Hello NOW Community!

I feel like a backstage assistant who has just been pushed into the spotlight by the stage manager. While I've been a regular blogger now for about two and half years, this is the first time I'm blogging with my real name in the byline, and photograph nonetheless. I've blogged under an alias for my entire blogging *cough* career, but today is the day that I'm, well, for lack of a better phrase .... coming out.

Yes. The cloak of secrecy has finally been removed. So what happens now? (cue the dramatic music) Will I be recognized? Will I be stopped in the middle of Pick N Save to talk about my latest post? Will my mailbox be filled with fan mail? Will I get free dinner at my favorite pizza place, Pizzeria Piccola?

I'll tell you what I think will happen now that my name is out there, people will want to know how in the heck they should pronounce it.

So now that's I've burst onto the NOW Community scene, you probably want to know a little bit about me. Here's the list version:

10 Things about Me….
1. I wrote a novel in 2005 (more on that later).
2. I’m working on my MBA.
3. I have a Dyson vaccuum cleaner and I use it a lot.
4. I’m the only one in my house who puts dishes in the dishwasher. (This is because I’m the only one who is licensed to load it).
5. I could be Stephanie Plum if I tried.
6. I drive a hybrid car.
7. I love going to the movies.
8. I have a love/hate relationship with my hair.
9. My all-time favorite question is the M&M one.
10. I ask a lot of questions.
10-1/2. I am a wine lush. There is no cure, just lots of fantastic wine!

The long version about me:

I’ve been married for 11 years, have a six year old daughter, two dogs, two cats, and a big fat mortgage. I live in the suburbs (Menomonee Falls), work in the family tool and die business, have my bachelors degree in criminal justice, and am almost half way through my master’s degree in business administration. Did I ever think I’d be a part owner in the family business? Nope.

I love going to the movies, reading a good book, taking long bike rides, running, and going to the YMCA to work out (although I will admit that sometimes I like to just sit in the hot tub too). I enjoy Sunday mornings because I can read the newspaper in my pj’s and drink my coffee. I’m addicted to tennis and watch all the tennis matches, especially the four grand slams.

I could live on grilled cheese sandwiches, caesar salads (hold the caesar dressing please), cheese pizza with black olives, yogurt, chocolate chip ice cream, and red wine. Oh and water. I drink a lot of water.

What should you expect to find when you read my blog? Whatever is going on in my life at that time is what I write about, usually it's about my family or something that I did, or tried to do, mostly written off the top of my head. There's a good dose of sarcasm, be warned. There will be movie reviews -- we are coming up on Oscar season and I am a movie buff. I'll provide wine recommendations -- I'm in a wine club with a group of local ladies who get together once a month to drink great (and sometimes not-so-great wine). 

Wednesday is usually Wordless Wednesday, so I'll leave you with a photo that my husband took this past spring. Can anyone guess the location?