So, I put a lot into this site. I write, upload pictures, share my life...but why?? I can see that I get over 100 hits a day...yet I will get maybe one comment every couple months and usually that is from a psycho troll. I have one - that ONE - entry in my guest book and I don't even know who that is from. I go to other people's blogs and there are so many comments - there's conversation. So, I feel like whining about it. Is it me? Is it my content? Is it the site?? What is up?? Why don't you leave me comments on my blogs or pictures? Why do you not sign my guest book?? Why bother with all of this??

 

Okay...I got it out. I will go back to my scheduled programming already in progress.....

Here is the link to the online article:

 

 

 

Question: Does anyone know any good jobs for stay-at-home parents? A lot of them seem like a rip-off.

GYA writer Heather Rayne Geyer relied on personal experience to answer this question. Here's her response:

Since becoming a stay-at-home parent, I have searched for different ways to make a few bucks here and there. And while there are many legitimate ways to make some money from home, usually the ads you see are not ones to which you want to respond. If you EVER have to pay ANY money - do not do it. You should not have to pay to work. If it is based on commissions, again, I would stay clear.

I have found some Mystery Shopping Companies that are legitimate and fairly simple. You apply, and then once accepted, you will be able to choose from a list of open "shops." But if you are looking to make a living, this is not the way to go, as most shops pay from between $2-$25 depending on the job. Some can be more - but it takes much more time and effort. I will list a few company sites I have personally worked for - and have been paid:

http://www.speedmarkvision.com/

https://www.shopperscritique.com/

http://www.a-closer-look.com/

http://shopper.kinesis-cem.com/

http://www.sassieshop.com/site/

http://www.ritterassociates.com/

http://www.secretshopper.com/

http://insite.intelli-shop.com/

I have also done surveys - again - this does not pay much. Usually $1-$30 per survey. The higher amount surveys are rare, typically it is a buck or two that will be deposited into your Paypal account. For many of these mystery shop sites and survey sites, you will need a Paypal account. Here are a few companies I have done surveys for and have been paid as promised:

http://www.greenfieldonline.com/

http://www.globaltestmarket.com/

http://www.myview.com/

I have yet to find a data entry or assistant type telecommute position which appears legitimate and does not require a fee. I do have a resume on the most popular sites under the title of Virtual Assistant, however. Virtual Assistants are becoming more common across the country ... but I have yet to get a bite.

Best of luck to you!

Here is the link to the online article:

 

 

This one I wrote by accident actually. I just answered a question on one of their blogs - didnt think it would be published.

 

Jenni from Racine writes: I want to track my family history and don't know where to begin. Can you tell me how to trace my family roots and how find out where my family is from and where we originated?

We posted this on the GYA blog at

http://www.journaltimes.com.



GYA Writer Heather Rayne Geyer added: I have done this (well, started - it is a hard job, especially if you don't want to pay money to do it like me). First, I checked with the SS Death Index. I got some dates of birth, dates of death, birthplaces and places of death (I think). But that is only if the person collected SSI.

Http://www.ancestry.com

is helpful to a point without subscribing, and just using Google to search for some names is helpful. This is how I found out where my grandfather was buried in California and where he worked at one time.

For relatives who came to America, you can try

http://www.ellisisland.org,

which is free. You can also find census records on the Web.

I then went to local cemeteries and went into the office and they helped me look up names to see if they were buried there. If so, I went to the grave sites which often gave middle names and exact dates of birth and death. You might also find relatives you didn't know you had if, for example, there is a family plot or you find same last names buried next to one another (this happened to me).

Here is a link to the online article:

 

 

 

This was on of my submissions from the Mommy Talk blog contest that TJT held a while back (which I did win by the way - blushed cheeks). They have been publishing the entries now and then and here is one of mine the printed last Friday.

 

So, how the heck are ya on this HOT HOT day?? Cassidy is down for her nap and I have a quick minute or so for some spewing...so....here we go....

