Where has the time gone?

Today is my second son's 31st birthday. It's funny no matter how many years pass by a mother can still tell you every detail of her labor and delivery of every child  that she has given birth to. Having a second child is very different from having your first.
Before giving birth to your first child you hear every horror story from all the women in your family about their experiences. They had me frightened...I was afraid of the unknown. But with the second child you're a little wiser. When I started my labor pains with Joey I didn't want to rush to the hospital like I did with my first, I wanted to stay home as long as possible and besides...my living room needed vacuuming. I also remember being so hungry, I was craving chocolate and because I ran the Winro Roller Rink concession stand my garage was full of boxes of candy bars. I remember eating Snickers between my contractions. 
Labor was not as long as the first time and I remember my son looking exactly like his father when he finally made his appearance. I told the nurse that I guess I needed to have a girl in order to have a baby look like me. She told me she has never heard a patient talk about having another child immediately after going through labor and delivery.
We weren't like the young couples of today in regards to picking out a name for the new baby. We didn't plan on a name ahead of time we waited until he was born. And for some reason he just looked like a Joey.  I know that probably sounds weird but that is exactly what happened.

Here's a couple old photos of some of Joey's past birthdays. This one is his first birthday celebrated in Casa Grande, Arizona. He's being held by his Grandma Schroeder and his older brother Eddie is also in the picture. Don't know what kind of face Eddie is making...my boys never liked posing for pictures.

 Here is another birthday, also celebrated at the house in Casa Grande. It's probably about his 4th or 5th birthday. What a happy, happy face on this special little boy.






Happy Birthday my dear. I love you more than words can say.

Winter arrived on schedule in Winneconne...

Yesterday was a reminder of what Winter in Wisconsin is all about. All the things about living here in winter came flooding back. For instance:

I remembered what it felt like to have that icy wind coming off the lake and hitting you in the face...it was breathtaking, and not necessarily in a good way. 

I remembered how important it is to dress in layers, many layers. 

I remembered that a short, three pound dog can't walk out the door into snow piled almost a foot taller than her. 

I remembered how to shovel.

I remembered to turn on the 4 wheel drive in the KIA before trying to back out of the garage.

I remembered to slowly pump the brake so I wouldn't go through the stop sign into oncoming traffic and

I remembered to carefully protect my camera while I took loads of pictures in the blizzard.

First my brother Mike came down this road to plow me and the other neighbors out, then another truck came down to plow us out...not quite sure who was in the second truck but I sure felt lucky that they both arrived so early in the morning because I needed to get to work.

The men in the Public Works department put in some long hours in the wind and cold cleaning off our roads, sidewalks and parking lots on days like today and they do a great  job. Thanks guys. When I arrived at work today I saw this huge pile of snow and took a picture to show you that it was as high as the roof on our post office...then tonight when I was leaving work I noticed that same pile of snow. It looked amazing under the street lights and I couldn't resist taking more pictures. What do you think?

There was a few more things that I remembered today...the good feeling of coming home, the good feeling of my soft Packer lounging pants and the good feeling that sitting in front of a blazing fire gives me. No better way to take the chill of the day away.

We'll Follow the Old Man Wherever He Wants to Go...

After that awaking blast of cold air in my face first thing this morning, it began to snow. Would could be more perfect on a day like today but to sit in front of a nice warm fire in the fireplace? Nothing, so that's exactly what I did. Thank God my nephew Eric came by yesterday with the log splitter to cut my logs into sizes that fit into my wood burning stove. His timing couldn't have been more perfect.

With the snow outside and the fire in the fireplace - wrapping Christmas presents while watching White Christmas was the thing to do. White Christmas - I can't watch it without crying. You'd think after watching that movie at least once every year of my life since I was about 10 years old I wouldn't get so emotional. I can recite just about every line of that movie... doesn't matter who's part I have it memorized. The army scene when the soldiers sing "We'll follow the old man..." and then again in the end when they sing it at the Inn, I sobbed uncontrollably. You listen and see if you don't get emotional.

 We'll Follow The Old Man

I remember as a kid my parent's owned a Precast Concrete Company and at Christmas time they always had a party for their employees and spouses. These parties began at our home on Guenther Street in our basement. It was my job on the night of these parties to greet people at the front door and take their coats and put them away. If I was lucky, White Christmas was the movie playing on Saturday Night at the Movies on television that night. It was perfect timing to watch this movie upstairs as the party was going on downstairs. And to make that night even more perfect and if I was really, really lucky it would begin to snow that night. Now you have to remember this was before 3-D, Blueray, DVD, VHS and even BETA recorders and players. That was in the days when you had to watch whatever was showing on TV at the time on one of the three local channels. There was no pausing, no fast forwarding and no rewinding. We were one of the fortunate families who owned a colored television and White Christmas was one of the few movies that was filmed in color. I fell in love with that movie back then and it has been a tradition in my immediate family every year since. My boys all know this is my favorite and last year they bought me my own DVD version. Only a few years have gone by in the past four decades when I wasn't able to watch White Christmas and that was because there was some kind of legal rights issue going on for a few years and the company that owned the movie wouldn't allow the movie to be rented or shown on television.

So I guess if any of you watched a movie over and over again every year for decades you'd be able to recite every word and sing along to every song. I wonder how many gallons of tears I have shed over this movie.

How many of you are White Christmas lovers?

White Shots + Schroeders = Hangover

Last night was Rob and Jenny's annual Christmas get-together, but it the first time I was able to attend. Except for Sami and Eddie the whole family who lived locally was able to make it. I'll have to admit I probably drank just a little too much. I was doing fine until the celebration shots began flowing. Some white concoction that tasted like bananas (Mike said it was like drinking suntan lotion) were the first shots, followed by another white concoction that tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch - which by the way I never liked! Had to fill my belly with snacks, chocolate and ham sandwiches to soak up all that alcohol...at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
When us Schroeders are together there is always a sing-a-long. This music and these sing-a-longs have been handed down from generation to generation in this family.  "Heart of my Heart" was the favorite selection of the evening and of course there were plenty of Christmas carols sung. What was amazing to me was how fantastic my brother Mike's voice is. He used to sing in the choir and musicals in high school but I'm not sure I've heard him sing alone before. He sang a beautiful rendition of Silent Night.

