Trans-Siberian Orchestra

I have wanted to see TSO for a couple of years now. I remember trying to call into radio stations when they had free ticket giveaways. I was number 14 out of the 15th caller they wanted. It is a good think I didn't win back then, I probably wouldn't have appreciated the show as I did now.

When I seen the advertisement that TSO was going to be in Madison, I looked up the tickets and was let down. The price of the tickets were just going to be too much for all of us to go. I couldn't go without the girls or Mike, so I let it drop, disappointed. Well I just couldn't let it go, so I kept on looking online and trying different searches for seat prices, I finally came to one that was a lot more affordable. It was up in the upper mezzanine, or as my husband calls it, nose bleed area, but I didn't care. I am going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra! 

 I wasn't sure what to expect. I certainly did not expect what we seen. Sure, I seen pictures, but they tell nothing. And I must say that I am very happy with my camera, even after over 3000 pictures. Yep, you read that right, 3000. How, you may ask, did I get 3000 pictures. Well, quite simply really, a feature on the camera called multi-shot. There was so much going on that I thought that this would be the best route, and I was right. Got some cool pics.

For being as high up as we were, I was able to zoom in fairly well with my camera.

We felt the pyrotechnics in our nosebleed seats. The building structure almost looked like a big TV screen, it kept on changing. There was one time there was a dragon that was moving around the castle. The musicians, dancers were on lifting structures, and one of those structures was right in front of us.

All in all, it was one of the most exciting thing that I have ever seen and I was so glad that I took that initiative to go. Who knows, maybe I will be able to go again. But I think next year I will try to see The Nutcracker.

Preparing for Christmas

Inasmuch as I would like to blog about TSO, I will save that for another day. I have had this blog in my head for a week now, I just don't take the time anymore to write. For the most part I believe that I am done decorating for Christmas with what little I have anymore.
I always liked a fuller tree, I blame that on my Mother. She worked at Kohls and one year I remember she had a tree that you would find in a Good Housekeeping magazine.

I am not one for colored bulbs, or whatever they are called. Although I do have some, they are unique. One looks like cracked class, one had glitter in it. I try to find things that when the light hits them, they sparkle. Then I have one that look like they could be homemade. I have ribbon around the tree as opposed to garland. I used to do raffia for a more country look, but that got messy, and I could never find any long enough to where it would fall apart every two feet. So this is the final result.

I used to have a village, but I just don't have any place for it. Back when I had a huge tv stand, but now with the flat screen, there is no room. So I am left with one stand of decor. Various snowmen. a nativity scene. Angels.

My decor that was outside eventually gave out. I do not have lights out this year because we didn't get them up before it got cold. I am not even sure if they work.

So I guess I am prepared for Christmas, decor wise. It is 10 days till Christmas and nothing else is done. Got to get a few more items for the kids then we will be done.

Merry Christmas.

Unexpected Fun

After what started out to be a pretty boring day, it ended up being a very "sweet" day.

Having a four day weekend is what I really needed, had all these plans to get things done. Yep, nothing. And Saturday I had no motivation whatsoever. At least I got the tree up, not decorated, but up.

I was playing with my camera to see what I can do with lights. I always see pictures of things that I would like to do, but they never really turn out they way I see them. I enjoy looking at my niece Janae's pictures, she takes some really good pictures. I am not sure what she is studying in college, but I hope photography should be in there somewhere.

This one I like better, it is of a flower arrangement that is in my Mom's house. Maybe it was just better lighting.

Since Saturday was zilch day, which included cooking, we decided to head for lunch at one of out favorite spots, The Golden Cup 2 Cafe. What we were doing after that we didn't know.

What we did end up doing is taking our new friends to the Amish bakery and stores. Big mistake! LOL. Not really, you just don't walk out of the bakery with nothing. I am not sitting here eating cashew brittle. Didn't expect it to be that good! Jana is a junk food junkie! It was a wonderful time with some new friends.

Once Upon A Mattress

Once a year the school puts on a musical. For the last three years my daughter has been a part of this musical. This year it was Once Upon A Mattress, adapted from the Princess and the Pea. This actually happened in the beginning of November, I am just late blogging about it.

My daughter didn't want anything posted of her part in the musical. Well I am going to because I am so proud of her, I certainly couldn't get on stage to do it.

She played the Jester, and she rocked. I even have a video of her solo. Everyone that either seen the show itself, or the video thought she did am awesome job. The whole musical was done well.

Here is the start of the show, they are giving the princess a quiz to see if she is a true princess by order of the queen. The townspeople are waiting for the prince to marry, so that they too can get married. No one is good enough for the queen.

