[My] Life in Wisconsin

When to Laugh...

When to Laugh...
333 magnify
What are you lookin' at???
(Mmm-makes me SO hungry)!
hehehe

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Good Morning All;
I hope this finds you safe and warm...
6° ABOVE zero right now... And heading to the mid~teens.

Heat wave!?! hehehe
Dangit, Cherei STOP laughing!
(She laughs at my weather)...
Click her name, (note that she lives in San Antonio)!
thanks beep.

But of course this 'break' from the sub-zero temps for us comes with a price. We will be getting more snow. Not too sure where I will put it all either, (my snowbanks are getting pretty high)!

I think maybe it is time for my Punkster to be earning her keep.

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But she was a bit alarmed when I posed that to her too!
hehehe

"Who?
Me?!?"

 

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As you can tell by the stock in the top photo, even the cattle have their winter coats on.
And apparently their attitudes too; (those few looking at Casey as if she might be the grim reaper)!

I have been having a hard time keeping Miss Milly indoors too. She stays out in the entrance so she doesn't get too overheated.
Although I did bring her out to her kennel yesterday when I just couldn't listen to her whining anymore.
And what does she do when it is 2° below zero? She just laid in the snow. Never mind that the sun was shining, (it sure didn't make THAT big of a difference in the temps). She is just weird like that.

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Caseys boyfriend, Greg, has become quite a nice person to have around.
He is charming, smart, (kinda cute too).
He is also not afraid to pitch in and help out either.

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He even helped to shovel the snow!
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.
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AND, he saved Caseys sneakers from being shredded!
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By donating his own!
.
..

hehehe
(FUNNY)!
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.
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Miss Punk said she KNEW someone was going to be in trouble...
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Miss Milly said she didn't do it!
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Said she was laying on the landing the whole time!
Liar!!
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Greg said he still loved stinky Miss Milly;
~and also said he needed a new pair of sneakers anyway!
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Hmm...
(But then again, he also said he needed a facewash the other evening)...
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And I was more than happy to oblige!
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Ok, OK...
Maybe he didn't really ask for it...

But knows he cannot ever take his eyes off a potential attacker either.
But see???
...I told you snow can be fun!
(REALLY funny)!

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Anyway, Casey is off work til at least Friday.
With respect to all of her other medical problems, she has also learned that she has inherited the very popular "Menard Family back"-

She must "take it easy" for these next few days.

What??
NO shoveling?!?

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Methinks the thought of not shoveling makes her a little TOO happy!

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And life goes on...

Today I will be fighting with my little Cub Cadet...

...Those previously mentioned snowdrifts were being very stubborn the other day. (I might have hit a chunk of frozen solid ice in one of those banks as I tried to widen the sides of the driveway)...
That damn little lawn tractor tried to violently throw me off when it so suddenly stopped. (Not funny).
And the blade angle lever quit working immediately.
It has since been calling my name. As it is to be a bit warmer today, I shall try to fix it before we get these next few inches of snow.

Hope all is well, and warm, in your little corner of the world.
Love to all!

XOXO
Anne

 

Posted originally in Y!360 Tuesday February 12, 2008 - 06:15am (CST

Ugh...

Good Morning;

Not too sure what is going on and all, but I know my heart hasn't been into doing all I should with respect to my family and friends on 360, and on here.

I know too it has been a raunchy winter for us, (and not only with respect to the weather either); and I am guessing that maybe I am just tired of it all...

So hang onto me, or delete me, as you wish.

Just thought I would give you the respect that you deserve and let you know I am just not up to par for now.

My Love to all;

XOXO
Anne

 

Snowy, Windy and Cold. Whodathunk?

 

333 magnify
Casey, cleaning off her car once more....
She has just left for work.
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Good Morning All;
First and foremost for allowing me to sound off, I thank you; with special thanks to The Green Bay Press Gazette for allowing me to sound off there too!
I even had two more comments when I woke this morning...

And I might have had a few choice words for the darned weatherman too. How come they seem to be wrong every other winter, but this year have been 'right on' almost every time? I would be happy if they would change the forecast to Spring. hehehe
It is to be about 10 below tonight.
Adding (subtracting-?), the wind chill then, I am thinking outside will not be safe for man nor beast.
And so the beasts will both be inside.

