I’ve moved

I love the feel of the wordpress without limits and since this has limits, I’ve purchased my domain name and headed over to

www.livinginmanitowoc.com

So come on over and check it out… I’m loving the design, still tweaking but this is my new home.

Boondoggle – use it in a sentence.

Short and sweet entry today to broaden your vocabulary.

Boondoggle was the word chosen by our grammarian last night at my Toastmasters meeting. Needless to say I couldn’t work it in. However, what a great word!

–noun

1.	a product of simple manual skill, as a plaited leather cord for the neck or a knife sheath, made typically by a camper or a scout.

2.	work of little or no value done merely to keep or look busy.

3.	a project funded by the federal government out of political favoritism that is of no real value to the community or the nation.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to deceive or attempt to deceive: to boondoggle investors into a low-interest scheme.

–verb (used without object)

5.	to do work of little or no practical value merely to keep or look busy.

Please please let me know if you have used this word before. Or – tell me how you would us it in a sentence.

Happy Fall

I took a small hiatus and I’m not even going to apologize for it. (wink). I’m back to fuel my outlet, my creative, talk about what I want outlet. I’m really impressed actually how this blog is doing. While you may not see a slew of comments, my statistics tell me that I’m still getting people on here daily. Yesterday was a big day with lots of “hits” or “page views”. I like to look at the search terms to see what got people to my little blog. I also got a bit of encouragement when a friend said they were searching for something in Manitowoc and there I was number three on the Google page – beating out the Manitowoc company (so he says). I have started to design a new blog – just gonna wait until the right time to share it.

So here I am – freezing in our fall weather – cursing the snowflakes I saw earlier this week. Today, not to much to report, but I’m just letting you know – I’m back!

Observing an Amusement Ride Engineer at the Manitowoc County Fair

We headed out to the fair last Saturday evening. We chose to go after dinner – avoiding the humidity. I’m always amazed at the decent parking we get whenever we go to an event that pulls so many people. The fair, fireworks and parades, we are always lucky in parking.

I love going to events in Manitowoc, because frankly, I know my kids are going to have an opportunity to enjoy the rides. There wasn’t a very long line for any of the rides the girls wanted to go on. They are younger so we didn’t have to worry about some of the more popular rides. We had enough time to watch the wood carvers (amazing stuff) and enjoy a few treats and really get our $10 worth. Compared to the Disney trip last June, I’d gladly pay the $10 for the fair.

All in all the fair was as good as expected and then factor in the above and I am more than satisfied as a parent and a patron. Oh and can’t forget that it’s not a far walk to indoor plumbing! Bonus!

The story I want to share with you is actually just an observation. Don’t really have any reason other than I found it amusing. My oldest daughter wanted to go into the fun house. My youngest did not, at least not at first. So as I was waiting for my dear daughter to go through. While waiting, I watched the “amusement ride engineer” or “carnie” for those not requiring political correctness.

The guy was clean, but gruff. He had sandy hair, a hard face, no smile. I’ve decided to name him Jack for our story. He wore khaki jeans, a nice shirt and really nice shoes. They were the suede slip ons, tan with a comfortable looking sole. They looked practically new. He was sitting in a folding chair perched up on the platform. The platform to his right was the entrance to the house, the one on the left was the exit. To get to the platform, you had to walk up two steps. The steps had a chain that divided the in and out. Jack was sitting in his folding chair with one elbow resting on his knee holding a cup of coffee. His body was more forward than sitting in the chair. He was totally oblivious to his surroundings and just looking like he was serving his time. I found his lack of enthusiasm amusing. While watching him, I could feel my lips kind of curl, in a smirk because I could just imagine the amount of will it takes to be around kids – assuming he wasn’t much of a kid person.

The kids were rapidly going in and out of the fun house, many were going in right away upon exiting, since there was no line. Instead of walking down the steps and then right back up, they would squeeze in front of Jack – while he was still bent over on his folding chair. He was looking at the ground, almost mesmerized with his shoes. He didn’t flinch, move, make a notion, or even seem to think anything about “not moving” as kids jetted past him to get their next thrill. I thought for sure the coffee was going to spill, since he wasn’t even moving his hand back. Jack studied his feet, he must have seen a bit of dirt, because he began brushing off his shoes. Totally fixated on those beautiful shoes.

I wonder what he would have done if coffee was spilled…on those beautiful shoes.

Not much else to the story, I share this with you because I was amused. I can’t imagine how many children run past him in all the towns and all the fairs. I almost wanted to give him a hug – and say, it’s all going to be just fine.

