Leap Year, dead woman calling, and Davy Jones...

February 29th...I only get to write that date once every four years so I'm making the most of it today. I had a funny thing happen to me when I was in Wisconsin. I had told you that my niece put her contacts in my new cell phone, forgetting that I'd be able to see all her information, anyway, I hadn't installed my Hello Mary Lou song yet as my ringtone so my phone had a quiet generic ring...it kind of sounded like a harp...my phone rang (harp like music) then the caller id said my mom was calling...I freaked out for a second because mom has been dead for 4 years now, I thought she was calling me from heaven. After the initial shock I burst out laughing because I remembered it was Sami's contacts on my phone and I then realized that it was Sami's mom calling me. On a sadder note I just read that Davy Jones of the Monkeys died. I've been humming the song Hey, Hey we're the Monkeys ever since I've heard the news. I remember how I use to wait all week for that show to come on the tv so I could watch it...that was long before DVD recorders, and reruns. If you missed the show when it aired the first time you didn't get another chance. I liked all four of the Monkey's, Davy was probably the cutest but I always had a "thing" for Mickey. Which one was your favorite?

Computers and Scrapbooks Tips #8

How to use Microsoft Word

8. Clip Art – On the program menu select INSERT, the PICTURE, and CLIP ART to add an image to a document.  Size the image by dragging your mouse at the corner (Do not make your image larger than a standard 8X11 ½ “ page for compatibility with standard printers.) Print a copy and cut it to make a diecut for your page.

I have a loose screw...

Yesterday was my six month check up after my neck surgery. One of the six bolts is still not fusing to the bone as fast as the doctors would hope. Or as my family puts it...I have a screw loose. So I am stuck wearing the heavy stimulator around my neck for at least another three months! I took my time enjoying the warm weather in Phoenix before I began my trip up the mountain. This is how my traveling back and forth between two states always goes..I begin in the mountains of Arizona where I live at about 6700 feet elevation so the winters are just a little milder than Wisconsin winters; I drive about 2.5 hours down the mountain to Phoenix to the airport; after 3.5 hours in the air I arrive in Milwaukee where I begin another drive to Winneconne which takes about 2 hours. So I go from snow and cold, to hot and sunny, to snow and cold and back again. I have become an expert on dressing in layers. I've also become an expert on going through airport security with my neck brace and stimulator around my neck. I feel as though I personally know the TSA people. I ordered over 200 pictures from Walgreens Photo online last night. They had a coupon for $20 off any order over $40, so I got my order for half price! Mandy and I are planning some hands-on scrapbooking this weekend. We are going to scrapbook for two solid days this coming weekend. Since I don't have any supplies here in Arizona, (mine are all in Wisconsin) Mandy has agreed to share her scrapbooking supplies with me. That is one of the golden rules that a scrapbooker follows...share your supplies. I plan on teaching scrapbooking when I get to Wisconsin so I need to make some samples to show off some new techniques. I love my digital scrapbooking and teach those classes also, but sometimes I just need to feel the paper, search for just the right embellishments and hold those scissors in my hand. 

Don't forget.. my classes begin March 6th

Learn how to scrapbook digitally from the comfort of your own home. March classes begin March 6th and are every Tuesday in March from 6pm-7pm Arizona time. All you need is a computer and fast speed Internet connection. Call today to register and come join us in scrapbooking FUN!

Change in weather, Phoenix Zoo and the Academy Awards...

Who would have thought in 3 hours time I'd go from cold, windy Wisconsin weather and enjoying sitting in front of the fireplace - to hot, sunny weather in Arizona wishing the air-conditioner would be colder in the car? Today we took Aiden to the Phoenix Zoo. What a great experience. I have to be honest, I use to hate going to the zoo but taking Aiden and watching him talk to the animals as if he knows them,  is pure enjoyment for me. (Amazing how grandkids can change the way you look at things.) He watches the movie, Madagascar often, so instead of saying he wants to see the lion he says he wants to see Alex and then he shouts "hello Alex" when we get to the lions. He did the same to the zebras and giraffes. I haven't walked that much in a long, long time...probably before my neck surgery last August. The sun was relentless today so my lips are dry and my shoulders and cheeks are burnt. Hopefully that burn will turn into tan by tomorrow. I needed a little color on my face anyway. My friends up on the mountain will be jealous. We loaded Aiden up on sno-cones, ice cream sandwiches, suckers and cotton candy. He ran around and played so much with the other kids that all that sugar couldn't keep him awake, he was sound asleep before we got out of the zoo parking lot. I want to thank Aiden's other grandma, Sarah for allowing me to spend the night at her place and I want to thank Mandy for taking me to the zoo on her season pass. Just got through watching the Academy Awards with Jon, Marina and Coy. I am way, way behind on movies and new actors. I don't get the chance to see many movies until they are on Netflix. So I didn't know most of the movies or actors that they were talking about tonight...sorry. But the gowns were beautiful....they were much more classy this year and I loved the ones with the trains. And Brad Pitt and George Clooney are always good on the eyes.