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Yes, the Rimadyl has helped Punkins body (and spirit) immensely!
Randy G. had stopped by yesterday-
He gives his Molly ½ an aspirin every day for her arthritis.
That it is much easier on her liver than the Rimadyl.
I shall have to ask Dr. Spires about this...
Have any of you heard of this, or done this?

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Cnv1848
Watching out the window...
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Cnv1845
And spying a rabbit eating pine nuts for dinner...
(Sorry, I had to take it through the screen)
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She even felt good enough to go check out KC's snowman!
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But she didn't like it one bit when I said "BOO" as soon as snuck up on it!
hehehe

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The 'project' yesterday was to get the crabapple tree branches all cleaned up so we could have access to both driveways. And to get it cleared before more snow came last night...

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And what a mess!
(But at least the branches will not be hitting my wires)...
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Randy M. made a terrible mistake in calling here about noon.
And I asked him to come out with his chainsaw.
He did but just used a regular saw to cut them up...
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I now have a HUGE pile ready for burning when the winds settle down.
That pile is at least 9 feet tall, and 15 feet wide.
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The tree looks a LOT nicer, opened up.
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But I do have to get my birdfeeder back out there too...
(Much as I don't like my Blue Jays,
they are fun to watch ~and pretty~ in the dead of winter).
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Time for me to fly- maybe pay a visit to you, and try to get caught up before I go outside and plow that new snowfall...
I just want to feel warmer before I go out there. I have my boots on the register already...

Will it ever end???

Have a fantastic weekend!

XOXO
Anne

Previously posted on Y! 360 Saturday February 9, 2008 - 08:33am

University of Wisconsin Green Bay

A very special and heartfelt Thank~You to the Press Gazette for allowing me to sound off...
 
Madder than heck... STILL!
And I am thinking that I will probably be receiving a "cease~and~desist order" from the college shortly.
That's OK.
And yes, Sweet Pea, at that point I will hire counsel...
 
Good Morning Everyone... 

Please bear with me here...
(And forgive my paranoia as I must ask...
Are they doing this just to kill me by trying to mess with my blood pressure)?!?!
hehehe

Article from Fridays (02/08/2008) Green Bay Press Gazette
>CLICK HERE< for this one entitled
UWGB joins initiative to keep talented students in the state