Volunteering Extends Happiness and Quality of Life!

photo credit: Jacob Moyer

I’ve done some research on google and I was looking for specific statistic that would tell me for each volunteer hour, how much time it would add to my life. You’ve seen the smoking cigaratte stats, quit by age 35, add eight and half years to your life. Cancer Society.

But doing for others, what do you think that equals up to? Is it actually the time you serve on an event, or the time it takes to prep. The office or administrative portion, what does that equate to? Is it different than physically helping. See these are the questions I ponder, and now realize why it cannot be a simple statistic like quitting smoking.

It got me thinking about all the times I volunteer. Currently here is my list;

1. CODA Website Committee
2. Coda Regional Retreat
3. Deaf Pilots Association Fly-In 2009
4. Blade Bash Chair for the Manitowoc County Youth Hockey Association
5. Membership Committee for Masquers (which is the performance troupe in town)
6. School activities (starting next month)
7. Mainly Manitowoc – our new revitalization project, volunteered this week
8. Sunday School at church

Wow, my heart is palpitating just thinking about it all.

When I was in college, my Senior year, I excelled and made it on the Dean’s list with a 3.5 for the semester. It was the semester in which I carried 24 credits, 6 of which was a intern as a paralegal in a law firm. I also worked another full time job waitressing in Novi, MI. I’m an adrenaline junkie! My mind moves faster than any other part of my body. I can’t stop with the brainstorming – uncontrollable urges to help all I can with unique ideas.

So volunteering…I’m afraid to really calculate the amount of time I have spent on average in the past year. Not to mention when I was Illinois Coda’s President. Massive amounts of time, basically, due to my uncontrollable brain like I mentioned above.

Here is what I love about volunteering… it is so thrilling. At my most recent event with the church, I was in charge of the “spa” with Touched Twice. We provided individuals with haircuts. I ran the place, taking names for the waiting list, escorting people to their stylist, and sweeping – lots of sweeping. I love it. I was busy all day and was happy serving others. This is where I shine. Serving others.

The best part about this last volunteer effort at the church was how I was teaching my children. I had been helping out all week for set up. The girls helped immensely by sorting clothes, stocking the pantry area with bags of food. They were delighted to help. During the event, we were in the teen room. My daughters invited kids to play while they waited their turn. It was quite touching to see that through my love of volunteering, the girls are loving it too. I’m blessed to be able to share this with them in a by doing method. You know what I mean, I’m not dictating, preaching or telling. They learn by doing.

Since I couldn’t put a statistic to the number of months or years your life is extended, I’ll just say it’s more fulfilling than imaginable. But what I’ve noticed is the life lessons I have learned from each experience, it has enriched my life greatly.

Looking to get involved, for those of you in the Manitowoc area, look for information about the endless options in the HTR. For others, Volunteer Match will help you find something fit for you.

What organizations do you volunteer for? Are you an adrenaline junkie? If you are not volunteering, what’s stopping you?

Friday Tid Bits 8-15-08

Things are popping, not only for me, with my business but for Manitowoc!!

Have you heard about the Mainly Manitowoc project – where devoted citizens spent endless hours filling out paperwork to submit to get State assistance? We are on our way people! Here is the link to find out more about the project, and what assistance from the state we get – it’s really exciting!

My source tells me there will be an open to the public meeting mid September – watch for more information. It’s very important to have at least 60 or more come and share their ideas. A representative from the state will start this as a “launching pad” listening to our ideas and concerns to help map out the end result. This is me telling you – - – be there or be square!

Showtime ’08 – last night we went out to eat and was heading home when we noticed the event. We stopped in about 8PM and caught most of the show. It was awesome! How can you not enjoy Tom Drill! He is the most inspiring man – giving to almost every cause! The ultimate volunteer! (ohhh I’ve got a post brewing about volunteering). You can read the article showtime-08-news-story. They list the performers and watch out for Gemma!!! She is in high school and rocked. I love the innocence of her, she did three songs, and the last one was her first time performing it. She asked, do you know this song? It was Respect by Aretha Franklin – so sweet. She belted it out and I was filled with delight! As soon as hubby saw Jean Wolfmeyer’s dancers, he was like, this is GOOD! Now, if you know hubby, you know he is Deaf and if you don’t know him… you know now. We have been to many recitals for the girls over the years, but this year was the first time our daughter was in a Jean recital. You ain’t seen nothing like it. Hubby usually gets bored, without the music, it can be a bit uninteresting. But, when we went to her show, hubby was sooo intrigued. It was great for him to see the dancers at Showtime 08 and be excited about it. I wish I had a camera, it was a perfect evening! Go to tonights show! All the details are in the link above!photo credit Side story – my youngest says… Mommy, you should have brought your camera. I said, yes, I should, but I need a bigger purse. She says – I’ll give you one of mine! (she has stolen all my old purses).

