A Little Blog Vacation

I've been so busy with work and life the last few days that I decided to take a little blogging vacation. I'm glad I did, too. It gave me some time to think about what the purpose behind this blog is and reflect on why I started it in the first place.

I started it because I want to be a writer. Scratch that... I AM A WRITER. This blog helped me get back into writing and while I still have a long way to go, I do believe I've made some progress.

A bonus to having this blog is that friends and family can check in and see what we've been up to, hence the pictures and many stories about Craig, Alex and Me. I've got friends and family scattered across the country, and even have a few friends living overseas, so it's been great to hear from them in comments and in emails that they like the blog.

A double bonus has been making new friends all over the country and the world. I've "met" people from Singapore, Norway, Canada, and even Sheboygan... interesting people who I've had conversations with outside of the blog world and who I hope to remain friends with for years to come.

This is not one of those "I've had it with the trivial nature of blogging..." posts, though I respect those people who have blogged and then stopped. I think it's more about me getting back to the real reasons I wanted to blog in the first place: to write about my life as a working mom and to update friends and family on the goings on in our lives.

I'm not going to be posting everyday like I have been, though I know that drives readership. Instead I'm going to shoot for posting several times a week. That will allow me a little more time in the evening to write what I really want to write... a novel. Wish me luck! And please keep reading and commenting! I promise to return the favor.

Welcome Milwaukee Visitors!

So I can't find the iconic picture of Milwaukee's City Hall with the "Welcome Milwaukee Visitors" sign made famous by "Laverne and Shirley," but welcome visitors to my little corner of the blogosphere.

I am the featured blogger today on the SITS Girls Recipes site! I feel so honored! I feel so unprepared! I need to clean house! I need to add more recipes! I need to fix broken links and messy lists! Tidy the joint up a little bit.

I hope you enjoy my recipes, and the rest of my blog. Now that I've been featured on a recipe blog, I'm taking a vow to post one new recipe a week. I'm not committing to a day yet, just one recipe a week. Enjoy!

Tortellini Carbonara With Ham

2 pkgs frozen cheese tortellini
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked ham
1 1/2 cups half and half
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (I use ground peppercorns from a pepper mill) or more to taste

Bring three quarts of water to a boil. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions. Drain well, set aside. Heat oil in deep 12 inch, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add ham, cook 1-2 minutes to heat through. Add half and half, stir well continue to heat.

In small bowl combine eggs and cheese. Beat well to combine. Slowly stir egg mixture into cream mixture. Continue to stir and cook until mixture begins to thickent (about 2-3 minutes). Remove skillet from heat. Add cooked, drained pasta. Return to medium-low heat, stirring and tossing pasta till coaated. Season with black pepper. Makes six servings.

Impersonal Medium? I think not!

I have heard it said that the internet is an impersonal medium. That you lose out on something in your "conversations" because there's no eye contact, no emotion. You never get to really know people because you can't hear your voice and they may be crazy weird stalkers who are telling you lies. They may be posting fake pictures so you never really know what they look like.

That's a bunch of hogwash... horse puckey... mule muffins... turtle turds!!!

I am lucky enough to have a wonderful bunch of friends in real life. Friends scattered all over the country who I've known since grade school and high school, a few from college, and a handful I've made here in Milwaukee. I hold these people very close to me.

I launched this blog back in January, not knowing what to expect. Really it was just a way to get writing and have a little fun. I never expected to make such amazing blogging friends. And though we have never met in person, I do consider you friends. Thank you! I look forward to getting to know you all better.

Time for a change

The great bathroom remodel of '08 starts tomorrow. Craig and his dad are doing it all themselves. I'm excited and nervous about this. I will post pictures of our lovely, slightly updated 1950's bathroom tomorrow. It's pink and cream. BLECH. Pink and cream alone are not bad, but when your tub, sink and toilet are pink, that's another story altogether. When it's finished, it will be navy and white. This is a major undertaking, they're taking the walls down to the studs in places, and fixing some of the plumbing. I'm sure they know what they are doing, but I will be doing much better once this is over.