At the risk of repeating myself, I don't think so!

~~~~~~~

I have added the article from the Green Bay Press Gazette, the posts I have made, commenting on the comments received today... February 7th, 2008
>CLICK HERE< for the article in 02/07/2008 Press Gazette

OK ~So the first rebuttal I receive there says "I" should be ashamed???
I don't think so!

Thankfully most people who wrote since that point have expressed their own concerns for KC's education.

Here is the story in its entirety...


University of Wisconsin-Green Bay chancellor pushes for increased suicide awareness

By Kelly McBride
kmcbride@greenbaypressgazette.com

NOTE:
Mr. Nichols did have his own article there or I never would have intruded on this topic for Caseys benefit.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Chancellor Bruce Shepard has embraced the issue of mental health on campus.

He has encouraged students to seek counseling if they are depressed or are having difficulty coping. Last year, he addressed the stigma associated with depression with an open letter to the campus community that talked about his son's suicide.

The university trains resident assistants to be alert for suicidal behavior, said Greg Smith, director of counseling services at UWGB. Friends and family members can remember the acronym "QPR" — for which there is training similar to CPR — to recognize and try to curb suicidal tendencies.

It stands for Question, to ask the person if he or she is suicidal; P, for persuading the individual to get help; and R, for resources, to direct an individual to find help.

Smith is encouraging increased suicide awareness after the Jan. 22 death of Scott Nichols, 32, who killed himself in an off-campus apartment.

Those close to Nichols knew he was suicidal and had helped him — or tried to — on several occasions. But the signs aren't always overt, Smith said. Friends and family should watch for things like suicidal talk, depressive symptoms, giving away personal items or collecting the means with which to kill oneself, such as stockpiling pills.

Perhaps most of all, they shouldn't be afraid to step in.

"I think there's a stigma," Smith said, "that you don't want your friend to think you're thinking that they might be suicidal. … They just might say yes. That's a scary moment. … The right thing to do is just push through this."

_______________________

My reply...

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:04 am
Post subject:

UWGB "Cares" for Its Students?!?
_________________________________

You HAVE to be kidding!!!!
(You ARE kidding, right)?

Attention Students!
Are you in any way ill?
Physically, emotionally or mentally?

Do NOT believe for one minute that this school will actually support you when you go to them for help or assistance.

This article is almost the biggest load of crap to come out of UWGB in its many years of claiming to care.

****My sincerest of sympathies and prayers to those parents who have lost a child; and to those of us who live in fear of losing a child...
Gods Blessings.

Please hear me out.

I have a daughter, 21 now. And has been ill for 3+ years.
Physically ill.
She has had no less than 13 surgeries within this time period, and continues to have persistent bouts of pancreatitis.

She is also a 3.98 GPA student.

She became ill during her 1st semester at UW River Falls, and as a result of that 1st lung surgery, (she has had three to date); transferred to UWGB to be closer to her surgeons and hospitals.
Changing her major from pre vet to math.

Long story short(er).

She has been hospitalized all these times, (both at Green Bay hospitals AND at Froedtert in Milwaukee), and she SO TRIED to keep up with her studies.
She consistently/persistently emailed her teachers/professers during her hospitalizations begging for the ability to remain in school and keep up, (or catch up) with her cherished studies...

Since her profs are NOT required to be active in her education, only ONE at UWGB chose to email her back stating that she could easily catch up when she was better.

ONLY ONE!!!
Clearly the rest of her teachers did NOT give a (DELETED)!

She has had to withdraw then because of her illnesses and surgeries three times. And this past July received notice that she HAD to complete a full semester WITHOUT BEING HOSPITALIZED, or she would never again receive grant money to attend.

At this point, we went to the Dean of Students at UWGB to ask for his help after receiving this notification.
He blamed financial dept, saying there was nothing he could do.
We KNOW he could have done something!
Instead, he sat back in his chair and did nothing.

There is NO WAY that she can guarantee that she will not be needing additional surgeries and/or hospitalizations.
Indeed she would have had to have found ALL sympathetic profs to have even made it this last semester.

The Dean, when pressed, firmly stated that had she been blind, or an alcoholic, or even an addict, she would have been granted programs and leniency AND CLASSES...
Go figure.



Caring?
I DON'T THINK SO!

And so this ailing body WITH A FULLY CAPABLE MIND is left out in the cold so to speak.

Suicidal?
I do know that am fortunate that this daughter of mine has a spirit that allows her to go on, even when she is in extreme pain, and cannot eat any foods for a week at a time. She is currently at 89 pounds and with each bout of pancreatitis she loses more weight, as her pancreas slowly digests itself...


But GB leaves her sit...


UWGB SHOULD BE VASTLY and PERMANENTLY ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES- from the top dog to ALL of the professors. Minus just that one who cared enough to take the time to even hit 'reply' on his computer...

CARE? I'll believe it when I see it for ALL of their students!

To read more about her problems at this 'school', with the dean, or about her illness please go to the following link.



http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-dpmNyxc.dbILPvAAWzZ3Tq.I9pxXBodPASLWCZE-?cq=1&tag=%22college_problems%22



Please keep in mind that my blog is clean and family oriented.

_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:37 am Post subject:

jman

Yes, all of UWGB should be vastly and permanently ashamed of themselves because of one very special case that they handled improperly? I agree they handled your case poorly and I wish nothing but the best for your daughter, but come on, to blame an entire institution because you didn't like the treatment you received is a shame in its own right.

I've worked at state higher ed institutions and one thing you find is many of their rules are set in place by the UW System, not the individual campuses so its quite possible there is nothing the Dean could have done, especially with the grant money. A permanent disability is acknowledged by the state so special accommodations can be made, but as you found out in your case, its not so cut and dry with your situation.

_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:09 am
Post subject:

Jman;

You are right.

I
should have blamed the entire UW System, and not just one individual campus.

However ALL of her profs at River Falls worked with her illness that 1st semester so she could go to school.

I stand by what I wrote above!

Kudos though to UW River Falls.
As noted then, THEY should have turned their backs too.
Thank you UW River Falls

_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

The Axis

That gets me when a recovering addict gets better consideration than a young lady who is giving everything in the face of serious illness. There are legions of perfectly healthy people who aren't trying half as hard as your daughter is. Good luck to you both, I hope somebody wakes up and does the right thing. These kind of stories really get under my skin.

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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:39 am Post subject:

Mo


Annie-
It is a shame that you did not receive more help for your daughter's situation. I will agree that there are many professors out there that only care about earning their paycheck (welcome to college). I do not know how much time your daughter was out, but from the school's perspective, where do they draw the line? They cater to you daughter, and next thing you know, everyone who has any illness is looking for special treatment. I don't know what the right answer is, and I do not know exactly what the UW system's policy is for these special circumstances. But it seems as though they should probably take a good look at their policies. I would think that if the student is willing to do what ever it takes to pass her classes, the school should be more willing to work something out. We do also have to remember we are talking about a public school in a large university system. Even though we are a small community, our school is just a blip on the Univeristy program as a whole.

I will say that it is nice to see that the school even acknowledges the issues discussed in the article, I personally don't think they really need to take on that responsibility as it is a personal matter, not an educational matter.

_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:50 pm
Post subject:
UWGB "Cares" for Its Students?!?

To The Axis,
Thank you for understanding what I was trying to get across to the people here. You are most compassionate, and correct with your assessment of her hard work. Further, I do not believe that your anger is misplaced either.

~
~~~
~

