Days 11, 12, 13, 14, AND 15!!

Day 11

November 11th marks a special day to be thankful!  I am incredibly thankful for all of our servicemen & women!  It is something I don't think I could ever do & I appreciate those of you who have stepped forward so that I don't have to.  It is something I am grateful for on a pretty regular basis.  I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't think of someone that is in or was in the military.  I am also thankful for all of the family members who stay behind and patiently wait for their loved ones to come safely back to them.  I complain at times about how much DJ works and then I think about those in the military that are gone for LONG periods of time & I realize how much he could really be gone!  If he were in the military he wouldn't be at work for just 12 hours a day it would be for months at a time.  So, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to our servicemen & women and to the families who LOVE them!!

Day 12

Today I am thankful for old friends!  Tony "Uncle Ricco" came to visit with his fiance Carie.  We had a great Saturday at Willie's with the kids during the day and then just the adults at night.  I got to catch up on all things Tony & Carie.  It was nice to see our old pal so happy!  CONGRATS on their recent engagement!!

ok, so this isn't her exact ring, but same style

Day 13

Today I am thankful for beautiful days in November.  While I normally wouldn't ask for such warm weather in November (I LOVE FALL WEATHER), it was super nice to be at the Chief's game without a parka, gloves, hat & scarf! ...now bring on the hoodie weather!

Day 14

Today I am thankful for Manhattan (hee hee).  I was able to take the day off and spend it with DJ...too bad he had to go to Manhattan for work and he talked on the phone the ENTIRE way there and the ENTIRE way back, but it was nice to get a little incite as to what his day is like when he has to travel there.  While he was working I got to go shopping!  TARGET, HOBBY LOBBY, THE MALL, VARNEY'S...o how I've missed thee!

Day 15

Today I am thankful for the roof over our heads!  I am incredibly thankful for the house we live in.  We always thought about buying an old home but with DJ working so many hours it would be impossible to do the updating an older home would need, but with the home we bought, the updates were done before we moved in!  We have plenty of room, some great character and bedrooms big enough for Christmas trees (MadiGrace)  I would also like to throw in that I am o so very thankful for a washer & dryer that is IN our CLOSET! ...on the 2nd floor - booyah!

anyone that says this girl is spoiled, is just down right crazy {HA!}

Day 10

Today I am thankful for technology!  Without camera phones, picture mail & facebook, I would have to wait until my little guy got home from vacation to hear all about it....but because he can call me, tell me what's going on & because grandma can take pics with her phone & upload them to facebook, I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT!!  Yay!!

wrestling with grandpa at the "inpartment"

at Bass Pro Shop

Boston's got a hold of those antlers ;)

Tessa on her reindeer

Day 9

Today I am thankful for Willie's!  I love that my schedule can be pretty flexible, that alone is wonderful!  Just Monday I was able to watch Madi step out of her very first limo because I could leave and come back.  Mostly, I am thankful for all the amazing people that have entered my life because of Willie's!

with our business partners Josh & Amy Hall

Day 8

Today I am thankful for Boston's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Regan.  He absolutely LOVES school ...and Mrs. Regan!  I am amazed daily at the new things he is learning!  She has made his first year of school something he will definitely remember!! 

He was seriously freaking out about missing school to go on vacation with Grandma & Grandpa, so I asked Mrs. Regan if we could get some of Boston's school work early so that we could do it BEFORE he went on vacation, she sent home math sheets and we did his extra readings so that when he gets back, he won't be behind, whew, that was a melt down saved!  The kid really loves school and I chalk that up to Mrs. Regan making it fun & interesting for him!

Thankful...

I'm a little late (as usual), but I'm going to jump on the Things I'm Thankful For wagon.

Day 1:

I'm thankful for my parents!  I know it's cliche, but without them, I wouldn't be the person I am today.  I didn't like it when I was a teen, but I guess their "strictness" paid off in the end.  Love ya Mom & Pops!

Day 2:

I'm thankful for my husband DJ!  He loves me unconditionally & thinks I'm pretty awesome...what more could you ask for?  He is a wonderful provider for us & is an amazing father.  Our kids look up to him so much!  Love ya boo.

his favorite song as of lately:  Everything by Michael Buble

Day 3:

I'm thankful for my in-laws.  Say wha?!  WHO is thankful for in-laws?!  THIS GIRL.  Rick & Sheila are amazing to me and the midgets!

Day 4:

I'm thankful for my big brother!  He was always there to protect me (or beat me up).  He married a great lady and gave me THREE beautiful nieces! {lucky him - all girls;)}  Love ya bro - even though you wear crimson & blue!

Day 5:

I am thankful to still have a grandparent alive!  My gramps is the only great grandparent my kids will ever know.  It makes me sad that they don't have more.  He lives next door to my parents so we get to see him almost everytime we go to see grandma & grandpa.

