Hunt the Good Stuff

I warned you that our inspirational speaker at work might have a long tail life in this blog! The one thing I thought of during my long and somewhat boring day of work was that there were some positives.

As the speaker said, "Hunt the good stuff" and look for the wins. Every day.

When I was the last person to proof some copy and found an error, I was grateful that I pay attention to every single word of a 26-page document! When I jetted down to Rome for their Farmer's Market, I was so grateful my work is flexible and I get more than a 30-minute lunch.

And so grateful for those fresh Crab Rangoon! Yum!

Then after a long-ish afternoon at the computer, I was grateful for some fun ribbing with co-workers who rarely golf. Highlight that with a little time with Mr. Deck Chair after work and some fresh produce for dinner, and we're good. 

Who cares if my hanging flower baskets are dying despite me watering them? Who cares that my back still hurts 4 days after a deep-tissue massage? Who cares that rain is forecast for some important appointments this weekend?

I mean WE care. But how much of our sanity and internal happiness is it worth?

Today I am vowing to say that it isn't worth it. Hard to say and follow through for real... But I am going to give it a try! Hang with me and keep me honest.

The Sun Sets on Lucy and Ethel

First of all, if you're too young to know who the "Lucy and Ethel" are in my blog title, it's your loss. Google it and enjoy some belly laughs. Full disclosure, this was before my time too, but I was treated to reruns as a child!

Tonight was our final night of the Foxy Ladies Golf League. We had a sort of scramble format which meant my partner Molly and I were scrambling but so were against the other two in our foursome. All summer this is how we did Couples League but tonight was the first time for our Women's League. Since Molly and I are typically bogie/double bogie golfers, we still did about the same. We tried to help each other out but it wasn't in our golfing nature.

Still, what we realized with our matching side hairclips, was that we are today's version of Lucy and Ethel. We are laughing through the whole round because it is genuine "feel good to be reconnecting" feelings. And perhaps we're the only ones to get the humor. But we're so funny, so please tune us in!

We also managed to pull out a "second place in the league" accolade. Don't try to be our friends NOW that we're swimming in money. Or something.

I just can't get over how it was destiny that I reconnected with Lucy when this Ethel needed a new partner – and we had known each other for more than decade. Never put an expiration date on a friendship. The universe can throw you back together at the most surprising times (school BINGO) and you'll forever be grateful!

A Non-Cheesy Wisconsin Experience

Even if every flower in a garden can be completely different, it doesn't mean they all can't claim to be pretty. But displayed together they are collectively beyond beautiful! So it goes with people on a "team" of any kind. They can all be best at what they do but they can't be the bestest until they work collectively to bring the bestest to meet all the needs of their co-workers, company, client, etc.

Yup, today was a full day and evening of working with a team of our new "co-workers" in Nashville. Not naming any names but my company acquired their company and this was the first opportunity for the two individual marketing teams to meet as a whole.

When I hear we were having a motivational speaker for our afternoon, I expected all kinds of cheesy – and not just because we're in Wisconsin. I've heard so many over the years ("There's no I in team") that I honestly had low expectations. (Plus this guy had once led meetings and events at Lambeau Field!) But wow, I was impressed.

Pat Cavanaugh not only helped us all stay interactive with each other and participate, he gave us tools we can apply to work thinking and real-life personal thinking (and actions). So a fair warning, you might be reading some inspirational vibes in days to come as I dissect what I learned. 

When the afternoon session was done, we all got to hang out at PJ's Live to listen to music and eat good food, including cheese. But it was not a cheesy thing – just your normal Midwest hospitality! I mean it comes so naturally to most of us, it's interesting to realize some people don't do it or experience it. Glad our massive full team was there to accommodate.

As I learned today, even though the Golden Rule is to treat others as we want them to treat us, the Platinum Rule is to treat others as they want and deserve to be treated. Your (our) first assignment. And go! 

Build Me Up, Buttercup, Exchange Program

We have many of our marketing coworkers from the Nashville office in town the next two days. So we had a bit of a cultural exchange – most of it involving food, naturally!

Jillian on our team introduced us to OMG Goo Goo Clusters – Nashville's Official Candy – and Moon Pies. And we, in turn, gave her a bit of cheesy exchange at the Feltz Farm and Dairy Store – home of Buttercup the cow (above).

Got to see a few regular cows and cute babies (yes, I know they are called calves in real life).

Plus a unique "How now, brown cow?" moment!

Naturally, we got the photo op! We not only posed by Buttercup, but our Nashville guest is going home with a "cow hat," toy tractors for her kiddos, and I believe some cheese.

I, on the other hand, bought my favorite String Cheese Whips (always so good) and with a twist of cultural exchange-ness...

OMG! Cannot wait to grill or air fry these!! If you like a little spice in your life, try anything Nashville Hot. I'm obsessed. I mean I have a bottle of Nashville Hot Ranch in my fridge, for hot sake!

Oh, and of course we all got King Cone ice cream! I think tomorrow is filled with more meetings than fun for us, but I'll let you in on any cultural secrets. They've been delicious so far!

Maniacal Monday

 

I wasn't even ready for Monday. Let along coping with the fact we are charging into August like Black Friday shoppers looking for a deal. And I don't like it.

People can give all the advice they want. That we can and still should make the most out of it. But my reality is....

I'm just not that ready. Plus I just don't feel 100% so that takes a toll on ambition right there. But things always turn around, don't they? Here's a to a good week and great (and very slow) August for all of us!

Hook, Line, and Stinger

Well I warned you all I had a "speed hooking" mission for the weekend so thus no bl8g yesterday and a shorty tonight. Because my fingers are tired!

I have a few loose ends to tie up but I'm basically done with the blanket for my nephew and his bride to be -- who have a black and gray color scheme somewhere in their house!

With that mostly accomplished, I rolled into my senior portrait season. Since I arrived early at the first spot (the museum), I took some photos that may have been intrusive on a private moment (above). But you know me, I love flowers despite my black thumbs. 

Stop there sometime. They have a traveling exhibit there right now. But the flowers are "open" all the time. Been allergic people beware though!

I did enjoy that my senior photo season began with the girl I mentored through confirmation at our church. She's sweet and spicy and... thanks to Mother Nature, we didn't melt tonight.

Looking forward to the rest of "my" season! 📸

TGIFF (Thank Goodness It's Fun Friday)

When Friday fun is on the agenda, I go all out. First was our company picnic. I worked a few hours in the morning then headed up to Stevens Point. My goal after last year was just to get a spot at the BINGO tables and win something.

Plus save 2 spots by me for my co-worker/friend Sharon and her daughter. 

Mission accomplished. Then Sharon won. Then I did!! I picked the Five Crowns card game as my prize. It's on that my sisters and I always play during sister weekend!

After that, it was time to eat and cross fingers we'd win one of the "big" raffle prizes – with an obvious 2,000 to 1 odds. I did not win.

But in Robyn's world, getting free ice cream is the same as winning. Just not the same dollar value as say a 4-some golf round at SentryWorld or a PS5. I crossed my fingers so hard! To no avail.

Then this evening the fun continued at the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game. The church in Rudolph where Jim sings in the guitar choir had the Rat Trap upper deck platform reserved.

Nice view of the game, but mostly just chit-chatting with friends and eating for a few hours. The scoreboard was not working so I don't know if our hometown team won. Based on the lack of cheering, I don't think we did.

Still it was a fun evening after a fun afternoon. I'd take a "work" day like this anytime!

Enjoy your weekend!