'Tis the Seasons

There's so many seasons going on right now.

As Carter and I headed south and back home today, I was reminded that it was still deer hunting season. It also is Christmas tree hunting season.

Not sure if it is indicative of the deer hunting season, but I saw more trees being trailered than deer today. I hope you or your hunter found success (including tree hunting). It's definitely feeling and looking like Christmas around here!

We got home just in time for me to switch into Advent season.

This evening we had an Advent by Candlelight event for the ladies of the church. Several women "hosted" tables, decorating them and serving up dessert. Yummy,  yummy dessert!

My friend and "half" sister Chris invited me to sit at her table to enjoy the music, devotion and fellowship. Doesn't her table look pretty? The picture doesn't do it justice but it turned out funky cool on my camera phone. A very enjoyable evening.

Got home just in time to switch to Hallmark season. Oh wait, I already switched into that weeks ago. Did watch one movie I had DVR'd last night. Could watch another since I don't have to get up early for work tomorrow.

I should probably get to bed early, though, so I can wake up and have my first piece of Advent chocolate!

'Tis the season!

Cookie Baked

Had a foggy drive Up North today for the annual Cookie Bake / Exchange at my twin's. Then my brain was in a fog thanks to my mother.

She is a big fan of word challenges like Wheel of Fortune, only harder. So she created a Christmas word scramble for us all to bake our brains over. We're talking serious brain fog!

Thought I'd share the pain... Good luck!

Black and Blue Friday

For Black Friday today, I slept in until it was no longer black out. Then slept a little more.

When I finally did go shopping, it was 11 a.m. or so. And it was not for any special deals. I needed to pick up a few items for tomorrow's potluck lunch at the Cookie Bake and a few things for home. Even at that LATE hour, it was still quite the overcrowded adventure!

I am glad I did not brave any crowds last night or today before sunrise. Not worth it. Plus, I don't even know what's on my shopping list this year!

For the blue part of my Black & Blue Friday, I enjoyed some Royal Blue time watching the Assumption basketball teams play in our annual Cranberry Classic hoops tournament. I went to the girls varsity game at 1 p.m. and saw them beat Nekoosa. Tonight, I watched the boys varsity team pull off a victory, too.

I'm kind of excited. I love basketball season!

In between games, I made a salad for lunch tomorrow, did some laundry, packed for the trip and squeezed in one Hallmark Christmas movie! (Of course!)

Now it's early to bed, early to rise so I can graze another day and expand my thighs!

Thanks Much

Nothing says gratitude like eating to the point we have to unsnap our pant in order to breathe. That's Thanksgiving in a nutshell, though. Or pie shell, if you prefer. (And I do!)

It seriously was a very nice Thanksgiving. Thanks to being out late last night, I did not get enough sleep and was sooooo tired, but wanted to get up early to get the bird in the oven and finish up a few chores.

The turkey actually was done in early afternoon, so I carved it up and put it in a slow cooker with all its juices to keep it warm and moist until supper with the in-laws at 5 p.m. That worked out just fine. It was delicious.

I actually had enough free time that I finally got going on our Christmas card-letter-thingy. Kind of forgot December is right around the corner so I should at least get the concept in mind anyway. That was my way of fighting a nap today – and that was even before the tryptophan turkey!

We had 10 of us for dinner: Hubby and I and all 3 boys (yay!), father- and mother-in-law, sister-in-law Sherry, her husband Baird and son Colin. Thankfully Mom and Sherry brought a few items for the meal so I didn't have to handle it all. And we had plenty!!! I am still so stuffed! (And yes, I just might set my scale back 10 pounds tonight.)

Meal or no meal, it was just so nice to have all of us together. So thankful for that!

I know Up North, several of my family members were gathering for a meal and games. I always feel like I am missing out, but I will see most if not all of them this weekend when I am up for the annual Cookie Exchange. So that makes up for it.

I am not venturing out for any Black Thursday or Black Friday sales. I will probably be sound asleep in my "you're too old to stay out late" tryptophan coma in about half an hour, though.

Instead of counting sheep, I'll be counting blessings tonight. So much to be thankful for... and that includes YOU!

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and continue to have much to be grateful for in your lives!

Roller Coaster Wednesday

It's fitting that a Hump Day would have its ups and downs. My first text of the day was from a dear friend whose dad died.

I couldn't help but cry. I have known him for years and he was just the sweetest man. He was battling a form of blood cancer so his death wasn't completely unexpected. But we all know that even when we expect it, that does not make it any easier. Sending prayers to her and her entire family!

My day got better when I took the garbage out. Seriously. I slept in and had to scramble to get it together and out to the curb. I even did the litter box! That's usually hubby's "job." Ha. But since I did it, when I got back inside the house he said, "Wow, you should get flowers for doing that."

True to his word, what is delivered a few hours later but...

Some beautiful yellow and red roses in a pretty autumn-like copper vase. Gorgeous! He said they are for our Thanksgiving so we have a nice centerpiece. I said, "Thanks for thinking of your family." But I secretly think he got them because he loves me!

