Dear Milwaukee,
It's a good thing you are the home to so many people and places I love because your weather sucks. It's the middle of May for goodness sakes. I shouldn't have to wear my sweaters anymore. I'm not asking for a lot, just some extended 60+ degree weather.
Love,
RHoM
Showing posts with label Milwaukee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Milwaukee. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Zumba
I attend a Zumba class on Tuesday mornings at the Wisconsin Athletic Club in West Allis. It's awesome. Zumba itself is fun, especially if you like to dance (which I do), and especially if you like Latin dance (which I do). I'm not a good dancer by any means, but I do have rhythm, and I just love shaking my booty - literally! But what I like most about this class is the instructor, Karen. She is enthusiastic and energetic, and I can tell that she enjoys teaching. She's encouraging without being condescending or bitchy, which I've found is a rarity for aerobics instructors. She also makes me laugh during class, which naturally makes the class more fun.
As Karen says, "Smile! It burns more calories!"
As Karen says, "Smile! It burns more calories!"
Friday, April 8, 2011
It's the hottest fires that make the hardest steel
Do you remember the Super Bowl commercials from this year? I only remember one:
I lived in Michigan for three years, and my years there overlapped with the bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. I got goosebumps when this commercial directly addressed the critics, the politicians, and the American public when it notes that story you've heard about Detroit and about the American auto companies was "written by folks who have never even been here."
My husband and I were directly affected by the turmoil in the auto companies, and we knew many families who were affected as well. I can't describe how incredibly stressful that experience was. Well, maybe I can describe it: It was pure hell.
I'm not going to detail all that I felt, and all the BS I heard from people I counted on to support my husband and me while we were going through one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. At least not today. And frankly, I don't want to hear your opinions about it either - unless you were there, you'll never fully grasp how devastating those Congressional hearings and newspaper stories and backhanded comments really were.
Instead, I want to honor the sentiment of that commercial and show you the Detroit you haven't seen, what the newspapers didn't show you...
What a city that has been to hell and back knows about the finer things in life.
What I love about these pictures are not the pretty flowers, although I do love the pretty flowers. No, it's where I found these beautiful flowers...
... In the shadow of the General Motors headquarters.
I don't remember seeing these images on the news, do you?
I didn't especially enjoy living in Michigan, but it's a part of who I am. I learned a lot about myself from the experience, just like I learned a lot from being a housewife in Charlotte. The lessons were quite different though.
Charlotte taught me about marriage and partnership. Michigan taught me economics and politics.
Charlotte reminded me to cherish my friends and family who I didn't get to see very often. Michigan reminded me of who I could count on when the going got tough.
Charlotte helped me acknowledge my weaknesses. Michigan helped me find strength I didn't know I had.
But most of all, Michigan taught me to be resilient. Like the auto companies, and the people who worked for them or with them, I went through hell and back in Michigan. I was damaged certainly, but not broken. And like the city of Detroit, I knew that despite the turmoil I experienced, there was something beautiful growing inside me that I would would one day uncover.
Charlotte gave me time to heal. Charlotte helped me find the beauty.
Now that I'm in Milwaukee, I'm ready to incorporate those lessons I learned from Michigan and Charlotte. I'm not the same person I was when I last lived in Milwaukee. Or maybe I am the same person, but now I just understand who this person is.
I am strong. I am passionate. I am intelligent. I am flawed. I am compassionate. I am an educator, a social worker, and a new kind of housewife. I make my own rules.
I lived in Michigan for three years, and my years there overlapped with the bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. I got goosebumps when this commercial directly addressed the critics, the politicians, and the American public when it notes that story you've heard about Detroit and about the American auto companies was "written by folks who have never even been here."
My husband and I were directly affected by the turmoil in the auto companies, and we knew many families who were affected as well. I can't describe how incredibly stressful that experience was. Well, maybe I can describe it: It was pure hell.
I'm not going to detail all that I felt, and all the BS I heard from people I counted on to support my husband and me while we were going through one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. At least not today. And frankly, I don't want to hear your opinions about it either - unless you were there, you'll never fully grasp how devastating those Congressional hearings and newspaper stories and backhanded comments really were.
Instead, I want to honor the sentiment of that commercial and show you the Detroit you haven't seen, what the newspapers didn't show you...
What a city that has been to hell and back knows about the finer things in life.
What I love about these pictures are not the pretty flowers, although I do love the pretty flowers. No, it's where I found these beautiful flowers...
... In the shadow of the General Motors headquarters.
I don't remember seeing these images on the news, do you?
I didn't especially enjoy living in Michigan, but it's a part of who I am. I learned a lot about myself from the experience, just like I learned a lot from being a housewife in Charlotte. The lessons were quite different though.
Charlotte taught me about marriage and partnership. Michigan taught me economics and politics.
Charlotte reminded me to cherish my friends and family who I didn't get to see very often. Michigan reminded me of who I could count on when the going got tough.
Charlotte helped me acknowledge my weaknesses. Michigan helped me find strength I didn't know I had.
But most of all, Michigan taught me to be resilient. Like the auto companies, and the people who worked for them or with them, I went through hell and back in Michigan. I was damaged certainly, but not broken. And like the city of Detroit, I knew that despite the turmoil I experienced, there was something beautiful growing inside me that I would would one day uncover.
Charlotte gave me time to heal. Charlotte helped me find the beauty.
Now that I'm in Milwaukee, I'm ready to incorporate those lessons I learned from Michigan and Charlotte. I'm not the same person I was when I last lived in Milwaukee. Or maybe I am the same person, but now I just understand who this person is.