And for the big news… drumroll please….

My website will be moving!

Thanks to all of you for supporting me, in six weeks I was able to see my growth double on a weekly basis. Each week has been growing with viewers and I am so delighted. I’ve also had some of you tell me in person that you love this site!

I’m still developing site, but this will give me more opportunities to support other businesses. I’ll be posting almost daily well, at least five times a week. I’m planning on allowing others to advertise on my blog! What a way to reach your aduience online right here… your target market of Manitowoc County. So stay tuned, I’m planning the unveiling beginning of September! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!

Living Anew

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.”

–Mahatma Ghandi

Last July I was hit with a lightning bolt. It changed my entire perspective in life. One month later, I feel like I have been living an entirely new way, with more confidence, more love and more understanding. It’s invigorating!

I had been praying often about the funk I was in, about how wishy-washy I was for the smallest of decisions. Like, which font should I use? Is this really the best sale price or will I kick myself because I saw it for three cents cheaper. I even had some bigger questions like, is this really what I’ve become? do I need a paycheck to validate me? This crazy spell, some kind of hold was in me, it wouldn’t let me go forward and chase my dreams. I had started a business last year and just couldn’t get over this hump. It wasn’t fear. There is such a thing…ya know, being fearful of success. You can google it – there is so much stuff to read. Looking back now, I know this wasn’t it.

(photo credit CK) My lighting bolt moment came while I was at my CODA conference. CODA is Children of Deaf Adults, it’s a great conference filled with people with my similar background. Being hearing as a child and growing up in a Deaf household. Balancing the two worlds. I’ve been a member in one way or another with CODA since 1996 and have met some pretty amazing people. While at conference, I was just “stuck” just really stuck and I knew all the things I had to do to get out of my funk. I knew all of the angles to my problem, but couldn’t “release” it. With my very sweet friends, they sat with me one afternoon and just kept grilling me. Why? Why? and Why? Then the AHA moment arrived. I found out what was holding me back. Let’s just say it has to do with family and my life as a Coda. I thanked God for allowing me to come to peace with the negative energy within me.

After letting go…I have been amazed how it affected me this last month? I’ve always been outgoing, honest, motivated…for others. Finally, I’m able to do those things for ME too. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s actually so freeing for me now. My dreams are clearer. I knew I had them, but due to the fog going around in my head, I lost track of them.

So, I am pursuing my acting more, on track to train and become a professional speaker, and just being happy with what I am doing at this very moment. (sidenote, that was not a plug for Manitowoc’s slogan – At this very moment – but it could apply, since I live in Manitowoc).

I’ll admit in the last month it hasn’t been all rosey. Life still goes on and some of it gets complicated. With my new view on life, I am able to still be how I am, without losing focus of my needs. I believe that if we don’t take care of ourselves then we cannot take care of others. It’s like the airplane oxygen mask. You have to put yours on first before you can take care of others. (I heard that somewhere else, can’t take credit for the analogy).

I’m just learning more on how to have time to focus, pray and do what I am put on this Earth to do. All the while, shaping myself, my family and our future. It puts a smile on my face – every single day. On the tough days, there might not be a smile, but my mind is still clear and focused. The smile usually appears at some point.

How are you living life? Have you found a formula to incorporate your dreams? Did you ever have this “AHA” moment too?

Garden Update 8-12-08 – Lessons Learned

So it’s been two months since I’ve started my little garden. My first post here, talked about my excitement.

Today, I’m still excited, but it sure is hard work. I’m so glad I decided to start in babysteps rather than ripping out my entire backyard for a gigantic vegetable garden.

My cucumbers have been really fun. The girls and I look everyday and are able to pick some about every other day. These three plants have saved me about $10 so far on my grocery bill. This is a keeper, I’ll be doing this fun veggie again.

The watermelon has been fun for the family to see it really spread, we have two little ones starting to grow. My youngest daughter LOVES watermelon, so this is going to be a very special treat.

My tomatoes had a disease, so I bought two more plants. Still waiting for them to ripen.

I did plant yellow and red bell peppers. Turns out the yellow was a somewhat green with a hint of yellow and my red pepper never turned red, I’m hoping it was a mis-labeled and I grew some of the best peppers around.