 

We all had a great time but I didn't get much sleep. I got home late, or really early depending on how you look at it, and I wanted to sleep in this morning  but that didn't mean that Bella was on that schedule. She woke me up after only a few hours sleep to go outside. When I let her outside high winds were blowing inland from the lake and nearly took the back door right out of my hand. Nothing like a cold blast of air first thing in the morning to wake a person up. And I had my first hangover headache in a long, long time. I know it was those damn white shots!

Thankful for my 3 1/2 men and dumplings with my turkey...

Thanksgiving Day here was wonderfully warm and sunny. I was able to talk to all three of my sons and any day that happens is a happy day for me. Funny, the older I get the more important simple things like a phone conversation with one of my sons means to me...and when I get to talk to all three on the same day it's as if I hit the lottery. So not only on Thanksgiving Day but every day of my life I am thankful for the 3 1/2 men in my life...Eddie, Joey, Jon and Aiden.

Eddie and I spent most of the day at the home of Brooke's parents the Domers. It was a day full of great food, some football and the most enjoyable game of BINGO that I ever played. This was the first time I met Karen and Randy Domer and some of their family - Heather, Chris, CJ, Bri, Bella and Will. And I want to thank them and Brooke for opening their home and hearts to make us feel so welcomed. 

Randy, Karen and I found out that we had a lot in common. We graduated from the same high school, lived pretty much in the same neighborhood growing up, went to the same dances during our summer breaks and we know a lot of the same people. If things would have worked out during the 1940's with Eddie's great aunt and Brooke's great uncle...the two of them would have been related. Wow. I truly believe in the six degree of separation - Six degrees of separation is the idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world. (wikipedia.org)

 And by the way, this was the first time I had dumplings with my Thanksgiving turkey. They were delicious and Eddie and Bella had a contest on how many they could eat, they tied, they each had three!!  The difference is Bella is only a five year old little girl.

My eyes, Bella's eyes and giving thanks...

I was so happy the other night to finally be able to have a fire in my fireplace. But the one thing that I forgot from just a few months ago (when I lit the last fire) was that I think I'm allergic to the wood that I'm burning or maybe it's the smoke either way my eyes just about burnt out of their sockets and watered for days afterwards. BUT did I learn my lesson? No. I just can't resist a nice warm fire burning on a windy, cold night...especially when I can stay up late and enjoy it because there is no work tomorrow. I will probably regret this in the morning when my eyes are swollen. Damn, I just thought of something now as I was writing this...I am having Thanksgiving dinner with Brooke's family tomorrow and it's the first time we are going to meet and my eyes will probably be swollen...what the heck was I thinking!

Thanksgiving this year will be a little different from the one I spent alone last year. I love my friends on the mountain because they all tried to get me to spend the day with them and their families but I was kinda busy feeling sorry for myself. This year I'm surrounded by my own family and extended families. The weather is going to be sunny and warm, warm for Wisconsin that is. I get to meet a new family and I think we will have a lot in common besides our children loving each other.

Let me tell you a few things that I'm thankful for.  My brothers - Mike and Jack who come to cut my grass, get rid of leaves, fix windows and anything else that I ask help with around this house. Bruce was the same way when I lived near him in Arizona. He would give up entire weekends to travel to Heber to help me paint my house. My sisters - Barb changed all her plans last Saturday to rush me and Bella to Denmark, Wisconsin to see a vet who specializes in eye care because Bella's eyes were injured. (and this is just one example of what Barb does for me)  JoAnn is my comic relief. She makes me laugh even when she isn't trying to. She is so like mom, she messes up words so badly that even when we are having a serious conversation she'll say such a wrong word but she thinks she pronounced it correctly that I can't hold back my laughter.  Mom's famous mess up was using condom instead of condominium. She used to always say that Eddie lived in a condom. God I miss her.

So tonight, the night before Thanksgiving Day I wanted to share with everyone that I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters.

First Fire, Bird Burial and Biggest Rack...

Tonight was a great change. I was home early, made dinner, did some laundry (I'm a woman so I can multi-task), made my first fire of the season in the fireplace and now I'm relaxing and watching Hulu. Found a new show to watch...Arrow. There's a new actor on this show, Stephen Amell and he is sure good to look at. Sometimes I think I'm looking at a young Tom Cruise and sometimes he resembles Chris O'Donnell...either way looking at him is good medicine for my tired eyes.

Remember those darn birds that kept flying down my chimney last summer? I could hear them flapping around inside my fireplace and when I stupidly opened the door one of them flew out and I had to chase it around the house. Well...evidently one didn't get out and I found it tonight in the belly of the fireplace. It was very stiff and disgusting and I had to remove it before I started the fire. Poor thing. I gave it a burial by sea...or in my case, by lake.

The Village is just about empty of the male species tonight. The big deer hunt starts at sunrise tomorrow morning. I'm sure they are all in their cabins, playing cards, drinking their favorite alcoholic beverage and just letting loose. It's a tradition in the Schroeder family for my two brother's cabins up near Eagle River, to get together on Friday night for a fish fry...then the cards, drinks and letting loose. This is something they plan for all year long.Tomorrow begins the big competition. Who will get the first deer? Who will get the largest deer? Whose deer will the biggest rack?   Us women folk will just have to wait and see.

Bird Poop and Deer Hunting...

When there is a wide windshield on a person's car, why does the bird always poop right at eye level on the driver's side? Why is it that when I finally decide to splurge on a full car wash because of the bird poop...it rains just enough to fill the potholes in my driveway with muddy water? Just wondering...