Mo.
You sound a bit like the dean of students.
While there are policies in place for addicts/alcoholics etc, there are NONE to help my capable child get a decent education.
The dean could have at least asked her teachers to help her out should the need arise. But there was not even an offer of this basic accomodation. He sat at his desk, 'churched' his hands and just made noise as he spoke.
(It didn't take too long to figure out that when he spoke, he spoke only to pass the buck, and NOT to help her in any way, shape or form).

At no point in time, save for her 1st lung surgery, was she out more than 10 days of classes. (She is MORE than capable of keeping up with those absences).

River Falls, 350 miles away, even understood that she could not drive, medically, to get back to class and even accomodated her during her recovery period!

~
~~~
~


And for everyone reading this, my daughter is currently a waitress. She is not covered by any public assistance, AND she is still trying to be positive and upbeat about her world, her surgeons and her pain.
This is a far cry from being a veterinarian.
Even from being a brilliant mathematics teacher, wouldn't you agree?

Still positive though.
~
_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

Mo

Anne,
I am not trying to be disrespectful at all, I am just trying to look at the big picture. Unfortunately, you get these professors and deans who have been in their profession for so long, they have lost all of the true values of what their professions hold. They don't care about their students, they care about a paycheck. Their job couldn't be any easier. Take a couple days and put a bunch of reading and work together for the students for 16 weeks. Grade tests (tests that probably haven't changed in years), skim through some papers, and assign some grades. There is no compassion for individuals, they show up for work, do their job, and get paid. I bet you could have went to class for her and turned in her assignments, and they probably wouldn't have cared. Heck, I had several classes I took that you showed up to get the syllabus, then showed up on the test days and you could still get an A in the class.

Anyway, I hope your daughter can one day fulfill her dreams. It sounds like she has the willpower to be successful. I would have her look into taking classes online. There are many degrees out there now a days that you can get without ever even sitting in a classroom. Obviously being a vet requires some clinical work, but it may be possible.

Good luck with everything, I am sorry UWGB was such a disappointment for you. Perhaps the school system can learn something from this.
_______________________

by FUNTIME

Annie,
Your daughter could also look at schools like SNC. I know the perception is that it is expensive, but they do give good financial aid (thanks to generous donors). The other perk is some garauntee four year graduation (like SNC, assuming classes are not dropped, etc). The four year thing may be tough with the medical issues though. The smaller classes of these schools really helps, and the professors are there to teach first, not do research or write books. You may find more accommodations at SNC. It at least would not hurt to look into it.

I am an SNC alum and I am biased to that school because of a great experience. I got a teaching degree in 4-years, having entered with zero credits, and recieved great guidance from faculty that not only knew me, but actually cared how I was doing.

Schools are like a business, if you don't like their service, switch. Remember you pay them for a service.

_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:17 pm
Post subject:
Re 21 year old with illness

Berta
http://forums.greenbaypressgazette.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=5530

I am the sister of that young lady that is severely ill. I also feel that UWGB could have done more to try to accomodate. She was trying very hard to be able to keep up with her studies, and not have to withdraw. She is very intelligent, and has a very high drive to succeed. This illness is holding her back, and it is not her fault. I wish the "no child left behind" applied in college too....then we wouldn't have this problem...they would find a way to help her succeed.
My sister is a very strong girl and has put up with so much in her 21 years of life and all she was asking for was the chance to succeed. I know that she will figure out a way to get the education she so badly wants....I only wish that she could have had a better chance already.
Do you know what it feels like to have someone tell you that you are never going to amount to anything in your life??? She never knew that until UWGB told her that there was nothing they could do to help her, so the girl that was going to amount to a whole lot in her life, is being told that she cannot because she has an illness...not because she is incapable, but because they are unwilling to work with her on this matter.
I think that they would have a lot more of my respect if they would just work with someone who wants the education, rather than some one making their child attend college and the student doesn't want to be there. It seems like those kids get a better education because their family has money. We may not have a lot, and an education has always been important to my sister. I am very confident she will find a way, but it would be nice if she could have a little help when her illness gets the best of her.
_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:53 pm
Post subject:

I see that I am also getting a few replies in my mailbox on my blog, and also a few comments there too.
Thank you all.


Mo;
Thank you so much for returning here.
I am sorry that I read your comment out of context.
And how awful it sounds when it is all cut and dried as you have explained.
(Gee, it also makes me feel as though I could do their job)!
I am also thinking that it really IS sad that the 'humanity' factor isn't part of their contracts...
Let's see...
The teachers already have THEIR education.
They already have THEIR secured-by-contract jobs.
They have nothing further to do than collect their checks...

...But still, there was that ONE math teacher who offered to help her too.

Oh and she did ask about online classes too. The dean replied that was for adults returning to school and NOT for her!


~
~~~
~


