Wisconsin's NEWEST Hero! Mr. D.Thomas Busch!!!

I told ya so!!! (here).  You REALLY should've watched it...  hehehe

Good Morning All;
After 2 more doctor appointments yesterday, I am not feeling any better.
Due to my migraine, I had to call and cancel my appointment for the 6 shots to my back on Monday.
No big deal. I can still move- just not as fast.
(But that's OK, the guns are still loaded and within reach).
Had to bring Punk to the vet yesterday also... She will be alright, but has 2 dental caries that need to be fixed/pulled.
How come EVERYBODY but me gets to have THEIR teeth pulled?!?!
But this all has nothing to do with my blog-
Besides, Casey is sicker than me and Punk put together.

Read on,  ♪ "on... Wisconsin"   ♪

Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 04:57 AM PST

Pulaski WI Marching Band 'Sticking to the Union' in Rose Bowl Parade
(Update)

by AnnieJo

The Pulaski High Marching Band, of Pulaski Wisconsin, made an awesome statement in yesterday's Rose Bowl Parade.

It was quite an honor for the Red Raiders from this small town (pop. approx. 3000) northwest of Green Bay to be marching in 80-degree weather in Pasadena, while their proud community looked on from windy 18-degree Wisconsin. (Me, Shivering).

The TV coverage started as they marched along playing "On Wisconsin," looking properly Badger-like in their red uniforms.

And then they got to the grandstand, at about 1:15 in the YouTube ... listen to what happened.
You Tube Link is HERE.
(I can't see it, but I hope it posted correctly)???

There once was a union maid, She never was afraid
Of goons and ginks and company finks
And the deputy sheriffs who made the raid
She went to the union hall, When a meeting it was called
And when the company boys came round
She always stood her ground

Listen to the announcers -- they have no idea what's going on, what the tune is, what statement is being made here. 
"They just stopped in the middle, this band, and they're gettin' down!" says the announcer. 
Oh yes, they're gettin' down -- (Me, ROTF)!

To Union Maid, written by Woody Guthrie!

Oh, you can't scare me,
I'm sticking to the union
I'm sticking to the union,
I'm sticking to the union
Oh, you can't scare me,
I'm sticking to the union
I'm sticking to the union
till the day I die

The cheers as they finish the song are great. 
I bet there were more than a few people in the crowd who realized what had just happened. 
"The crowd likes them!" declares the announcer, blissfully unaware.  (Me, ROTF)! & "duh!"

I hope it was the musicians themselves who selected this song, who planned this action. 
It would be reminiscent of the students from East High in Madison who determinedly marched out of school down East Washington last February to swell the protests at the Capitol.

My favorite verse of the song is one that was added in the 1980s, and is included in the Solidarity Singalong songbook.

You women who want to be free
Just take a tip from me
Break out of that mold we've all been sold
You got a fighting history
The fight for women's rights
With workers must unite
Like Mother Jones, bestir them bones
To the front of every fight!

The struggle continues here in Wisconsin.  Two more weeks to get those recall signatures -- rumor has it that we're over the top with the Walker sigs, but we're not stopping now! 
Onward to a million! (Me, "WOOT~WOOT)!

P.S.  UPDATE BELOW

Update:

Oh, my stars and garters. 
Type up a quick little protest-music diary before breakfast in the morning, come back after work to find a full-fledged public relations brouhaha in the works.

Hat tip to Gangster Octopus in the comments for alerting me to the fact that the uproar over this diary has caused the Pulaski school superintendant to release a statement disavowing any political content and claiming that the band director only knew of the song as "Red Wing."

Personally, I only knew the song as "Union Maid" this morning before breakfast.  There have been many fine comments since then with more information on the Red Wing version of the song.  There's probably a whole other diary to be written on the various versions -- the original Red Wing lyrics about the sorrowful Indian maid (interesting bit of white-America cultural arrogance to set such lyrics to a polka!), a parody about Charlie Chaplin, several more with risque lyrics that have the pretty Red Wing taking a Bowie knife to the privates of those who would molest her.  Or, apparently, one can play it as a polka and ignore the lyric-echoes altogether.

Taking the band director at his reported word, perhaps he's learned something about the origin of the Red Wing piece as well.  Or maybe we're seeing the playing out of a plausible-deniability strategy.  I don't know -- I haven't spoken to anyone in question here.  I'm just blogging from a distance, based on my observations from where I stand.