The drive home from work tonight was real slow on Highway 41. I couldn't believe all the cars traveling in the northbound lanes. I'm assuming it was mostly men on their way "up north" for opening weekend of deer hunting. Hunting in Wisconsin is like a religion. I remember when I was in high school the majority of the boys didn't even attend school the day before opening day of deer hunting. Things haven't changed much, there is no school tomorrow here in Winneconne. I guess the school system figured they'd make it a holiday since half of the kids had no intentions of showing up for classes anyway. The school system got smart.
Hell, I had to plan my first wedding around hunting and fishing seasons. I wanted a May wedding and we couldn't get married in the beginning of that month because of some sort of hunting or fishing. Thank God the end of May fit in that schedule. 

It's party time for all the hunting widows. There are all kinds of special shopping events scheduled for this weekend, specials at restaurants and of course all bars are advertising happy hour specials for the women who have been left behind.  I'm hoping to get to some craft fairs to begin Christmas shopping and then who knows where that will lead us. Barb wants a pajama party full of fattening foods and movies. Sounds like fun to me.

I ate venison many, many years ago back when I was a picky eater and I made up my mind ahead of time that I would hate it.  Since  then I have eaten and I love venison sausage and brats. I've been told that these don't really count since there is so much more than venison in them. So for a very selfish reason I am wishing my brothers, brother-in-laws, nephews, (one niece), cousins and friends a very lucky hunt. Bring home those big bucks because I'd like another crack at trying some venison that's not in sausage.

I'm on the H's, Jersey Boys and Buffalo Wild Wings...

You know a movie is going to be long when there is an intermission...I'm watching an old move, How the West was Won. I'm as far as the H's...if you read my blog regularly, you know what that means. Anyway, this is an old movie. I think every actor in it is dead, even the ones that were young when this movie was made and the acting is so, so bad, but it is a classic - a very long classic.

 I had another first experience last Saturday. I attended my first Broadway Musical...Jersey Boys. For my birthday Barb bought me tickets for the show in Madison. Actually I had two first experiences last Saturday, I've never been to our state capital, Madison, before either. We made a day of it. We sang Frankie Valli and the Four Season songs during the drive down there. Then we had lunch with our nephew, Connor. He was working at Buffalo Wild Wings near the University. We attended the show, took pictures of the Capital and then sang Frankie Valli and the Four Season's songs all the way home.

I don't think I was able to keep still the entire performance. I actually felt sorry for the poor man who had to sit next to me because I was constantly clapping my hands, keeping the beat with my feet or swaying from side to side, I accidentally hit him more than once, but he was very polite and acted like he didn't notice. I was smiling the entire time, no one or nothing was going to wipe that smile off of my face that night. I am already planning on attending the next musical...The Lion King will be in Appleton in April and Barb and I plan on going.

This performance was at the Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin. I didn't realize that you aren't allowed to take pictures (I suspected it but didn't see any notices.) So I got one picture with my phone before the usher was at my side telling me that no pictures were allowed.

We were pretty far up, but I didn't care I was just so happy to be there. This place was huge!

Connor's last day of work at Buffalo Wild Wings is today, just in time to come home to go deer hunting opening weekend with every other man in this family. I'm glad we got to see him before he quit. He's one handsome guy. And damn he's tall, didn't realize how tall until I stood next to him for this picture. And I was pleasantly surprised on how good our food was. I would highly recommend trying the bar-b-que chicken salad. But try to not go during a Wisconsin Badger's game unless you don't mind loud screaming during your entire meal. Go Badgers!

Sunrise over Lake Winneconne...

Just the other day I was wondering how a person, who lives alone, would know if their headlights or taillights were out on their car. Well I found out the answer to that question...live in Winneconne and the police will stop you. Yup, I got pulled over on my way home from work the other night. I couldn't figure out why I was being stopped, I'm always real careful about my speed driving through this Village and I usually can spot where the police are waiting. Well, I wasn't speeding and I never saw Ben in the police car until I saw the  lights flashing in my rear view mirror. All the worrying was for nothing,.. I just had a headlight burnt out. Next morning I was back at Leo's Filling Station getting a new light. AND it only cost me $12 to purchase it and have it installed. When I was at the Kia dealership in Flagstaff, they charged over $90 to replace a bulb by the time they got through charging me for labor! God I love living here.

It's funny how life turns out. I remember many years ago, when my mother was still alive we had a conversation regarding the property in Winneconne. My brother Bruce and I lived in Arizona, my other four siblings lived in Wisconsin and mom wanted to know if any of us were interested in living in her home in Winneconne, she really, really wanted the house to stay in the family. I told her I would never move back to Wisconsin to live and that the house really didn't mean anything to me...you see I never actually lived it this house. The house our family lived in on 10th Ave. in Oshkosh is the house that holds many good memories for me as a kid growing up. I was never too fond of the house on Guenther Street in Oshkosh. And the house in Winneconne was built after I moved to Arizona, so I had no attachment to it. And now look who's living in that house in Winneconne....me. It's just funny how a divorce, a death, a job position closing down and the strong need to be with family changes a person's mind.

Not a day goes bye that I don't think and sometimes talk to mom and dad. Everything in this house reminds me of them. I find myself thinking what would they do, or what would they think about something to do with the house or the property.

These pictures are for you mom and dad. The beauty of the sun rising over the lake was just one of the reasons you guys decided to build this home on Lake Winneconne. The place I now call my home.

First Cousins, Once Removed, Second Cousins?

First cousins

The children of two siblings.

Jeanne Schroeder Rupnick, daughter of my Uncle Milton Schroeder

  Kathy Drexler, daughter of my Auntie Marge Schroeder Drexler

 

 

 

First cousins once removed

Two people for whom a first cousin relationship is one generation removed.

Marilyn Schroeder VanHaren, first cousin to my father - daughter of my 

father's Uncle Mike Schroeder.

Second cousins

The children of two first cousins.

 Michael Patrick Schroeder (not my brother), grandson of my Grandpa Schroeder's brother Mike Schroeder.

Are you confused yet? Join the club, so am I. It's probably taken me 15 minutes to write these descriptions and I had to Google the descriptions because I wasn't even sure who was which kind of cousin and I had to draft a diagram...then I understood it...I think.

