Christina and I went to do some volunteer work for a very deserving family here in South Central Wisconsin. We had to be there @ 6:30 in the morning and for anyone who knows Stina I was doubtful. Sure enough she called me at 5:00 and said she was on her way.

We got to the shuttle site filled out out release forms and got our blue shirts. Then we waited and waited with hundreds of other volunteers to get on the bus. When we got there we spent the morning doing the "braveheart march" a couple of times to get the footage they needed and then the demolotion. Which was fun to watch. I really didn't feel like I got to do anything so I hope to get back this weekend.

I'm sure you've figured out the show from the pictures but offically I don't think I'm allowed to say. For more information you can go to http://veridiangives.com to meet the family or make a donation.

Christina and I went to do some volunteer work for a very deserving family here in South Central Wisconsin. We had to be there @ 6:30 in the morning and for anyone who knows Stina I was doubtful. Sure enough she called me at 5:00 and said she was on her way.

We got to the shuttle site filled out out release forms and got our blue shirts. Then we waited and waited with hundreds of other volunteers to get on the bus. When we got there we spent the morning doing the "braveheart march" a couple of times to get the footage they needed and then the demolotion. Which was fun to watch. I really didn't feel like I got to do anything so I hope to get back this weekend.

I'm sure you've figured out the show from the pictures but offically I don't think I'm allowed to say. For more information you can go to http://veridiangives.com to meet the family or make a donation.

I wanted to take a moment to say good-bye to all my friends at Famous Footwear / Brown Shoe.

I will be starting a new position at Fiskars Brands, Inc. on Monday. I have enjoyed my 10 + years here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with everyone. Thank you for all the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during our time here at Famous. Even though I will miss everyone, I am looking forward to this new challenge and some new scissors!




Please keep in touch, Thanks again for everything.


It is the people here at Famous that made this a great place to work! It is the people here, my friends and family, that I will miss most of all.
Joan Hughes


I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about... not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. ~Gilda Radner

I wanted to take a moment to say good-bye to all my friends at Famous Footwear / Brown Shoe.

I will be starting a new position at Fiskars Brands, Inc. on Monday. I have enjoyed my 10 + years here and I appreciate having had the opportunity to work with everyone. Thank you for all the support, guidance, and encouragement you have provided me during our time here at Famous. Even though I will miss everyone, I am looking forward to this new challenge and some new scissors!




Please keep in touch, Thanks again for everything.


It is the people here at Famous that made this a great place to work! It is the people here, my friends and family, that I will miss most of all.
Joan Hughes


I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about... not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. ~Gilda Radner

Green Lake 08

"How many people are coming for dinner?"

"27"

"Can we fit 27?"

"Ya 27..."

"Who invited all of them?"


Let's see if I get this in one shot.
George, Virginia, Christine, Scott, Quinlan, Mark, Alex, Angela, Joan, Dan, AJ, Allie, Chris, Barb, Jack, Cathy, Jim, Kate, Olivia, Jeanie, Cindy, DiDi, Phil, Stella, George, Travis, Stella C......

We all gathered in Green Lake WI. Guests of Jim and Cathy & Cindy & Jeanie. I don't know how they did it but we all had a place to sleep. It was such fun. I was so happy to see everyone and topping the list was seeing my Grandpa who I haven't see in a long time and my newest cousin who is only 7 weeks old.


The girls headed up on Wed after I was done with work and Dan met us on Friday night. It was a fun filled weekend of Family and Friends, Boating and Swimming, Eating and Drinking, and Karaoke and Guitar Hero too.


I home again ....... back at work ........ and I already miss everyone. But it's my last week working at Famous Footwear so I am busy getting all my projects put to bed, cleaning out my desk after 10 years is like a project in it's self. I can't imagine what it's going to be like next Monday being at Fiskars! Yes I can. It's gonna ROCK!

You can see all the Photos on Flickr

Green Lake 08

"How many people are coming for dinner?"

"27"

"Can we fit 27?"

"Ya 27..."

