Shout Out to My Spice Girls

I can't love this enough. Or stop laughing. Why did I not think of this clever comeback long ago? So even though it's not pumpkin spice season, I still maintain my Spice Girl status.

Yay, me!

Er, no?

I have been going a little bit extra cra-... mentally spicy lately. Still in this new "different way of doing my job" phase. Just going to take awhile to transition. Not because I'm old or resistant to change. It's just THAT different. We'll get there!

Also frigid weather adds to the spice. I know. We chose to live here in Wisconsin. It's the same thing every year. Maybe we just feel it more in our bones as we age. Didn't know that happened at 40. Bwaahaa. Let me have my moment.

I did venture in to take some girls basketball photos tonight. But the snow was a bit icy coming down on the way in, so I just stayed for the first half. Did not want a slippery drive home. The way it was, there were no tracks to follow. Guess it's supposed to keep snowing for the next 24 hours. 

You know. Wisconsin.

Be careful out there, my fellow Spice Girls!

She Never Sleeps

Mother Nature must have the same problem as us women of a certain age have. We can't sleep for crap. Otherwise, why would she be up and about and constantly making more WINTER?!? Dang, girl, take a Tylenol P.M. or something!

Of course, that doesn't work for me most times anyway.

Not looking forward to snow after today's very cold and super windy day.

I regretted letting my gas tank get low because I had to fuel up after choir practice tonight. And just about froze. For real! My teeth were chattering and I was chanting "Just 5 gallons, just 5 gallons. No more." That took long enough!

I even had to put my winter coat on for that. And that usually happens only half a dozen times all winter!

Just be careful out there. We probably have to survive a good 60-90 more days of this.

Thanks, no thank, Mother... Nature!

Shootin' Hoops Again

Christmas break is over for everyone. And that means high school basketball is back in action.

I knew tonight was going to be some tight action because we were playing a very good Auburndale team. My intention was to shoot the second half of the JV game and then all of varsity.

Got through JV game, which we won. But it took too much out of me after standing for the first half of the varsity game. I still don't have my energy completely back after sick.

Anyway, thanks for some good shots by players like Chase above, we had a slight lead at halftime. And are holding onto a lead with less than a minute to go. Crossing fingers. This would be a huge win.

Luckily there's plenty more to the season so I'll eventually catch ALL the action some night. Go Royals!

On the 18th Day of Christmas

On the 18th day of Christmas (aka Sunday), I decided to un-deck the halls. This was part of my Winter Self-Care. I was noticing what was thriving (lower left on chart). Granted, we have an artificial tree. But still I figured it was time or I'd end up delaying it until Super Bowl weekend or something!

There's such a difference in decking the halls with enthusiasm during Advent. Preparing and anticipating Christmas.

Now I have the tree down and decorations put away and all we have to anticipate is... maybe 3-4 more months of winter! Hey, that's reality in Wisconsin.

I'm sure a lot of us are in the same boat, er ice shack or whatever. Take some ideas from the Winter Self-Care chart and try to keep some optimism.

It you'll try it, I will, too. We got this!

They're Back

Two things were back today! First BINGO returns to Assumption for the spring season. Had over 100 people so bigger jackpots were on the line. My dobber, however, must have still been on Christmas vacation. Did not want to do much work today. Above is the closest I got to the final coverall jackpot – and frankly, that's not close. 

Still, I had fun!

The second things that's back today is Mr. Sun. Yeah! That does not mean it was warm out by any stretch of the imagination. Still, when I looked out the windows and saw a pinkish hue, I knew there was a decent sunset close by.

Stepped out on the front deck and yessirree! So beautiful!

How lucky are we to live in a world where beautiful sunrises and sunsets can make us forget for one minute the harshness of winter. And, frankly, the harshness or the world right now.

Soak it in and be careful out there!

Strange Sighting

I saw something yesterday out of my office and couldn't believe my eyes. This morning, waking up to snowfall, I though I must have dreamt it. Then mid-morning, it appeared again.

Sunshine and blue skies! About time, 2026! It lasted long enough for me to smile during a few errands before coming home.

Where the snowfall has since resumed.

Guess we have to enjoy it while we can. No matter how short-lived. I guess by the end of this month, the won't set until AFTER 5 p.m., so there's some hope on the horizon!

Two of my sisters are down in Florida for a bit. Mr. Deck Chair and me are super jealous. But I am making good progress on a blanket I'm crocheting that keeps me warm as I go! I might just work on that all evening since the other football game is on Amazon Prime. We have that but I don't want to sit in my uncomfortable desk chair to watch it on my computer. I'm sure I'll hear how it goes.

Stay safe out there and enjoy the little patches of sunshine when you can!

The Fog is Trying to Lift

My morning commute was trying so hard to display color despite the lingering winter darkness and the fog.

Naturally I realized this was the most appropriate metaphor for the past few days. My brain is foggy and mushy from two days of training and my color (aka Creativity) is trying to show through!

Pretty spot on, actually.

I was trying to do my "normal" job today and found it challenging to put words together. I guess upending how you normally do your work can cause a bit of fog. Not to mention mental and physical exhaustion.

So I am just sticking close to home tonight. Was going to shoot some pictures at school but I just don't have it in me. From what I've read about New Year's resolutions, it's a good one to realize and practice the art of saying no. 

Especially when it's a non-paying volunteer gig where someone else is capable of handling it. (Also known as: Note to self, Robyn. You don't need to be the hero here.)

So I'm going to veg a bit, maybe hook a little, then go to bed at an absurdly early time. Because I really want to. Really need to. And because I can.

Don't forget to make choices for yourself this year!