Off We Go To Milwaukee!

Earlier this summer I had a crazy idea that we would drive over five hours to Milwaukee. Lucky for me I am married to T-Bone and beyond my giving him grey hair he is a pretty good sport! How many husbands would agree to a 36-hour trip that 10+ was driving? 

It would be a surprise visit to Summerfest for my child to see Billie Eilish. 

p.s. I agree it was an amazing show and her brother was also fantastic to watch. I'll give my review later...

But along the way, we found other ways to amuse ourselves. 

Me - I looked for license plates (after I saw Alaska!) and I found:

I got a lot of problems with you people and now you're gonna hear about it.

I am of the opinion though that Illinois has FAR too many variations of their plate & that people have plate frames that oddly cover a large amount of their state name. Which I can't believe is legal. 

Then, of course, there was Sunday Brunch & watching USA Women's Soccer KICK A$$!

Rose Bowl @ Wicked Hop

We wrapped up our weekend in a place where T-Bone could be happy too. 

The Harley Davidson Museum! Who goes to Milwaukee & doesn't do that? 

We took a guided tour - heard about plenty of motorcycles (and other motors!) and went into the limited run exhibit "Daredevils! A Century of Spine-Tingling Spectacles" that had everything from Buffalo Bill Cody to Joie Chitwood & Evil Kenevil. Plus, some idiot that tried to build a loop-de-loop & mountain bike it...ugh! Do NOT try this @home. 

And now we are home again - jiggidy-jig!     

How is your summer? 

And that is why I love him....

I kind of like chickens.

I kind of generically lump roosters and chickens together.

I have wanted a giant metal chicken since I read this post, but my love of chickens started when my child was not even one yet - so late 2006-ish.

Someone at work gave me this cocky-dude for being at work so early all the time.

I was seriously smitten

Then, I found this chicken about 2009 (?) at TJMaxx...I walked around with it for an hour trying to convince myself not to buy it.  

This one about 2014...she is a pretty birdie.

And it sort of spilled into my kitchen after that...with canisters, a napkin holder, I even got a giant brass wishbone at Target last year.

But nothing was enough.  I still wanted a big metal chicken of my own.  With it's own cool personality. I saw one at the State Fair, but when my husband went back to get it - it was gone.

So I forgot about it.

Last week my daughter started jibber-jabbing, "Mom, I really want to tell you what Daddy got you for your anniversary.  It is really good.  What did you get him?  You should really start thinking about your husband and what he would like.  But, I can't tell you what Daddy bought you, but it is gooood!"

I mean she said this to me like a bunch of times in various iterations.

I was concerned.  Was it something crazy???!!! I mean a ten-year-old girl thinks it is cool.

New golf clubs?

Then, last night, T-bone asked if he could give me my anniversary present. And when I said no, he actually looked a little sad.

(pouty lips)

This morning I came downstairs and T-bone wasted no time. He TOLD me he was giving me my gift now and started opening up the sliding glass door...

I am the luckiest woman ALIVE!

I think he likes me.  I sure do love him.

Memories of a Mommy Blogger - Chapter Four - We're Going to The Zoo!

This was super fun because T-Bone filmed for me!

We had a super time at the zoo as always.

I actually miss going to the zoo, but our lives are so busy we have not had a membership for over two years now.

Enjoy back when all we had to do was keep Boo Boo alive.  (No gymnastics, Girl Scouts, school, Summer Camps - nada!)


The Scherber's Go To The Zoo! from Lisa Scherber on Vimeo.

Asian Inspired Noodle Soup!

My husband came home from a day out snowmobiling and I made this soup. He declared it the best one ever so I am blogging the recipe.

Mostly so I don't forget.

