I guess I am over due for an update!  Last weekend we were home part of the weekend and accomplished a lot.  We did buy flowers and vegies for the garden and I got them planted.  And they have received plenty of rain since!  I think they are due for more sun and warmth before they drown!  It sounds like the warmth will come this weekend, but probably more rain also.  Hopefully they are wrong on the rain.

Oshkosh Irish fest will have it’s second year of existance.  Last year they had great weather and great crowds,  this could be more difficult.  Lot’s of music and food planned, and things for the kids.  They have tried to model after the Milwaukee Irish Fest on their small scale.  And trying to make it affordable and family friendly.  Hopefully they don’t take a hit this year.  My homebrew club is helping out in several areas.   And they give us a pretty nice amount of money for helping out,  and in turn we plan to donate some of that to charity.  I serve Guiness on Sunday.

And we made it to Milwaukee last weekend.  Had a wonderful chance to go out to eat with John, Mary,Noel,Jo Ann.  A very nice meal at the Bluemound Inn.  And good company.   And spent a little time with Mom and filled her up on groceries.    Then made it home and that’s when I finished planting, and transplanted a few things that were ready to move.   And finally cleaned up my work shop and the boathouse a bit.  I was a bit tired by the end of the day.

Then Monday night I had my homebrew executive meeting here.   That always involves too many great beers.   and I need to finish up the homebrew club newsletter yet and get that out yet this week.  Full meeting next week.  Tuesday night we were supposed to go to the Timberrattler game,  the Brewers A ball affilitate.  Always fun,  but Tuesday was cold and rainy.  So we skipped it.  And I got some much needed rest.  Well some rest.

Saturday we also bought a new wireless keyboard and mouse, the old keyboard was having trouble.   And it has some nice features to it.  but I could not get the software to install properly.  So I spent a couple of hours playing with that, install, uninstall, install.  Try the trouble shooting tips.  Finally given up on and an e-mail sent to Logitech support.  Well I got a response and more things to try.   But one of the first things the rep said was Logitech products don’t work well with switches.  I had told them we have 2 computers sharing keyboard and monitor.  Well it turns out that is it.  The tabs in the control panel for setting the keyboard and mouse functions don’t show up,  but if I disconnect the switch and plug the wireless receiver directly into a computer.  The tabs appear and I can set up all sorts of defaults.    That sucks.   Chris says she likes the keyboard, and all of the normal functions are fine.  Just not the shortcuts and ability to set up special functions.  So I guess we will do without that and keep the keyboard.  And my hours are attributed to my learning curve.

And I still have a hard drive to hook up.  Staples had a Iomega on sale and I have been thinking it is time.  We have an external hard drive now, that we archive both computers to.  But we have had that a number of years now, so rather than chance it the cost of another external is cheap compared to the frustration of  losing data.  So my plan is to move everything to the new hard drive, and use the old as redundant.   The new should be faster access for the computers.  But tonight won’t be the night to work on that.  I need to be refreshed!

Last night was a Milwaukee trip.  We had a stock club gathering.  The gathering is pretty small these days.  We met at Meiers Restaurant which was nice.  We have a smaller group after losing a number of members these last couple of years.   And age is taking it’s toll on others.  One member I have known all these years announced his ‘retirement’ last night.  Back problems and the onset of dementia are slowing him down.

And  being in Milwaukee gave me a chance to spend a little time with Mom.  She has not been back to normal since she was in the hospital and they diagnosed a problem with a heart valve.  She had a stress test a couple of weeks back, which my poor brother had to suffer through (not a good day).   They have diagnosed some blockage, and want to go in to check it out.   That is a big question for her, and she does not completely understand.   So we will see where that goes.

So tonight is almost over.  I think a little walk on the treadmill should prepare me for bed.  And then hey,  it is Friday and the weekend is here!

