Charitable Warm and Fuzzies

As many of you know, I'm still struggling with the loss of my hair. I've gone past the anger phase, but at least once a week I find myself thinking, "if only I still had my long hair..." Despite this, I would not think twice about recommending that every woman (or daring man) I know do the same thing. Even if you only donate once it is such a worthwhile cause and when you get that postcard in the mail saving they've received your hair you really do feel warm and fuzzy. Well, at least I did. Whenever I feel down about my bare neck I remind myself that some little girl needed my hair much more than I did.

What's even more rad is that through my donation to Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/) I found out about another charity opportunity through Hotels Combined. And you don't even need to cut off 13 inches of your hair! All you have to do is give them a shout out on your blog, friend them on Facebook or mention them on your Twitter (although I am pretty opposed to Twitter, but if you're into it that's your choice). They'll donate either $5, $10 or $20 to WWF, Make a Wish or World Vision on your behalf and you get the warm and fuzzies for doing something you'd do anyway: waste your time on the interwebs. Check them out. It only takes a minute and it could do a world of good for someone else. Plus, who doesn't like to feel warm and fuzzy?

I recommend Hotels Combined and sent $20 to World Vision!

You can shout and help too.

Life Is Too Short

I don't know much but I know that life is too short...

to worry about problems you cannot fix.

to always be looking for the bad in a situation instead of the good.

to be uptight. For God's sake, laugh a little.

to not smile, laugh or cry tears of joy at every possible opportunity.

to burn bridges instead of building bonds.

to not tell your nearest and dearest that you love them; as often as possible.

to take it so seriously.

to take yourself so seriously.

to not at least try to make your dreams a reality.

to lose sleep over those who would not lose sleep over you.

to wait around for yours to begin.

to expect opportunities to fall in your lap.

to put your happiness in someone else's hands.

to not at least forget if you can't forgive.

to take advantage of those who love you.

to let those you love take advantage of you.

to not put yourself first when necessary.

to let love pass you by.

to not experience as much of it as possible before your time is up.

Patsy and Becky Go to Stockholm (Wisconsin)

One of the best things about being home this summer has been spending so much time with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jill/Patsy. We're both busy ladies, so we don't get to talk very often when I'm off living here or there, and most of the time I'm only home for a week so I only see her once for a short period of time. Fortuitously, she and her husband only live a mile from my Gram's, so I've been able to see her several times a week. Our latest adventure was to Stockholm...Wisconsin.

I drive past this cute little town every time I drive from La Crosse to my parent's in Baldwin and have always wanted to stop (by always I mean for the last month). I roped in Patsy and we were off.

Stockholm is filled with cute little shops and restaurants. There's also a winery/cidery that was closed, much to my dismay. We spent the morning shopping and after an unsuccessful attempt at the winery had lunch at Gelly's. I'd been craving a bloody mary for weeks (don't judge) and was pleased to find that there's came highly recommended. As a connoisseur I had to try. Perfectly spiced and marvelously garnished, I was not disappointed.

Although completely stuffed from lunch we had to stop at the Nelson Creamery on the way home. Sadly, we were too full to adequately take in the fabulous meat and cheese selection, but we did manage to make room for a strawberry ice cream cone. I'm not sure I can say it's better than The Pearl, but at only $1 (!) a cone I'd say it's close. Either way, it was well worth the digestional discomfort.

10 Reasons My Gram Is Probably Cooler Than Yours

1. She's lived through The Depression, World War II, raising 4 children on the farm, being married for 58 years and losing the love of her life five years ago.

2. She was a self-proclaimed work horse. She pulled her weight on the farm and helped Grandpa with the milking and the business end of things. Never one to just a farm wife, she's the matriarch of our family. It has always been, "What Grandma says, goes".

3. She has a wicked sense of humor. She has always not only loved to laugh, but loved to make others laugh too.

4. She's conservative, but she listens with an open-mind to her flaming liberal granddaughter's rantings. What's even cooler is that she accepts that I'm liberal and she doesn't try to change me.

5. She's nosey and a bit of a gossip (two traits I absolutely inherited from her), and she's unapologetic about it. Yet, she has a heart of gold and could never be malicious or unkind.