Just for that, I baked two pumpkin pies for his family. Since we're setting up the royal treatment for Turkey Day!

Then the roller coaster went down. Down as in squishing down. Hard. Ever wonder why the mammogram lady (aka Vice Grip Operator) bothers to say "Now don't move"? Duh. Like we can.

Good thing the computers take pictures much faster these days. I was home in a half hour and could return my day on an upswing by watching one of the Hallmark Christmas movies I had DVR'd.  Almost caught up now before I start recording new ones for this week and weekend!

I did manage to get some cleaning done and things ready for tomorrow, so tonight we enjoyed a double-date night. We picked up our friends Gregg and Lori and had a late supper at Ida's Bar & Grill before heading to Rusty's Backwater Saloon near Stevens Point. The band Stray Pony was playing tonight, featuring lead female vocalist Kathy, who graduated from Assumption with Jim and Gregg.

It was like a mini class of '81 reunion. Only this time, it was already past all of our bed times when the band started playing! Since they were so good, we hung in there until after midnight though.

Always good to end the roller coaster ride on an even keel. You never know what sort of ups and downs are in store for us tomorrow!

Da Hunting Trip

Since I had most of the day off, I thought I'd don some blaze orange and go hunting. Don't worry. I was just "hunting" for beautiful scenery. And the only thing I was shooting was pictures with my new phone.

Let's just say I am pretty pleased with the camera capabilities on my Samsung Alpha. Not too shabby.

And I even spotted a Deer, too! No, I am not robbing a bank or a deer camp. Got halfway through the walk and my face was frozen so I had to pull the hat down! At least the sun popped out a few times.

Here's a few images from the neighborhood...

Our halls aren't decked yet, but we do have a beautiful 4-foot wreath up. If you want a gorgeous wreath or Christmas tree, check out our friends' tree lot – Arndt's Trees – at the corner of 8th and Griffith! Great people. They must be, they put up with babysittting Carter for 6 years!

Our snowy front yard. Much more driveway has to be snowblowed this year to make room for Carter's car. That means he should help, right?

Close-up shots are not too shabby!

My favorite barn around the bend. Can photograph that in all seasons!

It does sit askew. I always wonder what holds it up. Must be the hay bales inside!

 Crooked on the ends, too!

Footprints in the snow. Mostly like their cats!

Some side buildings that look just as shabby, but I love them!

Another zoom opportunity. Sweet!

Usually see deer in this field but I suppose they are undercover right now.

A little artsy.

Final stretch. I wonder if we ever got more than a foot of snow if we would just have to snowblow our way to the main road. The plows did finally go through after 2 p.m.

Back in the hood after a successful hunting trip!

Monday with a Capital M

Have you ever tried to avoid Monday altogether by not setting your alarm? It doesn't work.

Granted, I didn't try this on purpose. Don't ask me how I could possibly forget to set my alarm after all these years of working. But when you open your eyes and see it is 6:48 a.m. and you normally leaving the house for work at oh, 6:48 a.m., it suddenly becomes Monday with a big, fat capital M.

Grr.

Luckily, I had set some clothes out so I could shower, get dressed and be out the door in 15 minutes! Just think how much extra sleep I could get if I could do that every day. Of course, I would probably have to fix my hair at least once a week. Just to keep up appearances.

I wasn't too late to work. And once there, I was on a mission. One, I knew it was going to be a short work week due to Cornucopia Days so I had to work ahead and fast. Two, we had a Winter Storm Warning commencing at noon so I had to work ahead-er and fast-er yet.

I was able to hit the road an hour early. Yes I realize that I slept an hour late and ended up leaving work an hour early, but in my defense,  I did work 7 1/2 hours. I will make up the other half hour tomorrow morning when I finish up a few things before my 5-day Pilgrim Pork Out Festival begins.

Of course, none of this was on my mind as I white-knuckled it home. Thanks to heavy, wet, slushy, slippery snow on unplowed roads, my 50-minute commute home was 90 minutes. Not a fan, Mother Nature. Not a fan.

I think we have 4 inches and counting. By the time hubby finished the first round of snowblowing, the driveway and deck were covered again. I will be happy to do my short work day from the home office tomorrow

Heck, I won't even have to set an alarm. Now that I can handle.

Apparently well.

Sunday of Hope

It's good to have hope.

I was hoping for merely two things today – one, that my Vikings wouldn't get blown out by the Packers and two, that my trial run pumpkin pie would be a success.

I guess I got what I wished for.

First the lowly Vikes... I was just glad it was a close game. We at least proved we could show up once in awhile (which is good on our home turf). I know with our current caliber of talent, we aren't destined for a winning season this year. In fact, I think we still have to win two more games just to match last year's losing record! Uff da.

Glad my sister, some cousins and some friends were able to enjoy the game in person. Not happy or thrilled for them, just glad.

Now for the pie...

