Last Time- Marinette. This Time- Sheboygan.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

I think there is currently a commercial on the radio that makes a joke about winning a prize trip to Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  Maybe it's a commercial for an insurance company?  I'm not exactly sure whose commercial it is, but they are clearly poking fun at Sheboygan 

The company I work for has services and a small remote office in Sheboygan.  It's about a 2 hour drive from where I live in Madison. Sheboygan sits on the eastern side of the state along Lake Michigan.

I have been to Sheboygan for work a couple of times.  My most recent work trip there was on Friday, July 23.  I did what I had to do in Sheboygan and then returned to Madison.  When I parked at my apartment building and opened the back door to my vehicle to get my computer, I had a shock.  Where the f*ck is my computer??  That was the immediate thought that crossed my mind.  It only took a second to remember what happened.  I left the darn thing in Sheboygan.

Crap.

The following day, Saturday, July 24, Scott and I took a road trip to Sheboygan to get my computer.  Nothing like making a 4+ hour round trip to get a computer that I shouldn't have left there in the first place.

But, as we used to say when I lived in Kentucky:  It be's like that sometimes.

Off we went to Sheboygan.  Me and Scott.  My favorite road trip partner.  Usually when I go to Sheboygan, I go alone for work.  I go.  I do my work at my work locations.  Then I turn around and come right back to Madison.

Having Scott along for the trip, and being a leisurely Saturday afternoon, we decided to do a bit of exploring in Sheboygan.  Regardless of the images the mind may conjure up when the words "Sheboygan, Wisconsin" are uttered, it's kind of a cool place!

Sheboygan sits right on Lake Michigan, north of Milwaukee.  The photo below is taken along the shore looking back towards a section of beach.  One thing I love about beach areas in Wisconsin is that they are usually surrounded by mature trees and other pretty green scenery.

This is a closer shot of the beach area.  How about that house in the background?  Magnificent.

The photo below shows a paved walkway amongst the rocks going from the beach along part of the shore line.

The next photo is a view out across Lake Michigan.  It shows some of the land and green scape along the left side and then to the right it shows the massiveness of the lake (can't even see land on the other side; doesn't that make it more like an ocean?  who makes these rules about what is a lake vs. what is an ocean?) To me, this picture also shows the depth and beauty of the sky up here.  Don't the clouds look particularly 3-D, especially the ones over the trees?

 
There were a bunch of boats docked along the section of shore where we were.  "Funny" how different the water looks around the boat slips versus how the water looks in the lake off towards the horizon.  Notice the difference in color?  Nothing like a little fuel run-off to polute the water.  Gross.

There was a building along the pier/shore where Scott and I were hanging out.  (Not sure why I didn't get a picture of it.)  We walked up the deck to the second story and took the picture below showing the walkway along the water and the pier that goes out to all the boat slips.

As we stood on the second story deck, we saw the duck below trying to get something under water. 

This is a close up.

I'm not sure why, but that photo makes me laugh.  Maybe because sometimes I have the sense of humor of a third grader?

Remember my post about Willie's Weeny Wagon?  What's up with me and all my close encounters with wiener stands in Wisconsin?  The one below is Sparky's in Sheboygan. 

Quite frankly, I wouldn't mind having me a sparky weeny, and I ain't talkin' 'bout a hot dog......

And no pun intended by the "Quite frankly" remark.

There is a huge resort along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan named Blue Harbor Resort.  It's just enormous and quite impressive.  Stately even.  If you click on the link to look at the Blue Harbor Resort, check out some of the rooms/suites.  Surprising and kind of cool.

Blue Harbor Resort is surrounded by upscale condos, restaurants, and cute little shops.

The sign below seemed worthy of a picture.  I just wish I had gotten it straight.

Restrooms and fish cleaning.  All in one stop.  Really, who could ask for more?

At least the "facility" was cute.

There you have it.  The photo-op from Sheboygan.  Sadly, we didn't even get any pictures of the beautiful, huge, old homes in the area.

Sheboygan actually seemed to be a nice little town.  I was pleasantly surprised when Scott and I wandered around the area.  Would I want to live there?  Probably not.  But it does have charm and character.  I give props to Sheboygan for that. 

Marinette

I did a lot of work-related traveling across Wisconsin this past week.  I logged over 800 miles.  I went to Marinette, West Bend, and twice to Sheboygan.  

I think I will always chuckle to myself when the subject of Marinette comes up.  Within my first few days on the job back in January, I met with the Human Resources Manager.  During our conversation, he mentioned that Marinette is part of my territory.  I asked him where Marinette is located, since geography has never been my strong suit.  He responded, "North of Green Bay."

I remember my reaction.  I questioned him emphatically, "North of Green Bay???  I didn't know there was anything north of Green Bay......except Canada."

But, lo and behold, there is indeed a small town north of Green Bay named Marinette, Wisconsin.  All I can say about traveling to Marinette is this: Lord have mercy.

It's over 3 hours, one way, from Madison.  Thank goodness for Starbucks and being able to sync my iPod to my car stereo.

On my way back to Madison from Marinette, I noticed the following sign along the  side of the road.

Ahhhh, the many things I see and experience in Wisconsin that are foreign to me.  This is just another example.  A snowmobile crossing sign.  Unfamiliar to me but, as I often say, it is Wisconsin after all

 

My Dream Furniture

I have been wanting this Japanese calligraphy print "Crisis and Opportunity".  I did an on-line search and found it at the Haiku Designs website.  (unfortunately, I don't feel like I can part with 30 bucks right now so I didn't order it-- but at least I know it's there... I think I need the "Patience" print, too.....) 