5 of about 9 GREAT grandkids

Day 6:

I am thankful for my sweet sass-a-frass Madilynne Grace.  Maddog, I love ya girl, more than you could ever know.

Day 7:

I am thankful for my lil knucklehead Boston Cole, without him my life would be incredibly boring -a little more relaxed, but BOOORING.  I love ya little buddy, you have grown to be pretty alright ;)

It's been a while!!

OK, so I feel I should start off with another confession -  it's been since OCTOBER THIRD that I blogged and that was about Willie's turning 10, it's been since SEPTEMBER THIRTIETH since I blogged about the Bruce Fam - WHOOPS!  I'll try to catch you up on what's been going on in our crazy, hectic life!

Since the 30th, our Fall sports have finished - TWO FIRST PLACE SOCCER STARS in this house!  I'm not sure where Boston's Flag Football team finished, but he LOVED playing and can't wait to play again!  O, and kickball is finished too - I managed to get through the season with nothing broken - woo hoo!  We placed 2nd!!  I won't tell you that there were only 4 teams and 1 didn't bother to show up after we beat them their first game... We got SECOND - what an accomplishment! HA!

yes, the three amigo's got 1st place - AGAIN... Chris Taylor - coach of the year - yet again ;)

3rd season - 1st medal - he was SO PROUD!! (& I was SOOOOO happy for him!!)

this MIGHT be why we got 2nd & not 1st . . . jus sayin'

(actually, this is the ONLY game we drank before & it was the championship game... oops?!)

Madi was a supa-star as a bird in Theatre Atchison's production of Snow White!  She wasn't quite feeling herself the weekend of her performance, but hey, the show must go on. She missed her Saturday AM soccer game but made it to her Saturday PM performance.  She wasn't really feeling it, but went out there anyway.  She was pretty pumped after the show when she found out she WON free ice cream for a year from Snowball!  She sold the most amount of tickets for her cast!  Guess it pays to have a big family that loves ya ;)  She can go to Snowball once a week for the next year and get a free cone!  What more could a girl ask for...  The show was a big success with everyone!  Boston, Carter, Tessa, Molly - L.O.V.E.D. it!!  and the adults, it was about 25 minutes MAX - they loved it too!!

look at em - they LOVED it!!

birds in action

aren't they the cutest birds you've ever seen?!

One lucky grandkid got the opportunity to go to a clinic for 100 kids... problem there, only one grandkid got to be lucky, who do you choose?  Well, in this case, we chose Madi.  Boston got to go with Grandma on a "date night" to the K so now it's her turn to do something cool that Sprint was nice enough to offer to their employees.  Madi, got to go to Livestrong Arena for a soccer clinic.  Five Sporting KC players were there, she got to play with them, learn from them, check out their locker room & get autographs from them.  She LOVED it!  I was a little worried because Madi isn't the outgoing person that Boston is and thought she would kind of sit back and watch, but she got right in there with all the other kids.  She got a high five from one player & a "pound" from another.

after a HIGH 5 from Matt Besler

"pound" from Chance Myers for taking one in the chest to save the goal

OK, so in the middle of ALL this post (believe you me, I'm kicking myself for waiting SO long to blog) is one of my all-time favorite pictures!  I'm not sure exactly how I chose KSU OVER of KU, when my dad & brother are such big KU fans (ok, so I know, it was 2 hours from home & my best friend was there and KU was half an hour from home) but let's just say, I'm proud to be a WILDCAT...

October 24-28th was Red Ribbon Week at AES, I wanted to take a picture everyday, but as usual, I didn't :(  There was Hat Day, Red Day, PJ Day, Favorite Character Day (Costume Party Day) and Crazy Hair Day - I didn't pass this opportunity up though!  Madi has been waiting since LAST year to add to her Crazy Hair!  I can NOT take credit for her hair style.  WAY BACK in my day, when I was at dance camp (not band camp) we had crazy hair day and one of our girls did their hair like this, since then, that was how we did our hair on "crazy" day!  Boston was mad that we couldn't do anything with his hair, but hey, when you don't have hair, there's not a lot that can be done. BTW the score to that game was 59-21.

she thought it was AWESOME!!

For "Favorite Character Day" the kids wore their Halloween costumes to school - which were... (sad face from Mom because this is the first year in a WHILE that "they" decided they didn't want to match) TMNT Raphael and a Devil.  They were pretty damn cute, if I do say myself, just wish they were cuter "together". Madi told me "I think I just want to do something on my own".  I knew this day was coming, but I was hoping she'd be like 12, 13... is that too much to ask?!

Dorothy & LolliPop Kid

2007

Sharpay (HSM) and Golfer

2008

Roaring 20's

2009

SKO CATS!!