20 oz chicken thigh, boneless/skinless -chopped
1t to 1.5t  tomato paste*
3 ribs celery with a few leaves, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 T green curry paste (add more after you add broth if you want more spice - I think I did 2)
1 heaping T ginger from refrigerated tube
1 T garlic paste from refrigerated tube
1 good T soy sauce
S&P
Olive oil
2 32 oz boxes chicken broth
Rice noodles, soaked, drained and cut to your desired length

Cook chicken in good glug of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, over medium high heat. Add a good teaspoon plus tomato paste while chicken is cooking.

Add in onion once chicken is no longer pink and cook 3 minutes,  add carrot and celery and cook 7 minutes.

Add curry paste, ginger and garlic, cook another few minutes.

Add chicken broth, soy sauce and bring to a boil.  Turn down to simmer add rice noodle and simmer until noodles are warmed in the soup.

Yes. It was delicious.

And Happy Chinese New Year!

*Buy a tube of tomato paste, keep it in the fridge and thank me later. Use it to amp up tomato things and make other things, like soup, taste like you simmered them all.day.long.

We have it pretty good, don't we?

Yesterday morning I was pissed off.

I was pissed off and tearing up all day.

I was mad about a lot of things and was wishing things were better.

Then, I realized how lucky I had been yesterday and today this morning.

Something was wrong with my car. >-<

Something was wrong with my car, but I am lucky enough to have a husband who uses a work van - so each day there is an alternative vehicle I can take to get my daughter to daycare and myself to work.

How lucky am I?

I have a working washing machine to clean my daughter's gymnastics leotard so that she can go to the class we can afford to pay for....even if I forget to wash it until the morning of gymnastics.

How lucky am I?

My family is healthy and all have jobs and a warm home to live in.

How lucky are we?

I have a fantastic group of ladies and gentlemen who attend the meetings for our Parent Teacher Organization at my child's school.  Involvement goes up every year.

How lucky are all of us?

I have friends who take me out and laugh (at me and with me) Cookie exchanges, beers, wine, fun, random card games, tears.

How lucky am I?

I got flowers and cards in the mail at work today because some of the people I work with really appreciate what I do.

That sure is lucky.

I should think about this every day.  My problems are typically First World problems.

Woah is me.  Gloom, despair, agony.

My latte got cold. I got cut off in traffic. Someone forgot to EMAIL ME THAT CONTRACT!

None of it is really that important.

But you are important to me.  So in this season I say to you.

We have it pretty good, don't we?

Happy Holidays,

ML

Inspired #ALS #ICEBUCKET

I love my husband. 

Do you know the rules?

I think I have fully demonstrated that I am crazy on this blog.  More than once. 

This morning the crazy turned into this blog post because someone could not follow the "Sleeping/Alarm Clock" rule at 4:19 am.

I had a whole other blog post planned with photos of LaCrosse, WI and the wonder that is Target Box Wine.  You can't get Target Box Wine here, so just being in LaCrosse made me giddy.

Yes, I am digressing, which is exactly what happened to me this morning.

I slept by myself, with only a cat or dog in the mix, for about thirty-two years of my life.  So it is really not my poor T-bone's fault that he does not know "The Rules" of sleeping.  For example, you need really soft sheets and you are not supposed to pull that top sheet out from being tucked at the foot of the bed.  Duh!

This morning, the ultimate sin.

T-bone's alarm went off, which is fine, but then he wanted a kiss.  Also fine, but the air kiss was not enough and the miss of the lips just didn't cut it, so I had to kiss him THREE times as I am saying, "I want to go back to sleep!"  It was only 4:19 am after all...but then he broke the BIG rule.  I rolled back to my side after the smooch he was looking for and HE DID NOT GET OUT OF BED!  I was laying there thinking how I would get up in about an hour and blog about LaCrosse.  This was my attempt to drift off back to sleep when I realized...HEY, he is still laying there.  Why is he laying there?  When is he getting up?  WTF?  (See, crazy. I know.)  And now I am so distracted by his laying there this whole other blog post gets stuck in my head.  This one more interesting than even Target Box Wine.