Since we are hosting the Austin Turkey Day and I am baking pies, I figured I better do a trial run so I don't give the in-laws something that requires a tub of Cool Whip to make it taste good. Though Cool Whip is still delicious on good pies, too!

Only had to call my mom to ask her one question, otherwise I was a big girl and baked a perfect pie. Didn't burn the crush or top and it tastes good – with and without the whipped topping.

Now I just have repeat the performance on Wednesday with two of them for Thursday. Probably gonna have to eat up this first one so there is no evidence I felt the need to test my skills.

Probably means I'll need another tub of Cool Whip, too. Just in case.

I'll still hold out hope, though. I'm due for something good.

On The Hunt

This may have been the first year ever that we were not awakened to the sounds of gun shots on the opening day of deer hunting season. Was it too foggy? Or were hunters smart enough not to shoot so close to a residential area for a change? That would be good.

Irregardless, hubby and I were both up at 7:30 (ugh) because we had our own hunting to do. Definitely no deer in our cross hairs, though.

Jim drove up to Eau Claire to take son number one Christmas shopping. It's our tradition that dad takes the big boys out so they can pick what they want and open what they want on Christmas morning – and perhaps be surprised if they forget what they picked out.

So I was actually not a "hunter's widow" today, I was a "shopper's widow." Now that was quite the opposite.

Though I did do some shopping. First I had to HUNT for the perfect recipe or treat idea to finish up my cookie exchange selection. Once I had an idea, I hit Wal-Mart with a million others and got what I needed for those treats PLUS the fixings for a Thanksgiving Day dinner. We are hosting Jim's family so I needed the turkey, pumpkin pie ingredients, etc. Figured I'd better not wait until the last minute or I'd get squat.

After creating my treats and assembling 11 plates with a dozen cookies/treats each, I sealed them up until next weekend when we gather at my twin's Up North and exchange the goods.

Then I was on the hunt for entertainment. That was already lined up! My friends Christine and Cindy and I went to see the Hunger Games sequel (part 3 actually) Mockingjay: Part 1. The three of us had read all three books before the first movie came out a few years ago. We really enjoyed the movie today! And now only have to wait 361 days until Part 2 – the sequel to the sequel to the sequel – comes to the big screen.

Now I am on the hunt for a couch and a Christmas movie. May have to get in line. Jim's watching college football and flipping channels and Carter has two buddies over and they are allegedly working on a homework video project. Would they mind if I had a Hallmark movie on in the background?

Or am I looking to get shot?

Best wear some blaze orange.

Sneak Preview

Today was like a sneak preview into the weekend. Except for the weather part, that's actually changing for the better! Maybe the other "shows" are, too.

As a sneak peek to Sunday's Packer-Viking game...

Yes, I am a glutton for punishment and wore a Vikings sweatshirt to work today... and long-sleeve Vikings shirt underneath... and Viking socks. Got a little ribbing from Packers fans, naturally, but I explained that I probably wouldn't be wearing purple on Monday. If nothing else, I am a loyal fan but a realistic one.

As a sneak peek to a Mockingjay Saturday...

Finally watched the second movie in the Hunger Games series tonight. So I am all set to see third movie, Mockingjay, tomorrow with my girlfriend Christine. We both managed to get our preview viewing done this week. Now that's homework I can handle.



Speaking of homework...

Carter brought his report card home for the second hex (we do hexes, not quarters) and I hope his Language Arts grade is not a preview of things to come. The reading-writing-editing gene skipped this generation unfortunately. Perhaps he could an English as a Second Language course??

Just kidding. I love him and I just throw that in there once in awhile to see if he reads my blog. So far, I am safe. If you get a sneak peek into the future and know when I won't be, please let me know.

I don't mind a spoiler alert now and then.

Great American Santa-Out

Today is the National Cancer Society's annual Great America Smoke-Out. I happened to be searching online for some vintage Christmas-related ads and came across quite a few of jolly ol' St. Nick lighting one up.

Interesting the mixed messages of advertising "way back when."

Just thought I'd share a few....

Makes me wonder what kids had on their Christmas lists! Maybe this is why the Smoke-Out precedes the holidays???

I know I suddenly feel healthy. Don't you?

Maybe Santa will reward us this year... with something smoking hot! Like K-Cups for my new Keurig or a toasty warm robe? Hold the Lucky Strikes, Mr. Claus. But feel free to deliver a lucky lottery ticket.

That would be smokin'!

I Solemnly Swear...

We still have a month before winter OFFICIALLY begins and I'm already a text-book whiner. I was thinking maybe I should have a "swear jar" at my desk at work for every time I whine about the weather... which coincidentally often includes a curse word or two.

This morning, for example, we awoke to a couple inches of snow that fell while we were sleeping. Is it not enough that is is mid-November and our windchills are below zero already?

Nope.

Instead, I had a slippery-ass drive to work today. Crap. There's a curse already!

