Blogging Babs

LIFE OF KIRSCHLING BOOK ONE by Greg Kirschling

2012-02-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

movies. In fact as a chubby little preschooler, there was nothing else I really wanted to do. Already by that time my parents had unsuccessfully tried to hook me into various team sports, but I wasn't nibbling. In kindergarten I tried soccer, but I wasn't very fast, and one afternoon my parents forgot to pick me up. I waited for them outside at the downtown YMCA for what seemed like hours, scared out of my Keds, and I was sure at the time that I was scarred for life. Later, when I tried the kids' swim team, I nearly drowned, prompting the lifeguard on duty to jump in and actually save someone, another event I wasn't anxious to re experience. Furthermore, my memories of early P.E. are a kaleidoscopic jumble of embarrassing moments, the worst of which involved me splitting open the seat of my pants in front of the whole class. I exposed my red G..I. Joe underwear, and even the teacher laughed. Now , as I look back I realized athletics was making me occasionally very miserable in my early years. Yet it seemed like every kid was athletic, or at least involved in athletics, and so I hopped on the bandwagon at a young age, crossing my fingers everytime I put on a pair of tennis shoes, hoping I'd magically take to sports. What else was there to do?
     Then I remember the golden day I stumbled onto a solution, one of the most important days in my life,certainly the most cathartic. One day in late May, 1983, when I was five years old, my mother came to school and pulled me out of class. I think I figured I had a doctor's appointment, but my mother was mum.
     Only five, I vaguely remember a long walk in downtown Rochester, Minnesota, which at the time probably seemed bigger than it actually was. I had no clue where we were headed, but finally we turned into what looked like the ticket booth of an old theater. Then I remember sitting with my mother in a plush, dimly lit burgundy and cream theater. Confused, with no one to turn to I supposes that when the curtain went up we'd watch a play or hear a concert.
     The lights went down. The curtain rose. To my surprise, I saw a screen and suddenly, I was attacked in the dark on all sides by a burst of trumpets. The Star Wars theme was overpowering, and I nearly fell out of my seat. Two hours later, I learned I'd just seen the premiere showing of Return of the Jedi, the latest in the Star Wars saga. I'm the kid who saw The Empire Strikes Back eight times in the theater and owned all the action figures; needles to say. I was shocked into open-mouthed euphoria at the surprise of another Star Wars movie.
     Yet I barely recall watching the movie for the first time, I only remember the actual experience itself, from the moment when John Williams' brass sprayed the theater and transported me onto another wavelength. Ever since then, I've been in a galaxy of my own, far, far away from sports, for soon I started watching movies anytime and anywhere I could, even though the experiences was never nearly the same as it was in that classic theater, the kind of place where all movies should be watched. I developed a fascination with films as I have for nothing else in life, and I can trace most of the reasons why back to that May afternoon.
     Sports and athletics don't approach the thrill that most movies provide; nothing does really. In movies real life is postponed, then quickly forgotten, embellished or accentuated. You can cast off from the world for a while and then sail home changed, refreshed and alive. Even if the ride is sometimes rough, the trip is worth retaking.

The Elves of Cornell WI

2012-01-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

There was a delivery made on December 23rd 2011

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus and he does have a shop in central Wisconsin.

Hopefully the same elves are rooting for the Packers!

Wayne Sent This and

2011-12-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

Click Here...it is too Cute for words

This is My Total Moment. . .Thanxs Megsters

2011-11-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

Meaghan Is so Creative....YIKES Bowl Me Over CLICK HERE

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T09:26:00.000-08:00

"March" Seazters on a "November Bend"

2011-11-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

Little Women became "Loaded Women" last night.. Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg...i.e., Mary Ellen, Barbara, Martha amd Patricia

1954 Mary Ellen and Barb
1966 Martha and Patty

Josephine "Jo" March Bhaer AKA MARY ELLEN
Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin, and brown. She had a decided mouth, a comical nose, and sharp, gray eyes, which appeared to see everything, and were by turns fierce, funny, or thoughtful.” Frederick Llewellyn Willis wrote that his cousin Louisa Alcott was “full of spirit and life; impulsive and moody, and at times irritable and nervous. ON THE ROAD AT BLACK DUCK she could run like a gazelle. MARY ELLEN
Jo March starts out as a tomboyish, hot-tempered, fifteen-year-old girl. She loves activity and can't bear to be left on the sidelines BUT IS LAST PICKED FOR ALL TEAMS; it drives her crazy that she can't go and fight in the Civil War alongside her father, who has volunteered as a chaplain. Instead, Jo has to stay at home and try to reconcile herself to a nineteenth-century woman's place in the domestic sphere, which is extremely difficult for her. She's clumsy, blunt, opinionated, and jolly. Her behavior is often most unladylike – she swears (mildly LIKE A FISHWIFE), burns her dress while warming herself at the fire, spills things on her only gloves, and barely tolerates her cranky old Aunt (MARIE) March. She's so boyish that Mr.(UNCLE POO-POOH) March has referred to her as his "son Jo" in the past, and her best friend Laurie sometimes calls her "my dear fellow." SHE TRIES TO HIDE THE COCA COLA MUSIC BOX SHE BROKE BUT AUNTIE MARIE BUSTED HER ASS ANYWAY. MARY ELLEN
Jo also loves literature, both reading and writing it. She composes plays for her sisters to perform and writes stories that she eventually gets published. She imitates Dickens and Shakespeare and Scott, and whenever she's not doing chores or washing the poodle, cleaning Polly's cage, sewing towels (for Aunt Josephine March OR CROCHETING FOR COURTNEY) she curls up in her room, in a corner of the attic(BASEMENT), or outside, completely absorbed in a good book. MARY ELLEN
Jo hopes to do something great when she grows up, although she's not sure what that might be – perhaps writing a great novel. Whatever it is, it's not going to involve getting married; Jo hates the idea of romance, because marriage (CHARLIE) might break up her family and separate her from the sisters she adores. MARY ELLEN
Jo is being set up for a meaningful journey of self-discovery and surprises. By the end of the novel, her dreams and dislikes are turned topsy-turvy; her desire to make her way in the world and her distaste for staying at home are altered forever. She does not find romance in the places that readers expect, but she did find it. She also realizes that romantic love has its place, even though it changes the relationships one already has. As Jo discovers her feminine side, she also figures out how to balance her ambitious nature with the constraints placed on nineteenth-century women. MARY ELLEN

Margaret "Meg" March Brooke AKA MARTHA
At sixteen, she is the oldest (SECOND YOUNGEST) sister. She is considered the beauty of the March household (written as very pretty, plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands, of which she is rather vain) and she is well-mannered. Meg LAUGHS LOUDLY AND A LOT, runs the household when her mother is absent. Meg also guards Amy from Jo when the two quarrel, just as Jo protects Beth. Meg is employed as a governess for the Kings, a wealthy local family (WHO RAISE HER AS A KING GIRL AFTER KIDNAPPING HER FROM THE RED LAKE INDIAN RESERVATION. Because of the genteel social standing of her family, Meg is allowed into society. However, after a few disappointing experiences (first, the Kings' eldest (AND ONLY) son is disinherited for bad behavior, (ROBBING COOL WHIP FROM THE LOCAL IGA AND RUNNING IT INTO SILVER LAKE) and later she visits her friend Annie Moffat (JILL) and discovers that her family believes Mrs. March is plotting to match her with Laurie (RON KING) only to gain his family's wealth), Meg learns that true worth does not lie with money. She falls in love with Mr. John Brooke, (LAWRENCE) Laurie's tutor(RON'S FELLOW CADET), whom she marries. Meg bears twin children, Margaret "Daisy" and John Brooke "Demi" (short for Demi-John: ERIC), and "Demi"(ERIC) and "Daisy(ALLISON)" live a happy life. BECAUSE IT WORKED SO WELL FOR HER, SHE ALSO STEALS TWO RESERVATION BABIES AND NAMES THEM KRISTEN AND KATHRYN. MARTHA JEAN SMITH (ALSO A DISTANT RELATIVE OF POCAHONTAS IT SEEMS)

Elizabeth "Beth" March AKA NOT ME!
Beth is described as even-tempered and has always been very close to Jo. As her sisters begin to leave the nest, Beth wonders what will become of her, as all she wants is to remain at home with her parents. When Beth's health eventually begins a rapid decline, the entire family nurses her - especially Jo, who rarely leaves her side. Finally, the family began to realize that Beth will not live much longer. They separate a room for her, filled with all the things she loved best; her kittens, piano, father's books, Amy's sketches, her beloved dolls, and blehhhhh blehhhh (NO ONE I KNOW!)
In her last year, Beth is still trying to make it better for those who will be left behind. She is never idle, except in sleep. But soon, Beth puts down her sewing needle, saying that it grew "so heavy", never to pick it up again. In her final illness, she discusses the spiritual significance of her death to Jo. (NOT ME)

Amy March Laurence AKA PATRICIA N.M.N.
The youngest sister—age twelve when the story begins—Amy is interested in art. She is described by the author as a 'regular snow-maiden' with curly golden hair and blue eyes, 'pale and slender' and 'always carrying herself' like a very proper young lady. She is dissatisfied with the shape of her nose which she attempts to fix with a clothespin TO HER TONSIL WHICH GETS HER A FAST RIDE TO DR. SHER'S OFFICE. She is "cool, reserved and worldly" which sometimes causes her trouble. Often "petted" because she is the youngest, she can behave in a vain and spoiled way, and throws tantrums when she is unhappy. Her relationship with Jo is sometimes strained; the literary Jo particularly dislikes when Amy uses big words, mispronouncing them or using them incorrectly. Their most significant argument occurs when Jo will not allow Amy to accompany Jo and Laurie to the theater. In revenge, Amy finds Jo's unfinished novel and throws it all in the fireplace grate, (AND WATCHES MARTHA THROW HER SKORT DOWN THE OUTHOUSE HOLE), burning years of work AND MAKING DAD RETRIEVE IT WITH A FISHING POLE. When Jo discovers this, she boxes Amy's ears and tells her, "I'll never forgive you! Never!" Amy's attempt to apologize to Jo are unsuccessful. When Laurie and Jo go skating, Amy tags along after them, but she arrives at the lake too late to hear Laurie's warning about rotten ice. Under Jo's horrified stare, Amy falls through the ice, and is rescued by Laurie's prompt intervention. Realizing she might have lost her sister, Jo's anger dissolves and the two become more close. When Beth is ill with scarlet fever, Amy is sent to stay with Aunt (BETTY) March as a safety precaution. Aunt BETTY March grows fond of her, as Amy's natural grace and docility are more to her taste. Amy is invited to accompany Uncle VINCE and Aunt BETTY and cousin EDYTH on a European trip (TO ARIZONA BUT ECZEMA MARTHA GOES INSTEAD). Although she enjoys travelling, after seeing the works of artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael, Amy gives up her art, because she believes herself to be lacking in talent. In Europe, Amy meets up with Laurie(RICHARD), and shortly after Beth dies, they marry. Later, Amy gives birth to daughter Elizabeth (Beth or Bess). BEFORE "ELIZABETH/AMY" ARRIVED SHE SHARED HER HOME WITH RICHARD, EMILY,SARAH. SEVERAL CANINES AND FINALLY RICKY. PATRICIA

Road Trip to Wausau not Warsaw

2011-11-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Everyday I treat myself to lookin' at the faces of these ugly offspring and get happier. . . I just love it when they call home all the time. . .winner last week was Meg by answering my 5am wake up call. Well, I couldn't call Gretchen cuz she needs her rest...Meg is her "other mother" everyday. Mich called dad spontaneously twice. Greg was "on the horn" at least six times and email twice jus like Gretchen...But whose counting?

And the girl on the upper right is going to have a birthday on Turkey Day so Ron has agreed to a road trip today to shop at Wausau for present(s) and lunch! I have to find something for Grr and Josh for Christmas too, cuz the Army has cancelled all leave and she has had quite an emotional last week. (Josh Too!) If I could hold her and tell her everything will be alright I would. (I believe in the second part of the sentence.)

Ron was heared to say last week, "I have spent my life learning to deal with cancer, equipping people with answers and the best outcomes possible and I cannot have all the answers for cardiomyopathy and Hasimotos. (Boy, did he deserve a night out!)

Yesterday's mail brought in my new medtronic bedside monitor. I am truly now able to beam up my heart to the wireless mission control center in Siberia per "Peggy." It is designed to suspend further travels to St. Joseph's "Health and Spa." It is a little strange to hear your heart function go over the fax machine with a series of "bleeps-blinks and squelches." I introduced it to Ron...we both laughed.

Ron went out with the boys last night. He almost missed his chauffeured ride. My mom used to always say, "Ron will be late to his own funeral." Actually mom said both Ron and I would be late to our own funerals. I am planning on it! Punctuality is not my long-suit. Ron got home early enuf to get popcorn and another Manhattan. He was asleep after finishing the first...not the second. he slept this morn until TEN!

Today is the first day of the Wisconsin deer season and I am happy to report Ron doesn't partake. We live in the woods and I was awoken at daybreak today to rifles sounding in the back forty. Riley didn't get a walk and Yo Yo ran out and in really fast. Of course I wore a red shirt and was quick as a crouching coyote. Getting shot in your own front yard is not a great way to start the weekend. Coffee and Blogging is better!

There is no Place Like Home!

2011-11-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

As Meg's would like to hear: I am pleased to write: "The chicken is back in the coop!"

Of last week's time, the nocs spent at St. Joseph's "Health Club and Spa." is best put behind this chic.
I am very happy to report I have reconnected with everyone which means everything,...will never be able to express the gratitude to friends and family for all their well wishes as I have been a lot anxious and a little not a lot cooperative. Happily the ones who were sending me all their best were not the canines...It feels real good to be without my Zoll "fashion" accessories. I am tempted at this time to spend money on things foolish and extravagant but the truth is I am not goin' to ...I only want to say, "You know who you are and you are so so so appreciated by yours truly. There is no place like home!"
(And naming the grandchildren after me isn't necessary.)

To You... TOO

2011-11-07T03:01:00.000-08:00

I dedicate Michael's art work to Meg, Grrrr, Annelise and even Jacqueline.

!COOL!

I didn't know I loved BIKERS

Grab Your KLEENEX

2011-10-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to My Kiddos...all seven of them! (CLICK)

(Told You to...Get your Kleenex)
I confess: I have changed my radio station from the 4-40's to "The Bridge" and hence I am getting better acquainted with Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, and Rod Stewart. The above was actually playing as we drove home last night and I acted just like the audience. Probaly because I only had two martinis and was awake to later see the Cardinals take the Pennant! Had To Call Martha "Hello"!

Last night Ron and I went out to date night dinner again and it was another amazing "mouth explosion." We went to Plover and visited with Christain and his wait staff. I had a squash soup while RJ devoured a beet salad. I had salmon with root vegetables...No rutabagas either....RJ had cornbread catfish with jambalaya. Definitely not things in my limited pantry. Living in Biloxi for six years had it's southern refinements. Living with Ron for 36 years, also has its not just southern refinements; for that matter.

It is Halloween Party Day and Ron's is going as a Harley Davidson Biker Zombie complete with tattoos and a bullet hole between his eyes. (Footage at next blogging.)

Gretchen, Josh, Meg and Chicago Katie D are celebrating in Abelsen, Germany as I write this. I heard from a pretty reliable source (his wife) Josh is going in my 'refused to wear it Ron' Jersey cow costume complete with inflated exam glove utter! I wanted to go as a WOOD Trust Debit Card and Ron as my ATM but I decided that was painting a target on my back so I am going as an "October is Cancer Awareness Month Pink Ribbon." I am so much fun...I cannot understand why anyone would choose to not like me? Send 'em Kleenex.

Capital Ideas

2011-10-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

MY GUYS GO BIRDING.

In Wisconsin's Capital,... 'My Man' is meeting with a few of Wisconsin's fellow colleagues. Room service breakfast got a sausage for Yo-Yo who is NOW snoring under the covers. Capital Idea!

Dinner, upon arrival; found us looking at the capital dome while drinking at a downtown eatery called "Ocean Grill." Mother Mary was my inspiration. She loved her 'three martini lunches' at Duluth's PickWick....Well I know I am 'cut from the same cloth'! Ron was driving so he passed me most of his third Grey Goose! Capital Idea!

We started with hard cheeses which are always a compliment to vodka, added a dozen raw oysters; 6 from the east coast and six from the west; sampled a caesar with anchovies (which one of us cannot have anymore), then (spotted cow) beer cheese soup...wait it continues.... large lump meat crab cake, we added seared scallops & very lightly crisp-coated calamari. Total bill $120.00. Capital Idea!

Had to get out of "Into the Woods." My 'Irish twin' sister recently saw Ma Ma Mia. I admit I am jealous. I have seen this show six times. I admit am a bit of a 'groupie" when it comes to ABBA. We are headed to Greg and Annelise's Chicago. Capital Idea!

Got all the repairs done after the lightning strike took out the furnace, alarm system and dog fence at Bear Island. As the December skies will soon turn to snow this couldn't happen soon enough. I am super relieved to again be able to make a phone call and regulate the temperature. Capital Idea!

Gregory has been happily working now for three weeks, Michael for six weeks, Gretchen actually wrote a truancy incident report last week and it wasn't about her sister. Meg starts her university teaching this week. (Kirschling kids remain so funny.) Meg jokes she is now a single provider; two income family! Capital Idea!

Indian Summer

2011-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

The colors are spectacular. . .So are My Kids. Spectacular.

The German Girls and Josh are heading to Ireland this weekend. It is Grr's BD on Monday (27th) and as it is also Columbus Day so she has a Birthday with pay without work. Have to love the government. The birthday girl also got an iPad so perhaps we will get film of the Irish countryside. I can hope for as much. Gretchen and Josh sound good. In fact I think there were getting in shape by tipping the Jameson with guacamole. I am pretty sure there are no avocados in Carey Town.