 The new potential princess, she swam the moot to get to the castle.

 

The minstrel, the jester and king. The jester is the voice of the king.

The queen talking with the wizard about a devious plan to prove that the princess is not a true princess.

The princess trying to get comfortable, how she did not fall off that thing I will never know. The "pea" must be really distracting. Oh and you can see the feet of the singing bird in the right corner.

And the true end of the story, someone has slipped in a few "extras" into the mattresses. Like antlers, bird cages, shackles...

It was a great play, although I remember the story of the Princess and the Pea, I never expected for that ending.

The Colors of Fall

The other day Emily and I took a drive around the area to see if we can get some good pictures of fall colors. Although most trees at that time were not turning, I did get a few that were. One good spot is my friend Deanna's house. She has to great trees out in front of her house. They were always one of the first trees to turn.

I love the multi-shot on my camera. I tried to capture Emily throwing leaves. They turned out ok.I have a good 20 pictures of these.

Of course you can't forget the colors of fall before the harvest.

One leaf just didn't want to leave my windshield.

This is one of the prettiest trees that I had seen that day. A mix of colors, things only a professional photographer seems to get.

And lastly, the trees by the waters edge. Geese included.

A 5oth Bash for Alice

Oh what fun it was. Just the right amount of people, a nice group of people, that came together to celebrate Alice's 50th birthday. She actually spent her birthday in Las Vegas (lucky shit).

The men made her a nice gift that will, I am sure, be put to good use in the future.

Denture wash and depends..All the things Alice needs.

 

People donated for beer and I was told there were 16 pitchers of beer on hand for those who wanted it. I just had Pepsi, I guess I came to the point in my life where I didn't want to try to be a drinker because everyone else was. But I did share a couple of shots with the group. One was rum chata, which was ok, as much hype as it was, I thought it would have been better. And another was a cherry bomb. This one was pretty good, tasted like cough syrup, but it went down smooth.

Did alot of dancing, although I am pretty sure I looked like a weeble wooble, but what the heck. I had a good time.

I personally don't have any pictures of me dancing, be here is one of Alice...at least I think she is dancing...

Of course there is always entertainment; Mike B. No holds barred, will do anything.

Just For The Hell Of It "Cookout"

"Cookout" is the way it is. I had planned a nice cookout for the end of September. We had such a good time at an earlier cookout, that we decided to host one. I wanted to do it the weekend before, but that was my anniversary. Of course, what should happen? Rain. All afternoon. I jokingly say that I was cursed because someone wasn't invited. It seems that the rain had started when people started to arrive and ended when they left.

We didn't get to have the bonfire, but I was surprised by all those that showed up and cramped themselves inside my house.

<----- As  you can see, Dan and Cory always making a show. I don't think that I even have a picture where Dan's finger (or ass) is not showing.

Although it rained, it wasn't that cool that others gathered out on the porch. The wind had died down, so that was good.

I choose to grill out burgers because I thought they would cook faster, well not on a rainy day, seems like everything I tried it just wasn't going to happen smoothly. But all in all, the food was good. My caramel apple cheesecake bars did not last long. And we barely had any food left.

I went around taking pictures of everyone, this one stuck out. I don't know what John did, but knowing him, I think Julie had every right to smack him.

I hope that everyone had a good time with all the rain and not bring able to have a fire. I think that is what people were wanting the most. Maybe next time I will plan it a little sooner.

Autumn Equinox

First day of Autumn, my favorite time of the year. I just love everything about it. The colors the smells. It just makes me feel alive. About the only time of the year that does.

I haven't done much the last few weeks except work. Only one day off kind of wears you down, and I am even considering a second job? Well if we keep on working the overtime, I won't need too.

My hydrangea limelight bush is starting to change it's colors. I fell in love with these when they were used at my wedding. Which my anniversary is today! :) I wanted to get married in the fall, I was hoping more into October, but events picked this day. For one, my grandma was sick and I wanted to get married before she passed away, little did I know my dad would be the one to pass. He wasn't there when we got married, at least not in body. But I am happy in the fact that he knew. When we were all at the house after he died, my cousin Randy said that dad had called him and told him that we were getting married. I don't believe it was a week from the time that we told him to the time he passed. Another reason was that the pastor that we wanted to marry us was moving to Minnesota. Well he married us and left for Minnesota that night. Thanks Rick and Renee for hanging around.

I can't wait for the trees to start to change. I know when it is truly fall when my friend Deanna's trees start to change. I must admit she had perfect fall trees. I can't wait to see what I can do with my camera.