 

Last week Charlie got some bug up his Ty Pennington wanna be ass and he decides to start pulling the wall paper off the walls in our half bath. Yes, the wallpaper WAS hideous. It was that 70s silver foily looking stuff with orange and yellow leaves - pretty nasty. BUT it was in good shape and we had no plans for remodeling right now. But whats done is done and now the walls needed to be painted. So we go to the store to buy paint and he says he want to do the floor while were at it - mind as well do it all at once because it will only take - get this - a "couple of hours" LOL. So, we get the paint and flooring. We then remembered that we really needed a new toilet seat - the brown cushy wood grain look was just not doing it for me. So we look and look but as suspected, there are no seats that match the lovely mustard color porcelain toilet. Now what?? Well...we just so happened to walk down the toilet aisle. And Charlie points out that they are really pretty cheap - why not just get a new one. Ugh. I had no more strength and he could sense my desire to get out of that store - he could sense that I would likely say okay to just about anything just to GET HOME. Now our toilet will be white while our sink still that mustard yellow. We couldn't have that now could we?! So, we found a vanity/sink combo and I grabbed the sales guy and just said I want this. What the hell, we are already spending a crap load of money we don't have - whats another couple hundred?? I say that tongue in cheek of course as spending money literally makes my tummy cramp and I always throw up in my mouth a bit.  A compulsive shopper I will never be!!

 

Anyway, this was Saturday and now all of the stuff from the bathroom still lies on our dining table awaiting the primer to dry so it can be painted (hopefully tonight). Floor should be laid tomorrow. And this whole project BETTER be completed by this weekend. So much for a couple hours - eh?? This is just so not my arena. I am not one who constantly needs to be improving things, getting the better model, bigger and better is just not my MO. I like things comfortable, familiar. And while - SURE - I would love to have nice things and a beautifully updated home, I prefer to have chaotic free weekends watching movies and going out for ice cream. Yes, I am a lazy ass. And a cheap lazy ass at that. Could be worse, right??

 

I am also in the midst of planning our 4th of July cookout. I get a wee bit OCD about menus and planning for stuff like this. Plus, some friends I haven't seen in YEARS should be coming and I want things to be yummy and pretty. Perhaps it will distract from my extra weight since seeing them or the years that have planted on my face...??? I can only hope. I am very excited to see them though and I hope everyone shows up. Its not too often I get to be around friends and loved ones (other than my immediate family) and I do get lonely here at home. So, this will be a treat. But on Monday and Tuesday I will be cooking and cleaning non-stop :)

 

After the 4th, an old friend is coming to town. Paige and I have been friends since my sophomore year of high school. So I guess that would be about 17 years now! She lives in Maine and was married (pretty fast impromptu wedding) last weekend. I did not attend as it was a small family event. I actually didn't even know about it until a few days prior. She has been with her new groom for a long time now and they have 2 children together. I have met her son twice, but never her (now) husband. So, they are having a bit of a reception in July and I am excited to see her. I miss her often. I am sure I will cry and be emotional and nostalgic. She probably won't be. Her and I can be so different. She is quite Stoic and confident. Knows just what she wants and has always accomplished what she desired as far as I remember. I always looked up to her and was quite envious at times. Always wanted her strength, intelligence and independence.

 

I have been noticing something lately and perhaps I am reaching here, but I feel that society is becoming more spiritual - perhaps unintentionally or even subconciously...but I am noticing things I hadn't before. More and more television shows are displaying some kind of existential or spiritual context. The same with movies. You hear much more about mediums and psychics than just a few years ago. I wouldn't say I completely believe in Sylvia Browne (a psychic who is often on The Montel Williams Show) as she does not validate like John Edward does. But I find some of what she has to say very interesting. She says that they 'veil is lifting' between this life and the afterlife. She claims that this is because most of us are on our last lives and that this world - as we know it - will not exist very much longer. Because of these things, people are more in-tuned with a spiritual side. If nothing else...it is an interesting topic.