We had just a great weekend.   The weather was great,  the fishing was fun, and the company was outstanding.   We spent the weekend with Dick and Carol in Hayward the area.  Our chance to take the trailer for a ride and spend the weekend in the small park where they keep their trailer.   I think there are only 7 trailers there, all full time parked.   All close to the water with plenty of space.   And Ann, the 91 year old owner lets us pull into an open spot only otherwise used by her daughter’s RV.

Dick had the boat out and had done some ‘scouting’ fishing.   The first couple of days we fished on another nearby lake where he had found some crappies.   We used to do very well on Crappies on Sand Lake where they are, but not the last couple of years.  Dick’s thought is they have been over fished through the ice.  So we had lot’s of fun on the other lake, brought home some crappies and caught lots of rock bass and small mouth bass.  And Monday we did fish Sand Lake and caught some perch and walleye.  The size limit on the walleye is 18″ though and we had no keepers.   Although we had a bunch that would have been perfect eaters!

And we cooked out, and we went out.   Lot’s of great establishments to visit up there.   So we had some cocktails and good meals out, and even managed to fit in a brewpub.    A little rain Sunday night was late enough to not bother us, and they needed some rain.  So life was good, and the 5 hour drive went well, truck and trailer performing well.    We came home late Tuesday afternoon,  and Enders joined us here on their way back from their Door County volunteer month.   So we fit in a pontoon ride and some cocktails before I had to head back to work this morning.  That was not much fun,   but we have to pay for this somehow!  And the rain held off until today, and we needed it.  So that will help what is in the garden.  The problem is that it will still be too wet to plant tomato’s and seeds.   So we will see when I get around to that!  I paiinted the other side of the downstairs bedroom doors.   So one more coat and that project will be finished.  The walls and molding in the hallway are done.

So we hope all had as good a weekend as we did!

Almost to the big weekend to kick off summer.  We wanted to wish everyone a great weekend.   We are heading to Hayward to visit with Dick and Carol.   And I will get my fishing in for the summer, and we usually catch fish!  And it does not sound like we will have to fish in a cold rain this year!  It sounds like it will be great.  So the truck is up to the trailer,  I think everything is packed.

So off to work in the morning and then try to position myself to quietly walk out the door.  The goal is noon.  I tell my boss I have plenty of hours in already.  So as long as there are no large issues off I will go.  Home, change, drop the trailer on the hitch and hopefully by 1 pm on the road.  5-5 1/2 hours later we will be there, and ready for a beer!

I don’t have the garden planted yet, still too wet. A project for when we get back next week.  But everything that is growing is doing great.  Our clematis has more blooms than ever!

So have some fun, relax, remember old friends and family.

Well nothing is for sure in Wisconsin.   But records are about to fall.  This is great!  It looks like it will at least carry into Memorial day weekend.  Let’s hope it carries Through the weekend.  We were home this weekend.  A chance to continue catching up on things around the house and start to prepare for the upcoming trip to Hayward.

We had some rain on Friday,  a lot of rain actually.   But when it stopped on Friday afternoon that gave me a chance to get some weed and feed down on the wet grass.   Of course as I was running out of  fertilizer it looked like it was going to rain.  But I lucked out and that did not happen.  And Sunday morning I picked up some more weed and feed and was able to finish all of the lawn.  The dandelions and creeping charlie had a big start this spring so I needed to do something to the lawn.

And I have been working on a wall in the hallway downstairs that I had put some paneling up years ago.   I drywalled that and was able to finish off  a few corners that I had never done.  Saturday I also picked up the wood I needed for the finishing work.  And Chris had picked up paint on Friday.  So most of the wall is painted and I have worked on painting the moulding and doors out in the garage this weekend.   I had to do that this morning before it warmed up.  Not sure when this week I will be able to paint if it is hot all week,  but a lot of the molding looks to be done and I should be able to start putting that up.

Today we had a visit from my Brother and his Wife, Skip and Claire.   So we had some relaxing time this afternoon.  A nice long boat ride,  there was a nice breeze on the lake.  It was great.   It was good to have them here.  We had fun and they did us a favor by transporting a few things up for us.  Thanks!  And now I have a rim to put the spare on the camper (there is a story there).