If there are still things to be learned about the repertoire, I should point out that it was reported on the Solidarity Singalong Facebook page that the Pulaski band also has in its repertoire, and played along the Tournament of Roses Parade route, "Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

Those would also be known as "There Is Power in a Union" by Joe Hill (more recently recorded by Billy Bragg) and "Solidarity Forever," written for the International Workers of the World by Ralph Chapin in 1915.

However you want to interpret the selections, there's no denying that the Pulaski Red Raiders Marching Band did a fantastic job in the parade, and represented Wisconsin well.  If you would like to donate to defray the cost of their Rose Bowl trip ($300,000 all told!), please do so at the following link:

Pulaski Music Boosters -- Donate Now!
(h/t to my partner in protest and in life, A FIB in Cheddarland, for the link>)

Originally posted to AnnieJo on Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 04:57 AM PST.

Also republished by Badger State Progressive, Protest Music, J Town, Democracy Addicts, and Daily Kos Labor.

Tags

• Pulaski
• RECALL
• Recommended
• Rose Bowl
• Rose Bowl Parade
• Scott Walker
• Solidarity Singalong
• Union Maid
• Wisconsin
• Woody Guthrie
  ________________________________________
  ...End quoted material
  

All of the above taken from Daily KOS- (Do the click).
And all links should work.

Now, as I have already stated elsewhere:

And remember that CaseyAnne was PHS Captain of the Color Guard for a few years! 

"Seriously Folks, I ♥♥♥ Mr Busch!!! 
And now, I ♥♥♥♥♥♥ him even MORE!
You GO, PHS!
Wisconsin and God love Mr. D. Thomas Busch!!!"

XOXO
Anne  (Me, "WOOT~WOOT")!!!!     
aka "I told ya so"

Photo Gallery, Tournament of Roses Parade 1/2/12, Photo Gallery Images
http://www.pulaskimusicboosters.com/tournament-roses-parade-1212

A Few Thoughts for Casey, for Christmas, for You!

Congratulations Miss Casey!
3 years, and counting!!!

Good Morning All;
I have a feeling that this Christmas is going to be a very different one for us all. (Although I have no idea where that thought comes from).
Feeling very Grinch-like, I have already canceled Christmas in Flintville- (OK everyone, only at my house). hehehe

My cousin, Joannie, called last week to offer me a tree! They grow their own, but sadly, I had to decline. We will celebrate when Casey is feeling better- and after she heals from her surgery/ies.
I offered to celebrate her birthday and her Christmas together, and received an emphatic "NO" hehehe
So funny!
Perhaps we shall have Christmas in July then!

For now it is "off to Minnesota, and for her to find out (I hope) where she is losing her blood, and how.

Hard to believe that yesterday we celebrated her 3rd year since her TP/AIT. We would not have had her to love had she not had that surgery. In fact, at the rate her organs were failing, she would not have been able to sustain herself past October of 2010 (and that was actually a very optimistic guess on Dr. S.'s part).

I have wash in- and dishes to do yet.
Punk has been 'off her feed' as they say- But not sick-sick. I think she is a bit sad, though I don't know why that is either.  And yes, the 'off her feed' bit is only an expression- She will eat, sick or not. (Kinda like me that way). hehehe

After seeing the news this morning, I am reminded of the year that Casey marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. As Captain of the Color Guard, she had a 'wunnaful' time. (Yes, she was already quite sick at that time, though we didn't realize it... yet).

* Mark your calendars!!!
This year, Pulaski Red Raider Marching Band will be marching in the Rose Bowl Parade, again, this year!!!
(Casey was even Captain of the Color Guard for a few years)!
WOOT! WOOT!  
And how cool is it that Wisconsin will be playing?!
An exciting time for all, but the young lady I know that is loving every minute of it is Miss Ashley!
 Here she is, a few years ago (when I still had my Chrtistmas Brunch).


Miss Brandy, Myself, Casey, and Miss Ashley too.

