what are you doing here? 9:19 AM

I'm over there.

The State Of A Fair 9:05 PM

Spent the day wandering the fair grounds with Tim and Julia. Stopped and ate our way through the fair, corn dogs, chocolate covered bacon on a stick, deep fried oreos, sausage on a stick with sauerkraut, buffalo burrito, mac and cheese on a stick, root beer milk, chocolate milk, blended mocha freeze, cream puffs. Interesting day of food, music, people-watching. Char was singing at the Budweiser Pavilion, got to see her sing, spending Saturday night hanging out with her at Shank Hall and the eastside last night wasn't enough I guess! Booked a trip on Amtrak for next weekend this morning before heading to the fair. Busy weekend, leading to another busy week of organizing and packing and cleaning and traveling.

Biking, Brats, Words, Moving 8:58 PM

Today was an absolutely beautiful one. I had to get out on the bike trail. Took a nice leisurely ride along the lake. There were a lot of people enjoying the outdoors. Biked over to Mom and Dads, first time for that! Spent the afternoon laying tiles, scrabble tiles with Mom, listening to the baseball game, talking, and having dinner, brat patties with kraut, onion, and swiss cheese, potato salad, beans, and pistachio pudding. I wasn't too sure about the sandwich to start, but have changed my mind and think it was rather tasty. I sat around for a while afterward and headed home. I took a different route on the way back, using the streets instead of heading to the bike trail. The streets are bumpy in Cudahy. Settled in, watching TV and plotting the next step in getting ready for the big move. Tomorrow starts the major push.

Land, Sky, Water 4:07 PM

Today turned out to be a nice day to get out on the bike trail. Hopped on the bike and headed along the lake. There were lots of people about, watching the air show. I took several breaks along the route to enjoy the view. I watched the Thunderbirds from the cliffs along the lake in Sheridan Park. I was out on the trail for about three hours total, not sure how far I went, but the legs held up.

A Day At The Festa 5:45 PM

Tim and I went to Festa Italiana, where Julia was singing in the choir, We got to park and enter for free. Had plenty to eat and drink, cappuccino, fried eggplant, chicken parmisan, italian sausage, root beer, gelato, lemonade, cheesecake on a stick. Saw a variety of entertainment, and I got to people watch as well. Next weekend I'll be back down to the festival grounds for German Fest and the air show.

Circus Parade 6:41 PM

The cirus was in town and I had to go and see the parade. I got yelled at from the Red Cross volunteers for not standing on the other side of the barricade of the watering station and then told by a woman she was saving space for her friends, who never showed. (Clowns I tell ya.) Afterwards, wandered Bastille Days, had some garlic beef skewers, browsed through the vendors, and people watched. It was a perfect day to be outside.

Bound And Determined 12:19 PM

After much thought and consideration, the decision to move to Florida has been made. I am going to go ahead and follow my instincts, follow a dream, and spend some time in the sun.

Dad's Birthday 6:22 PM

Happy Birthday Dad. Went over to visit, Scott, Bar, Erin stopped by, had brownies and vanilla ice cream to celebrate. Tim and Julia arrived a bit after that and we headed out to Applebee's for a late lunch. Back to Mom and Dad's for brownies and cinnamon ice cream for desert. Michael came over and a rousing game of scrabble ensued. I enjoyed the noise and the company and the day.

Florida Edition 8:12 AM

Miami was busy, noisy, crowded, and a lot of fun. The Art Deco district and South Beach were crammed with people. Walked Lincoln Road, filled with shops, restaurants. Today, going to a street fair, tomorrow, the River Walk downtown. The weather is hot and humid, with mid-afternoon storms, typical Florida weather. Did I say I like it here?

Eight Days 3:14 PM

so the song goes . . .

my bags are packed, I'm ready to go . . .

leaving on a jet plane . . .

