Winter is Official....for another 6 weeks.
Wow....where does the time go? I know that I resolved to blog more and my mom and sisters have encouraged me to as well.
Since Januaary 1, it's been busy for me....my new job within the State keeps me busy as do all the dogs and the litters of puppies planned for Amethyst Gordons and Amethyst Kennels. To see the latest batch of pups, you can check them out here. Next up will be Keno, then Asti and I'm waiting on Emma to come in. When it rains, it pours, but I haven't had a litter for almost 3 years, so it'll be great to raise a new puppy. In the meantime, Fire, Ice (my geriatrics) and Whisper (Irish) and Dugan and Emma keep me busy. A couple dog shows in early January kept me busy and a week long training in Brookfield for an A+ computer certification also added to my "busy-ness." Not to mention troubleshooting PCs for a couple people and working on web updates for clients.
Last night I drove to Milwaukee for a surprise celebration for my friend Daleen's 40th b-day party. She and her husband, Dick, co-own Dugan with me. Dugan has been living with me since April 2006 so that they can sell their home. The market is soft and they haven't had any takers. D told me that she was the most pleased to see me at her party. It meant a lot to her that I'd take time and drive all the way to Milwaukee to help her celebrate. It was a lot of fun!! And..friends do that for each other.
Since Dick and D are trying to sell their home and having a hard time, I can relate as trying to decide what to do out here with this old farmhouse makes me crazy. I have always tried to make "goals" or "resolutions" for myself, since my divorce....and one was to build a new house before I'm 50. I'm not sure that I want to adjust that yet as I have about 1.5 years to that goal, but getting there is as frustrating as it gets. Plan A probably will not take place, so it's on to plan B. I have decided that life is just a series of plans and back-up plans. Perhaps the goal-setting that my dad instilled was a good thing. The frustrating part is when I get upset that Plan A doesn't go.....*grin*
Last weekend, Mom and I traveled to Ripon College, my alma mater, where I was so very honored to present for my sister, the Maternal Optimist, a wonderful tribute to her favorite professor, Dr. Robert P. Ashley, Jr. The family had asked her, but since she lives in North Carolina with her family, I was the stand-in. Again, what an honor to be asked by Ruth to do this. And, to have my mom in the audience. I maintained my composure, got the correct laugh lines and truly realized that this is why I love Ripon College. Ruth's words can be found on her blog, but I would like to share my preface:
Good afternoon. We are here to remember and honor the life and work of Dr. Robert P. Ashley. As is evidenced by those of you here, Ripon College was “home” to Dr. Ashley. Family was important to him. This was embodied not only in his human family, but his college family as well. My name is Peggy Gero DaValt, a member of the Ripon College Class of 1980. I was a history/religion major here. I never had a class with Dr. Ashley. But of course, I knew who he was and I had great respect for him. My little sister, Ruth Anne Gero Adams, was one of Dr. Ashley’s favorites. Ruth was asked by the Ashley family to provide a few remarks. She is not able to be here today with you, as she is at her home in North Carolina where, along with her husband, David, raise a son and twin daughters all under the age of 5. Ruth asked me to read her tribute to Dr. Ashley. I am extremely honored to do so.
It's February....and Jimmy the Groundhog (Sun Prairie, WI) claims we'll have 6 more weeks of winter. And...today is evidenced of that....a day to hunker down....and not get up. It's bright and sunny but the light dusting of snow is blowing everywhere. It's about 5 degrees (BELOW) zero and the windchills are in the 20 to 30 degree BELOW zero mark. It hasn't been that cold in about 6 years. It does so remind me of the days of my youth in New York and Wisconsin where snow would start in November and not end until April. I even opted to leave all the dogs in the house now until the weather breaks.....hopefully by mid-week. My movie-going buddy wants to go see 2 movies today, so perhaps she and I will have to do that...popcorn and great cinema. At this time of year we try to take in all the Oscar nominated performances. I believe that we'll see Notes on a Scandal and The Last King of Scotland.
Life is good. Life is busy. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Since Januaary 1, it's been busy for me....my new job within the State keeps me busy as do all the dogs and the litters of puppies planned for Amethyst Gordons and Amethyst Kennels. To see the latest batch of pups, you can check them out here. Next up will be Keno, then Asti and I'm waiting on Emma to come in. When it rains, it pours, but I haven't had a litter for almost 3 years, so it'll be great to raise a new puppy. In the meantime, Fire, Ice (my geriatrics) and Whisper (Irish) and Dugan and Emma keep me busy. A couple dog shows in early January kept me busy and a week long training in Brookfield for an A+ computer certification also added to my "busy-ness." Not to mention troubleshooting PCs for a couple people and working on web updates for clients.