Funtime;
She would NOT have dropped ANY of her classes, but was told she had to.
Am wondering if her credits thus far could be transferred then?
My sister went to Saint Norberts College. And yes, you are very correct about that perception of its co$t too.
Perhaps, if what you have said is true, then it could be something for her to be looking into...
Thank you so much for the idea. I honestly never considered private college as an option.


~
~~~
~


BertaG;
Thank you so much too.
It just makes me ill to even think that after succeeding so well at Pulaski High School, and then working so hard to go to college, that yes, she has been shot down.
All she ever asked for was someone to stand by her when this all happened...

She has us, but sometimes, in the 'real' world, even that is not enough.

~
~~~
~
_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:29 pm
Post subject:

rmart

I have no knowledge of the specifics of this situation and am not intending to comment on it. I am quite sorry that your daughter has suffered so greatly, Annie. However, I have a response to Mo's earlier post about college teachers.

Mo,

Your assessment of the amount of work that college teachers put in is painfully inaccurate. I don't blame you for not knowing this as many people's perceptions of college teachers is that they only work during class and have no responsibilities other than teaching. So, it's normal for people not to understand the other responsibilities that come along with working at a university.

Many instructors I know put in between 40-60 hours a week. Most work over the summer despite the fact that they are not under contract or paid for doing so. In addition to their classroom requirements, they are also required to conduct research, advise students, and serve on various university and community committees. They also lead independent studies, honors projects, and research assistantships for students, a hugely time consuming but important learning experience.

The notion that they are in it only for a paycheck is laughable. In fact, most could make far more money working in a different field but choose not to because they are dedicated to education. In fact, most pay for professional development activities like attending conferences (part of their job requirement) out of their own pocket. I also know several teachers who spend 100s of their own dollars each year on classroom activities because there is no money in their department’s budget for such activities.

Are there some professors who are phoning it in and not doing a good job? Of course. That comes with every profession. Are there some who are not very good at their jobs? Yes. Again, that comes with every profession. But to suggest that, collectively, they don't care about their students or that their job couldn't be any easier is horribly inaccurate.
_______________________

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:04 pm
Post subject:

rmart;

The above author stated "Unfortunately, you get these professors and deans who have been in their profession for so long, they have lost all of the true values of what their professions hold. They don't care about their students, they care about a paycheck. Their job couldn't be any easier."

Clearly, this does NOT apply to ALL of them.

Nor have my own comments applied to ALL of them.

Just that my own personal experience (at UWGB), denotes a care factor of about 7-9% with respect to my daughters professors.

That then translates to roughly 91-93% that didn't care enough to even hit the reply button when she wrote to them from her hospital bed.

Oh wait.
That simple respect factor wasn't in their contract.
(Or so the dean informed us)

>sigh<

No.
Sorry, but I have not seen this 'dedication to learning' that you have spoken of...

