It's about 11:30 p.m. and I'm listening to a song by Hillside called "I Will Never Be the Same Again" as I wait for 2009 to become a reality (watching the ball drop isn't something that I normally do to bring in the new year). 2009 will hopefully bring events and people into my life that will change me for the better just like 2008 did. Looking back I think this year went pretty well. I accomplished some educational goals for myself, "grew up" a little bit more (we're always evolving), and learned a bit about how people can love as well as hurt you and how we as Christians should respond. Life for certain of my loved ones got better and no one died this past year like in 2006 when my dad dropped dead before I ever got to say goodbye. Even though I wrote a creative non-fiction piece about it that my writing teacher loved, I may never get over the finality of that, however, I'll try not to limit the Limitless one. I think I've moved beyond caring about things that I have no control over and hopefully can leave those things in God's hands. Probably the best thing that happened this year for me personally was receiving a deep blessing of God's love for me that I hadn't experienced for a number of years. Those of you that understand the depth of group prayer within the evangelical community will understand what I am sharing. If you don't catch my drift listen to the song (you can download it through YouTube). 2009 will be great because He's in it with me.

"You go girl!"

Up until yesterday I was the only college graduate in my family including seven cousins, one sibling and six adult family members. Karen just made it two by graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. It doesn't mean our family lacks in "smarts" but if you want it, go for it. Her major was Music Therapy which ironically was mine as well even though I changed mine by my sophomore year. Most people don't know what M.T. is and I won't go into what it all involves (check the WWW if interested) except to say that you need the knowledge and ability to play a multiple amount of instruments which is usually required if not encouraged. Needless to say we are very proud of her accomplishment and wish her the best in whatever area of expertise she endeavors.

It's a dog's Christmas (I mean life)

We are starting to get excited about Christmas since we are now past Thanksgiving. I'm not much for holidays since the order of my life becomes disrupted and there are SO many dishes to wash but things are settling down, there's snow on the ground, and the Christmas letter has been written and critiqued and is ready to send out. Fortunately we are all employed so there is enough overhead to buy something nice for each of my family members and the midnight mass will be celebrated soon which is one of my favorite services of the year outside of Easter Vigil. Tons of Christmas cheer and candy canes to all!

Camp Lebanon - one of my "favorite things"!

There's no "raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens" but Camp Lebanon is one of my favorite "things". It is located north of St. Cloud and is a year-round Christian camp and retreat center dedicated to providing a 'Meeting Place with God' for children, youth, families and adults. I go to quilt (sometimes). This time I started a quilt using Batik fabric called Log Cabin Windows. The camp averages at least 75 to 100+ women each weekend that come and quilt, cross stitch and scrapbook. I personally go to play cards and sleep on a hard mattress. Makes you appreciate your own bed back at home, otherwise you'd never leave, it's that great. Most of all I enjoy playing Hand and Foot with friends, a card game much like Canasta.

Who ever heard of Dickerson?

If you ever have missed hearing the UWEC - Blugold Marching Band you have missed alot. To answer the question, Randal Dickerson is the director of the one of the most active marching bands in the upper Midwest. They have a unique and highly energetic marching style, their music is not your standard band music but songs arranged by not only Dickerson but band members as well. With a total enrollment of 232 members (when he came in 2000 there were only 60 members in the band) the Blugold Marching Band is America's largest NCAA D3 marching band. Just returning from UWEC to see Karen perform with the band was something worth the 2 hour drive. Playing drums in my college marching band made it even more enjoyable for me personally, even though my experience doesn't even come close to the experience that Karen has had over the last 3 years. Thanks Karen for a great afternoon of a truly remarkable marching band led by a truly gifted director.
This is just the drumline when they performed at the close of the High School Band competitions held at the Metrodome this past October. Karen is 2nd in from the right on cymbals.

Yes, we are "cheeseheads" (at least every autumn)

We went on our annual fall vacation for a week (and no, that's not us). It's amazing to me how something that is the same every year can also be so interesting and entertaining. We always go to SW Wisconsin and drive down the Illinois side and take back roads because that is where the interesting and entertaining part comes in. This picture is of a Amish cart just outside of Cuba City, Wisconsin. Michael said that is a first for that area because the Amish tend to live in groups to support their lifestyle and he never had seen one so far south.

This picture is a Llama that is at a stop we make annually. Lots of animals and a building with all kinds of jams, apples, popcorn, etc.
We also make a point of visiting people as well like the neighbor that lived down the street from Michael's childhood home in Cuba City, a cousin that lives outside of the Quad Cities, a friend who lives in Tomah who has known us since we were single, and always a final stop to celebrate mass with Fr. Ken Fiedler at his parish in Madison and breakfast afterward. We always stay in a hotel in Hillsboro, Wisconsin on the first night and the last. It is a lovely little town with this one hotel, and a bike trail not far from there. The only "downer" is that our cell phones don't work unless you get about 45 minutes away in any direction. It's a real "deadzone" but the scenery is well worth it (you forget what clouds look like when you live in the city). We go home through different little towns one that's set atop some of the most scenic hills of SW Wisc. named Cashton. It's called "the heart of Amish country". Its surrounding townships are home to the largest Amish community in Wisconsin.
This picture is of one of the Amish farms and their harvested hay which is done by hand. Normally a machine does it and it looks like rolls.
We did alot of biking on the trip covering almost 30 miles total. The weather was fairly good except for one day. We had picked a trail that horses and ATV's can also ride on. Even though the rain had stopped, the trail was muddy which was complicated by some friendly ATV's riders that yielded to us but...(we had to powerwash the bikes when we got home). Thankfully we met no horses. My final picture is one of my personal favorites. Michael was in front of me and I can't believe it wasn't completely out of focus as I was riding the bike when I took it. We traveled 3 different bike trails throughout the vacation, and this was one of my favorites for scenery and interest overall. Makes one wonder why people want to live where the seasons don't change. Amazing.

Memphis Minus Elvis

This past weekend Northwest Airlines sponsored an overnight trip to the Memphis Zoo.
At first I thought it was a strange idea but after my visit to the Zoo I was extremely impressed and would recommend it to everyone even though we got there after 5:00 p.m. They had live bands, rides, a tram that took you all around the zoo sites, and a wonderful assortment of zoo animals including two pandas from China. All looked very well cared for amidst lovely grounds and walking paths. The architecture of the buildings was wonderful.

One of my favorite places was the building with all the alligators, lizards, and snakes. This picture is 11 year old Lola. She rests on this railing alot and they say it's one of her favorite places. They also let her roam the grounds (with assistance, I'm sure).
All in all we had a great time, stayed overnight at the nearby Holiday Inn and returned home the next day. One of my personal favorite times of the trip was visiting after returning to the hotel with Michael and one of his co-workers even though it was sooooo late. Thanks Jill! It was a personal favorite time. I definitely plan on returning sometime soon.