school is cool

Well I hope it is...Today I signed up for 2 classes at WCTC. I'm enrolled in page layout and fundamentals of design for a total of 6 credits. These are the first classes in the digital photography certificate program. I don't know if I will complete the program or if I will try to get in the graphic arts program. It is a start of something new. I'm excited and hope I remember how to study. The last time I had a college class was summer of 95. 

More pictures from Spain

Rock of Gibraltar

don't say it...facebook

Lately I have been a bit obsessed with facebook. That is why the blogg has been neglected. My 20-year class reunion is this spring and I have been catching up with classmates. It has been fun and a little bit bizarre. And the part no one wants to hear…I feel inadequate. I know that I live the good life…the kind of life most people dream about but in a way I feel kind of like a kid. I work part time, ride my bike, go to yoga, and clean the house. Don’t worry I’m not complaining…I just wish I had some kind of accomplishment…Not that I’m a person to brag or boost…just something to make me feel like I matter or something to make me feel like I contribute to society.

Wow I need some coffee!!!

Pictures from Spain

Some pictures from Spain

Ok...I want to post some pictures but I don't know how to with my Mac. It is different from my pc.

Help?

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Home sweet home

We are back from Spain. What a great trip! More details and pictures to follow.

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hurry here...hustlin there...

What a busy week. Getting ready for a trip to Spain, dog sitting, a doctor appointment, going to the B.B. King concert, and two trips to get the radio in John’s new truck fixed. I really didn’t have much time this week for goofing-off like I usually do… I didn’t plan on dog sitting this week but a friend called kind of last minute and I felt really bad for the doggies.

Craig dropped Buck and Rhodie off Wednesday afternoon. Considering that the pups don’t get a lot of exercise and or training…things went really well. We hiked two days on the ice age trail. I kind of miss them now that they are back home. Someday I’m going to have my own dog.

Well it is off to Spain. This is another great opportunity. John is speaking at a conference in Barcelona. I’m so very lucky to be able to tag along!!! After the conference we are going on a little tour of Spain. I hope I packed everything. It can be a little rainy this time of year so I have a lot of clothing options and an umbrella.
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FYI...BB King was great!

dogs

Someday I will have my own dog. For now I'm just a dog sitter.  Currently I'm watching two dogs.  So far they have pissed on two of my rugs and kept me up most of last night barking and whining.  

We did go for a walk with Karen and  Cody today. That went really well.  We hiked on the ice age trail at holy hill. It was a beautiful day! That is the fun part of having a dog. We are going to try it tomorrow too.

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Election

OK...I'm ready for this to be over.

I voted the other day. In Wisconsin you can vote early. It is a great way to avoid the lines. We are going to be out of town anyway.

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election - standing on my all natural soapbox

The election is one month away. Wow...no matter what happens it will make history. For some reason I feel more drawn to this election  that any other in my limited voting history. Maybe I'm growing up, maybe it's the economy, or maybe I have more to loose.

This is a difficult choice.

1.  I don't like anyone telling me what I can do to my body. So that makes me pro choice.

2.  I have made good choices and lived with in my means.  I don't want to bail anyone out.

3.  I believe the government should help people that can't help themselves...Right now there are a lot of people that could be helping themselves out! There are people that could be working that choose to mooch off the system. Then there are people that have been hit by a hurricane or suffer from a disability that are struggling...these people really need the help but how do you police it???

Very interesting!

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Happy Birthday

Thinking about Birthdays is fun. For me it serves as a check in with life. I really don’t feel my age. Maybe its because I don’t have kids. In some ways I still feel like a kid. Some of my favorite things to do are the very same things I loved as a kid. I consider myself very lucky to be able to enjoy life like a kid. 

I had an amazing birthday this year. John planned a weekend for us at he Osthoff resort in Elkhart Lake, Wi.  We really like the area. It is a very small town in the Northern Kettle Moraine State Forest.  We  had pizza at our favorite place in Sheboygan....Il Ritrovo. We also had a couples massage and hiked the Iceage Trail. It was just the get away we needed.

Here is to another year! I’m very thankful for my health and that I’m loved. 

Other things this weekend...

Badger game Saturday night

Helping our friend Karen at the Lake Front Marathon (way to go Karen on your first!!!)

Brewer game Sunday...bummer but there is always next year and I can’t wait to go to a spring training game 

busy...busy..

A weekend at home

Well... almost.

Friday night we drove to Pleasant Prairie to visit the Pitts family. It was a great time. We had dinner, drank beer, and had a fire.  We need to hang out more!

