Photo of the Week

I haven't done this in a while. I will try to do better.

This is me, my friend Jenelle and Wee-man (yes from Jack Ass) at the Big Ten during the Woffard game. He was there doing promotions with Monster Energy drink. He was very nice and took a picture with us. Neat!

Cranberry Fest 2009

This past weekend marked my sister and I's second trip up to the Cranberry Fest in Warrens, WI. This fest, for those of you who don't know, is a fest not only all about cranberries but its also a huge craft fair and flee market. Over 100,000 people attend this fest each year, and I think they were all there on Saturday when we went!

The weekend started in the Dells on Friday afternoon and night. My sister and I arrived in the Dells at 5pm and went straight to the outlet mall. I have been searching for shoes for months and was able to find a black pair and a funky pewter color in two different styles that I luv at the Naturalize store!! I was also able to find a couple nice sports bras at the Nike store. Then of course I couldn't pass up Harry and David. I got a Sun Dried Tomato flat bread mix and some Halloween salt water taffy. Side bar: I LUV salt water taffy, do you know that?? I don't know why but its a great little treat and low calorie and low fat.

Anyway, we spend a few hours at the outlet mall then headed to Moosejaw for dinner. We ALWAYS eat here when we are up in the Dells because its my sister's favorite place. Then we went to the hotel, Econolodge, checked in, went swimming and relaxed.

The next morning we woke up at 6:30 to take advantage of the 'free breakfast' advertised with this hotel. Now, I knew it wasn't going to be gourmet or anything, but ha, I just had to laugh when we get to the area and there are three types of cereal to choose from, plain bagels for toasting and two kinds of Donettes! DONETTES, wow, are you kidding me?!? I laughed out loud, literally upon seeing them. Of course this didn't stop us from eating breakfast though!

After filling up on carbs, we checked out and were on the road by 8am up to Warrens. We arrived in the town of 360 people (no joke) at 9am, parked, and walked into the fest. Its a crafters dream, really. There are so many different types of things that there is certainly something for everyone. We walked around, I bought some cranberry products, a couple mini jams, two bags of cranberry salt water taffy, a cranberry dip mix, some cranberry buffalo sausage, and a couple other things.

Then we headed to the municipal building in town to sign up for the cranberry bog tour. We boarded a school bus and went out to one of the cranberry farms to see how farmers farm cranberries. Its a very interesting process and we got to see the fields before they are flooded. If you don't know the process, cranberry fields are build almost like in a ditch. The cranberries grow until about the 1st or 2nd week in October when they are shaken off the vines, then the fields are flooded with water from the surrounding holding ponds. This causes the berries to rise up in the water for easy collection.

It was neat to see how the fields are laid out. I also got to hand pick a few berries and eat them right off the vine. Side bar: Not everyone can eat cranberries just plain, right off the vine. They are very tart and not sweet. I luv them!! But they are certainly not for everyone!

After that part of the tour we got to go into the barn when some of the cranberries had been harvested. They were selling 5lb bags of cranberries, picked off the vine on Tuesday! I couldn't pass it up!! I would have bought two but I couldn't stand to carry anymore! Next year I think i might have to invest in one of those handy wheeled shopping carts all the ladies were pushing around!

When we got back to the fest we kept shopping and sampling and eating. I snagged a really great Brewers sweatshirt for $15 and a cranberry fest sweatshirt for only $12.50. I also bought some speciality soybeans, one flavored with jalapeno and cheddar and the other was a cranberry mix. My sister bought a bunch of stuff for her and my nephew Tyler.

This picture below gives you a very small idea of how big this festival is. This is ONE side street lined with crafters and filled with people. Every single street in this town looked like this or it had back to back craft/flee/food stations. There are also several beer tents, an entertainment stage and much more!

By 4pm we were wiped out!! It was time to leave the cranberry fest this year! But we did a great job getting some great deals and some interesting finds. If you've never been, its quite an experience. Its definitely not for the faint of heart or timid. There are ladies with their shopping carts, people wondering aimlessly around, people stopping mid-walk directly in front of you, lots of fried foods and tempting treats...but I luv it and will go back again and again!

Football Season Is Here!!

Wow, football season has hit with a bang! Not only has Badger tailgate season started off on a great note but the NFL game last night was pretty exciting. Well at least for me anyway since I'm a Steelers fan. I decided not to do Fantasy Football this year but I'm still very excited for another great year for the Steelers.


Here are some pics from opening tailgate last Saturday. It was a beautiful day and this Saturday looks even better!

Can't Complain About That

When I asked my nephew to wish me a happy birthday last night, his only response (and rightfully so) was..."Cake"! Yup, you're right kid, that's about all that's good about birthdays :)

Happy 29th Birthday To Me

Today's my birthday. The big 2-9. Yes sir. Awesome. What can you even say about turning 29. Nothing exciting that's for sure.

Today I will spend my day working (or blogging), working out, going to dad's for a grill out, eating cake (maybe), then heading home in time to take some tape off my newly painted walls from last night, shower and go to bed.

That's a full day if I do say so myself.

I can't complain too much about this birthday because as you all know my last year's birthday was spent laying on my stomach, unable to walk. So ya, I guess this year is better than last. I'd also like to think that I'll have a better year than I did with my 28th year. I can't say that I have much to show for besides a broken heart and a surgery scar.

