I feel sorry for those folks on the East Coast where Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter -- because here in Wisconsin, Jimmy the Groundhog thinks otherwise!  No shadow = early spring!

Summerfest is celebrating their 45th Anniversary this year - by giving away a free ticket to the first 45,000 people to visit their new website Summerfest.com

From Summerfest:  "beginning at Noon today (February 1, 2012), they are offering 45,000 FREE Summerfest General Admission Opening Day tickets for 45 hours, whichever comes first, to fans who visit the brand new Summerfest.com.  Fans may print one (1) complimentary Summerfest General Admission Opening Day ticket, which will be valid for admission to Summerfest only on Opening Day, Wednesday, June 27.  There are no fees or costs for the tickets."

(show tickets sold seperately - see website for prices and sale dates)

I know we're all trying to save a buck where we can.....but - Pepto Bismol as blush?  Besides clowns, who NEEDS blush so badly they'd resort to putting Pepto on their face?

In a pinch I'll stick with the old stand-by of a pinch - on the cheeks!

Here's the story:

While researching the story - I came across THIS ... Pepto Bismol Ice Cream.

Would you ever?

Drug maker Pfizer is recalling 28 lots of birth control because of an error that may leave women unprotected and result in unintended pregnancy.

Here's more from ABC.com

Hit a deer ~ go BOOM!

I've been "baptized" into the Wisconsinite-hood.   I've been in Wisconsin for a couple of decades now and until one Monday morning a couple of weeks ago I hadn't hit a deer.  Well, I bumped one once.  yeah, he did that thing deer do...standing in the road. I had stopped.  He walked back to the trees. I had barely started rolling when he bounced back into the road and in front of my car. **bump**  He sat on my hood, got up, and bounded away.

Monday a couple of weeks ago was totally different.

This guy came out of the pitch black from behind a line of trees.  Running full steam.

*POW*

I didn't know if he was under the front of my truck or what....and I was afraid to get out and look.   This guy was the linebacker of deer.  He took the hit and was gone.  The sheriff's deputy looked for him - nothing.

Thankfully my new truck also took it.....took it like a CHAMP!   I just got it about a month ago from Morries Mazda.   I LOVE my new truck (well, it's new to me) and can't wait to get it back, I miss it!   Of course now I'm a little paranoid too - I'll feel better when I'm back in my truck.  Never thought I'd feel that way - but my brothers convinced me that I should have an AWD vehicle for the snow....glad I wen to Morries when I did - they're really cool people there and helped me find the right one for me.  My brothers gave me a lot of background on what to look for, but Scott at Morries really helped me narrow it down.

Anyway!  

Let's see..... 1) own an AWD vehicle.  2) hit a deer - hard.  What's next on my road to official Wisconsinite-dom?  ...huh...  Packer jersey?

Guitar Toss to benefit the Eau Claire County Humane Association!

$844 is raised to benefit ECCHA.org!!

Pedals Plus Music was the place to let your inner Rock God out for the benefit of homeless pets in the Eau Claire area.   Haven't you always wanted to just *SMASH* something?  Me too....

Some people had great aim.....

There was a GREAT turn out and at the end of the day ~ organizers had one last celebratory toss:

Pedals Plus Music is a great locally owned music store near downtown Eau Claire that has, yes, pedals, but guitars too - equipment and accessories like bow rosin, cork wax, music stands, drum sticks, and tons of other things.....definitely worth a visit!   (313 E. Madison St. Eau Claire) and on Facebook   (their website is under construction here)

Like most women my age - I looove the movie Grease and of course totally identified with Olivia Newton-John's character Sandy.   I mean, who didn't want to be her?  Adorable!   I remember thinking at the time that I wanted to be her........and then Cha Cha showed up. DANG she was HOT! 

Sadly, Anette Charles passed away last night at the age of 63.

She was the best dancer at St. Bernadettes (with the worst reputation)

(that's a line from the movie - so in case you didn't know, don't get upset)

What comes down - must go back up!

er....wait...that's not how the saying goes.......

But it IS how the Metrodome roof in The Cities goes

We all remember this:

Well, check out THIS:

Ahhhhhhh......back to her old self again ;-)

Tess's unsolicited movie recommendation:

Knight and Day!

OMG why wasn't this a bigger hit?!  LOTS of action, beautiful locations, fun story that doesn't get too mired down in detail and Cameron Diaz kicks a little "a" Charlies Angels style. She isn't overly glammed up (I saw wrinkles) - making her a little relatable and Tom Cruise is quirky and cute.  Yeah, I'm waaaaaaaay over Tom Cruise generally - but I was able to forget about his Scientology/couch jumping/no-such-thing-as-post-partum-depression nonsence and just enjoy a handsome guy rescuing a damsel in distress.  I will say this - the beginning is a little weak...but once it takes off - well, then you're off and runnning......