The ultimate "Sleeping/Alarm Clock" rule.  Once your alarm goes off and you give your partner a kiss, you GET OUT OF BED!  If you lay there you risk getting blogged about for; WHY ARE YOU STILL LAYING THERE???  When are you actually getting up?  Did you fall back asleep?  Should I poke you and check?  This rule to me is even bigger than "The Continental Divide Pillow" rule.

What is that rule?  It is when my husband in the night puts a pillow perpendicular to its normal position and it gets too far over on my side and I end up with one shoulder on it laying there all wonky and stiff when I wake up.  Yes, "The Continental Divide Pillow".  I KNOW how crazy this sounds, but I slept alone for more than three decades people!

And he did get up about 7 minutes after the smooch, but the damage was done.  I was not getting back to sleep.

THANK THE SWEET LORD it is Friday.

White Sangria anyone?

T-Bone is helping someone install a furnace tomorrow,,,hopefully they don't want him over to their house so early his alarm goes off at 4:19 again.

Valentine's Day - What do I want?

T-bone asked me what I want for Valentine's Day, he was thinking new computer for downstairs, but forgot I got my new laptop - so I am not up for that ploy!

I don't really need anything.

I do like the following ideas:

Lisa Leonard

Pretty!

If money were no object! 

Just not positive I want an iPhone.

What do you want for Valentine's Day?

p.s. Really?  I want a nice dinner by candle light at home with my favorite people.  Grilled chicken or tuna - a big salad - some rice or crusty bread.  That is all.  :)  <3

I thought I would give you evidence - apparently I am slacking on my job.

Text to T-bone: Send me a picture of you.

I had been reading my blog header and thought I had not shown you the grey for awhile...

Ummm.

Text to T-bone: Did you color the damn beard. 

Text to Me: No.

Text to T-bone: It looks so brown.

Text to Me: That is just my dark complexion.

Text to T-bone: So you're full of shit?

T-bone, not an ax murderer.  ;)

Yeah - He is not going to tell me I am beautiful again like he did yesterday for awhile.  I may have to do something nice for him.

I wonder if he realized I was up to something?

More please.

Happy Birthday to YOOOOOOU - HiYa Cha Cha Cha!

So yesterday was my mother's birthday and she told me she turned an "evil" age and she laughed...
What "evil" age mom?  You know, "66".  Ummm, yea.

Later when I told T-Bone he said, "You should call her back and tell her in three years she will be a FUN age."  ba-dum-bum.

Boo Boo has been finding more "gems" in the yard at daycare.  I asked her if they belong to anyone and she said, No - but I am the best gem hunter EVAH!

Momma, she asked, do I have daycare today?  Yes sweetie.  AWWWW! But tomorrow we will do something fun!  Yessss! (with the fist pump, the girl loves a good Yessss! with a fist pump.)

I got all the way to work today and realized that telling myself in my head to remember to get my wallet out of my gym bag before I left for work does not work so well when you can't even remember how old YOU are...sigh.  No latte for me.

Same as the other photo these were NOT taken by me as we are all aware around here of my TERRIBLE photography.  These are the handiwork of a fun person I call friend.

Enjoy your day!

It feels good to be a Gangsta...

So - shortly after I met my husband things got serious.

Really shortly.

It was unusual I guess, even strange that we decided to get married so soon after we met.

It was not smooth - but it was right, you know?

People soon started questioning my brother, "Do you like this T-bone guy?"

My brother said, "He drinks beer, he golfs.  What's not to like?'

Oh - and he has such great style.

Every year I am abandoned by my husband for a day of golf and merriment with my brother and his buddies from high school and various additions over the past twenty years - they call it, The Bastard Open. (I should probably have my brother write about WHY they call themselves "The Bastard's" because even I am not quite sure, they just always have called themselves that.) 