 

Well, I suppose I should get going. My eyes ache after sitting at the computer for too long - I really need to be wearing my reading glasses. I added some new pictures to the latest album on this site. Some cute ones. And I am sure to have plenty after the 4th!!

 

Have a good one.

 

 

I haven’t written in a while. Guess I have been a little busier, about the same amount of lazy and a tad ‘writing-ed’ out. 

My husband went up north with a friend for a few days. He left on Thursday, which incidentally was our 4^th anniversary. He took that day off and we went to Red Lobster (lame to most, but I like it) for a late lunch and he left that evening. He came home Sunday evening, thankfully because I am exhausted. One thing I can say about him is that he is pretty good at helping me with the kids when he is not working. We share the kid responsibility in the after work hours and on weekends. Which – yes – is how it should be. But I hear much too often that is not the norm. So, I am grateful for that. Because being a stay at home mom, by the end of the day – I need my 30 minutes on the treadmill away from everyone. I need some help with the discipline. I need him to take them away for an hour once in a while. I may sound like a spoiled baby. But for as long as I have known me – whats it been – 33 years now? Anyway, I have ALWAYS been someone who needs more downtime than the average person. Which is actually a strong ‘symptom’ of being an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person). I need quiet every so often or I feel as though my head will explode. And I just need my moments to breath and release those muscles that I hadn’t realized had been quite tensed all day. You know that feeling? When you accidentally relax and it is at that moment when you suddenly realize that a particular muscle must have been tightened and tensed for the past 3 days without you really being conscious of it? Anyway, that happens to me ALL of the time. So when he came home, I was ready for him to help out with who had once been my sweet lovely daughter.

Once been? Yes. She has somehow been invaded and is now unimaginably NAUGHTY. She defies me any chance she can find. And she thinks it is hilarious. It is not like she is spoiled or gets away with it. I am quite consistent and she most certainly has consequences. But she just doesn’t care about them. About 75% of her toys are in the basement right now. She has the ‘naughty chair’. She gets time outs. None of it helps. I also do positive reinforcement. When she is particularly nice or helps out – I give her happy stickers and she gets to pick out one of her confiscated toys to bring back upstairs. I know, I know. She is in those ‘terrible twos’ you hear so much about. But does this mean that in 3 months she will be my darling little angel again?? (Say yes. Please…say yes).

I have been taking these writing assignments from that California magazine that I have posted CD Reviews for in the recent past. I had written an article about the origin of hops, the origin of the tortilla, a few more CD reviews and have one due Tuesday on students having pen pals. It’s not exactly the kind of writing that floats my boat. And there is no pay involved. It also takes up a bit of time and adds some anxiety to my plate. So why do it? To practice. To write. To see my name in print is even a motivation – as silly as that may seem. Perhaps it will lead to something someday. Who knows. Cross your fingers, eh?

Today was Father’s Day. As some of you may know, my step father, Randy, raised me with my mom. And I am very grateful for that. He could always be counted on in those moments of dead cars, rides home from parties gone bad and not to mention braces, medical bills, clothing and everything else a kid needs. My dad was in and out of my life since the age of 7.  And he died when I was 23.  He was 46. I miss him incredibly. Not the guy who inhabited his body the last couple years of his life, but the man I knew before that. So funny and witty and smart and sarcastic and childish. That guy. I wish I saw him in my dreams more often. I have such vivid and life-like dreams. Others dream of their loved ones who have passed on. Why don’t I? Once in a blue moon he or one of my grandmas will pop in. But VERY rarely and I think that totally blows. Are they simply too busy? Did they never really like me? What the hell! Anyway, I really miss my dad and I hope he had a good father’s day. In his honor I ate a shit load of junk food and watched a couple movies this weekend.

Speaking of movies…I have seen a few good ones in the past couple weeks. The Fountain, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio and Shut Up and Sing. All were quite good and much better than I had anticipated. I also watched All the Kings Men (new remake with Sean Penn) which was interesting – not great…but good.