In the Schroeder family, family time isn't just for the six of us with our kids...it's for aunts, uncles, cousins,distant cousins and many times close family friends. My siblings and my first cousins Jeanne and Kathy got to meet a "new" cousin last night...his name might sound familiar because it's exactly the same name of my brother's name...Michael Patrick Schroeder.  Evidently, the two Mikes were in high school at the same time and heard of each other but never really knew if and how they were related. This is how he came to be at last night's party.

A month or so ago my sister Barb and I visited a cousin, Marilyn and her husband Roger in Beaver Dam to review some family tree pictures and documents. While we were talking Marilyn mentioned that she had a nephew(a second cousin to us) named Mike and he was a magician. My sister already was planning her husband's surprise 50th birthday day party and thought the idea of hiring a magician to perform the night of the party would be a great and different idea. Barb then told her daughter Sami about this idea. Sami went to work the next day at Staples where she is a customer service rep for the printing department, a man came in to order posters for his business...he was a magician. Sami told this man the story about how her family just found out that they had a magician in their family and her mother was going to have that man perform at a family party. You guessed it...the man was the Schroeder relative. A few phone calls between Mike and Barb and everything was planned. He was as excited to meet us as we were to meet him.

Mike put on a fantastic show for us and gave Milwaukee Mike a birthday performance that he will never forget. We were glad to welcome a new cousin to our "group" and hope to see much more of him at family functions.

Be careful what you ask for....

Do you know the saying "Be careful what you ask for"? Well, now I know what is meant by that. I have been asking for a job for months now and now I have many jobs. In the mornings I work at the Village of Winneconne, in the afternoons I work for the Winneconne Chamber of Commerce and in the evenings I work at FVTC. Some weekends I teach scrapbooking at Michaels Craft Store and I'm still teaching scrapbooking online for Northland Pioneer College. Oh yeah and I can't forget Memories in Bits and Pieces...my own business where I do professional scanning of your old photos and I'm a personal consultant for Heritage Makers.

Today is the last day of the Heritage Makers calendar sales..tomorrow I will tell you all about what special we are offering for the month of November. And dont forget, the last chance for online scrapbooking class for the Fall semester begins Tuesday, Nov. 6th so register today at 800-266-7845. Anyone anywhere can register for this class al long as you have a computer with high speed Internet service.

AND...for those of you who live in the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin. I will be at Michaels Craft Store near Appeton, Wisconsin this Saturday, Nov. 3rd from 10-noon for a demonstration on what to expect at my next card making class. See you there!

Remember Trick or Treat for UNICEF?

It's the night before Halloween and the neighborhood is covered with decorations of pumpkins, scarecrows, ghosts and witches. As a child growing up in Wisconsin Halloween was usually on the cold side and sometimes rainy but on Halloween night the miserable weather didn't bother us at all.
Most of us wore costumes we could find in our homes. We put together hobo outfits from some of our dad's old clothes, wiped charcoal on our faces and carried a tree branch with an Oshkosh B'Gosh handkerchief hanging off the end. Or we took an old, white bed sheet from our mother's linen closet and tore holes in it for our eyes so we could see where we were walking.
I remember we would rush through supper because we wanted to start trick or treating the minute it got dark outside. No one ever trick or treated in the daytime. We carried pillow cases to put all of our treats in and of course we carried our little cardboard container to collect money for UNICEF. Do they still have UNICEF?
The kids who attended Catholic schools were the luckiest trick or treaters because we never had school on November 1st - it's holy day of obligation and there was never school on a holy day. This meant that we could stay out as late as we wanted to on Halloween..and we did.
The popular treats were Tootsie Roll Pops and home made popcorn balls. If you got real lucky you'd find a house that gave out the full size Milky Ways or Baby Ruths (there were no little candy bars back then). My least favorite treats were those awful taffy style candies wrapped in orange and black paper, I can't remember what flavor they were but I remember not liking them. 

Letter Openers, Flight Simulators and Piles of Leaves...

A person doesn't realize how old they are until they work with a young person who has never touched a typewriter before! That happened to me yesterday...oh and it gets better...today that same young person helped me open mail and I suggested that they use the letter opener instead of tearing the envelopes...I was asked what a letter opener was and then I had to show them how to use it. This person is a college graduate and one of the most intelligent young people but just never worked in an office before. I was sure feeling my age.

A brighter side of yesterday, was something that happened to me at my second job at Fox Valley Technical College. The site where I work has an aviation program and recently installed two large flight simulators. I've been itching to get into one since they have arrived. Last one of our interns let me fly in the simulator. The entire thing moves, I even had to put a seat belt on and in case I got motion sickness he had a barf bag all ready for me to use...and just so you know I didn't need to use it. I took the controls, the feet petals were difficult for me but once I got up in the air I didn't do too bad with keeping the plane pointed at the horizon. I was surround by three windows with a view of Oshkosh and Lake Winnebago below me. He asked me if I wanted to make a loop, which I did. Then he asked if I wanted to flip the plane. I was hesitant but finally agreed. I felt myself actually going into a backwards flip. It was AWESOME!! Then it was time to land. NOT too awesome. I did land, but nose down into the grass short of the runway. Everything is computerized and then I got out of the simulated I got to watch myself as I tried to land. I fly so much and this was so real-like I actually kept thinking I had to sit still while we taxied on the runway to the gate. Thank you Joe for a fun experience that I will be talking about for a long, long time.

What would a day be without me taking more pictures? There are so many leaves on the ground that I can't even see the grass. Bella isn't too impressed with how deep those leaves are getting. At first she was afraid to walk on the leaves. She's getting use to them now and isn't quite as hesitant to go off the steps. But I just saw all the leaves as another photo opportunity.

I had forgotten the smell of freshly fallen leaves. If you've never experienced being in a pile of leaves in the fall of the year, you just wouldn't understand. I can't describe it but it's one of those scents that immediately releases all those childhood memories of playing in the leave piles when you were a kid. I remember we actually raked leaves and made play houses on the lawn with them. We'd section off rooms and everything. And then there was always piling the leaves as high as you could get them...stand a ways back...then run and jump into the pile. You'd have to pick the leaves out of your hair and off your clothes and then you'd grab that rake and start making the pile again. These kinds of activities kept us entertained for hours at a time. God, I loved growing up here in Wisconsin.

