Kindess Counts

Good evening everyone! Quite the busy week as usual. I just had to get to the mid-week to enjoy 3 busy days off. The previous week I had applied for a social media marketing position but unfortunately after getting the assessment test this week, I got an email that I wasn't the right fit. The test was timed and pretty difficult so I didn't feel too confident before getting the email. Ugh. The salary was perfect and the duties seemed up my alley. Oh well. Back to the grind looking for a job to replace my current one.

During the week, I did some Lightroom editing of the photos I took of Mia in her various outfits and I think they turned out pretty good. Totally stoked about it. Watched some of the Chelsea vs Frankfurt match Thursday. 1-1 draw so they'll take them on this week at The Bridge. Friday was High Interest Day at Mia's school. It's always a huge event and this was my 3rd year participating. Despite the request that Mia should wear an OL spirit shirt, we decided to rebel and wear similar Alkaline Trio shirts :) I co-lead a rock painting class. It was a super fun day teaching for an afternoon some specific rock painting and blending techniques. The kids had a great time and I'll be returning next year to do the same thing. Mia's super stoked that when she's a 3rd grader, she'll have a bigger variety of classes to chose from which will include the rock painting one. She did some string art, slime making, pony beads and some community service work. After lunch, I surprised the diva and her crazy friends at recess. They did a foot race before the recess was over.

I had a few more classes before the session ended. I had planned on returning home till it was time to pick up Mia, but I ended up helping tear down some stuff in the lunch room and waited till they were done with the assembly. All in all, really fun day. Later, we went to my nephews soccer match. The kids team didn't win, but they certainly had a lot of fun. We had dinner with my bro and his family after before calling it a day.

Saturday Mia received the Youth Community Kindness Award from HAWS at the Romp n Rally in Sussex. Unfortunately, she built up a lot of pressure and got super nervous. Way too nervous to go up in front alone to receive her award. They even tried to give her a puppy to bring up to relax her and she just couldn't do it. In the end, I went up there with her with ol' Fluttershy Mia who turned herself around so no one could look at her. We were super proud of her as well as both of our parents of all the hard work Mia's done for  the animal shelter. Ugh. We walked around a bit, picked up a few things and headed out.

Mia didn't have a lot of time before having to go do her dance photos in her 3 different costumes. They looked pretty good and she was glad when it was over. The photos turned out pretty good as well. On the ride back home, Mia stated that this will be her very last year doing dance. She said it's become too easy for her and after this June's recital wants to be done with it. Interesting. Guess we'll see what peaks her interest after dance is done. I very cautiously let her fly my DJI Spark drone for the very first time before returning to the studio to pick up Jill. She had a really good time and I had hoped to get some photos from it, but the sun blew out the image so I need to do some color correcting before flying the Spark again.

We watched some of the new Goosebumps movie before crashing. I did some drawing as well. Today, I watched the 1st half of the Chelsea vs Watford match before we drove to a church to photograph a communion. It went pretty well and even better 2nd half for Chelsea as they won 3-0 securing a spot in the UCL next season. Now we just need Hazard to sign a new deal and we're good.

This week, back to normal work. Jill's got some dance academy photos to do and from what I've heard, the weather is supposed to be hella lousy. Blah. Luckily Mia enjoyed what she could today. Thanks for reading!

Say "Cheese!"

Good Evening. I'm eating a big bowl of mac and cheese with extra mozzarella as I type this blog posting tonight. SO....hungry. It was a pretty good week. Mia's doing great with school and even had homework. Well, tracing letters and coloring in what the word that it spells. What is supposed to be fun homework but it sort of frustrates her. She had picture day on Tuesday and swears she smiled. She's been meeting new people and even was invited to a little girl's birthday party. I don't know if that was a real invite, but at least she's meeting new kids to play with at recess. When we came home, Mia rocked on my drums. I swear the kid loves my kit. It's been a while since she's played, but she did a great job.

Saturday, I got up nice and early to watch the Chelsea vs Everton game. Last season, the won 6-3. It was the highest scoring game of the season, and easily one of my favorites to watch. This game was pure garbage. We lost 3-1. WHY? Why is Chelsea performing so poorly. I think some of the mistakes were starting Mikel and the holes that the forwards were getting through on defense. Ivanovic was so bad. Begovic, the backup keeper who will be starting every game since Courtois got sidelined with a knee injury did his best. It's his uninspired defense that left him stranded at times. I sincerely home we can win this first Champions League game Wednesday. We're sitting in 15th or 16th place of the Premier League table, 11 points behind Man City which is just unheard of. Hazard needs to find his magic, and Costa needs to show that he wants the win.

So it was a very frustrating rest of the Saturday for me. Just thinking "what is going on with the team? How do we win the whole thing last year, and this season we can barely win"? We went to the Farmer's Market as well. Didn't get too much this around. I got a very lackluster caramel cashew muffin. Later, we took Mia to the Imagination Station in Oconomowoc. I've heard from countless people that this place is purely amazing. It was. It's a massive park with a ton of different things kinds of all ages can play on. Ran into some old friends too. Tons of kids everywhere. Mia didn't want to leave. She also wanted to join a birthday party that was going on near the park as well.

Later, we made a nice dinner. We had plans to go out for dinner, Jill and I and have my parents watch Mia. We haven't gone out on a date since the Winter, so I was looking forward to this. Her head felt a little cloudy and I wasn't feeling that great, so we stayed home. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to do it  some day. This week Friday, we'll be Indiana-bound for the Step Out for Diabetes event. Jill's excited to see her best pals again. Mia will get to play with long distance friend Caleb as well.