Saturday we picked up our new pick up truck. We finally got a Nissan Frontier. After shopping at 3 different dealers we found a dealer that could produce a truck. I just don't get it... We had to be the easiest customers to work with. We knew exactly the truck we wanted to buy. We didn't have a trade and we didn't need to finance...Does it get any easier? I will post a picture in a few days.

After we picked up the pick up we went to John's parent's. John had to help his Dad with some stuff. Then we just sat around listening to the Brewer game. I NEVER want to attend a sporting event with his parents. It was terrible listening to them complain and make negative comments.  Why do people think a negative comment follow up by laughter is ok? Like the giggle changes what they have said? Like it takes away the negativity. It makes me uncomfortable. 

We went out for dinner early with the family. I think we got to the restaurant at 4:45pm. That is a little early for me but this time it worked out. John and I stayed at Wayne and Dawn's a little late the night before...We left their house at 2:15am :) So eating early was good so I could get to bed early.  Dinner was good until the Badgers lost and so did the Brewers.... love that positive energy!

Today we got to work in the yard. This is one of my favorite things to do with John. I planted bulbs (some of which we purchased right from the source in Amsterdam). John cut the grass and cleaned out Big Red. My Uncle John picked up Big Red this afternoon. Bye Bye Big Red!!! You were a great truck!

later,

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The wounds are healing

I can walk around without a bandage on my elbow.

The Brewers just beat the Pirates!

We put money down on another pick up truck....This time I think we are going to get it.

Life is good!!!!

Chequamegon

What can I say....We finished. I was hoping for a better time than last year. That goal was met. However it wasn't good enough for me to feel satisfied. This year conditions where very tough. It was wet and muddy. Last year the course was dry and very fast.

This summer I have been on my bike a lot. I really wanted to feel good at the start of the race and I felt like shit. It was difficult to breathe and I was tired. For the first few miles I kept pedaling hoping that my engine would turn on. It didn't. Both John and I were climbing the hills well but it was very challenging to keep going. I did keep going because this day was about John. He really struggled to finish last year after his broken collar bone. I didn't want to complain and bring him down. He was doing great. I just wanted to be there for him and help him set a good pace. When we reached OO I had to pee. So I took a short break, I took another hit off of my inhaler, and we got some fuel. At this point I think we were in good shape to finish in under 4 hours. Considering the weather I would have been happy with that. 

Just a few miles after OO I crashed big time on a wet, rocky, downhill. I was really going fast...and then I wasn't. I hit the ground hard!!! My right calf muscle was screaming. Someone thought I broke my leg by the way it was positioned on the ground. Standing was not an option for a few minutes. People kept asking me if I needed medical. I just needed a few minutes to figure out if I could get up on my own. My right arm was hurting. John was a bit ahead of me but he heard me yelp when I went down. He was by my side in a second. I was able to get up after a few rounds of deep breathing. Thanks to the guy that directed traffic around me. I was really scared of being run over.

At this point I didn't know if I could pedal the 18 or so miles to the end of the race. I really wanted both of us to finish. I thought I would have to take the four wheeler back but I got back on the bike. I wanted to try. My front tire was not moving. The front brake was stuck because the cable had been stretched. It took a few minutes to get it adjusted and then I was worried it wouldn't hold for the duration. 

We started back out slowly. My calf muscle still screaming but I was afraid to stop. I thought it would cramp up and I would not be able to move. John was so nice to hang with me. We took the next few miles one hill at a time. My legs were cramping but I knew we could make it.

We did make it!!! Thanks John for helping me, staying with me, and helping me wash the dirt out of my arm. Thanks to Jay for driving us to the start and for being there when we finished.

Fat tire time

This weekend we are going up to the Chequamegon National Forest for the fat tire festive/race. Last year John and I did the race too. It was a lot of fun and a beautiful day last year. Our time last year was slow but it was a great accomplishment for John. John broke his collar bone in June last year so he wasn't able to ride his bike at all last summer. Just the fact the he still did the 40 and finished was pretty awsome.

This year will be different. Both of us have been riding more and we are healthy....So let the party begin!!!!
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Still looking

We are still looking for a new truck. FYI don't shop for a vehicle at Boucher in Waukesha. We put money down on a new truck and they never produced it. The truck was coming from just over the border in Il. The thing that makes me the most angry is that they never updated us or even tried to keep us in the loop. Bad car dealer...bad! I guess truck sales aren't as slow is projected. Too bad for them...We are going to buy a truck somewhere else.