I'd like to think that I might find love again this year, although, it doesn't seem likely. Especially because my thoughts constantly turn to my ex. But I'm hopeful that some event or some person will snap me out of it. This past weekend, I went out for my birthday and I got 'called out' on not being over my ex and how ridiculous that is. I don't consider it ridiculous at all. I am just a person who was very much in love and who got blindsided and got my heart broken. I don't think there should be a time limit on how long it takes me to 'get over that'. I put that in quotations because I don't think you ever get over the people you love. I guess you just learn from it and try and move on, hopefully to bigger and better things. I am hopeful that I have learned and will move forward, on my own time schedule, and in my own way.

I'd also like to think that I'll stay healthy enough to NOT have another back surgery. I constantly live in fear that I'm going to feel that pain again, just enough for me to know that something is wrong and that my back is taking a crap again. I have had hints of that pain but I usually can attribute it to a specific occasion or workout where I might have over done it. So far so good and I'll try and be optimistic that it will stay that way for the next year.

My one big wish for this year is to take a darn vacation. I haven't been anywhere for over a year and a half and I'd really like to take a trip somewhere. Possibly Hawaii, an all-inclusive resort, possibly Sheboygan, maybe Vegas, who knows. Hopefully somewhere.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. And cheers to another year, good or bad, but another year all the same.

But I Love Swimming at 4am...

Thanks for the bday bash on Friday night, what a fun night! And of course I thought swimming at 4am when its only 45 degrees out was a good idea, who wouldn't!

Thanks for the gloves, hat, and glasses B and Al!! They were a hit all night :)

Can you find me?? Look closely. See, the bright pink gloves and purple shirt!! You found me!

And this is how the night ended at the tavvy. Lots of dancing and a long walk back to the Teters for 4am swimming. Nothing like taking the walk of shame back to your car that is parked illegally at the tavern (in front of the loading zone of that wood place) with wet underwear and a wet tank top in your purse!! Yup, do you know how many freaking people are awake at 9am on Saturday morning in McFarland. A LOT!

What a Magical Night!

So if you haven't heard by now, perhaps you've been living under a rock or don't have access to internet...I got to meet my favorite band last week, Tantric!! It was a magical evening for sure! The quick and dirty story is that me and Barney drove up to MKE to see Tantric play on Thursday night at Shank Hall. Shank Hall is a small venue that holds up to 300 people. We stopped and had 'dinner' with Ryan and Jason at Charro, where they had $1 margaritas. Whoa! We had a dinner of margaritas, chips and salsa, and a couple appetizers.

Anyway, I was anxious to get to the venue to get good spots for viewing. Ryan dropped us off at 8:35pm. There were approximately 35 people there. WHAT?!?! Where is everyone? After the opening bands I thought for sure more people would come but nope, they didn't. Tantric came out and played for us. We were literally like 2 feet away from them the whole time. Then they came out and drank with us, talked with us, signed autographs and took pictures. Can you believe it? I was in heaven.









After I got my scheme together to ride in the tour bus back to Madison, I actually got to talk to Hugo, take a picture with him, touch his butt to which he responded, "I have no butt." THEN he asked if we were coming to the show in Madison (on Friday) b/c he could put us on the guest list..say WHAT?? Of course I thought I would be out of town so I had to decline but holy shit that would have been cool!








Anyway, we took pics, met the other band that was there Aranda. They were nice and signed a CD for me. Then we finally had to leave as we had to head back to Madison for work the next day, or the same morning I should say.







On the way home, Barney and I befriended a nice rickshaw driver who rickshawed us back to where my car was parked. Ha, who the hell rides through MKE on a rickshaw at 1am!! We do apparently. Oh what a magical night it was for me! Thanks B for coming with me!

What A Difference A Year Makes

1 year ago today, I woke up to find I could not walk or stand or sit for that matter for more than 5 minutes. What a difference a year makes. I'm sure you all remember that time last summer. What a horrible time in my life. I could do nothing but lay on my stomach in my house and wait for my surgery. From Aug 19th until Sept 10th, I did nothing but lay in my bed. I was on major amounts of pain narcotics, cried almost everyday, actually lost a few pounds b/c I couldn't get up to get myself anything to eat, and watched more daytime tv then I ever care to watch the rest of my life!!

What a difference a year makes! I'm glad to say that since the surgery I've had relatively no complications or problems. I get cramping in my foot weekly and have lost flexibility in my left leg but I'm so thankful that I am not bed bound or permanently disabled. I'm back to running and working out like normal, which is fantastic b/c I didn't think i'd be able to run again.

You never think that one day you might wake up and not be able to walk, but wow, its rough. I wouldn't wish that experience on my worst enemy.

I know this sounds over-dramatic but I am just so thankful that I had surgery and am doing well.

A Whirlwind

I've had entirely too much fun the last few weeks this summer. It shouldn't be possible but its happened to me. Although I'm bitter and angry overall (along with the rest of the singles in the world) I've still managed to have a kick-ass month.

Here is just a smattering of shenanigans that I've found myself involved in the last few weeks:

Def Leppard/Poison/Cheap Trick...MKE

8th Annual Burnzy Bash




(I just wanted to show off a picture of my awesome calves here!)



(Those of us left from the original crew)

(Nice face)



(Lots of laughs were had all weekend!)

Sweet Minihaha #2

Made some new friends and despite the rain, had a blast!

(Hmm, this is normal isn't it?!)

(Posing for Sweet Minihaha Quarterly)

Brian's Bday Party (The Big 32!)

(Awesome Flip Cup Team)

(Even Yates made an appearance)

(Zig's priceless gift, home grown cucumber!!)

I also went to the State Fair, went to Band Camp (for a while at least), have had plenty of work outs, movie nights, and even time to spend with my cutie nephew. The summer's not over yet but I've certainly had my share of fun.