Technical Difficulties diagnosed...

Thank goodness for my husband, and for the fact that he didn't work on Friday.


All week was filled, and I simply never fit in time to call the Internet company in order to figure out our wifi problem.  I guess it says something that is hasn't been a top priority on the list of tasks.....???....
but I'm still HAPPY Paul was able to work with the ISP to get us back up-n-running [[almost]].
Diagnosis:  Faulty modem.
Prescription: Modem replacement.  However, Paul wasn't/isn't able to head down to HeadQuarters of our ISP until Monday.
Therefore, I'm crossing my fingers that the modem will give me enough time to get this post out to all of you.


By now, I'm sure all of you have been made aware of Kevin's QOV block drive.  If not, PLEASE check it out if you are interested in helping out QOV.  The blocks are truly manageable -- AND we have until JUNE to accomplish them! :)  Whew....

Between concerts and last-minute DI (Destination Imagination) practices, the week was booked, morning-to-night.  Yesterday was the Regional DI competition in Hudson, WI (2 hours away); which meant for a long day of competition AND waiting for awards.
This was Caitlyn's first year to compete, and wouldn't you know it-----with the craziness of the day, I NEVER got a picture of the whole team together!  [[Bad mom!!!!!]

I only have a picture of Cassie's DI team due to one of the other mom's who posted on FB.  

Neither of the teams will be advancing on to the State competition; one of our Middle School teams has though.  

Therefore, the after-school hours for the next couple of weeks should be CALM and OPEN! ....

Until Track season starts a few weeks down the pipe.

Today....I MUST get motivated to do some quilting.  I have a quilt on the frame that SHOULD have been off of it two weeks ago, and I have another that is on a strict deadline of next weekend.  And it's King size.

Therefore,...... Happy Sunday!

Going to State!

Our school's Regional Destination Imagination (DI) competition was held yesterday; Cassie is yet again participating (this is her 3rd year).

Her team was one of the first to compete in the day (8:40 AM), which then lead to LOTS and LOTS of down-time while waiting for their Instant Challenge (12:30) and then MORE down-time until awards at 4:00. The team filled up the downtime with games and karaoke.

But finally, the awards time came.....and "Challenge B, Elementary Division, Solar Stage" was announced. I was in ready-mode with my camera......
3rd place announced....Not us

And then...."2nd place, and going on to state, 'Team ZAANACO/Dunham, Shell Lake'"

From a distance, with no flash, and EXCITED MOVEMENT, LEAPING UP IN THE AIR......this is what I got. :0) Oh well!



State is a few weeks away (April 14), and in a town close to Paul's and my parents. All grandparents are excited to watch the State skit :0)

During OUR downtime, we (Paul, myself, Caitlyn and Candace) headed back home to get some indoor seed planting done. (One advantage of having the Regional Competition in a town only 8 miles away!!!)

This cute "Sprout-n-Grow" contraption was gifted to us from a coworker, so we planted some peas and can't wait to see the germination begin!

In addition to our typical starter pots, we had the girls decorate some styrofoam cups for "their" seeds. Any guesses at the two different styles of seeds in these cups?????


The girls and I have been in cleaning-mode all morning; laundry, dusting, sweeping, dishes, bathroom, dining room. And now, they are upstairs in their rooms, cleaning (even though it sounds a bit more like playing to me)

We hope to hit the Theater matinees today at 1:00 and 1:10 for "The Hunger Games" for Cassie and myself, and "The Lorax" for Paul, Caitlyn and Candace. With the weather as GLORIOUS as it is yet AGAIN, we MAY be postponing those plans until 4:00 and 4:!0. :0)

Happy Sunday

Life is still living...

First...to all of you who shared motivational and inspirational comments over my past two weeks of quietness, I very much appreciate you all!

Two weeks ago, Cassie's DI (Destination Imagination) team travelled to their State Competition. Although they did not advance to the Global competition in Tennessee, they still did their leader and parents proud by placing 10th of 17 (4th in their Instant Challenge).
There was a LOT of "down-time" during the day, so we spent quite a bit of time in the Museum of Natural History. The girls LOVED this huge Moose mount!

After the museum, we also spent an hour in a Planetarium and learned about some constellations and what "Bad Astronomy" looks like. After a night in a hotel with 16 youth in grades 4 and 5, we didn't hold anything against the team's coach who enjoyed a little shut-eye during the presentation. :0)

Last week for Easter, we visited the farm for the first time since Christmas! It was VERY nice to just get away and curl up guilt-free on the couch and catch up on some Harry Potter reading. I have read my way to book #6, "The Half-Blood Prince".

Grandma and Grandpa (DH's parents) were also at the farm; the girls really do love their grandparents and enjoy Grandpa's bed in the early snuggly morning hours of Easter morning.

With Memorial Day six weeks away (as of last week), we set up our indoor mini-greenhouse. Three trays have been planted with four different varieties of tomatoes and three (or four?) varieties of peppers. After 7 days, some of the seeds have already germinated and broken ground. These will continue to grow in the refuge of the indoor greenhouse until the 2nd week of June.

So finally, after two weeks of simply "living," I have made my way back downstairs to do some quilting. Raven's Stars had been waiting on my frame; is now finished and awaiting binding.

PILES and piles of laundry await; dishes await; and more quilting awaits. However, I will be picking up my book momentarily to continue book #6.