Q & A

1. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 7:20 a.m
2. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? plastic beads
3. WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU SAW AT A THEATER? Juno. Yes, last year.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE T. V. SHOW? The Office
5. WHAT DID YOU HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Chocolate Mint Zone bar and coffee
6. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? MelRo
7. FAVORITE CUISINE? Sushi
8. WHAT FOOD DO YOU DISLIKE? Peanut Butter
9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Green
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD AT THE MOMENT? 8 Switch
11. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Honda Accord 2001
12. FAVORITE LUNCH? anything other than my spinach salad
13. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS IN PEOPLE DO YOU DISLIKE? Bad smells
14. MY FAVORITE PAST-TIME IS: naps
15. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? Slovenia
16. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER(S)? IDK... me?
17. FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? Must be Lauren Conrads's new line.
18. TO WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE? Hana, Hawaii
19. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? The one that is happening in 18 days
20. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? none
21. FAVORITE BOOK? Roots by Alex Haley
22. FAVORITE PERFUME\COLOGNE? yuck, none
23. FAVORITE MOVIE TRILOGY? Aren't all trilogies boy movies?
24. GOAL YOU HAVE FOR YOURSELF? Don't injure anything
25. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? January 30
25a. ANY FAMOUS PEOPLE SHARE YOUR BIRTHDAY? Pres. FDR
26. HOW MANY WEDDINGS HAVE YOU BEEN IN, INCLUDING YOUR OWN? 6
27. ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON? Neither
28. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 39 in MBT
29. PETS: Dorthopotomus
30. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US? I flossed.
31. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? Artist
32. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Light and fluffy
33. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CANDY? dark chocolate chocolate
34. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLANT OR FLOWER? hibiscus
35. WHAT DAY ON THE CALENDAR ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? Feb 13
36. WHERE IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE EVER BEEN FROM HOME? Doolin, Ireland
37. A SMALL THING YOU REALLY ENJOY? my house
38. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? The Hurricane
39. WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Enduring natural childbirth with Norelle & breastfeeding
40. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ALBUM? IDK
41. WHAT MAKES YOU CRINGE? Chalky chalk. Ick!
42. IF YOU COULD DO ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Travel
43. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THAT YOU WILL VISIT AGAIN? Grand Shanghai
44. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THAT YOU WILL NEVER VISIT AGAIN? Pittsburgh airport
44. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICECREAM? Chocolate Oreo at Izzy's
45. WHICH CAME FIRST, THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG? I refuse to tell.
46. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU MADE SMILE TODAY? Just one, me.
47. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE WORLD, WHAT DO YOU SEE? trees of green
48. CATS OR DOGS? Puppies
49 GOOD OR BAD? Great
50. SOMETHING PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU? I get perms.

My first swimming lesson!

And Norelle's, too. We started Aqua Tots today at the Great River Water Park at the Oxford Community Center. She did really well but felt a little sad when she saw others babies crying. They incorporate lots of songs and splashing into the lesson. She clung on for dear life most of the time but it was so cute I enjoyed her grip. She must have got a mouthful of water because when got out the pool she let out the biggest burp I have ever heard her make. Like father, like daughter.

Hola!

So, I just registered for a Spanish class! One of the perks of working at a university is free tuition so I thought why not brush up before Peru? I took Spanish all throughout high school and I was able to earn 10 college credits worth via the CLEP test (hence my semester early graduation) then continued on through Conversation & Composition (our prof was always drunk in class, right Sus?) but I dropped out at that point because I was too scared to go abroad. Now I am so rusty. I was reading through the course syllabi to determine where I should start up again. Sad to say it's only in the second semester, Span 1002. My conjugation is muy malo. Anyway, I think it will be fun!

Uncle Jim

Jim's memorial service was nice and very well attended! The line to greet the family wrapped around the church. It was evident that people cared for Jim. Thanks for all the kinds words, I am sure his family and brothers appreciate all the support.

James W. Palbicki, 63, of Winona died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis., after suffering a stroke on Jan. 1, 2009.

He was born March 7, 1945, in Winona to Walter and Sylvia (Sikorski) Palbicki. On April 4, 1970, he was united in marriage with Doris Dulas at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona.

Jim honorably served with the United States Navy from 1963 until 1967. He was employed by Northwestern Bell and Qwest from 1968 until his retirement on July 31, 2006. Jim also owned and operated the Zesto Drive-in from 1976 until 1998.

He was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, the Athletic Club, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and past Grand Sachem of the Redmen’s Club. Jim also participated in many activities at the VFW.

