Ah hem....*clears throat*

Although I am sure most of you have heard already, I felt like posting (and if anyone even thinks about saying "finally" I will tie your arms around your head and hang you by the feet.)I am going to tell the great news before Kodi has a chance to get home and post *wicked cackle*. (right now he is some where over the country in an air plane.) We are engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, it is rather unbelievable. I am still in a daze. Kodi actually picked out a ring that fits, plus I like it.
Yippy!
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Now what do I do?

My sister Elizabeth, in our school costume.
Both Elizabeth and I competed in the reel, light jig, slip jig, treble jig and hornpipe. I took it very easy, since my ankle was still sore *ducks to hide from Mrs. W's wrath*. I couldn't get refunded on all the money I spent, so I decided to tape, brace my ankle and dance anyway. I actually enjoyed myself more since I didn't have the pressure of placing in my dances. I knew I wouldn't do well since I hadn't practiced and couldn't do much with a bum foot. Imagine my shock and surprise when I found I had placed in my hornpipe, the last dance of the day. I took fifth doing my easy steps (I was tired and wanted to get it done fast) and making up my last step (My shoe started to come off. The brace was a little too big. I lost track of where I was in the step and started to stomp to get the shoe back on. After that I just tried to keep time with the music and hoped it didn't look too random.)
Elizabeth placed in all of her dances except for the slip jig. To my delight, she placed first in her reel. It was her only dance in the novice level, all her other dances were in advanced begginner. The only way to move out of that level to the next is to place first. I have not managed to do that and it is great that Elizabeth has passed me up. She wasn't too happy with the idea though.........

Milwaukee Feis

Greetings from the Milwaukee Feis! My Sister and I are killing time before our dances start. The feis is running late. We drove 80 down the highway to get here by 8 am and it didn't matter! I hope the dances move fast, but I doubt it. We are going to be here all day. *groan*
I will post a picture when I get home.

N-E-W.........;)

I wanted to post a picture of me in Washington, but currently I didn't have any on my jump drive. So instead you folks get a graduation picture. My mom was going to buy this one, but she hated the coloring and decided not to spend the fifty bucks. Right now I am job hunting, so back to work....

Why I haven't check my blog.....

I am sunburnt in patches *tries not to scratch*: most of my arms; except where my pro-life wrist band sat and where my sleeves were (should have worn a sleeveless shirt, like I was thinking!. The back of my neck is hot and the tip of my nose is very red. You see, this morning I was dragged out of bed at the ungodly hour of 5:30 and arrived at work early, so we could prepare the planting bed for a water fall. Today Reinders Inc. (a turf and irrigation warehouse) decided to have a "Build a Pond Day". About a week ago, my dad (the manager) noticed we were supposed to be hosting this event, but had not received any information from the mother-store. I quickly used my new B.A. in communication and the arts to throw together a poster (a masterpiece, considering I had only the Word program and copied graphics from the Reinders web site to work with. *big eye roll*).
The Big-shots from Elm Grove came up to instruct all of two people and me how to install a pond and waterfall. I came and went in between my shelf stocking and shipping duties. I hauled gravel, ran a Dingo (a cool walk-behind mini skid steer), selected rocks with a discerning eye and tried not to get in the way. I got lunch, soda and an earfull on the art and chemical of pond installation. *wipes her brow* All in a days work.

Horse Fair

I went to the Midwest Horse Fair with Mary on Saturday in Madison. It was very cool to see so many different breeds. I have a new appreciation for the Icelandic Breed. Although small and stocky, the horses are very fast and easy going. I think my favorite horse was the Andalusian stallion, Santiago. The picture I have is actually one of Santiago. Watching the horse respond to his rider was amazing. When Santiago would trot, it looked as if he wasn't touching the ground. He was also shown in a liberty presentation. As soon as his halter was slipped off, he began to run and dance around the ring. He was a total show horse!
If I wanted a horse before, I want one badly now. *sigh* It wouldn't happen for a long time......

Almost Done

After this week, I have two weeks left of school. I'll be done. Forever. (Unless I go to grad school) It is so strange to think that I wouldn't be at campus following a schedule next fall. I'll have to be working full time.
Now, the next thing is to find a decent job or internship. Anyone know any openings in graphics, advertising, publishing, web design or planning?

Now that is an Easter Bunny

I got this in an email today. It's the curse of the Ware-Rabbit!
"He weighs in at 22 pounds and measures a little over 3 feet. he is a breed of rabbit called German Giant (how appropriate!). this is his owner, Hans Wagner, struggling to hold him up. from the NY Post article:
"We don't feed him an unusual diet", said Wagner. "He goes through more than his brothers and sisters, but he eats the same food mix. His favorite food is actually lettuce. He can never get enough of it."

If I don't get around to posting (which is probably the case), Happy Easter everyone! One part of me can't wait for Lent to end, the other feels like it has begun. God Bless!

