Back to Furlough Friday

We are back to having scheduled unpaid days off...this time it is three Fridays a month. Today is our first scheduled day off. Most State offices are closed today. I like have the flexability of choosing my unpaid days off, but I think it is more of a cost savings for the state to have them scheduled. It is nice having the extra days off, but with the third unpaid day now added, that will really hurt our pocketbook. At the end of the month the lease car goes back, so not having that payment will help with the most recent paycut. The worst part is I have so much work to do, but now with less time to do it. It just makes things more stressful.

4th of July

This 4th of July weekend is most dedicated to relaxing and catching up with *minor* stuff around the house. After being so busy last month, I just needed a weekend to do NOTHING! I had to work Friday, but Ethan had the day off. That evening we went to a friends house for a BBQ and fireworks. The actual 4th, I didn't even leave the house. I spent a lot of time on my blog site, mostly reading other people's blogs and I watched Dial M for Murder. I like to stay home on the 4th of July because it is a really scary day for the dogs. They did ok with the firecracker nosie, but they were scared. They mostly just wanted to be right next to us. At one point in the evening, Ethan was reading comic books with Jeter on his chest and Dotty right by his side. I feel bad for them, but it is cute when they want to be so close.

Where Were You When Michael Jackson Died?

I was at work. I opened the Internet to go on to a work database, when I noticed a headline on my Yahoo home page: "Michael Jackson Hospitalized." Reading further the article said Michael Jackson was pronounced dead by an unknown, unofficial source. Thinking this would not be the first odd rumor posted about the man, I did a search "Michael Jackson Dead." And there it was, a confirmed article stating that Michael Jackson had indeed died. I was in shock. How can my childhood hero be dead?


Over the past couple of days, I have deeply reflected on the influence Michael Jackson had over my generation. The white glove, the red zipper jacket, the moonwalk, the short pants with white socks. Michael Jackson had numerous trade marks, which will always live with his memory. Michael Jackson was an 80's icon. What he did with "Thriller" is untouchable. No one has ever created such an imaginative, creative, and unique video. We were obsessed with it; everyone was. We knew the words, we knew the dance routine. We watched the video and the making of the video daily. The Thriller movement consumed our society. I don't know what it would take to top that one; I don't think anyone ever will. And yes, initially I was scared to watch it.

Another huge part of the 80's was "We Are the World" in which Michael Jackson was a big part of. I think I am very lucky to have lived during the times of these two videos.

I know Michael Jackson had developed a negative reputation over the last few decades, and lived a cryptic life of mystery. Undoubtedly misunderstood. No doubt at times I would see pictures of him and think "he is so weird." But this man needs to be remembered for all of his positive contributions to society, especially in the 80's. He needs to be remember for his powerful influence over people and the pure magic he created with his music.

Thus, I give you my Top 10 Michael Jackson Songs:

10. You Are Not Alone
9. Smooth Criminal
8. Bad
7. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
5. PYT
4. The Girl is Mine
3. Thriller
2. Man in the Mirror
1. Don't Stop 'till You Get Enough

Ethan with his M.J. jacket:



Hard to see it, but that's me with my M.J. buttons:



circa 1982

"Gonna make a change for once in my life. Gonna feel really good, gonna make a difference, gonna make it right."

You sure did.

Chicago Re-cap

Had a wonderful time in Chicago visiting family and friends. Here is a re-cap:

June 10-16
Lost luggage
Dunkin Donuts
Shoe shopping
Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's
Wario Smooth Moves- Go Ray!
Arts and crafts with mom and Aunt Mike (card making class)
Old Style, Miller Lite, MGD
Greg gets speeding ticket (warning) by a bicycle cop
Liz and Brian's wedding
Baseball White Sox @ Milwaukee- Miller Park
Vito and Nicks
Bacon Waffles, that's bacon in the waffles.
Vince's graduation party
Pizza at Uncle William's old folks home
Black Jack
Lunch with Kelly and her kids
Dinner at Aunt Laura's with the whole family (minus Liz and Brian)
Corn Holes

June is Busy

Here is our crazy June schedule:

June 9- Allergy shot, Dotty to the Vet
June 10- Leave for Chicago
June 11- Downtown Chicago
June 12- Liz's Wedding
June 13- White Sox @ Milwaukee
June 14- Vince's Graduation Party/Dinner with Miehlich's
June 15- Lunch with Kelly
June 16-home
June 17- Field Work
June 18- Dotty's Surgery
June 19- Work at Home to Take Care of Dotty
June 20- Lauren's Shower
June 21-24 Sacramento for Work
June 26-28 Boonville for Joe and Kristy's Wedding.

Foursight Winery

May 17 marked the grand opening of Foursight Winery's Tasting Room (http://foursightwines.blogspot.com/). Ethan and I made the drive up to Boonville to taste some wine, have a few treats,visit with Friends and suffer the heat. The cupcakes were the best part.

Dakota Hunt

Our furry friend Dakota passed away last night. He died peacefully in his sleep. Tyler and Natalie adopted Dakota about 9 years ago. He was probably 1ish when he was adopted, making him about 10. He will be missed.