Internet connections, cheap flights and slept with my man...

It's amazing how we rely on things like the Internet these days. Last night I couldn't blog because I couldn't get an Internet signal from the house that I was staying in so I couldn't write my blog. A few years ago I wouldn't have known what a blog was or wouldn't have dreamed of owning a laptop to take with me everywhere I went. M,y how times have changed.
Flew back to Arizona last night and luckily got in first class again. Since Jon works at the airlines I get to fly for the cost of taxes anywhere that  I want to go. A flight from Milwaukee to Phoenix cost me $31.20 and for an extra $20 I have the chance of getting a first class seat if there is one available...and last night was one of those times. Alcoholic beverages in real glass glasses are included, as well as pillows and blankets. They come around with warm, white fluffy wash cloths for you to wipe your hands before your full course meal. Last night was a salad, roll and tortellini and for a little extra..apple slaw and chicken breasts. Then for dessert a slice of turtle cheesecake... which I declined since it is lent and I never eat sweets during lent.
I got to spend the night with my favorite little man, Aiden. Early in the morning he decided to join me on the couch and then proceeded to knee me in the stomach and whack me across my nose with his skinny little arm. He was sound asleep, but I didn't get much rest after all of that.

Friday Fish Fry

It's Friday in Wisconsin and that means it's time for a Friday Fish Fry. Ask any Wisconsinite what is on the menu on Friday night and the answer is most likely going to be some kind of fish. Usually battered fish with tartar sauce and sides of french fries, coleslaw and rye bread. At Winro everything for our fish fry was homemade, no store bought items on Friday nights. I still have the recipes for the tartar sauce, coleslaw and rye bread in my recipe box.  

Geese are back, animals are still alive and I finally know how to make a fire...

I heard a familiar sound coming from the sky today, a flock of geese. It's only February and I haven't been in Wisconsin this time of year for 30 years but I think this is kind of early for them to be back...I'm sure my Wisconsin family and friends can let me know about this. It's been one of the warmest, driest winters that many have seen in years.The farmers aren't too happy about the lack of snow. I'm relaxing by a warm, roaring fire tonight.There is just something about sitting around a fire and smelling that wood that makes me feel cozy. I've been trying to make fires in this stove since Christmas time and tonight is one of the first nights that I was truly successful, it's almost Spring and I finally got the hang of making fires. My sister is back home and I'm proud to say that none of her animals died on my watch. Yay!! I will see Aiden this weekend. We will probably go to the Phoenix Zoo. I heard it was suppose to be warm and sunny and Mandy wants to get a start on her tan. Since I only have jeans, long sleeve shirts and boots...I think I'll have to shop for other clothes before I visit the zoo.

Lost Dogs, Potato Chowder and Goodbyes...

Started the day by losing two of the dogs! Before the sun came up I had to drive up and down the road calling their names. Michael then started up the 4-wheeler because they always come running when they hear that, except for today. We finally had to leave for the barn and school so the responsibility fell on Sami to find those two. They wandered back home around 8am, then I was told by both kids that those two dogs do this all the time. I wish someone would have filled me in on this information sooner I was a wreck thinking I lost two of my sister's dogs. Eddie and I went to mass at noon at St. Raphael's in Oshkosh. I couldn't believe the number of people in church, what a wonderful sight. It was a great beginning to the lenten season. We then went to lunch and had some of the best potato chowder that we ever ate. If you're in Oshkosh you have to try Friar Tuck's for their great soups and sandwiches. I said goodbye to all the critters in the barn tonight. Took a picture for you all to see where I've been spending every morning and every evening for the past five days. Of course I forgot my camera again so I used my new phone. And speaking of new phone...don't forgot I have a new number 920-420-0463.

Fat Tuesday, warm weather and cats....

