Peace to each manly soul that sleepeth;
Rest to each faithful eye that weepeth...
~Thomas Moore





Happy 28th Birthday Patrick!

Love you!
Mean it!

Mom



Encourge one another,
Donna

Good morning!

As I mentioned briefly in yesterday's post,
we are going on a family vacation to San Francisco this summer.

I would love to know where to eat and what to do in the San Francisco area.

I know I would love to visit a quaint coastal town,
but which one.

I think I would like to go to Sequoia Nat'l park.
Any tips on going there?

We love to eat at fun places with great food.

Not fancy. Just yummy.

We like cities so I am sure we will wander San Fran.
(And go see Lombard St.)
Any really cool streets we should not miss?

Where is the Full house street/park?
I'd like to go there.


I want your very best ideas! I know you have em'!!!

Thank you so much!


***

I took some pictures of Emma last night....
around six.





I love her eyes.




Easy Breezy Cover girl smile.




Classic: Do something with your hands pose.



Looks a little too much like a senior picture. But it's pretty anyway.
The light was stunning and Emma was looking....good :o)

I love taking pictures.


Happy Weekend!

As my relatives would exclaim, "Enjoy!!"


Donna

20 questions...

I found these questions on Melinda's blog.
I enjoyed reading hers so I thought I would pass it on.

Have fun with these :o)



1. when you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?

My hair is straight.


2. do you miss anyone right now?

I miss Sue.


3. if you could move anywhere else, would you?

Yes.



4. if you could choose, what would your last meal be?

I will have surf and turf just like Melinda. (We order the same when we go out to eat.)

Chopped Salad a la Wildfire, MR Tenderloin with Béarnaise sauce, big lobster tail with drawn butter,
diet Dr. Pepper, I know there would be no room for dessert. There never is...
But a nice moist piece of home made cake with lots of frosting.



5. what famous person, dead or alive, would you want to have lunch with?

Jesus.


6. what was the last book you read?

The Little Giant of Aberdeen County.



7. what was the last movie you watched?

Forrest Gu-mp.


8. what was the last song you heard?

I can't remember. Something on tv or the radio.




9. what is your dream vacation?

I'd love to go back to the Sheraton Maui where I vacationed with Cindy and our parents in early 73.
I loved it there. I think my children would love it and Patrick could golf.



10. what is the next trip you will take?

Going to San Francisco in June.


11. did you ever go to camp?

Yes. I went to Honey Rock camp.
It was affiliated with Wheaton College.
Wonderful experience.


12. have you ever been in love?

of course

13. what do you want to know about the future?

I'd like to know the day I will die.


14. where is your best friend?

at work at Starbucks


15. how is your best friend?


She is happy.


16. who is the biggest gossiper you know?

Those ladies on The Real Housewives of New York.


17. what does your last text message say?

"Me too. Be well sweetie. I will pray extra hard. Love you."


18. what are 3 things you've always wanted to do, that you still plan to accomplish?

Get a dog, take Katie to Europe when she graduates from high school,
I plan to sniff and kiss my grand baby on the head. A lot.


19. what is one thing you learned from your parents?

How to love life.


20. what is one thing you hope to teach to your own children?

Love Wins.



To see Melinda's blog and answers:

Put on Love







After two weeks and three months of traveling...we are just staying put for
Memorial day.

Maybe my family can drag me to brat fest.

The brats are cheap and yummy and the weinermobile will be there.....
but the crowds....


Do you have plans?


Feel free to answer the questions in the comments or take them to your blog to answer them...
just let me know if you do them on your blog so I can come and read them!

Happy Friday!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Take your needle, my child, and work at your pattern; it will come out a rose by and by.
Life is like that - one stitch at a time taken patiently and the pattern will come out all right like the embroidery.

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

After the 5K in Chicago last Saturday we stayed in the City for a while.
Patrick had work to do and the girls thought Pizza sounded good.
So we went without him. It was still foggy and slightly cool but it was not raining.

Gino's East was very near to our hotel...so I strongly suggested going there.
I happen to really like their deep dish pizza anyway.

So we walked over to Gino's, I gingerly hobbled.

After eating the delicious pizza we left thru the revolving doors with our little box of leftovers and we were blasted by bright summery light.
That one hour made all the difference. The fog had burned off.

The entrance to Gino's now had the most perfect lighting.

I grabbed my camera and started setting the girls up for pictures.



I am the Jillian Michaels of photography!!

I make people do squats.

A chair works and so does a ball.

But on this day....with tired 5K legs...

I shouted out SQUAT.

Not really. I said it really nice ;o)



The things we do for a pretty picture.



And then I had Lindsay, Cindy and Katie line up and


SQUAT!



Katie sing songs....squatting....

and then she looks away.



And then Cindy looks off camera.

I was looking at Lindsay cause that is where my focus was. On her eye....

and well....




Where ya looking, Katie?




Oh. dear. Now it's Lindsay's turn.



un poco beso.





I never notice people around me when I am shooting and this time was no different.

