Seriously........

Spring officially started a couple weeks ago.
This is what it looks like in Wisconsin!!

Last weekend when it was probably 60 degrees out, my mom uncovered all the furniture on the deck....whoops.

This is, in all fairness, my favorite type of snow. I think it's pretty pretty---but still ridiculous and quite unwelcome!

Our neighborhood this morning. What a site!! There's dad in the driveway plowing. I think he secretly loves it. He practically plows for the whole neighborhood.

Hodge-Podge

I just got home from the RecPlex. One of the oh-so-many perks of being a pre-k teacher are the invitations to themed birthday parties. Today it was princesses-- Tons and Tons of them- everywhere you looked!! I went a little late (simply because 3.5 hours of hanging out with the kids I see all week---unpaid---is outside the job description- and I had lots to get done today) But it was fun. We swam. And by swam, I mean I walked around the pool with at least 3 kids latched on. I can guarantee you that this little girl has no idea that 'times are tough.' She can probably play with one new toy each day for the next 2 months. It was INSANE. (and, honestly, kind of sad.)

I'd also like to note that I learned an important lesson today. My parents always tell me not to park in the street in front of our house. It's pretty busy, and people are always speeding to merge after the intersection. Well---I don't always listen and this morning when I went out to leave, I discovered that someone clipped the side of my car and busted off a good chunk of my driver-side mirror. I'm kinda WAY TICKED about it---at the person who did it and at myself! SHOOT.

Oh, and here's a funny thing- I was at the grocery store yesterday during my break at work. I got the intuitive feeling that I was being watched. (I should mention that I was at a very shady store downtown) Anyway- sure enough- I'm picking out some granola bars and Loraunt -as I would later learn his name- came up and told me he liked my toe polish ( i KNEW I should have worn tennis shoes!) He continued to make small talk while I politely laughed at almost everything he said. He told me he was just bein real and hoped he'd be seeing me again.....I can promise you he will not! Oh- and when I got out to my car, the alarm was going off---clearly someone was trying to get into it. Gotta love Kenosha!

There are many more hodge-podgish things I could write about- like my wonderful weekend in Eau Claire a few weeks ago. (I got 'scolded' for not writing about it!) I could also tell you that I've started working with some of the leaders at Great Lakes Church to launch our youth group. I'm pretty excited about it. I've been making contact calls the last couple days and just feeling out the situation. We won't officially launch until June- but there's definitely tons to be done before then. This is literally a dream come true for me. In high school, my friend Kevin and I always tried to start a youth group at our Catholic church- usually when we'd get back from Workcamp. I'm so excited to be a part of something that I so desperately wanted when I was in high school.

Wonderful Weekend

Sadly, another wonderful weekend has come and gone. This one happened to be particularly special- with special guests and celebrations. The anniversary party was fantastic. Mary Helen has always known how to throw an outstanding party, and you have no idea how super cute it is to clink classes for a couple married 70 years!
The Herbert girls also sharpened our shopping skills this weekend. You'd hardly no that 'times are tough' when the weather is nice and you live by an outdoor mall. I had to wait in line to get into the Coach store! My mom thinks people are buying purses instead of putting food on the table---she may be right.
Today I went to church with my sister and our cousins - always a good time. After, we cooked out at Sara and Jeremy's house. I then had a rather long 'membership class' at church. We officially launched just 6 weeks ago, and today there were 126 people that committed to being contributing members (and not just in the financial capacity). I'm excited to be a part of the community- and even more excited to start leading some jr/sr high ministry groups. I've found that I miss that the most.
And finally- the weekend ended with a short- but great- visit with Phil and Kyrie. He brought her here so I could drive her to n. Milwaukee so she could get a ride back to school. A little guitar hero, some Luigi's, and a couple good laughs will have to last until we see each other again (hopefully in just a couple short weeks).
So that's it. Here are some pictures from the weekend. Let's be honest--they're always the best part! I even fancied them up a bit- ENJOY. Have a great week! <3

Happy 70th Anniversary Mary and Emil!

Today, my ‘adopted grandparents’ are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary! We’ve been blessed to be their adopted family for 30 years now. Next door neighbors since the day my parents married and moved into our home, we’ve shared so many memories- and I’m so excited that this is one of them! It certainly doesn’t happen often. Think about it- most of us don’t even have a shot at having a 70th anniversary. (By the way- the traditional gift is platinum. And for an 80th anniversary it’s oak. I can only think of one really practical use for oak around the age of 100---and I think that’s cruel!) Anyway- on with the this----

Emil said at Christmas about the approaching celebration, “I didn’t think I’d live to be 70 years old- let alone married this long!!”

The story of how they met is a fairytale- maybe because it was 1938- maybe because for fun they went dancing on Saturday nights and a date cost 5 cents- because the places they lived and worked are only in pictures of the past.

He was a buff football player. She was the cafeteria worker. She cut her leg on some glass. He carried her upstairs to dress the wound. BAM! I don’t know if that’s exactly how they’ve told the story- but I like it like that. My favorite part is that they eloped in Waukegan after only a short courtship. Both living at home with their parents, they got the required physical, drove down, got hitched, stopped for a beer, and then went back to live separately with their parents. It wasn’t until a few weeks later when Emil’s mom was doing his laundry that the secret was discovered. She cleaned out his pockets and found a physical slip with Mary’s name on it. She said, “This Mary Helen- are you married to her?” How cool is that!

It could be the one martini a day (err straight glass of gin) that keeps them going. But, I’d put my money on the bond they have and the love they share. It’s been pretty incredible to witness.

So today, March 19, 2009 we raise our martinis high and toast to 70 years of marriage!
CHEERS-- Mary and Emily Pietrangeli---CHEERS!!

Word of God speak

I wish I had a freakin clue about what to do with my life!!

That's all I have/want to say right now. :)