Archive for August, 2010

Aug 22

Sunday August 22nd

The end of another great weekend.   Something about being away from work.  But this was even more special, it was Irish Fest weekend.    The 30th year for Irishfest in Milwaukee, and we must have made most of them.  We heard some old favorites returning for the anniversary, and found some new bands to listen to.   Wall to wall music, it was a wonderful time as usual.   And of course made better by seeing good friends.   We spent time with Enders, Millers, Shanahan’s, Koss’s and ran into a variety of people we knew.  And I drank more than I should have, and ate more than I should have,  oh well.   I can fast during the week.

We got to Milwaukee late afternoon on Friday,  I was able to leave work early.  And we had some pretty hard rains Friday night.   The bands had to stop during the periods of lightening,  but always continued on.  And by the end of the night the lines at the beer tents had lessened.  So we still were able to take in some favorite bands.   And all day Saturday,  There was a brief shower during the day,  but it ended quickly and turned into a great evening.  And Sunday started as always with mass.   This year Northern Ireland was featured at the fest and a bishop from Northern Ireland said mass.  It is a special way to start the day and we got to share it with a number of friends.   And after a beautiful mass the music stages started back up.   We stayed until around 3 today and then made our way home.

The house was hot and breezes light when we got home.  So Chris and I took a long boat ride.   It was nice and cool on the lake,  you can tell the air is drier.  So now get ready for Monday morning and back to that other life!    Have a great week!

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Aug 15

August 15

The start of another week already.   The weekends go way too quickly.  We had a relaxing day.   We had some of the neighbors over for brunch today and a good chance just to relax and have conversations.    It was a good time and did not accomplish much more today.   Took a ride to a marina in Oshkosh to get some gas for the pontoon boat.  I try to stay away from any ethanol because it breaks down so quickly and my engine notices it right away!   So well worth a couple of more miles.   And we watched the end of the PGA Championship in Kohler.  It is a beautiful setting and gives the country a different view of Wisconsin.  I can’t imagine golfers not wanting to come and try it just for the views.

The week was OK.  Work continues to be challenging.  But we managed to get some downtime in the evenings.  And Chris and I got out a couple of nights.   And Wednesday night I was in Milwaukee for my stock club.   It is good to see some of the members that I don’t think will be in the club for a lot longer.   So that was fun.  And Friday night Chris and I went out after work and met some other friends for a few good beers and then out to eat.   Life is good.

Saturday a trip to our favorite butcher to pick up some things for todays brunch and this coming Wednesday’s Homebrew club picnic.  some more yard work and Mass on Saturday night.  The church’s picnic was this weekend so we hung around for a sandwich and to browse the silent auction.

But now prepare for the work week.   The next couple of nights prepare for the picnic, Wednesday the picnic, and probably Thursday clean up.  Then Friday night to Milwaukee for the weekend of Irish fest!  We look forward to that every year.   Friday night.  most of the day Saturday, then Sunday for Irish Fest Mass and a few more hours of music before heading home.  Then another weekend will come to an end!

It is cool tonight, at least after the last week of hot and humid weather.   It seems like it has broken the pattern and we have a nice week ahead.  We will take it!   So enjoy your week ahead!

Aug 07

August 7

Hey,  I have gotten really behind in updates.   But we are trying to settle back down to our normal life,  whatever that is!   We had a great time in Door County, always is when you are with good friends.   The time always goes too quickly.    We got home Saturday July 31 and we had an uneventful ride.  Then it is usually hot when we get home and we work to empty the trailer.  Not that we had to get everything out the first day,  but we do.

And the week has been about trying to get caught up at home and back in a normal groove.   I had to move the old pontoon boat when we got home,  because I had it where the trailers needed to go to be picked up the Thursday before.  But that had fallen apart,  but that gave me a chance to get to Door County earlier that evening.   But it meant moving it around a few times more.   But the buyers did get out to get it Monday night.   So we got to say good by to it and have some extra room in the driveway.   I cleaned up the boats last Sunday and we put both to use that day.  And on Monday night Noel brought their trailer back up,  they had taken it to Wauwatosa to unload.   Noel treated us to a nice meal at Fratello’s to celebrate the pontoon sale, and we probably had one more beer than we needed.

The rest of the week was wash for Chris and trying to get caught up in the yard and garden for me.   I had the concrete guy drop me a truck load of screenings for the driveway, and I am working on spreading that out and taking care of low spots.   And work in the yard and gardens have been tough.   The mosquito’s are like blood thirsty piranha’s.  Long sleeves, long pants, hat and spray.   And still tough to stand them.   More chemicals to be added to the lawn to make it livable!  The gardens are better and the grass getting trimmed up.

Work has been crazy busy.  I am getting some help for the next month so I can work on some of my duties that have been low priority.  but if the weeks are like this week was it won’t matter.  Full days spent on crazy projects trying to make things happen.  Next week has to be better.

Friday night we headed down to Milwaukee and got to see Mom.  She is doing well.  It had been a few weeks since we had seen her.   We did a little shopping and had a chance to talk.   We headed home this afternoon.   When we got to Oshkosh we stopped at the Verizon store to get me a new case for my cell phone.  And while we were there we checked out a new phone and plan for Chris.  She has complained a lot about the coverage, or lack of it by ATT.   She has had a long time plan with a good price,  but we got a comparable deal with some extras.   So now she has to learn a newer technology phone.  So that should keep her busy.

So I still had time to move a little more gravel tonight.  And watered the garden,  the heat this week was taking it’s toll even though the ground is still damp a few inches down.  There is some thunder we can hear now,  but it looks like a small cell that could easily miss us.  The Weather Channel says there is a chance of these all the next week.  Hopefully we get some boat time on Sunday.

take care