goals...

The kids have goal reading calendars for school in which they are supposed to read so many minutes a month and at the end of the school year they earn carnival tickets from the minutes they've read throughout the year. Last year they both exceeded the minimum minutes required, and this year is no different. Kaycey has become a bookwork practically overnight. At the beginning of the year she really struggled with words and spelling. All of a sudden she can read almost anything you put in front of her!! Cal's teacher would like to have him tested to be put in a gifted reading group. The homework he brought home today brought back memories from one of my favorites about grade school--reading a few chapters from a book and having to answer questions on those chapters. I remember I was always done with the book in a day or two, even though we had a week or two to do it. Once in high school my AP World History teacher gave us a book report assignment and while we could choose the book (from a specific list), he challenged us to read "Pillars of the Earth". I was the only one who took on that challenge, and I read the book in a few days (it was 1000 pages long). I really miss reading the way I used to. I'd love to start reading avidly again. Anyone with good book recommendations?? Anyhow, Cal is supposed to be on chapter 4 for tomorrow; he is on 8. Perhaps he'll be alot like me!!

Onto my project goals....I think I've decided to use Fancy Pants' "Daily Grind" collection for my carousel. Not that I am going to stick with just that; but I wanted something to start with. I love this collection so much!! Office looking, yet colorful; I think it will be easy to work with since I'll be able to use B/W photos as well as color photos, and it'll all flow nicely. I'm excited to start this project. I haven't been doing half as much as I used to. It seems ever since we moved out to the "boonies" I don't scrap as much; mostly I'm guessing because it just isn't as convenient to go to the scrap. store whenever. I have so many projects I want to do!! A small book from when we went to Mackinac Isl, an NKOTB concert book for my cousins, sister, and myself (laugh if you want--but I have the perfect paper and embellishments for this minibook!), and at least 4 other 8x8 books or smaller that have been started but not finished. The more I scrap the happier I am. I really should bring the stuff out more often. I don't know what I'd be doing if I hadn't started working at the store. I don't know what I'd do without my scrap friends, either. I'd be so bored : ) If it weren't for my scrap friends, I wouldn't cry as much (to the point of laughter, that is!!)

Daily grind paper collection:

party pooper

So we went to Chicago on Saturday night for an engagement party. On the way we did stop at Gurnee Mills so I could stop at Archivers. I found some more stuff for my photo carousel, now I just have to decide what pictures and what paper to use.

The party was for a very good friend Mike used to work with. They are also the 2 who came to Frank Caliendo with us. Mike is standing up in their wedding in August, which is taking place in Michigan at a restored barn (that will make for GREAT pictures!!)

We got to the party right around 8pm. I didn't eat a whole lot for supper, and was already hungry by the time we got to the party. That was foolish on my part; I usually make a point to eat a lot before we go to a party, because I never expect there to be vegetarian things for me to eat (there wasn't!). I hadn't felt great late Friday night, and alot of Saturday. Anyhow, I didn't drink anything but cranberry juice because I was a bit tired, too, and I knew if I had a glass of wine while hungry, I'd be toast (and I'm not big on wine)! We saw people we hadn't seen in a while, too, so that was really nice. The couple-to-be make such a wonderful couple; they are just so perfect for each other.

Some people at the party began discussing the bachelor party (not a conversation I particularly want to be part of!) And the guys found out Mike doesn't have a passport. Apparently a passport will be needed for the bachelor party. I don't think so. I hate to be the rain on their parade, but when Mike gets a passport, it's going to be for us to take a trip somewhere. Am I being to harsh? I think not. I don't think Mike thinks I'm being too harsh, either. I would have no problem with a guys weekend for Mike--fishing, rock climbing, camping, whatever...but leaving the country???? Anyhow, initially we planned on staying the night, but since I had nothing to drink we decided it would be best if we just drove home. We got home very late, but it was nice to have all of Sunday to ourselves. It's not like me to be the wallflower and drinking nothing but water or cranberry juice. But I only knew a couple of people, and I guess I just wasn't in the mood. So anyways, I was kind of a party pooper this weekend.