Before that (cannot remember if I had mentioned) I had seen Little Children, Notes on a Scandal and Children of Men. All three were FABULOUS. And all very different and great for different reasons.

Since I have seen so many, I will make a separate post about the movies. Not really reviews because that would take a while…but just brief jots on how I felt about them.

Oh, I added a couple cute pics of Cassidy (and some unfortunate ones with me in them) to the May/June 2007 Album.

Anyway, like I said earlier, I am exhausted. So I must end now before my head violently hits the keyboard and I drool on the laptop causing some horrible electrical shock which will kill me and most certainly ruin the computer. So…nite nite.

Link to online article:

 

 

Writing will come slowly to me today as I am as close to speechless as I can get.

In hearing the latest reports about the windfall profits made by Exxon this past quarter, I am appalled. Yes, certainly companies are supposed to make a profit. That is the whole point of consumerism and the basis of this dollar sign emblemed country. I get it. But when these profits are inflating (more like exploding) the pockets of a slight few while the remaining 99 percent of the country are digging for pennies under their car seats...something is terribly wrong.

It is becoming more and more clear to me the motives of our current administration in regards to the war in Iraq as well as their apparent blindness to the problems their oil comrades are creating. The war is making money for all of them. While soldiers are dying and citizens are going broke paying their gas bills, they are quietly reaping the benefits. I was not against this war in the beginning. Of course I am in favor of fighting terrorism. I am not however in favor of sending people to die to line the pockets of the elite minority.

Right now I am imagining HW Bush, GW Bush, Cheney, Lee Raymond (CEO Exxon), Jeroen van der Veer (Shell CEO) all attending a Halloween Ball.

They are dressed appropriately of course as Chandler, Joey, Rachel, Phoebe, and Ross. Isn't it clear what is happening here? This is nothing short of economic rape. Please explain to me why this is okay.

Here is the link to the online article for The Racine Journal Times:

 

 

Here is the link to the online letter on the Milwaukee Journal:

 

 

Here is the link to the online letter on The Wisconsin State Journal:

 

 

Raising the cigarette tax is beneficial in so many ways. For one, eventually the price WILL get hefty enough to encourage people to quit. They will have no choice. The more people in our society who smoke, the more the financial burden there is on EVERYONE. It costs companies more to insure their employees. It raises insurance costs to those who have never even lit up. And the medical complications that arise from smoking also raise healthcare costs to unbelievable proportions.

Information gathered from USA Today: according to a study in 2004 by health economists, the combined price paid by a smoker’s family and society is about $41 per pack of cigarettes. This estimation is based on the costs for a 24-year-old smoker over 60 years for cigarettes, taxes, insurance, medical care and lost earnings because of smoking-related disabilities. So, smokers are already paying at least $41 bucks a pack – what’s an extra buck or two? Everyone knows the damage caused by cigarettes. It is no secret. Why should we all ‘pay’ in so many ways?

This country is broke. And instead of taking away what is needed to make America a better place, instead of taxing the necessities in our lives – I say tax the heck out of what is destroying people to begin with. Smoking, alcohol, fast food…we know these are harmful and certainly not necessities so why not hike the taxes up on these and leave the gas tax (for example) alone? I am not saying they should be outlawed. I am not saying they should be banned. I am saying that if you want to do these things, then pay for it. Why should we all pay for their consequences equally? A cheeseburger here or there isn’t going to kill you. But the extra occasional tax won’t either. If you want to expose yourself to hundreds of different ailments from smoking – more power to you…but YOU pay for it.

I smoked for a long time. I had my moments with Jack and Coke too. And you bet I have eaten more Whoppers than necessary. But I have also seen the devastation these can cause, especially cigarettes. I support the tax – for so many reasons.

