Finally Friday!

Just a few house-cleaning items for this sunny, cold Friday:

I want to say "THANKS!" to all of you who read my blog on a regular basis. Seeing that people come back to read more of my drivel what I write reminds me that other people are in (or were in) the same boat and can relate to what I'm saying, which makes me feel a little less crazy. Big thanks to Gail, Melisa, Morning Light Mama, Penelope and Tom. (Tom doesn't yet have his own blog, but I think he should - writing is great therapy, Tom, and boy do you have a lot to write about! Not that Tom's crazy - that's not what I meant - he's just going through a lot of stuff in his life and it could be useful to have an outlet. Taking foot out of mouth now.)

Also, along the left side you'll now see lots of pretty graphics. There are some things going on in the blog world over the next few weeks in which I plan to participate. 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a blog party. My contributions to that "party" will be Milwaukee Monday and Flashback Friday, along with some other special posts as yet not determined. Stop back Monday for a few pics of the Brew City taken by moi that will prove that, while cold in the winter, its a pretty darn cool place to party in the summer. (Think Harley's 105th anniversary and lots of beer at the world's largest music festival. Oh yeah, we've hosted it for more than 40 years, uh-huh, that's right...a-hem.)

The other in the blog-o-sphere is a "Birth Carnival" hosted by Lotus at Sarcastic Mom. I always swore that I wouldn't be that broad in the office making casual conversation out of contractions, epidurals and episiotomies (imagine this in your best yooper accent, "Oh yeah, hey, I just pushed pushed pushed and that lil' bugger poked his lil' head right out. I got only five stitches, don'tcha know? Nine pounds he was, ya...that stings a bit. that's how I poke fun at women who think its OK to overshare this type of info - sorry yooper chicks). But somehow this is different - attendance and participation is not mandatory, and you won't gross out that one poor guy in accounting who's cubicle just happens to be on the other side of yooper woman's. So I'm participating. Think about joining us, too.

The other graphic just above those is an event I participate in every year in the real world. Its a walk to benefit breast cancer research at a local area hospital, the same hospital where my aunt received treatment almost five years ago now. So if you have $5 to spare, please think about pledging me. The walk is Saturday, May 5 and almost my entire family (immediate and extended) will be participating. Thanks!

The fam and I will be out of town this weekend for some much needed R&R. Not that I've actually posted on a weekend yet (darn me...I keep meaning to!) but you won't hear from me until Monday. TGIF!