Seriously, it was wicked out today and that was just a few inches. And it was windy and bleeping cold, too. Tomorrow, when the high temp is in the teens, I am going to shut myself in my home office and crank my space heater! No driving. No cold. No whining.

Good thing I don't live in Buffalo, N.Y., or I would be deep in debt already. Or live up in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) where my friend is a school teacher and has already had some snow days this FALL.

Wow. I really should just shut my trap.

But if I fill the jar I might have enough money to fly somewhere warm this winter! Dang.

Running Wrap-up

We officially wrapped up the 2014 Cross Country season tonight with an awards banquet. Or, as we like to call it in Wisconsin, an awards pot luck.

Since the boys already got their well-deserved steak dinner with coach after the state meet, they were fine with another spaghetti feed of sorts. In fact, that is what they requested!

All in all, it was the best season in quite some time. In fact, we sent a thank-you gift box out to our friends and hosts Pete and Dawn in Colorado, including a state-bound t-shirt. Hubby's classmate Pete still had his from 30 years ago when Assumption boys last competed at state. Very cool!

There were some big awards this evening. Two of the runners, both sophomores, were named First Team All-Conference and I can see those two repeating the next two seasons.

All of our runners improved their times, whether it was their finishing time or their mile splits. Carter had personal bests in his first and second mile splits but missed beating last year's finish-time PR by a few seconds. He still lettered for a third year and will definitely be back next year.

It was a great group of parents and kids. I'm grateful for a meaningful season.

Also grateful I am not a football mom as their state games are this Thursday and Friday, when it will be high temperatures in the teens. There's something to be said for good timing.

Of course, that's what cross country is all about.

Would You Rather...

Would you rather be out in the 9-degree temperature or sipping pumpkin spice tea and watching The Voice?

I'll take option 2, please.

Would you rather be blogging on a full-size keyboard or tapping out on a tiny smartphone keypad?

I'll take option 1, please.

Would Carter rather he didn't have to use my computer to type up a U.S. history paper on the Federalist Party so I could use it to blog?

You bet he would!

Unfortunately,  he doesn't get that option. So I'll leave you with this one. Would you rather waste time reading a blog anyway or...

No question,  is there?

Game Day

Today was unofficially an official Game Day around here. And we had quite the variety....

HUNGER GAMES: With the 3rd in the Hunger Games movie sequel coming out next week, by BFF and I decided we better refresh our minds on the first two. So, after church she came over and we watched part one, The Hunger Games. Realizing part two, Catching Fire, is more than 2 hours long, we had to bag our plans and try to watch it separately over the course of this week. Now it's been so long since I read the trilogy that I don't know what adheres to the book storyline and what doesn't. That might be a good thing.

GAME OVER: Since the Packers played late, they had the Vikings-Bears game on around here. Really, you didn't have to do us any favors, CBS. Could have missed that one! Still need to somehow win 2 more games this year to win as many as our struggling team last year. Good grief. They make it hard some years. Won't go to the dark side, though. Never.

GAME ON: While supper was in the oven, hubby and I played some 3 to 13. It is rare that I beat him at that card game and almost unheard of that I beat him twice in a row. So of course I have blog about that. And it was no small margin of victory either!! Too bad we didn't bet on it.

LAME GAME: It was snowing and cold again so I was not going to run or even walk outside. I did do some shoveling so I got my strength and cardio in. But decided later I would do a Jillian Michaels DVD. Oh she herself is not LAME. She kicks butt and that is why the next day I am always LAME, as in moving quite slowly since I did too much even following the easier workout. Yay. Can't wait 'til tomorrow!

GAME NIGHT: Tonight my game of keeping up with all the new Christmas movies will continue. I had to DVR a few I missed last weekend. I know, right? How could I of all people be dropping the ball on this? Good thing no one keeps score in that game. Better get back in the lineup ... now!

Red, White and Do

The single-digit wake-up temperature was a catalyst to thinking Red & White today. Oh, one could say I had the Badgers on my mind. But the Red & White candy cane variety came first.

December-like weather was just the inspiration to make some progress on my family cookie exchange goodies.

I was all prepared for baking today. Had my special ingredients like the chocolate stars and the candy cane Hershey's kisses. What I realized too late was that I didn't have all the essential ingredients like eggs, for example. I had made a batch of the one kind which used up our last 2 eggs. Put a call out to neighbors to get just ONE stinkin' egg for the other recipe. Thankfully the next-door neighbor came through!

So my Red, White and DO mode yielded some productivity before I saw the Badgers come out ahead, too.

I also managed to cut hubby's hair, do a few chores, watch the snow fall, complete two design projects and watch a Hallmark Christmas movie. Oh yes, I am that good. I only have one more Red & White project to take care of....

Just need a spoon and my tub of Peppermint Wonderland ice cream!

Friday Night Breakfast Club

In the past 24 hours I have had more than one discussion about will power. The general consensus is that yes, every one possesses will power. But the key is how long can you maintain that possession?

For me, 99 times out of 100: Not.Very. Long!