My very best to all of the band! They will do perfectly!
Soooo make plans to be watching The Rose Bowl Parade this year!
And of course to be watching the game too
January 2, 2012.
5 Reasons the Wisconsin Badgers Will Beat the Oregon Ducks
* Sorry, Will. hehehe

Speaking of games- (and in reply to Slurkie's question in my guestbook)...
I didn't do anything different...
Well maybe if I would have had my best packers shirt on, as I had for the past 13 games)... Grrr...
Or, maybe I shouldn't have watched...
We took our 1st loss in 364 days yesterday. (Repeat Grrrr). But there are still ways to obtain that home field advantage, and that is important; although the sports bars all do well, regardless if it is at Lambeau Field, or not.
As do we, as fans. I am quite sure which 'side' I am on- There are people upset about the loss- (boo-hoo), and there are those that say it is best to get the stress of continuing the "W's" out of the way before the playoffs. No-Brainer, kids.
But I am wondering what the heck Thers did different to obtain Indianapolis' lone "W" for the year? hehehe

I'd best close for now...
I hope everyone is having a "wunnaful" week!
Hope too, that everyone in the path of the blizzard has full cupboards and furnaces.
- And please, to keep Casey in your good warm thoughts too?

XOXO
Me

Casey- My Elf- 2004                   

Old Dogs, Murderers, and Keeping Up With Pond Scum.

     Our "Homey" Dog!

Good Evening-
After a long, hot and humid day, I am thinking of this?


What I read:  (from HERE).
 
To even see this picture literally makes my skin crawl.
Photo taken by H. Marc. Larsen

OCONTO — In the months before his estranged wife's death, Randall Staeven routinely called his children "pigs," smashed a stool into the front of a stove, smacked the family cat with the back of his hand and had one child so frightened of him that she would hide in the basement when she was home alone with him, according to documents filed with the Oconto County clerk of courts office.

"The dogs shake when he is around them," Christine Staeven wrote when filing for one of two court injunctions she sought against him.

"He goes from spanking the kids and slams his fists together when we are arguing and I am afraid of what he will do," she wrote to the court in January 2009. "I don't know how far he will go."

Four months later, Christine Staeven, 40, was dead and her house set afire. Their 11-year-old daughter helped her brothers, ages 7 and 3, escape to safety.

Randall Staeven, 50, of Pulaski is charged with first-degree murder, arson, mutilating a corpse and three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment.

He made his initial appearance Friday before Oconto County Judge Michael Judge, who set bond at $750,000. Staeven did not have a lawyer, so Judge scheduled a continuance for Thursday.

As special prosecutor Vince Biskupic read the charges aloud, Staeven listened with his head down, his shoulders heaving slightly as he breathed.

Judge ordered the usual no-contact provisions as part of the bond, but at Biskupic's request, he also imposed the same order even if Staeven doesn't post bond: no contact with children or any of the witnesses named in the five-page criminal complaint.

Staeven, who appeared in court in jeans, a T-shirt, handcuffs and leg shackles, declined to argue the bond amount, saying, "No, I don't have an attorney. I won't say anything."

In January 2009, Christine Staeven twice filed injunctions against her husband. She withdrew the first, saying they were getting help for their problems. The second, which she filed about two weeks later, was dismissed at Randall Staeven's request a week after his wife's death.

The final months of her life weren't the only time the couple had problems in their 10-year marriage, according to court documents. She had filed for divorce from him twice, once in 2006 and again in 2009. She withdrew the 2006 action; the 2009 action was still in the court system at the time of her death.

In 2002, Randall Staeven was charged with disorderly conduct after throwing and breaking household items, hitting his wife three times in the head and tearing the phones off the wall so she couldn't call the police, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.

He pleaded no contest in the case, but the court accepted a deferred prosecution agreement that required him to undergo anger management classes for a year.

Investigators say the fire to their home at 740 Jaworski Road in the town of Chase on May 14, 2009, had started in three separate places, indicating it was intentional. Christine Staeven had no trace of soot in her lungs, indicating she was dead before the fire was set, but her body was so badly burned that signs of injury would have been destroyed, the criminal complaint said.

A witness reported seeing Randall Staeven's SUV leaving the scene about an hour before the fire was discovered. Two witnesses — including Randall Staeven's nephew — reported that Staeven told them four days before the fire that he would rather see his wife dead and the house burned down before losing the house to her in the divorce.

Despite those witness statements, state and Oconto County investigators proceeded slowly and convened a John Doe hearing to gather evidence in the case. John Doe hearings, usually conducted in secret, allow investigators to question witnesses under oath in the presence of a judge. This hearing was conducted as recently as two weeks ago, according to the criminal complaint.

Neither Biskupic nor Oconto County Sheriff's Department investigator Darren Laskowski would comment Friday on the length of the investigation.