"Who invited all of them?"


Let's see if I get this in one shot.
George, Virginia, Christine, Scott, Quinlan, Mark, Alex, Angela, Joan, Dan, AJ, Allie, Chris, Barb, Jack, Cathy, Jim, Kate, Olivia, Jeanie, Cindy, DiDi, Phil, Stella, George, Travis, Stella C......

We all gathered in Green Lake WI. Guests of Jim and Cathy & Cindy & Jeanie. I don't know how they did it but we all had a place to sleep. It was such fun. I was so happy to see everyone and topping the list was seeing my Grandpa who I haven't see in a long time and my newest cousin who is only 7 weeks old.


The girls headed up on Wed after I was done with work and Dan met us on Friday night. It was a fun filled weekend of Family and Friends, Boating and Swimming, Eating and Drinking, and Karaoke and Guitar Hero too.


I home again ....... back at work ........ and I already miss everyone. But it's my last week working at Famous Footwear so I am busy getting all my projects put to bed, cleaning out my desk after 10 years is like a project in it's self. I can't imagine what it's going to be like next Monday being at Fiskars! Yes I can. It's gonna ROCK!

You can see all the Photos on Flickr

Bubble Broken!!

Finally in the Money......

After weeks of lackluster cards I finally broke though this loosing streak. Dan placed in the money at third and I chopped the pot with Rachel for first place! I was down...way down and came back. Tons of fun. Chopping with Rachel is awesome too!


another note. Mom is in town. I wish she was closer but We'll take what we can get. I love having her here. Bonus visitor is my Great Aunt Stella from Texas. We are all headed to Green Lake this week for a family reunion. Everyone is coming, Even my grandpa from Florida. I can't wait to get up there.

Bubble Broken!!

Finally in the Money......

After weeks of lackluster cards I finally broke though this loosing streak. Dan placed in the money at third and I chopped the pot with Rachel for first place! I was down...way down and came back. Tons of fun. Chopping with Rachel is awesome too!


another note. Mom is in town. I wish she was closer but We'll take what we can get. I love having her here. Bonus visitor is my Great Aunt Stella from Texas. We are all headed to Green Lake this week for a family reunion. Everyone is coming, Even my grandpa from Florida. I can't wait to get up there.

Trip to Paw Paw and Detroit

This weekend Dan and I ventured to Michigan to attend a memorial service for his Grandpa, Stan, who passed away recently. I had the privilege to meet him at his birthday party this year. I heard so many great stories this weekend. He was an amazing guy that lived an incredible life. The marvelous legacy he left behind is so apparent in his family. Now this is a fabulous group of people that I find myself fortunate enough to have fallen in love with not only one of them but all of them.

After a wonderful memorial service and luncheon in Chelsea, MI., Dan and I headed to Detroit. Our first stop was Uncle Jim and Aunt Joann's. They have a great home full of fantastic character (and some characters live there too.) I kept pointing things out to Dan, I love that light fixture, I want this tile, and can we paint like this at our place?. We relaxed and thanks to Shelley we ate pie! (Thank you Shelly...I love pie!)




We headed to Uncle Bill's home. He lives in a breathtaking home on a lake. There was a neighborhood firework show for that evening. The place was full of friends and family, great weather and great food, and a gorgeous sunset and a fun fireworks show. I've never been so close to fireworks being set off. It was also Dan's cousin Tom's 21st birthday so at midnight we headed off to The Lodge to enjoy a few "legal" shots with him.



The next morning we headed back towards Wisconsin, Stopping in Paw Paw to have lunch with John and Margaret. The backyard is a thing of beauty right now. Everything is in bloom. The fire pit area is so nice. The flowers on the deck are beautiful and her herbs are huge!

More Photos can be found on our Flickr site

Trip to Paw Paw and Detroit

This weekend Dan and I ventured to Michigan to attend a memorial service for his Grandpa, Stan, who passed away recently. I had the privilege to meet him at his birthday party this year. I heard so many great stories this weekend. He was an amazing guy that lived an incredible life. The marvelous legacy he left behind is so apparent in his family. Now this is a fabulous group of people that I find myself fortunate enough to have fallen in love with not only one of them but all of them.