But the girls.

I guess someone was talking to them.

A petite, woman, waiting patiently while I shot pictures, just off to my right,
waiting to ask for money.

She was raggedy and appeared to be pregnant.

I apologized and said I didn't have any cash. Which was true.
Lindsay quickly offered her our pizza.
Smart move Lindsay.

I did not notice all the glances when I was taking the pictures
but when I looked at them on the computer
I understood.


Seems only fitting for the way things have been going lately....

happy and sad
secure and frightened
together and alone

So many strong feelings.
All at the same time.


Real. Raw. Beautiful. Tragic.

Life.




Encourage one another,
Donna

Just this morning I stopped at Target to pick up a few bagels and
cat food. Bagels (Everything) for me.
Cat Food for Maggie.

As I came out of the icy Target, the moist coolish warmish air greeted me
and I thought to myself...it's good to be alive.

Just that first feel of a summer morning made me thankful.




The way I drive to and from school is glorious this time of year.













"Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive.
One must never, for whatever reason,
turn his back on life."

~Eleanor Roosevelt




"Look, I really don't want to wax
philosophic, but I will say that if
you're alive, you got to flap your
arms and legs, you got to jump
around a lot, you got to make a
lot of noise. . .or at least your thoughts should
be noisy and colorful and lively."

~Mel Brooks


Encourage one another,
Donna

Path to Progress: Race Day across the country.





We got to Soldier's Field nice and early and got to see the Jesse White tumblers while we waited.
It was very foggy.

I immediately realized that I could NOT be reading people's t-shirts.
So many people with loved ones who are suffering. I had to gather myself and stop looking or I was going to be a mess.






Cindy and I had a quick cry when we saw this....




We had the coolest t-shirts in the whole wide world.

Our niece Lindsay designed them and had them made and sent them to many of our family members....




The early birds :o)




Janice and Janet being the most excellent models! Clever posing girls :o)

The Arizona contingent was 14 strong!!!! They started out at 6:30am so they could be walking at the same time we were!



Here is Nancy! She is all set to go in Minocqua! The Northwoods leg of the race!



We saw cousin Bridget there! Emma ran with Bridget and Bridget's friends.
(They were running for a friend's mother.)




I'm trying to make a movie here.

Watch Cindy dance. She was channeling Nancy and being the tiny dancer ;o)





We were walking for about ten minutes when Emma lapped us!!!

Go Emma Go!




In Arizona, they walked in the beautiful sunshine!



Such a pretty shot.




Our big sister Nancy, her sweet hubby and their daughter/baker, Carrie :o)
CUTE!








Cindy, Lindsay and Katie, coming across the finish line.
(For the third time for Cindy. She was our finish line escort and cheerleader!)




Eric (Lindsay's boyfriend) and Buzz (Eric's dad) looking good and finishing strong!!




I was there too ;o)
Really.
Notice the red face.
Oh my.


Hey! Our brother Jimmy, he did a 5K on the elliptical machine in honor of Sue and all of the other
families that are fighting this terrible disease.

Isn't that great!!!

We sure love our Sue!
We miss her so much and hope our efforts make a difference.

Thank you again for all the prayers and support!!!

Love you.
Mean it.


Encourage one another,
Donna







All photos courtesy of the iphone, and Nikon Coolpix
here there and everywhere.

This afternoon we head to Chicago to walk in our first 5K.

Our fundraising efforts have been a brilliant success!
Thank you for your generosity! We are really surprised and delighted.



The Official Susie Crew Page

Go and take a peek to see how much we raised!


My computer tells me that the rain will stop by tomorrow and we should have just a gorgeous walk around the lake shore.

Cindy walks a 5 K every month and she gets just the worst weather....so my fingers are crossed.

On time...a little over a year ago, Cindy convinced Sue to walk in a half marathon.
Was in KC or St. Louis? One of those...

But guess what?

There was a hurricane.

And they walked. They froze and dripped and did it!

In a Midwestern hurricane.

I was so proud of them! They had trained for that one and were not about to miss it!

***

So tomorrow we walk for Sue and for all the other people who have been effected by brain tumors.

We will wear t-shirts with her pretty face on them....and we will be thankful to be walking,
in beautiful Chicago with loved ones for our loved one.

And guess what!! Janet and Janice are walking in Glendale Arizona with other friends and family.
They are heading out at 6:30 am so we will walk at the same time.
Join them if you live in Arizona!!! That would be so cool.

And Nancy and Carrie are walking in Minocqua Wi.
I think the snow has melted, right? :o)

Solidarity Baby!

I'll take lots of pictures so you can share in this special event!
And I will gather pictures from Janet and Nancy and post them on Monday!

Love wins. Oh yea.




Thank you!
Love you!
Mean it.

Donna

Losties get your hankies....

Sunday.
6 central.
Finale.

Matthew Fox was on Regis and Kelly yesterday and he said the ending was wonderful.
That's a good sign, don't you think?

I will probably still be confused but I have high hopes that I will not be disappointed.