I have got to remember to take my camera to the barn tomorrow. I keep missing some cute shots of the cats...oh did I forget to mention there are also a half dozen cats that I'm taking care of along with the three horses, two ponies, three dogs...and in the house some fish, turtles and two snakes! The cats are not friendly and won't allow me to get close but they do look cute.Yesterday  I questioned my niece on whether she was cold with her lacy tights and shorts on...I thought it was a little cold outside for that outfit. I was informed by her that it was really warm outside...it was almost in the 40s. She was serious. Just one more reminder that I was in Wisconsin, it's considered warm when the temperatures hit the 40s. It is Fat Tuesday today and I probably didn't eat as well as I should have...now that I think about it there is no probably...I did not eat well today. Tomorrow Eddie and I are attending mass for Ash Wednesday, Lent begins and there will be no sweets in my life for a while. Every Catholic church in Oshkosh has more than one Ash Wednesday service tomorrow. It is such a different lifestyle here in the Oshkosh area.

With this ring...

Make your own wedding album with the help of Heritage Makers. See the rest of this album at http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1983116&productId=59&sponsorID=430581

Loose horse YIKES...

This morning when we went to the barn we were greeted by a loose horse! He was in the barn but not in his stall. I was told that this same horse has gotten out before because he figures out how to unlatch his door. It was a little scary for me, he's one big horse. I would have felt less intimated if it would have been one of the ponies, at least I'm taller than the ponies. Believe me, we were much more careful tonight before we left we checked and double checked the doors. Visited with my sister JoAnn this morning after I took Michael to school. I love the fact that I can just drop in and spend some time with her...this is one reason why I want to return home to Wisconsin.

New phone number and a lesson to be learned...

I saw on fb that it was snowing in Arizona (up in the mountains). Here I am in Wisconsin with no snow and it's snowing in Arizona...hmmm  We ate those turkey bratwursts today, I'm sure they were healthier for us but not sure if they were worth almost double in cost of regular brats.I spent most of the morning trying to set-up all my accounts on my new phone. I had trouble with logins and passwords. The trouble is I can't remember what I use for each account!My niece Sami was tryng to help me and wanted to show me how the market worked since I couldn't remember my passwords she decided to put in her email address for demonstration purposes. ...I started getting all her fb alerts and had all her friends as my contacts. I thought it was funny, but Sami didn't. She made sure we went to US Cellular right away for them to show us how to get her email off my phone, the only way they could do that was to delete everything and set it back to the default. I was ok with that since I didn't have my personal stuff on it yet. So this is a warning to all of you...don't allow someone else to put their email account on your phone! For those of you who care - here is my new phone number 920-420-0463. My other line might be turned off as soon as March 11th so please change this phone number in your contact information for me. Thanks.

Horses, dogs and turkey bratwursts...

Today I came to realize something. Taking care of horses is not something I would want to do for a living. They are beautiful animals from afar...scary close up. Barb is gone and her son Michael is responsible for taking care of the horses and I'm responsible for Michael so in a round-about way I'm responsible for taking care of those horses. Thank God there are only five of them!!!Now the dogs are another story, there are three, two on medicine every day but they are much easier to handle and I'm not afraid of them. Brody is a large chocolate lab still young and acts like an overgrown child, Maddy is his mother..she's very layed back and smiles at you (that's hilarious), and Murphy is an older golden retriever that is blind and deaf. Poor Murphy, I keep forgetting that he's deaf and I keep talking to him. I need to pat him on the butt to get his attention. However there is nothing wrong his sense of smell, he can smell food two rooms away!! I shopped with my niece Sami today. She doesn't eat red meat actually doesn't eat anything but chicken or turkey I think (I don't think I could not eat red meat) so we got turkey bratwurst for Sunday supper tomorrow. Interesting...can't wait to see what they taste like. I will keep you informed.

Read what's new and then like it to share it with others...

https://partypulseglobal.imakenews.com/heritagemakers/Reports/Newsletter

Penzey's Spices...

Had an interview with Kelly Services and over an hour of more testing. Tim at Kelly Services thinks I'm awesome....let's see if being awesome gets me a job. Visited the Appleton Penzey's Spice store to get some Chinese Five Spice( on Sandy's recommendation) and  my free jar of Cinnamon Sugar. If you are not on Penzey's mailing list you get online and register now. http://www.penzeys.com/  They will mail you sale catalogs which are full of recipes and they offer free jars of spices often. Red and I visited the Penzey store in the Milwaukee area a few years ago and fell in love with the customer service as well as the quality of their spices. Try it out.

Don't read this before flying anywhere....