Meg sounds even better. Seems she is seeing the world through the eyes of her friends four year old named Caden. Caden told the group when he grows up he knows what he wants to be. "A Teenager." And Caden told Meg he is smart and knows why they have all those wind powered windmills on the hills in Germany. It is "because the cows stand in the sun all day and need to be cooled." Meg didn't know this! Me either. Caden is brilliant. Who Knew?

I am hopeful Michael will come home this weekend. He is enjoying his new job including a trip to Atlanta last week. Personally I wanted to write Atlantis but Mich's meeting was in Georgia.

(Dad needs to go golfing, play Blackjack and shoot some defenseless pheasants so Michael better get here.)

And Greg called this week with the best job report ever. He has been three weeks with the Chicago VA. He found an 81 year old homeless Korean Veteran the first home he has had in over ten years. Greg got him furnished with a twin bed, kitchen table and a truckload of furniture and this guy was ecstatic, elated...grateful. Greg was so excited to make a difference in someone's life and I could hear it in Greg's voice. My kids sound very extra special. BIG bias here.

And sometimes you need to have people to splash ideas off. Such happened to me this morn. A good friend called and told me it was okay if Ron was a little stuck. I have been pressing for MyMan to be able to discuss "us" and he has been conflicted and unable to respond. So there is another day to wait. As mother Mary would always say to me, "Get off his back, Barbara!" Moms never die when yours was so direct and didn't mince words. Someone was "cut from the same cloth."

Well this writing today was more of a personal Kirschling Update Diary Edition and it is because I am starting to think Halloween costumes and Thanksgiving plans with Christmas letters and can't seem to get there just yet. Good news is my windows are washed and my house is clean. Thanks Ron! Spectacular.

My Life Has Taken a Turn for the Better...I feel Grand!

2011-09-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

Need a change then just stick around me!

In the last month I have managed to scare everyone around me back home..find out how amazing RJ is and kindle friendships which I thought I didn't need anymore. ("Thanxs!")

As I do not intend to spring the details on the undeserving let me just say...The housekeeper started yesterday and returned today. It (the house) flunked being able to be cleaned in less than two days. I got a BIG FAT "F". Flunked...Today; by quitting time, my house will look amazing!

I am feeling grand.

Meg got home TOO,so I had the entire KIRSCHLING kiddo clan to boss around. I took full advantage of my power too. For the first time ever all the beds were stripped, washed and remade by the offspring. I even got the driveway trimmed back by the clan.
Of course none of us will let Gretchen forget, "I don't do trees."

So Grrr, Josh and Meg are back in Germany, Greg is back in Chicago, (Annelise even returned to him from "amazing-life-changing" India). Michael started a new "happy" job two weeks ago Monday and Greg has potential with a rumored hiring at the Chicago VA. (Don't want to jinx this 'opp' so I will say nothing.)

I am feeling grand.

I mentioned the amazing man. He had three weeks home and even learned which appliance was the washer and which was the dryer. Quick study he got all A's. He did manage to stuff a ream of paper in the printer rendering it useless. He is back to normal and to work.
(I called ordered a new printer!)
We are eating out a lot! No sense burning the house down now that it is clean.

Yesterday was a big day for yours truly. I drove. Hadn't been venturing out much before then. Got all the way to Plover, WI...haircut, and even managed a meeting for dinner. BIG deal you say? "Yes."

I am feeling grand!

The Labor Day Weekend found us here. I released Ron from a drive to Duluth which I was thanked for. We jus' decompressed and visited. Of course this involved other people. I am not trying to make you believe we finish each others' sentences. He watched enough football to beg a movie from me. I was reported to be napping a lot. Yo Yo needed the R & R too.

I feel grand!

"The Chicken is "Out" of the Coop"

2011-06-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

6/28/2011
Ma and Pa,
Checking in to see how Dad is doing??? Were you able to make it to work yesterday. I know you have the best nurse EVER so that makes me hopeful a nice speedy recovery!:) Please update me if you guys have time.
Josh and I have been thinking and praying for you!:)
Love ya,
MEE

6/28/2011
Ma and Pa,
THANK YOU FOR THE CALL!!! I could hear you perfectly and so I just wanted to let you know that I REALLY appreciated hearing from you guys. I have been worried and have decided it is best that I never have children because I care a little too much sometimes:) Hope you guys have a GREAT day today! Love you both lots!
Love,
MEEE:)

Meg's wanted me to eMail everyone when all was well with the code word, "The Chicken is Back In The COOP." All is fine here except for our attendance at evening baseball games. I am eager to report mYmAN is almost 75%.
As a picture is worth a thousand words...This was Friday. . .

AND THIS WILL BE THIS July 1st 2011...NEXT FRIDAY

Now as to the point of the grandchildren (as Gretchen alluded to above)...

                                               There is a lot of spare room on this boat.

Many years ago I took a picture of ten grandchildren (cousins at the cabin) on a dock in Round Lake, Minnesota and cut out all of us and pasted us on a pontoon boat ad and gave this to Regis and Darby as a gentle hint of "What Could Be."
They got so mad I went without dinner..
"Darby, She ruined a perfectly good picture! I never did like her cuz she's so Bossy! Get my pretzel hat and wedges...she's goin to church in Big Fork." (another boring and abusive story)

So I got the pontoon boat. . an empty boat. . . I even have infant life jackets. I'm Ready.
As for my grandparents. . .They never got it. They had favorites. They loved Jimmy and Mary Ellen. They hated Georgie.
Grandma let us tie George to the telephone post and stuff grass in his mouth. George never went to the cabin overnight again. As punishment the rest of us spent all our summers at the lake in bed at 6pm. Grandpa had the curcuit breaker box in the main cabin and he turn the lights out.
Only once did grandma get overwhelmed and grandpa drove to the phone on the other side of the lake at Round Lake Resort and Cabins, and my dad came up and took us all home including Peggy and Jeanne.

Gretchen your great grandparents on your mother's side were the parents of Grandma Mary and Betty. They were quite mean & didn't love equally and I am proud to say, "Your grandparents broke the mold!"

Never fear you can care too much cuz the "Care Bucket" is bottomless

JOSH IS HOME!

2011-06-17T06:57:00.000-07:00

His parents totally surprised him...But they are still living at Meg's cuz I think Gretchen is naked!

HE'S HOME HE'S HOME HE'S HOME HE'S HOME!

My closet went2ground AGAIN last night and I don't care...Josh is home!

Stop the Presses!

2011-06-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

I have fifteen different projects going and no pressure to finish any of them so I am taking a "TimeOut" to smell the rain soaked flowers. I spoke with Megster today who made me LOL like I haven't done since seeing "Bridesmaids" with Annelise, Greg and MyMan three weeks ago in Chicago. It was actually embarrassing cuz RJ LOL'd more than the entire movie theater. Spent all his laughing coupons on this evening which says a lot for my guilt in dragging him to what most would call a "Chics' Flick."

So Bart, our baseball player; (RapidsRafters.com) arrived on the same day our master closet caved in. Totally came off the wall so badly you couldn't open the door and could almost access the closet from the room next door. Ron whispers, "Did you see the closet?" and I figured a dog was responsible for a "Been Home Alone Too Long Episode," and instead I was to observe "MAYHEM" and be heard to respond, "Just close the door...I'll worry about it tomorrow." And I got the walls back and attached to the shelves but:
         1.) I have no clothes left cuz I did the "Haven't worn goin' to GoodWill Rule" and
         2.) Get the bureaus done while the sun shines. (It's raining so here I sit a "Blogging Babs")

My interior decorating is done but there are always those finishing touches as in shelves and paint touch-ups. My upholstery fabric is on the red bed. Ron will never know how much seven yards of "strips and ribbon candy" cost cuz he said,"You are REplacing the brown?" I am hoping I have enough left over to do doggie beds and couch pillows. Then the ottoman which is still in the bathroom...Perhaps curtains too! Where is the miracle of the "Loaves and Fishes" when you need to multiple? If I put a fabric remnant in the soil could it possibly "Seed"?

Drove to Eau Claire on Tuesday to help Mike out with HIS car details. Minor details which only I could find the time and appointments to orchestrate here in town. I ended up getting there an hour late to a rather impatient, immediate gratification kinda kid so I put the lad in his place. "Hold that thought Mister.. Did I ever tell you you where due on the NINTH and your birthday is on the SEVENTEENTH!!!. Talk to me about "waiting" after you've waited EIGHT DAYS for me to show up! (PLAYING THE LOL FORWARD.)

Ending his deployment...Joshua is in the sky today flying home to Germany and to Gretchen. He will have another surprise too. Or let me say Meg has been hosting the other "Surprise."  Meg went into such humor about her sister and her sister's "Homecoming Plans" which essentially translate into " Meg could you do everything I ask of you so I can be 110% committed to making sure Josh isn't stressed."

I am pretty sure being out from under "incoming rockets" and lifting a bottle of Jameson will pretty much be all the "stress release" Josh needs. But no: Until yesterday Meg didn't know she had to loan her car to Gretch cuz apparently the engine light being on for a year is a problem, buy and get the 'Welcome Wagon Package" to the Unit Commander (UC). . .she was pretty sure she didn't have a UC as she is civilian chiropractic DOD, and "Host" the Welcome Home Attendees too...after she cleaned her hosting house as any self respecting King girl descendant would.

I pointed out to Meg she is my "Giver Child" and Gretch is my "Taker Child."
She said she preferred to think the two younger Kirschling children were simply "Missing a Chip."
(God, but she makes my day! Major jump to the top in the Kiddo Ratings today! No longer #3)

And this Sunday is Father's Day. We spent last Sunday wondering why the phone wasn't ringing. Mike straightened me out and told me not to call the other sibs. From Eau Claire via his phone Mike ordered Dad's new Garmin Forerunner 405 and UPS just delivered it! Not only can he walk Riley every morning but he can heart rate monitor the dog or even himself. Pretty Amazing Stuff.

There is no fear RJ will ever learn of this gift unless you tell him cuz he refuses to read "Blogging Babs" ever since I blog about him Irreverently...
                                                                  When did that ever happen? NOT

I Loaded Sixteen Tons

2011-05-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

Never missed "Meaghan The Mover" so much. About three years ago she showed up just in time to stack three cords of split oak. To let history repeat itself she later that same year arrived in Wisconsin Rapids just in time to eat turkey, celebrate her birthday and do it again! Well let the chain be broken. Yesterday I had three cords of split oak delivered. It is all stacked! Four rows! Each five feet high. Do you know why each stack is only five feet high? Becuz wood can't fly!

My new best friend is Mr. TwoWheel Wheelbarrow. Argued with my man cuz he didn't see why such a "Cadillac" was necessary. Ron said, "It is over the top...all I need is a one wheeler." Oh, how wrong he was. Didn't tip once. My new best friend. I nicknamed it "Big Balls." Can you tell I am at the cabin and truly experiencing my real life version of "Castaway." Mr. Ron is canoeing the Ketico. I sent him with gel pocket warmers. Hope he remembers to use em. I had a dialog about my lack of desire to be cold, wet and in a canoe. I said, I don't think I could portage enuf "firewater"...My BFF replied, "Yah, and I don,think anyone has learned to dehydrate alcohol."... Love my creature comforts. Coffee, Lopi fireplace, and Baileys.

Only one store I like to shop at besides TJMAXX. When in Duluth must do a field trip. Best kept secret in Duluth is USA FOX+FURS. WWW.USAFOXX.COM
I needed a catalog. Got an invitation to someones "39th" with the P.S. "No Gifts Please." Perfect time to give the gift of..."Buy your own dam beaver coat."

So I get to chat with the owner and also get to go through all the coolers where they hang pelts. Everything ready to be tailored to your specs.(I reminded myself I was not there for me.) I found out a fox, beaver, mink, or even bobcat are sold by quality and priced accordingly each starting at about $35.00/pelt. To make a long story even longer I volunteered this born Duluthian moved five years ago to Wisconsin. Wayne, the owner; asks me if I had ever been to Wisconsin Rapids. Not Madison, not Milwaukee, not Green Bay, but Wisconsin Rapids (Population 18,634.)? Seems the nations number one premier Raccooneer lives in Rapids. (Cut to the case...) I called up Jack T.
My raccoons are going into "Witness Protection". Well I can't call it "Winter" Protection.
Ooh Contrare..contrare!

I have had six wryly raccoons live trapped and removed. I asked Jack if he wants them. As this is May they aren't harvestable till winter. Something about "shed in spring..dread in the winter" if you are a wryly raccoon. Mr.'T' has land and I have live raccoons. 'I just love it when a plan comes together!' And Jack also "Picks Up and Delivers."
In 1971 Ron and Jack graduated from Assumption.

Indigo Bunting

2011-05-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

If I "Twittered" I would have let you know this Monday I saw a Ruby-throated hummingbird. I was pretty excited and made a phone call. My puppies thought I was "nuts." (. . . Well, it was snowing!)

Today I awoke to (look above) this! I broke in to song! Now the dogs not only know I am "nuts" but so does Mr. Ron. (I am off to do breakfast ...an attempt at redemption)

It isn't Glee...It's better...'click here'

I am impressed with a package I got in the mail yesterday. This was my first from Germany. This was from the girls and it had...Well I think I'll post another pic.....

It is the three jeweled birds right and left which the girls sent from Germany for me. I am told they are hand made. I happen to know the "hand made" part wasn't something my offspring did. But this was so sweet and I had spent the day removing stairway carpeting with my bare hands. Toughest job in all of the land. I swear carpet installers get paid by the tack strip and the amount of metal spikes they can get in to each tread.

Well I was so touched to be able to still use my fingers. Actually I got thru the event sans band aides. But I may need to get a Tetanus booster...Not goin' in either..

I am off the pull more carpet today and get Gretchen's room back to "unremodeled." But I just saw a

Baltimore Oriole...They make their nest in hanging baskets if you remember your first grade teacher. I do. Her name was Mrs Kanerva Anderson. She got all five of the King kids I think. She should be Canonized!
I remember mom telling Martha to please not talk about their "cocktail parties" at "Show N Tell". Mrs. Anderson would say, "Barbara does that chair have your name on it? I would look. She was always "right...it didn't and I moved on to an empty one for "reading circle".
I got my first "I" from Mrs. Anderson. She wrote, "Barbara is unsure of her phonics."
It was devastating. All "S's" and one bigger than life "I" for "Improvement" needed. Those "I's of life stay with you for a lifetime...
What is it Deb says...."Well, you can't fix stupid."

Post Script..After the Oriole hit the window and did survive.. I install "Stealth" Bat Wings. Now I only attract small beaded birds from Germany.

Post Post Script. . . and raccoon hair on the feeders too. Equal Opportunity Bon Appetite!

Post Post Post Script: Got the bedroom done and Gretchen said, "I can't wait to sleep in my bed this summer." And there is a rumor Josh will be home (in Germany) by my and Ron's 36th Wedding Anniversary. Best gift ever! Meg's is also loving her new computer...Best gift ever 2!

Dead... He's Dead He's Dead...He's Dead!

2011-05-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

GOOD!

Sweet Cheeks

2011-05-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

You Have MY Heart

Everyone needs a little singing and dancing now and again and leave it to me to deliver. If singin' in the Rain didn't grab you then perhaps this will or will not.

Forget You

And I am 'Blogging In" today to tell you and PETA the raccoons are all alive and thrivin on sunflower seeds and peanuts...and..
                                         My advice is never clean your kitchen cupboard.
I have spent hours...literally hours just trying to find things. I made the mistake of asking Ron to help me but the score was tied with only four minutes left in the televised basketball game. This gave me another thirty minutes to locate the cheesecake pan. I was so sure cleaning the pantry was a task in need of "DO diligence" and the results have been a lot of time spent frustrated and second guessing myself as to if I kept the parchment paper or threw it away? I have organized my last pantry. I have no more time for such foolishness. I have created Chapter 2 "Senile Pantry Moments" in my never to be published  "F____ THE GOLDEN YEARS...Chapter One "Life's A Trap."
(Actually that book was Mother Mary's joke. Mom always spoke about a plan to pen such a book. Makes me laugh just remembering.)
So besides not being able to find anything I did cut a hole in the deck this week and put in a hinged door to end the ladder climb when the curcuit breaks itself. May sound pretty useless to the masses but I am married to Mr. Can't Fix-It and Mr. Don't Want To:   Affair with two men...and never the two shall meet! I am so naughty!
Hanging...

A Mother's Day meltdown    For Josh And Grr

It is Easter Week..LUCKY too

2011-04-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

(You should Click On all the LUCKY(s) in this Blogg...or miss the amazin musical!)
   LUCKY
(Posted this one for the Josh and the Grrrr)

So I spent "nano brain tyme" last week and emailed all my sig Offspring's utubes about laughing, singin, an dancin; and not one of them responded. I went from gLee to Fleetwood Mac to Les Mis.
I conclude my children are brain-dead! I amazed myself with my techno capabilities and no one else!
They took it in stride and all I heard was,
"Way to go Ma Ma K you wrote on my Face Book wall...Welcome to 2011."

Didn't know I had written on any one's wall as I have spent my life sans graffiti, i.e., not writing on walls.

So above I posted my favorite uTube in an attempt to elicited a response from any other S.Offspring which translates into , "It is not too late!" (Don't worry: I am not holding out hope.)

Took all fricken day yesterday and I was LATE driving 'the Tundra to dinner' but I can brag I have the cleanest pantry in all of the upper Midwest. I even DYMO taped some labels in hot pink on red shelves. It falls just short of the Dewey decimal system. (Being late for the party was a small price to pay.) Today I am on to the Samsung...i.e., Ice Box!

Life isn't without problems. The wiley raccoons are 'graveyard shifters' to my deck. I have
1.  A .22 caliber rifle with a clip which neither I nor 'Daniel Boone' can seem to pull the trigger of @ 2 a.m.
2.  A pellet firing crosman CO2 handgun which is quiet . . .also useless.
3. Two wire traps baited with maple candy which are being ignored this Easter week by all of the forest
    creatures.    AND
4. My latest addition to the arsenal. . . a 25 foot water shooting soaker filled with vinegar H2O which came
     with a warning to avoid the eyes and face of your target.
(This warning would have to be ignored if the real Daniel Boone were here! He IS Not Here.)