unexpected good fun

The kids are gone for the weekend. It's so quiet and boring when they are gone all weekend, I know I should enjoy the silence!! We have an engagement party to go to in Chicago tonight. And it was just easier for Mike's parents to take them for the weekend. Cal went to an overnight birthday party last night at a hotel with indoor waterpark. They even got a limo ride to/from the waterpark. Geez, what are they going to do for this kid's 16th birthday. I can see it being like "My Sweet 16" on MTV. Ah, the joys of cable and trashy TV, but for as much as I rarely watch TV, one juicy trashy show every once in a while is all in good fun. Anyhow, Cal got dropped off after lunch, and Mike took Cal to meet his parents so Cal is staying there tonight.

Last night after meeting my dear friend at a scrapbooking store on my end of town, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go to some Brewers thing. Mike had been in a terrible mood all week, and planned on staying in to watch the netflix movies he got this week. So I figured, what the heck, I'll go. So to the Riverside my Aunt Lorie and I went (for the second time in 6 days for me!). It was called "Bob Uecker's Winter Warm Up". I had never heard about it, and I like to think I stay on top of news, sports, and upcoming shows (Cracker in Madison and Illinois the first week of Feb, for example & Morrisey coming to the Rave in April), etc. Anyhow, the Riverside is pretty small, I'm thinking it was private invite or something only for sponser/employees of sponsors (my Aunt got tix through a friend's husband). You could pay $500 to eat and mingle with the Brewers beforehand, but yeah, we didn't do that. Anyways, it was really fun!! While I have to say Bob Uecker is an outstanding announcer, he is the worst interviewer I have ever seen. I don't know if it's his old age, if he had been drinking, or if he's always that awful. Anyhow, the Brewers were there, and they made it fun. There was a great comedian, too. Can't remember the name of him...they did a Family Feud like game show between the Brewers. Then they had a "Hot for Hardy" show, a spin off of the Dating Game for JJ Hardy. They showed highlights from the season, and I know this sounds ridiculous, but it was just amazing and emotional to see the replays from the final games; the excitement and pure craziness--just awesome. While at home all summer we did watch (at the very least, listened to) every game that was broadcast on TV, watching it on the big projection screen at the Riverside was just so much cooler. I wish we would've gone to more games. Well, now with the season tickets, we'll be going to lots of games this coming season. Hopefully they are just as good of a team.

I am such a goof. Who else in the world gets excited over paper, stickers, and sports to the point of doing little dances and "oot-hoot!"'s over sports. Okay, now that I probably put 75% of my blog readers to sleep...sorry. Now I am going to subject you to pictures of them. But I convinced Mike we have to stop at Gurnee Mills on the way to Chicago so I can go to Archivers. That's a good end to a blog, isn't it???

Mark Antanasio (owner) and Bob Uecker


Jeff Suppan and Corey Hart--this one's for you, Laura : )

Ryan Braun and Bob

The team, owner, GM, etc...

these guys rock! Oh the winners of the Feud game got "Tenntucky" t-shirts and bratwurst (the winners are wearing their shirts : )

sweet treats...

I meant to post this a while ago! I didn't realize that next week is already January 26!! I wanted to let you know Kaycey is selling girl scout cookies. Orders are due 1-25. If you are interested, send me an email. Thanks, in advance!

I wish...

that I could cure cancer.

I check on Jack everyday, and I happened upon a little girl I hadn't heard about whose mom had commented on Jack's page. I checked the little girl's web page and she passed away 6 months ago after a third relapse. I read some of the posts, and was struck at how similar Kaycey and Emily's (the little girl) initial presentation of the disease was. Anyhow, while it was sad to read how difficult their past few months have been, I didn't tear up until I read under the heading where it lists hospital info, room #/home address, it was listed as "Heaven".

Poor Jack has such terrible mouth sores right now as a result of high chemo-low white blood cells, he is on methadone. I remember Kaycey's first time with mouth sores; we spent 10 sleepless days and nights in the hospital. Then home for a few days, then back for 6 more days/nights for chemo, again. What a monotonous cycle of Hell. I pray that there is a cure sooner than not, and that no one has to go through what Kaycey, Jack, and thousands of other kids have gone through with this terrible beast called cancer.