I finally completed the dog portrait. It turned out pretty good. She was happy with it and I was too. Now, onto other projects. Mia wants me to paint a sea turtle in her room on a blue wall. We'll see if I can do it. I also want to do some water colour work too.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading!

Chef Mia

Good Morning. Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend. Wednesday, Mia and I went to my parent's house to watch the Chelsea vs Sporting game. A very easy match that got us through the next round with easy. I had my work's annual Year-End Meeting, so I had to drop off Mia at Jill's studio, and then jet over to work to pick up a few people THEN head over to the meeting. Mia had a solid day at school Friday. They painted wreaths and she told me they played in the gym. Her teacher told me Mia didn't like how loud it gets in there with a lot of kids running around screaming, but later Mia mentioned she played basketball and made a few shots. :) She was invited to a Christmas program (to either perform or sing) on this Thursday. I'd LOVE to see her sing, but Mia told me she's too shy to sing and that she'd rather just attend it. We haven't decided if that's happening yet or not.

Saturday, I got up sorta late, but made it back from my walk in time to watch the Chelsea vs Hull City game. I missed Eden Hazard's header and first goal. Bugger. It was not the best game, chocked full of cards and dives, but we got the 2-0 win. We later went over to my parent's house to bake cookies with them. I kept my Dad entertained while Jill and Chef Mia baked with my Mom. They had a lot of fun, and Jill's Maple-Flavored Sandwich Cookies are incredibly tasty.

Sunday, I worked early. Very busy, but it was game-day for all of the Packers fans, so I wasn't surprised. After work, I met up with Jill in the area, and Jill shopped for a few things for Christmas. Later, we had a scary situation. Mia had left a small box of raisins on her little table in the living room, and Remi got into them. If you're a dog owner, this is really scary, because you would remember that grapes and raisins can be toxic for dogs. We didn't see how many he ate, just that the box was torn to pieces. He has NEVER even touched a grape or wanted raisins if they fall to the floor, but for some reason last night, they looked good. Jill quickly called the emergency vet, and she rushed Remi in to induce vomiting and get it out of his system swiftly. I stayed with Mia for a few reasons. A-It was late, and who knows how long we would have been sitting there. Jill didn't get home till 11:30pm. B-Because it was late, I didn't know what other cases of emergency situations were sitting in that waiting room, and I didn't want Mia seeing them. Good thing we didn't go, because Jill said there was a cat that was run over by a car, and another cat that was about to be euthanized. :( So I stayed home with Mia, and got her ready for bed. Nervously, I calmed her down and got her to relax and try to sleep. Jill came home as soon as Mia started to fall asleep, so she heard Jill walk in the door and woke up.

Remi's fine, and we caught it in good time. Because of his size, he didn't eat enough that would have done anything horrible, however we just have to keep monitoring him for a few days. Took him out for his daily walk, and he acted quite normal. I explained to Mia how important it is to never leave out any raisins on the table. We don't want this happening again.

Lots to do this week. Hopefully everything can get accomplished.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.

My Money Is On The Long Shot

Morning! Going to make this quick, okay? okay. Friday, my barely-working phone was about to hit the dust, so Mia and I went in and I picked up a new phone. Debated for a few days on what to get, but it was clear what I knew I should get: The Galaxy s4. As much as I wanted to give the iPhone 5c a try, the s4 was a better choice in the end. I've only had it for less then a week, and so far I'm really digging it. The 4G LTE speed is so quick and smooth, the battery life is amazing (can go a full day of usage without having to charge till the next day later) and the camera is top notch.

Saturday, we went with my parents to look at some dogs for a possible adoption (them not us) in Mukwonago. Lots of beautiful dogs and puppies. Real friendly breeds. Mia especially enjoyed the puppies. I would have loved to open the small gate and let them lick her, but that obviously couldn't happen. She also enjoyed the little chicks and goslings for sale in the middle of the store. After that adventure, my Dad and I watched the Chelsea vs Aston Villa game. It was a rough one. We should have won, but received two red cards. Luckily, we DID defeat Gala the other day. Sadly, I missed that game. Would have been a great one to watch. Especially because it was Drogba's return to the Bridge. From what I've read, it was quite a sight to see when he walked onto the pitch.

Sunday, worked 6am-4pm. It was quite the long day. I used to pull 10 hour shifts every once in a while, but didn't sleep well the night before and I was pretty much the acting manager for the morning since my boss is on vacation. More responsibilities, but that's okay. I've been diligently working on this Mike's Hard Lemonade can design. Hoping to get it complete today. REALLY REALLY hoping. I know I should have started it earlier, but my inspiration was dry for weeks. It's hard to force it, but I try to. I think the final submission will be nice. Hopefully.

Decided this morning that I'm going to apply to bartend at Summerfest. My good friend Stacy informed me they're looking for bartenders for the Fest, so this should be good extra money for me. No experience required is nice, even though generally I know what I'm doing. Just as long as I'm tending near the country stage. We'll see if I get the job.

This weekend-Nothing too exciting. We're going to find out what we're getting back as far as taxes are concerned. Working 7-4pm Sunday. Next Thursday, Mia's turning 3. I'm going to take her to Tot Time at the trampoline park before going to work. She'll be stoked. That's all for now. Thanks for reading!