As long as we've got one remodeling project underway, I'm going to start one of my own. I'm going to start playing with my blog layout today. So bear with me if it gets a little weird looking. I discovered LeeLou designs thanks to another blogger who shares my name (Thanks Sidney!) and I think I'm going to give it a shot. Wish me luck!

Makeover my Blog

The green dots are getting old and tired. I need something to spice things up!
Everynow and then you need some color, maybe a little pizzaz. I think my blog is definitely in need. One of my blog buddies introduced me to a new distraction, The Secret is in the Sauce.
Their latest contest is to win a header or possibly even a design from Eight Crazy Design. All I can say is WOW! I've been in awe of web designers for awhile now. I have a greater appreciation for them now, after having to fill a pre-designed website full of content for work. It takes a lot of technical know-how and creativity! I haven't a clue about the technical stuff, but if I could manifest my creativity into a web design, I think that design would look like something from Eight Crazy. So I hope I win, and my bloggy dream comes true!

N is for No More NaBloPoMo!

I survived this month's NaBloPoMo challenge. All I had to do was post every day for a full month. I was writing almost every day anyway, but this was truly a challenge. I admit, I strayed from the theme, which I believe is okay. I'm not bored with blogging... not by a long shot. I love all the new blogs I've discovered, I've improved my writing, but now I'm tired.

I'm not going to take part in NaBloPoMo for May. I'll wait and see what the theme is for June and decide then whether or not I'll take part. I had fun with this challenge... who knows what's next?

D is for Dorky

I have discovered a direct correlation between the length of time I've been blogging and the magnitude of my dorkiness. I've always been one of those people who are comfortable using the computer, good at grasping new programs or skills, but I can't explain why or how any of it works.

I started the blog in January and I really feel like I've embraced the concept. I still struggle with the direction of my writing. I intended to blog more about the media... what it was like to be part of that group, and what it is like now that I've left the media. But I find I'm writing more about myself, my friends and family, and about being a mom more than anything else.

I've entered a blog challenge on NaBloPoMo... which has exposed me to some other awesome bloggers. (ellen, the Mama, you know who you are!) It's weird to think I've made friends in cyberspace... but very cool at the same time... said the girl who collected Pen Pals when she was little.

I've also figured out ways to track who's reading my blog. I've installed a blog counter (two actually, but I like StatCounter the best) that helps me log the number of hits... but it also tells me where they are coming from. Yesterday I had hits from as far as Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Sweden, Hungary, Canada, and Italy. I've also seen hits from France, Poland, and England. I just think this is so cool! I just wish I knew who these people were and how they stumbled into my little corner of cyberspace.

I know the comments form is like a guest book. I wish people would leave me a note when they stop by to read. So if you're a regular, or just visiting, I invite you to send me comment. I'd love to hear from you!

E is for Experiment

I'm actually on the road this weekend. We're meeting the newest nephew, little Payton. I plan on taking tons of pictures and I'll post some here as soon as we are back.


So I'm experimenting with Blogger in draft. One of the new features is the ability to set a date and time for posts. So I'm writing this on Wednesday the 16, but it's not going to post until the 19th. We'll see if it works! I'll probably do the same thing while I'm in D.C. if this experiment works.


While we're home I hope to indulge in one of my favorite "only found at home" foods... Happy Joe's Taco Pizza. It is the best on earth. They invented Taco Pizza. You can actually have them shipped now, which borders on the ridiculous, but I have actually considered having one shipped here. It's that good. One of the first shows I produced was a weekend morning show. It was actually two different shows... one was all news and feature packages from the feeds, the other was 5 minutes of news and then guests of my choosing. I booked Happy Joe himself to come on for National Pizza Day. The man brought so much pizza it was crazy. But it was so much fun, too.