Should you want to know more about her 'experience' at GB and her chronic problem, the link is included within my top posting here

I too am sorry for all that she has been through...
Her health is basically unpredictable from day to day, week to week and month to month.

But to be so put down, ignored, and sent away by UWGB should NOT have been even imaginable!

But it was/IS/remains unforgiveable
-and completely unprofessional.

~
~~~
~
_______________________

Here's the link to the comments: CLICK HERE

Please feel free to join in the discussion.
It only takes a moment to sign up and post.

Love to all

XOXO
Anne

Oroginally Posted to my Y! 360 Thursday February 7, 2008 - 07:59am (CST)

Ugly Toenail and An Ailing Pup

Ugly Toenail and An Ailing Pup
Ugly Toenails and An Ailing Pup magnify
Punk is still not really herself... Poor little girl!!

.

Good Morning All;
Ash Wednesday...
Anyone want to 'give up' shoveling snow with me for the next 40 days?!?

My heart goes out to all that have been adversely affected by those terrible storms and tornadoes in the heartland and in the south...

We are lucky in that respect. Yet again another bad snowstorm has decided to roll to the south of us.

Good for me.
NOT so good for others...

RPDegree has sent a QC to Miss Beep stating to send the dogs for sniffing, and shovelers if we don't hear from her! (Milly can help; Punk not so much)...
I shall be there on my little Cub Cadet! hehehe Can't you just see that???
Good luck Sweetie! (Click on their names to visit their blogs).

The news has said that, thus far, you kids in Milwaukee have gotten a bit over 4" or 5" of snow. But, they have also added that it will still be well over a foot and a half of new snow by the time it is all over and done with...
*** And in some places downstate, IN EXCESS of 2 feet.
They have warned travelers that the roads will be impassable because of the winds that will be accompanying the snowfall.
Be careful out there.

A few notes from yesterday...

The train picture I had posted yesterday was of a train backing up, not coming at us.
hehehe
(No, I have not yet lost my "careful" marbles).

And I did try to clean up the picture of the house and the road too...

.

Cnv1788.....Cnv1789
But even cleared up there isn't much to see.
Sorry about that...
Wish I knew better how to fix photos...

.

I have my days work (literally) cut out for me... That is, if I can get my chainsaw started... (Big 'if' with these hands of mine)...
Had the tree service company come. (Not Asplundh though, a bit $pendy there). Just a private tree service out of Suring.

.


It was time to trim this old crabapple to within an inch of its life.
The wires are not expendable... Sadly then, the tree must be.

.

I told him NOT to clean it up because it's a good winter project for me. A bit of campfire wood, and more than a bit of exercise too. I still need to get the burning permit for the rest of it.

.


I swear he is part monkey!
I do not ever go up that high in the trees, thus I had someone else do it.
And the ugly toenail in my yard was finally trimmed.

.

But not without a bit of a mess either.

.


Again, it's a good thing I have that 2nd driveway because no one's getting thru this
one.
That's Punk, lower right, (peeking); as I brought the garbage out to the road.
Gee, I wonder what day they'll pick it up this week???
Still mad about last week...

.

High time for me to get busy- But shall attend to your comments from yesterday first.

Have a 'wunnaful' Wednesday!

XOXO
Anne

 
Originally posted on my Y!360 Wednesday February 6, 2008 - 08:57am (CST

Electile Dysfunction

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Other
Electile Dysfunction:
The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.

Trains. Traffic. And Rimadyl.

Trains. Traffic. And Rimadyl.
Trains. Traffic. And Rimadyl. magnify
Along the frontage road...

.

Good Afternoon all;
We, (Punk and I), are just back from a visit to the vet...

So many things happening. And of course more snow yesterday; and another 3-6" due tonight and/or tomorrow.

And yesterday morning had arrived so peacefully.
With a visit from the tree people who I had ordered a free load of mulch from. (All I had to do was ask)! They had come last week to trim the trees away from all the wires. Said they would come back with hardwood for me instead of the pine.

.


About ½ empty...
Clean sawn chipped wood...
With a bunch of red cedar mixed in too!
What a bonus for me!! Red Cedar works great in Millys kennel!

.

I had told Casey we would run into town so she could pick up her check, and that I could get a bag of birdseed too.
We left about 11.
Going to Suamico, it had begun to snow; yet the temps were just warm enough to make it treacherous. I took the backroads, not caring to put up with the speedy drivers on Highway 41/141...

A car pulled out in front of me... No big deal.
But this car kept drifting over the center line- once with a semi coming right at it.
Thinking this was a stupid fluke (we are all entitled to one?), I just kept watching...
Not a fluke.
This car was all over the road. Finally, after too many close calls, I told Casey to call it in. Turns out 'it' was a 'she' on her way to the grocery store... And very very inebriated too. We let the cops handle it all...