Link to the online article:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the link to the online article:

 

 

My Answer:

 

I spoke with Paul Tellier with Waukesha County Environmental Health Services and learned a lot about Radon, its effects and how it pertains to the reader’s questions. I was quite shocked and interested in all he had to say as admittedly I knew nothing about Radon prior to this project.

 

First of all, Radon is a gas that comes from our soil. It is a hazard of which everyone should be aware. Exposure to high levels of Radon is the 2^nd leading cause of lung cancer following smoking.

 

There are several factors that come into play when considering the reasoning behind a home having high levels of Radon. Since this gas comes up from the ground, whenever air escapes from the home (from say a fireplace, bathroom exhaust, dryer vent…) it creates sort of a vacuum that in a way sucks the Radon gases from the ground and into the home.

 

If your home is at a very high radon level there are things you can do about it. One is installing a sub-slab depressurization unit. That can cost in the range of $1000-2000 typically.

 

Wisconsin is not a state that requires Radon testing. However, there are states (Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey and others) that do and even though Wisconsin does have reportedly high numbers – it has yet to be a governmental concern.

 

Tellier specifically says that everyone should have their house tested whether it is a new home you are buying or the one you live in now. You can purchase Radon Test Kits for about $10 (either from the links/numbers below or local hardware stores) and those are considered short term kits. If you register above a 4 on one of those tests, then it is recommended that you receive an Alpha Track Kit which tests your home for 1 year.

 

There are several ways to receive all the information you need regarding Radon.

 

-          Call 1-800-Low-Radon – get plenty of information and can even order testing kits for your home.

 

-          Visit the website – www.lowradon.org - this site gives you every piece of info you can imagine from testing options to contractors to zip codes statistics

 

-          Send a blank email to radon@waukeshacounty.gov . You will then receive an auto-reply email with all of the links you will need to find out everything you need to know.

 

To answer the reader’s questions:

 

Problem in Western Racine? That is not a yes or no question. You can visit the above mentioned website to check on the numbers for individual zip codes. But the numbers are relative and depend on each home specifically. For example; last year in the area code 53405 - 240 homes were tested. 90 of those homes registered higher than a 4 reading (the recommended action level is between 4 and 8). 25 of those homes were higher than 10. And one home was as high as 101.

 

Is that (a radon test) part of a home inspection? No. You have to specifically ask for it and it will cost more. Some home inspectors do it or you can get a separate contractor for that.

 

What does it cost? To have it done professionally, it could range from $100-300 from what I have found.

 

Should it be done before you purchase a home? Yes. Always.

This is my second publication in Valley Scene Magazine - another CD Review.

 

Here is the link to the online article:

 

 

Here is the story:

 

 

 

Beauty? By Sound of the Blue Heart

 

 

The CD, Beauty? by Sound of the Blue Heart is certainly original. Johnny Indovina (of Human Drama) takes you through a melodic maze of injustice, paradox, tragedy and sorrow via this somewhat trance-like music.

 

While the words are meaningful and tell globally significant stories, listening to the album, I cannot help but be reminded of a breathy Bowie or a whispering prank phone call. I was not familiar with Indovina prior to listening to this particular project.  The songs run together as though there is no beginning or end to each. And for me, this creates a depressing way to fall asleep.  I almost dare to say that minus the vocals, this would be a great meditative CD.

 

Having said this, there is no doubt that there is a consumer base for Sound of the Blue Heart lingering through the streets of any city in the world. I also have to consider that this mystical sounding tunage and the deep, yet quite vocals would attract many a follower – perhaps in the goth-type arena – I am sure fans are a plenty. I simply happen to not be one of them.

Racine Journal Times reader asks:

 

“I live in Caledonia. What can I do with a hot tub that is broke?”

 

 

Link to the online article:

 

http://journaltimes.com/articles/2007/06/05/local/columns/22060414.txt

 

 

When the bubbles stop bubbling and the hot turns to cold…it's time to toss that oh so relaxing hot tub. But how the heck does a person unload such an item?? Well, there are several answers.