The scene starts with a low growl from 70 pound Riley The Wonderdog after midnight but before 2 a.m.; which gets her banished to the closet by me cuz I fear for her getting 'shot in the paw.' Weeks have turned to months, Riley pretty much knows the drill by now...she seems relieved. I am thinking she is afraid of anything bigger than a flyin' squirrel. She knows there are no raccoons in the closet and the danger is her master with a water pistol. Riley doesn't know it is a water gun..it could be an AK-47 in her dog brain.
It is just that in 'Daniel Boone's' brain!

Let the antics begin!

Ron is on his feet.. . turns on the deck illuminating bathroom lite and then the bedroom light in order to get fully dressed in combat fatigues which don't exist all in order to open the patio door and shoot the water gun. The dog won't even peek out of the closet which is now been left open by my Great White Hunter looking for war clothes in camo.)
I whisper, "What are you doing?"
And he blasts back, "I AM NOT GOING ON THE DECK IN MY UNDERWEAR!"
By the end of the light show, closet dance and yelling the varmits are safely in the next county. We are now PETA conservationists by nite; living in the woods saving not only candy, ammo but also vinegar and water... of course raccoons!
(You can't make this crap up..if raccoons had a sense of humor they would die laughing. Keep in mind we live in the woods. Modesty is not wasted on the forest animals in broad daylight.
I can only rationalize: Rules change when it is Daniel Boone you are sleeping with.
The raccoons are safe.. I have thought of killing Daniel Boone but he still provides ALL my farder of laughter...he gives me money.

Over coffee I told him he absolutely flunked "Stalking School 101.". . .
"Do not to give up your day job!"

After I clean the icebox I am shrink wrapping the house. I am one LUCKY girl to be in love with My Best Friend..."So Frickin Charmin"

Where does the Week Go!???

2011-03-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

Winter on the Patio...Should have not moved the furniture up just yet. (Major Bad Karma!)

Super Cute

And ... Well the floor is clean!

I managed last week to paint one honestly magenta bedroom to "Mozambique" or maybe it was "Montezuma". I frankly don't remember (paint fumes probably) the exact shade of "Brown Brick" but it is done including the closet. The actual closet took four coats as it soaked up the paint to the point where I looked in the garage to see if those walls were now painted. I didn't know where the paint was going and this paint was $50.00 a gallon. I never bought this expensive a paint before. And it took three trips to Menards and five gallons! No, there were no semi-precious stones in it either.
And then I installed some glass shelves and headed out to finding some ceramic birds ...(as pictured in the opening.) Need a little "flare " around here. I am on a mission to decorate the halls of Haferman.

And this morning my S.O. got on the vacuum and we played the "dusting and cleaning crew of the first floor,' and a lot was done in no time at all. I remain the "Dancing Queen"...Ron is an amazing 'vacuum king'...An' not good with light bulbs...he got a little grumpy so I made him adjust the hot tub chemicals then eat more cheesecake cuz I had made a Macadamian Nut (springlocked pan) one and it wasn't too disgusting. But we both admit we don't like macadamian nuts cooked in a cheesecake. I had never made a cheesecake before and tomorrow I may make another one. By this time next week I will weigh another 20 Cheesecake pounds.

And someone should tell those kids not to climb on chairs. This is my corner shelving project. It is only six inches high. Camera angle is deceptive!

Well it is still winter in Wisconsin which is evidenced by this patio shot taken today....But we did get a sauna in...Actually Ron got two in this weekend (I was creating cheesecake) so presently he is almost asleep. He is all excited about the UMD Bulldogs. (Between the downfall of Duke. . . March Madness, the AFA Hockey and soon the Frozen Four in St. Paul featuring his TiVo skills with a super programable remote control he remains ROBUST...)I am hoping next week brings warmth and more fine feathered friends. I have 50 pounds of sunflowers and 50 pounds of peanuts. I am ready for more birds!

Monday, March 28th 2011

Baked another cheesecake this morn without Mac Nuts except in the crust and made 5 dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies from a recipe which I got in Colorado (From Cookie) two weekends ago. They are not as good as Cookie's but I think the next batch will be better. I think I had a little much flour...(Blended steel cut oats and it was probably too heavy.)

Cookie's Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour\
2 1/2 cups blender oatmeal (which is oatmeal powered in a blender to fine powder)
1/2 tsp NaCl (salt)
1 tsp sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
1 tsp baking powder
12 oz. chocolate chips
1-8 oz Hersey bar grate
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (I used pecans)

Cream first five ingredients... Add next five...then fold-in last 3.
Roll into 1 inch balls and bake on parchment paper @ 375 for 6 minutes.
Bon Appetite

And Meg wrote she loves rural Ireland and Me. Well, I think the Ireland part is true.
Gretchen is "Home Alone Missing Joshua" and she is seeing all too much real and seroius concussion head injuries from Iraq and Afganistan. She actually had to turn off the last episode of the Bachelor's After the Final Rose Commentary cuz the girls she was watching it with all had husbands in the war and it just didn't work as recreational for them.
Greg got Annelise home from New York. (Or vise versa.) He thought 60 minutes was good last night and...
Michael saw all his HS Greyhound Homees this weekend in Minniehaha
He said he had the best Friday ever!!! He bought new golf balls and a putter (Ron bought the club) and I am told he got a new set of Cleveland Hybrids for 'thee olde man' last Friday at the MSP National Guard Armory Close out sale! Dad is officially hanging up his skis for The Links.

That's the scoop on the news from here. I haven't ever baked a cheesecake let alone two in two days. But
they "Freeze Well." The last cookies would have been Christmas 2003. Sad but I don't eat them either...except in Colorado I will admit.

As for birds, I saw a cardinal pair today and the Common Redpolls are back. Go figure cuz they are Canadian and usually winter here but I've not seen them til this weekend so they must be just passing thru on their return to Ontario or parts further north.

Well it is off to town for I am thinking I need to cook dinner too. Jus call me Julia!

Mike Got A Job

2011-03-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce Michael is employed...The girls share my enthusiasm but no one is more excited than I...Michael included. He is happy of course...but not as happy as I. I am happiest!

So I want to "Blog" about our weekend in Colorado visiting family but I have petered the day away and have to get to those things which the first day back demand my attention. They are the essential things which can't wait like cookin and cleanin and buying a new hydraulic toilet seat! The one which Ron didn't know was broken. Must be a statement to his never sitting down...Ha Ha Ha

So I promise to add detail tomorrow about snowmobiling, some loved ones 'shooshing', snowing and traveling with grandpa. This chapter will come right after I install the new throne cover!

Have to drive to Plover... and watch the Bachelor tonight...Yes Grrr it is TiVo'd

Thanks Sue for this email...LOL

2011-02-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH ways. yadda, yadda, yadda
And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!
But now that I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia!
And I hate to say it, but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

1) I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves, in the card catalog and world book encyclopedias!!
2) There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10 cents!
3) Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick our ass! Nowhere was safe!
4) There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!
5) Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and screwing it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?
How about the eight track tapes? Cha-dunk to change tracks
6) We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it. And you got in trouble for being on the phone too long, because someone got a busy signal!
7) There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house, you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be out of touch with your "friends". OH MY GOSH !!! Think of the horror... not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah, right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.
8) And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss, your bookie, the collection agent... you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!
9) We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Or before that there was only Pong! Your screen guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... Forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!
10) You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your butt and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!! Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!
11) There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you spoiled little brats!
12) And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we had to use the stove! Imagine that!
13) And our parents told us to stay outside and play... all day long. Oh, no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside... you were doing chores!
And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you hung on. If you were lucky, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first place!

See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in the 1970's or any time before!

And this isn't a Bab's original but a "Copied and Pasted" (cuz this is not the 1960's anymore) email recieved from Sue the Golf___! I hope you enjoyed the ride. If not call Sue.

Tripster and Golfin' Widow

2011-02-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

I made mention of a convertible Mustang which "in keeping with the theme" was as blue as the Pacific but I didn't get to the part about the date.
First, I can say this was Ron's Best Vacation Ever cuz he learned how to golf. He has always wanted to do this but never really kept score and I was along for the second nine on the first part of the week and The Plantation 18 Kaanapali Golf on the last part of the week and WOW. The first part of the week it was hard to watch. I mean Ron looked like it was painful. He wasn't (I can say this now) even attractive. Something CLICKED! Actually it was someone.
This person made Ron look attractive to me again while "swinging". . .Thanks Mr. Bill!!!

No, not this Mr. Bill but the other Mr. Bill who actually gets all the credit. (LOL! I am having fun here)

So I have concluded I will probably loose RJ this Spring to the "Links". He seems to now really enjoy golfing and although I don't quite get the "Thrill" I do believe he is at a point where "All Work and no Play" can end. So as long as he comes home every night he can get new clubs and a membership.

I guess the abundance of golf put Ron in a Date Day mood and on February 4th 2011 we lunched at
Mama's Fish House and headed for Hana City. Per the tour book which goes like this, "The Road To Hana-Maui's most scenic highway is called "The worlds most beautiful drive." This is a very long curvy road that demands many stops to enjoy the fabulous Hawaiian scenery. It takes all day to go both ways. Hana Highway is an adventure through tropical rain forests with the ocean on one side and thundering waterfalls, fragrant ginger and fruit laden guava trees on the other.

Now I soon realized I was in for the ride of my life...I don't do heights well. . . had already nix the helicopter ride and most of this road is one lane. Kept my elbow in the car or risked road rash from the cliff. The most posted road sign was "Watch for Falling Rocks." Remember I'm topless as in CONVERTIBLE!
There were 55 bridges and 600 hairpin turns. We did walk thru a rain forest, bought a kona wood tortoise and sunset barn photo...I wore a real moo-moo Blue Ginger Thank God: Ron got us off the road before dark!
Had a super Date Day and I was thinking pontooning this summer will be moo-moo fitted! This will surely scare the Minnesota natives!

Wowie Maui

2011-02-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Found a house sitter for Yo Yo and Riley (who was very good too...even plowed the drive twice...The house sitter not Riley. Thanxs Remington!) and accepted an invitation to meet friends in Hawaii. Til last week we were Hawaiian Virgins.
                                                                    Maui Whales

Ended that chapter and added the one on 'The Migration of Humpback Whales.' Who knew December through April finds them in Maui. Didn't know either that they have few natural predators except humans and killer whales. 20% of Humpback whales have scares from surviving Orca attacks.

Started with a stop in Honolulu @ the Westin where we had an amazing seafood dinner at the Beachcomber and beat the crowds to Pearl Harbor the next morning. (6am style) Pearl Harbor was amazing. December 7th 1941 was the date. By the time the day was over we would realize the significance. We did the tour which was complete with transportation and the guide was a retired school teacher. We spent all day there visiting The USS Arizona, The BS Missouri, The USS Bowfin and took the "audio" which made the experience amazing, amazing, amazing.
                                                                   Pearl Harbor

Flew on to Maui that eve, upgraded the car to a convertible which was all my doing (cuz RJ was a bit 'quiet') and headed for the other side of the island where we found Duke's and would soon be joined by our Host(s). Let the fun & libations Begin...

Calamari is nothing like the mainland. No rings, no deepfries, at Dukes they actually coat it lightly with "citrus crumbs" and it is greenish and tastes like nothing I had ever tried before and it is sliced open lengthwise....Delicious
Takes the squid part right out of the equation.

While in Maui the menus are fish fish everywhere yet I had to venture into "Filet with Butter Sauce" at Roy's and "The Lamb Shank" @ Lahaina Grill   (Here is where gargonzola stuffed queen olives go well with Martini's!) (Mother Mary is still "Queen of the Lamb Shank" and "The Three Martini Lunch at
Duluth's Pickwick for that matter.)

Butterfish (Ron's favorite) is usually served whole and if you see "butterfish fillets." they are probably sablefish, also called black cod (which is not a cod at all, but a skilfish) or walu, a type of makeral in Fiji and other South pacific islands, also known as oil fish or escolar. At Roy's the term butterfish refers to a style of presentation rather than a specific species of fish. At Roy's they use sablefish or black cod marinated with miso to give the fish a rich buttery texture. (I just typed that for your learning excitement!) Also Meg's told dad once (actually at Roy's in Boston) Butterfish can be disasterous if not properly prepared. Follow up with the girl to learn how dangerous.

Maui menus are sea packed with Onaga ((long tailed red snapper or ruby snapper), Marlin (swordfish), Mahimahi (dolphin (no, not Flipper) and Ron did catch them when in Guam or dorado), Moi (Pacific Threadfin), Ono (wahoo, which Michael caught in the Bahamas: tigerfish, or ocean barracuda and in the Bahama's baracuda isn't eaten), Opah (moonfish), Opakapaka (pink snapper or crimson jobfish), Pacific Salmon (king, sockeye, pink, chum), Swordfish (shutome or broadbill), Tuna (which Ron once caught a yellow fin), Uka (gray snapper or jobfish), Ulua ( jackfish, papio, or giant trevally). and then the seafoods as clams, mussels, lobster, shrimp, calamari and/or squid. Hawaiins don't eat shark as it is believed to "Bring Bad Luck."

Longhis qualified for two evenings...but then Lainia's was a two hour wait. Eating well is defined on the islands. As result of the Whole Artichoke Appetizer I now know how to take the "Choke" out of an artichoke and that "Most great chef's agree wine with artichokes changes the taste of the wine" Julia Childs. Great argument for Grey Goose.

The best lunch ever was at a little recommendation after an afternoon at the Barefoot Bar drinking "Salty Dogs al 'a Linda's "Sweeter" Pink Grapefruit on to Mama's Fish House

Stay Tuned as the next episode will include The Ride To Hana Or Scared, Dizzy, and Senseless after 55 bridges, 600 hairpin switch back turns and an attack peacock.

Happy New Year

2011-01-14T10:34:00.000-08:00

It has been acknowledge the older I get the faster time flies. I have realized Christmas was a blur..The week between was a 'No Speed Zone' and the days since, I still feel I am speeding down the autobahn in the backseat with no control of the car, the car air fresheners or the radio.

The holidays in Wisconsin were a lot of fun and although there are no grandchildren we managed to spend a bit of time with all the kiddos. Even managed a Packer game and a Wilds' game...Greg came home for a few days and got snowed out of New York to complete his New Years and the rest of us joined the girls in Abelssen for more "spirits" than I needed The 12th was my birthday so the merriment continued. I remain totally spoiled for 2011. (I plan to spoil RJK a little tonight and be the DD for his office party. I got some lottery tickets for him to pass out to the masses so perhaps someone will "scratch" the "jackpot."
Cocktails five thirty...dinner at six thirty...Not Here...Life is good.)

Gretchen is being visited by Mary, Dave and Brittany and venturing off to the Spanish Canary Islands soon which I am learning actually exist. She and Josh get some soon realized together R&;R and have plans to repeat this destination/adventure then.

Meg is home and taken on babysitting for another couple of people in the entourage...cuz Meg is a nice girlfriend and daughter!

Michael is soon to make the quarter century mark and is planning a party. He was here visiting too. I sent him off with treats for the party and a recipe for Alfredo. His S.O. can cook which is a big pleasant plus. I think they are actually enrolled in Cuban Cooking Class. What a couple of "jerks." My Michael has always loved to putter in the kitchen and it is fun to know he may actually grow older with someone who may actually help with the prep and then dishes.

Our diets have been a bit experimental lately. Ron came back to the hotel room in Chicago a couple of weeks ago with a diet from a functional medical author which was a trial to eat nothing which "ever had a mother, had eyes or eyelashes, exclude fats, including EVOO, no dairy, no nuts and the good news is I eat out a lot. It has been kinda fun. Yesterday I made a crock pot 13 bean chili which put him right to sleep. Today I sent him off with a lunch of tahinni-free hummus and rice wraps. Bkfst was raisin bran and rice milk which isn't too bad. As all fads go c Ron I will give it (the diet) til the end of the month.. .and hope he gives me a lot longer!

2010-11-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

It's Winter and Michael's has. . .

2010-11-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

Listen to the advice of your mom was something which is generations old. I told Mich if the mountain won't come to Mohamed than Mohamed needed to go to the mountain. Appears he took his mom's advise. Didn't tell me until I opened my phone and see this picture of his (handsome) mug.
(Better find a new job now Mich!)
Ron was (also) in Rapid City SD last week pheasant hunting and has a bruised right shoulder to prove it. (Have yet to see any birds.) I got the dubious honor of painting the dining room pink. I am awaiting the new mirrors I ordered to hang on the wall and I even managed to move his private book case to the bedroom. Ron really loves his books. He was happier about the bookcase than the dining room. Ron hates painting . . . I love to paint.
Must have come from Mother Mary. Big George would go hunting and Mary would paint the living room. Simultaneously everyone of us would start vomiting. Mom would be placing buckets in front of five King Kids...Martha said, "MOM, GET ME AN ASPIRIN." and promptly barfed on the kitchen floor...She soon got a bucket too...and as well as I can remember she would get the room painted and all the King children would be "healthy as horses" just in time to welcome dad home. It was a fall ritual at the KING house.
Speaking of rituals: Mary would also make us sit in the dark to watch TV cuz the "Light Patrol was roaming the streets ready to arrest anyone using electricity." Thank God the TV wasn't electric in those days.(VIEWMASTER!)
You can't make this stuff up...it is too funny. Wonder what my four will embellish as "Mom Memories" when I am Gone?
Greg retold the Mandalay Bay story at dinner (Chicago Chop House) last weekend and so far dad is in more trouble than I am. "Hey, Bud."