Hot, But Breezy

What was such a nice July temperature wise, we are now getting into the hot days of August. Friday Mike suggested we go on a fishing/picnic trip. Apparently he seen this place as he drove by during work. A nice park with pavilions and little grills. Right next to the water. What he didn't count on was that everyone and their uncle had the same idea. It was also a beach so there were swimmers that didn't make a good combination with fishing.

So then we found a nice little spot a few feet away that nobody seemed interested in. We had also stopped at the dollar general and got a little portable grill. Mike helped set up the grill, and get it lit. I, yes I, cooked the brats. I didn't burn them, I turned them at just the right time and I must say that I am pretty impressed with myself. I bake caramel apple cheesecake bars, and now grilled brats! Paula Deen would be so proud.

Only one person caught any fish and that was my bro in law Kevin. He got three bullheads. Of course Emily took the pleasure of taking them off the hooked. Fish mutilator that she is.





This fella here started swarming us, along with his buddys, as soon as I put the brats on the grill. Each one would sit on a pole and just watch. Sometimes they would move and get closer as they did. Once everyone had eaten I took a hotdog and watched a bird fight ensue. Well not really, this guy was to fast, he sat and watched for a good 10 minutes, then swooped down and got all three pieces that I had thrown out.

Not Much Going On Here!

Like the title says, not much going on here. Well there was, but nothing worth posting about. After finding out my daughters new neighbors was a stalking peeping tom, the stress kicked into high gear trying to find her a new place to live. She was real upset about the whole ordeal about moving, but in the end, I think she got a better place to live.

About the only thing interesting to share is the cutting of the tree. Before we bought this place there was a beautiful, almost purple at times, blossoming tree. It was one of the things that attracted me to this house.

It was always so pretty and full. One spring, an freeze happened right after the blooms opened, they all died and the tree has never been right. Well it finally died completely this year. Mike wanted to chop it down a couple of years ago, but I always said, wait till next year and see if it blooms then. Nothing, so now it is just a stump in the back yard.

So now I know how to kill a tree. LOL. Well it leaves a big open spot for a possible pool?

To The Zoo!

Hugging Turtles

Since we had to be down in Madison anyway, after the appointments we decided to head on over to the Zoo. I chuckle because Micayla was so excited, like a kid in a toy store. Apparently everyone else had the same idea. Busy.

You'd think that being at the Zoo before, we wouldn't get so excited about the animals, although I do admit, that it doesn't seem to be much there like there used to. A lot of empty areas. Not even elephants. There was something posted about an expansion, and I suppose when you run a zoo on donations, I guess you are limited as to what you can have. I have no idea. Either way it was a beautiful day to get out.

Got some pictures of hugging turtles, giraffes, lions and tigers. Some birds. There was one very photogenic giraffe, and when I look at the lion, I think of Cher in Zookeeper. The male was hiding behind the bushes. Another one was the camel. The usual stuff. It has been a long time since we were there and I noticed that there was a new children's petting zoo. Looked like the usual goats and a lot of playgrounds.

The chimpanzee's were not on display today, and the orangutans weren't moving much. All in all, for free entertainment, it was nice.

Didn't see too much in the aviary. We were hoping to see a sloth, since there was a sign indicating there was one. Maybe it's another time to go visit Milwaukee.

New Car

You always feel good when buying a new car. It may not be brand new, but new to you. On Friday my daughter got a new car. Makes me happy because now I know she has something safe to drive. I believe she was a bit disappointing that it didn't have cruise. Which is kind of odd for a 2008 not to have cruise. Doesn't that come standard anymore? Apparently not in KIA's.

 After what seemed like hours of waiting and signing papers, here is Kurt handing her over her final packet. You can see they are both thrilled. LOL.

 The cute little new car. I am sure she will be very happy with it. She doesn't have to go through the passenger door anymore to open the drivers door. She has air, and a radio. Plus a jack that she can hook up her iPod to.

Say farewell to her first car. You were good while you lasted. We just weren't sure how much longer you would last.

A Redneck Reception

My friends got married in December, I believe she said December 21st. Well at that time I didn't know them, but over the course of a couple months, we have become friends. They had their reception today. It was my first camo themed reception.

 

If you can see the bride, she is carrying her own gun. I love the cake. They are such a quirky couple.:)

 

They sort of asked me no to put anything on facebook, well since I am not showing their faces, does this count? 

 

Of course, you have an outside party without a ladybug. I hear that that is a good omen.