So I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy the weekend.  Take a deep breath, enjoy life.

We are in Florida, life is good.  We are relaxed!   Had the usual airport problems.  A sunny nice day and our plane in Milwaukee arrived an hour late from Atlanta.  But we managed to still make our connection.   And we arrived in warm Florida on time.

We went out with neighbors last night,  I had oysters and soft shell crab,  needless to see Chris did not.  It was wonderful, and came back to our condo for a beer and a cigar (Chris skipped both of these also).  It was a beautiful night with a breeze coming in off the ocean.  At midnight it was probably 70 degrees.

This morning I took a nice walk along the ocean.  Then when I got back and showered we walked to our favorite diner for breakfast.   They have great food and large portions, so we brought home enough for tomorrow’s breakfast!

And I took a ride to my friend the cigar maker and spent some time talking with the locals.  And then Chris and I took a ride to the city park on the beach.  They are doing some remodeling so the upper walk and sitting areas were closed.  But we had a nice walk on the beach.  It was very busy,  with the ocean breeze coming in it was very comfortable there.   The humidity is starting in Florida, although it is not terrible.  And with the party cloudy skies I find it comfortable.  Chris was even surprised at the ocean that there was a difference from at the condo.

So we have not decided what is in the plans for tonight.  Either walk to a local restaurant our take something down to the pool and grill out by the intercoastal.    It all works.   I am on the porch,  just finished a German beer and am listening to a French band from Montreal.   Life is good.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.   I am going to go down and pour myself a glass of tequila to celebrate the victory over the French.

We had a chance to spend a little time with Enders, which was nice.  They are now on duty in Door County.  And it sounds like they brought the bad weather with them!  Watch out for those snow flakes Saturday morning!  We were on the edge of the worst of the storms last night.  The tornado’s were 10 or 15 miles north.  The lake sure got rough!  And lot’s of rain all night but that will be good for the ground.  Hopefully we did not lose the blossoms on our apple trees.

So I have a small project downstairs I was back to tonight.   Trying to finish a wall  that I didn’t do 15 years ago.  So the drywall is up and am doing my subsequent coats of drywall compound most nights.  It is getting close to the end.   I will have to decide on the type of finish coat I put on soon.

I bought some plants for the garden yesterday,  but did not get them in last night,  now too wet, and will be too cold the next days.  So will need a good day next week to put them in the ground.   Oh yesterday I did not get to the plants because we were busy shuffling cars.   On my way to work I lost power going over the Butte des Morts bridge.   I was able to get off the bridge on the north side of the water and pull it over.  So Chris came to get my,  I dropped the keys off at the garage and they towed it in later.   The way it lost power and ran I was thinking cam shaft.  But it was better news later.  The thermastat stuck closed, and when the engine started to overheat the sensors shut down the engine to protect it.  So it did not end up cheap,   but lot’s less than I was imagining.    The mechanic is not very positive on the future of my engine at 166,000 miles,  but we will keep running it for awhile.  The oil and compression may be going where it doesn’t belong,  but still not too bad.

So we manage to find things to keep busy with.

Another week and we will be getting ready to head to Florida for a long weekend.  That is always relaxing.  Speaking of which, time for my tequila.

I am behind on my postings!   I seem to keep fairly busy with a fair amount of things,   and work has not been much fun lately,  but life is still good.

Spring weather has been good,  although not much about last weekends cold rain.  But we did need the rain.  And we may get a freeze tonight,  but in the 70’s tomorrow.  A Wisconsin Spring!

And Chris, Mary Jane, and I celebrate our 32nd anniversary on April 28th.  Time does go quickly,  not just the days.  And life is good!  And it has been a great 32 years!

Another weekend coming to an end.   I have to find a way to make these longer!  Friday night I went down to Milwaukee.   Spent some time with Mom and had the chance to spend some time with Al Miller.   We went out for a pizza to my old Bay View neighborhood and one of the DeMarinni’s restaurants.    Good as ever.  And then for a couple of beers to the Sugar Maple on the southside.  60 American micro brews on tap, awesome.