My hubby and brother are partners and try to coordinate with each other.  It started with the Batman shirts my hubby made for them, then this year my brother told the hubs he should get some plaid "man-pri's" so they could try to match more.  They ended up with the EXACT SAME PAIR.

Yeah, it IS good to be a Gangsta.


And just how stylish is YOUR man?

Did you smell that?

So we are a family of farters. 

 

My mother used to say to me "Ewww. You are such a piggy girl.  Who do you think is going to want to marry a girl who burps and farts all the time."

 

My brother one time laid down gas so horrific, in a car, with NO WAY TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, in bumper to bumper traffic with no exit is sight that cause my father to WAKE UP from the back seat and say, "Good LORD PETE!  What died up in there???"

 

I have imagined my own restaurant - TOOTS! - where we serve food that makes you gassy, but is delicious, and has a special glass VSP* dining area with filters!  All kinds of fun cartoons on the walls and "Pull My Finger!" as our tagline. 

 

But I digress.

 

You see I met my husband, T-bone. 

 

He is Legen - wait for it and don't forget your Lactaid as it will be very - DAIRY! in his gasious emmissions. 

 

And he does not discriminate to whom he farts around either - except my mom, he hardly farts around my mom. 

Anysmellygashole.

T-bone relayed this small tale to me the other night.

You know when you left?  Boo Boo and I went downstairs to put away the stuff in the freezer.

Uh-huh. (not really paying attention)

Yeah, she was handing me stuff and I was putting it in the freezer, then - I let out a big fart.

(WHY is he telling me this??)

So Boo Boo paused, sniffed, then took the bag of peas that were in her hand and covered her face - told me I made a BIG STINKY FART, made faces and dramatically fell to the ground, flopping.  

OMG - that is funny!

Yeah, she is a pretty funny kid. 

________________________________________________

Yes, Boo Boo La La is a pretty funny kid.  Who loves her farts.

How about you?  What kind of family are you?  Farters? Or Corkers?  

Let it all out.  

Corn Syrup?

Over a month ago we lost power on our refrigerator...Yes, this bad boy needed service.

I lost a couple bucks in groceries to the dead fridge and the freezing cold outside...the BBQ sauce was "questionable" along with other condiments hubby and I left in the fridge.  He had to stop and get some on his way home to make his famous baked country-style ribs and onions.

Conversation heard that night:

T: I got this BBQ sauce because it said it had no corn syrup on the front.
M: ?
T: I started looking at all the labels and all the others had corn syrup.  This one didn't.
M: ?
T: It was good wasn't it?
M: Yes, I like Ken Davis BBQ sauce.  It is good.

Two weeks later country-style ribs are back in the rotation.

T: This sauce didn't have corn syrup either - so I got this one this time.  It tastes pretty good, don't you think?
M: ???

I think the Corn Refiners Association is going to be so pissed that their ads were so ineffective on my hubby that he actually spent time looking at all the bottles of BBQ sauce in Cub Foods to find the ones  that did not contain high-fructose corn syrup.

Happy Birthday Hot Stuff

Is there anything sexier than a guy who spends his Sunday morning raking up a pile of leaves so that his daughter can jump in the leaves???

Nah.

Happy Birthday My Dear Sweet Hubby

Target Tuesday - Remodeling The Living Room

fabulousbutevil

With the ceiling work begun - the paint color of Shale Blue by Ralph Lauren selected - and my gorgeous red drapes purchased from Pier One for just $40!!!!*

I am ready to start thinking about other touches...

There is no ceiling light - this can hang as a swag light without mounting!

I love the shapes - and PRICE!

This is the perfect counterpoint to my inspiration pillow from Pottery Barn...

Not sure this will "work" but I still love it...maybe in the dining room?

*My color palette is coming from an INSPIRATION PILLOW that I purchased last June at Pottery Barn.
Grayish-Blues, Reds, a few Greens and Brown dashes.


Now go - shop Target and link up!  - How will you Tar-jay Today?