Biskupic said he was concerned about giving out too much information and then making it difficult to find an impartial jury.

Biskupic, former U.S. attorney who is in private practice in Appleton, said he is serving as special prosecutor because the county's district attorney, Jay Conley, has been elected circuit court judge and takes on his new duties next week.

Still another article: (from HERE)- states the following.
"Randall Staeven is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, arson and mutilating a corpse and three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment.

Oconto County Judge Michael Judge set Staeven’s bond at $750,000. Staeven also is prohibited from having any contact with relatives and witnesses named in the criminal complaint filed against him."

What I know:

1.
Randy Staevens killed our dog, Homey. He was my daughter Jenne's first dog, and her very best friend. Homey was a bright and wonderful dog. Once he had even brought in our cat which had been hit by a car. I was in the kitchen baking bread and noticed him coming up the driveway with 'something' in his mouth...
Suffering terribly, this dog lay down next to TC after laying her near his kennel. Ultimately Jim Stachura (a wonderful neighbor) was called and quickly came to put TC out of her misery.
Hell, almost everyone out in the boonies of Pulaski are wonderful neighbors.  I made many lifelong friends there, and keep in touch with them all.

2.
Jay Connelly should never have been put in as a judge.
He is a narrow~minded and easily bought prosecutor at best.
When my daughter Roberta was raped and almost bled to death, he would not even charge the man responsible. Claiming the word "rape" was not even in the the police filed statements.
It was. As a matter of fact, it was stated quite clearly in the very first paragraph.
I pointed this out to him and he shrugged. Said perp had tons of money... (And we ALL know how that goes). I paid over 3 grand, even with insurance, for the lifesaving surgery she needed. She almost bled out in my car.

3.
If you read the comments on either of the stories from the Green Bay Press Gazette articles you will see some 'grandma' person writing and proclaiming poor Staeven's innocence. "So there fore I believe that Randy is innocent and I personally know him myself and he is nothing like a monster..."
She is a rude and obnoxious woman who claims he was framed. (The mere thought of it boggles my mind)!

4.
Also referred to in the comments here is a statement from one of his coworkers, regarding his other half, one Diane Buffington.  She lived with Staevens while we lived on Jaworski Rd.
She is a lying, cheating, violent (and miserable) person as well.
We had many problems with this 'couple'.
Surely they belonged together- Just not across the driveway from my family and myself!
This commenter believes that Diane just knew how to push his buttons.
Really? I call BS. and think of 'birds of a feather'
Something I taught my children of morals and self, "No one can make you do anything you do not want to."
I am left wondering whose buttons Dianne was pushing when she went after Jennifer, (12 or 14 at the time) and started beating her and slapping her?
...maybe she was just having a bad hair day.
Diane also threw a very large rock at my eldest daughter's leg. Zoe was on crutches at the time, and had a walking boot type cast on her fractured foot- (13 or 14 then). I had been changing out the gear housing on my old Simplicity and had came around the corner to see this happen. I  would have knocked her stupid had she not retreated to her house upon seeing me. Coward!

5.
Randy thought it quite entertaining when my then husband, Dennis, knocked on his door holding 3 broken arrows he had collected and confiscated them from Diane's kids- Dennis had broken them in pieces so these boys could not fire them at Homey anymore.
Of course, no one did anything...
I can only imagine how these boys ultimately turned out... I do not remember their names otherwise I would check the Wisconsin Court Search record.
But we do know that murderers begin, usually, with killing defenseless animals

6.
The "good old boy" network still is alive and flourishing in Oconto County. I can only hope and pray that Staevens gets put away for good, and rots in his own shit until God can figure out what to do with him.

7.
About one of the good old boys comes the attached letter I wrote. (There will be others receiving similar letters, including the deputies who showed up and did nothing time after time after time).
For those men- (And yes, they were ALL men), who listened, shrugged, snickered, and went on their merry way- preferring to look the other way...

My apologies that this was/is so long...
Congratulations if you read every word and clicked the articles and document too!
Know that there is much, still, to get off my chest here, so bear with me.

XOXO
Me

Attachment: VanDeYacht, Gery.rtf

Young Lawrence.