So this is my experiment with blogging in advance. I really hope it works, or I might get kicked out of NaBloPoMo.

My 100th Post, one post late

I've seen other bloggers do this for their 100th post. So mine is the 101st post. Oh well!

100 Things About Me

1. My favorite color is purple

2. I’m a Leo.

3. My family means everything to me.

4. I will do anything for my family.

5. I will do anything for my friends.

6. I want to be an author.

7. I want to be famous.

8. I want to wear a bikini again.

9. I suffer from road rage.

10. One of my favorite things in the world is watching Craig play with Alex. Craig is such a great dad, and Alex just loves him so much. Sometimes when the two of them are together, I just stop and watch them. It just fills me with joy!

11. I learned how to read when I was 4 years old. We had just moved to Illinois in December of 1979. It was snowing and my mom was busy with my brother, who was just a baby. I wanted her to read to me, she told me she was busy and to sound out the words like she showed me. Several hours later I went back to her and read her the book… “One fish, two fish, red fish blue fish.”

12. I have a vivid, nearly photographic memory. I can remember things that happened years ago and I get really mad when people question my memory. Because I’m right 99% of the time.

13. I’m obsessed with fairness.

14. I’m a practicing Roman Catholic.

15. I want my children to attend Catholic schools, at least through high school.

16. I believe religion and politics are intensely personal and often refuse to discuss these topics.

17. My mom is my hero. She raised three wonderful children who are bright, loving, and successful each in their own way. I hope I do as good a job as she did.

18. I am of Polish, German, and Italian descent.

19. I was accepted at the following Universities: Purdue University, University of Iowa, and Ball State University.

20. I nearly had to drop out of the University of Iowa during my sophomore year because I didn’t have the money to keep going.

21. I was Resident Assistant for 2 ½ years in college in the dorm where the football players lived. I still love that I was telling these giant guys to turn down their stereos and behave… and that they listened!

22. I was in a really bad relationship for two years in college. Really bad. It doesn’t define who I am, but it made me who I am today.

23. I met my husband the first day at my first real job.

24. I have held the following jobs: bus boy, newspaper carrier, sales person at J.C. Penney, line worker at a General Mills packaging facility, hostess/cashier at a buffet restaurant, administrative assistant, library assistant, circulation assistant at a newspaper, ad runner at a newspaper, associate producer, newscast producer, internship coordinator, teaching assistant, public relations specialist.

25. I have a tremendous capacity for useless knowledge.

26. As a result of #25, I love to play trivia games.

27. I love to play board games.

28. I played volleyball in high school.

29. I took a P.E. class in college called “Abdominal Toning” and won the push-up challenge. 127 push-ups in a row without stopping… and not “girl pushups”!

30. I like being crafty… I’ve made fleece no-sew blankets, soap, jewelry, wooden decorations, knotted friendship bracelets, mosaic-topped plant stands. I’m currently learning how to knit and crochet.

31. I love being a mom.

32. I get frustrated with people who are selfish.

33. I hold grudges.

34. I cry at movies.

35. I am deeply in love with my husband. He is a perfect complement to me. We have a lot in common, yet differ just enough to make things interesting.

36. I am the middle child of three (older sister, younger brother).

37. I have traveled to the following countries: Canada, Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland.

38. I want to visit Sydney, Australia someday.

39. I’d like to visit all 50 states by the time I’m 50.

40. I have a hard time letting go of people and things.

41. I’d like to have four kids, but will probably only have three.

42. I never want to own a mini-van.

43. My dream car is either a Porsche Boxter or an Audi TT convertible.

44. My first car was a Plymouth Horizon. I loved that car.

45. I’m not even remotely athletic. Working out is really a chore, but I know I need to do it.

46. I am addicted to goodreads.com and blogging.

47. I spend too much time online.

48. I read books in the bathroom. (Hey, it’s called multi-tasking!)

49. I have this thing about owning books. I own a lot of books, and dream of having a room in
my house that is wall to wall bookshelves.