SEVENTEEN DAYS

2010-09-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

We arrived home yesterday from a visit to Meg and Grrr's which included Greg, Annelise and Michael at certain intervals. I truly needed the whole day to decompress. Jet lag is a real phenomena and I am getting very old.

The constant theme which was a center of conversation everyday was the "group questioning:
What was the best part of ________?"
Seemed a pattern was forming and the best part of yesterday would be "today".

Upon landing in Frankfort, we took a Lufthansa flight to Edinburgh, Scotland.(The group wouldn't include Michael as he was now employed but was flying over to Venice the following weekend) So six of us were now in the the home land of "haggis" and the birthplace of scotch. The first wasn't anything I would "embrace" but I made up for this deficit discovering "Coalila, Ardbeg and Bunnahabbbarn." As with the haggis . . .scotch too is an acquired taste. Unlike the haggis the "acquiring" of the later came with laughter, good conversation, and a great buzz. (I was wishing I could name a puppy after each of the four regions of scotch production.) By day's end we would meet "Baby Bird' and not find Jimmy One or Two. I was to learn about tartan plaids and saw synchronized bag pipe players in full regalia.
(Hundreds and hundreds! Military Tattoos have nothing to do with skin and ink.)

Our next JUMP would be on to Berlin. Following the girls recommendation (who both stayed in Baum holder) we arrived, jumped on bikes, which is a very acceptable transportation which translated is,
"It is stupid to walk."
We peddled over 10 kilometers crossing from East Berlin to West Berlin. Being stupid American tourist the next day we went again, however sans guide. Berlin is the Beirgarden capital of my world, in my mind. Berlin's bed are not as great as Edinburgh's yet better than Venice's: but Meg's wins.! We drank iced coffees in Sony Square and brought home Salvador Dali to Meg and Grrr. (now totally Mom originals.)

So what does any self respecting, seldom-been-out-of-the-mid west-tourist (later to be synonymous with 'Northerner...from the north.') do next? Easy. . . Fly to Venice the town of canals, alleys, and leaning towers which would become the best and worse time of the trip. Mike wouldn't show up until he swam the grand canal ("al la LaCrosse stupid student slipped in style...The boy smelled like peaty scotch! ) and the gondola regatta couldn't settle my apprehensions about being the next soul lost in the labyrinth of side streets. Best put: I felt I was a human in the "herding bred" category in the Westminster Dog Show without MY sheep.
Best part of Venice was a boat ride to Murano and on to Burano.

We also got to buy Belgium beer and German wien in France and took a covered boat ride on the uncovered top deck on Rudishiem's Rhine River after the Garman told us to "Board the Ferry" which no one but Frau Garman saw coming. Here was the promise of seeing five 200-400 year old German castles... "two and a half down and two and a half back." quirked Meg.

Also walked avoiding wild gargoyles, giant slugs in the foggy mist of glen and dale in Abbelson, Germany.
I left my newly acquired walking club at Meg's just in case that wild pig comes a-calling.

I had purchase 7 lime green and obnoxious Minnesota 'LAND OF 10,000 LAKES' Tee Shirts in the Minneapolis airport which everyone in 'solidarity' refused to be caught dead in! Mine found me some Stillwater, MN friends in Venice. They told me they had just done an amazing Mediterranean cruise which included Istanbul on a ship of 3000 people and they were the only Americans. I had worn my shirt to shreds and was relieved no one read it. Great Sportsmanship Award...I won! I left a slime green Tee shirt with every member of the party in hopes someday they would remember they too could get stupidly crazy.

Sigmund Freud was the eighth member of the Kirschling traveling team. I was reminded of the Id, the Ego and the Super Ego. . .directly I was reintroduced to my old friend Oedipus Complex. What goes around comes around. I was once the queen of Oedipus! ( LOL)

And air travel cannot be totally appreciated till you have traveled Ryanair. Your carry-on must be under 10 kilos or you pay an Irish ramson, you must bring a self generated computer boarding pass or it will cost you your first born and you are allowed only one bag. Total count of two bags and you will give up your retirement $$$. This airline is "No Frills, Low cost", can only be booked online and guarantees and boasts, "No refunds...Why would we.?" If they hit a bumpy ride they sell smokeless cigarettes. They are rumored to soon charge for the one remaining toilet as they could then offer 'standing room' only to more passengers if they pull the other toilets. They are self proclaimed " The Best On Time Airline in Europe." They have a Ta-Da jingle which announces you are on time and people clap. Forget about First Class too becuz it doesn't exist: but you can pay more to board first, seats are not assigned...
you don't use jet ways...
you walk the tarmac out to roll away stairs and board and deplane both front and rear doors.

In defense of Ryanair there is a new "selling store" on Delta and Lufthansa too. Besides the merchandise catalogs; there are duty free CARDS, Pringles & M&M's are $3.00, Beer is $5 and drinks and wine are $7. You can contribute to airline charities and buy lottery tickets on planes in Europe. The small catch is they don't tell Americans they cannot collect on winning tickets. Second, if you buy duty free liquor, or perfume on the flight back to Atlanta, GA and only have a carry on it will be confiscated at US security as these items exceed the 3 ounce rule....This they don't tell you during the marketing to entice purchasing on board over the public address. It is resold to the next "stupid American." (I have taken to boarding with rations of food for 2 days.)

Back to life in Rapids. Yo Yo is home. Riley is getting a post kennel bath. I will keep up the exercise routine so off I go to the elliptical.

August 2010 And the Golden Fleece Nomination

2010-08-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

Last week was from hell as Greg and I unloaded one apartment in the Windy City and stacked those boxes in the next apartment. Sounds pretty easy until the heat/humidity index hits 92, the vacated apartment is on the fourth floor and the city of Chicago Public Works is trying to replace the sidewalk in front of the new place. Best I can say about all this is it is DONE!

So the Headline (above) alludes to better fun this weekend as Ron, Mike and I headed to Duluth's lakefront and listened to some kickin' music. Who knew Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys would leave us hoping for more. Ron hit the CD tent and Mike got things autographed. We meet up with some real blues fans Kristi and Jeff et al...Best time ever! (Thank you very much!)

Gretchen called yesterday and I rushed to the post office with a blanket and pillow posted to "duluth".

If her husband wants to sleep on a cot without the creature comforts of home he will at least dress up his room when he Skype's my Booska. As soon as I get a drawstring installed he is getting some of Mike's old UW LaCrosse warm ups, a hooded sweat shirt, shower shoes, and of course a toothbrush. . . And all the magazines I can pull out of Ron's hands sans Playboy!

Here comes the Fleecing of America Nomination:

(BACKGROUND)Greg's apartment is in Hyatt Park Chicago just a block from Obama's house. It is a bit scary to realize the secret service is guarding Mr. Obama's Chicago Homestead 24/7 with three manned suburbans and my soldier doesn't have sheets, a blanket, or a pillow. Isn't Chicago got the biggest surveillance camera network of all major cities? Yes... Somebody tell me why Mr. Obama's unoccupied house has a spending priority over my soldier. (Josh had to buy his own boxed lunch ($5.50) if he wanted a meal on the plane to "duluth.". and now I find out he hasn't a blanket or a pillow) Remind me why I voted for this guy?

Hope Martha's Vineyard vacation includes sheets,blankets, and pillows.

TGIF

2010-08-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Well let the weekend start...Survived the flooded kitchen floor this week, four new tires on the Tundra, one Rafter's Baseball Game and dodged another Rafter's Game and the Brewer's tomorrow. Wayne and Cook came to town. . they are always fun. Add I cleaned the bathrooms and that isn't ever fun.

It was a warm week in "Lake Haf-er-mann" as my petunia's are about done and the squirrels have started eating the patio tomatoes. The weather has been warm and 100% humid until last night when the Rafters beat the Wausau Woodchucks in the bottom of the 10th inning with a two run homer. Good thing for me cuz Ron is not one to leave the ballpark during extra innings.

My recipe for the summer has been my new and original Veg Sandwich

Babs's VEGG Sandwich
One skinny bun lathered with olive oil mayo
One sliced avocado
One slice aged white cheddar
One skinny onion slice
One ounce of sprouts
Paste it all together with Jack Daniels Mustard
(...Save the real thing for the next phase...Liquid Lunch)
Serve it to Ron after the BBG and send in his lunch X2.
(Guarantee he won't come home any faster but he will be happy at work.)

So Far Out So IRS

2010-07-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little bit cocky! The IRS is pulling out "with no further changes to your 2007-2008 return". Seems we dodged an 'Audit Bullet'. Whereas I'm ecstatic, It is also 'under final approval subject to the 'Area Director'. (Seems they have to leave one foot in the door of my life.) I will remain relieved until the 'director' says otherwise.
So, I am sharing my joy with hopes it is not premature.
Did you know when the IRS audits you as Married Filing Jointly then send the same package to each of you at the same address, on the same day and they add a note telling you they did this on purpose. There's a case of the IRS supporting the USPS! Do they think I ever showed Ron his originals? (I didn't. I sent his copies on to the people who could help.....)
I am not professing I know exactly what happened as to why they sent us a huge bill one day and a "Nevermind" on another. Thinking back, I did email Obama about my lack of enthusiasm about This War...the IRS notice came within days. Anyway, I do send a shout-out to Joe @ Kirgis and Assoc in Rochester and Fran Esquire here in his new crib in Rapids. "KowaBunga Duds!"

Today is 143rd day of exercise and on day 142 I had Brings Cycle diagnose I'd ruined my first elliptical and took it away. (Better the elliptical then the marriage.) I am feeling pretty "JOCK". (Add this to Cocky as above)
Come ON! Never would have seen this coming 145 days ago! Good news is, it is repairable...bad news is it just me and the treadmill now. GYM WAR!

And I am on a new crusade to report Cell Phone Rudeness right here and NOW. I was going to say I wanted to put an end to it but I am not GRANDIOSE!. Recently a guy called twice with a message to return 'this call'... I called him back twice, left a voice mails twice and he is pissed. Says I am hard to get a hold of. Next I was in the middle of an apology, disguised as a life situation; when the listener said.."I have to let you go...my daughter's is on the other line." Yikes. Well, Mary didn't raise no fool(s). Hit the delete key on those two kids. And while I am at it please realize I do not answer 24/7... This past weekend I left my phone in the car all weekend! (If you just GASPED at that thought don't call me!)

Top Ten Reasons You Shouldn't Answer Your Cell Phone Every time it RINGS!...

10. You are driving on the autobahn (Meg & Grrr)

9. You are driving PERIOD...(Your hand/EYE coordination isn't capable of
video games either; which may be the next generation car apps...not ours)

8. Your caller ID says "Restricted"
(It is neither PUBLISHER'S CLEARING HOUSE nor your financial institution.)

7. Your caller ID says "Unavailable" (Promise: It's a sales call)

6. It's one of the four children you haven't given money today.

5. You are one-on-one with the supermarket cashier... the bar codes are
automated...she/he is real!

4. You are in a Dead Cell Zone, No one can hear you but you will hear
"CAN YOU HEAR ME." "CAN YOU HEAR ME"..."CAN YOU HEAR ME"
and rupture your tympanic membrane.

3. Their battery is so low..."HELLO. My battery is low...I might loose you." (You just wasted their battery and your time, CLICK!)

2. Your are in the Rest Room. (Too much "Information" as they can hear everything!)

And finally the #1 Reason you should not ALWAYS answer your cell phone...
WTF...Get a LIFE!

So Meg's Memorizing Billy Joel

2010-07-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

So I was curious as too just how old my oldest daughter is? When she stated she was memorizing the lyrics to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire." I was thinking it's a Baby Boomers song.....

WE DIDNT START THE FIRE BY BILLY JOEL

Harry Truman, Doris Day, Red China, Johnnie Ray
South Pacific, Walter Winchell, Joe DiMaggio

Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Studebaker, television
North Korea, South Korea, Marilyn Monroe

Rosenbergs, H-bomb, Sugar Ray, Panmunjom
Brando, "The King and I" and "The Catcher in the Rye"

Eisenhower, vaccine, England's got a new queen
Marciano, Liberace, Santayana goodbye

CHORUS:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it

Joseph Stalin, Malenkov, Nasser aand Prokofiev
Rockefeller, Campanella, Communist Bloc

Roy hn, Juan Peron, Toscanini, dacron
Dien Bien Phu falls, "Rock Around the Clock"

Einstein, James Dean, Brooklyn's got a winning team
Davy Crockett, Peter Pan, Elvis Presley, Disneyland

Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Krushchev
Princess Grace, "Peyton Place", trouble in the Suez

CHORUS:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it

Little Rock, Pasternak, Mickey Mantle, Kerouac
Sputnik, Chou En-Lai, "Bridge on the River Kwai"

Lebanon, Charlse de Gaulle, California baseball
Starkweather, homicide, children of thalidomide

Buddy Holly, "Ben Hur", space monkey, Mafia
Hula hoops, Castro, Edsel is a no-go

U-2, Syngman Rhee, payola and Kennedy
Chubby Checker, "Psycho", Belgians in the Congo

CHORUS:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it

Hemingway, Eichmann, "Stranger in a Strange Land"
Dylan, Berlin, Bay of Pigs invasion

"Lawrence of Arabia", British Beatlemania
Ole Miss, John Glenn, Liston beats Patterson

Pope Paul, Malcolm X, British politician sex
JFK, blown away, what else do I have to say

CHORUS:
We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it
But we tried to fight it

Birth control, Ho Chi Minh, Richard Nixon back again
Moonshot, Woodsto/ck/, Watergate, punk rock
Begin, Reagan, Palestine, terror on the airline
Ayatollah's in Iran, Russians in Afghanistan

"Wheel of Fortune", Sally Ride, heavy metal, suicide
Foreign debts, homeless vets, AIDS, crack, Bernie Goetz
Hypodermics on the shores, China's under martial law
Rock and roller cola wars, I can't take it anymore

CHORUS:
We didn't start the fire
But when we are gone
Will it still burn on, and on, and on, and on...
song.

Made me realize it didn't matter how old you had to be to remember all that goes past you when you see it, but how young you have to be to want to memorize it...
(I spared tormenting all with the Video but if you want to google the artist and song title it is quite good.)
I don't believe she will get the next bar boys to break in to any rowdy verse!

Rolling Stone's Runaway General

2010-06-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.rollingstone.com:80/politics/news/17390/119236

This is a link above to the article which disposed of McChrystal. I cannot believe more people aren't angry. Greg knows this author and I am told he has a great story to tell. STAY TUNED!

Drunken Sailor Solution

2010-06-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

What Do You Do With A Drunken Sailor?
What'll we do with a drunken sailor,
What'll we do with a drunken sailor,
What'll we do with a drunken sailor,
Earl-aye in the morning?
Chorus:
Way hay and up she rises (x3)
Earl-aye in the morning
1. Put him in the long boat till he's sober,
2. Keep him there and make 'im bale 'er.
3. Shave his belly with a rusty razor.
4. Put him in bed with the captain's daughter.

I am admitting to the auditory abuse which I subjected all my offspring too.
Can't wait to "renew my tunes" for the grand kiddos

Father's Day Yesterday!

2010-06-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was Father's Day and my man heard from all his kiddos and then took his dad to the Rafter's Baseball game. He got to read his Sunday New York Times, More from Glenn Beck, walked the dog, biked with yours truly and essentially I think he had a good day. I reminded one of the kiddos it was really my day too. I made this all possible.
Gretchen and Josh went back to Germany and Meg had been back for a week. We also shared our 35th Wedding Anniversary with those who were about. We wandered the Magnificent Mile, ate at the Cape Cod Room, shopped at the iStore and biked the lake walk all the way to McCormick Center.
Spring has been warm and muggy and pretty wet except for Island Lake which is low. We launched the pontoon boat but the dock is still on shore. So we put the boat back in the pole barn. The wave runner is available if Michael was in Duluth. (Guess I have to check this out.)
I have baby birds under the eaves. I think they are Townsend solitaires...I am not sure. I will explore more bird books.
My daily exercise continues and frankly I have quit counting. We also are hosting a wonderful Rafter's Baseball player from California. Wait I take back the wonderful part becuz as any parent knows; either natural or adopted, the minute you boost: children misbehave.
Well, it is off the roast the asparagus.

My Michael is Being Stalked 'Story'

2010-05-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hope every ones' Mother's Day was a smashing success. Hope all who qualify got a gift, a card, a call, or a visit.
We drove through snow and went to Duluth to simply work on projects of home and self improvement and ended up veggin', and (I 'll admit) drinking. The plans we had for bigger things did not get done. As promised over lunch ("Thank you very much C.C.") I didn't pick up a paint brush. Ron didn't study his catechism either. We were hooked on episodes of "Breaking Bad".
But, alas my partner in crime; the sauna, got lit too!

We managed a 4.5 mile walk down the road Saturday and as the water is very low, walked around the shoreline of Bear Island on Sunday. Fast forward to today and my personal trainers need to know I am at day 71! (!#$%^&**&^%$!!!)

Michael's arrival rendered the most amazing "story". He brought a friend and co-worker who grew up in Eyota, MN (near Rochester) who happened to have met him this spring on the job in MSP: graduated from UMD, used to work at the Red Star Pub in Duluth, and also worked clerically in almost every real estate office in the Twin Ports in 'them-there' college days...and Ya Ya Ya. Well as part and parcel of his means of impressing her he decides to drive her by "The house where I was raised".
TA-DAH!!

She emailed me these pictures.This picture was on her phone. THIS PICTURE WAS ON HER PHONE? On Her Phone? She and Mike hadn't planned this ride to Duluth...Cut to the chase and for those who don't know; this is the house where Mike was raised. This is the picture of the house we lived in in Duluth from 1992-2003. She turned the tables on Mike. She impressed the sh__ out of him! Or else she is a STALKER! (Keep in mind Mike was in La Crosse 2004-2009. Also keep in mind Mike isn't stalking material. Don't forget there are hundreds of these houses in Duluth...Well maybe not hundreds.)

This was also on her phone......................................................and so was this....................................