Two license plates, excellent customer service and time to PARTY!

About a month or so I received my temporary car license plates and I finally felt like I was officially a Wisconsinite again. Then a few weeks later I received my Green Bay Packer personalized plates...now I'm really feeling like an official Wisconsin resident. I was going to write that I was an official cheeshead again, but just because I moved to Arizona didn't mean I ever stopped being one of those.

I have always been a firm believer in supporting small town businesses especially since I became a small business owner myself. Well, today I have to tell you about the best customer service that I've received in a long time. I made an appointment at Leo's in Winneconne to have my oil changed on my KIA. I also asked them to check my vehicle's alignment because it seemed to be pulling to one side when I drove (actually I don't notice those things...my son who drove my car to Milwaukee noticed it for me) and I asked if they could put on my new license plates.  - Now before I go any further let me explain why I needed someone else to put on my license plates. - In Arizona you only get one license plate for you car, the plate for the back and I was able to swap that one out with the Wisconsin plate. But in Wisconsin they require two plates one for the back and one for the front. I went to put on my front plate and couldn't find any holes to put the bolts through. I had to call a KIA dealership and ask why...first the man didn't think I knew what I was talking about, then he looked it up and saw that since it was sold in Arizona the company didn't punch the holes in the front. - Now you know why I had to ask the man at Leo's if he could attach my front plate.  They changed the oil and the filter.They found my front tire was low on air because it had picked up a nail and that's what was causing the "pull" so a plug was put on and it was aired up. And they put on my license plate. My bill was less than $35 for everything including labor! And attaching the plate was free. Thank you guys.

I'm a little excited tonight because a good friend from my days at Lourdes High School, is traveling down from the UP tomorrow for a weekend visit. Since we were freshman in high school Nikki and I have been friends. Our birthdays are only a few days apart and back then we always celebrated them together. We lost touch with each other and moved to different states but about 10 years ago we reconnected. Since then we have never gone a year without wishing each other Happy Birthday either in the mail, on the phone or through the Internet. Well, this weekend Nik and I will celebrate our birthdays together in person for the first time in about 40 years. Thank God for long, lasting friendships.

Art from the Barn, Foote Brothers and Bella Shivers...

Last Saturday I spent the day with my older sister, Joann. We traveled down old country roads in the area taking pictures of the trees adorned with their Autumn colors. Today I spent the day with my younger sister, Barb. We started the day going to an annual art and craft sale called Art from the barn. It was located in the country between Oshkosh and Omro, Wisconsin and it was in a big, red barn. I was able to begin my Christmas shopping. Can't tell or show you pictures...that would ruin someone's surprise.

The reason we decided to be in this particular rural area today was because I saw a photo on one of my facebook group pages - Oshkosh: A remembrance of both Past and Present - and it peeked my interest. It was a photo of a place called the Foote Brothers Mansion in Eureka, Wisconsin.

So I Googled it and this is some of what I found:
The mansion was an1850's "mirror mansion" built by identical twins Argalus Isaac and Augustus Ira Foote. It was speculated to have been an undergroung railroad site and  a site for Al Capone's still. The brothers were born in 1817, and shared a deep brotherly love throughout their life. It's been said they had a double wedding, Argalus married Adelia, and Augustus married Anna, making a complete foresome of "AF" initials. So close they were, after moving from Massachusetts in the early 1850's, they had constructed a home for two families. One side of the house was the mirror image of the other side just like the brothers themselves. It is said that they furnished their sides the same and that the interior decorating was of the highest quality. (for more information go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/31711092@N05/2971127373/)
My sister and I drove until we found this house. It was so sad to see it in such shambles. The picture above must have been taken in winter or early spring before there were leaves on all the trees. This time of the year we could hardly see the house from the road because the full leaved trees hid it well.
The stories these wall could tell....Here are some pictures that we got today.

The weather really cooled down the past couple of days. Very crisp outside, actually very crisp inside this house. I just don't want to turn on the furnace yet because the thought of the high propane bill every month makes me sick. But if Bella doesn't stop shivering soon I will have to. The poor little thing has no meat on her bones and the few teeth that she has left in her mouth are chattering. Thank God for electric blankets!

Heritage Maker's Calendars

This month's special at Heritage Makers is the perfect Christmas gift. Every family member would love this...mothers, grandmothers, aunts - everyone loves our calendars especially when they are personalized with photos of their loved ones. We have two sizes of calendars 8.5X11 and 11X16. Both sizes are 10%  off of their regular price but only for the month of October. Go to my website, open your free account and search for templates of calendars. www.memoriesin.com

Keep in mind that Heritage Makers is different from all other calendar making companies...you get me, you very own personal consultant. I am here to help you get started. Please contact me.

CPAP machines, Leon's and chainsaws....

I am part of a Facebook group where I post every day what I'm thankful for it's called Positivity on Purpose. I think it does help me stay positive...everyone should try it. Today I woke up being thankful, I didn't even have to get out of bed and I was already thinking about what I was going to write about.
I use a CPAP machine every night to help me sleep (best thing they ever invented). The only problem is I can't wear it when I've got a cold or my sinuses are acting up. So for the past week I haven't been able to use my machine and it's been one miserable night after another. That was until last night, I slept well, never woke up until morning and felt so completely rested. Wow, amazing how just a little thing like that can make me so thankful.

I spent the weekend driving around this area looking for things to photograph. I took some good shots of old barns, trees with vibrant fall colors, little rural churches, cemeteries, cows and just about anything else that caught my attention. Saturday was the perfect "taking picture" day. It was sunny, not too warm but not too cold and it wasn't windy. I swear everyone was outside doing something. They were all taking advantage of the good weather.

My first stop was to pick up my sister, JoAnn. She had agreed to keep me company on this "adventure". We went to North Park (Menominee Park to some folks). This shot is of the harbor where the sail boats are waiting to be put away for the winter. If you look real close you can see the sea gulls sunning all along the dock.

