Just Another Day
Friday 18th January 2008
at 02:09pm
Our morning started with a trip down to the Fox11 studios to be guests on Good Day Wisconsin. This was interesting. We had done alot of different interviews in the past but never one “live to air” with the boys on our laps. Isn’t the greatest show business advice never to work with children or animals?
Under the circumstances they were very good. Until the cameras started rolling of course. I’m only kidding, they were very good, Ben especially ‘cause he knew there was a cup of warm chocolate waiting for him to finish once we were done.
Once we had packed the boys into the car I demanded Kelly stand in front of one of the most fantastic winter trees we have ever seen. We had both commented on it when we first arrived at the studios and again on the way out. This photo (Kelly is in the bottom left corner) will end up in a frame somewhere in our new home, whenever that might be! I think it’s just magnificent.
With that, we zoomed home so that I could talk to WMIL radio at 930 and by noon we had Carl from WKOW27 at our place. Just a regular morning in Green Bay right? The funny thing about talking with Carl was that he asked a few questions we hadn’t been asked before.
When he questioned whether we missed Vegemite though he over stepped the mark. Australians don’t miss Vegemite, we take it everywhere we go. It’s really quite simple, before you get ready to go the airport you stop and check. Wallet, check. Keys, check. Phone, tickets, passport and camera, check. Vegemite, check and double check. For that we made him taste it and apparently he liked it. Either that or he was being polite which wasn’t out of the question I guess.
I was asleep not long after those guys left (thanks to my lovely wife for snapping me at my most vulnerable). The culmination of late nights, excitement and a churning stomach had certainly got the better of me. I still get butterflies when I recall the weekend unexpectedly. They double when I think about what might happen this week. I really am in a position that I can’t control right now and whilst exciting, it’s bringing out the nerves in a big way.
We chilled out as a foursome this afternoon, cooked popcorn from this funny looking alfoil pan (very new to us) and watched as the weather went from 32F (0C) to something like 10F (-12C) in a matter of hours. I know it was naive of me last week to think that the snow had gone and that the highs of 30F were going to stick around. In saying that now though, it sure did change quickly!
I know, I know, bring on the “welcome to Wisconsin” comments.
Comments
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 06:25am
G’day Wayne,
My name is Adrienne & I have moved to Ishpeming from Adelaide 6 years ago. My husband who is a true blue Packer fan has been keeping me up with all your comings & goings. Its great to hear about your family’s & your own adventures as you do what you have dreamed of doing. Its also great to follow another countrymans log. Take care of yourselves travel safe & god speed.
Adrienne
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 06:51am
Hi Wayne,
I know exactly what you mean about the butterflies. As my brother in California and I say, we “Git Nervous” when the playoffs come around. Nothing we can do about it, it just happens. I’m ever so thankful we’re playing at home though. I really think that helps!!!
We had a Packer Day at our local school where I am a “Lunch Lady”. Lots of green and gold! One of our 5th grade teachers brought in a cd of packer songs
and we had our own pep rally,including the wave in our cafagymatorium. Combination of cafeteria, gymnasium and auditorium.
(It’s a small, country school)
Packer fever is everywhere!! Packers Rule and all else drool!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 10:35am
I live in North Carolina, great site. Great looking family looks good in green. Best wishes to you and your family and may God bless.
#1 fan in N.C. GO PACKERS!