*****


On the way to the band concert last night.

More iphone phun.







Introduction.




Emma took over for this one...
enjoy the rocking video :o)


That last note. Each student chose what note they would play.
It just needed to be one of the notes they played in the piece.

So funny!



Happy Thursday! Looks like it is going to be just a gorgeous day around here.
Wishing the same for you!


Encourage one another,
Donna

I know what you are thinking....

Donna must be working on an amazing blog post today because she is so late.
Right?

Well. No.

I was doing things in real life...away from the computer.
Yes. It's shocking, I know. I left the house and just got back.

I helped in Katie's classroom and then I went to a wonderful Bible study at
my friend Jean's house.

She is so hospitable. Always there with a warm greeting and a huge table to gather around.

A huge table with the tiniest chairs.

The hospitality is big and warm and I feel so welcome when I go to Jean's house.

That's a very special thing.

This is going to be the year that I make some friends in real life.
Seeing all the friends that Sue and Cindy have in Missouri,
I realized that I may have the best virtual friends in the world....
but I'm lonely in real life.

A girl needs a hug and a smile from a real life friend now and again.




Has this social media made us less social?

Or is it just me?



Encourage one another,
Donna

There is nothing that makes my sister happier than
a Wienermobile spotting.






No matter the weather, when the wienermobile comes to town
Cindy is there with a smile and a hand out stretched...
pleading for some little red whistles to give to her kindergarten class.


I remember getting those whistles from our dad when we were little.
A wienermobile spotting has been great fun for our family since we were growing up in the Chicago area.

I mean. Look at that thing!
It's adorable and colorful and fun!

But Cindy loves it the most.

Really!


Yesterday Cindy sent me a wonderful picture of her son, Steven, and The Sausages.





Steven is a baseball player....
He loves the Brewer Sausages!
(I'm sure he likes the Sausages a lot more than he likes the Brewers.)

Last fall Cindy and her boys went to Minocqua (Wi) to run in the Rump Roast Run 5K.
It is a part of the epic Beef-A-Rama.

The Parade of Beef starts at 2:45.
A parade that features people and their grills.
Grills that are grilling meat.

Yes. They push and pull their grills in the parade.

Ha!

I am going next year. I swear. This is just too funny to pass up, don't you think????

Any way.

The Sausages were in the parade too!!!

And Steven hunted down the Sausages so he could have his picture taken with them.
They are HIS favorite!


Who knew Wisconsin was so fond of it's pork products?

You all thought we were all about cheese. (Well, we do wear those foamy cheese hats on our heads, now that I think about it.)

But with the iconic wienermobile and growing in popularity Sausage Racers....

I mean, really....We Rock!


Encourage one another,
Donna

What wacky festivals have you attended?

The Sausage Races aka The Brewers Game.




We has so much fun with the Booshay family at the Brewer's game on Saturday!






We actually stayed until the END of the GAME.

This is a first for us! I kid you not!

The Brewers were behind 10-6.
One out.

Bases loaded.
Top of the batting order.


Next two batters....
go down swinging.

Whoa.
What could have been, Brewers...

It was fun anyway! Laughing with the family,
cheering the sausages and the home runs.
Super fun!


*****


Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
~Jane Howard



Encourage one another,
Donna

(all photos taken with iphone)

On Thursday afternoon after I picked Katie up from school we went up Regent St. to the little park that
over looks Hilldale. Katie loves running around here and I like to try to take pictures.
It had been cloudy all week and the sun was trying to find it's way.

The light was weird. I tried many spots and failed.

So I made Katie spin.

She is always winning to spin and she had on the perfect skirt for it.







It is a weird spot. This park.

I think it is a popular spot for drug deals.

Or something.

But ya know, when I am taking pictures I am in my own little world and don't really think
about what is going on around me.

I better be careful....I could get mugged this way.


When we got home I wasn't sure my camera was focusing properly. With my poor eyesight I needed more light and found some in my bedroom. Which also has a handy dandy fan.



focus working




phew!



****


Yesterday we tried to grab a quick breakfast in Chicago.

Have mercy. Don't you think an hour and a half to get some eggs is a bit ridiculous?

The front of the restaurant had some chairs and I spotted some fabulous studio lighting :o)




This is Emma's friend Bruce.

I knew the first time I met him that I wanted to take pictures of his beautiful eyes.



He is a good sport and comfortable in front of the camera. (He is an artist)

In the above picture I asked him to look 'thru the camera' like he was looking 300 miles away.
(Thank you America's Next Top Model for that tip ;o) )

Anyway. That was fun.

What a drive home tho.
We were ten minutes late to pick Katie up but all worked out in the end.

Katie's friend from Appleton came to spend the night and
I got to visit with dear Amy J.

We love them.

After dinner we crashed on the couch and found something to watch.

Forrest Gump.

Emma wonders how many times one can cry during one movie.
I'm glad to have her home. My comrade in tears.


We are going to a Brewers game today!!!

What a life!


Encourage one another,
Donna