After a wonderful memorial service and luncheon in Chelsea, MI., Dan and I headed to Detroit. Our first stop was Uncle Jim and Aunt Joann's. They have a great home full of fantastic character (and some characters live there too.) I kept pointing things out to Dan, I love that light fixture, I want this tile, and can we paint like this at our place?. We relaxed and thanks to Shelley we ate pie! (Thank you Shelly...I love pie!)




We headed to Uncle Bill's home. He lives in a breathtaking home on a lake. There was a neighborhood firework show for that evening. The place was full of friends and family, great weather and great food, and a gorgeous sunset and a fun fireworks show. I've never been so close to fireworks being set off. It was also Dan's cousin Tom's 21st birthday so at midnight we headed off to The Lodge to enjoy a few "legal" shots with him.



The next morning we headed back towards Wisconsin, Stopping in Paw Paw to have lunch with John and Margaret. The backyard is a thing of beauty right now. Everything is in bloom. The fire pit area is so nice. The flowers on the deck are beautiful and her herbs are huge!

More Photos can be found on our Flickr site

I GOT A NEW JOB!

As many of you know I have worked for Brown Shoe for over 10 years now. They have decided to move the Madison home office of Famous Footwear to St. Louis. While I have been offered a position in STL, I have decided to stay in Madison. I love it here. My kids love it here. You just can't beat this great town.

I have accepted a position at Fiskars as a Systems Engineer.



I am crazy excited about this job. It's exactly what I wanted to find. A mix of Intel and iSeries. Everything I love to do. Toss in a kick "ath" pair of scissors and how could I say no!



It's all so bitter sweet. I love Famous: the job, the company, and the people. But everyone I have met at Fiskars were GREAT. I cant wait to start.... on that note they wanted me much earlier than I thought. I put in my two week notice today and I start at Fiskars on the 28th. Much earlier than the October 31st end date at Famous but I just can't pass this job up. NO WAY!


A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone to helped me out ( and continue to help me out) though all of these transitions. You mean the world to me!

I GOT A NEW JOB!

As many of you know I have worked for Brown Shoe for over 10 years now. They have decided to move the Madison home office of Famous Footwear to St. Louis. While I have been offered a position in STL, I have decided to stay in Madison. I love it here. My kids love it here. You just can't beat this great town.

I have accepted a position at Fiskars as a Systems Engineer.



I am crazy excited about this job. It's exactly what I wanted to find. A mix of Intel and iSeries. Everything I love to do. Toss in a kick "ath" pair of scissors and how could I say no!



It's all so bitter sweet. I love Famous: the job, the company, and the people. But everyone I have met at Fiskars were GREAT. I cant wait to start.... on that note they wanted me much earlier than I thought. I put in my two week notice today and I start at Fiskars on the 28th. Much earlier than the October 31st end date at Famous but I just can't pass this job up. NO WAY!


A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone to helped me out ( and continue to help me out) though all of these transitions. You mean the world to me!

The 4th Of July Weekend!

Allie and I ( James too) celebrated the 4th of July at the Larson's House and had a great time. Dan had to work but he joined us later. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone. Man was there a lot of food! (see the pictures on flickr)

AJ went to SummerFest with Shelby and her mom to see a few bands.... Less than Jake and GoldFinger. The rest of the weekend they are going to Chicago on their annual end of the year trip. She sent me a picture from the Shed and visited IKEA. {jealous}

The party continued on the 5th at the Larson's. Allie, James, Dan and I joined, Joe and Jason, Jesse, Amy and Cade, Brandon and Gabe, Danielle, Bridget, Kent and of course Christina and Lary for another day of swimming, eating and drinking. There are some more funny pictures and even some funny video of Jesse trying to conqueror a beach ball.

I believe the Beach Ball WON!

