The Magic of Giving

We are in the final stretches of our company's United Way campaign, where we try to raise around a million dollars in 2 weeks. As I mentioned previously with golf outing photos, our theme is the Magic of Giving so we're sort of leaning heavenly on Disney vibes.

So it was totally appropriate that my one fall decoration at my desk is Scarecrow Mickey! God bless Hobby Lobby for having everything under the planet!

Since this was our team's week IN office, we got to participate in the dress-up days together.

Can you guess our team dress-up theme? If you said "Flannel" you get half a point. It was a flannel shirt OVER a favorite band shirt. I wore my Here Come The Mummies shirt I told you about during my summer work-from-home t-shirt tour!

Here's our team of writers looking 100% like '90s Grunge and I couldn't be prouder. We get into this!!

One of the fundraisers is always "Beer and a Smile" – Point Root Beer that is. You could order for anyone in our Stevens Point offices and the business area that was in charge of this would deliver. I was excited to get one from my friend Sharon. Yum, yum!

There's lots of other raffles and contests going on. I'll let you know if I have any luck. It's definitely been fun so far!

Doing things for others truly IS magical! 🏰

Trying to Rise Up

Our family is pretty close. So when tragedy strikes one member, we all feel the impact... want to help, pray for the best outcome.

This week has been a test.

Late Sunday we learned that while at work that night, my oldest great-nephew Anthony (same age as Carter) got a call from his roommate saying that their home was on fire. By the time he arrived, the fire was massive and consuming the house. 

By the time it was out, Anthony’s space in the home had been completely destroyed along with the garage. Unfortunately his dog Beanie did not make it. He was such a big sweetie!

Anthony walked away that night with the clothes on his back, his phone, and his (apparently questionably reliable) car. His whole world got taken by the fire. If you are able to help in anyway, he has a lot of needs and will need a lot of support to rebuild after this loss. 

Thank you all in advance for any help in donations or even just passing this on to others who might be able to help him out as well. Or even just prayers!! For Venmo donations, the last 4 digits you'll need are 2505.

If you have any questions feel free to message me. He's a special animal-loving soul who deserves a better break in life than this hand dealt to him. 

Our hearts are collectively breaking. 

Back in Action

Two things are back in action tonight: My crochet hook and The Voice!

I love that the new season is coinciding with my need to park my backside in the recliner and whip together a fall-themed blanket for one final raffle basket. And it's a 3-night season premiere so I should make good progress. Well, not tomorrow night since I'll be freezing at golf league. But tonight and Wednesday I'll be steadily hooking.

As for The Voice... a couple new judges this year in Queen Latifah and some country guy named Riley Green. (j/k I sort of know who he is.) It's always interesting to see how the new dynamic works out. But I've never been disappointed yet. Always so entertaining. (In my opinion.)

So yeah, for Robyn being back in action it means an old lady life of crocheting and watching a talent show. You're welcome to come along for the ride!

Close Doesn't Count

The saying goes that "close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades". It does not count in BINGO and doesn't count when we say it's almost a nice day.

For the last weekend of summer, we were robbed. Rain all day yesterday again forced us indoors. We racked up 2 1/8 inches between Friday and Saturday, according to my rain gauge tender. Yuck!

Today was church, a meeting with our new choir director (a talented college kid!), then onto BINGO.

I wore my mom's rings to try to channel her energy. She was always lucky – just like her mother (Grandma Flossie). I even have Royal Blue nails for Homecoming Week.

It did not work. Here I just needed that stinkin' B15 forever to form the A (for Assumption). Close does not count. Winless in everything today.

Oh except for my Vikings squeaking out a victory. Must be my purple dobber! 

Got home and bundled up and went for a walk. Did not get far. The cold wind was making my eyes water. And hubby was golfing all afternoon in this! Of course he said it was fine. No such thing as a bad golf day no matter what the score (or weather) is.

Since he and his buddy were eating at the golf course, I invented a little sandwich for myself. Pulled pork topped with Japanese BBQ sauce and honey goat cheese. Yum yum! 

Now I have to brave this "summer weather" (calendars lie) and get in a few more steps.

Hope you had a more enjoyable last weekend of summer!

If You Build It...

I don't know about you, but I think our neighborhood is getting together to build an ark! It's been coming down steady all day with no sign of stopping until Sunday! We already have an inch and counting in the rain gauge. 

It stinks because there are so many OUTDOOR fall activities to do this weekend.

Our neighborhood Pumpkin Shed opened today. It's not even half a block away so we take pride and ownership!

They've got pumpkins of all colors and sizes – and beautiful mums.

They've got gourds of all shapes and sizes as well.

Including these "things" that look like they belong on episode of Dr. Pimple Popper! You can un-see that now, can you?!

If squash is your thing, they have the usual varieties.

Including this new variety call Mac n Cheese. I mean if squash soup tasted like Mac n Cheese, I might actually like it. Just never been my thing.

They also have decorations, craft items, and Gene's world-famous salsa – made with all ingredients grown on the farm. There are also few cooky and spooky displays like this chicken who never had the guts (get it?) to cross the road.

And this poor fella has been waiting FOREVER for someone to give him a push on the swing!

And this little guy is waiting to trick or treat! Always something fun to see and do. Hopefully when the weather clears, you can show those hardworking farm ladies some love! (Deer Road and 70th Street in Grand Rapids.)

Of course, when the rain does stop Sunday, I'll be having my INDOOR fun. Yup BINGO returns to Assumption! Doors open at noon. Play starts at 1 p.m. And Robyn yells her first "BINGO!" at 1:13 p.m. Ha.

Try to have a nice weekend, everyone!

Fall Fast Forward

Somehow September has speeded ahead and we're almost to the first official day of fall. How are we halfway through the month? I have no idea!

But check out the suggested September Bucket List! Have you accomplished anything on the list?

I've done pictures and farmers markets and football games, but I better get myself in gear for the rest of the list!

I think my favorite is the simple "Get cozy and relax." Doesn't require any special props or extra people. Ha. What do you look forward to most in the "almost fall" season?

 

No Time To Spare

It's so ironic that when my baby boy calls for a "catch up" that he says it's about the only 10 minutes he'll have available in the next week.

I thought we, the parents, were the busy ones but now I realize my update was something like "nope, nothing new here, we work, life is boring."

But of course I was excited to hear about our college kids... yes we kind of adopted all his friends... and now more are getting married and having babies. Must start on baby blanket now!

And I do have a weird night of spare time. Usually there is no sports going on – but also choir. Our director retired so we'll see what happens next week.

As for non-Wednesday activities, I think I can get some steps and do the ol' "Netflix and Chill."