Cooler By The Lake 4:53 PM

I went for a bike ride along the lake today. The sun was out, seemed inviting, so I got on the bike and headed for the trails. The sun shining can be deceiving, it was definitely cool out, not as warm as yesterday. Needless to say, I pedaled on. Got a rhythm going as was enjoying the ride. Along the way, a deer started to cross the path and stopped directly in front of me, blocking my way. I slowed to a stop about ten feet from the animal and we looked at each other. I fumbled for my cell phone to get a picture, talking to the deer, telling it that I was going to snap a picture. The deer watched me for a while, turned it's head, glanced back at me, then turned back into the brush. By the time I got to the camera feature, the deer was gone. With the trail open again and nothing blocking me, I continued on the route. I found the encounter pretty amazing, pretty darn cool if you ask me. Just wish I had been able to capture the moment.

Memorable Day 7:27 PM

Up early, laundry, reading. Then over to Mom and Dads for a visit. I brought along a gift for them. It is a hard to come by item. Since I spend lots of time surfing the Internet, I found it. I ordered a number of them to give as gifts. Ate lunch, played a rousing game of scrabble, did a crossword puzzle, stayed for dinner. Came home, napped, watching another ANTM marathon, reading, whistling.

Flat Tire 12:43 PM

I went out for a bike ride earlier today. Got about two miles into the ride when I noticed the back tire was losing air. I turned around and headed home, by the time I was a block away, I had to walk the bike. I have an air pump, so I went to reinflate the tire, but I ended up pushing the stem down into the rim and could not attach the pump. I'll be lugging the bike over to Mom and Dad's to get some help. I want to get back on the bike path!

All For You Mom 5:41 PM

Got to spend the day over by Mom and Dads. Coffee, Donuts, Chocolate milk, Scrabble, Dinner, Conversation, Brothers, Sisters, Phone calls, Baseball, time together. It was a good day. Love you Mom!

The Swing Of Things 12:23 PM

I wandered the lake front this morning. Sat on the cliff and just wondered. How did I get to this point, how do I shake the feeling of desolation, where am I going? I gave everything to those I counted on, everything and feel empty now. Somehow this song captures me as I am. I sat on the cliff and revelled in the beauty, the simplicity, the complexity of nature. Sat and watched.

Words To Live By 9:43 PM

Lately I have been searching. Searching for a way to put myself together again. I feel adrift, lost. things unravelled for me back in December, have continued to go haywire since. It seems like everything I am trying to accomplish just falls apart. My mindset is on uprighting myself, getting things in order, back to good. While on the Internet today, I came across a quote from Mother Teresa, which I have read before. It really moved me, carries a powerful message. I will now instill it into myself, my life.

"Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it"

Rain Rain Go Away 7:10 PM

Today has been overcast and the rain makes me sleepy (like I need an excuse to nap the day away). Yesterday was such a nice warm day. I ventured over to Mom and Dad's for lunch, Michael stopped over, we played a game of scrabble, then Pat and Toni came by, then Tim and we all sat around the kitchen table laughing and talking and had a good visit. I read in the evening, went to bed, got up early and headed down to the casino with Mom and Dad, where I ended up winning $100.21 for my efforts. Too bad that only happens once in a while, Ireally need to avoid the casino these days! Came home and napped and read. I blame it all on the dreary day. What'll be my excuse for tomorrow?

Hoppin' Down The Bunny Trail 12:05 PM

Happy Easter to everybody! Family, friends, readers, enjoy the day! Peter Cottontail wouldn't have it any other way . . .

Lazy Days 10:13 AM

Been doing pretty much of nothing lately. Applying for jobs online, reading, watching TV, listening to music. Got to the book store for a while yesterday, the casino today. Going to settle in for the coming storm, do some laundry and just lounge. Stocked up on Java Monster, Kool-Aid, Chicken Strips, and Mac & Cheese so I'm good for the day or ow long the duration the storm is. Today seems to be a good one to just be lazy.

Cold Fronts 2:27 PM

It certainly is a shock to the system to go from 70 degree weather to the teens. I am now battling a cold as it tries to take hold of my body. It started with an itchy throat and has progressed to congestion and a sore throat. I had to run out in the cold to Walgreens to get some medicine since all I had in the medicine cabinet had expired. I've been drinking plenty of fluids and basically lounging on the couch. Outside of the minor irritations, I feel all right, just don't want to let this cold get the better of me and want the weather to warm up just a bit too.