Dave Gunter
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 12:29pm
I came across your website quite by accident. I was looking up the “great” (course most of them are great)Brett Favre play from Saturday, you know the stumbling, bumbling pass, on Youtube. There I found your video of the playoff game. I checked out your website and read all the blogs this past Thursday-took nearly the whole day! (Check out the exclamation point.) Needless to say my husband said “you did what all day?” After I explained what you & your family were doing, I made him read your homepage. He could clearly see how inspired I was by you following your dream. I am truly amazed at your journey. What a great year to see “it” all & to see it through your eyes. I have been telling everyone I know to check out your website as much for your story of following the Packers as it is for the inspiration of following your dreams!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 02:44pm
I remember hearing back in preseason of an Australian couple moving to Green Bay to follow the Packers for the upcoming football season. Who would have ever guessed then that you would still be here at the end of January, still following this dream season. I just found out about your web site in the Friday Milwaukee Journal article. Congratulations on making your dream come true. It is a remarkable story and an experience that will never be forgotten. I can only imagine the friendships and people you have met along the way. It has been 13 years already since I made one of my dreams come true. My college roommate and I decided to skip the upcoming September semester of school and instead travel to Australia. We flew into Sydney with no plan or itinerary, which made the adventure even more exciting. We spent a total of three months traveling through all but the western part of Australia(we even spent a week working, picking lychees). It was a trip of a lifetime, and one to this day that I will never ever forget. I could go on for days about the people and friends we met along the way. I hope your stay was everything you dreamed it would be, I cannot imagine you would be dissappointed with the season you chose to follow. Good luck with the rest of your travels and I hope your dream ends with two more wins. Thank you for sharing your experience with the rest of the world. GO PACK!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 02:49pm
Wow. I think you may have moved 10,000 miles (or there-abouts) to be close to your team. I don’t care who you are, where you come from or who you root for...THAT in itself is impressive. The fact that you did all of that on behalf of OUR beloved Green Bay Packers is just another example of how dedicated and die-hard TRUE Packer fans are.
It is truly heartwarming to folks like me who were born, raised & still live in Wisconsin & didn’t know there was any other football team to cheer for, to see someone who could have chosen any team out there to support, and you chose US! Welcome to the family.
God bless & G’day. Happy to have you on our team!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 05:58pm
Wow! I’ve spent the last several hours reading everyone of your 35+ pages of blogs. First off, you have two seriously cute kids, your wife is an angel on earth and you picked an awesome season for your Green and Gold Walkabout (hope I’m using that in context)! Congrats on making the vacation of a lifetime and Thanks so much for taking us along with you.
My Mom grew up in Green Bay and most of her family still lives there, so I’ve spent a good portion of my youth up there. The best time was when the Pack won the SuperBowl and we all spilled into the streets of Down town for a city wide street party. We froze ourselves to the seats in Lambeau for the trophy presentation too.
In all your exploits you haven’t mentioned going to Kroll’s! Nothing is more Green Bay-esque than their burgers, fried curds, and chocolate milk! Sunday’s chicken dumpling soup is my favorite! There is an East and a West and both are right by the Stadium. And if get the time head over to Cranky Pats Pizza. Best thin crust pizzas I’ve ever had!
What you and your family are doing is an inspiration. I wish I’d have found this blog earlier as I’ve been in the area several times, it would have been awesome to meet you and your kids and to set loose my 4 kids with your 2 at the Chuckie Cheese (My kids love it too).
Grab yourself a New Glarus Belgian Red (aka Cherry Beer) and/or Raspberry Tart (my favorite) and drink a Leinie for me at the NFC Championship! GO PACK GO!
Shauna and Family
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 10:04pm
Alright, Wayne, we’re down to the big NFC day (adrenaline, you kiddin’? Haven’t slept in 2 days).
Make extra noise for all of us who can’t be there in the flesh, don’t forget the foot and pocket warmers, and GO PACK!!!!!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 11:24pm
I have loved reading about all your adventures in Green Bay. I am originally from Wisconsin, but Idaho is home to me now.
I am a tad jealous, but very excited that you will get to see our beloved team in the NFC Championship game today. GO PACK!
I wish you and your lovely family well as you travel back to Sydney in the next few weeks...hopefully with a stop in Arizona first! Take care.
Mon 21st Jan 08
at 12:24am
Thank you for sharing your story. If you follow your dreams, you will never be lost. Can’t wait to hear your report from the Superbowl. Go Pack!!
Mon 21st Jan 08
at 01:20am
I too came across your website by looking for the Brett pass in the snow on youtube. I have enjoyed reading all your posts and it looks like fun. I’m a Packers fan from South Mississippi and a Southern Miss fan. We are all stoked about Brett’s season! Can’t wait for the game today, we’re cooking brats, wearing Packers gear, and PLAYING IN THE SNOW!! It feels almost like we are there because we got a once in a lifetime snow in South Mississippi and everything is frozen and white!! Go Pack and Go Brett!!
Mon 21st Jan 08
at 05:12am
I have to agree with Shauna - you have to get to Krolls by the stadium for a bowl of chilli with noodles and a butter burger - they are simply the best in town and a traditional pregame lunch. Enjoy and Go Back Go.
Cheers Mate - Bill