Anyhow, back to the subject.  As I was exploring the Haiku Designs website, I think I fell in love with just about every single thing on it (except the Japanese beds.  I liked the platform and canopy beds though).  I realize this type of furniture/decorating may not appeal to the masses, but to me it exudes calm, serenity, style.  Maybe one day I can decorate my whole house like this.

Oh, wait, that's right.  I don't technically have a house anymore.  But, that's another story.

Below is a link to the website if you want to check it out.

Haiku Designs

"If we knew each other's secrets, what comfort we would find."


— John Churton Collins

Monster Sweet Roll

At one point last year, I told Scott I was going to start calling him my love muffin.  He didn't care for that nickname too much, so he offered an alternative:  Monster Sweet Roll.  I laughed out loud.

Let me tell you what my Monster Sweet Roll did for me yesterday.  My anxiety has been really high the past few days.  It's pretty much always high these days, but it's been even higher than usual.  My Monster Sweet Roll gets concerned when I am anxious, stressed, and depressed.  So, when I got home from work yesterday, the following greeted me when I walked in the door.  A note and beautifully wrapped package from a charming gift shop here in Madison called Willow Creek.   

I think it's adorable that Scott wandered into Willow Creek on his own today to get a gift for me.  A lot of dudes would only go into Willow Creek if forced and under duress.

The note had a loving, supportive message hand-written on it and the following graphic:

Here is what was in the package.

When Scott and I stopped in Willow Creek together one day last week, I noticed they had a selection of Wood Wyck candles.  I commented to Scott that I would like to have one, but wouldn't splurge to buy one for myself.  In my beautifully wrapped package today from Willow Creek was a Wood Wyck candle.

I love to take baths but didn't like the tub in my other apartment.  My new apartment has a nice, comfy tub in it.  I have said several times over the past couple days that I am looking forward to taking soaking baths on a regular basis once again.  Scott was obviously paying attention to my comments because in the package with the Wood Wyck candle were 2 packets of delicious smelling bath salts.  The other goodie in the package was some very nice hand lotion that goes on smooth and has a lovely scent.

Scott told me that there was yet another surprise in a 'non-obvious' place.  I looked high and low, but couldn't find it.  This new apartment is a studio, so it's not like there are that many places to hide things.  I finally asked for some hints.  I moved around the apartment and asked, "Am I getting hotter?  Am I getting colder?"  After only a couple of questions, it dawned on me.  My other apartment had no outdoor living area.  My new apartment has a tiny balcony.  I opened the door to the balcony and found my other surprise.  A little table and chair so I can sit out there and read, relax, or whatever.  Wasn't that so thoughtful of my Monster Sweet Roll?

A few other things.  People who know me well know I love dimmers on light switches because I always prefer my indoor living environment to be "glowy" (the term Scott and I coined for it).  Scott put a dimmer on the decorative lights over the bar area in the kitchen of this little apartment.  Between the dimmer switch and some of my other lamps, my new apartment is all glowy tonight as I write this.  It's a quiet, soothing environment.

Next to one of my lamps that makes the place glowy, was another card with the saying, "This too shall pass..."  Scott cut it and folded it to make it a stand up card.  He's a creative guy.  He is obviously trying to drive the message home.

Am I lucky or what?  I'm so thankful for my Monster Sweet Roll and his kind, caring heart.

Bye-Bye Birkenstocks

For a long time, I wanted a pair of Birkenstocks.  My friend of over 20 years, Stefanie, sent me a pair as an unexpected gift a few years back.  When they arrived in the mail (Stefanie lives in south Florida),  I was excited.  I could hardly wait to put them on.  What a generous gift and, finally!  my very own Birkenstocks.  I felt so.....wholesome.  And I also felt  grateful to have a friend that knows me so personally as to, not only know I wanted a pair of Birkenstocks, but who also knew what size to order without even asking.  I wore my Birkenstocks many places, including walking my dogs around the neighborhood where my house in Columbus is located and the place that I feel most comfortable-- the place I feel like I can exhale.

As I have been unpacking from my move from one apartment to another here in Madison, it became clear that I needed to part with my Birkenstocks.  I wore them out.  They are old.  And stinky.  And funky.  And nasty.  And well-loved.

If there was ever a place to own a pair of Birkenstocks, Madison has to be it.  It feels wrong to be Birkenstock-less in this town.   

But, as they teach in Buddhism, all things, good and bad, are transient in nature.

So......

Bye-bye Birkenstocks.

The Village Green

Upon a recommendation, Scott and I went tonight to The Village Green in Middleton.  Middleton is a suburb of Madison and considered a desirable place to live.  On many national polls, Middleton is ranked one of the best places to live in the country.  Among other good qualities, it has a cute downtown area and The Village Green is one of the establishments there.

The Village Green (not to be confused with The Village Bar that I wrote about in a previous post back on April 16) is definitely a local-joint kind of place.  Not fancy.  No frills.  Just a bar with a dude back behind it frying up some grub, much like The Village Bar.  We had heard The Village Green is a fun place and that they have good, casual (cheap) bar food-- so we decided to go; we're all about fun and cheap bar food.

Now....let me tell you something about my husband.  You know I love him, right?  You know I adore him, right? 

I do have much love in my heart for him, but that man can do some crazy hillbilly shit.  Could he just order a basic burger or cheese burger off the menu at The Village Green?  Nooooo.  Of course not.  Well then, how about a bacon cheeseburger?  Would that do? Nooooo...That wasn't good enough either.  He had to order this:

I think right after he placed his order for The Big Daddy, we should have called to schedule his by-pass surgery.  

Here is what The Big Daddy looked like, hot off the grill:

Is that obnoxious or what?  Let me tell you something.  If I, myself, am asking for The Big Daddy, I won't be talking about a burger.  OK?

To go along with the overly obnoxious Big Daddy burger, the beer Scott ordered came in this glass:

I just need to stop now.  There are no more words.