saturday

It is one of my favorite things to crawl into a bed with crisp cold clean sheets. Every Saturday the sheets on our bed get changed. Today was the day that we decided to also flip the mattress. We are supposed to do it regularly, but I think ours gets done once or twice a year. Our King size mattress is very heavy. When we bought it, the salesman told us that if we pay $25 they will come out and flip it for us. I laughed when he said that. How hard can it be? We are young and strong and willing to do it ourselves. There are far better ways to spend $25!! Our room is not very big which doesn't help. Today my neck got pinned between the mattress and the wall. It wasn't pretty, but the job is done.
Taking 5 minutes twice a year is supposed to increase the life of the mattress. It should be a no-brainer! Why is it that I don't always spend time on the little routine maintenance things that in the end will make a big difference. I get so busy with life that I don't always slow down and focus on those little things. I need to work on that.
But for right now, I am just thinking about clean sheets! I can't wait till bedtime!

springtime

I do love spring!! It is my favorite time of the year. There is something special about everything coming back to life again after a LONG winter.

My husband is a LAWN LOVER. Already this spring he has managed to spend a lot of money getting our lawn ready for the upcoming competition. What competition, you ask? He wants to win the award of the "best looking lawn on the block". And for the past 9 years he has won first place - mainly because no one else is officially in his imaginary competition.
We have been discussing having a lawn service again this year. Every fall he tells me that he might not do the lawn service again - but every spring when they call to give him an offer he can't refuse - he simply can't refuse. Those salesmen know exactly what to say to sucker him in. I admit it - they are smooth. And in the end - the lawn does look good.
I can appreciate a nice lawn and I enjoy my part of planting flowers and doing minor landscaping but it is not as important to me as it is to him. He is like a little kid right now on Christmas Eve. He knows it is going to rain this week and the anticipation of that is so exciting for him. He has raked and aerated and over seeded and is now out there doing something else with some other loud piece of lawn equipment. To get that all done just before a nice spring rain will be perfect! I can see his little boyish grin now.
We are a good balance for each other. I can sit in the kitchen on my laptop and blog while he is out there working on getting another trophy for the mantle. We are both doing something we enjoy!
Happy Spring, everyone.

zip zap

Anyone ever been zapped before? Like when you accidentally touch a live wire? I remember being younger and touching my tongue to a 9 volt battery. I didn't like the way it felt. The other day at work I was working with a small tool that was plugged in. When I was done, I laid it in the sink. One of my co-workers asked me if I thought it was safe to put it there since it was still plugged in and I laughed because I didn't think that one thru.
Zapped.....
It has been 10 years since I have been zapped. I had lasik surgery in March of 1999. It only took a few minutes and in a little way - my life was changed forever. No more contacts or glasses or squinting or wondering what time it was in the middle of the night. AHHH! Perfect vision 24-7! It was definitely a good decision.
There are so many things in life that would be easier if all of a sudden things were clear. But, that is not the way life works. I can't see the big picture and even though I may think I know what is best and how things should turn out in the end - only God knows. I am glad He knows and I am also glad that I can have hope because of that.

the squirrel that saved the day

How could a squirrel save the day? Well, let me tell you a little story......

First of all - I am not a fan of the whole "day-light-savings" thing. I am the girl who has said that they should just change it a 1/2 hour and then never change it again. It takes me too long to adjust in the spring to the new time. I am wide awake at night and dragging in the morning. (Maybe I am like that every day and I just have an excuse this time of the year!)

Monday morning comes and I am running late for work. I know I can drive fast during parts of my commute because there are only so many places for a police car to hide. I have been driving these roads for 12 years and I am certain that I have discovered all of the hiding spots. I will admit that I was speeding. No need to disclose to you how far I was over the limit I was - we'll just leave it at this - it was plenty.
So, out comes Mr. Squirrel for his daily jog. I didn't hit the little fellow. He turned and looked my way with very wide eyes as I hit the break. I think I even heard him make a little shreeking noise. But, it was because of that moment that I was then going slower as I passed the police car a 100 yards away.
Am I thankful for that squirrel? I most certainly am!!
I got to work at 8:01 - not setting the best example for my co-workers but getting a speeding ticket would have been worse than clocking in at 8:01. I am not normally late and it was entirely due to the time change of course.

So, what was my excuse on Tuesday when I clocked in at 8:01? 2 in a row - Oh man!

the results are in.....