Good Afternoon Everyone;
I am going to try to catch up a wee bit.
I have not blogged-
...My own thoughts being elsewhere- (And, as you can guess from my title, they have been to Alabama).
I had previously posted (click) that our Young Lawrence may have Marfans Syndrome. He had needed to wait until December 21st for this testing. They have since moved that appointment up, twice. He was seen today, and in a note from William, he says that Lawrence does not have Marfans. William is waiting to hear more from his mom about what IS going on with Lawrence's health.

OK.

"Here.
We go.
Again."

My weather radio has just gone off. For a total of 3 events now.
A T~Storm Watch.
Then came the T~Storm warning.
And now a Tornado Warning (the next county to the west of Brown where we are).

Storm is moving east by southeast; which means it may/may not affect us here. But I have miles to go with cleaning a bit before I can go hide in the basement if need be. Grrr...
Since I have yet to clean up from the mess the storms left yesterday, I must close for now.

I will keep you all updated as soon as I hear from William.

Later. (I hope). hehehe

XOXO
Me

PS
TV weatherman just said "Pulaski" and "Green Bay" with respect to the storm's heading...
Damn.
'Sherlock' speaks on TV now, saying, "This is a dangerous storm---"

Hmmm...
Ya think?

Welcome to My Morning...

 

Taken yesterday as the clouds threatened...

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Good Monday Morning Everyone!
More rain on and off all day yesterday.
The new moisture left this scene as the sun came up...
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It promises to be sunny. (Unless it rains of course). hehehe
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And days like this you just need to put your sunglasses on...

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I began mowing lawns yesterday morning. Made a few swipes as I outline the yards before I begin. And then a few drops of rain. Nothing to worry about as the grass was very dry to begin with.
Another sweep around and I hit a rock that shut my blades down. Jenne and Isaiah were at mass, so no one to crawl under there for me...
I pulled the mower in the garage.
Not even two minutes later, it was pouring rain.

On to "Plan B" then-
I thought I would sew a few stitches on Jenné's maternity clothes.

Casey and Greg called. They were on their way out. And came inside soaking wet! Guess the Good Lord saw fit to keep me dry by throwing that little rock under the mower deck.

I began sewing, and as soon as I did the sun came out. Not for long though, and more hit and miss fell on the grass... Even a few little hailstones.

I never did get back to mowing, being that the grass was so thoroughly soaked...

...And then the danged bobbin jammed on my st00pid machine, so didn't finish there either. (This will give me ample time then to cut more material to be ready for stitching). hehehe I am no seamstress, but these will cover her pregnant nudity well enough.

Jenné and Isaiah got back from mass... Casey got an urge for a pizza- Her and Greg went to Pulaski to pick some up from Hot Stuff. (Mmmmm)...

As they left, I heard a weird noise... It was Greg K. with his tractor, and mower, and bucket, mowing the lawn that had gotten too long on me earlier. AND he had already mowed back by the woods.
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He not only mowed that west yard, he also moved the pine pile; leveling it off, and spreading it in the dip in the back yard.

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I am so happy that is all done!
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~Shot just before sunrise this morning...

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Going to throw a few flowers seeds in there too!

Another "try to be" busy day ahead... It is already almost 70°
Nice out there... And I must get outside!
Yes, my back still sucks. No it won't keep me indoors...

As most of you know, there is something wrong with my updates... Sorry if I do not get to your blogs...  I have written Multiply already, but they always take a long time to respond...

Will let you know when either the updates or the dang toolbar starts working again.

Love to all
Have a fantabulous day!

XOXO
Me

PS
Jenné just woke up and came downstairs...

She got pulled over for speeding last night!
HAHAHAHA

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Monday June 15, 2009 - 09:03am (CDT)

Animals. Bugs Ears. And Death.

A picture like this is never a good thing...
Stolen from WLUK FOX 11

Good Morning Everyone...
Last week I had blogged about Miss Polly. Polly and her husband Rich were our neighbors back when we all lived NE of Pulaski on Jaworski Road- They now live in Wyoming.

Miss Polly had come to Green Bay to visit last week
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Casey and Polly at the hotel.

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.

Before moving back to the homestead here, I'd raised my daughters on Jaworski Road near Pulaski.
While our neighbors AFTER Polly and Rich were nothing to write home about, this is still very awful and sickening news, and one would never wish for anything so terrible to happen to anyone.
CLICK HERE.
What news to wake up to.

I am not sure, (having had no reason to keep in touch), I do believe that the home is still owned by the same man who lived there after Rich and Polly moved.
I have heard that he has since remarried. (It was his previous "woman" that had been responsible for me obtaining a retraining order against the lot of them).
His new lady had moved in shortly before we had sold our home.
I never met her, nor knew her.