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From Hayward Wi to Amsterdam

Wow! What an action packed couple of weeks! First a trip to northern Wisco for some awesome mountain biking! The trails in the Cable area are really cool! Pictures and more details to follow…

We weren’t even home 24 hours and we jetted off to Amsterdam. This was a tight turn around for both John and me. I had to wash a lot stinky of biking clothing fast. John had a bunch of work to finish before leaving the country and we both had to unpack and repack.

I’m a little tired right now. I don’t know what day it is but I do know that I will be able to sleep in my own bed tonight! A thorough update will follow in the next few days.
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truck shopping

How to buy a new car?

Or should I say a new truck? Automobile shopping really sucks! Why does the consumer have to jump threw hoops to make a purchase? Why don’t cars and trucks have a price tag like bread or milk? Excuse me but I would like to buy this gallon of milk. Can you tell me what the price is? Well the msrp is $4.00. Let me ask my manager if we can do better. You are in luck! We are having a sale today it will cost you $3.75. But your ad says the milk is $2.99 a gallon for the rest of the month? Oh, let me ask my manager? Why yes it is $2.99.

Days go by and you run in to your neighbor and they got the milk for $2.75. What a bunch of shit! This is how cars are sold only with ten more trips to ask the “manager” what to do.

This is why we buy a car once every 8-9 years…
With the cost of gas these days we where considering a small SUV. Something that would get better gas mileage than Big Red (2000 explorer). We changed our minds. We where loading up bikes and all of our stuff for 24-9 and it barely fit in our mid size SUV. We also had to consider the fact that we are always going to travel to rock/ice climb and bike. Sometimes the conditions aren’t so nice when we play outdoors and it would be really nice to put our muddy gear in a pick up truck. So we are looking for a truck… We are hoping to get one that gets about the same mileage as Big Red. With all of the cash rebates on trucks we should get a good deal…. and that is a lot of gas money. Someday when we replace my explorer we will get something really good on gas. Maybe there will be a SUV that gets 50 miles to the gallon by then…

Russell he's the best!

Check out my buddy Russell. He made the front page of the business section of the Milwaukee Journal.

Way to go Russell! Fools best recognize...
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http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=780706

Trip to Amsterdam delayed

Well in the crazy world of business…our trip to Amsterdam has been delayed. I hope I still get to go. I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to tag along with John on some of his business trips. Hopefully the date will get nailed down this week and I can start packing!!!

I t really is a good thing we aren’t leaving this week. We are traveling up to Cable, Wi next week to mtb. If we would have gone to Amsterdam this week we would only have one night sleep to recover from jet lag before going up North.
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Last few days

Maybe I really do need surgery on my ankle??? Last Monday I was lying on the couch watching TV before going to bed. I was stretching my ankle and moving it around in circles when it made a LOUD PAINFUL CRACK. Ouch! John was close by and he heard it. John thought it sounded like a 2 by 4 snapping. Good thing I didn’t have weight on it. I put some ice on it right away. It has been irritated ever since.

This past weekend was 24-9. I decided not to race the 12 solo. I’ve been having some issues finding my confidence lately. I did put a set back seat post on my bike and also changed the tires. That has really helped me feel better on the bike. I almost changed my mind about racing at the last minute…I did pack enough stuff but with my ankle hurting I chose to hang out and help John’s team and Annie’s team. We pre road the course Friday night. It was fast and dusty. Sometime Saturday night I did manage to get a night lap in. I love riding at night!!!

Mtb races are a funny. You see so many people from so many walks of life. I love dogs but I don’t like the random dog that is not tied up. There was an uncut male dog with free range that was peeing on people’s stuff and barking. We had two dogs with us and I was afraid that rouge dog would start a fight. We had to keep an eye open at all times.
I’m so proud of my husband John for riding at 24-9. Baby you have come a long way! John started riding a bike for real about 4 years ago. As he would say he is a tactile learner. This means we have been to the hospital a twice and urgent care once. Now that he understands what an advantage long legs are I better step up my game so I can keep up! Great job sweetie!

Summer's Bounty

Today I picked the first harvest of raspberries! This is the first year with our plants. The berries are sweet and tasty.

Here are a few pictures of our yard. We have the most beautiful lilies!
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Nice weekend

Friday John and I drove up to my sister’s house. It was a great weekend. Friday we biked at Hartman Creek State Park. My sister is building trails there. They have some really sweet single track started! I can’t wait for more.

Saturday we biked at Nine Mile. There are tons of trails there! The variety of trails is awesome. After biking we went to the beach. What a perfect day!