Saturday some time with Mom and got home in the afternoon.  I always have these things in my mind that need to get done so I went to work in the yard.  There were strong north winds blowing in off the lake that made it pretty cool.  But I made a lot of progress yesterday and today.  Of course no one other than me will notice most of what I spent my time on.    But it feels good to have it done.  And I fit in a trip to Fleet Farm along the way.  One night the Bayliner gets a new battery put in.  And I found the lawn mower has a throttle problem and probably needs to go into the shop.  So the projects always continue.  But I stopped this evening for a cigar,  a steak and asparagus on the grill.   And now I am relaxed.   I just need another day!  But Monday will be back to work.  I guess I should be happy for that,  it pays for my fun.   And we filled the position that has been empty the last couple of months, so after a couple of weeks of training I should start to get some help.

Wisconsin is supposed to be a little warmer this week than it was this weekend.  but it is still April so we should be happy with what we have.  It is tempting to start to plant,  but we did have temps in the 30’s last night so need to wait.  And I get to look forward to Chris coming home from New Mexico on Thursday.   I am sure Marie will miss her but I will welcome her home.

So I hope your weekend was great!  Life is good, enjoy.

Well I did not take pictures of the snow today, it was too depressing.  I was stopped on Hwy 41 waiting for an accident to clear, and more cars in the ditches.  Today was opening day of the Timberrattler’s baseball season,  which is postponed until tomorrow.  They say 6 inches in Appleton.  But the spring has been very nice up until now, so we are hoping next week will be back to good weather!

With the good weather we do have the dock and shore station ready to go.   Just need to put the boat on it, the battery is charged and gas tank filled.   Now that we have had some rain (and snow) the lake level should come up a little and allow us to put the bayliner on the lift.   Maybe this weekend?

And I had a chance to brew beer with a friend,  so will have another batch to work on the next few months.  A rye blond dopplebock,  can’t wait!

And last week we had the opportunity to meet Craig’s fiance Andria, which was very enjoyable.  He is a lucky guy.   There was a wedding shower on Saturday, at Denise’s new condo.  Which was also very nice.  She has a beautiful place, very roomy and well done.  And we spent some quality time with Mom.  And on Easter had a great meal at Skip and Claire’s.   So it was a full weekend.    This week finished our taxes, uncovered the pontoon boats, and did a few things around the house.   Hopefully can put the ‘new’ pontoon in soon, that battery is charged and ready to go.    So looking forward to another weekend, almost here!   Friday night going out with good friends Steve and Tiff to Eddie Martini’s.  I have been looking forward to that for years!  We hope you have an enjoyable weekend also!   I added some more pictures on the Album page by the way.

Just want to wish everyone a great Easter Weekend.  It seems like it came up quickly. Here in the north we are well above normal temperatures, which is wonderful.   Cooling down a little tomorrow, but still it will be above normal!  How great is that.

Down to Milwaukee on Saturday, and actually to Kenosha for Andria’s wedding shower.  And our chance to see Denise’s new condo.  And a chance to spend a little time with Mom.   Then spend the night by Mom and over to Skip and Claire’s for Easter dinner (thanks).

Chance of some rain this weekend,  which if it happens here in Omro maybe will raise the water a little.  Dock is in and shore station in place,  I would like a little more water before trying to put the boats in though.  Low water made it easy to work,  but need a little more ‘float’.

I am glad I am to the end of this work week, although I got home each night and had the chance to work by the lake.  Tonight was just relaxing, as Chris and I had a chance to sit on the deck with a cocktail.   I am looking forward to the weekend, and hope that does not pass too quickly.

Thanks to my nephew Craig for a new look to the blog,  and easier to navigate the pages.  I will have to try some new things when I get a chance!

And to everyone who bothers to read this we wish you a wonderful Easter weekend,  new life is rising.