Where there more than three pictures on this 'stalkers' phone? Yes there were four in total. The 2nd Place picture has just another house down Fifth Street too. She is an apparent Art History Major who was intrigued with Duluth Homes. This was her selection for best Roof Line 2004, 2005, 2006,or 2007.

Well I just had to share that.

Since the girls haven't 'blogged" I will tell you they are both enjoying Josh's return from the field. Meg dropped her iPhone (ca-pute) in the rain but now has a Lan line which works well with Penny Talk. They both are planning to be home in the first part of June. They continue to explore Europe while dodging volcanic ash.
Speaking of volcanic ash: I am told by Meg this winter will be the coldest since the 1814 eruption of some other volcano as this volcanic ash will block the winter sun sooner than later. Well there's a Google moment.
Goodnight John Boy....
Goodnight Mary Ellen.......

Another Amazing Techno Advance

2010-05-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

So Grrr Skype's me today almost in tears as Mike has responded per FaceBook he is not doing the Rud Family Barbeque where I am hoping to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Kirschling and this is just a Mom's Wish. The elopement is not happening jus because I "wish4it'. So Grrr and I figured out how to conference Skype Michael and we all got to talk. (This is the 'Another Amazing Techno Advance' part of this note.) Mike didn't know he had responded to her picnic. Mike will be there & asked to give a speech too.

I was looking at the electric bill and thinking it was a bit high for two people so I started to investigate. I started with the washer. We have lived here for four years this August and my washer has never done a cold water wash. Every wash has been HOT. The color coding on the spigots is reversed..Red is cold and Blue is hot. I also found out you can now buy a solar powered hot water heater. And I found out that a geo thermal hot water heater is a kinda an oxymoron. The good news is I don't need a new water heater...but when I do: I am thinking solar.

Talked to the girls this weekend and yelled at Grr to get on with her Blog. She has promised she will try. She doesn't want to talk about Josh's deployment so I told her to talk about the fact she is not going to talk about Josh. She can talk about her expertise on Belgium beverages or running the Champagne France Relay in costume with water stops being champagne stops. I have two Hefer cow costumes which I will get to her for next year. These are my costume creations which Ron refused to wear one Halloween so we stayed home. I am sending them to Grrr. They are hysterical if I may so be bragging.

And this May 6-12 2010 is National Nurses Week. Grrr reminded dad. Of course this might be a good time to do something nice for Ron from this nurse. I am so on a mission to plan a Wednesday surprise. (Turn the Tables.)

Mixing the Old with the New

2010-04-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

So I moved the Cloned Kirschlings from one wall to another because three years ago Ron found a picture he liked and just had to have it. ( Lucky he is a very patient man) I didn't know he even liked abstract but the following is now posted above the fireplace.

But now he says the one I did of his original (Dad still lives here) homestead is his new favorite. This was the surprise part of his homecoming. I did two others for the group. Surprise. Surprise.

So how strange is it to look at those structures which you pass by every day?. Very! We've always done it. The German daughters bedrooms here are Biloxi art. There are Wisconsin Barns in Minnesota. and I am writing this in the Duluth Room which you all would call the computer room. I won't get anymore boring

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's a Meteor!!!

2010-04-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

So Last night I called 911...Honest I did: About a plane which I thought went down in the woods of Wisconsin. It was after ten and the operator said I was the only one who called. Today I was a little spooked cuz I was thinking perhaps it was a drug drop in the woods of Wisconsin and I locked all the doors just wondering when the "kingpins" would be a knocking. Then Brian Williams reports about this meteor which probably landed in central Wisconsin last night. So I unlocked all my doors cuz we all know martians can walk thru doors. I am so silly....Unless I find the meteorite remains cuz then Michael says I can hang up my business cards...which; by the way...I have yet to order. I am going four-wheeling in the morn! This light was at tree top level and I can only see 1000 yards out these wooded woods windows. I hope it's a big one without martians too. (Sure glad it didn't hit the house!)

I connected with Meg today in Germany who reported Grrr and Mustard are in Spain. Then I saw the volcanic cloud over Europe...The flights are all grounded and I decided to wait on my travel plans till the Icelandic volcano stops spurting ashes. Good place to be grounded with your husband in Spain I guess.

Then I connected with Ron too. He isn't thrilled about a couple of new doors I am planning. I hired a carpenter to design a new staircase, tore up the carpet and found enuf slate to next hire a floor installer. And the art I had custom made should be out of the shop soon. Spoiled? YES!

Did I mention I was the only person in the continental US last week to pay Toyota for services on a hybrid with a bumper to bumper policy. I was heading for Wausau (as in Wisconsin) when the service lights came on and guess what?: I have mice,.. no dog hair and these aren't covered. The loaners all disappeared and I got Enterprise to pick me up. $660.00 later (rental not included and a whole week) I am never buying another Toyota in Plover... there are Toyota dealers in Wausau and Madison. I will be putting the book of coupons for free oil changes at Mark Toyota on eBay too...Give-away. I have five Toyotas too. Maybe I don't need to be buying anything for a while. Recount: I only have four. I mean WE too. "We have four."

And my garage is wired and d-Con 'd' for mice. I found a dead mouse too. This pretty much means the sonic blasters aren't working or else this mouse was deaf. Hope sonic blasters work on martians better....I am sooooo silly!.

Sunday with Mo'r'mie

2010-03-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

Been exercising EVERY day for 27 days today. I calculated on the modest side this has been 22.5 hours and 16,200 burned calories. I have to start at zero if I miss a (ONE, UNO) day according to my personal trainers Gretchen and Meg. Meg is my original personal trainer but as I am "an equal opportunity mom" I will add to my accountability and blame them both for this training plan. I am not ever getting on a scale so don't ask the obvious. When I started this I promised I would not get on the scale unless I missed a day. I am presently more afraid of the scale than the elliptical. I don't need anyone telling me how good I am doing either. Frankly Ron has done this for 35 years I don't think I ever told him , "Oh, great job!' Frankly I think it is becuz he did his calisthenics thru contractions, diaper changes, sicknesses, rivalries, etc., etc., etc. The other thing that keeps me going is Josh. I am going to pray "elliptically" for the end of this war every day he is gone.

Ron was laughing out loud this morning reading "The New York Times." (This isn't a norm for him and his reading adventures.) I found out he was reading an article on how states will dig deeper to raise taxes to pay for virtually everything. It mentions taxing garbage pick up, hair cuts, dry cleaners, dating services, clowns, bowling night, and high end enjoyment like balloon rides. The last mention of "high end enjoyment" really should ticked off the clowns and bowlers. WTF... They aren't "high end"? (What about pony rides given to Gretchen on Meg's Birthday 1989) Clowns and bowlers are sure to be the newest movement... 'The Beer Party.' Unlike 'The Tea Party' movement and now 'The Coffee Party' movement, beer is already taxed!

Gretchen just called and she is watching my Ti Vo on her computer thru my Sling Box. She is so excited. Meg got it figured out and Gretchen is going to fall asleep watching the "Kardashians." which of course this Mom TiVo'd for their enjoyment. Puts a new variety on "Arm Services Television". Meg has yet to get the internet in her German farm home. "Chelsea Lately" awaits as does "The Soup!" This technology is simply amazing.

I am simply amazing. Don't need anyone to tell me either!

I could go to Bed

2010-03-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

It is past my bedtime and Ron is watching the Lakers so I thought I would "doodle" around and there is still time left in the game...Here I go:
Cleaned the garage floor this weekend and today the basement. I haven't had a basement to clean since Rochester in 1984. Duluth had a dungeon which I never cleaned so I didn't know the high school was hanging out in the crawl space. Well the only big surprise in today's basement was the dead webs. I am guessing the spiders have better areas to conquer. I did water the Madevillas...if they don't survive it is okay because I don't remember exactly what they are.
Meg wrote today about " March Madness" and getting "on board" I am excited becuz I may learn something. Stupid when it comes to professional sports am I. But I can put together a broken bird feeder. mend Michael's, broken pants, spend money like a sailor on leave and laugh at myself while making Fish Pie for dinner. I made it up and Ron liked it. Good thing cuz I made enuf for the rest of the week. I am continuing the downsizing and trying to cook for two even though these walls haven't seen a Kirschling Kid in four years. Yo Yo liked the fish but not the pie. Riley the other stupid canine just peed in front of the elliptical sometime last night. Ron discovered it and took care of the problem and this was a major surprise. I am not trading him in any time soon....the dog was never on the "chopping block."
We have had two consecutive 60 degree days and the snow is gone. Well almost. Just a few snow curbs here and there. I found a place to buy heirloom tomatoes for the Meg but they haven't received them yet. So I am sending her earrings. And the Lakers just won...Bedtime.

Weekend Plans

2010-03-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

While it is Friday & I have been left with the a task to put the weekend plans together. I am thinking Ron probably goes all week making "life" decisions and come the weekend he just wants to be without a schedule, plan, and/or "life decisions". Looks like we are staying in the area however because the state of Wisconsin and all the way to Duluth are socked-in with fog. There is a great place in Steven's Point to eat after a movie, and there are also great places here and as small as Rapids is there are movies here too. And if I want to be a "camp counselor" and direct the camper to just hanging in front of the tube I bought '2012' yesterday for the special effects.

This news is for Meg and for my accomplishments. I have now exercised to the double digits. ELEVEN.
I thought it was 10 today but when I counted I came up day to 11. Ron keeps asking if I feel better... "No"....But according to my personal trainer; Meg, if I miss a day I have to start counting again form 1. Yikes, I cannot remember every giving a exercise routine a 'Nonstop...Don't Skip a Day Campaign.'
Enuf about me.

Greg called with great news about his placement to the VA Hospital next semester as part and parcel of his graduate work in the Department of Sociology. His news is really "The BomB" as he really wanted this internship because he is interested in exploring this area. (Way to go Greg!)
And he wants us to start watching Survivor and we got home last night in time to see "the old guy "get voted off. What was that all about. We have promised to start the viewing and I am calling right now for the TiVo sales pitch.
(Might help if I could spell)

Michael called Wednesday and told me he too appreciates sometimes you can't write life any funnier than it actually 'writes' itself. I had to cut him off to get to the Sacrament of Reconciliation where I am not sure you get credit for confession if you talk to the only priest in the church who has a poor command of the English language. "Forgive me father for I have sinned I am a "mass" murderer...." My child doe feeve 'ale Mary's and Good Blees. (Did you guess I didn't participate. I am heartly sorry for all these sins and all the sins of my past life.)

Haven't solidified any further plans for this weekend. Did find out my girlfriend and her main squeeze won't be around to be our partners in crime. Sucks. The good news is I will think of something. Yard is to wet and snowy to rack, so chores are a out.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME is Sunday. One less hour of crime. Better get off this Blog. I need a nap.

March

2010-03-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Well It is the 9th of March and we still have a lot of snow. The temperature was above fifty yesterday so that will help, but today it is dark, cool and gloomy. I await the arrival of the Hot Tub man. This is a bit exciting. Getting some part ordered has been jinxed by availability which meant closing it down for the freez seezon. I didn't miss it. I didn't.

Yesterday I mailed the tax receipts to the Tax MAN in Rochester and it isn't April 15th just yet. Milestone for this filer! Can't take full credit though. Ron was on the ball this year. And also when he went through the mail he discovered we are on the IRS Audit list. Great. Close one door with the IRS n open another.

Last week I survived a trip to the dentist, a run through the car wash and my life sounds mundane. This week it was on to Wausau for a battery search and a search for a tailor. I came up blank on both counts. But I did get the seventh day of 50 minutes exercise in...for me this is huge.

Meg is out of Gretchen's and has moved in to her own German Haus. Her furniture is still on the boat, She has an air mattress and no couch, no chairs or TV. Gretchen had had enough of the dogs so with Josh's news Meg decided it was better to get her German life started. I could believe it...

Ron and I are planning to visit at the end of next month. We were considering a huge cruise and I nixed it when Josh got his "news". I cannot justify a big vacation when my kid is at war. Also have to await the outcome of this IRS audit.

Yesterday I was standing at the check out of my favorite TJ Maxx and this woman returned as her credit card was at the front check out counter. She totally went off on the manager stating how inconvenienced she was as she had to leave all her groceries and reprimanding the manager for not returning her card. The manager told her the card was found on the floor...Oops What ever happened to "Thank You" This is a good reason to keep your cool.

The Academy Awards Ron and I thought were very good. Greg didn't see what kept him so captivated for all those years. Meg and Gretchen haven't seen them yet and the reviewers were cruel. What do I know.
I do know Deb is a Birthday Girl tomorrow....Happy Birthday Girlfriend!

Well Tub Man Came with the wrong part which is the norm. I am off to the stair-stepper. Like anyone cares!

It is March!

2010-03-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/078693f7461d55242986e4375d68c051/video/11110363

Greetings and HURRY HERE Springtime! The days are warming: We were up north at Emily's wedding this weekend and the ice is still out there. We even went out CC skiing on Island Lake but all it proved was how out of shape I was. I am heading for the treadmill I promise ME! (Meg has the right idea, i.e., 30 day challenges.)
Look...Click...Look
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/078693f7461d55242986e4375d68c051/video/11110363 Isn't that a pretty bride! The wedding was gorgeous too... all 7 attendants wore floor length black satin A-line gowns. I thought it was beautiful. Ron was the best host ever. He won "Barb Brownie Points" cuz he just did everything and I didn't asked. I didn't ask him to pour "Dawn" in the dishwasher... I even forgave him as I fixed the sudsy situation. "Downy" fabric softeners KILLS soap bubbles.

I want to take a picture of my closet cuz I cleaned it and it looks "live able"again. Yes, I guess it is OUR closet but frankly I organized it and Ron did help put it back together. Funny how sometimes the little things get you all hyped up. (Lookin' Good...Ron and the closet too)

And I brought some "didn't look so good here" art work to Duluth and all got hung. (Ron Again!) Now I can find new frames for the living room. I am going MODERN. I have my eyes on the Wisconsin Rapids Bridge, Ron's Family Homestead here in Biron and St. P& P Church. A real work in progress. And I moved out all the living room furniture cuz I just needed to follow the modern theme. Presently Ron is a bit confused. He likes things to "stay the same". If I want to make him crazy, I move his books...imagine what this does to his pschy when I "start all over".

Greg had a birthday this Saturday. He is 32! His BD found him in Minneapolis with dinner plans at Babetts for a birthday dinner a' la girlfriend. I think she sent him the airfare. I would venture to guess this is the one: and I am not speaking of the restaurant. But then what do moms know?

Did you read about MEG AND GRETCHEN (JOSH TOO) SKIING THE BLACK FOREST? I think it may beat CC on Island Lake but then what do I know. I love being Up North and it had been quite a while for us. And Meg brought her two dogs LC and Tyson to Germany and she didn't want to leave them home alone so I am glad she got to go skiing. As far as I know all went fine.

Had to watch the Olympic Gold Medal Hockey game and I think it is appropriate the Canadians won Gold! Just seemed it was the perfect ending to hosting. I will miss the Olympics and Ron won't miss the figure skating in any shape, size or form.

And today on Oprah Ron's old partner (radiation oncologist) in Rapids was on with his tortoises as part of The Marriage Ref. This simply means he wasn't interesting enuf with 5 huge tortoises pooping in his house (which gives a new definition to Horse Apples under the Christmas tree) to make prime time. Proves there is life after leaving here! I wonder how Oprah found him when no one here ever could. And I wonder two things:
1.) Who will ever buy a 700k home with turtle poop everywhere and/or 2.) Since he realized at a very early age these turtle were susceptible to sarcomas...did he ever bring his pets to work? Gross.

Easter Season

2010-02-15T15:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I got the word Saturday that I am not abstaining from the daily phone calls to Germany so I decided to give up 'PennyTalk' for Lent. I also learned I cannot send Meg 'hybrid' tomatoe seeds cuz those are genetically engineered (or altered) so I am looking for 'heirloom' tomatoe seeds. Whatever happened to "Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth!"

Ron and I went out to brunch yesterday (My Valentine!) at a place here called "Misty's" We sat at the counter and both spoke about the last time we ever did that...My experience was with Aunt Marie (after a ride in her pink Cadillac) and Uncle Pooh-Pooh in the "60's at Bridgeman's in Duluth and he remembered Woolsworth's here in Rapids about the same time. (Did Jupiter's in Duluth have a Soda Fountain? This was the place where Aunt Marie got all her Christmas presents and always managed to leave the 99 cent price tags on...But I think she put them in Bagley boxes (Marshall Field's Boxes... thanx La!) more often than not. Wow...was that a "Blast from the Past")

Back to the (breakfast) counter @ Misty's... we spoke of planned Lenten sacrifices and I blew him away! I won't write what mine are until after Easter becuz 'It' will be interesting to see if 'we' can keep our promises without boring you all. . .(just in case anyone ever reads these ramblings.)

More Snow today but just a "trace". I think I hate the word "trace." Three inches is a 'trace tough' for Yo-Yo... four inch inch legs:

And impossible if Flying Squirrels

didn't fly!

Well this is it from "Yours truly tonight." It is on to pick up the man cuz I drove today, mail a care package to Germany cuz I can't be expected to go "Cold Turkey" from all communication with my girls.

Here is to FAT TUESDAY TOMORROW!

Eat, Drink and Be Merry cuz Wednesday is Ashes

TSCHUS!

Olympic Saturday.

2010-02-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Watched the Vancouver (opening) Olympic Ceremony last night and it was amazing, Ron had offered to take me to dinner and I got a "rain-check" and we watched the tube. I was told scalped tickets for this event were going for $8,000.00. TV was FREE... How did they get those whales to swim across the field? I did share a bottle of wine with my date so maybe I was inebriated!)

