Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We decided not to travel this year and hosted a small dinner at our place. We ate with friends Lauren and Yesenia, and Yesenia's daughter Azucana, and had a few other friends in and out all day.

Although it's hard to be away from the fam on Thanksgiving, Thursday wasn't a day entirely without family. We spent the morning with Gram, who is doing great. Doug was close in Chicago, and he and I were able to bond over cooking for a group of friends. Plus, Matt and I were able to speak with all of our loved ones on the phone.

Friday night, we went to Matt's Aunt Laurie and Uncle Greg's home in Middleton. I met some of Matt's extended family who he hadn't seen in a while either. It was a great great weekend.

Friends and Family Bout

The big day arrived: the first public bout for the 2008 rookies and Little Bo Bleep! Last night, the Mad Rollin Dolls played a round robin expo bout and I have to say we held our own. We beat the RD's rivals (the Quad Squad) and of all the teams, we had the tightest game with the Unholy Rollers (the team to beat this year). I was paired up against some amazing vets and, well, didn't fall down...maybe even made them a little nervous.

Thanks to Matt, my workies, friends and family who came out to cheer us on, and to everyone who called to wish me luck. I really appreciated it! I've been in a funk this week about my own level of play, but I think last night changed that. We have two months until we go head to head again with the other Madison teams, and by then we should be unstoppable.

P.S., Here's a great video that helps explain the basic rules of roller derby. Enjoy!

Happy Autumn!

A week after the first snow flurries, we've come with wish you a Happy Autumn!

Don't forget to vote!!

Love, Sandy and Matt

Trip to Chicago

Let me first tell you how happy I am that my brother Doug lives 1) live so close and 2) it's on the North Side of Chicago. If I had to drive through any part of Chicago, I'd never go to see him. N-E-V-E-R.

Anyway, last Friday I took a "Mental Health Day" and headed down to Chicago for a quick trip to visit Doug. It was great. We walked around the city for the entire day: The Zoo, the Botanical Gardens, shopping, and we ended the visit going out with Doug's new friends (he's a fast moving social butterfly). My camera died just after the Lincoln Park Zoo, but enjoy the animal pictures:

I was hoping to have the day to myself to tinker around the house, but now I believe it was better spent with him. We had a great time together and I hope to get back soon.

Exciting Thing #3: Our Anniversary

I can hardly believe that a year ago this month we were all together celebrating the beginning of mine and Matt's marriage. Thank you to all of our well wishers, and to everyone who shared in our wedding day and every day ever since.

Matt and I are so lucky to have one another. With all we have been able to celebrate in just our first year of marriage, we look forward to the many many good times still ahead of us. I couldn't imagine having more fun, being more in sync, or more in love with anyone else.

Exciting Thing #2: Roller Derby

Little Bo Bleep is in the house!!! Friday, September 26th brought double the fun: Not only did we buy a house, but it was also the day of the Draft Party for the Mad Rollin Dolls. I was so happy to learn that I had made it (whew!), and I was doubly happy when I was drafted by my favorite team: The Reservoir Dolls! There will be much more to come on this great team, and roller derby in general, very soon.

I was sad to see some of the women I had tried out with go to competing teams; we spurred each other on all summer long and each improved so much. This was the first time I had ever done anything like this and really surprised myself. I'm very proud of my fellow draftees...it's going to be an incredible year for MRD.

Why Matt is Great, Reason #2,840,736: My habits, schedule and life have been turned upside-down by derby. I'm so excited about it, but I certainly can not do it without his enthusiasm and support. Even when I feel like all I'm doing is running out the door for the next practice or event all the time, he's cheering me on.

Exciting Thing #1: THE HOUSE!!!

SO, if you've known us for years or you've just met us for 5 minutes at a cocktail party, you already know that Matt and I have wanted a house for the longest time. Our dream came true this September 26th.

Thanks to our fabulous attorney and eager sellers, we closed in less than 30 days and then took 24 hours to move completely into 2557 Upham Street. It was such a whirlwind, but it's ours, it's all OURS! Yay yay yay yay yay!

The house was built in 1921, and has loads of charm. It's a "two" bedroom with hardwood floors, lots of windows, teeny tiny closets, and a gas stove. The basement has an extra room that is quickly becoming Matt's "Man Room". There's also a great three-season porch and a yard that we can easily maintain.

We can't wait to have you visit us in our first home!

Living Room*

Second Bedroom*

Kitchen*

Backyard*

*All of these pictures were taken by the previous owner, and all show their stuff...unless someone wants to send us a nice rocking chair.

***We could not have moved without the help of our dear friends and family: Thank you Doug, Abbie, Chris, and Stephanie. We owe you all big time.

We're back!

Hello Loved Ones!

I'm back from my sabbatical. Life has calmed down a bit and Matt and I are back in action. I'll take the next few posts to update everyone on all the goings-ons. Life is good and we hope the same goes for you. Thanks for hanging in there, and keep in touch!

Doug's Visit

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! Doug is visiting for a few days while waiting for an apartment to come through in Chicago.

We've had a good visit...Roller Derby on Saturday, the zoo on Sunday. And Chris and Abbie lent us a bike for the weekend, so we've been able to see Madison's other sites the best way we know how.

Update on the House: We'll know if our final offer has been accepted tomorrow, Tuesday. If not, we'll probably wait until the spring to look again.

Update on Roller Derby: The draft is this month!!!!!!!

Update on Matt's Shoulder: He goes in for his MRA on Wednesday and we'll find out if he needs further surgery on his rotator cuff. Keep your fingers crossed that he doesn't!

Our Oasis

Olbrich Gardens

Not only do we get to run around Vilas Zoo all year long, but we're also lucky to have the beautiful Olbrich Gardens nearby too! On our last visit we spent most of our time at their Thai Garden and Pavilion. The pavilion was given to the University of Wisconsin-of Madison by the Thai government (there is a huge number of Thai students at the UW), and it's just beautiful.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Another perk to "Lucas Trip 2008" was a quick visit with Mom, Dad and Doug to celebrate Dad C.'s birthday. They picked me up at Em's, and we spent some time at the Va. Aviation Museum before heading to the airport. Happy Birthday Dad!

It was great to see them...it's really nice to have Doug back home and we're looking forward to having him so close in Chicago.