Bear

Hunter Catching

Hmmm...write a book???

Take my poll to the left...my daughter suggested I write a book.  Should I? Would anyone read it? Decisions, decisions!  Give me your two cents and vote!

Titanic Cruise ~ I want to go!!!

A lucky 1,309 passengers will be able to retrace the Titanic's maiden voyage on the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of this beautiful ship.   Some of the family members of the original Titanic voyage will be on board for this trip back in time.

Read the article

My husband was kind enough to bring me to the Titanic exhibit when it was here locally.  I was just enthralled by the entire exhibit!!!  We waited in line for what seemed like hours to get a chance to see some of the original relics.

Similac Powder Formula Recalled

Abbott recalls infant formula over contamination fear

9/22 1:52 p.m.

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (AP) — Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said today it is recalling millions of containers of powder-based infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.
The voluntary action affects less than 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.
A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a Michigan manufacturing plant.

Positive Thinking is Everything

Read this, and let it really sink in... Then, choose how you start your day..every day...
Jerry is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant.

The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.

I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man.'

I knew I needed to take action." " What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'"

Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
 

Positive thinking the the first step towards a happy life.

Attitude is everything

Kenny Chesney - The Boys of Fall

Abercrombie SUCKS!

I received an email advertisement from Abercrombie Kids this past weekend advertising all of their clearance for 50% off.  What a Fantastic Deal!  Hunter is always in need of pants and with fall fast approaching I thought I could scoop up some fantastic deals for his fall wardrobe.  As we all know, I despise shopping and will take advantage of shopping online whenever possible.  My kids will purposely throw promo codes my way as well...knowing very well I won't pay full price for anything  (or shipping and handling if I can help it.) 

I clicked through on the ad and was imported into the world of Abercrombie Clearance!  Whooo hooo!  I found 3 pairs of great jeans, a few hoodies and long sleeved shirts for the boy and then beckoned him to come down from his room for final approval of my choices.  All passed his inspection with flying colors!!! 

I then clicked through to check out, filled out my shipping and billing info, credit card info and clicked through to the final stages of online checkout only to discover that it did not take off the 50% off the online clearance pricing.  What the heck?

Thinking I needed a promo code I went back to the original email Abercrombie sent me and scoured it for a promo code.  Nothing.  Then I remembered that Abercrombie doesn't use take promo codes on their site.  I looked to see if there was a start/end date on the email I received.  Nada.  I then read all of the fine print at the bottom of the email  and in about 2pt type I found "Pricing online indicates 50% off"   What B.S. is this I'm reading?   The "Retail price"  advertised on the Abercrombie website for the four pairs of jeans I dropped in my cart was $39.50 each. With a clearance price of $34.50.   The Hoodies in my cart  had a "retail price" of $39.99, clearance $29.50.  Long Sleeved shirts Retailed at $29.99, Clearance $19.99 each.  Ummm, excuse me...does anyone at Abercrombie have ANY math skills?  None of the pricing that I was seeing was even CLOSE  to 50% off!

More than a little perturbed I decided to email the Abercrombie customer service department inquiring about the error in their clearance pricing from the advertisement I received.  Their response??  "Online clearance pricing indicates 50% off of RETAIL STORE pricing."  What  freaking malarkey!

It is most obvious that their marketing department has a little communication problem with their web department, or they are pulling the old bait n switch.  I expected 50% off the clearance prices that were online due to the advertisement I received.  I ran the ad past my husband as well and he agreed in my train of thinking.  Abercrombie, you lost a big sale....and future sales as well with this family.  I had over $350 of merchandise in my cart that I was EXPECTING to pay $175 plus tax and shipping for.   I dumped the entire lot and went on a merry little online shopping trip at American Eagle instead.  Where they honor their advertisements and do not screw with their customers with false and misleading advertising.  

Take that Abercrombie.  :P

Kenosha Standoff Resident Identified, Charges Possible

Possible commitment or charges for woman in 7-hour standoff

9/21 2:26 p.m.