That house burned this morning- By the time the fire department got there, the entire back of the home was engulfed in flames.
The children ages, 11, 7, and 3, taking their pets, got out and went to the neighbors across the street.

Their mother died in the fire.

I pray that if she had to die, that she never woke to begin with.

But then what, or who, would have woken the children?

When we lived there, the man would go in to work very early, so he had probably already left for the day.

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.

Our home, (1988-1998) is on the left.

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The farm was originally owned by Andrew Jaworski himself, and built in the early 1930's. The house (ours) is concrete, poured from silo staves.

In its day, this was a very productive and active farm. But there came a time for Andrew to retire and for the eldest son to take over running the family farm. At that point, Andrew Jaworski erected the modular home next door to his.
*This arrangement did not last past Andrews death. I believe he passed on shortly before we bought the home from his son. 1988.

In the shot above, with the reporter blocking the view, (& to the left of the driveway), is a row of maple trees that I had planted as teeny tiny saplings the summer we had moved in. All the girls carried many pails of water to these little trees those first two years. I also planted a row of red cedars along the north end of our property.

Also blocked from view is a privacy fence installed by my buyer- between the two houses. (I am thinking they may have also had problems with these neighbors as well).

Be that as it may, again, no one ever wishes this on anyone for any reason. I am sure I will learn more about everything as the day goes on.


With respect to my back, I am still not moving well at all. I have made yet another appointment for tomorrow afternoon.

(If offered, I promise not to refuse xrays this time).   Grrr
In the meanwhile, it is quite painful to even take a shower and get dressed.
hehehe (No worries, I shower and dress anyway).


In addition to my own vitamins and supplements, know that I am very tempted to begin taking Punks pills too!
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Hey!
...It helps Punks back, why not mine?
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I do not know what has happened to my robins nest. Casey and I checked it on Tuesday- and this is what we found...
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I shall recheck today or tomorrow,
but I know something awful must have happened

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Casey took my garbage out for me on Tuesday also.
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Still cute as a bugs ear!

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Kelli had also stopped by that evening, offering to roll my dumpster to the end of the driveway for me too. What on earth do people do without family and friends?

(Personally, I cannot think of a worse way to live than to choose to live without).

While unable to really 'help' me out, Punk has been the epitome of compassion. When I go outside she will bring me her toys; and instead of laying them at my feet, she lifts them up for me.
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Holy Bugs Ears!
She's kind of cute too!

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And what does Mr. Sputnik do???
Absolutely nothing!

But he does dream of catching the wren in the box outside the kitchen window.

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He would care less if I fell over and died.
(Methinks I know people like that too).
hehehe?
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Heck, he's probably waiting for me to keel over so he can have lunch.

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.
So... speaking of that dreaded shower, it is time for me to get in there.

Hope you all are having a good day; and that you always make a bit of time to pray for your families, your friends, and your neighbors too.

XOXO
Me


***
Special note to my main troublemakers, Casey and Jenné;
Take a close look...
Perhaps obscured, hmmm?... But it does seem as though the darn silo is gone?
I'm thinking Chris and Cheryl might not care to die of early and untimely heart failure.

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Posted to my Y! 360, Thursday May 14, 2009 - 11:06am (CDT)

September 15th, 2006 -Daniel DeGrave

September 15th, 2006  -Daniel DeGrave

Happy 25th Birthday, Daniel...

and yes, this is the definition of a bittersweet birthday.
You have now turned 25-
an entire quarter of a century; and have just lost your sister...

Find your peace in knowing she is with you always...

And Good Evening to all of my friends- and to the 'lurkers' too- all of whom have taken a moment of your own time to send a note of sincere condolences our way-

BTW, Daniel is on the far right of this photo...

It has been a wretched few days here... No sleep, (very little anyway), even with getting a shot for my stupid head yesterday. It seems as everything is either going too fast- or in slow motion; and I don't know why.

My HP PSC500 failed me this morning as I tried to make copies of all the photos I had of Reianna... And of all times for that to go- The scanner doesn't work at all- says it's not connected etc etc etc... (Uh-huh).

So I 'made' photos by copying them- They will all be on Reianna's Memorial Boards then. --Changing computers in January, I never did re-hook up my old computer to retrieve all of those pictures... I will do that one day soon-

But for now, what I have for Susan and Dennis and Daniel will have to suffice.