Last night I drove to Milwaukee for a surprise celebration for my friend Daleen's 40th b-day party. She and her husband, Dick, co-own Dugan with me. Dugan has been living with me since April 2006 so that they can sell their home. The market is soft and they haven't had any takers. D told me that she was the most pleased to see me at her party. It meant a lot to her that I'd take time and drive all the way to Milwaukee to help her celebrate. It was a lot of fun!! And..friends do that for each other.
Since Dick and D are trying to sell their home and having a hard time, I can relate as trying to decide what to do out here with this old farmhouse makes me crazy. I have always tried to make "goals" or "resolutions" for myself, since my divorce....and one was to build a new house before I'm 50. I'm not sure that I want to adjust that yet as I have about 1.5 years to that goal, but getting there is as frustrating as it gets. Plan A probably will not take place, so it's on to plan B. I have decided that life is just a series of plans and back-up plans. Perhaps the goal-setting that my dad instilled was a good thing. The frustrating part is when I get upset that Plan A doesn't go.....*grin*
Last weekend, Mom and I traveled to Ripon College, my alma mater, where I was so very honored to present for my sister, the Maternal Optimist, a wonderful tribute to her favorite professor, Dr. Robert P. Ashley, Jr. The family had asked her, but since she lives in North Carolina with her family, I was the stand-in. Again, what an honor to be asked by Ruth to do this. And, to have my mom in the audience. I maintained my composure, got the correct laugh lines and truly realized that this is why I love Ripon College. Ruth's words can be found on her blog, but I would like to share my preface:
Good afternoon. We are here to remember and honor the life and work of Dr. Robert P. Ashley. As is evidenced by those of you here, Ripon College was “home” to Dr. Ashley. Family was important to him. This was embodied not only in his human family, but his college family as well. My name is Peggy Gero DaValt, a member of the Ripon College Class of 1980. I was a history/religion major here. I never had a class with Dr. Ashley. But of course, I knew who he was and I had great respect for him. My little sister, Ruth Anne Gero Adams, was one of Dr. Ashley’s favorites. Ruth was asked by the Ashley family to provide a few remarks. She is not able to be here today with you, as she is at her home in North Carolina where, along with her husband, David, raise a son and twin daughters all under the age of 5. Ruth asked me to read her tribute to Dr. Ashley. I am extremely honored to do so.
It's February....and Jimmy the Groundhog (Sun Prairie, WI) claims we'll have 6 more weeks of winter. And...today is evidenced of that....a day to hunker down....and not get up. It's bright and sunny but the light dusting of snow is blowing everywhere. It's about 5 degrees (BELOW) zero and the windchills are in the 20 to 30 degree BELOW zero mark. It hasn't been that cold in about 6 years. It does so remind me of the days of my youth in New York and Wisconsin where snow would start in November and not end until April. I even opted to leave all the dogs in the house now until the weather breaks.....hopefully by mid-week. My movie-going buddy wants to go see 2 movies today, so perhaps she and I will have to do that...popcorn and great cinema. At this time of year we try to take in all the Oscar nominated performances. I believe that we'll see Notes on a Scandal and The Last King of Scotland.
Life is good. Life is busy. I wouldn't have it any other way.
posted by Peggy Gero DaValt at Saturday, February 03, 2007
4 Comments:
What were your thoughts on the movies you saw? I heard that the "Scotland" picture was really excellent.
You missed a great tour of the new addition to the Bank. I'm sure you will see it eventually.
Nice post, Sis. Thanks, again, for reading the tribute. Who knew I'd be writing two eulogies in 6 months? Mr. Zahn had it right back in speech class...a good thing he taught us about eulogies.
Hi Mom and Sistah -
Unfortunately, we decided not to go to the way West side of Madison. There's an "artsy fartsy" cinema that shows those movies, but with the weather so chilly, we opted to say on the "near East side" and took in "Because I Said So." My sisters and I need to take you MOM to see this one. WHAT A HOOT!!! I laughed so hard, I spilled my soda....*lol*
As to Mr. Zahn's speech class....the only thing I tend to recall is the "memory" speech that I gave on the GREAT horse Secretariat (as if I were the horse talking), and that IF you don't get nervous in front of a crowd....something is wrong with ya....
Time to go to bed....I fell asleep in the chair until the Texas Hold 'Em game with the poker chips clankin' woke me up.
Ruth: If you and Dave want a good video...buy or rent the one with Toby Keith and Kelly Preston called, "Broken Bridges." Great movie.
Hey Sis...
On the goal thing...remember this: God's delay is NOT His denial. And on the deadline for building....you set the goal in cement and you set the deadline in sand. Then you don't feel like not meeting the deadline is so final and a failure.
Hey...ran into Jim and Darlene Crombie at the Columbus vs. Lakeside bball game. I went up to her and she said..."You must be a Gero." It was so cute....
Anyway, glad you posted, I always love reading them.
Love ya SISTAH!
Mary
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