2010

Raphael "Boston" 2011

Devil "Madilynne" 2011

Satuday was the Halloween Parade & I had to work [poo!] I didn't WANT to work, BUT my morning duties consisted of handing out candy to all the kids that were trick or treaking down "the mall".  THAT was worth working!!  There were SO many cute kids.  Only a couple had original costumes (and who am I to judge with a TMNT & a devil) but they were ALL so darn stinkin' cute!!  I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I.LOVE.HALLOWEEN.  love it!!  Anyway...

I had a GREAT idea for a costume for myself (& Steph), so OF COURSE, that MUST be what I am.

my "idea" - easy enough - right?!  ... that's what I thought!!!!

After two days and a bunch of "this is how it should go, why can't we do it?!" we called in help!!  Sheila, ummmmmmmmmm, how do YOU think we can make this work?!  Finally, we got all the kinks worked out & voila . . . . . a product was produced . . .

front & back

damn straight, we worked LONG & HARD to make these things!!

(my favorite part is still the pop top head bands that took all of 5 minutes!!)

As everyone around here knows, the 29th is when the Bartlett Grain explosion happened...same night we were all dressed up.  I had no idea until the next day.  I had no idea it was such a BIG deal until later the next day.  Call me crazy, but I now live in an "agriculture" community, so I didn't know this wasn't "normal" until I saw the last grain explosion was in Hays ......10+years ago.  I didn't know.  Ignorant.  What I wasn't ignorant to was the WBC.  They decided they were coming to Atchsion to protest the funerals of those killed in the explosion because we are "a stronghold for the raping-priest-Catholic-pedophile-whorehouse".  WOW!! I'm not confused as to how the WBC work, but what I was (still am) confused with is, they say God struck those boys down because Atchison follows & protects the "raping-priest-Catholic-pedophile-whorehouse" community, ...my problem is this, I wasn't aware of such a following....  the WBC has no idea what God has in mind or else they wouldn't be protesting funerals...PERIOD.

As a spirit lifter ............. WE SOLD BLACK BEAUTY!!  I know there are those of you out there that are jealous of the new owner, but you just sit back & watch, one day, she could still be yours . . .BAHAHAHA!

More news to come . . . . .. hopefully much sooner than later!!!! (which there will be because I want to participate in "The things I'm thankful for"

Happy Fall Ya'LL

les

10 years & growing!

Ten years ago I walked into Willie's in Manhattan, I was not scheduled to work, but it was the opening night and I wanted to see what this place looked like.  I walked in two days prior and thought there was NO WAY we were going to be open on Wednesday.  To my amazement, it was open and looked completely different than the two days before.  I didn't walk in again until Saturday, my first shift was after the KSU football game against Colorado.  I WAS NOT PREPARED!  I worked as a bartender at the Eagles Lodge before this, I was not prepared to crawl through people to get to the bar, I was not prepared to make margarita's without a mix, I actually thought you had to have margarita mix to make a margarita, proof right there, I was not prepared.  There was little training on the cash registers, the soda gun, where the beer was, etc, BUT I did know the menu.  We were told there was going to be a quiz on the menu, there wasn't. 

Anyway, My life changed the moment I applied and accepted a job as a bartender at Willie's Sports Bar & Grill ten years ago and I hadn't even known it at the time.  I started dating my boss (gasp), fell in love, got married, had babies and opened 3 more places!  -not all in that order of course!  I am happy to say that ten years later, I am so proud of what DJ (he will insist that I include myself) and I have accomplished.  I love that we have something our families are proud of, and it's all because he trusted himself to make it in a business where 90%+ fail within the first year.  We have had partners come and go, but none that we love as much as Josh & Amy and Hooptie Ron.  There is no way we could have made it as far as we have without all of them.  Josh is just devoted and as much of a hard ass as DJ, there is no one DJ would rather have as a partner (life or business -haha, just had to throw that in there)  and Ron is my second husband (funny little joke has run on forever now)

Our employees became friends and then family...and they included us in their families as well.  There will always be a special place in my heart for the Long family.  They took us in and treated us as one of them.  We were invited to Long Family Dinner every Sunday night.  They were at the hospital when both of our kids were born, they helped raise our kids the entire time we lived in Manhattan and are still in our lives today as much as possible.  They have been a part of most every memory I have that includes Willie's.

Willie's introduced me to my husband and others to their future spouses as well.  We have watched people date, break up, get married, have babies, we watched two customers get engaged (Beth & Brian Smoller), we watched a couple tell their parents they were going to be grandparents (Ryan & Ashley Kenney), we watched people celebrate countless birthdays.  Thank you everyone (employees & customers) for allowing us to be a part of your lives and you to be a part of ours!  I can't imagine my life without the friends I've made from one little place in this world, 307 S. Seth Child Rd.  I love you all!  Here's some pictures I could find from the past ten years....
 

10 years old - create a slideshow with music


Here's to 10 more years of Food*Sports*Family at Willie's!  Cheers!