I brought Sue's copies to her home today- Dennis, Daniel and David will be here in the A.M. to help Casey move- Dennis can have his then... Think I will put them in an album too so they do not get misplaced. But, oh!, what a job to make all the reprints this way. OK, so NOW I have also run out of photo paper...

I found myself running the entire gamut of emotion since Wednesdays phone call, and as I sorted through all of the pictures today- Some of those making me cry, and wanting it all back- Some of them honestly making me laugh out loud from the memory of it all.

Picture this: 6 kids in a teeny little old Datsun! Yes, they all fit- Of course that was before all the new car seat laws- (I think you have to have them in a car seat until they are 25 or so nowadays)! That was also before I had bought my then new 1985 Buick Electra Estate Wagon- with the 3rd seat! (They would argue over whose turn it was to sit back there).
Once there, they would make faces at all the cars behind us...
And we would sing- LOUDLY- wherever we would be going to...

We still are not entirely sure why God chose to take Reianna- She died about noon on Wednesday- The autopsy is not yet finished, so that, in and of itself, dictates when the funeral can be. He said that the private viewing will definitely be Sunday, with the service to be held then on Monday- Long weekend for everyone.

And if for no other reason than to get everyone busy, I am glad that Casey and Roberta are moving tomorrow. They will have a little place in Pulaski, and with everyone pitching in to move, it shouldn't be taking them too long at all. (Which is NOT to say that CaseyAnne is all packed either)!

Roberta is moving everything she can tonight- Casey has already brought a bunch of stuff over- She still has to take that whole dorm bed/desk/dresser thingie apart- (I say leave it for the guys to do)!

I sat down on the floor the other night- everybody had been here- and was gone again- And just cried and cried. You just miss people so much more now, especially when you know you will never be able to see them again. Death does that not to the decedent, but only to those of us left behind. But my little Miss Punk came to me, sat down and gently laid her head against me as if to say it would be alright. Oh, my Faith assures me that it will. But surely this will take much time.

Reianna has left behind 3 small children- There are no words to say how my heart breaks for them all- The youngest is only 9 months old...

When I met Reianna, she was so quiet and shy- but came out of that quickly enough once she realized that she would be getting a whole bunch of sisters out of the whole deal! She loved to come out here- And loved my Mom so very much- And I can remember the time that she asked Mom if it was OK to call her 'Grandma'? My mother (almost brought to tears at that point)- said, "Of course you may! One can never have too many grandmothers!" Those two always had to share their birthday cakes too- Fun to watch them try to blow out the candles- And with that is yet another small consolation as I know that Reianna and my mother are together once more!

Reianna always made people so happy to be near to her.

We used to walk back to the woods a whole lot in those days- Each child would see something new each time- (sometimes with every step)...

 Once though, it was March- a thaw had come- everything was pretty muddy- I chose not to go with them-
Zoe, being the oldest, would watch them close enough; and besides they all knew where they could go/not go anyway...
About 45 minutes later, we had a whole houseful of hysterical children- laughing, crying (and everything inbetween too)...

...Seems as though they had taken a shortcut across the field. Half of them had come back with their boots- half of them only with their dirty soaking wet socks-
They had gotten stuck in the mud so bad that they couldn't even pull their boots out!
(I think it was a full 2 years later that Farmer Fisher finally plowed those boots up)!

Yes, we had plenty of fun- a few of the normal trials and tribulations of children growing up, but nothing that should have led to death at 27... Too young- and she had so much to do yet...

For now though I am going to try to get a bit of sleep- Am so tired, inside and out. It goes all the way through- and it cuts way deep sometimes...

I hope everyone is having brighter and lighter days than we are at this point. Have a good weekend.

And may God Bless you all for your kind thoughts, words of encouragement, and all of your offered prayers-

XOXO,
Anne

Friday September 15, 2006 - 09:24pm (CDT)

From the "Nitwit Corner"...Fairbanks Capital

Good Morning All;

I have been up for about 4 hours, reading my 'paper' and surfing around. And I am laughing at all the stupidity out there.

At one point early this morning to find myself back at The Bad Business Bureau. (Click).
Or go to http://www.ripoffreport.com/

I had opportunity some years ago to find this website on a simple search for my mortgage lending company. It was the topmost site listed in the search. (Alas, I found no site for Fairbanks Capital Corp).