After the park and before we got to the rural road that we wanted to be on, we had to drive past Leon's, a famous Oshkosh drive-in restaurant. Now if you were raised in Oshkosh you understand why we had to stop. They have been serving hot beef sandwiches the same recipe and the same way for 65 years! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Leons-Frozen-Custard   JoAnn, as a teenage was a carhop at Leon's. It was like a magnet for my car, it drew us right in as we were driving down the street. The carhops were wearing their hot pink poodle skirts, saddle shoes and had pony tails. Just writing about this is making me drool for another sandwich.

Anyway, once our stomachs were full we ventured out of Oshkosh towards the rural areas to the northwest. This pictures is of a trail used by people who want to take long walks, bicyclists and horseback riding...maybe snowmobiling in the winter months. JoAnn told me that she thought this trail went from Oshkosh to Appleton. If you look real close you can see two people bicycling under an archway of trees and another couple in the background walking. Many were taking in the late September beauty of the trail.

We heard the sound of chainsaws cutting and tree branches falling. We saw pick-up trucks being loaded with leaves and debris. Jet skis and boats were being cleaned up and covered for the season. Farmers were in their fields baling hay .And there were wagons full of pumpkins and gourds being sold on every corner. What truly amazed me was the pride that people in this area take in the appearance of their yards and homes.I took this picture in the Town of Winneconne. But I could have stopped hundreds of times to take similar pictures. If I haven't said it yet today, let me tell you...I love being back here in Wisconsin.

Happy Birthday Mom...and cannibal sandwiches

                                              Happy Birthday mom. We sure do miss you.

This is one of my favorite pictures of mom on her birthday. It was taken in our kitchen on Guenther Street in Oshkosh September 25, 1972. Remember back then when we used 35 mm cameras with real film? We had to wait until we used up all the film before we would take it to the local store to get it developed. Depending on how many pictures we took or could afford to get developed it might be months before we saw what we took a picture of. And then we had to settle for whatever kind of shot we took. (there were no do overs) Until you got the prints you didn't know if people had their eyes closed, or if their faces were shadowed by a tree or if the picture was blurry because someone was moving at the time the picture was taken. Well, I felt I got lucky on this picture. Even though odds weren't in my favor since the brightness of the sun was coming in through the window behind mom, I still got her face. I just fell in love with how the picture seemed to have a warm glow about it. I thank God we now have digital cameras, but I still own the camera that I used to take this shot - an Argus/Cosina STL1000. I have no idea if they still make film anymore (they must) and I'm sure I don't remember how to use it. For grins some day maybe I'll get it out and try it.

Monty, man who worked for Precast Concrete Specialties Inc. for 35 years before he retired passed away and his funeral was today. My sister JoAnn and I visited the family at the local funeral home to pay our respects. We represented the entire Schroeder family since none of our siblings were able to attend.
When my mom and dad owned their businesses they ran them as if everyone was a family member. I remember the Christmas parties that they gave. They were a true party in every sense of the word. In the early years the parties were in our home in the basement, complete with food, plenty of drinks (in some cases too many drinks), music and always sing-a-longs. In later years they were at the Friendly Bar and then Winro Supper Club, both in Omro, Wisconsin. We actually had live bands play at those places and danced all night long. Well, Nancy, Monty's wife brought up her memories of the Christmas parties. She remembered them as if they just happened and these parties began 45 years ago. The thing she remembered and loved the most were the cannibal sandwiches that my dad served. She evidently grew up eating these sandwiches and she said she always had a soft spot in her heart for my father because he was so down to earth and served cannibal sandwiches at the company Christmas parties. If you are from the old German heritage you should know that a cannibal sandwich consisted of. If you're not from this heritage here's the recipe:

Cannibal Sandwich Recipe

• lb. raw ground round - Very Lean hamburger
• couple eggs
• onion - chopped
• salt
• pepper

• rye bread with the seeds

How To Prepare Cannibal Sandwich

Place Raw ground round in a bowl
Add eggs, onion, salt and pepper
Mix ingredients together
Spoon onto a slice of rye bread, just like you would tuna fish. Put another piece of rye bread on the top and you are done.

Nancy was genuinely happy that we came. I don't think younger people understand how important funerals and visitations are. You don't go for the deceased, you go for the family left on this earth. I remember both my parents' funerals and we were so blessed to have so many people attend. I loved hearing all the stories that they shared with us. Some of the stories we never heard before. It's nice to hear how other people viewed your parents. The six of us have remembered these stories and some we have repeated many times.

Canvas sale only a few days left...

I am rediscovering how trustworthy people can be. For instance, with Autumn almost here the pumpkins and gourds are being harvested. In this area I drive through small communities all the time to and from work. I see carts filled with pumpkins of all sizes...no salesperson...just pumpkins with a sign stating how much each pumpkin costs. Along side the pumpkins is a cash box or can for you to place your money. Now come one...seriously...tell me how many of you have seen this where you live? I haven't seen anything like this for 30 years. And of course for you that know me, I had to stop to take some pictures.

As much as I love the month of May with the blooming lilacs, I will have to admit the month of September is becoming my new favorite month. People in this area are telling me the changing colors of the trees is early this year because of the early spring that Wisconsin had followed by the very warm and dry summer months. I'm loving these oranges, reds, and golden colors.

See what you can do with these colors? Here is just one example of an 8X20 canvas that is still on sale for a few more days this month. You can make your own in a matter of minutes. www.memoriesin.com

Fog hides my lack of clothes...

The past couple of days have been perfect examples of what people mean by "Fall is in the air".  Early mornings are bringing in the fog over the lake, fog so thick that I can't see much past the shoreline. I was up early the other morning to let Bella out and I heard  an odd sound. It was a rhythmic splashing noise and when I looked up I saw him, a man paddling by the house in his canoe. I don't think he saw me, at least I hope he didn't, because once again I wasn't dressed appropriately to be outside. I keep forgetting that even though I have no neighbors right now on dry land, I am pretty close to a public waterway. That didn't stop me from running into the house to get my camera though.