Whether it's denying myself a guilty pleasure or sticking to a new (usually healthy) routine, I just can't stick to it for long. Not long enough to make an impact anyway.

Today, for example, a co-worker (who is my age) and I were running on treadmills at the fitness center over lunch hour and lamenting how we are too old for this stuff. But agreed that getting back to it is better than doing nothing at all. He also said it would probably be unhealthy to be too skinny so we were both doing something right! Ha.

Fast-forward 6 hours and I erased any progress with my "Robyn vs. Food" moment. I am full but have no regrets. I am too old for THAT, too!

Hubby took me out to eat since Carter was working and we deserved a date night. We tried one bar & grill first that had a long wait to get seated, so then we headed downtown to another and managed to walk in as a table was clearing.

A longtime friend of ours works there and suggested the Burger of the Week – aka The Breakfast Burger. I couldn't resist.

I'm not usually the type to take a photo of my food, but I wanted you to see what I was up against. It was a hamburger, a sausage patty, bacon and scrambled eggs all sandwiched between two pancakes. Oh, and with a side of hashbrowns.

Next time you are hankering for a heart attack to start your day, I would suggest the Breakfast Burger. It's what's for dinner.

Seriously, it was quite tasty. There was only one way to eat it and that was with a fork. That made it easier to dip the cholesterol, I mean the burger, into the maple syrup! Yum. For the record, I came close to eating the whole thing but had to leave a few towering bites. I could tell I was running out of room.

The good news is that even though I just had "breakfast," I don't have to go to work now or do chores of any kind. Me and my full belly can take an 8-hour nap!

Good night, er, good morning!

Ruh-Roh, R-astro!

I feel fortunate in our neck of the woods that Winter Storm Astro has trotted off to greener pastures, leaving ours mostly green. Although since his departure, the Mercury has dropped like a planet in the Jetsons' neighborhood.

Right now it is 22 degrees and feels like 12. I believe it was actually only 12 or 14 this morning. Another reason for me not to like Astro. I mean Rastro.

I'm sure the cartoon dog was fine, but some 20 years ago I had an evil cat I was going to name Astro. But since I had to have it be an "R" name to fit with family tradition, I named it Rastro. I think it was a boy cat but I guess its aggressiveness wasn't a dead giveaway. After all, it is only a "cat fight" when women fight!

Why was he evil?

Well, first he had abandonment issues. The only reason I had him was that he was given to me by the guys at the fire department who assured me (wink, wink) they would find a home for him in no time. What young, single woman doesn't want a cat?

Me.

While I remembered some of our barn cats while growing up, I realized they were only cuddly as kittens. Then, as barn cats have to be, they were a bit wild and predatory.

Rastro was born to be a barn cat. Not a "stay inside Robyn's little apartment all day while I she chases down news stories" kind of cat. So she or he took it out on me at night by chewing my hair. All. Night. Long. I couldn't get any sleep! Don't cats sleep 22 hours a day? Thank goodness Sylvester is nothing like this.

Rasto also took it out on visitors. Literally took it out -- like biting off a chunk of skin! I remember one time I had two college girlfriends staying over and he just waltzed up to one, unprovoked, and bit her leg. Evil!

Probably the worst thing he did was lock himself in the bathroom one day, which caused a chain of embarrassing events...

I'm sure I've shared this story before. I usually kept the bathroom closed so he wouldn't mess with the toilet paper roll. But that morning he must have sneaked in before I closed it. Then jumped up at the door handle and turned the lock, which was an old-fashioned knob that didn't take much to turn. I had stopped home in the afternoon because I was going to be covering a dinner that night (writing a story about it) since the governor was going to be in town and attending.

I had no luck opening that bathroom door and no key existed. I lived on the second floor. I borrowed a ladder from the old guy next door and was going to go through the bathroom window. But you know that heights thing I mentioned yesterday? That started young. Could not get on that little part of roof and try to get in that window.

So I did what every other single, young woman with a cat would do. I called the fire department. It was their fault indirectly since they forced the cat on me, right? I told the guys to just come with a better ladder. And quietly.

But no, they came with the sirens on and in a real fire truck. Let's call attention to this helpless female!

They did manage to get through that window and get the door unlocked. Rastro had peed on the floor and was hungry, but he did not mess with that toilet paper roll! While the firefighters were there, though, they noticed an odor. It wasn't the cat!

Turns out I had a gas leak. So then it was waiting for the gas guy to come... all the while, I was checking my watch because I needed to get to that governor's dinner! By the time they came and fixed the leak, it was too late.

Thankfully, my boss accepted my excuse though she had to wonder what I was on! And thankfully, Tommy T. ended up being a no-show that night so I didn't miss the story.

I suppose I should say thankfully, Rastro locked himself in the bathroom so he could essentially save my life. But I just couldn't bring myself to love him. It was none too soon when I found him a home on a farm.

Just like the winter storm, I was eager to see him move on.