I am strong. I am passionate. I am intelligent. I am flawed. I am compassionate. I am an educator, a social worker, and a new kind of housewife. I make my own rules.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Random Milwaukee observations
1. It's been almost a month, and I haven't smelled yeast from the breweries yet.
2. Highway 100 is actually 108th Street.
3. There are no Spanish restaurants here. There are tapas places, but not authentic Spanish restaurants.
4. If I liked fish, I'd be in heaven with all the fish fry specials. Since I hate fish, I wish they'd replace a fish fry with a Spanish restaurant.
5. For a state known for its cheese, I've been very disappointed in the cheese selection in the grocery stores. Smoked mozzarella please!
6. It's still cold. It's April and it is officially Spring, but I still need a sweatshirt every day. I may need another Caribbean vacation soon.
7. My neighborhood and local shopping area are much more diverse here than in Charlotte, and that's a good thing.
8. I can find my way around with no problem, but I can't remember where most stores are. For example, I have no idea where Michaels is, but if I'm told it's at Moorland and Bluemound Road, I have no problem finding it without my navigator.
9. I'm pretty sure I-94 near Franklin was under construction when we left Wisconsin five years ago.
10. The first time we had friends over, it was like we'd never left. This really is home.
2. Highway 100 is actually 108th Street.
3. There are no Spanish restaurants here. There are tapas places, but not authentic Spanish restaurants.
4. If I liked fish, I'd be in heaven with all the fish fry specials. Since I hate fish, I wish they'd replace a fish fry with a Spanish restaurant.
5. For a state known for its cheese, I've been very disappointed in the cheese selection in the grocery stores. Smoked mozzarella please!
6. It's still cold. It's April and it is officially Spring, but I still need a sweatshirt every day. I may need another Caribbean vacation soon.
7. My neighborhood and local shopping area are much more diverse here than in Charlotte, and that's a good thing.
8. I can find my way around with no problem, but I can't remember where most stores are. For example, I have no idea where Michaels is, but if I'm told it's at Moorland and Bluemound Road, I have no problem finding it without my navigator.
9. I'm pretty sure I-94 near Franklin was under construction when we left Wisconsin five years ago.
10. The first time we had friends over, it was like we'd never left. This really is home.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Pizza craving: Satisfied.
Friday night, my husband and I went to Edwardos and I finally satisfied my pizza craving.
Yum. Yum yum yum yum yum YUM.
See that cheese oozing out of the side? That's what I craved for a year and a half while living in Charlotte. And three years in Michigan before that.
Cheese. Cheese topped with pizza sauce. And then some more cheese.
One piece and I was full, which was fine because now we have leftovers!!! Chicago-style pizza for days!
Me = Happy.
Yum. Yum yum yum yum yum YUM.
See that cheese oozing out of the side? That's what I craved for a year and a half while living in Charlotte. And three years in Michigan before that.
Cheese. Cheese topped with pizza sauce. And then some more cheese.
One piece and I was full, which was fine because now we have leftovers!!! Chicago-style pizza for days!
Me = Happy.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
There's no place like home
I'm back, and I have a new home- both in the real world and on the internet! The Real Housewife of Charlotte is now the Real Housewife of Milwaukee because, well, I live in Milwaukee and not Charlotte. Well, technically I live in a suburb of Milwaukee, but close enough, right?
A lot has happened in the short time that I've been in Wisconsin and I found myself thinking, "I should really blog about this..." and so I finally decided to get the new site up and running. I've attempted to import all my posts from The Real Housewife of Charlotte, so take the time to get reacquainted with me and I'll have a few new posts in the days to come!
A lot has happened in the short time that I've been in Wisconsin and I found myself thinking, "I should really blog about this..." and so I finally decided to get the new site up and running. I've attempted to import all my posts from The Real Housewife of Charlotte, so take the time to get reacquainted with me and I'll have a few new posts in the days to come!
Friday, February 18, 2011
It's not you, it's me
Charlotte, I'm breaking up with you. But it's not you, it's me.
You've been a great home for the last year and a half. You've taught me a lot about myself and about my interests and goals. We definitely had a lot of fun - I loved the Whitewater Center and the Lazy 5 Ranch and all the awesome restaurants. I loved my country club, my tennis lessons, and my water aerobics classes. I love that it's 75 degrees in the middle of February. You made me very, very happy.
But I miss my family and I miss my friends, and so it's time for me to move back to Wisconsin. I'm sure the first time I am forced to shovel, I'll be longing for a southern snowstorm instead, but the weather isn't enough of a reason for me to stay.
Hopefully we can stay friends and I can visit you again, and maybe someday you'll be my home again. I'll miss you, and you'll always have a special place in my heart.
Love,
The Real Housewife ofCharlotte Milwaukee
You've been a great home for the last year and a half. You've taught me a lot about myself and about my interests and goals. We definitely had a lot of fun - I loved the Whitewater Center and the Lazy 5 Ranch and all the awesome restaurants. I loved my country club, my tennis lessons, and my water aerobics classes. I love that it's 75 degrees in the middle of February. You made me very, very happy.
But I miss my family and I miss my friends, and so it's time for me to move back to Wisconsin. I'm sure the first time I am forced to shovel, I'll be longing for a southern snowstorm instead, but the weather isn't enough of a reason for me to stay.
Hopefully we can stay friends and I can visit you again, and maybe someday you'll be my home again. I'll miss you, and you'll always have a special place in my heart.
Love,
The Real Housewife of
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