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A busy weekend
We went up to Phillips, WI to have Thanksgiving dinner with Wanda’s relatives. On the way, we hit a deer on Hwy 10, trashing the side of our new Jetta. It was heartbreaking. After dinner, we set off for Wanda’s late parents’ house to do some remodeling. We got quite a bit done. We did a lot of painting, scraped off accoustic ceiling, installed some hardwood laminate flooring, replaced a toilet, and installed some new lights in the hallway. There’s still a lot to do, but it feels good to watch the progress.
Soon we’ll have some remodeling of our own – we’re planning on installing a dishwasher and garbage disposal in our kitchen.
December 2nd, 2008 
Tags: Holiday Party
I had to miss my employer’s holiday party tonight due to the bad weather. The party was at SentryWorld in Steven’s Point. I was a little disappointed, but driving conditions were absolutely terrible. We started out for Point but quickly turned around when we realized how bad it was. It would have taken hours to get there driving ~30 mph on the highway anyway.
Oh well, perhaps next year.
Black Friday 2007
I’m usually more excited for Black Friday deals, but there wasn’t much we were interested in this year. We’ve been wanting to replace the TV downstairs for awhile, and I’ve been wanting a Tivo for the bedroom (much to Wanda’s disapproval). However, we weren’t planning on spending the money just yet, since Wanda had just gotten a new Canon PowerShot G9 for her birthday (which is an awesome camera, by the way).
While paging through the ads, I found an HP 42″ LCD HDTV for a reasonable price. We were a little nervous since HP isn’t well-known for making televisions, however, it turned out to be a great TV. Good picture, easy menu interface, good price. I like the TV better than our 52″ DLP upstairs, which we paid twice as much for two years ago.
It was probably a naughty purchase, but we’ve had the 27″ tube downstairs for quite awhile, and it was difficult to read the Media Center menus on it. We might as well enjoy living while we don’t have kids, right?!
Pumpkin Carving
Wanda and I carved pumpkins yesterday, and she and her friend Bo carved some more today. They turned out pretty nice. I think the last time I carved a pumpkin was when we lived in Eau Claire. I wasn’t really in to it, but Wanda convinced me. It turned out to be fun.
4th of July, 2007
We went to see fireworks today. We live in Appleton, so in the past we’ve gone to see various Appleton shows. Historically, they’ve been a disappointment, due to our failing to get a decent viewing position. Last year we attended the finale of the PGI fireworks show at WIR in Kaukauna. It was quite a disappointment, in that they charged an admission fee and presented a fireworks show that was short in time and quality.
However, we’ve always had good luck with the City of Menasha’s display, which we attend almost every year now. This year was no exception. Acceptable parking, free admission, and ample places to sit. I think that their production should serve as a model to other organizations and municipalities looking to put on a fireworks show. It’s always a good show.
And, oh yeah! Today marks my 3rd wedding anniversary. Wanda and I were married in Jamaica on July 4th, 2004. Go team!
New Year’s
We’re not much for partying, but we decided to go out for New Year’s with our friend Trent. I made New York Strip steaks on the grill, and we enjoyed margaritas while watching the movie, Lucky Number Slevin. We had pondered going to one of the local bars that offered an evening package, but after drinking too many margaritas we decided that wouldn’t make fiscal sense. We ended up going to The Clubhouse bar in the Paper Valley Hotel, enjoyed some spirits, darts, and some lousy complimentary champagne. After that (it was about 1:30am), we wandered around looking for another bar, but they were all too crowded for our us, so we went home and watched the movie, Meet The Fockers. We all had already seen it, which is fortunate since I fell asleep for a good portion of it.
It’s really nice having the smoking ban in Appleton. I just wish Wisconsin would pass a similar state-wide ban. It’s a shame to see what it has done to some of the local bars.
Black Friday 2006
So, was everyone able to get everything on their shopping list today? We didn’t see much in the flyers this year that we were interested in. We did score two 22″ Westinghouse and one 19″ Samsung LCD monitors from Best Buy. Wanda and I both wanted a new monitor. The reason we bought three is because Wanda couldn’t decide between the 19″ (higher quality) and the 22″ (bigger size, more video ports), so we will probably end up returning one.
Let me tell ya’, a 22″ widescreen LCD monitor gives new meaning to the term “desktop”.
My parents also scored a Lenovo (formerly IBM’s PC division) desktop computer with a 19″ widescreen monitor from Office Depot. It has some pretty nice specs, and it was a great deal. I hope it turns out to be a good machine.
WPS Holiday Party 2006
Wanda and I attended a holiday party last night hosted by my employer at the S.C. Grand in De Pere. Dinner featured the usual entrees and was pretty good. After dinner we watched a Christmas musical written and performed by Let Me Be Frank Productions. The show was entertaining and very funny! They are an extremely talented group of people, and the singing was phenomenal. If you’re ever in the Green Bay area and want to treat yourself and significant other, consider a night of dinner theater with Frank’s.
One year closer to 30
I had my 28th birthday today. I’m not one to make a big deal out of the day, but the women of my life made sure it didn’t go without notice. I was given the choice of where to go to dinner tonight. I couldn’t resist Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp deal. I ate 40 shrimp scampi in total. Awesome, it was. I love Red Lobster. I went with Wanda and my mother. We had a great time.
My coworkers didn’t forget either. They gave me balloons and wished me a happy day. When I worked at the City they were quick to wish me well on my birthday as well. It turns out my current boss shares the same birthday (but not year) as me. No wonder we get along so well 
I still owe them a birthday treat, though. I knew that was coming, but was too tired to do anything about it last night. Perhaps next week…
Christian Intimidation
With the recent Easter holiday, I had a bunch of people ask things like “So what are you doing for Easter?” or “Are you going to church on Sunday?” I thought this was a little odd, akin to saying “So, what are you plans for Kwanza?” or “Did the Festival of Lights treat you well?” to people whose beliefs you are not aware of. If that’s not insensitive, how about “the look” I get when I tell them my true beliefs.
I don’t think Jesus would approve of your belligerence.
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