6. She is the definition of generous. She still volunteers her time for the church in whatever way possible. You tell her you like something she'll either give you hers or she'll find another, better one for you. She wouldn't think twice about it and she'd never expect a thank you.

7. She and Grandpa helped raise my brother and me (our mom traveled and our dad was a firefighter). I love my parents dearly, but I still hold that everything good about me comes from them.

8. In her hay-day she could out cook, out garden and out sew anyone. Although she doesn't cook as often as she used to, but when she does it is guaranteed to be the best meal you've had in a long time. Her mashed potatoes are in my opinion the best...in the world. Also, she makes a killer tuna fish and apple sandwich (sounds weird, I know, but I promise you tuna will never be the same for you after you've tried it).

9. She loves unconditionally, unrelentingly and selflessly. She still accepts my mom (her ex-daughter-in-law) as family. She has "adopted" numerous grandchildren, and even children. Once she opens up her heart to you, you're in for life.

10. She's 87 today and although time and age have taken their toll on her body, she has higher spirits than anyone I know.

First Annual Father/Daughter Tour de Trempealeau

I really enjoy spending time with my dad. We both really enjoy spending time outdoors and eating. So in the spirit of father/daughter bonding I suggested that we bike from Onalaska to Trempealeau to have lunch at the famed Trempealeau Hotel. Dad was pumped, but it was not until I told my mom about this adventure that I realized what I was getting myself into...a 30 mile bike. Having barely ridden more than 10 miles in the past year I was mildly concerned that I would either a.) fall off my bike or b.) be too tired/sore/out of shape to complete the journey.

I am happy to report that neither were an issue. Riding a bike really is like a riding a bike; you never forget and unless you're a completely uncoordinated schmuck you shouldn't be falling off. And quitting anything is not really an option when Dave Pertzsch is involved.

Lunch was well worth the ride if only for the walnut balls. The Trempealeau Hotel is famous for their walnut burgers (now available at Festival Foods - I highly recommend trying them), which you can get in the form of a ball as a starter. Delicious. Although the recipe used at the hotel is supposedly a secret that will not stop me from scouring the interweb until I can find something similar.

Conversation always comes easily for Papa Bear and I. Highlights for me were my continued attempts to get him to make an appointment for a physical and his brief lecture on Lance Armstrong's mental endurance. I think talking about Lance when on such a long bike journey is mandatory.

Overall it was a great way to spend an afternoon. We returned to Grandma's where I promptly began complaining about how much my butt hurt. Dad, on the other hand, hopped back on his bike and did an extra 4 miles back to his house. Shown up by my 59 year old dad again. Such is life.

26.5

Unfortunately, I am not half way done with my list of resolutions, but sadly I am half way done with me 26th year.

Making Myself More Marketable as a Wife or You Can Just Call Me Martha

I've had a considerable amount of time on my hands since returning to Wisconsin for the summer 4 weeks ago. Where I would usually enjoy filling my days with shopping, lunching, brunching or cocktailing limited means and an even more limited number of friends left here have reduced those opportunities. Left to my own devices I am apparently working on becoming a mini-Martha Stewart.

It started with the cooking. I've known for quite some time now, but have only admitted to a select view, that I am actually a pretty decent (I'd even venture to say "good") cook. I know my way around the kitchen and actually enjoy reading cookbooks. Most disturbingly my favorite cookbooks are the healthy ones. Noticing that the meals here at Grandma's house were pretty limited (my uncle does most of the cooking now and after being a bachelor for 55 years his cooking skills haven't evolved much, but he tries really hard), I decided to step up to the plate and offered to cook a few dinners. After a week of playing housewife (my job is also to clean up all the dinner dishes and I usually busy myself with other little cleaning projects), I decided cooking a full meal every night (including desert) was maybe a little ambitious. Maybe we won't be cooking every day because really there's nothing wrong with frozen pizza every once and a while.

However, cooking is clearly the gateway drug of the domestic world because suddenly I was overcome with the desire to sew. I've attempted to pick up this activity several times before but have always been unsuccessful. I know how to fix a seam or a button so I always figured that was enough. Plus the patterns and fabrics never really enticed me. I even went so far as to give away my sewing machine to my sister figuring I'd never make use of it. But, lo and behold, I've gotten hooked and yesterday my dear Auntie Kar helped me complete my first project. Just a simple apron to go with my new image as mini-Martha.