Almost 3 in the morning here in Wisconsin. I'm finally home. Eddie had the heat turned on for me, the first thing I did was turn my electric blanket on and now I'm snug in bed sipping some brandy to help me sleep and writing to you. I wasn't lucky enough to get into first class tonight but I was comfortable where I was and slept most of the way. My friend Donna gave me a Reader's Digest to read on the plane...the title of the main article was "Thirteen things your pilot won't tell you". Not recommending this article for anyone who doesn't like to fly. I fly so much I thought most of the pilots stories were quite funny. I absolutely love my drives back from Milwaukee with Eddie. We are alone and get to catch up on what is going on in our lifes. Didn't get to visit too much with Jon and Marina before Jon drove me to the airport, but did find out they are planning a trip to Hawaii next month. It is wonderful to have a son who works for the airlines. The pay sucks, but the benefits for him, his wife and parents are wonderful. Eddie is spending the night with me so I'll have a ride tomorrow to my interview. So far interviewing hasn't gone well for me so let's all hope and pray tomorrow will bring me some better results.

The flight looks good for tomorrow. Flying stand-bye takes a toll on you after a while. I feel like I know the two airports like the back of my hand. I think I flew back and forth from Arizona to Wisconsin  9 or 10 times in 2011. I don't want to make a repeat of that this year. At work we have been monitoring math tests for a lot of potential nursing students. Their deadline to get in their highest math score with their applications is tomorrow. Time for rest and the next time I write to you I should be in Winneconne.

Computers and Scrapbooking Tips #7

            Scrapbooking on the computer can be loads of fun and satisfying. Computer options for scrapbooking are unlimited here are some ways you can use your computer to scrapbook.

 7.  There are time capsules available to you on the Internet at no charge. Simply insert a date and find out facts and happenings that occurred during that specific time in history.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day?

February 14th in the state of Arizona is an important date for two reasons..1) of course it's Valentine's Day as well as everywhere else and 2) it's Arizona's birthday and today just happens to be it's 100th birthday. All Northland Pioneer College campuses and centers served birthday cake to their students in honor of this famous birthday.
Had a fun dinner at Eva's Mexican Restaurant in Snowflake this evening. I love their pollo especial...probably ate too much but I'll make up for the over eating tomorrow by cutting back.
Making plans to travel again later this week. Look out Wisconsin...here I come!

Happy 100th Birthday Arizona

Thank God for my Overgaard friends...

This is the kind of friends that I have. When I arrived home tonight I noticed someone was in my house while I was gone. Since only my best friend Mandy has a way of getting into the house I knew it must have been her so I called. Mandy and her husband Dane came over and replaced plywood on the front of my house to cover the exposed insulation (my house isn't finished yet). And Dane also finished my front porch off, so now all the boards are in place. During the time that they were at my house today another neighbor, who lives in Chandler for the winters, called me to report that a man was walking in my back yard. This neighbor has cameras attached to their summer home behind me so they can see the snow in their yard without having to suffer the cold, and they also keep an eye on my house. I am surrounded by awesome people here in Overgaard and I thank God everyday for my blessings.

Computers and Scrapbooking Tips #6

Scrapbooking on the computer can be loads of fun and satisfying. Computer options for scrapbooking are unlimited here are some ways you can use your computer to scrapbook.

 6. The Internet serves as an excellent tool for researching your family heritage.  You can find free printable research charts and genealogy lessons for every level from beginner to advanced.  There are genealogy Web Sites for every state and every country.  www.ancestry.com 

Sturgeon Spearing and Scrapbooking....

This weekend was a much awaited weekend for ice fisherman, opening day of sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago. Although Wisconsin sold a record breaking amount of licenses attendance was poor because of the unusual warm weather that Wisconsin has been having this winter. A few years back my brother, Jack, got his sturgeon and I used this photo to design a scrapbook page. I was teaching scrapbooking at the college in Arizona during that time and no one in my class even knew what sturgeon spearing was. I asked my students if they've ever seen the movie Grumpy Old Men then I tell them that the fisherman really do fish on the iced over lake. I explained sturgeon fishing as follows: You drag your fishing shanty out on the lake, cut a rectangular shaped hole in the ice, sit near that hole and wait for a sturgeon to swim by so you can spear it. No one believed me. I think everyone should experience ice fishing at least once in their lifetime. (By the way, the class was not on the art of sturgeon spearing, it was on a special technique to make a title for your scrapbook page.)