Thanks Annie and Michelle for a great weekend. Good company, good food, lots to do, and a great night sleep!
bonnie

Tag what?

So, the villainous Shed Master Russell (see link on side of page) has tagged me. Well I really don’t like to follow rules so this will be my best attempt at playing along.
Here are the rules:
· link to the person who tagged you.
· post the rules on your blog.
· write six random things about yourself.
· tag six people at the end of your post.
· let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
1. I am over 5 feet tall
2. My middle name is Ann
3. I don’t like to share stuff (consider yourself lucky if I share with you)
4. Thunderstorms are cool
5. I love ice climbing
6. Cherries are my favorite fruit

The 4th of July

This was one of the best 4th. The crappy bike ride was way cool! Big thanks to Russell for organizing and hosting! Russell is one creative party guy. I should have taken pictures. For pictures check these blogs…
http://lifeintherustytoolshed.blogspot.com/
www.shacknwithdasug.blogspot.com/

There were prizes for the crappiest bike, most patriotic, and coolest. Oh, and don’t forget the Boones Farm for utmost fireworks enjoyment! To round out the evening we stopped at Gilles custard on the way back to the shed. Lastly a few local fireworks and a fire before we drove home. Nice!!!!
Thanks Russell!!!!!!!

What to do???

Today was an interesting day. At 9:45am this morning John and I stopped at the Doctor’s office. The results of my MRI are in and now I need to make a decision…to have ankle surgery or not? The MRI shows swelling in one of the bones in my ankle. What is causing the swelling? The irritation maybe a cartilage problem or something else. There is only one way to find out and fix it. That means an ankle scope and 4-6 weeks on crutches, a little more of a recovery than the last scope in 2004.

Right now my ankle is ok…it doesn’t hurt a lot. It does swell and get uncomfortable. I don’t have to have the surgery but it wont get any better and it might get worse. There is no way to know. I can hold off on the surgery until fall if I choose to have it.

The Doctor’s office is going to call next week and see what I want to do. Right now I think I’m going to schedule the surgery and see how the next few months go. I can always cancel.
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Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! I love you! Today we got to brew beer with friends. I think that is a good birthday.

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Biking!!!

Wow in the last week I have logged a few miles! It all started on Sunday with the River Edge Ride. We biked 70 miles on the road. It was a nice easy pace with stops.

Tuesday Karen Z and I biked at John Muir. I think we road 20 miles.

Thursday we traveled to the N. Kettles. We started at Greenbush. We biked all of the loops. The mosquitoes were REALLY BAD!!!!!!! So we went to New Fane. The mosquitoes were better but the loops are so short. It was fun so add another 20 miles to the total.

Saturday morning we got out a for a last minute early ride at the S Kettles. We couldn’t stay long because my brother was rolling into town. Add another 15 to the total.
So one week…125 miles not too bad….

Sunday

Yesterday was the River Edge Nature Center Ride.
http://www.riveredge.us/

It was a great time. We had to get up early but it was worth it. The ride starts in the small town of Newburg. We roamed the country roads and climbed the rolling hills of Wisconsin for 70 miles. The rest stops were plentifully and the company even better. We even met up with some fellow cyclist we haven’t seen in awhile.

Cast of characters
John
Jay
Karen
Mike
Kelly
Andrea
Brian
Leanne
&Me

New phone

Today we got digital phone. Lookout! We now have unlimited long distance calling! The only downside is when the power goes out we don’t have a phone. I guess we just have to make sure the cell is charged in case of an emergency.

That's a big mulch pile!

The mulch is done! I know it sounds crazy but we ordered 60 yards of shredded oak. I’m happy to report that I shoveled most of it myself. Persistence pays off. It seemed like the impossible but one shovel at a time and it is done. It really looks nice I will take some pictures in the next few days.b

Good News

Good News!
Dan is coming home from the hospital! He will be leaving sometime tomorrow so one last night in the joint and a few more rounds of IV antibiotics. He will be going home with Mom and Dad. Dan will have to rest and stay off of his foot. It sounds like the infection is deep but thankfully not in his bones. That is the way we want to keep it!

Rainy day

So what is there to do on a rainy day? Drink copious amounts of coffee and watch Ice Road Truckers of course.

http://www.history.com/minisites/iceroadtruckers

This show is nuts. I can’t stop watching it. These guys are crazy. And then there are the ice water divers! Wow! I don’t think you want to get into a drinking contest with anyone from this far up north.

Check it out and enjoy. Don’t yell at me if you get hooked and don’t get anything done today.

