Darius Rucker In Concert

Tom and Maddy went to see Darius Rucker last weekend.  They were thrilled to have a stranger change tickets with them to get closer seats.  They had a great time!

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

Cinderella made an appearance at Maddy's preschool on Friday for the Mother's Day Tea.  I love this photo of her with Cinderella.  I'm sure the kids were ecstatic to see her as well.

St. Josef's Winery

Our friends, Jeff and Julie, asked us to join them for an afternoon at a winery that they had just become members.  It was St. Josef's and had a German theme to it.  It was a beautiful day.  We have had two weeks of absolutely perfect weather.  So we enjoyed some wine, a little snack, music and each others company for the afternoon.  We had a great time.

80 Years

My dad turned 80 years old yesterday.  I wasn't able to go home but Sherrill traveled to Tomah to help him celebrate.  They had brats and beer--the perfect Wisconsin celebration--this night.

Then they traveled to Wausau to celebrate with Stephanie and Aunty Carolyn.  Thanks to my brother and cousin for sharing the pictures.

Happy Birthday SweetHeart!

We celebrated Bill's birthday Tuesday night.  He got his requested steak, baked potato, brussel sprouts, salad and key lime pie for dessert. 

Meeting Patty Duke!

Bill is on the board of the Children's Center here in Vancouver.  It is a mental health clinic for children and their families.  For this year's fundraising luncheon, Kim Hash was able to book Patty Duke to be the keynote speaker.  We were invited to go to a breakfast to meet Patty in a smaller venue and get our pictures taken.  It was such a delight to meet her.  I am a little young to remember her from her first "Miracle Worker" in which she won her Oscar for.  And a little too young for watching "The Patty Duke Show" as well.  But I have seen her in various roles on television over the years and was very much looking forward to meeting her.  She was so funny and down to earth. 

She didn't have any prepared remarks for the luncheon.  She spoke off the cuff.  She told stories of her struggles with bipolar disorder.  And about growing up as a child star and her children--Sean Astin and MacKenzie Astin in particular.  It was part comedy routine and part very serious and emotional for her. 

The lunch was a great success with almost 400 people attending--more than they have ever had attend.  It was wonderful to get so much good press and exposure for the Children's Center and their wonderful work.

The Big Wedding

I took my friend, Colleen, to Cinetopia today to see "The Big Wedding".  We normally go out for each others' birthdays.  Hers was last month so it has been way overdue.  But I finally had a free weekend now that my certification test is over with.

Cinetopia is my absolute favorite place to go see movies.  I have been in a different type of theater every time I have gone.  This time when I reserved a living room--it was different than I expected.  The living room that I have been in before was a smaller theater.  This one was actually a balcony in a bigger auditorium with the extra large screen.  But it did have the really comfortable chairs, ottomans and food and beverage service that I have come accustomed to.

The movie was very funny.  A little racy but very fun.  A lot of complicated relationships and secrets that all come out at the wedding.

So all in all a good day.  Got to see my buddy and see a really fun movie.