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We found out that Punkie hates the train noise too!

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By this time it had started hailing and sleeting. Casey did not care to go any further into town, and could get her check later... I needed to top off my tank, and we stopped at the Shell station. (Which is conveniently across the road from the Dollar store)... Convenient for us anyway, so we did a bit of shopping there...

Home again. We were only a few miles from home, but even 30 mph was pushing it. (Yes, I am very careful when Mother Nature and Old Man Winter combine like they have lately).

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This is what the last quarter of a mile looked like.
Yes, that is home.
But where's the road???
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After resting a bit and waiting for the snow to end, we did hear one snow plow come through. This is usually my cue to get out and plow the yard. But before I could even get out there, Miss Punk was making a fuss, out of her sound sleep.

.

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She felt warm- I checked what I could...
And then suddenly she has her snout pressed up against the LR window, listening and looking...
A few low growls/barks; ~I look too, to realize that the traffic is barely moving.

Since this is generally a very bad sign, I grabbed Casey and told her to get the cell phone and go out there with me... If someone is hurt- Oh I don't 'want' to see it, but we will do what we can anyway.

But not an accident, per se, just westbound traffic backed up from one direction to the other.
And this is what we saw blocking traffic...

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What you cannot really see is at the top of the hill.
Up there is a Lov-It semi who is spinning on the glare ice. Having lost his traction ~and is not going to make it over the crest of that hill anytime soon...

In the meanwhile, Lov-It Creamery truck Number Two, pictured, had already put his chains on. (Illegal in Wisconsin, but I am quite sure that no one was going to fault him for trying to be safe either).
Even with the chains on, his wheels just spun out under him...
These trucks are FULLY LOADED (think "weight"), and on their way to Bel Gioioso Cheese Factory...

Looking the other way all I could see were the many, many, headlights of the impatient cars behind. So I decided to call it in anyway.

Gee, how many times do we ever need to call the Sheriffs Dept twice in one day???
(And hopefully never again)...

The snowplow that had come through earlier had effectively scraped off what little traction the snow had provided to these vehicles. (WHY they weren't dumping salt on this hill STILL remains a mystery).

So when I called, I might have complained.

Loudly.

They said they would send an officer out.
(I don't need a freakin' squad car, I need the damned road salted)...
Blah. Blah. Blah.

As one car would turn around in my driveway the next would get close enough to speak with; and so I had bunches of cars just turn around in the driveway. Passing is NOT a 'real' option, save for the most stupid of drivers, (this IS a blind hill).
But having a horsehoe driveway sure helped the wiser ones to turn around.

After finally getting most of the traffic turned around to take another route, the sheriffs dept decides to show up. Traffic is pretty much cleared up by now... But those that are left are just spinning their own wheels.

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And it's just a slight grade there-
Just enough to NOT get moving once you have had to stop.

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Lov-It truck #2 had waited for the cars in front of his rig to turn around and get out of his way. He actually walked the hill, and salted his own way up. This, just as rig #1 had gotten his own truck moving.

By then it was time to plow my danged driveways. Wish I had gotten to that before all these cars had gone through it because they just compacted it and made my driveways little ice roads... Casey shoveled while I cleared the yard.
And Miss Punk, still not feeling well, was once again fast asleep...
By the cold air vent too.

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Not even really wanting to go out and play with Milly
while Casey and I shoveled and plowed

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She was still a slug this morning...

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Poor little puppy...

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A call to Dr. Spires was definitely in order, especially considering that hse has been eating less and drinking less than normal too.

.

He checked her over front to back, and top to bottom. No fever. Her lungs were fine. Her eyes and ears checked out fine too. He asked to do some bloodwork to amke sure that it isn't her kidneys. Drew the blood and then worked her spine too. She didn't really flinch, just moving her head every now and then. Neck and back 'seemed' fine to him also.

While we waited for the bloodwork, she decided no more manipulations or exams. and hid under the chair...