50. I’m not currently residing in my dream house, but I love the people I live with!

51. I am a dog person. I just love dogs.

52. I have a jar of cold cream in my medicine cabinet that I’ve had since I was in college. There’s not much left, but I feel compelled to use it till it’s gone. I’m like that with most beauty products.

53. I took part in 5 different elections between junior high and high school. I only won one, mainly because the person I was running against was not well liked.

54. All of my close friends from back home all have/had last names that began with G.

55. They Might Be Giants is my favorite band.

56. I am passionate about voting… I think there’s no excuse not to vote.

57. I like wine, but I’m not a wine snob.

58. I don’t really like beer, but I like Guinness and Sprecher Black Bavarian.

59. I prefer Diet Coke to Diet Pepsi.

60. I never met a chocolate I didn’t like. The darker the better.

61. I like to cook and I’m a good cook.

62. I’m really possessive of my kitchen. I don’t often accept help when I’m cooking.

63. I toy with the idea of becoming a vegetarian.

64. I love non-American food. Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Middle-Eastern, Greek, Mediterranean… you name it! I love trying new foods!

65. I like salsa and buffalo wings to be just spicy enough to make your nose run. If it makes you lose your sense of taste, it’s too spicy.

66. I love shoes. The right pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. They can also make or break your attitude.

67. I have been in 6 weddings, including my own.

68. I’m really, really smart. I tested well growing up. But beyond that, I’m smart. I remember things, and I know a lot about many different subjects. I only play that card when I have to.

69. I originally planned to major in pharmacy. I still wonder if I could have done that.

70. I majored in English, but didn’t read “Catcher in the Rye” or “To Kill A Mockingbird” till I was out of college.

71. I tend to run late. No matter how hard I try or how good my intentions are, I’m almost always 10 minutes late. Except for church. I hate being late for church.

72. I was very active at the Newman Center in Iowa City. I was a Eucharistic Minister and retreat team leader.

73. I took French for 6 years and was nearly fluent in it after high school. By my senior year in high school, I was dreaming in French. I tested into third year French in college, but the teacher was going to grade 50% on pronunciation and conversational ability. When I tried to drop to a lower level course, the put me in the track for non-majors. I regret it to this day, but hope one day to pick it up again.

74. I used to get in trouble for talking out of turn in kindergarten. It was basically because I was bored and the nun who was my teacher was evil.

75. I had braces in high school for two years. I still occasionally wear my retainers.

76. It takes me a long time to make friends. I wasn’t like this when I was younger.

77. I would love to live in New York City. Even now.

78. Ever since I had Alex, I’m horrible at remembering birthdays. I’m even worse about remembering to buy and send birthday cards.

79. I love to swim and wish we lived somewhere where we could justify having a swimming pool. It’s only warm enough for that for about 6 weeks of the year here in Wisconsin.

80. When I’m done having kids I would like to have breast reduction surgery. Alex helped my boob’s grow two cup-sizes larger, and I don’t like it.

81. I would like to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

82. I would like to go on a cruise someday.

83. I think I’m a pretty good mom.

84. I think the bickering between stay at home moms and working moms is ridiculous. Stay at home moms work hard. So do working moms. You just have to appreciate the position you’re in and do the best job you can. Women can sometimes be their own worst enemies.

85. I need to have girl time periodically… it makes me a better wife and mom.

86. I would love to take really good photographs.

87. I take lots of pictures, but then never print them out. Because I managed to get the first six months of Alex’s life put into a photo album, but haven’t had the time to put the rest of the pictures in… and why print out more pictures to make the task even more daunting? It’s a vicious cycle.

88. One of my best friends is a guy. We haven’t spoken in a really long time and it makes me sad. I wish we could reconnect.

89. I want to be cremated after I die.

90. Cemeteries fascinate me. They also creep me out a little bit.

91. I love to wear dresses.

92. I was a tomboy growing up.

93. I’ve taken up running, but still don’t consider myself even remotely athletic.

94. I wish I could sing/act/dance.

95. I only have three cousins who all live in California.

96. I used to be a picky eater… refusing to eat broccoli, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, etc. I now eat all of those things.