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Dan update

Well after more info Dan’s infection is MRSA. If you don’t know what MRSA is check out this link.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mrsa/DS00735

It is very serious. Dan could loose his big toe. We will know more on Monday. b

Brother Dan

To feel pain is a good thing. I know this sounds weird but it is healthy. My brother in-law Dan has autism. Some people with autism are sensitive to light, sound, and other various things. Dan doesn’t feel pain. It is a strange disease. Because he doesn’t feel pain something that might seem harmless can turn into a big problem. Dan got a blister on his foot. It didn’t hurt him so it took awhile for someone to find it. In a short period of time it got infected. It isn’t difficult to take care of but Dan needs continuous care. Someone has to help him and make sure the wound is clean and covered. Dan lives at group home during the week and comes home on the weekend. Sometime during the week there was a break in the chain of care and Dan’s foot got really bad. He has been to urgent care a few times for IV antibiotics. That didn’t work. Dan is now in the hospital. I’m sure he will be fine. Dan is a good patient. So more tests and needle sticks for brother Dan. Last night they had trouble getting his IV in. At least he wasn’t in pain…
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24-9

I’m in. Ok…maybe not exactly. For the last few years I have been a part of an all girls team at 24-9. This year I’m going to do a 12-hour solo. Things change. I didn’t want to be a part of a team and let people down. So this year I have to prove it to myself that I’m still a mountain biker. I can do this.

www.24-9.com

b

Nightmares

All of my life I have had bad dreams. Sometimes I have nightmares. As far back as I can remember…I would wake up crying. That is horrible. When I was a little kid I wouldn’t want to go to sleep because I was scared. I would stay up as long as I could. I didn’t like to sleepover at friends houses because I was afraid I would wake them up too. Even as an adult these dreams have continued. I know they are not real. Sometimes they are really stupid and totally impossible. The badness happens to me or someone I love. However they always seem real and carry a lot of emotion. Some dreams seem so real that I actually have to call the person the next day to see if they are ok. This has gone on a long time. Stress makes it worse. When I was taking Topamax to treat migraines my nightmares were the worst! Instead of having the occasional bad dream I was having one terrifying one after another. I would have 7or 8 of them a night. This happened for an entire week. When taking Topamax you have to increase your dosage a little bit at a time. It was during the third week of increase that the nightmares started. After the next increase they stopped. Several weeks later when I decided to stop taking the drug (it wasn’t helping my migraines) I had to step down the level. Just when I reached the same level as in the 3rd week the terror began again. It was really bad!!!!!!! So I will wipe my eyes, get a drink of water, and try to go back to sleep once again. When I was a kid my sister and I had to share a room. I always felt so bad when I would wake her up. I would be crying. She is almost 3 years younger than me. Sometimes she would get out of bed and pat me on the head and tell me everything was OK. Thanks Annie…I’m going to go back to bed…. I’m going to try and think of happy things

Sweet dreams…..b

Snake Identified

I think the snake Eric found today is a Eastern Milk Snake. For more info check out this DNR site. http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/reptile/milksnake.htm

Yuk....but harmless
bonnie

I thought I saw a snake!

I did, I did!!!!!!!!

While shoveling mulch with my buddy Karen J, my neighbor brought over a snake. He found this lovely creature by the mailbox. Does anyone know what it is? I’ve never seen one like this before. Great the hood is going to hell!
bonnie

The past few days

My back started to feel better Saturday. I have to sing the praises of ice. It really works! That along with some stretching really did the trick. Don’t get me wrong I tried to get into the PT and Amy at Natural Balance Therapy (www.naturalbalancetherapy.com) but they were booked.

On Saturday I got to dog sit. Karen Z dropped Cody off at 9am. Cody doesn’t get to stay over at other peoples’ house. That lucky dog gets to stay with Grandma and Grandpa all the time. He was a great houseguest, he didn’t bark or whine. Cody can stay over anytime. Good Dog!

Big Thanks to Karen J!!!!!!!! Karen came over and helped me shovel mulch. That’s what friends are for. Thanks again.

bonnie

just the other day

If

only I had my camera...I saw a neon sign for Botox. What???

In other news...The first 25 yards of mulch has been spread. It really looks nice.

The bad news is I hurt my back. I don't know how I'm going to get the next 25 yards done. Darn muscles....After a lot of vitamin I and some ice I'm at least able to walk. What the hell? I'm not old yet??? Looking for good help to spead mulch...

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Everyone is doing it???

Welcome to the ramblings. I'm going to give the blog thing a try. Now the world can hear me roar. Here's to some personal growth and hopefully no embarrasement.
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