How "LOGICAL" are you?

1. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three
rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of
assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't
eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him?

2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for
over
5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out
together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?

3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and grey when
you throw it away?

4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words
Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday?

5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious how quickly you can find
out what is so unusual about it. It looks so plain you would think
nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is
unusual though. Study it, and think about it, but you still may not
find anything odd But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try
to do so without any coaching!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


DON'T PEEK...............................
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ANSWERS:

1. The third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.

2. The woman is a photographer. She shot a picture of her husband,
developed it, and hung it up to dry.

3. Charcoal.

4. Sure you can: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!

5. The letter "e" - the most common letter in the English language -
is missing from the entire paragraph


I don't think I am as logical as I thought. I was only able to figure out one. Oh well.l

What hit me?

I thought today's Karate class would be like any other; I would enjoy myself in sparring. Hopefully I would be able to hold off Leah's hard hits, get behind Matt's excellent guard, and attack Corey without fear. I was not excepting the tornado that hit. It slipped by in the form of a tall, quiet, white belt. I cannot remember his name, but once I learn it, I will make it a priority not to forget. I didn't think much about him at first as he joined the sparring group. This unknown was next in line to spar with me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him execute a sudden foot change and successful punch combination on a classmate.
"Great, he must has some knowledge of fighting!" I thought forebodingly.
When it was my turn to fight this guy, I started out cautiously. You never know what a newbie is going to do. When the tornado side stepped and slammed me in the head I figured I was dealing with a fighter who's skills far exceeded my own. I was shaken and annoyed.
"Who does this guy think he is?" I grimaced.
When Sensei yelled to me, "Suzanne, use your kicks!", I was more than happy to oblige. I attacked with ferocity and landed a few hits before The Tornado punched me in the nose. I backed off with my nose and lip smarting and glared.
"I am so sorry," the tall guy said, "I am not used to fighting in Karate. I'm used to boxing."
"Oh,that explains it." I thought.
I said, "It wasn't that hard, I'm okay."
At least that was what I meant to say, but it came out sounding like "AHm ohsna hat ha" around my mouth guard. He grinned at me and we parted in good humor.
After we were done with Karate for the day, Sensei came up to me and asked how I was doing.
"Fine." I replied. "Who was that?"
"That was a professional boxer."
Aw man! I have to learn this guy's name and ask him to teach me those side slipping techniques. He was so fast. I wish I could move like that.

Lent

So in the few minutes before I have to run to class, I thought I would pose a question: What would be some good reading for Lent? Just within these last few years I have realized I should add something to Lent rather than just giving up something. Any suggestions on spiritual reading would be great. Thanks!

Sheepshead Review, Submit Now!

I am in a class this semester that publishes UW-Green Bay's Journal of the Arts. If any of you can write or draw worth a darn, please submit work! I am in the group that is going through the non-fiction entries and it is depressing business. I think I found two entries that were well written with interesting stories. I also was going through the visual art entries last night and found most of them very boring. So please submit! We are accepting entries until February 27.
Submission information can be found at:
Sheepshead

Snowed in (almost)

Yesterday one of the largest blizzards in years, dumped a foot of snow on us. It was horrible driving to school yesterday and listening to the school closings. Basically all of the schools in Northeastern Wisconsin were closed, except for UW-Green Bay. (I have always wanted to have a snow day and was cheated out of it!) I left school early, skipping my late class, I headed home. The highway had one snow free lane, but everyone was driving slow. I was shocked to find my exit ramp to the next main highway closed. I wondered "How in the heck am I going to get home? I don't know where I am going!" I took the next exit and prayed I remember the way home. (I had only been on these roads once before with Dad, even than I wasn't sure.) I wasn't the only one trying to get back to De Pere, five cars followed me off the highway. The country roads hadn't been plowed yet and I was a afraid my low riding car would get stuck. Thank goodness it didn't and thank goodness the ever increasing procession of cars following me didn't mind the sporadic speeds. It was still snowing when I made it home 45 minutes after I left school. I almost got stuck at the bottom of our driveway. Elizabeth and Daniel were fooling with cross country skis on the driveway! I didn't want to hit them, so when I slowed I got stuck in a drift. After spinning my wheels back and forth, my car lurched forward. I slammed on the horn so the kids would know I was coming and that my stupid dog would get out of the way. He was running right in front of me! I pulled into the garage fast, but without mishap. I sat there for a moment and breathed a sigh of relief. I love snow, just don't make me drive in a blizzard!

Icy

This morning, I pulled out of the garage and backed into the turn-around. Rather than stopping like normal, the front of the car kept sliding. Michael looked at me wide-eyed.
"I guess it is a little slippery out today; it did rain last night." I said.
Michael didn't look too pleased. He has been taking drivers ed and thinks he knows everything about driving. I could see his face get tight.
When we got into town, I came to a four way stop. I didn't slow soon enough, fish tailed and just barely stopped in time.
"Man! That was lucky Suzanne!" Michael yelled at me.
"What? I stopped in time."
"Hardly."
Great. Michael is going to be the worst back seat driver ever. I can't wait until I don't have to drive him to school...wait...he gets his temps this week. I guess Michael will be driving me. I am not sure I will like that.