Feeling about mediocre. I added a hot pepper varity, and cilantro, hoping I’ll be able to figure out how to make salsa. Oh and the celery failed, I think.

I’ve got a whole bunch more to learn, but at least I know the cucumbers are a keeper! I loved this part of the project.

I Wanted A Bike – I Got A Bike – So What!

What’s the big deal? I mean we live in a society of instant gratification, living beyond our means, and getting whatever we want right away. So if I want a bike, I just go and get one, right? …Nope.

Since July, I’ve been on a path that is readjusting every bit of me. Affecting the family by cracking down on priorities to better adjust our family for the future. On my “to-do” list there is everything from writing a family mission plan, becoming a professional speaker to recycling and getting green.

One issue that our family faces is the financial budget. I give a shout out and props to the gas companies for hiking up our prices. I’m sure their moral mission in the long run is to get families more in-tune to their personal spending. With our new priorities emerging, we are re-thinking our budget.

Now bare with me as I jump the track onto another path – it’ll hook up in a minute.

Have you ever heard of law of attraction? I have been practicing “secret” thinking for a little over a year. Secret thinking comes from watching THE SECRET. It’s a documentary. In my words, it helps you to stay positive. It allows you to get rid of negative thinking. When you visualize your thoughts, they will emerge. The more positive thoughts and energies you put out there, the more you reap. It’s a bit more complicated than this, but that’s kinda it – in a very confusing nutshell.

So, up to this point you know that I’m keeping a tight budget and I believe in the Law of Attraction.

Pulling into the station – I’m putting it all together here.

Last week I started riding my husband’s bike with the girls… ow! It’s a boys bike and I have to stop the bike on a slant because I can’t even reach with my tippy toes. Ladies, have you ever stopped fast on a boy’s bike as your youngest is biking in front of you and suddenly gets stopped on the training wheels. Ugh, not fun.

I put out into the universe, I want a bike, but I’m not looking for a new one. I thought about checking Craigslist, just didn’t get to it yet. I mentioned to my husband, I want a bike for Christmas, but nothing fancy (if you know my husband – you know he’s all about bells and whistles). I also looked at a bike at Fleet Farm to find out what they go for nowadays, I saw two under $100 and the rest for over $200. Yikes!

Last Friday, hubby comes home from work and says there is a bike around the way for sale. I go to check it out, it’s $20!! Knowing nothing about bikes, only comparing it to my husband’s fancy bike, I had my son come and check it out. He gave me the thumbs up!

SOLD! I got a bike!

Has this ever happened to you? Do you believe in Law of Attraction?

Moving to Manitowoc?

Manitowoc has some big box stores coming into the area, I’m sure managers and upper level management will be living here, at least during the training time. The larger corporations in the area are flourishing also bringing in out-of-town talent. I am honoring those by dedicating this post to our future residents.

Actually since I am still learning new things in the area (due to low advertising or poor word of mouth – another post I assure you) this applies to anyone that hasn’t lived here for 89 years or longer. I hate leaving anyone out!

When I moved here about three years ago, I didn’t have any good solid references. I didn’t have someone to get really direct, honest feedback about doctors, dentists, dance classes, schools and even some of the trades. My hubby and I have really explored, but there is still more for us to learn. Just over the summer I found out about a supper club just off of Memorial Drive? HUH? Can’t tell you which one.. something Fawn or something. Never been there and don’t know of anyone who has.

An interesting thing happened concerning my passion of being in the know in Manitowoc and the surrounding areas – dawned on me when my friend – born and raised calls to ask me – “where is the best steak place?” or “what business is going in over there?” Truly a confirmation that I know what I’m talking about. I have been about 50/50 in my successes. Some services took only once, and I was in love (like my plumber) others took me three or more tries.

When I was researching the area before our move – I was googling like crazy, I couldn’t find any decent feedback or feel from any places I had an interest in. I got a general idea of the layout of the land, but nothing that tells me more. I wanted information as a future resident, not a tourist.

I couldn’t understand why there were no websites.. allowing me to get a feel for their business or services. There was nothing that drew me in. Information I had thought was accurate was not. It was so frustrating.

So consider this another service of this website. Your guide to the area, via a wife/mom/business owner with high standards. You want to know, I’ll tell you – if I don’t know – I’ll find out!

There is so much to cover, if I haven’t gotten to your inquiry, go on and ask me – I’ll make it a post.

Oh and for all my readers, don’t forget to subscribe, this way you won’t miss a thing – it’s in the upper left side, put your email in and you’ll be set!