Long story short, when Mom passed, I found that I had inherited the buildings within my half of the property. To make her will equal, I took out a loan for the value of the buildings to pay my sister off. This loan was ultimately sold to Fairbanks.

Just a bit of background on them...

Fairbanks Capital Corporation, "LEADER OF THE PACK IN PREDATORY LENDING" owned and operated by The PMI Group, publicly-traded corporation NYSE ~Lawsuits nationwide under investigation

Report: Fairbanks Capital Corporation click

Fairbanks Capital, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah is a Mortgage Loan Servicing Company that purchases mortgages from other Lending institutions across the Country.

They are the tenth largest Loan Servicing Company in the United States.

Rip-offReport.com has received over 3,000 emails and 440 reports from consumers in every state that have been victimized by Fairbanks Capital Corp.

Many of these victims claimed to have lost their homes to fraudulent foreclosure, others have been forced to file Bankruptcy in an attempt to save their homes from Foreclosure.

Fairbanks Capital has become notorious for one thing,
stealing homes.
Read More...

I dealt with them, fighting tooth and nail to have them correctly apply my monthly mortgage payments... Almost from Day One, they misappropriated my monies. They added on charges; late fees, insurances (that I didn't need because I already had it)... etc etc etc.

Long story short, I ultimately hired an attorney who corrected all of this garbage for me. Sadly, it was my 15 minutes of fame. One of the local TV Stations had come out and actually listened to me about this all too. (The picture above was taken when the National News had picked up the story. The photo is of one of the bigshots who would not answer questions for them).

But it was a harrowing experience to be served foreclosure papers on a loan that I had not defaulted on. I had also visited a total of 8 other attorneys before finding one that told me I did NOT have to file bankruptcy to keep my home.

After visiting the BadBB Website this morning, I see that Fairbanks has not changed their tactics.

They are still misappropriating funds, they are still in essence stealing homes, and they are still in business! That fact surprises me the very most. To be sued as often as they have been. To be LOSING these lawsuits hand over fist, they are still operating. Under PMI Authority.

For those of you who do not know, the last I checked, PMI also has a little subsidiary called "Habitat For Humanity"...
Makes you wonder, doesn't it? And all sanctioned by The Bank of New York. Somebody is making $$$ off of all of us, in a very twisted, sad, and sordid way... I feel worse for those people who think they have no recourse...

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..."Stupid is as stupid does"...

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I ran across yet another stupid article in the Green Bay Press Gazette that hit a little closer to home for me. This, from Pulaski...

The headline reads...

"Pulaski canning plant's odor has neighbors fuming"

(Click the headline if you want to read the whole story).

In short, it seems as though some idiots are complaining that the canning factory stinks. ~~~~Hmmm.... DUH. No kidding??? REALLY???

To the silly people of Pulaski, I would say that the canning factory has been there for quite some time now. I would even venture to say that the canning factory roots go back longer than the history of your own homes! Go figure.

And it all reminds me of all the people who "m~o~o"ve out to the countryside for bigger yards, and to raise their children away from town. (Not a bad idea in and of itself)... But sure as a cow has teats, they start to complain that the manure from neighboring farms stinks.
(Repeat, Hmmm.... DUH. No kidding??? REALLY???)!

Do they actually expect that the bossie cow doo~doo won't stink then?

Having been raised on a dairy farm I can attest to the fact that it certainly DOES stink. (And depending upon what changes in feeding have occured, there are times that cow doo~doo smells even worse than what they complain of)...

It is a well known fact that the origin of this "smell" makes wonderful fertilizer when spread upon the fields. That, and the fact that it is not a chemical fertilizer makes it even more attractive to the farmer. Cheaper than anything else anyone has ever come up with anyway. Kind of The Original Recycling Program if you will.

So if you are thinking about moving out to Gods Country at any time, please do not whine and complain about the odors associated with the wide open land.

And I am thinking that the people of Pulaski need to quit their whining too. (Of course, they COULD go back to wherever they came from in the first place).

Nuff said.

So, back to my blog...
Have you experienced your own 15 minutes of fame?
Or was it 15 Minutes of Shame??

Either way, please DO tell!
(I just hope it wasn't crying to the town council about anything stinky). hehehe

Or maybe you haven't had your 15 minutes yet, how about the worst smell you ever ran into???

Have a great Tuesday all!

XOXO
Anne

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