I guess I'm catty that way.

Ruh-roh!

Don't Look Down

Anyone who has spent enough time with me in places other than my work desk or my couch (both on ground level) knows I am afraid of heights. Very afraid.

Did you hear about this news story today?

I was at the fitness center over lunch and this was all over CNN. Can you see that speck on the World Trade Center tower? Look closer...

Yup, there are two window washers hanging on for dear life after their scaffolding accidentally shifted and repositioned itself in a "going down" angle. Yikes.

It took hours to rescue them. I am betting if I had been up there, I would have been long gone. Not from falling. The fear would have stopped my heart! Seriously.

I am grateful they eventually were saved. And am grateful for my office job, where the worst danger is stapling my finger or mutilating myself with a painful paper cut.

Do I have a job a like mine because of a college education or because I am gutless?

I have had to face some fears over the years – like talking to strangers or public speaking, even – but it hasn't stopped my heart so far. Guess it's good to get reminders once in awhile that we should appreciate the perks of our employment and know we won't end up like they guys.

Though it does explain why I don't do windows.

Survivor Salute

Normally on Veterans' Day, I'd be posting photos of the Assumption High School Band performing at the courthouse ceremony. But not this year. The band did not play there. Only 5 members – including my son – did. But he didn't tell me until supper.

Tonight.

So I will use an image I took two years ago in Boston at a place called The Memorial Garden. This particular tribute honors those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. But I have visited The Highground in Neillsville, where they honor all branches of service. And saw the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., way back when it was first erected.

I am moved by what I see, but don't have the deep personal connection the grieving parents, spouses, siblings and children do. I did not lose anyone.

My dad did not serve due to a heart murmur. My brother was in the Navy but did not see combat. My nephews, though, survived the Desert. And thank God I can use the word "survived."

As an "Earth person" – a non-veteran – I honestly can't begin to comprehend the horrors of war. What they saw. What they did. How they suffered. Every sacrifice made for us and our freedom back home.

I recently listened to two audio books that shed some light on the suffering of soldiers (Unbroken: The Louis Zamperini story about WWII and Japan, written by Laura Hildenbrand) and the suffering of Holocaust victims (The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult).

Wow. Just, wow.

Just fighting in a war would be too much for a softy like me. But to be imprisoned in some fashion? Wow. I just couldn't fathom having the personal strength to survive.

I have always appreciated, honored and thanked veterans, but I now have a special place in my heart for those who were prisoners of war – either physically or in some emotional way that has trapped them since their return.

God bless you all!

Sense-Less

I'd be the last person to admit it's a sign of age, but I seem to be losing my senses. That's assuming I had any to begin with.

But I'm not talking about common sense, which I lost long ago, but the 5 human senses: Taste, hearing, sight, smell, touch.

Touch: My first test today was touch, well more like feel. We did not get dumped on with snow, but did get a little plus the icy mix here. So after skidding to a stop several times at intersections, I finally got the feel for driving in the winter again. It's called, going 40 mph for the whole work commute – no matter how long it takes to get there!

Taste: I was alarmed today that my taste buds may be fading. First I had a "chocolatey pretzel" type bar that shouldn't been better than cardboard, but just wasn't. Later, when I happened upon some scrumptious-looking "this is leftover, please take a piece" pumpkin pie, I could hardly eat it. No offense to the baker, but it just didn't do it for me, even with the whipped cream on top. Of course, it would almost be a blessing to lose taste now so I wouldn't be so tempted during the holidays. But it was a false alarm. I could taste the good supper hubby made just fine.

Sight: This time of the year it is quite challenging to see at dusk – even with my self-labeled "night-time driving glasses" on. Just that transition from light to dark when you know there are tons of deer lurking at the edge of the fields, waiting to jump in front of you. This afternoon, that was compounded by a light mist and fog. Not a fun drive home. Glad I left work when it was still light out so I could at least see for half of it. I guess the car drove itself home the second half!

Hearing:  Oh boy, has that been going lately. Plus it's harder to hear when you can't see as well. You know what I mean? My cell phone rings on my way home. I shouldn't have answered it because I was concentrating on the fog. But I do because it is the doctor's office and I was curious what they wanted. Apparently I just needed to make an appointment for my annual mammogram. So the appointment coordinator starts asking me standard questions, like if I'm pregnant or have health issues, etc. Then, I thought she asked if I had insurance and I said, "Yes!" Then there was a pause and I said, to clarify, "Did you say 'insurance'?" No, she said, "Implants!" Whoops. Obviously if this conversation was in person, she wouldn't have to ask. Another fun sign of aging!

Smell: No worries on this one. I still smell.

Ha. Now you can FEEL good about yourself!

Ant-ICE-pation

We don't trust crystal balls these days, but we put a lot of faith in the technicolored nightmares delivered by weather "authorities."

Mondays are depressing enough but this graphic image – coupled with snow on Mr. Deck Chair this morning – has put me in a funk all day. Just the anticipation, the knowing what is supposed to hit us, reminds me how much I hate winter.