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Sick. Hurt.
My Little Girl.

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Thankfully all of her bloodwork came back within normal ranges- her kidneys and liver are fine. Doc Spires told me to give her the Rimadyl because it is probably her spine from being hurt as a pup, arthritic now, and aggravated by this weird weather.
(She will be only 2 on March 27th).
So two pills every day, and to keep an eye on her. (Like I wouldn't)?
hehehe

I am beat right now and need a bit of a nap myself... Have to try to rest up a bit- Last I heard was that possibly another half foot of the white stuff will be here this evening. ~Just great...

Love to all! Be warm and safe.

XOXO
Anne
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PS

Hmmm... How about just one more little picture?

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This is NOT an optical illusion...
.
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Have a good one!

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posted first on my Y!360  ~Tuesday February 5, 2008 - 02:12pm (CST)

Winter In Wisconsin

Winter in Wisconsin
255 magnify
Squirrel or rabbit? You tell me...

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Good SuperBowl Sunday Morning to all;

No, I am not 'up' for the day. I believe that should come AFTER I sleep...
Just tired, but not enough to go to sleep yet. (So I thought I would write a blog and bore myself to The Land of Nod)!
hehehe

Life after snow... Is there?
What a weird winter already; but no, they are not all this strange.


Someone said it is "The Old Mans Winter". (A recall that only the old ones can remember it being like this)...
So, am I "old" then if I remember the deep snows?
The ones where car antennaes would all have the bright orange balls on them to show other cars that they were there?
Yup.
Old.

But I remember the fun we always had too.

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Odd when we were young(er), that the cold was never that bad either.


But Winter in Wisconsin is not for the squeamish, or for the vain.


It is not for anyone that cannot lift a shovel, an ice pick, or break a sweat.


It is not for anyone who can only wear one shirt or one pair of socks/pants at a time.


It is not for anyone that needs makeup applied to go somewhere in the bitter cold. (Makeup generally rubs off on your scarf; and looks downright scary~hysterical if that same scarf has been over your mouth while you breathe in the bitter cold).


It is not for anyone who has to be on a perfect schedule. (Old Man Winter and Mother Nature WILL set your schedule for you).


It is not for anyone who lacks a certain warped sense of humor. (I don't care WHO it is, it is funny when one loses their balance and falls down on the snow and ice). And should you happen to break something in the process, I promise you will still get up and move.


It is not for the thinned skinned among us. (Learn how to dress, learn how to drive, or don't complain about freezing half to death when you wind up in the ditch).

.

Cnv1761........Cnv1760
Rear wheel drive.................... Front wheel drive

Cnv1765.........Cnv1768
Four wheel drive ................AND ............ Very VERY RICH!


It is not for anyone who will not wear animal fur, or leather, for warmth.

It is not for anyone that thinks any of the above only happens to someone else.

Simply put, Winter in Wisconsin will either make or break you.

Mostly, it makes us a bit different than most.
Stronger.
More determined.
More capable of survival.
(Survival of the fittest to get to live 'til Spring).
AND, I really believe that we breathe through our ears at times...

I believe it makes us much more thankful when we do see Spring; even knowing that Spring is just a season of 90 or so days... just like all the rest of the seasons.

I believe that when the birds return from their Southern vacations we enjoy them more.

I believe that when the last few snows threaten to overwhelm us, that no matter how deep it is, it only lasts a little while. (Contrary to having the snow fly real early in Fall, and you KNOW it will be a long winter)...

Winter in Wisconsin teaches you that you can have fun shoveling; (as long as someone doesn't dump a shovelful down your neck)...

Winter in Wisconsin teaches you how to kick back, relax, and watch a good movie.

Winter in Wisconsin teaches you how to make a real good pot of soup, (and generally with ingredients you didn't know you even had)!

Winter in Wisconsin teaches you to look UNDER the snow for buried treasure...

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Cuz you never know what you might find...

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It teaches you to walk around the frozen anthills!

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Winter in Wisconsin... Sometimes only a month or two...
Sometimes twice that long.

But only during Winter in Wisconsin can you find something so innocent...

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That makes you laugh so very hard!!!

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Hope you're smiling now!
Have a wunnaful day!

XOXO
Anne

 

oroginally posted to my Y! 369 Sunday February 3, 2008 - 03:33am (CST)