Well the last time we saw Chicago's Greg he gave us a list of movies which are:
Greg's Top Ten of the 2000's
(He may be in grad school but he is still the "Authority" on what to put in the NETFLIX Q.)
1. Before Sunset
2. North Country for Old Men
3. There Will be Blood
4. The Royal Tenebaums
5. Million Dollar Baby
6. You Can Count on Me
8. Sideways
9. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
10. Inglorious Basterds
RON WAS REALLY PLEASE ABOUT 'SIDEWAYS' GETTING THEE NOMINATION AND I got to write in 'The Secret of Roan Inish' (mindful this was last century.)

Yesterday I amazed myself (and as Ron is always hungry, him too) with a scratch-batch of French Onion Soup! I got my kitchen kinda cleaned (it is never perfect) and after I delivered a "Thank You" for the great Thursday dinner which we were privileged to be guests of; I made onion porridge.

AND since tomorrow is VD..."Let Mine & Your Love Lights Shine."

I also connected with Meg..."God Bless her little Irish heart and all her other little "now German" parts! She is sounding like she can wait to get her practice started becuz she is assimilating to life. (Gretchen has told me Meg has signed up for German language classes.)

Reference to Meg's Blog:..Ron didn't have a clue that I gave her his Garmin. But it was in his Toyota Tundra in MSP (Minneapolis) and when it crashes at high speeds it won't work anyway...and either will the other Toyotas which we hold so dear 'n near. This will give me an ease into the conversation as he doesn't know he also bought her the European chip for 'his' Garmin.

Meg did get her two apartment house in Germany... I think it is in Kusel. She took the whole thing and explained to me it is for us all to visit. She has a separate apartment for you and I. That's right. AMAZING! She wants company! (Even parents)

I got a "PennyTalk" account when Gretchen went to Germany but I never used it (Meg did to call her sister) becuz "Skype" is free. Anyway it is really cheap to call...like 2 cents a minute with a 49 cent connection fee. Trick I learned is don't go to voice mail if you can help it.

Well, I am off to buy the kid some vegetable seeds cuz she wants to start hybrid tomatoes in her soon to be backyard garden. (See the picture on her Blog) I have some giant pumpkin seeds. She will be the hit of Kusel with a 1400 pound Giant Pumpkin from Wisconsin. Elsie and Tyson can water the pumpkin and hopefully not the tomatoes.

Tschus.

Sounds Like Everyone is settling

2010-02-08T23:37:00.000-08:00

Spent some time in the windy city. Greg and Annelise joined us for a couple dinners, a stroll or two down (up) the Miracle Mile saw the fireworks which featured dancing snowmen in 3-D...Hamborger, hamborger, hamborger, no fries...chiips! and my Valentine's Day present was something. Won't disclose as I wouldn't want you all to be GREEN.

Of course there was the part of the adventure where I turned green from the 247 tower stairs to the Tower of Bells after Sunday's service. It was my less than bright suggestion ("TOWER?") and I frankly think I was "hallucinating." I forgot I hate heights, claustrophobic spaces and loud clanging bells all in the same space. Actually, I was only ever once before scared this much! Flashback years ago after my free fall down the water slide on the Tower of Doom. Again I couldn't walk for hours afterward. Everyone said it was great exercise on Sunday. I called it 'a great exorcise.'
Needles to say Ron drove home from Chicago and I decompressed. Got to watch the second half of the Super Bowl. (MJK's team won.) Brought in Crispy Duck and Hot and Sour Soup. Day ended nice enuf.

Guess at this time Meg has probably got a German Driver's license. It is maybe a little early (7:30 a.m. in Deustchland) but I am Blogging so I can make up details, even if the details have no pertinence to the reality of every day living.

Guess it is fine time to go to sleep. Hope tomorrow works out better than today as far as real estate goes. There are some real pin-head sellers out there who do not know about the wor(l)d "recession."

Meg Made It!

2010-02-03T10:42:00.000-08:00

With Tyson. the shitzu in cargo; and L.C., the other pup; under the seat Meg flew to Frankfort on Monday night-Tuesday morning to join Gretchen (and Josh) in Baumholder, Germany for the next two years. I was the sadest about the whole thing but I will survive. Tyson was probably the most stressed and he survived too. Meg jumped through hoops to get all the paper work together on the dogs and I was told the German customs hardly looked at the forms. Getting the acceptance on her car in Pontoon Bay, Illinois was the most "red tape." If the 570 mile drive to deliver the car was a "living nightmare." which gave us no extra time to relax or use cruise control with the blowing snow, zero visibility, closing of interstates and speed-crazed semi's from hell... then having to have the gas tank drained to under one quarter of a tank did prove most challenging. Hopefully her household goods and car will soon join her. Both the girls are now living in Germany...Yikes that's a long way to travel.

It is still the cold of winter in central Wisconsin. But apparently the fly squirrels don't know it as they are out inforce every evening. Have to reread the hibernation tendencies of the species homio-status squirrel hibernatious!

One Year Older and Many Wiser

2010-01-20T09:46:00.000-08:00

Had a birthday and so did Mike. Mike is 23! How did this ever happen. I am pretty sure I still see him as needing me to drive him to hockey practice. I painted his room when we move to Duluth cuz he was afraid to sleep on the third floor and by the time we left Duluth he had (also) conquered the basement creating an (outlawed) "cubby". Today finds him in MSP hopefully conquering new (law abiding) adventures.

Meg took AmTrak home this Friday and is getting closer to that 'Amazing Germany Adventure' her sister blogs about when Gretchen finds time. Meg picked up her car and her puppies which where here for an extended visit (since Thanksgiving) and a few articles and today the movers in MSP are packing up her "household goods" for the "bus" to Baumholder. She called to tell me the DOD (Army) hasn't completed her processing yet and she is a little "nervous". I did what any 'card carrying mother' would do and emailed Gretchen and told her she was going to get some amazing new stuff.

In celebration of the New Year I moved my credentials HOME. I am now my own Broker @ Rapid Realty. I have this amazing Wisconsin wooded view of the birds, (sis kens and yellow bellied sap suckers) squirrels, (gray, black and flying@night,) and deer (white tail). Fearing I may become like the "Maytag Repairman": I am going to focus on Buyers and may never list another house. I am revamping my WEB page to reflect my intentions. www.Move2Rapids.com.
All ideas are being thrown out there and what sticks will be accepted...just may take a while. I have also decided to break out the paints and easel...contribute to the people of Haiti and only have clean reverent thoughts...
(Well two out of three aint bad).
Got through the Christmas cards yesterday and actually connected with a few friends either by phone or email. I should pay more attention to Face Book. I am a year older but there is no wisdom when it comes to my learning Face Book (Forgive me Sally and Dennis!)

I am awaiting word from Gretchen as she traveled to Ireland this past week. Her itinerary included Guinness, Jameson and Joshua. I did my part by buying a new phone here in Wisconsin so I can speed dial the child (01149-6783-185-2362) and brought home John Jamesonthon for Ron's true adventure. I discovered you can bounce Jameson off the parking lot and it doesn't break. Pretty Amazing!

We have plans to travel to this weekend but the weather moving across the CONUS is supposed to be horrendous. Go figure if it was something I wanted to do it is going to be nixed. (What did I tell you about those reverent thoughts...I'm hopeless)

Happy 20-10

2010-01-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Let the next decade begin! I am starting a little slow but all those warm vacation days do increase proportionally my ability to adjust to all the cold and snow of returning to Wisconsin. The persons who "hit the wall" yesterday were probably Ron, Greg, Meg, and Michael. Back to the hospital...Return to Grad School,...Pack for Germany... Job Interview.
All I did yesterday was lite the fireplace. Today is starting out a lot of the same!
I enjoyed the season of Christmas and all the cards received. Some with very funny, fast, well written, humorous letters and even some with far too many details. More ornate cards this year than other years. I will take my time and go through them slowly.
This "Skype" feature has an amazing application to vacationing. We talked and saw Josh & Gretchen in Germany, Greg's special friend in Minneapolis and also a friend of Michael's from Madison. The last couple actually fell asleep looking at each other. Well one of them starting watching a movie until the other one woke up...Errie (New definition for abstinence) Skype is a two way picture, live and with voices. Go Figure. No need to increase the attendance with Skype on 24-7. Just hope Ron doesn't figure it out or we will all being staying home.

New Life

2009-12-17T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well it is becoming more official that Meg will go to Germany and in fact has a reporting date. Gretchen and Josh are the luckiest cuz having Meaghan is a gift. Everyone knows this who knows her. Having her and Michael together in MSP has also taught Mich more about life than he knew as a college grad. Michael appreciates Meg now the same way he did in HS. (It is safe to say my kiddos are their own "best buddies.") Micheal will take over Bedford soon and told me today he has sites set for two roomates. He told me he also has a girlfriend as of this day. Her name starts with an A. There is a gathering planned soon for the holidays at Bedford. It is kinda a farewell to Meg as well as Dane and Joe and a housewarming for Mike and I got an invitation but have to defer. Think I will give Mich permission to buy some (root) beer.
The cards are SENT. OTHERWISE I AM HAVING TO WORK ON MY LACK OF HOLIDAY SPIRIT.
I am winging this alone. Guess for a start I will jump in my car and pump up the Holiday Tunes...More Later....

Gobble Gobble

2009-11-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

Today my Meg (well Ron's too) has a birthday and she called me to wish me a HB, I haven't bought her a Birthday present yet and so she is proving to be the smartest Kirschling kid ever. Can't ignore a girl who calls her mom when it is her BD. (Even considering Las Vegas next week)
Thanksgiving is two days away so I called Josh who is taking Gretchen to Paris for the weekend. I sent them a travel book when I found out. I am so envious cuz I would love to see Paris in the springtime...or in the fall...or any time at all... Meg saw Paris in high school, on a bus and was told, "there is were the Mona Lisa is but the bus isn't stopping so if you ever come back here you will know where it is." Meg tells the story much more humorously than I can...
So I HAVE A FRESH TURKEY IN THE COOLER ON THE BACK PORCH and am hopeful the raccoons don't come a calling. Ron has actually put his five iron back in the golf bag for the season.

This morning I got a load of firewood dumped in the drive and I am not telling my Thanksgiving guests. (No one reads this so my secret is safe here.) Excecise after the trypophan OD... Sometimes I amaze myself as to how clever I can be!
Bought Love a Kindle yesterday and I can't download anything as we live in the woods. But I did drive it by the hospital today and the signal bars were max. I am keeping it cuz he will never ever come home now. Last month he wouldn't even read his email on his cell phone and then he went to the corn fields of South Dakota and found out he could read the editorials in the Wall Street Journal on Fran's Kindle and he was hooked. Meantime he has discovered the ease of email on the cell phone and this week it is the ease of the New York Times Sunday. . . He was heard to remark, "damn the technology today is amazing." The part I like about the Kindle is his birthday is a week away so I am having a blast.
Most recently my GREAT White Hunter survived a pheasant hunting trip with the boys and didn't blow himself (or anyone else for that matter) up. I was amazed to hear he actually shot a bird! I have seven (7!) in the freezer which I was going to cook instead of a turkey but decided to hold out in case they were on the menu for the next 'hunters' event. I am anxious to see if the drumsticks of these pheasants got "de-tendon-ized".
So all that's left is the menu for Thanksgiving and the Packer Game. It is very important we eat at halftime or at games end. As always the rutabaggies are the most important and none of the offspring will eat them or any description of a jello mold. I have given up on the jello but not the rutabaggies. I cannot look at a rutabaggie without hearing my mother say, "We used to slop the hogs with 'em." Guess my kids do remember Grandma Mary.
The pecans are beautiful this year so I am baking a pecan pie tonight and pumpkin pudding. Greg got a Chicago bus ticket to the Dells tomorrow and we pick him up at 8 p.m. Sure cuts into my prep time.
Not to feel too sorry for me I am robbing Ron and stopping at Tanger to shop for a turkey roaster and a 'sea- food' boiler for Saturday's festivities. Thanks to a past housekeeper in Biloxi I can mix a mean gumbo complete with liquid napam...i.e., Prudhomme Roux (Guess I will be checking out Harry and Davids too)

No Snow this Thanksgiving infact the deer hunters are having their deer walk to the processing plants as it has been so warm. Becuz the coyote and wolf packs are thriving the deer counts are down I am told. However the cranberries are the best. . .reminds me, I have to bake a cranberry cake for my 56 y/o 'better half'.

Here is hoping your Turkey Day is full of family, fun and flavor. I refuse to participate in Black Friday.
Wisconsin Rapids doesn't have a Target so the 4 a.m. was never an issue anyway. If I am awake at 4 it will be to read Ron's not-yet-delivered BD present.

Germany has Gretchen and soon

2009-11-13T12:47:00.001-08:00

So we aren't home from Germany for one month and Meg has decided to join Gretch and Josh in the "hills of Baumholder." I am excited for Germany, the kids, the opportunity but sad for yours truly... I have been a little teary and Ron is wondering if I am having feelings of abandonement from Meg. "No Einstein," I am glad for Meg but this mom is sad Meg will no longer be just three hours and fifteen minutes away in MSP. I know I have Skipe, e-mail, 2 cents a minute calling and even $29.00/unlimited a month long distance phone plan to Germany but as it stands now Gretchen never answers her phone. So consequently I am going to have to resort to talking to the boys and hence I am "bawling." I just don't like to talk to men: even Kirschling men: even though I have instilled in them patience, wisdom, consideration, carefulness and sensitivity; no one talks to me like the girls. Okay, Gretchen is still in the developemental stages of a newly married 25 y/o and learning, but for "crying out loud": Meg is my junior Anne Landers, Dear Abby, Emily Post, and infact she would out shine Gail King (This coming from another King girl) especially since she wouldn't try to sing on the radio. (Gail, you need to "Shut your pie hole" When you try to sing along with your guests you sound like a chorus of 'fingernails on a chalk board.' Gail, you are ruining all potential "cougar" possibilities and I am not a guy. "Cougar" or not..."Shut-up!")
There... like that is going anywhere.
Meg has an opportunity to work in Germany as a Chiropractor maybe in the same building as her sis. I think, better yet; the Halo Blue Mini Cooper Convertible may be in her sites. It certainly was 'a fun looking ride' all shiny and new on the German show room floor. YIKES! I wanna ride.

Been to Germany

2009-10-22T10:55:00.001-07:00

Last week was spent visiting Gretchen and Josh in Germany. We traveled, we ate, we drank and we had a blast. I have to organize my thoughts and Blog more soon. But first I have to conquer my jet lag and clean the dust bunnies at home. I miss those little Sh__.

Fall is in the Air

2009-10-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

There was frost on the pumpkin yesterday morning. Ron and I got home from Island Lake at 9:30 the night before. It is always nice to heat the sauna to 165 and watch Ron perspire from the dressing room. (I am not a fan of anything much hotter than 105.) No one jumped in the lake. It was blusterly and the lake is not warm anymore. And we are not Finnish! Good news is it doesn't have "green growth" either. It is northern MN. . .soon there will be ice-on-the-pond. Unlike around here the ice will be white.
Even had to turn on the furnace upon arriving home and at 3a.m. I was up as the house was 165. I turned down the thermostats and opened the windows while Ron blissfully slept. No need to wake 'the mechanically challenged.' After I figure out the overheating hot tub I will address the furnace. I shouldn't make it sound like I am figuring out anything...I called Steve to the rescue like any self respecting, checkbook caring home Frau would.
Ron took Meg to a Functional Medicine conference last week (Baltimore) and I painted the bathroom. It is pretty dramatic being the colors of baby waste and mold. Meg and Ron inspired me as they said other than doing nothing, the easiest thing to do would be "the same brown as the laundry room." "Easy" just didn't seem too inspiring and today the paint stores, or Home Depot in this case; put complimentary colors which I would never think of on the same color card and then charge you $36.00 a gallon to get down and dirty. If I were to do-it-again I would buy cheaper paint. Still took two coats and a chiropractic adjustment. (And that person was with Ron on the east coast sucking oysters and eating Butter fish at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, when not conferring 7 to 7.)
The length of their day is why I decided to stay here. Can Baltimore be toured 12 hours a day for five days? Can my bath be painted in the same time? I know the answer to the second question is "almost". I still have to seal the tile and grout. Projects always grow proportionally to new discovery.
I stopped yesterday to check the progress on the deer destroyed front end of the truck. Sure am glad there are people who know how to put things back together. Don't know the childhood life of my darling adorable husband but I am convinced it was his mother who probably kept him on track to Eagle Scout. Those merit badges requiring more than reading and research had to be challenging. Glad he doesn't have to put his own truck back together. . .the grill would look fine in the bed.
Shouldn't make Ron the brunt of my humor. I do know he is mechanically challenged while being constantly adorable.

Resued Wisconsin Cuckoo Bird By Babs

2009-09-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Cool Facts

Like the Black-billed Cuckoo, the young Yellow-billed Cuckoo develops incredibly quickly. The entire period from egg laying to fledgling leaving the nest lasts only 17 days. On day six or seven after hatching, the feathers of the young burst out of their sheaths, allowing the nestling to become fully feathered in two hours.
Both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs, and brood the nestlings. They incubate and brood equally during the day, but the male takes the night shift. The male brings nest material every time he comes to the nest to take his turn. The female usually takes the offering and works it into the nest.
Although the Yellow-billed Cuckoo usually raises its own young, occasionally it will lay its egg in the nest of another cuckoo, or even that of a different species. It has laid eggs in the nest of at least 11 different birds, most commonly in the nest of the Black-billed Cuckoo, American Robin, Gray Catbird, or Wood Thrush. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo may itself be the inadvertent host for an egg of a Black-billed Cuckoo or Brown-headed Cowbird.

The story is I discovered this bird in my garage last Sunday and couldn't coax him out of the rafters until exhaustion and the next day he couldn't muster enough energy to fly so I feed him some good old H2O and viola he flew away. I just didn't know there were cuckoo birds in Wisconsin (Australian song) and more so I didn't know how secretive they are. I went on line to Google "cuckoo bird sounds" AND now I know I had heard him but never saw him.
I simply amaze myself sometimes!