Kenosha Police have submitted paperwork for possible mental commitment and/or criminal charges for a woman who fired a weapon through a window at her home and threatened suicide on Monday.
Barbara Ensor, 44, surrendered without incident about 6:30 p.m. Monday after staying in her 22nd Avenue home for almost seven hours while the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team and other officers surrounded the residence and closed nearby streets.
Ensor is being detained at a Milwaukee hospital for a mental health examination.

Back in the Groove

Ok, now that we are a few weeks into the new school year things are starting to run a tad more smoothly around here.  The getting up part seems easy enough for the boys, it's always the after school homework, sports and bedtime routine that seems to be awry for a while.  That, thankfully, is grooving again.

Kid Updates:

Jeromy seems to really like Kindergarten but has become a lot more "scared" of new things, unlike in the past where he has been a lot more outgoing.  Taking hot lunch for instance.  He said he's scared to take hot lunch because of the possibility of not being able to eat it all.   He can't throw it away, that would be wasting a perfectly good apple, milk, etc.   Seems like a trivial thing to worry about to an adult...but in the eyes of a 5 year old it is traumatizing!   He's always been taught at home to not waste food, now at school he's expected to throw it away?  Not conceivable to him at this point.  So we pack a cold lunch every day...which is fine with me, at least I can see that he is eating.

Hunter is just starting to be hit with the big load of homework now...which is to be expected in 8th grade and a couple of weeks into the school year.  Unfortunately with playing baseball 2 nights a week some nights he's rushing to get it done.  Tonight he asked me to type up his paper on Edgar Allen Poe.  I caved and did it...he reminded me that I had typed a paper for Nathan some time ago.  How come these kids have to remember EVERYTHING???

Nathan is groovin' along in Minnesota.  He even went out on his first grocery shopping excursion to replenish the cupboards of his apartment.  Spent a whopping $50.  He didn't mention what grocery store he went to...hoping it wasn't the local conveniance store where milk is like $5 a gallon.  I tried to show him how to stretch the food budget, but boys don't always remember those king of things...they just see something they want, and buy it.

Brit was home this past weekend to work and spend time with the girls.  She's now thinking of going abroad for her last semester.  That's a scary thought...do I really want her out of the country for months on end?  I'm still pondering the thought.  Maybe once she goes in for her next MRI and the neurosurgeon tells me all is OK will be a little more supportive about heading overseas.  Maybe.  :D


That's all folks! ~Char

Bradford is Moving on Up!

Bradford football moves up to 63 in national poll

9/20 6:40 p.m.

Bradford was ranked 63rd in the RivalsHigh 100 national football poll on Monday.
Coach Jed Kennedy’s Red Devils, the only Wisconsin team in the poll, were ranked 74th a week ago. It marked the first time Bradford had cracked a national poll and the first time a County team was nationally ranked since 2001 (Tremper).
Bradford, 4-0, is at Racine Horlick on Friday.

Kenosha Woman Surrenders to Police

UPDATE: Woman surrenders to police

9/20 6:36 p.m.

A woman who was holed up in her home after firing a gunshot this afternoon has surrendered to police without incident.
The standoff ended about 6:30 p.m. when the woman reportedly told police she was coming out of the home in the 3700 block of 2200 Avenue and did so, immediately being placed in police squad car and taken from the scene.
Police were first called to the home about 11 a.m. for a report of a woman waving a gun and threatening to kill herself.
When an officer knocked on her door, she reportedly fired a shot out the window.
No one was hurt.
The Kenosha County Tactical Response Team was called, and authorities blocked off 22nd Avenue from 35th Street to Washington Road.

Brian Regan- Dinner Party

Kenny Chesney - "Reality"

Spicy Shrimp Bake

1 1/2 lb  large shrimp, peeled and deveined
juice of 2 limes
few drops of hot red pepper sauce

2 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions

3 hot red chiles (or something not as potent if serving to kids), seeded and minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (or mozzerella works in a pinch too) 

Toss the shrimp, lime juice, and hot pepper sauce in a bowl and let stand for about 15 minutes.

