Kiowa helicopter. Finally, on 1/26/09, he gave his life for his country. His older brother Christopher--who had just returned from his own Iraq deployment the summer before--escorted him home to Missouri for a hero's funeral.
Several thousand families all over this country have experienced the loss of a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001. Most of us will not personally sacrifice anything as these wars continue. Cathi's wish is that we not wait for a funeral to express gratitude and caring for our military. The time to thank and support them is now, when they are far away from home and family, when a letter or package from someone they don't even know might be the boost they need to keep going a little longer.
As a mother, I feel Cathi's loss deeply. I admire her for raising sons with such courage and character, and for continuing to take care of other mothers' sons and daughters with packages as she lives a life without Matthew. I know we will be lifelong friends--and our next get-together will be in Missouri.
Please support our troops. http://www.anysoldier.com/
Cathi and I have both supported the troops using anysoldier.com for several years. Through our participation in "card swaps" and the anysoldier forum, we learned about each other's families. Both her sons were in the Army, but she also sent packages to other soldiers who needed things and didn't get much support from home. Cathi and I discovered much in common, and I found out that her family had lived only 25 miles from where I grew up in western Wisconsin when her husband--also in the Army--was stationed at Fort McCoy in the 80s.
On Memorial Day I wrote about the devastating loss Cathi's family suffered in January when her younger son Matthew's helicopter was shot down over Kirkuk, Iraq. Yesterday I had the privilege of getting to know Matthew through the memories of his mother. She brought along the scrapbook she had made for his wake, and I saw pages of him with his parents, brother, grandparents, and cousins. He kissed his bride and became a devoted father to a son and daughter. I saw the young boy who always wanted to fly join the Army and become a member of the 82nd Airborne, parachuting from a plane and later standing proudly in front of his Kiowa helicopter. Finally, on 1/26/09, he gave his life for his country. His older brother Christopher--who had just returned from his own Iraq deployment the summer before--escorted him home to Missouri for a hero's funeral.
Several thousand families all over this country have experienced the loss of a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001. Most of us will not personally sacrifice anything as these wars continue. Cathi's wish is that we not wait for a funeral to express gratitude and caring for our military. The time to thank and support them is now, when they are far away from home and family, when a letter or package from someone they don't even know might be the boost they need to keep going a little longer.
As a mother, I feel Cathi's loss deeply. I admire her for raising sons with such courage and character, and for continuing to take care of other mothers' sons and daughters with packages as she lives a life without Matthew. I know we will be lifelong friends--and our next get-together will be in Missouri.
Please support our troops. http://www.anysoldier.com/
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