In Jim’s younger years, he enjoyed bowling, shooting pool, ice skating and teaching ice skating to his children. He loved going to the casino, trips to Las Vegas and boating on the river. He was a fan of the Rat Pack and Elvis. Most of all, Jim loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Jim will be sadly missed by all who knew him!

Jim is survived by his wife, Doris of Winona; children, Brad Palbicki of Winona, Melanie (Chaz) Timm of Winona, and Jeremy (Katie) Palbicki of Rochester, Minn.; grandchildren, Madelaine Dombeck, Adria Timm, Christopher Palbicki, Brandon Palbicki, Alyssa Palbicki, and Grace Palbicki; mother, Sylvia Palbicki of Winona; brothers, William (Linda) Palbicki of Plymouth, Minn., and Richard (Dana) Palbicki of Cottage Grove, Minn.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bryan (Ann) Dulas, Ron (Cindy) Dulas, Darwin (Nancy) Dulas, Bill Dulas and Linda Wiste; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins; as well as other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Jack and Jenny (Lubinski) Sikorski and Dominic and Stella (Rolbiecki) Palbicki; parents-in-law, Ray and Evelyn Dulas; and brother-in-law, Harold Dulas.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 6 p.m. today, Jan. 6, 2009, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. Monsignor Roy E. Literski will officiate. Spring burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church today, Jan. 6, 2009, from 4 p.m. until the time of the Mass.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Jim’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com

Entrusted to our care — Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.

I know someone who met Phyllis Vance!

Ever heard of her? Wow, this is the second best day of my life. See Kelly's brush with fame here..

More sad news. My Uncle Jim passed away on Saturday due to his stroke. My dad was able to go see him when he was recovering but was called back later that night with news he would not make it. The funeral is tomorrow in Winona. My prayers go out to Doris, her kids and grand kids.

Since I am already on a bummer note, I will share some news about my foot. It is hurting. Not the bad one, the good one! After five years of having my own version of plantar fasciitis, I actually finally have the typical heel pain in the morning. No more carrying my daughter around the house barefoot. Bad me! Well, now I have a great excuse to sit on the couch and watch Planet Earth in HD. Send food.

Almost over?

My 12 day vacation is almost over. And by vacation I mean a few days spent with relatives, noisy toys that overstimulate the senses, road trips, getting up at 6:30 a.m., fixing three meals a day, cleaning, laundry, and chasing T Mc.B around the house. Not exactly a vacation at home like the days of yore but rather quality time together. I love it. My mom, who now has a Facebook page, has been here all week too so she enjoys my complaints and loves to say "I did it with two". Helpful.


Last night Tracy & Jill made my Great Grandma Dorothy's signature spaghetti (she was Irish, BTB) and talked about our plans for family diet over carbs. We are all supposed to lose 5% of our body weight by the end of Jan. Screw lifestyle changes, we want quick results and then it to all end. So, I did three workouts on the Exercise on Demand channel today. I think I am winning.

Today we went to the Como Zoo & Conservatory. The Conservatory plant part was a bit dull but the primates were worth the trip. Norelle has been a great girl and her top tooth seems to have receded for the moment and so has the pain. She is getting really smart: she "reads" herself books, makes soup but putting the ingredients in a pot and stirring (I taught her this one) and copied us by grabbing a tortilla chip, dipping it in the guacamole and eating it. Hello!

Now some sad news. My Uncle Jim Palbicki (husband of Doris of the waffle cookies, my former boss at the Zesto) had very serious stroke yesterday and appears to have paralysis on his entire left side.Please keep him in your prayers as he recovers. Also, my friend Angie (Lofthus) Chapman's sister Lisa passed away from a brain tumor. She was kind, gorgeous and only 29. Very tragic.

Happy New Year!

My New Year's Baby

It's only 10:30 a.m. but yours truly has already played with the baby, worked out and cleaned. 2009 is off with a bang! I'll be honest, I am sad to let 2008, the BEST year of my life, go but I am optimistic that 2009 will be just as good, maybe even better. 2008 was the year of my wonderful baby and parenthood, turning 30, travel, better feet and many blessings!!

Liam shows Nori how to pose

I won't too say much about last night because I don't want anything to be used as evidence in the pending trial but we had fun. Our pals the McIntyre's joined us for a Mexican Fiesta and the babies were all about it. We feel strongly it's important they know how to party early on. Who am I kidding, the party was over by 9:30, Jake & I watched one ep of Dexter and we were half-asleep in bed when the fireworks went off at midnight. Perfection.

Notice Jake's Chile Rellenos? He was proud of them...

Just a typical night at our house. Yes, I am wearing my husbo's panties.