Blog? What blog?

I like to blog and I like to read other people's blogs but I just haven't gotten to do a whole lot of either lately.  Second year into my job and my advisee numbers have gone from 19 to 45...and counting.  I just got another student today who came to my office and asked if I would be his advisor when he switched from Ag Business to Animal Science.

Then the Dean of the College came in, shut the door, and talked to me about dairy goats and the future of a research center in Platteville.  I get to be a faculty champion...whatever that is.

I am trying to convince some people to raise funds for a dairy products lab.  That might include me becoming a licensed cheesemaker!  Cool :-)

I had to put together information to convince the faculty to keep me around another year.  I was ranked above normal in all categories and have passed the first round of "should we keep her".  I am not worried :-)

I have put together a grant to get a cowbrush installed at our dairy facility.  When we get it, I'll post pictures and video so you know what I am talking about :-)

I presented a talk about year round lactation at a goat conference held on campus and the next day went to support the club I advise, Pioneer Dairy Club, with their annual cow sale.  It was fun, but hectic.

This weekend I get to go spend some time with my sisters and my mom in our new annual tradition.  Get to see Hairspray and eat some really good food and go shopping!  Woo hoo!

Ankica had a rough week two weeks ago when she had a slew of doctor's appointment, general anesthesia and an MRI to tell us that she is fine neurologically and just needs some physical therapy to get her leg muscles stretched out well.  A blessing for sure.

My girls are wonderful and sweet and I cherish every day with them.  Julia was here for a week in September and is coming in less than two weeks for an extended weekend.  Then we get her at Christmas.  She is doing so well in school!  Yay!

So, I'm busy, but rather in love with my life currently.  I am still here...still reading about your life...still wanting to tell you about mine :-)  I'll try to do better, but no promises!

My love...rockin' it!

Beautiful sunsets...

Flashback Friday

Today we aren't going very far back...just the beginning of the summer.  I finally found the camera cord and was downloading pictures.  I found this one and realized I couldn't tell at first: Is this Ankica or Lillian?  What do you think?

Flashback Friday (a little late)

We were celebrating my Aunt Becky's 50th birthday, which was a blast!  We went swimming in the lake and Lillian got brave enough to start jumping into the water.  We swam across the lake like old times and it was just really nice to hang out with my aunts and uncles again while having my sisters and their families and my family there.   The reason I wanted to move back to Wisconsin...for my girls to have a chance to make the kind of memories that I treasure.

Many moons ago...my dad me, my Aunt Becky, my sister Jodi, my cousin Amy, and my Uncle Glen watching someone jumping in...not sure who :-)  One of the many summers that the whole family took a week long vacation together.  I think this was Kusel Lake in Wisconsin. 

Nowadays my immediate family (parents and sisters) is big enough to do the annual vacation so it is nice to spend time like we did this weekend with the rest of my Mom's family.  As soon as I find my camera cord, I will upload pictures and video...I hope!

Craziness

Four girls in our house = craziness.  We have my nieces visiting for a few days and, amazingly, even after spending a week with each other on vacation, the cousins are all getting along and playing happily.  I have never been so grateful for a toy room in my life!  They are sad that Julia can't be joining them but I know that the level of competition and jealousy is down because she is not here (everyone vies for Katy's attention :-) )

Now if I could just find the motivation to accomplish the things I need to do before Friday, I will be a happy camper.

Flashback Friday

My little sister, Heidi, at her 6th birthday party.

I stuck up for this kid to the point where I rode in the front of the bus with her during her entire year of kindergarten because I did not want her to get picked on like I did when I was little.  I will defend her to the death if I have to...I would for any of my sisters.   Isn't she a bug?  She still is...even though she will be 30 in less than a year!  Where does the time go? 

My paternal grandpa is in the background...birthdays were always a big deal in our family because I had the immense fortune of growing up within 20 miles of both sides of my family.