It's too early to whine about it, right?

This would explain why Wal-Mart was a madhouse this afternoon. Most people around don't wait until Sunday to do their grocery shopping. But between a Packer night game and this Polar Vortex Round One, people are stocking up. Well, me, too. But I'm crossing my fingers it at least holds off in our neck of the woods until AFTER I am safely home from work on Monday.

I feel terribly for my family Up North. Wow, this could be a doozy.

On a positive, I had another productive day to day.

Just kidding. I was lazy as heck. After 8 o'clock church, where I had to read today, I came home and watched the sappy Hallmark Christmas movie I DVR'd last night. It reminded me of our cat and I loved it! (When don't I love them?)

After that, I did some minor cleaning, then decided I really needed to get an hour of earnest reading in. I had just finished a Christmas audio book and needed get into my book club title, The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. Wow. Glad I invested some time. It's getting pretty interesting! Since I don't really have a vested interest in tonight's football game, I may have to knock some more chapters off.

And plan for a long commute tomorrow.  :(

Mission Possible

I once asked you: How do you eat an elephant? The answer: One bite at a time.

As much as I loved my Pumpkin Spice Grands Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast, the rest of the day I was eating elephant. (aka tackling the clutter).

When some of us see how much stuff has accumulated in our homes over a decade, it can be overwhelming to think of organizing, donating, selling or tossing it ALL at once. So I've been taking little bites at a time. It felt so good to get my closet re-organized last weekend, I didn't want to lose momentum.

Today, since Jim was gone all day to UW-Whitewater watching his Warhawks whoop up on the UW-Stevens Point football team, I decided I would hit the "cobweb corner" – also known as the laundry room and "storage" area of the basement.

There are a lot of boxes and bins and bags of clothes that are either don't fit anyone or don't fit the style of the current decade. I was on a mission. By midafternoon, I hadn't gotten to all the cobwebs yet, but I had the back of the CRV filled and was headed to the Bethesda Thrift Shop for a donation.

My math went something like this: 6 bags donated to Bethesda + 4 bags of garbage tossed = 1 evening of hard-earned anti-hoarding Hallmark Xmas Movie time.

That was my plan. But it turned out even better. Instead of the Hallmark movie, which I am DVR'ing as I type, I got to spend 3 hours with my boy, who was organizing and downsizing his wardrobe, too.

We went to Stevens Point to eat an early supper at Buffalo Wild Wings. Then we stopped at Fleet Farm so I could buy some ingredients for Christmas cookies, plus the yummy red and green Spice Gum Drops I can only find there. After that we stopped at Kohl's for some early Christmas shopping. We hit pay dirt at the clearance rack and Carter got some new clothes to replace the ones he just got rid of. Who am I to judge or explain that this is how the cycle never ends??

After that, Carter insisted we stop for a cool treat. It's almost mandatory after hot wings, even though we'd had an hour to cool off already. So we stopped at Sweet Frog and enjoyed some frozen yogurt for the ride home. Seems like a perfect date to me.

Glad we both worked so hard to deserve it. It feels good to say "Mission Accomplished."

Even if it was just one of many to come.

Bridging the Birthday Gap

Had a pleasant evening with the Austin side of the family tonight. While technically today is my nephew Tim's birthday (on my side of the family), tonight we celebrated the births of hubby's dad and middle son.

I won't divulge their ages but 55 years separate young Clay from Grandpa Austin! They still look good in their crooked hats, though, don't they?

We met at the Wild Horse Saloon (and restaurant) for supper. There were 10 of us: Dad and Mom Austin, Jim's sister Sherry, her husband Baird, son Colin and his girlfriend. Plus Jim, Clay, Carter and me. Casey couldn't make it home.

After dinner of 9 fish fries and 1 burger (that was me to change things up), we went over to Sherry's for visiting and cake. She insisted on sending some carrot cake home with me so I could not refuse! She sent a piece of chocolate cake home for Jim, but since he'll be gone tomorrow, they might both disappear!

We're home now. It's 9 o'clock and I could hit the hay real soon. It actually started getting dark out while I was still at work so I feel like I've been ready for bed for 5 hours. When will I adjust to the time change?

Hopefully before our next Austin birthday party. That's not until January!

Have birthday cake sweet dreams!

Classic Lit

The non-reading teenager asked us at supper if we had read The Scarlet Letter. I hoped he wasn't wondering if the A on her chest was an Assumption High School letter. But then, when he casually shared the plot and knew what adultery was, I kind of wished he did think it was a school uniform.

I forget that every generation "grows up" a little faster than the one before. I know some of the plots of the classic novels we had to read baffled me. And granted, quite a few confuse Carter, too. But it made me think of the "classics" we had to read in Mrs. Petersen's high school English class and what I remembered most.