//www.youtube.com/get_player

The 4th Of July Weekend!

Allie and I ( James too) celebrated the 4th of July at the Larson's House and had a great time. Dan had to work but he joined us later. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone. Man was there a lot of food! (see the pictures on flickr)

AJ went to SummerFest with Shelby and her mom to see a few bands.... Less than Jake and GoldFinger. The rest of the weekend they are going to Chicago on their annual end of the year trip. She sent me a picture from the Shed and visited IKEA. {jealous}

The party continued on the 5th at the Larson's. Allie, James, Dan and I joined, Joe and Jason, Jesse, Amy and Cade, Brandon and Gabe, Danielle, Bridget, Kent and of course Christina and Lary for another day of swimming, eating and drinking. There are some more funny pictures and even some funny video of Jesse trying to conqueror a beach ball.

I believe the Beach Ball WON!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Last night the gang went to "The Theater in the Woods" American Players Theater, in Spring Green, WI. If you've never been it's wonderful. They put on 5 plays during the season. Christina and Lary go to all 5. Stina had the great idea of getting everyone together for one. Jesse, Amy, Kent, Theresa, Shane, Dan and myself joined them for a great show.

It was a beautiful night, not too hot, just cool enough. The bugs left us alone for the most part. And the cast gave us a unforgettable experience. It was so well done. I just can't do it justice talking about it. You should go see it!

I can't wait to go back. (hint hint Dan See schedule 9/13 or 9/14 looks great)


I got this from their website to explain A midsummer Night's Dream.

By William Shakespeare
Directed by William Brown
This play so perfectly embodies the quintessential APT experience, a splendid match with our natural setting. Upon a silken summer’s eve, four young lovers escape to the woods and stumble into the middle of a feud between the King and Queen of Fairies. The King calls upon his strange sidekick Puck to unleash the wily, willful ways upon that Fair Fairy Lady and those unsuspecting mortals. Shakespeare’s most popular comedy is a celebration of the wonders of love. And those secret places in the heart where the magic lives.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Last night the gang went to "The Theater in the Woods" American Players Theater, in Spring Green, WI. If you've never been it's wonderful. They put on 5 plays during the season. Christina and Lary go to all 5. Stina had the great idea of getting everyone together for one. Jesse, Amy, Kent, Theresa, Shane, Dan and myself joined them for a great show.

It was a beautiful night, not too hot, just cool enough. The bugs left us alone for the most part. And the cast gave us a unforgettable experience. It was so well done. I just can't do it justice talking about it. You should go see it!

I can't wait to go back. (hint hint Dan See schedule 9/13 or 9/14 looks great)


I got this from their website to explain A midsummer Night's Dream.

By William Shakespeare
Directed by William Brown
This play so perfectly embodies the quintessential APT experience, a splendid match with our natural setting. Upon a silken summer’s eve, four young lovers escape to the woods and stumble into the middle of a feud between the King and Queen of Fairies. The King calls upon his strange sidekick Puck to unleash the wily, willful ways upon that Fair Fairy Lady and those unsuspecting mortals. Shakespeare’s most popular comedy is a celebration of the wonders of love. And those secret places in the heart where the magic lives.

Monday Card Game

I "pay" cards Monday night's at my friend Kent's place. We usually have 7 to 10 people. We play Texas Hold'em. $20.00 buy in. No rebuys, 20 min blinds. We pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I enjoy the game and hanging out with friends. I think it's a fun way to spend an evening.

While I played well last night, I just can't seem to get to the money these days. Not even the bubble, but then again, I hate the bubble. Next week I'll place!

Monday Card Game

I "pay" cards Monday night's at my friend Kent's place. We usually have 7 to 10 people. We play Texas Hold'em. $20.00 buy in. No rebuys, 20 min blinds. We pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I enjoy the game and hanging out with friends. I think it's a fun way to spend an evening.

While I played well last night, I just can't seem to get to the money these days. Not even the bubble, but then again, I hate the bubble. Next week I'll place!