Happy Anniversary

After 30 years, we just had to celebrate tonight. When I look back to November 1983, I was nearing my graduation from UW-Stout and Bike man was still attending classes.  Wow, it seems so long ago.  A lot has happened in the last 30 years.....Happy Anniversary honey.

A Fall Wedding

What a gorgeous day for a wedding.  Sunny skies and 50+ degrees near Minneapolis, MN. 

 

Bike man and I were on wedding duty last Sunday.  Our daughter's best friend was getting married, so we were there to help.

 

Lots of decorating and set up.  Isn't that what weddings are all about?

 

The barn was so unique and rustic.

 

The soup and stew was made three weeks ago by our daughter Becca and me!  My favorite was the Chicken Wild Rice soup.

 

The bride Artena and her dad Steve.....awwwh, so touching.

 

The beautiful bridesmaids, Whitney, TJ, and Anna.  Our daughter Becca  (left) was the Maid of Honor.  The late afternoon sun was perfect.

 

The wedding ceremony of Artena & Dana....

 

Wedding planner/coordinator Eileen.

 

College friend Theresa.....thanks for all your help!

 

Soul sisters, Whitney and Becca.

 

The brides parents, Steve and Arlene.

 

Man of Valiance, Joshua and Maid of Honor, Becca.  Great wedding and I'm glad Bike man and I could be a part of the celebration. 

Isabel Suppe

Isabel Suppe & Aiden

 

 

So Aiden has a new friend.  Isabel Suppe, from Argentina, is staying with us for several night.  Isabel was my author presenter tonight at my public library.  It's been great having Isabel as our guest, and of course the cats love her, and thank heavens she loves cats.  I highly recommend Isabel's book, Starry Night, which tells the story of Isabel's ice climbing accident and how she survived for 2 days and 2 nights in the Bolivian Andes.  It's an amazing story of survival and a must read.  

Back On the Road

Back on the road again today.  One night at home felt so good....I missed my bed and my kitty cats.  Hit the road to Minneapolis for Artena's wedding on Sunday.  Remember, I was in Minneapolis three weekends ago to help make the wedding food?  Well, this is the big weekend for the wedding.  My job today was to steam 22 tablecloths, and Bike man's job was to slowly defrost the soup and stew we made weeks ago.  Lots of commotion and excitement tonight.  One more hotel night and then we will be back home. Will report back in a couple days. 

PS.  Bike man,  the Son and the older Son pulled the buoys out of the Tainter Lake this morning.  20+ mph winds and cold temps....yup, it's been a long day!

Oneida Nation

 My second tour today...I loved it!  Visited the Oneida Community Library of the Oneida Nation.

 

The native artwork was so unique.  Everything thing has a meaning, every symbol, every animal, everything has a story to tell.  

 

This woodcarving was located outside the library building. 

 

Inside the library, a group of Oneida women were working on their bead work.  I enjoyed chatting with the ladies and asking about their beautiful bead work.  The ladies meet once a week.    

 

 These beading pieces were made for a woman's hair Barrett and sold at the local Oneida museum.

 

Throughout the library was Native American artwork.

 

How nice is this?  Someone on the Oneida library staff made authentic corn soup for us to sample.  They even had Indian Fry bread for us.  Really enjoyed myself and the Oneida culture.

Full day of library sessions and one board meeting to attend tonight.  Looking forward to arriving home later tomorrow.....home sweet home!   

Life Long Dream

I felt like a little kid, all excited and in awe.  It's been a hidden secret of mine, but for years and years, I've always wanted to visit Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.  So when I saw that  my library conference was offering tours of Lambeau Field, I just couldn't resist, and I was sooooo excited.  Just so you know, the glow behind me is special grow lights to trick the grass into thinking the sun is shinning all the time.  The lights help to keep the grass health and growing, even in the cold weather.  There is also an underground heating system so the grass/ground always stays around 55 degrees.

 

One of the highlights of the tour was to sit in one of the new suites.  Can you believe this particular suite room sells for $120,000 per season?  I just about choked when our tour guide quoted the prices.  The smaller suite next to us went for $85,000.  I can't even imagine the person that pays that kind of money for a suite.   That kind of wealth just blows my mind.

 

Look at this suite!  Again, I just felt like a little child with big round eyes and I was taking in every single moment of the tour.

 

 

The view from the suites is beautiful, and to think you never have to feel the cold elements of the winter weather.

 

The statue of Vince Lombardi is very stunning, and right next to Lombardi is Curly Lambeau.  After our tour we all stop in to the sports shop.   Yes, I did buy a few things.  The weather was cool and windy, but it was all great.

My library sessions earlier in the day were very interesting.  Lots of good idea.....if only I had more time, more staff, a bigger building and a much bigger operating budget!  Oh well, at least I can dream a little......

Titletown

What's wrong with this picture?  Really, water for $3.00?  That's the Hyatt for ya.....only at a conference center will they charge that much for bottled water.

 

 So here I am in Green Bay at the Hyatt Convention Center attending the annual Wisconsin Library Association conference.  You know those librarian types, we're just party animals!!!

 

 Nephew Tim with Aunt Lisa

On my way to Green Bay, I stopped in Wausau to say hi to my twin sister Lynn and her son, Tim.  What a great sister, as she had a fresh pot of coffee brewing.....thanks Lynnie, that was perfect.

The library sessions this year are kind of blah, but hey, I signed up for a tour of Lambeau Field and the Oneida Community Library.  I'm really looking forward to the tours, especially my favorite football team.  I also signed up for a luncheon and speaker program with Jarrett Krosoczka, author of graphic novels and children's picture and chapter books.

The weather looks half-way decent for Green Bay and I'll enjoy my time walking around the city and taking in the usual sights and restaurants.