The local grocery store had lobster tails on sale yesterday for only $5.00 and I decided I deserved a treat, so supper tonight consisted of lightly buttered lobster, fresh asparagus (also lightly buttered) and a salad. I savored every bite. Found loads of Winro Roller Rink photos and posted them on facebook. I've been getting quite a few responses to these pictures. They bring back good memories for many of us in the Omro, Winneconne and Oshkosh areas. We played the Hokey Pokey, the dice game and of course always had a contest to see who could get the lowest under that Limbo stick...let me give you a hint...it was never me. Mom, JoAnn and Darrell would skate around and pick up fallen kids and blow their whistles to slow down whoever was skating  recklessly or too and fast. My son Eddie was being raised on skates, and my brothers Bruce and Mike and nephews Nick and Dean were in high demand for those "slow skates". Big Eddie handed out skates and we all worked the concession stand. Visit my facebook page to see the rest of the pictures http://www.facebook.com/marylou.schroeder

Computers and Scrapbooking Tips #5

Scrapbooking on the computer can be loads of fun and satisfying. Computer options for scrapbooking are unlimited here are some ways you can use your computer to scrapbook.

5.  A scanner creates a bonanza of scrapbooking opportunities. Photos can be scanned, cropped, resized, reshaped, stored and printed out as many times as you like. You can also scan in drawing, labels and memorabilia.

If you are like many other people you have boxes overflowing with pictures that are stored in your closets, attics or basements. One of the services that I am offering is a smart solution for your paper pictures with my new scanning service. I can conserve and enhance your precious memories by turning your photos into digital files so they will be safe and secure on a CD or thumb drive.

This service will:

• Improve your photos by fixing the brightness, adjustment or color correction.
• Scan both sides with only one pass to capture any important hand-written information on the back of photos or postcards.
• Scan and digitalize an item as small as 2”X2.5” and as large as 8.5”X14”
• Scan and digitalize other items such as documents, ID cards, embossed cards and insurance cards.

Once you have these photos and documents on a CD you can make additional copies and share them with family members.  Now everyone in the family will have ALL the pictures rather than dividing them up between relatives.

Call for prices and details 920-420-0463 or email info@memoriesin.com

It's funny how certain dates trigger memories. Today, February 10th was my dad's birthday. Every time I wrote today's date I thought of him. I know he's looking down on us six kids and hopefully he is proud of our accomplishments. Depending on which generation you are from when think of John Schroeder you might remember the Yellow Jackets Hockey Team, which he played on in the 1940s, the Oshkosh Maurader's Drum and Bugle Corp. which mom and he managed in the 1970s, Precast Concrete Specialties and of course Winro - Golf Course, Supper Club, Roller Rink and Motel. He was a very successful business man, a wonderful husband to our mother and we couldn't have asked for a better father. Love and miss you "daddy".

Flip and Swatch books on sale this month.

Now take your loved ones with you everywhere. These pocket sized booklets fit in your purse perfectly. Make one for you and make some for gifts today while they are still on sale. http://www.heritagemakers.com/430581

Deck of Playing Cards on Sale

 Who wouldn't love a deck of playing cards made with pictures of their favorite family members, friends, pets? Design a deck of playing cards today while they are still on sale! http://www.heritagemakers.com/430581

 

More applications completed and sent out. Started displaying St. Patrick Day cards and pages on  my blog, come by and check them out. I love this holiday and I am Irish...Murphy was my maternal grandmother's maiden name. Time to catch up on my Hulu watching. My son Jon bought me 6 months of Hulu Plus for Christmas so I could watch some of my favorite shows, Modern Family, Grey's Anatomy and Hot in Cleveland...just to name a few.  http://www.hulu.com/ This is a lot less expensive than cable or satellite tv.

St. Paticks Card

In a few days Valentine's Day will be here and what do we have next? St. Patricks Day! Time to get ready to send your Irish greetings to your family and friends. Here is a sample of what you can make with Heritage Makers and you can have Heritage Makers ship it direct for you. http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1698953&productId=15&sponsorID=430581 

I just discovered a new facebook page http://www.facebook.com/BountifulBaskets?sk=wall Evidently you can find Bountiful Baskets right here in Overgaard as well as other numerous cities across the United States. My good friend Donna has been ordering these fresh fruit and vegetable baskets for weeks now. This co-op also offers organic produce. Please search for your city and see what they have to offer for you.

Computers and Scrapbooks Tips #4

            Scrapbooking on the computer can be loads of fun and satisfying. Computer options for scrapbooking are unlimited here are some ways you can use your computer to scrapbook.

 4.  The market is bursting with scrapbook software.  You can choose from software that focuses on a specific scrapbook feature such as fonts, page titles, clip art or photos to a software package that does it all.  It allows you to import photos and images from your scanner, digital camera, the Internet, CDs and disks then digitally crop pictures and images.  It eliminates the need for scissors and glue and enables you to create a complete scrapbook page on the computer. OR you can get a free account at Heritage Makers www.memoriesin.com and create more than scrapbook pages, you can create canvases, playing cards, wedding invitation and many, many more projects.