America Turns 250

This 100% does make me old. But I do remember a parade and singing patriotic songs at the park. It was a big deal. 

And I know people are making a big deal about America turning 250 today, but I just couldn't get into it with the same child-like enthusiasm. Our celebration included...

Me dressing in my only patriotic shirt to go to the farmers market downtown...

Hubby cutting grass (always smells so good!)...

And me taking a walk and checking out the neat decorations some neighbors put out.

Tonight we had fresh from an Amish garden baby red potatoes and grilled brats from Ski's. Jim enjoyed a Bloody Mary brat and I really liked my Nashville Hot Chicken brat. Good stuff!

We are not going to the fireworks in town. It is a zoo. I mean people were putting out their "save my seat" blankets at 10 a.m. today. It's crazy. We expect there will be some set off close by, per usual. Just feel bad for the dogs in the neighborhood who absolutely hate fireworks. In another world, all dogs would become ex-pats!

Hope you found a fun and safe way to enjoy this historic day. And took time to appreciate your freedoms!

Palooza Wrap-Up

 

While today was "cooler" by the heat wave standards, the high temps and humidity definitely made our birthday-anniversary palooza week less eventful than it could have been. 

My birthday Sunday, our anniversary Wednesday, and hubby's birthday today. Our palooza has officially petered out. 

Jim got lots of birthday greetings (thank you) but we didn't have big plans. Clay came over and helped him with a backyard project. So I took off to Point. Herrschners was have a "Sale After The Sale" sale! Got some more cheap yarn for a new project.

I also stopped at Ski's Meats, Walmart (with a million other people), and Feltz Dairy Store. And ran in the rain at every stop.

Needless to say, the backyard project didn't get done. And I found myself with more Mr. Recliner time than Mr. Deck Chair time. Sad.

Since my tummy is still a bit wonky, we did not go out to eat. But Jim made himself some delicious-looking fajitas! He's got his recipe nailed down if we ever want to serve company. Ha.

Tonight we're just relaxing in the A/C and watching baseball. With the MLB Network, we can see both the Reds and the Twins play – plus two other games. My mind can't wrap my head around it yet. I'll just pretend I'm at Buffalo Wild Wings and there are 4 games on 4 different screens.

Pass the ranch for my spicy wings, please!

Enjoy your holiday weekend! Be smart and be safe!

Absolutely Nothing

I'm taking my stay-cation seriously. And since I had a terrible night's sleep and felt a bit "ick," it was the perfect excuse to plant myself in Mr. Recliner for the day.

Mr. Deck Chair 2.0 wasn't an option since there were on and off thunderstorms all day.

Hoping I get decent sleep tonight and feel better tomorrow so we can have our belated anniversary dinner.

Speaking of anniversaries... 77 years ago today our parents got married!

My sister decorated their grave with patriotic items and a small flag with a bicycle. Mom told anyone who would listen that she had to sell her bicycle to buy her wedding dress. Then often added, "I sure miss that bicycle."

Guess I get my sarcasm and snark from both parents! Thanks, Mom and Dad. You done good!

Well the thunder has started to roll again. Perhaps I should see about rolling out of this comfortable chair, too.

Stay cool, my friends!

In It For The Long Haul

Some things are worth waiting for. And some aren't. Hubby and I are in this dreamland together of a Viking Super Bowl victory some day "before we die." We don't invest much time in that, trust me!

What IS worth waiting for is the right partner in life. To love and support you unconditionally – and make you smile, laugh, and love yourself.

That's was I was blessed to find in Jim. And today marks 24 years of marriage. I won't say "wedded bliss" because people are lying if they say that after more than two decades with someone. There are ups and downs. But when I'm down, he pulls me up, and when he's down, I offer to help, but he usually helps himself! 

When you find THAT person, it makes it all worth it!

We didn't really get to celebrate today. Jim worked and I cleaned out a large box worth of clothes from my closet for donation. (Yay, stay-cation!) That's a start. Tonight he has golf league. 

But more wicked storms are coming, so he'll be lucky to finish. And I figured I better blog while we still have electricity.

Hug your blessings today – and tell them you love them!! 💜💜

In and Out of Luck

Headed Up North yesterday morning. After the detours and road construction I encountered a few weeks ago, I decide to take a different route north-westward. I went up to Colby/Abbotsford to get on Hwy. 29.

And it was one lane each way 'til my Chippewa Falls exit for 53 North. Grrrr.

By the time I got to my sister Rachel's in Luck, I was ready for a nap!

I visited with her awhile (while she got me hooked on Sullivan's Crossing) and then went up to my sister Romey's near Grantsburg, where two other sisters – Rayna and Renell – joined us for a short visit.

From there I went to Adventures restaurant in Siren to meet my twin and some of her family for a belated birthday dinner. Coconut shrimp for the win! My nephew Tony was home visiting from Green Bay so it was nice to see him, too!

From there I went back down to Rachel's to stay at her place for the night. She's just down the street from our high school. Even at 8:36 p.m., it was still class of '86 degrees out. Ha. Yes, this heatwave is ghastly.

Got home late this afternoon. Yes, my A/C works in my car, but there were times I wondered. It was just that hot out! 

Hope you all are staying cool and hydrated. My vacation is already going by too fast! 

Do Too Many Candles Cause Lightning?

 

I was all set to apologize for being responsible for this evening's severe weather. But I didn't have a cake or candles so my little birthday is free and clear.

Even my gift from hubby - which I'm super excited about - didn't ignite the skies because it hasn't been assembled yet! Ha.

We actually thought today was going to be hot and sunny but the forecast changed and it was almost cool. With some rain in the early afternoon. 

That unfortunately canceled some boating plans.

But couples Golf League was still on. YAY for birthday golf! Had a really fun time and I golfed 100% better that last week. 

My twin had to work today so I'm driving up north to see her for dinner tomorrow. Don't worry, my A/C is working!

Stay hydrated and safe this week!

And thanks all the birthday wishes. Feeling the love!

Vacation Vittles

 

Technically I'm on vacation (mostly stay-catio) for the next so I didn't waste time starting to eat like I'm on vacation. 

I mean calories don't count, I hear!

I went downtown to the Farmers Market and pretty much expected I'd have crab rangoon for breakfast. But the line was just too long.

But then I spotted a food truck I thought only had fancy popcorn. Turns out they also have mini-donuts (think Minnesota State Fair)! When she convinced me to order a dozen, the cashier told me to choose a flavor.

I'm like, "There are flavors?" What rock have I been hiding under?!

So it was coincidentally Birthday Cake flavored mini-donuts for the win!

This is going to be something yummy time off!