Sunday with Momio

2009-09-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings and Felicitations and I have been a very busy girl. The garage floor is clean, the laundry room is painted (Adobe Straw) and shelved, this new front door is sealed with love 'n care, the zipper is fixed on Ron's rag top which he now gets to drive becuz last night a suicidal deer dove in to the grill...(of his truck not the Weber)...Well he won't be in Tundra company anytime soon. The repairs will hopefully be completed before the snow flies but past experience with Ironside Body Shop and the hail damage: I recall as being very slow. The good news is the deer is the only one who got hurt. We are fine. (I just realized there is a 'Hidden Picture' of the truck above just like those days of Highlights Magazine.)

And here I await the arrival of Greg soon to be a graduate student in Chicago. I and Ron are driving him to school today. Never thought I would be saying this about a 31 y/o! Seems he wants mom and dad to settle him into school again. Well this is a bit of an exaggeration.

And in the mail yesterday I got Volume One and Two of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. A gift from one darling and adorable husband who never says no to buying anybody a book. I won't let him tell me how much they were either and he can't believe they are not hard cover. I need to find an acrylic cover in order to do any kitchen prep. I'll have great ride to Chicago reading today. On the way to our destination dinner last night I hit a dove. I joked then if I were a true Julia "Groupie" I would recover the road kill and we'd eat roasted squab. No jokes about the deer and Julia does do a sauce for venison...This is not funny.

The reason for the travel last eve was dinner @1800. As the result of my one friend of four in this fine town we were introduced to this restaurant and it has become our treat in the fine points of dining. The food is simply amazing. We even got to sit at the Marc Chagall table. More amazing than the occasion was the fact Ron gave up the MN vs AFA football game. Minnesota won for Josh and Gretchen. Go Gopher Fans Go Go GO! Josh said he saw the new stadium last night. Germany is just too far away. I missed my kids.

Plans for this week include more new WEB page work, Oprah's interview of Whitney tomorrow and Tuesday and I am thinking of painting our bathroom a healthy dose of golden wheat. I think it would "pop" the place. And I have to talk to Meg cuz she is thinking of more amazing changes than Greg...And Greg just drove-in.

P.S. Greg and Ron watched football and the 'Open' all afternoon. Seems Greg will 'road trip' to Chicago in the a.m. solo. (Think he read my blog.) And we dined on Chop Suey and Limeade. The Pack is on so the rest of the eve will be football. Have a great week.

2009-08-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

Not often I think 'Pancakes' but today I was thinking Buckwheat -Chocolate-Raspberry and I was thinking PANCAKES? Yum. Hope you can read the fine print too. Of course I will be lacking and not sending the directions but these directions were really lame. . .included heating the plates, turning the girdle to 375 degrees and warming the oven to 200 degrees. Wasted directions...Add the dry ingredients together first...blah, blah, blah.

I will be making these for Ron fairly soon. He cleaned MY house Saturday. I suppose it is his house too but VOILA. And it was cleaned by his truly. Didn't ask, didn't hint I just came to the office where the phones didn't ring on Saturday and he cleaned. Sunday he mowed, killed weeds and walked the dogs too. I made him a phyllo pizza and next I will do the buckwheat pancakes. I cannot believe he cleaned MY house. I guess his Smack Air Force Academy Saturday Drills kicked in. He cleaned: Dad came over for the Packer Game and dinner was grilled veggies. . . Dessert was raspberry pie which he didn't make because he doesn't know where the oven is...in all fairness I bought the pie and ice cream at the IGA. Went to this particular store cuz beef tenderloin is $3.99 a pound. There are real perks to living in the cow belt. Happy Cows better stay in California. Happy people live in Wisconsin.

And the Packers looked great or so I am told. I was in the kitchen reading Baking with Julia
I finished Julia, ordered her first two FRENCH COOKING volumes and I got this. Pretty amazing how these things work. I would recommend Julia Child's in France.
I am going to sound like the "Book Worm of the Weekend" but I finished "The 50 Rules Kids Don't Learn in School" this weekend and I LOL. This Sykes guy is good. And I learned what schadenfreude is. Who Knew? WWW.The50rules.com
So I am keeping Mr. Merry Maid and vowing to not complain about anything he does for the remainder of today anyway. (He has a few Golden Coupons lined up actually.) Ron cleaned my house! Okay, OUR house... Our home?

Friday the 31st

2009-07-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

I am thinking I need to head to Stevens Point today as Ron has some new clothes ordered which have arrived. Up until two weeks ago I was Land's Ends client but they decided to diminish their production of men's sports coats in a 46L (Go Figure in this enconomy) so I was forced to google "Mens clothiers and Steven's Point'. VOILA I am waitng for Melvin to have his house cleaned so we can got to the State Cheese Factory in Rudolph, and then take the back roads for a field trip to Stevens Point. ROAD TRIP
The good news is one of Ron's legs is not longer than the other. Originally I brought him home two pair of pants from Point...Pinned one for hemming and the seamstress called Ron to tell him he had one leg longer than the other according to the way his wife pinned his pants. Can you imagine how well he didn't take the news? (I can't make up shit funnier than this) I had to remind him I was sitting on the floor...He had his hands in his pockets and the shoes where almost on. I had to confess to not doing an adequate job and should have only marked one leg not two. With regards to the clothier and the seamstress Ron's schedule doesn't permit a personal fitting. If the jackets aren't exactly right he will never know. Keeping him presentable is my job and frankly I love shopping for men's clothes. It is just my usual is TJ MAX...who doesn't love a bargain?

Chip in for Health Care...M I stupid?

2009-07-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

So today I was just thinking about how I could "bug " the offspring and across my e-mail came the latest from Mitch Stewart of President Barak Obama.com. Mitch wants me to sign up to donate one dollar ($1.00) everday for the next 30 days to show "Congress and the insurance companies that our support of President Obama is earnest." And here's the clincher: It reads, "We'll bill your credit card for 30 day's worth of donations now and once a month until the President signs real health insurance reform into law."

My first thought was poor Hillary Clinton missed the boat on this great idea!@#$%!!!

My second thought was why do the insurance companies need to be shown our earnest. I have had health coverage since a nursing student and is it because the hospitals want to be paid when their employees use employers' facilities. I had Champus (Military-Service insurance) when we were in the Air Force and I was a dependent wife with four babies and never did Champus loose money whether my children were born two in civilian hospitals (Greg and Gretchen), and two in military hospitals (Meg and Michael). Health insurance companies are for profit!

Health insurance companies are advertising on my TV every day to offer new policy services. It is the pre-existing clause which needs to be eliminated. Civilian (Not Champus) insurance companies can cancel and deny to pay using this huge loop hole. In otherwords, develope a chronic condition of aging like diabetis, cancer, cardiac anonomolies and "PUFF" up in smoke goes your coverage. Up in smoke also goes coverage forever if your child is diagnosed with a terminal or chronic illness. Ask my friends in San Antonio who could never leave the military as their daughter was a childhood asthmatic and their son was a child leukemia surviver. YIKES

(If enuf peole get suck'd into Mitch Stewart's latest "ponzi" scheme does this mean when Stewart doesn't have to serve jail time for not accounting for your $30.00 every month which will amount to billions that also the rich will not be taxed for the Health Care reform? Where is this money going? Lobbiests?)

This is not a rumor like Fauve and the Vikings. This is actually on Baracks web site. (I have been watching the site since I voted for him.)

Check out https://barackobama.com/dollar

This is a tactic to raise money for who? Not you, me, or someone who has been recently insurance cancelled.

This is money without earmarks like maybe for Obama's dog getting to Hawaii?

Well guess I now have time to bug the offspring.

August is almost Here!

2009-07-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

Had an "All Man Weekend." This is a a couple of days where I did everything Ron wanted to do. No complaints from here. I saw the Brewers beat the Braves in Milwaukee (Melvin too) and I think I remember a time when the Brewers were the Braves so this is mildly confusing.

On Sunday Ron took me to church at St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Amherst and it was the most amazed I have ever been in church. (Wedding included). The church is in the middle of rolling farm fields and the architecture is Roman Gothic. I cannot do it justice with my mere words. After church the rectory's housekeeper, Rita; gave us a walking tour of the Saints in statues and pictures but not until she covered her head. I was Ron's guest as an unofficial member of his Bible Study Group which is soon to start his third year in the fall. After mass which did include an amazing sermon as well as scenery; we went to The Stone Lion in Custer, Wisconsin. Here I had an Irish Pizza complete with toppings of Mash Potatoes, Corn Beef, Sauerkraut and pesto. (I even managed to drool Guinness gravy down my shirt for the entire meal.) Give me an "All Man's Weekend" anytime.
And if you can't drink Guinness after church why not wear it!

The picture is of the Roosters in my kitchen which I thought one was a "Chicken". (I am so amazed at my silliness.) I thought about showing you all my hokey window shades but maybe next week. They are so ugly Ron has given me full reign of the check book to replace them with Hunter Douglas Pirourettes. (Of course they will cut out the glare on the Packers. And the scoop is Brett Fauve bought a condo in Minneapolis and the Vikings agreed on 10 million...and you thought this blog was boring...)

My Flying Squirrels are a colony now. Last night we counted ten. I also bought a Flip camera. The light is too low to film squirrel antics at night. It does appear to be raining squirrels out there some nights. Watch out as soon I will post my night video to UTube. Just have to grasp the "learning curve" as to the process...and buy some flood lights with motion detectors. (Sounds like Ron better reopen the bank account doesn't it?)

The raccoon count is now at five captured and one free. And before anyone gets too excited they are on 'the live trap and release program.' And I did release Bushy the squirrel and Tweetie the pine siskin. (The pine siskin actually got trapped in the sunflower seed basket feeder.)

Well for those of you that have read this far I am amazed it is August 2009 on Saturday. When I was young summer was never long enough and so is the drill this year.

We are planning to visit Gretchen and Josh but Gretchen wants us to fly to Ireland when we get there. I am trying to plead the case that I have never been to Germany. Yikes, she immediately shot back I have never been to Ireland either. Like everyone in the Kirschling lineage...There isn't a dull moment...and or blog.

HellO

2009-06-11T10:33:00.000-07:00

Yikes,

I am still waiting for AA... Triple A jumped my car! AA is still unavailable. Guess no one reads my Blog, Huh?
Well it was "date nite" last night and Dad took me to Christian's Bistro in Plover and dinner was amazing. The martinis were sipped with six cheeses and the wine with dinner was extraordinaire. We actually spent almost three hours at dinner. We even went Creme Brule' for dessert.
As an old married couple of 34 years we talked a little about what bugged us about the other. I came up with "I eat alone every night cuz I can't cook and then wait til 7:30 pm and although dad has tried he never gets home til then. So today I am doing the cooking after 7:00 pm. and we will eat together. Imagine taking almost three years to figure this out. Oh I feel so smart! I am thinking if ya all can't figure your life out don't wait three years, drink martinis, call AAA, not AA!

I was so moved by Gretchen's e-mail I copied and pasted it to Barak Obama' WEB.
Well I just couldn't read it and not do something constructive with it. It actually fit in too which was surprising. Of course the names where omitted where appropriate....Here it comes flat at ya!
I thought I would share this with you guys...it was something that opened my eyes a little.I had a pt yesterday that just returned from redeployment. It was his 1st deployment and he was gone for 14 months. His recent work ups and appointments indicate that he has a lot of traumatic brain injury that he is currently suffering from and was recently started on some medications to help stabilize his condition. Yesterday after an episode occurred, I started reading through is charts to get the pt's history and found that I almost cried at least 5 times. (If I wasn't in a professional setting I probably would have lost it). It stated that he had a episode where an IED blew up and hit a bunch of Iraqi children playing outside. The pt ran over and grabbed one of them and starting running with the child. Since the episode the pt stated that he was unable to get rid of the blood and fumes of the child he was carrying. He has tried incense and many other medications but it won't go away. He has terrible flashbacks and nightmares at night and most mornings he wakes up on the floor. His wife approaches him slowly and places a pillow under his head. His story in his chart stated that the pt started crying when he said, "my son looked at me and said he gets scared to be around me in my sleep because I talk, scream things and use my arms violently." It also stated that the pt was unable to eat at restaurants because when he hears children screaming he starts having panic attacks that cause him to loose vision and black out.
Yesterday he went into behavioral health and started acting really strange. He was escorted over to the clinic and when he was evaluated by us, he didn't know his name and it took him 1-2 mins (not an exaggeration) to answer any questions. He had a very blank look on his face and many times he would get very angry and just want to run off. We had to DRK him (send him out via ambulance) and when we put him on the lift to bring him out he immediately tried ripping everything off of him, including his IV .He kept saying that he needed to get away and that he didn't understand why his battle buddy left him. ------ and I kept talking to him telling him he was in --------, Germany and not Iraq. He did not understand it and said he was in a Humvee. At times he would seem to snap back into reality and say slowing that he was in Germany. When the doctor came to escort him via ambulance he was given a tranquilizer to help him sleep. Before he went to sleep he said VERY slowly, "I just don't want to bother, harm or hurt anyone or myself." It was super sad...and it maybe hard to believe from the story but he was the sweetest guy ever.His history stated that before the deployment he was normal. There was a quote from his wife that he never did any of the things he does today. I know everyone reacts to different situations and copes with things differently but it blows my mind how much this person changed in the past year from his experiences.I talked to ------- (the other nurse who worked with me) about the situation for a long time after the pt was put in the ambulance. I told her that I was very impressed with her during the situation. She stayed right by the bedside the ENTIRE time, holding his hand. I told her at times I was scared he was going to hit me or try to become physical. ------- was an active duty nurse and served in Iraq in the ICU for 10 months in 2005. She too suffered severely from PTSD and she really was able to relate to this patient. ----- shared some stories with me...the pt's she took care of an the things she did. It broke my heart to hear some of the events that took place. She too gets very anxious and sweaty when she hears children crying. However, she has come a long long way since the deployment and she gave me hope that this soldier will one day be back to normal with some help. She said yesterday, "I never ever thought I could go back to nursing again. Right now I am fulfilling a dream I never thought was possible, and I hope to one day make it back to the ICU." She has been working at the clinic since -------, she was my ---------- for a long time and I think she is one of the most fantastic nurses I have ever worked with. I realize more and more how lucky I am.
I ask to explore more into the research on PTSD. In 1943 Maslow identified Heirachy of Needs. It is interesting but he sited "Safety" as a primary psychological need. Google Maslow.
I think I am on to something.

I am waiting for AA

2009-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

I was on time today. even for my standards "early" and then I went to the realization that dad had left my car door open on Friday so now I await AA to come and jump my battery. Dad apologized and thought I could jump my car myself with the little "jumper" in the garage but I told him if I knew what I was doing it would be a different story...getting dead would be something for him to come home to... No Fried Chicken only fried wife... I am waiting for AA. Also I do not know the drill to jumping a hybrid. So I will Blog ya al instead.

I put up the "Chickens' which Deb told me are actually Roosters (Who Knew ) and then some shades in the Living Room. The shades look quite "dorky". My next project is to pull the carpet out of the living room. But Dad warned me to slow down. Seems he is still stuck on the dorky shades.

Wwent to Duluth last weekend and the wind blew the waves all weekend so we didn't get out on the pontoon. It was Meg, Mike, Greg, Greg's Annalise and dad. We had a fun couple of days. We went in to Duluth For Ricky's grad party. Stayed until late and dad was the DD and got us all home safely. Fun time.

Well this will be shorter rather than longer cuz I am late for work. Have a great time in London. Don't miss the free things like the tele tubies at Harrods and the World Market there too.
London Bridge is not falling down. Mary Poppins would be a great film to see before going.

Dad's Back from his man trip

2009-05-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Meg, Greg, Mike and I found dad at the MSP airport on time and ready to be home! He was returning from the Gettysburg-Appalachian Adventure with five other guys and a week in the wilderness complete with day hikes and campfires I think. He hasn't been awake long enuf to tell me much. He got the real gastro flu the first two days and avoided a big rattlesnake and brought me a piucture of St. Barbara. I think he was happy to find one Barbara was a saint...It isn't something I own, I guess.
I avoided my Jury Duty duty last month and I just called Ron to say it was nice to have him home and he sounds sick again. Admits to a sore throat and so I am making him some white chili for dinner. We didn't have a great reunion last night cuz he was too tired for words. He slept for 1 hour and 36 minutes driving home. Of course I drove. Guess I will read his journal and get up to speed about the adventure.
My weekend in MSp would have been better with Gretchen but it sounds to me like she and Josh had a pretty good weekend altogether. I am so happy they have been reunited.

Josh is in Germany...Gretchen is Complete!

2009-05-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Josh and Gretch,

Hoorah for the beauty of Toby Keith and reuniting. I will worry less about two of my five children now that I have solace in knowing, I was alone last week as Ron went his "City Slicker" cowpokes to Gettysburg, Harper's Ferry etc and day hikes in the Appliachians. When we would call it always went to voice mail as ny phone is new with a "learning curve" beyond my capabilities. Anyway the explorers ran into a real live rattlesnake and Ron left it on the a Voice Mail message with just enuf detail to make me shudder. Longest time I sustained goose-bumps too.
No way am I trying to compare my week with Gret's German Adventure however. I am glad to have you two together.
Meg and I are going to TJ's. I am here to collect dad tomorrow and love everyone forever.

Gretchen is breaking my heart!