As soon as I was done snapping this shot I heard men talking and they sounded like they weren't too far away, but because the of the fog being so thick I couldn't see anyone. So, even though I was very inappropriately dressed, I followed their voices. I tiptoed to the back of the garage where our boat landing is...and I finally could see them... two men in a fishing boat. They had no clue I was watching them and I could hear every word they were saying. I don't think people realize how their voices carry across the water when everything else is so calm. I had to hurry to get some pictures taken because the sun was rising and the fog was beginning to lift and I didn't want to be discovered outside with what I was wearing.

The Autumn sun comes out and it is very deceiving. Yesterday, when I did get dressed, I put on a sleeveless top and my capris. I took one step outside and the crisp, Autumn breeze sent me right back into the house to put on jeans (for the first time in a very long time) and a light weight sweater. (I know this information is going to be shocking to Donna and Mandy)
The days are getting shorter and as much as I like the Fall weather, the short days sadden me. It's a reminder that Summer is really over and I've always hated to say goodbye to Summers. Every day it's getting dark out earlier and earlier. I really notice it since I work 4pm -7pm  because when I began this job four weeks ago I didn't have to turn my lights in my car to drive home and now I do.
September 22nd is the official first day of Fall this year. So Mother Nature is right on time. I've enjoyed my first full Summer back here...now it's time for another season of living in Wisconsin...Fall.

I Remember...

Today is a day of reflection for me. Whenever I hear anyone talk about 9/11 I immediately find myself remembering every move I made early in the morning on 9/11/2001.  It was very early in the morning in Arizona and I turned on the morning show, Good Morning Arizona, like I did every morning while I got ready for work. I heard the commotion on the tv and saw a fire, then I saw an airplane slam into a very tall building and within minutes both towers came tumbling down. I could hear the fear in the announcers voices. I ran upstairs and woke up my son and made him come downstairs with me to watch the news. We sat still and quiet watching in disbelief as they showed the planes crashing into the buildings over and over again. I remember thinking to myself that since I lived in a small remote town in the mountains of Arizona we would be safe from any attacks. I worried about my family who lived in larger metropolitan areas. For the first time ever, at least in my lifetime, I felt unsafe in the United States. The fear of the unknown is the worst fear on earth. I prayed then and I pray now for all the lives lost that day and all the families who loss their loved ones.

There are certain events in my life that I can recall as if they just happened. I remember where I was, who I was with and what I was doing. I remember the day when the news came that John F. Kennedy was just shot and killed, I remember watching man take his first steps on the moon,  I remember the day Elvis died, I remember Princess Diana's death and I remember watching New Orleans get demolished by Katrina. So how come I couldn't remember where my glasses were this afternoon...looking for them almost made me late for work.

Butterfly Dance...

I have a friend her name is Vermetta and she part of the Hopi tribe in Northeast Arizona. Vemetta is the Center Manager for the Northland Pioneer College Hopi Center and I was the Center Manager for the College's Heber Center. We worked together for years.
Recently her niece performed in their yearly Butterfly Dance up on the Hopi Reservation. Of course I didn't know what that was so I looked it up and this is what I found...

Hopi Summer Traditions

The Hopi Butterfly Dance

The Butterfly Dance takes place in August and early September. The main participants are Hopi youth and young adults who are accompanied by a chorus of singers comprised of dads, uncles, brothers and in-laws of the dance participants. It is a beautiful dance and one full of color, splendor, meaningful song lyrics and contentment. Up to a hundred or more pairs (girl, boy) of dancers fill the village plaza.
Maidens wear an elaborately painted headdress made for them by their dance partners. This headdress or "kopatsoki" as it is called in Hopi becomes a keepsake for the Hopi maiden once the dance has concluded. Their black mantas are adorned with turquoise beads and pins and hand woven sashes.

The boys wear loosely fitting velvet shirts that flow in the summer breeze and handsome kilts that are embroidered with cloud and rain symbols. Like most Hopi ceremonies, the Butterfly Dance is a petition for rain, good health and long life for all living things. The dance also recognizes the butterfly for its beauty and its contribution in pollinating plant life.
 http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/hopisummer/hopisummer2.shtml

This is a picture of her niece, Krissy standing next to her partner. The colors are vibrant and beautiful. I watched a group perform this dance on a youtube video from a couple of years ago. You really need to watch it to appreciate how wonderful it is that this tradition is still being handed down from generation to generation. In Arizona last week it was still in the 100's and that ground they are dancing on has to be extremely hot. Notice the young women are barefoot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCee1rmdzRs&feature=channel&list=UL

Thank you Vermetta for the pictures and allowing me to share some of the Hopi culture on my blog.

No more white shoes until next Easter...

As a kid Labor Day meant the end of sleeping in late every morning because school always started the next day; it meant the end of swimming at Pollack Pool for the season because it was no longer hot outside; and the end of wearing white shoes until next Easter and I have no idea why. It was always a sad time of the year for me.

When I moved to Arizona none of these things were associated with Labor Day. Since schools were in session already in August my boys and I were up early every morning long before Labor Day; where I lived in Arizona they didn't have a public pool but plenty of private swimming pools and they were open year round in the hot desert climate; and I don't think they even knew there was a "rule" that you weren't suppose to wear white shoes between Labor Day and Easter.

I've always been curious on that white shoe rule so I Googled it and this is what I found:

In many parts of the United States, a rule about not wearing white after Labor Day, which takes place  on the first Monday in September, is heavily ingrained. The roots of the idea that people should not wear white after Labor Day appear to be shrouded in mystery, and the rule has been greatly relaxed since the 1950s and 1960s, when it was more heavily enforced. People who choose to wear white after Labor Day are no longer heavily criticized for the choice, and are sometimes embraced as fashion forward trendsetters.
The most common confusion about the rule which forbids people to wear white after Labor Day is what garments, exactly, are involved. Originally, the restriction applied only to white dress shoes and pumps, which are unsuitable for winter weather anyway. At some point, the rule was extended to white clothing, but it was in fact always acceptable to wear “winter white” clothing in cream and other off-white colors. Winter brides have also always been allowed to wear whatever they please. http://www.wisegeek.com/why-are-you-not-supposed-to-wear-white-after-labor-day.htm

So now I'm just as clueless on this rule or non-rule as I was before I researched it. Growing up in Wisconsin it was just a "rule" that we all followed and never questioned why. Does this bring back memories for anyone else out there?