Off the top of my head, the following were some of my classic lit favorites – as in, I read them more than once and maybe more than twice:

• Roots
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Of Mice and Men
• Animal Farm

Well that was an odd mix. I also enjoyed these (and I'm sure others but these are in my memory bank):

• Across Five Aprils
• Lord of the Flies
• The Last of the Mohicans
• Little Women
• The Outsiders
• Shane
• Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth
• Where the Red Fern Grows
• The Yearling
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
• Jane Eyre
• Rebecca
• Great Expectations

Here are a few I did not enjoy, but they were memorable (as classics should be, I guess):

• All Quiet on the Western Front (too gory)
• Catch-22 (major, majorly confusing)
• The Old Man and the Sea (who cares)
• The Great Gatsby (should re-read it now that I saw the movie, LOL)
• The Grapes of Wrath (too wordy)
• Moby Dick (didn't care)
• The Catcher in the Rye (what was the fuss?)

After thinking of all these (and I know I missed a lot), I still can't recall if I read The Scarlet Letter. I would have had to, I suppose. But like some of the other confusing ones, perhaps I just didn't get it.

Of course, with all my life experiences and what I've learned since, I should probably go back and re-read the entire list. I would definitely have a different perspective.

And, like Carter, I might enjoy them more knowing I did not have to write a book report or take a test on them! (No offense, Mrs. P.)

HumpDay HeadLinez

No breaking news... No election results... Just HumpDay Happenin's... Or 4 reasons I'm a dork...

Tin Can Evolution: We've come a long way since playing telephone with tin cans connected by string. And it took me longer than most to come that long way. But I'm feeling pretty technically savvy tonight after using Face Time for the first time ever. My BFF is working out of town so we thought we'd give it a whirl so we could speak to each other "face to face" through our Mac computers. I accidentally hung up on her 3 times while trying to un-mute it. But I think she forgave me. I will get better with practice, I'm sure. I might even try that Skype thing, too. But let's not get too crazy.

Feeling Blue: Any time you see blue on a weather radar map, you know what four-letter word is coming. Most of our area is green, so we'll be wet, but we could get the white stuff by morning. Anywhere from a dusting around here to 2-4 inches Up North (like in the northern reaches of the Marawood Conference, if you were paying attention yesterday). I would like to at least have a full week to adjust to the time change before throwing a new season our way.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: Plus, I am not ready for a new season. I am still PUMP-ed up for fall! I was wasting time making a collage today of the pumpkin-flavored treats I have enjoyed so far. Actually, I don't think I've had a piece of actual pumpkin pie yet – just everything that tastes like it! My latest find is the Quaker Instant Oatmeal. Yummy for the tummy and warm, too, on the now cold, winter-ish nights! "Slight" addiction?? You make the call.

Awk-ward Awards: Speaking of addictions... I have confessed multiple times that I am an Award Show Junkie. In fact, I need to sign off so I can get back to watching the Country Music Awards. You didn't know I listened to country music? You're right. I don't. The only nominee I know is Blake Shelton because he is on The Voice. Wouldn't know his songs or anyone else's, but I can't resist watching... with my cup of pumpkin spice tea...

Band Goes On Tour

Have you ever seen a mom at the store trying to get her temper-tantrum toddler to move and he just throws himself down and she practically pulls his arm out of his socket trying to drag the child-turned-cement block out of the line of scrutiny from other shoppers?

That is how it is trying to "drag" information out of a teenager.

How was school today? "Fine." What's new? "Nothing."

Good thing we had parent-teacher conferences recently so we could find out a few things. The big positive news is that Carter was named to the Marawood All-Conference Honors Band for a second year in a row. Awesome!

While his band teacher was going on and on about how "Carter just oozes talent," I just tried to hide my embarrassment that our child doesn't communicate with us. But then I learned we aren't the only ones that deal with this. So I put it behind me and am now just a plain old proud mother (who might not like the fact that I now hear too much)!

Last year, the Honors Band (and choir, too) spent the day at Spencer High School, practicing with their instrument groupings and as a whole band in preparation for a public concert that evening. Spencer is just north of Marshfield, so hubby and I went and enjoyed a great show.

Today, Carter was going so far north, we had to get him up at 4:30 so he could be at school around 5:30 a.m.

I did not realize how geographically far the Marawood Conference stretches! Somewhere between here and the North Pole, they are performing a concert tonight if you happen to be in the area of Cheqaumegon High School, which kind of sounds like maybe part of Manitoba??

It is actually in Park Falls, which is 2 1/2-3 hours from Rapids. I feel bad but we didn't make the trek. I guess I could have handled the drive up. But coming home late at night, I would have struggled driving in the dark, watching for deer and, oh yeah, staying awake!

I did text him earlier and he said the practices and everything are going well. There are 4 other band members from Assumption with him, plus a few choir folks, so I'm sure it probably feels like a day of playing hooky, with a concert at the end of it.

Hubby and I still don't know where our boy get his instrumental talent. But the next time his band goes on tour, we'll be happy to be his groupies.

(Then for sure he won't communicate what's going on and where!)