 

The reader stated that he resides in the Town of Caledonia. Caledonia currently uses Waste Management for their trash pick up. Upon calling them I learned that even though they have free bulk pickups every Friday, a hot tub would be much too large for this type of service. For their bulk pick up service the items (or items cut into pieces) can be no larger than 3’ by 5’ and no heavier than 80 pounds each. So, if you could dismantle the hot tub into sections that are within those guidelines, then you could have it picked up at the curb for free on Fridays.

 

If one is unable to cut it into pieces, they could bring it to a land fill themselves and a fee may be charged. There are several different landfills in the area. Waste Management has three (Franklin, Menomonee Falls and Bristol). You can dispose of hot tubs at any one of those facilities, but there is some instruction and charge information (may be free depending on where you live) you may want to receive before heading to one of them. Feel free to give a call ahead of time. I spoke to a very nice woman at the Franklin site and their number is 414-529-6180.

 

As for disposing of hot tubs in the city of Racine, no pick up there either. You would have to take it to the landfill yourself. And at the landfill in Racine, they do have a minimum fee of $41.00 whether you are a resident or not. Again, I suggest calling ahead. That number is 262-224-7080.

 

In Mount Pleasant, Violia, is the trash collection service and they work much like Waste Management with their bulk pickup guidelines. Call ahead with dimensions and they can advise you the best way to handle that.

 

One other option is a company called 1-800-Got-Junk. For a fee, they will pick up any item you need to dispose of without any preparation on your part. From your basement to your backyard to your attic, no matter the spot, they will get it out and take it away. You can visit their website at www.1800gotjunk.com or give them a call for further information on this convenient and easy service.

 

Now, if anyone needs to get rid of a nice, working hot tub – feel free to place it in my back yard whenever you’d like!!

A Racine Journal Times reader asks:

 

 

 

A Racine Journal Times reader asks:

 

 

 

 

 

And here is my answer:

 

I spoke with Donnie Snow, Director of Racine Parks Department, who claims that they do have intentions of having lights at Pershing Park Field. He, however, does not have any time frame in which this may happen. Discussions regarding the funding, time and materials are in the works.

 

With sunset being past 8pm these days, I suppose an earlier game would be necessary down by the lake. You could still consider that a night game I suppose.  But that does take that excitement out of those flood lit fields surrounded by dark skies and black waters. I remember games like that when I was a teen. And come to think of it – it did make the whole moment that much more enthralling…even for a not-so-sports fan.

 

Perhaps those interested could contact the parks department with their ideas and even donations of money, time and services to shed some light on that field sooner than later. Just a thought.

 

 

Today one of my parent's cats (they had four) had to be put to sleep.

 

Sydney came to us as a very young cat in 1993 shortly after my grandmother's passing. My mother was very distraught about losing her mother unexpectedly - understandably so.  My Grandma Rose loved cats. She only had two, but probably would have had many if she had the space for them. She never was without a cat in her adult life. My mom has always been quite certain that Grandma Rose sent Sydney to her. Not just because she wanted some sign from her mom. But because Sydney very much needed a home. This sweet, gentle kitty slept under our porch for about a week before my mom could talk my step father into letting the cat live with us. Within just days of 'moving' into the house...Sydney gave birth to one kitten. Enter KC. Two gifts from Grandma.

 

Sydney lived to be about 15 years old. She was recently diagnosed with kidney failure and just yesterday diagnosed with a heart problem which was irreversible. My parents made the decision to let her go in peace and without pain. She passed away this afternoon.

 

Siddy was always very sweet. Never once swatted or bit. Never hissed or showed her teeth. Nothing but gentle kindness from a cat that did not have such a kind beginning.

 

Sydney will be missed greatly.

 

 

All four cats: Gordon, Sydney, Punky and KC

 

 

 

Mommie and Baby (Sydney and KC)

 

 

 

Slept together always....