Now that Labor Day is gone we are coming up on Halloween and I have the perfect fun project for you to make.

        This is just one more sample of what you can design with one of our 8X20 wrapped canvases.
                                                                      www.memoriesin.com

Can it rain inside a house?

September is suppose to bring cooler weather but that wasn't the case today. The forecast said the high today was going to be in the low 80's. At one point the thermometer outside read 93 degrees! And it was so muggy I was beginning to wonder if it's possible to rain inside a house. Is it?

Because it was so hot and humid it probably wasn't a good day to decide to do some heavy house cleaning...but I did. It just needed to be done and I've been procrastinating long enough. But it was so worth it. When the house is clean, decorated for the next season and somewhat organized I feel great. I found myself walking from room to room and just smiling with gratification.

Since all of this was done before noon I had the rest of the day to do things I really wanted to do. First I took a shower with my favorite lilac soap made by my good friend Sandy then I read magazines, cut coupons, played Words with Friends, cut some more long stem red roses from my garden, and ordered my favorite scent of sachets - Pear Spice by Fresh Scents. There aren't too many scents that I like but then I discovered these sachets. I've loved having them all around my house ever since. These sachets are only available in the Fall so I ordered a bunch so I could use them all year. Pear Spice is mixture of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg in a vanilla base and of course pear. (But don't tell my co-workers at NPC because I've always told them I hate the smell of vanilla...and I really do... so I was shocked to hear that this sachet has a vanilla base.) If you want to check them out go to www.freshscents.com

And now for this month's special...

 All 8X20 wrapped canvases are 10% off for the month of September. You can design your canvas from a blank canvas or you can use one of our many templates...or if you prefer I can design a canvas for you.

How adorable is this one? Do you have children or grandchildren that you could put on your own canvas? This would make a perfect Christmas present. Call me today 920-420-0463 or start your own FREE account at www.memoriesin.com

 

Winneconne's unique bridge...

We have something in Winneconne that is truly unique, the Winneconne bridge. It is unique because it is the only bridge in Wisconsin on a State Highway that is legal to fish from.

Many bridges have spanned the Wolf River during Winneconne’s history. The 849 foot distance has been home to a float bridge, built by J.D. Rush in 1853. This first bridge provided a thrilling crossing when it sometimes sat below the water on a windy day. The second bridge was built in 1871, it was a wooden draw bridge paid for by the village and the town of Winneconne at a cost of $20,000. Later an iron structure replaced it. In 1936 the current drawbridge opened to welcome the passage of larger vessels. For more history on the bridge you can go to http://www.winneconnewi.gov/historical/history/history.htm

I have always loved this draw bridge. It doesn't bother me one bit to be stopped on the bridge as it is raised to allow a large boat to travel from one side of the river to the other side. That is precisely what happened yesterday on my way back from from the store...and I just happened to have my camera with me.

This time the bridge wasn't raised for a large boat, it was raised to allow passage of a barge carrying a high crane. Here you can see the drawbridge raised and to the right you can see how high that crane was.

This is the barge now on the other side. The guy driving this thing did an amazing job. He had to park it next to a dock and in order to get into that "parking space" he had to back this barge up and then go forward again. He did this with great ease and I was surprised on how fast the barge could move. As I sat in my car waiting for the bridge to go down again and watched this barge move I thought...God, I can't even back up and go forward into a parking stall at the grocery store with my little KIA this easily!

For those not familiar with how draw bridges work, it's easy. As you are coming up the river, or down the river and you need the bridge opened...you blow your horn...the person in the little building on top of the bridge then stops all traffic going across the bridge and opens up the draw bridge. It's that simple. Remember the famous Christmas movie with Jimmy Stewart, "It's a Wonderful World"? When "George" jumps from the bridge and is all wet and cold he is taken into the little building on the bridge. Remember that part? Well, the little building is just like that.

Why am I telling you all of this? It has been decided that the draw bridge has to go. Either the new bridge will be finished in 2017 or they begin to build it in 2017 (I can't remember which). I have seen drawings for the new, higher bridge. It will run parallel to the existing bridge and there will be no fishing from this new bridge. However, to keep the fishermen happy, there will be a nice area built lower, closer to the water and way from traffic so they can still enjoy catching their dinner.

I am kind of sad, but I understand the logic and need for a higher bridge. Our emergency vehicles, fire, ambulance and police are all located on the west side of the bridge. When any of these services need to get to someone or some place on the east side because of an emergency call and the bridge is raised they lose minutes of precious time. I wouldn't want to be the person on the wrong side of the bridge waiting for paramedics to arrive to save my life while they are stuck waiting for a boat to go through the draw bridge.

My only hope is that my grandson Aiden will be able to see the bridge work at least one time before the new one is built. So everyone, enjoy our draw bridge this summer and fall because we won't have it much longer.

 

Another happy customer...

Two more happy people because of an awesome Heritage Maker's canvas. This 8X8 canvas was made for the new grandparents and given to them as a gift.

Mary Lou -

Attached is the picture of Ed & Jeanne when we gave them the canvas of their 1st granddaughter, Violet.  Jeanne was so happy with it she wanted to take it with her when she went to visit her daughter, Violet's mom.  Ed said that was fine as long as you also bring it right back!  The canvas is now proudly displayed in their living room and they comment often how much they appreciate the care and quality of the canvas.  I think that they will be contacting you for more items as Violet grows up.  Thanks for all your help in giving our friends such a treasured gift!

Sandy

Our canvases come in many different sizes and are made with high quality materials. Christmas will be here before you know it and one of our canvases would make a perfect gift that would last a lifetime.

Contact me if you'd like me to design one for you. www.memoriesin.com