97. I have two favorite kinds of pizza: Canadian bacon with pineapple and Taco Pizza from Happy Joe’s.

98. I want to learn how to sew. In fact, I kind of want to buy a sewing machine and take a class to learn basic sewing.

99. I often rehearse conversations in my head before I have them.

100. I love Broadway musicals. I have ever since I was a kid. Someday I would love to have a subscription to the Marcus Center’s Broadway series.

the letter d

d is for don't drink and crochet. I'll explain tomorrow. it's too late to blog, and my mind and yarn are fuzzy.

Also. this is my 100th post. and I have a list of 100 things about me you ought to know. but I left it at work. so that will have to be post 101. i'm always late with things, so that shouldn't surprise anyone.

Having a blog is so much work... and other myths

The idea of a blog was first dangled in front of me about a year ago. I was still working as a producer at the time, and our station held a seminar for off-air folks who wanted to blog. It was a really great seminar put on by one of the tech folks who had been blogging herself for years. She gave some great tips. In fact, I still have the handout saved in an email. I struggled to come up with a name, argued with my news director over the direction of the blog (and won, thank you very much!), but it never came to fruition. I left the station, they still only let on air talent blog, and the rest is history.

Then late last year my friend Therese launched her own blog. At first I was extremely jealous. But she said, "You should do it too." So I did, it started, and here I am.

The general reaction when someone finds out about the blog is, "How do you find the time?"

Well, it's a blog. A journal. It's not long division or rocket science. I want to write. I've wanted to write ever since I was a little girl. I like to write almost as much as I like to read. So this is the perfect outlet for me. I love that other people are reading what I write, but that doesn't matter to much as much as just simply writing. I had to write in stilted, dumbed-down English for TV for so long that I thought I'd forgotten how to form intelligent sentences. My writing still needs work, I acknowledge that. This blog is helping me work out the kinks. I've got a long way to go as you can tell. It's either short, choppy sentences or long, run-ons.
And as for time... I work full time, I'm a mom, a wife, and a daughter. I blog at night, normally after Alex goes to bed. It doesn't take long. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes depending on how much I have to say.

The next reaction is, "I just don't have enough to say."

Have you read a blog? It doesn't matter if you have a lot to say. Pick a topic and write. You don't have to write every day. I'm only writing everyday as a challenge to myself (and because of NaBloPoMo) to see if I can actually do it. It's random thoughts. I decided to blog about being a working mom and about being a former member of the media. The media bit hasn't come out as much as I'd like, but I'm working on it. There are tens of thousands of people out there blogging and I'd be willing to bet most of them aren't writing award winning stuff. I know I'm not.
I'm having fun though.

I don't expect anyone to read my blog, I'm just happy people do. I hope it's entertaining, thought provoking, and only mildly annoying.

So to all those people out there who think they can't maintain a blog... snap out of it. It's not brain surgery! It's a blog!

A Blogger's Challenge

I stumbled across a new website yesterday. I saw the word NaBloPoMo on another blog and thought "What the heck is that?"

So I found the website and WOW! What a challenge. NaBloPoMo is short for National Blog Posting Month. It's not an actual month, but a challenge to post something on your blog every day for a whole month. The theory is, the more you post, the more people will read. The site is great. Each month has a theme (March was lists, April is letters) but you don't have to follow the theme all month. It's more to help you when you don't know what to write about. My goal is to try it in April and see how it goes. You're likely to see some really random posts on here... worse than usual. I invite all other blogging friends to try the challenge, if only for one month. They even offer some prizes each month. FUN!

I'm still hopelessly addicted to GoodReads as well. What a fun site! My "to read" list is completely out of control. I'm vowing to take two weeks off from adding new books. We'll see if I can stick to it.