Mary

My friend, Mary, just started a blog up. She is the first of my friend's to do so and I am very delighted. You can find her here--> Mary's blog

Also, thank you for all of your prayers for the Baird family.

Prayers please

Please pray for a family friend, Carolyn Baird who has cancer. I got this in my email today and thought I would pass it along.

"In God's unfathomable Mercy, He has ordained that Carolyn
and Dan Baird will be making a pilgrimage to
the Shrine of St. Joseph and the Tomb of Blessed Brother
Andre' Bessette (in Canada) on Saturday, February 11th.
http://www.wau.org/resources/saints/saintarchive/bessette.html

As you may know, February 11th is the World Day of the Sick
and the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. : )

I am hoping that all of Carolyn's friends and acquaintances
can pray the ecclesiastically approved prayer of intercession
between noon and 3:00 pm on Saturday (Feb 11), in solidarity
with Carolyn and Dan.

"Heavenly Father, You have chosen Blessed Brother Andre' to
spread devotion to St. Joseph and to minister to all those who
are afflicted. Through his intercession, grant us the favors we
are now requesting (cure and return to health of Carolyn Baird).
We also pray that the Church may canonize Brother Andre' as
soon as possible. Grant us the grace to imitate his piety and his
charity so that with him we may share in the reward promised to
all those who care for their neighbor because of their love for You,
through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen."

Thank you. "With God, nothing is impossible." Pass this along......


peg saindon <><"

On a lighter note, these are examples of unclear writing that my professor passed out in class today.

(Actual statements on insurance forms)

• Coming nome, I drove into the wrong house and collided with a tree I didn't have.
  
• The other car collied with mine without even giving warning of its intentions.
  
• I collied with a stationary truck coming the other way.
  
• A truck backed through my windshield into my wife's face.
  
• A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
  
• The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
  
• I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed for the embankment.
  
• To avoid hitting the car in front of me, I struck the pedestrian.
  
• In my attempt to hit a fly, I drove into a telephone pole.
  
• The pedestrian had no idea which direction to run, so I ran over him.
  
• The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.
  
• The invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my vehicle and vanished.
  
• I had been driving for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel.
  
• I saw a sad-faced old gentleman as he bounced off the hood of my car.
  
• I was sure the old fellow would never make it to the other side of the road when I struck him.
  
• I was thrown from the car as it left the road. I was later found in a ditch by some stray cows.
  
• The telephone pole was approaching; I was attemping to swerve out of the way when it struck my front end.
  
• I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universal joint gave way causing me to have an accident.
  

I was laughing so hard, I thought I would cry.

Attack of the Quiz Thingy

Four jobs I've had (in chronological order):

1. Babysitter
2. McDonald's Crew
3. Jack of Trades at Warehouse: Shelf stocker/forklift operator/delivery driver/cleaning lady
4. Waitress/cock-tailer/set-up

Four movies I watch over and over again (in order of quality):

1. Lord of the Rings: any
2. Kate and Leopold
3. Minority Report
4. Ever After


Four places I've lived (in chronological order):

1. Rio, WI.
2. Appleton, WI.
3. Kaukauna, WI.
4. De Pere, WI.

Four shows I watch (in order of frequency):

Hardly ever but when I do:
1. Mystery on PBS
2. The Red Green Show
3. Arthur
4. Lost

Four places I've vacationed (in order of frequency):

1. Crystal Lake State Park, WI.
2. Peninsula State Park, WI.
3. Hatfield, WI
4. Glacier National Park, Montana

Four web sites I visit daily (besides my own):

Google
Yahoo mail
Almost 1 Brain
Eitilt


Four of my favorite foods:

Ice cream
Pizza/ calzones
Chicken Fettucini Alfredo
watermellon

Four places I'd like to be right now: *anywhere, but school*

On a dance floor
The Grand Tetons
Washington
Snowmobling in the woods


Four people I'm tagging:

Kodi
Andrew
Mr. Alex from 1Brain
I don't know anyone else on the web, so that's all I can think of.

New Look

I was getting serious tired of the light house look. So I decided to change to something simpler and clean-looking.



Well, I guess that was all I have to say...

short to say the least...

"Deus Caritas Est"

If you haven't read it yet, check out the Pope's 1st encyclical!

• God is Love

Back to the grindstone

Yay! I get to start school again! I get to be here until eight at night today! How fun!I think if I use any more exclamation points, it will be a sign of going crazy.....I will survive. *plays theme song*

Anyway, it looks to be an interesting semester. My news writing professor is blunt with a dry sense of humor, and already knows my name. I hope that is a good sign.