2009-04-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Gretchen I read your Meg part to Meg and cried like a baby. Meg's said, "Mom I didn't think you even liked Gretchen."
If I could come over in one month I would be there but Michael's Graduation from LAX is the 16th of May and I also figured out I wasn't getting you home either. I did go on line yesterday and there are flights from CWA to Frankfort for under $400 if you fly ten days out. Got to have dad home to make sure Yo Yo does not dessert.
Dad leaves in the morning with Grandpa to Jane's in Louisville. They are driving and will return Sunday. I may go to Bear Island or stain the deck. I lead a very exciting life. And "Yes" I was invited but I figure this gives Mel and Ron great time together. I drove with them as a backseat driver to the Brewer's Opening Game last Friday and they sure cannot be faulted for the constant banter. (Men)
Meg and Greg came home for Easter and we got visited by a Flying Squirrel on the back porch Saturday Night. (It helps to have a back porch ten feet off the ground in the woods sometimes.)
He was so cute and actually flew 30 feet when Greg came out. Greg is pretty scary!
Although I am not having any luck, I am watching for him every night now. He was on the bird feeder. The web site is www.flyingsquirrels.com This little guy was simply amazing. It is interesting reading too.
I miss you more than a flying squirrel.

Mom the Moaner

2009-02-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

Debbie Downer jus' meet Mom the Moaner and frankly I would like to wring the necks of Gretchen's hiking companions. (Enuf blogged)

Mom's Here!

2009-02-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

So you have figured it out Gretchen. (I hope your love letters are on the way.) I am very proud of you and the adventure you are on. I know it is hard for you to be so far away from Josh and not working. (Home alone for the most part) I know how important your family and friends are to you too. Remember you can come home if for a weekend or a week. We spoke of this on the phone and you pooh-poohed it and that is good. You have a contingency plan which I or your dad would never feed you any guilt about. Meantime you do sound happy and you are on an amazing adventure and you will someday be our age and you will remember these 20 something years more fondly if you remain on the fabulous adventure. I love you!

I read your blog......Ron

2009-02-01T07:26:00.000-08:00

I read your blog! Your 26 reasons were great. I will start thinking about 26 items for me....but it might take awhile. Since I understand Meg made these rules....I wonder if the average per family is 26 ....meaning of course I would only need to come up with 21(taking credit for Meg's excesses.) Anyway I will THINK ABOUT IT. Its great hearing about you and Josh's adventures and the way you both have embraced this opportunity. Josh you are going to do great....my only advise is to take full advantage of the experience of every member of the platoon. You are in my prayers always. Have fun today with each other. Love DAD

Saturday Nite @ The Amery's

2009-01-31T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hello from Madison. This is Deb. Your mother is trying to teach me how to post on a blog. A skill I have yet to develop.

Our two guys are at the Badger Hockey game with Cate & Nate. Cate got the tickets for her Dad for Christmas & then called Ron to see if he would come for the game. That leaves your Mom & I sitting here with the "Classic Country Music" channel on & having a few libations. We have yet to hit the "crying in our beer" stage so might as well take this opportunity to give you a hard time. I do so love to tease you.

I just read your "26 Things About Me" blog. I received Meg's "31 Things" a couple of days ago. I think you both did a great job but you need to get a bit more honest with me!! Way to nice. Come on, there has to be some deep, dark aspects to the two of you that you did not fess up to. I believe Gretchen that you forgot to mention almost laying me out up at the cabin with that well placed punch to the solarplexus.

And Miss Meg, now let me see, what secret do I know about her?? So many to choose from, which should it be? That great swimmer who actually had to be dragged to swim practice in Biloxi, kicking & screaming. Who knew she would end up being the Swim Captain at Valpo. Wow, I am really having to stretch when I depend on your Mom to give me secrets!

Oh, wait, Gretchen, you forgot to tell everyone how much you "LOVED" your new baby brother when he came along. I do believe I watched you sneak around his highchair in Biloxi, only to give him a well placed pinch. The best part was the look of total innocence on you face when I asked you why you did that. Your reply was "What? I didn't do anything." Of course Mr. Mike was so busy stuffing oatmeal in his face. I think he was more angry about having to pause in his eating to scream. I still laugh about the picture he made in that high chair. He had his spoon clutched in one hand & was using the other hand to scoop the oatmeal in his mouth. What a pair you two were.

You both forgot to mention your life aspirations when you were children. You, if I remember correctly, were going to have 27 children. Of course you had no desire to have a husband, just children. When asked how you were going to take care of so many children, your response was, "I am going to live at home and my Mom will help me." Meg was going to be a nurse, just like her Mom. So my question to you is this, Meg actually followed through. Are you still going for the 27? I will have to say, you did quite well on the husband end. Josh seems like a pretty good guy. Not sure if he can handle 27 little people but I am sure he can handle a few.

So now that I have teased you enough I need to let you know, you keep sending me the wrong e-mail address. I sent you all of Bill's & my contact info for your resume & it keeps coming back as "undeliverable". Let me know if you still want it. We would both be happy to be contacted.

Now, I am going back to drinking more beer & doing less blogging. In fact, maybe blogging & drinking beer don't mix. One more item. Go back to your blog on the "Things About Me". I have just one very small correction. On your condiments comment you said you eat them in "access". Now Gretch, I do believe you meant.....Excess.

2009-01-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

Yikes Gretchen! I left a crock pot recipe on this blog after the Schnitzels so I am telling you to read it! Your Super Bowl party just became a Supper Bowl party. I challenge all you readers to top yours truly's Crock Pot Rubens...Also want to know why more of you have not pushed the button to create your own Blog...I read Carly's today. I was so entertained.
Also on I my list of To-Dos is to read Meg's Facebook. Seems she did the first and most original "31 things I love about Me." Of all the strange things Ron read it. Ron usually doesn't have time get on line. He gave it rave reviews and said she was very funny. And no he has not read Gretchen's. Melvin took us to dinner last night at a new place for us, old place for Wisc. Rapids called the Baker Street Inn and we had deep fried pickle spears with ranch dressing as an appetizer. Awesome and who knew?

Gretchen is being a DW

2009-01-27T09:35:00.000-08:00

Hello 2nd Lt. and Mrs. Rud,
Gretchen and I "skype today" She sounds ready to conquer Germany and has not bought a ticket to fly home on Feb 4th after Josh deploys (I will send money! Hope I am kidding) and the job pans out to were she will be busy during the day and painting walls during the weekends. I may have to get there with brushes and drop clothes. Yikes.

Wisconsin is in a deep freeze today at negative something. The power is out at the Technical college and otherwise we are all surviving. Real Estate not taking any of my extra time so it is nice to have "skype time".

Greg is living in, how did Meg put it once a long time ago, (?) in Minnie HaHa..the good news is Meg sounds happier than I have heard her. (Maybe I jus' made this up in order to feed my Mommy Worries Less Quota.) They are both at Bedford and Greg empty a truck load of NY Boxes in our basement before proceeding to MSP. I am going to have a huge Garage Sale any day now. Need air fare for Germany!

Sunday is the Super Bowl and I am proud to know I do not know who is playing but I will be ready for the commercials. I just googled commercials and Super Bowl and got a preview.
I am so easily amused

Gretchen and Josh Go To Market (Oink Oink)

2009-01-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

So today I got Ron on the phone with Gretch at 5:30 am and Josh and Gretch were boarding a bus to The World Market. Then Josh's phone rings for Gretchen, Josh talks to Ron and Gretchen has a nursing job interview ON BASE next week. (Oh be still my heart...This mom would love it if Gretchen could find a position on base...infact I wouldn't mind her finding no position and making cookies and then eating all of them and then coming home when Josh returns from deployment as she is really, really fatt. Well that is a fairy tale!
Gretchen and Josh sound really good. I heard all her black dishes came in pieces along with her picture frames, monkey salt and peppers, but their two wine cork screws were intact so she is cooking for friends this weekend c wine. Didn't know you could do grilled peanut butter sandwiches sit down with paper cups and Riesling. (Be warned I hope you are not using Minnesota's finest salmonella tainted P B & J.)

So dad and I have been up since the wee hours of the morning and it kinda feels like taking care of HS ear infections (which Gretchen always had) or croup which was Meg except that I was the only one who got up and dad slept soundly way back then.. Anyway dad thought tonoc was Clint Eastwood's Toranado (?) and tomorrow is Wall-E with Grandpa. Can you tell football is winding down. Can you tell I don't care what the name of the movie is as long as Clint is there?
The US Airways hitting the Hudson River without causalities is the first world miracle of 2009. Hope all stay warm this weekend and safe, sound and feel the LOVE.

2009-01-15T07:31:00.000-08:00

Wiener Schnitzel

Not to be confused with Wienerschnitzel, an American restaurant chain.

Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel (from German Wiener Schnitzel, meaning Viennese cutlet) is a traditional Austrian dish and popular part of Viennese and Austrian cuisine, consisting of a thin slice of veal coated in breadcrumbs and fried. In Austria the dish is traditionally served with a lemon slice, lingonberry jam and either potato salad or potatoes with parsley and butter. While traditional Wiener Schnitzel is made out of veal, it is now sometimes made out of pork, though in that case it is often called Schnitzel Wiener Art (Germany) or Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein (Austria) to differentiate it from the original. The dish may have originated in Milan, northern Italy, as cotoletta alla milanese, and may have appeared in Vienna during the 15th or 16th century. According to another theory, it was introduced by Field Marshal Radetzky, who spent much of his life in Milan, in 1857. The term "Wiener Schnitzel" itself dates to at least 1862.

Hello Gretchen and Josh,

So I thought perhaps you needed a little education on the food fare of the area. and soon I will explore gingersnaps and Sour Bratten. But today here comes one of Gretchen's favorites. And I hope her crock pot wasn't a casuality of shipment arrivial. (Hint a 225 degree oven left on all night is a BIG crock pot...
Slow Cooker Reuben Sandwiches
(Easy enough to make for a weeknight meal or a friendly Oktoberfest gathering. Bring on the beer and the oompah band!)

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 11 hours 15 min
Makes: 8 sandwiches
1 package (2 pounds) refrigerated sauerkraut
1 package (2 to 3 pounds) corned beef brisket
1 cup Thousand Island dressing (DID YOU KNOW THOUSAND ISLE IS HALF KETCHUP AND HALF MAYO WITH PICKLE RELISH)
16 slices pumpernickel rye bread, toasted
8 slices (1 ounce each) Swiss cheese

Total Time: 1 hour 5 min
1. Place sauerkraut in 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Place beef brisket on sauerkraut. (If brisket includes packet of spices, sprinkle spices over brisket.)
2. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 9 to 11 hours.
3. Remove beef from cooker; place on cutting board. Cut beef into slices. To serve, spread 1 tablespoon dressing on each toast slice. Using slotted spoon to remove sauerkraut from cooker, top 8 slices toast with 1/2 cup sauerkraut each. Top sauerkraut with beef slices and cheese slice. Top with remaining toast. This is when I like to grill but this is optional
Serve With German Potatoe Salad which I can tell you another day how to do in the microwave.
These sandwiches cry out for a good garlic dill pickle, purchased German potato salad or crunchy potato chips and a side of deli slaw.
Variation
To make this a portable potluck sandwich, stir the sliced beef into the sauerkraut. Place the dressing in a squeeze bottle (like for ketchup), and set out a basket of rye buns and smaller slices of Swiss cheese to make it easy for guests to make their own sandwiches.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 540 (Calories from Fat 315 ); Total Fat 35 g (Saturated Fat 12 g); Cholesterol 110 mg; Sodium 2390 mg; Total Carbohydrate 33 g (Dietary Fiber 6 g); Protein 29 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 6 %; Vitamin C 14 %; Calcium 36 %; Iron 26 % Exchanges: 2 Starch; 1 Vegetable; 3 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

From Greg

2009-01-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

The blog is fun! LOVING IT. Happy birthday again! Glad to see you are keeping up on DA MOVIES. I still recommend Wall-E. You might also like Slumdog MIllionaire, the story of a kid in the slums of India who goes on WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE and starts winning big.

Love
Your Bro Gregry

Too Cold for Yoyo

2009-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

Yikes, the weather is frightful and the fire delightful. Got up and got going this morn and plans are to take grandpa to dinner. I'll bet you are all wishing you could come.
I am heading home to read my Greg Birthday Books. Think I will start with "Forever Liesel"
Hope all is well in Germany and wherever you are.

It's Late

2009-01-13T21:30:00.001-08:00

I am still awake and thinking Josh and Gretchen are just getting up so I will write. It is 11:30 pm in Wisconsin Rapids and the fireplace has been a Godsend tonoc. It is freezing. Dad is asleep. We tuned to Leverage tonoc and Bones. Think we found new entertainment. Well it is cheaper than a movie. (I was watching Jay and Mickey Rourke was on. He is pretty scarry.)
Dad was listing the top ten movies of 2008 and of them we saw one in Benjamin Buttons, This leaves me to "Flex" 1)Wall-E, (Greg recommended this once a long time ago, 2.) Happy-Go-Lucky, 3.)Milk (which hasn't been here yet, 4.)The Dark Knight where I see Heath Ledger took the Globe, 5.) Slumdog Millionaire which I have never heard of, 6.) Rachel Getting Married which I want to see, 7) is Mickey Rourke The Wrestler, 8.) Frost/Nixon, 9.) Waltz with Bashir and 10.) The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. Guess it is a case of our starting backwards. Of course there also was the premiere of Idol. Craig Kilborne just said more people watched Idol than the moon landing. (Wasn't that in the 60's when the picture tubes were black, white and round?) I liked the new Judge Kaara DeoGardie so shoot me.
Well I am off to tuck myself in...and the bed will be warm!

Graduation too!

2009-01-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

Dad tells me he Looked it up and graduation @ La Crosse is May 16th 2009

Birthdays

2009-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

FYI
Michael is 23 years old on Saturday!
He doesn't want a pink parasol either.
(That's what Greta in the Sound of Music asked for.)
He wants to go see a girl in North Dakota.

New Age

2009-01-13T14:02:00.000-08:00

I am an amazing 56 today. For those of you who called, e-mailed, sent gifts and cards I had an amazing birthday too. Life is more and more the people who surround you and then comes the celebration. . . or are you the celebration. Most of you know what I mean.
Spoke with Gretchen at 1:00 PM today and she beat Josh at cribbage last night so she gets to pick the destination for a trip this weekend. I am voting she picks to chase him around the bed becuz I am a worrier and don't want her running around the country side and across borders in a car. I would feel better if she got on a train and went from point A to Point A. It is a mom thing in the world of events.
But I doubt my cribbage winning daughter will give this any consideration. (I am wondering if I was the only one who read the typos in her opening statement.)
Spoke with dad today (as I do everyday) who suggested I quit Real Estate. Where did that come from. Of course the job is dead and I am loving the support. For those who didn't know I did apply for an interview job before Christmas with Health care at dad's job but it doesn't look promising now does it?
Well we got six inches of snow last noc and now we are hitting a cold snap. The wind chill is really low but the fireplace works so nights are warm. Hope all are just as warm.
If anyone wants to "Blog" here I think it is open. Let me know if you cannot.
Otherwise I am not driving to NY as Greg has a BIG rental truck and dad installed a lot of basement shelves this weekend as we have heard we are inheriting more "Stuff." Dad was heard to comment that perhaps Greg could go through and get rid of some of his old stuff and I was about to declare dad as being febrile. We lived in Duluth on Fifth Street in 1993 before I convinced dad to toss his college notes (1975). He just thought one of you (his children) would want to read them one day. I saved a few children politely declining such a generous invitation. Just another reason I am so amazing!

Dad's amazing blogging adventure

2009-01-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

Gretzky and Josh; Mother assures me I can do this. I have never blogged, been blogged, desired to blog or thought I would blog. But look at me. Its well worth it(if by pure chance you get this). I read your journals Gretch and I second mom's impressions. You guys are facing this head on with the right attitude. I'm not sure it has entirely sunk in that you guys are really over there. I miss you both but it looks like we will be able to stay in close touch. Mother told me she signed up for a phone service to Germany that will allow you to call here with no cost to you. Also I hope that computer thing works out(Skyp?). I'm back at work. The first few days after a vacation are always a little challenging. Greg as you know is making plans for his transfer to Minneapolis. Mother is thinking about driving out to New York to help with some of the material transport back. Final plans haven't been made though. I had to meet with the cancer center administrator today. She asked me about time off in 2009....First on the list is a trip to Germany. As Gretchen knows I am not too good at this emailing thing. Blogging is probably similar. However, maybe I'll get more talkative as I get use to all this technology. Anyway I will sign off now; love you both and have you in my prayers every morning.....DAD

Lemonade

2009-01-07T10:02:00.001-08:00

Gretch and Josh,
I am very proud of your putting your arms around eachother and then this amazing (Germany) adventure. Your attitudes are going to haul your butts as far as you could have done with a team of cheerleaders and a full string of offense and defense just like a major team. I love the way you two are teaming this. Kiss eachother real hard. Marriage is a team effort and you two seem to get this.
I am so proud to say I am your mom!
Life has given you lemons and you have made lemonade!
You make me proud and I mean it!

2009-01-05T20:08:00.000-08:00

SO NOW I AM GOING TO E-MAIL THE GROUP AND ENCOURAGE ALL TO SET UP THEIR BLOG AS I AM LEARNING as I go.
I am upset the Army would get my kids to Germany and then think this mom would let Gretchen be sent to the Baumholder 'Solitary Confinement Housing' sans "a lot of sq waking from me."
The point to realize is they knew before all the household articles of personal possession were shipped and the car that if Gretchen returns to the CONUS (continental United State) the articles shipped are abandoned and as they cannot afford to ship them home are property of the Army. It is the PCS orders which allow for shipping expenses to be paid by the Army and as Josh is deployed then Gretchen returns to MSP the wedding gifts, car, etc,etc,etc stay. Sucks big...BIG

2009-01-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Gretchen the Army has no Intelligence so I e-mailed Barak and told him he needs to lead the way to see this debacle never happens to Mylea or Sasha. To whom it may concern; Mail the base commander of Baumholder @ COMMANDER, USAG Baumholder
UNIT 23746, BOX 3
APO AE 09034

2009-01-05T19:49:00.000-08:00

Testing the Blog ability and can I talk to G & J

Ron and Barb in Rapids

2009-01-05T06:41:00.000-08:00

Greeting from Ron and Barb in Rapids. This is our first attempt at Blogging. It is done to try to communicate with our Germany Children.