I think the secret date - went well.
The day started out with some R & R. We went to church Saturday night so we slept in on Sunday morning and I made waffles for breakfast with bacon (and coffee of course). Then we left and headed toward Milwaukee for destination #1. I chose for us to go to the Discovery World Museum. There was a lot of hands on exhibits and I loved the aquarium. We had fun looking at all of it together. We spent a few hours there and then we were off to the restaurant that I had picked for us for dinner. The reviews for this place were fabulous and we didn't get lost getting there, but - it looked scary from the outside so we didn't go in. Instead we went to a place we had gone to once before. I knew that my husband really enjoyed it so we went back. I was prepared to pay for everything - the museum - parking - dinner - which was also fun for me.
I did have my moment to shine at the restaurant when I was pulling off my wrist-band (from the museum). When I yanked it loose- my arm whacked my glass of soda and spilled it everywhere.
That is what napkins are for.
And the date was for fun and doing something different with the one I love. Over all it was great - we had a lot of fun and the thrill of the adventure was raised a little by the essence of surprise. I am hoping to be able to tell you about our secret date #2 in the next few months. May this inspire you to be a little spontaneous yourself. Get out of the box - be a little wild and crazy. You might enjoy it more than you think.

I have a few pictures I will try to add in the next day or 2 so you can see the smiles on our faces.

secret date

Tomorrow is the day of the big date.
A few months ago I decided that I wanted a little change in my life.... something spontaneous. So, I came up with this plan of a secret date.
I tend to go with the flow and not make my own decisions which in turn keeps me in the same rut and routine - so I decided to plan a date for my husband and I. This date had to include something we have not done before. He has no idea what I have up my sleeve. I have just told him when we are leaving and what he should wear.
I have been looking on line at some different restaurants and other events in the area that might be fun to go to. I was going to set a budget for the date but I am hoping that my husband comes up with a secret date for me next - so I threw out that idea. Why put a limit on fun?!
One part of the date is at a restaurant that I have never heard of and that I am not even sure of the location. This could back fire on me. If we get lost or if the food is not as good as the on-line reviews - I could be in BIG trouble. I am hoping that my husband will be patient and open minded so that all of my planning efforts will be worthwhile. I will let you know the outcome of our little adventure in my next entry.
Maybe it will be the change I need....... plus a little more.

change anyone?

There is not much in my life that changes. Sometimes things may seem like they are different but when it is all said and done - it's the same.
I have been thinking about that today. I mentioned a few blogs back that I wanted to change my ways and sweep the kitchen floor everyday to keep my husband happy. Honestly, I have made an effort and swept it a few more times than I normally would have - but... everyday?? Lets face it - my intentions are good but when it comes down to it - I am the same girl I was before. (and would all my efforts even be worth it?)
I have been with the same guy - in the same house - with the same cat - going to the same church - driving the same car - for a very long time. I have been at the same job for over 12 years working for the same boss - even wearing some of the same clothes......
Change.
Change....
Sometimes, I want to chuck it and cut my hair start something new.
Am I just fooling myself? Am I really ready to actually make some changes in my life? Can I get out of the comfortable box that I am in and do something different? I hope to think that I can.
I will keep you posted.

one of my favorite days

Today in Wisconsin, it is March 3rd. My big sister lives on the other side of the world and for her it is already March 4th - her birthday. March 4th was always a day that I looked forward to and I would count down the days until it arrived - 5 more days...4 more days...3 more days...2 more days....
On her birthday we would always spend the day together - usually the 3 of us would do something special- my sister - my mother and I. We spent many a March 4th going out to eat (usually Olive Garden)- a few hotel overnight stays - a late night movie.... A lot of fun times.
This is the 2nd year I am not able to spend with her because she lives so far away. I wish I could see her today to give her a big Birthday Hug!
I love you, Sis! Thanks for being you and being my best friend. You are the best sister ever. Happy Birthday!

my mom

I am using this blog to let everyone know what an amazing woman my mother is. I would rent a billboard and plaster my message on there - or put a banner behind the space shuttle as it circles the earth if I could. How else could I tell everyone how special she is?? How can I even put it into words how wonderful she is?? Out of all the people in my life I think she is the one that means the most to me. She has always been there and will always be one of my biggest fans. No matter what. I know she will always be there cheering me on, supporting me, and loving me. She is the best.... That is all there is too it. I love you, Mom!