Position the broiler rack about 8 inches from the source of heat and preheat the broiler. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the chiles and garlic and cook about 5 minutes more, until tender

Spread in a large, ovenproof serving dish. Drain the shrimp and arrange over the onions. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in the cream sprinkle with the Gruyere

Broil about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp turn opaque and the cheese is golden brown. Serve immediately

My Secret Finally Came Out of the Closet

Do you have a mother like this one?

 My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE - "If you're going to  kill each other, do it outside - I just finished cleaning!"

 My mother taught me RELIGION - "You better pray that will come out of the  carpet."

 My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL - "If you don't straighten up, I'm  going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

 My mother taught me LOGIC - "Because I said so, that's why."

 My mother taught me FORESIGHT - "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in  case you're in an accident."

 My mother taught me IRONY - "Keep laughing and I'll give you something  to cry about."

 My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS - "Shut your mouth and  eat your supper!"

 My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM - "Will you look at the dirt on  the back of your neck!"

 My mother taught me about STAMINA - "You'll sit there 'til all that  spinach is finished."

 My mother taught me about WEATHER - "It looks as if a tornado swept  through your room."

 My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS - "If I yelled because I  saw a meteor coming toward you; would you listen then?"

 My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY - "If I've told you once, I've told you  a million times - Don't exaggerate!!!"

 My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE - "I brought you into this world,  and I can take you out."

 My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION - "Stop acting like your  father!"

 My mother taught me about ENVY - "There are millions of less fortunate  children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

Yep, that's me!!!!  ~Char

Warrant Issued for Lindsay Lohan's Arrest

Lindsay Lohan's week is off to a rough start.

Following a weekend full of reports -- and her own admission -- that she had failed court-mandated drug tests, a California judge has issued a warrant for her arrest, TMZ reports.

The bench warrant is on hold until Friday at 8:30 AM, when Lindsay is ordered to appear in court.

Lohan, 24, could be sentenced to 30 days behind bars for each of the two failed tests.

“I predict she will get at least 30-45 days for the violations,” Santa Monica-based criminal defense attorney Steve Cron told FOX411.com. “Judge Fox is going to want to ensure Lindsay is taking the court system seriously and right now, she just doesn’t seem to get it.”

Lohan tested positive for cocaine and amphetamines, TMZ reports.

Oh for pete's sake...put this girl in jail and get her @ss straightened out already.  ~Char

Swat Team Responds to Scene in Kenosha

Gunshot fired at tactical scene in Kenosha

9/20 2:30 p.m.

A woman with a gun fired a shot this afternoon after an officer knocked on her door in the 3700 block of Washington Road, police said.
Officers were called about 11 a.m. to the area, which has since been closed to traffic, after a report of a 44-year-old woman waving a gun and threatening to kill herself, Sgt. Hugh Rafferty said.
The woman’s son, 20, ran out of the house, apparently unhurt.
Police tried to call the woman, who apparently is alone in the home, but she did not answer. An officer knocked on her door and a gunshot was fired through a window.
No injuries were reported.
The Kenosha County Tactical Response Team was called and remains on scene.
Police have blocked 22nd Avenue from 35th Street to Washington Road.

Roads closed, tactical team on scene in Kenosha

9/20 2:09 p.m.

Traffic is blocked at 22nd Street and Washington Road in Kenosha, where police in tactical gear have taken up positions.
Police could not confirm what time the road closed, but it was observed closed around noon. The Washington Road intersection, as well as the intersection at 22nd Avenue and 35th Street remained closed at 2 p.m.
Authorities would only say that a “police action” led to the road closure.
People at the scene said police had targeted a specific home, but that home was not visible from the closed intersection. One man at the scene said a woman inside a home had a gun. He said the woman was a relative.
No other information was available.

Men and Losing Weight

A man calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.

The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck.
She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company.
The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."
Without a second thought, he takes off after her.
A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up.

The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens.
On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised.
He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program.
The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning and beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life.
She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, "If you catch me you can have me."
Well, he's out the door after her like a shot.
This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck.

So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.
Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised.
He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program.
"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."
"Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."

The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads,"If I catch you, you are mine!!!"

He lost 63 pounds that week.