Cross Walk

Coming home from work tonight I had to stop at what must have been perceived as a crosswalk. So I yielded the right of way but just had to take a photo. I know you're thinking it, too. Why did the chicken cross the road?

In all likelihood, it really was just to get to the other side, since he does live there. But there could have been other reasons...

• To get to the Hen Party.
• To get to the polls early.
• To run away from the political rally because she thought Col. Sanders was running for president.
• To read a poem at the Poem, er Poultry Corner.
• To get to King Cone by the time it opens in Rapids at the end of April.
• To chase the winter blues away.
• To get Carter's pile of graduation party invites to the Post Office.
• To catch a screening of High School Musical before Assumption performs it live tomorrow night.
• To see Coach Austin in his white baseball pants.
• To get out of the stinkin' rain turned sleet turned snow. "My feathers are frizzy!"
• To find Mother Nature and put her in her pecking order.
• To check out the rooster. He's a chick magnet!
• To go to kickboxing class. "Check out my form."
• To peek at Mom Hedberg's beautiful new mailbox.
• To hang out with the Desperate House-chicks of Blue Jay Drive.
• To get to Brewer Stadium or Target Field before opening day.
• To offer homework help to Mr. Senior-itis.
• To weigh in at the Weight Watchers meeting. "I'm not fat. I'm fluffy!"
• To get to Wal-Mart for some "cheep" clothes.
• To shop early at the joint garage sale with Audrey next week. (Stay tuned for details!)
• To see if her eggs magically turned into Peanut Butter eggs for Easter week.
• To avoid getting run over by the crazy camera lady behind the wheel.

Got any good reasons? Chirp up!

Rain Checks

Ran across this photo tonight and I thought one of these hats would have been perfect headwear on a rainy day like today. They might not keep my hair dry but they would frighten away the rain clouds and the fashion police.

Oh, the things royals get away with.

Yup, it was rainy all day (pouring as I type this) and it will continue for the next day or so until it possibly turns into snow. So the old adage that if March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb, will not hold true this year. I'm guessing it probably doesn't that often.

I did manage to make it to kickboxing – no excuse since that's indoors – but I will not extend my 10,000-step streak any further than 2 days. Unless I somehow get 2,000 more steps before I go to bed. I am not that motivated.

And I will stop whining about the weather because it obviously has no impact on my life – until Mr. Deck Chair weather!

On the other hand, Coach Austin has had to deal with a lot of indoor baseball practices. That's not fun. The Royals are supposed to open their season on the road on Monday. The good news is that the Lion that is March will be long gone.

The bad news... April showers bring May flowers.

Lord, grant us patience and good umbrellas (or royally hideous hats).

Mixed Seasonal Signals

I was hearing this buzzing in my head at work today. At first I thought maybe it was just the brain cells colliding while working too hard. Then I recognized the long-lost sound.

A lawnmower.

So I could still see snow on the ground but I could smell fresh-cut grass. I think the lawn-care crew was toying with the inmates in the asylum! Naturally, this called for a walk to check things out.

Three of us escaped and realized it was a gorgeous day! The temps reached 60+ so it spelled summer to us. And smelled it, too. Love the smell of fresh-cut grass! Love watching the mower guys maneuver around leftover snow piles as if showing them who's boss!

Although we did have to return to our cells, I mean desks, I decided I better take advantage of the nice day since we are going to be experiencing a Polar Vortex come this weekend. Of course! So I took a 3-mile walk/run when I got home. Ran a song, walked a song, etc. That worked well. I didn't get tired and hopefully won't be too sore tomorrow. I keep trying to ease back into running but never have more than one day in a row to do it before the weather turns cruddy again. Terrible streak.

Poor Mother Nature. Getting blamed for everything – even failed exercise programs. I guess if she could just stick with a season awhile and go with it, that would help. I think spring should definitely stay, if you are asking.

It was sure nice having my FitBit wrist "watch" vibrate at 10,000 steps two whole days in a row. Now there's a streak to beat. Help me out here, Mother Nature.

Please.

Senior Moments :: Picture Perfect

Since the Pomp and Circumstance day is only TWO MONTHS from today, I will finally share Carter's final picks for his senior pictures. Not that you haven't had a sneak peek. But I thought I'd throw them on here while simultaneously allowing myself an early night to bed to hopefully put The Crud to rest.

Enjoy the view. Thanks again to our friend Steve Davis for capturing the serious, half smile, full smile and smirk moments!

Just two months.... Uff da!

Easter :: The Southern Swing

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What happens when peanut butter meets chocolate is always magical. Especially at Easter when it forms the Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs!

The Easter Bunny made his southern swing today, dropping off a basket for Carter and not requiring anyone to find anything out in the rain like we had to Up North yesterday. Instead, Carter just had to sit there on the couch while Mom hand-delivered his basket. Apparently the thrill of the hunt is lost on teenage boys.

While he did not allow photos either, I at least could snap one of him digging through his favorite treats, which ranged from Beef Jerky and Arctic Grape gum to Pop Tarts and Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls. Oh, and with some traditional Easter treats thrown in the mix – jelly beans and yes, Peanut Butter Eggs.

Even kitty rolled her eyes when I claimed I did NOT eat half the Peanut Butter Eggs before putting the rest in Carter's basket. She looks like she's saying, "And Robyn thinks we actually believe her??"

OK, yes, I had a few. Gotta stop cheating on my Weight Watcher points NOW, though.

After late church, I managed to squeeze in a very short walk before we had to leave for Jim's sister's house for the Austin Easter celebration. We had Jim's parents, his sister and her family, plus us, Carter and Casey there. Great meal. Yummy carrot cake for dessert.

And I am stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. Wrong holiday but the only appropriate visual that comes to mind. I'll be seriously crashing from my sugar high tomorrow, making Monday feel like Monday at work. Uff da.

Should I bring some backup eggs to get me through the day? If I knew where to find some, that is... Don't roll your eyes at me!

Pre-Easter :: The Northern Tour

We had family Easter Round One today with the Northern Tour to Mom's ... and back. If I counted correctly, there were 22 of us who made it – 7 kids and the rest a mix of grand- and great-grandkids. My niece Beth brought the Easter Bunny, aka pineapple. Cute, huh? And yummy.

We had birthday cake and ice cream for dessert! I was good and only had what was left on Carter's plate. But that doesn't mean I followed Weight Watchers in the slightest when it came to Peanut Butter eggs!

We had a shortage of children this year. Technically, Carter (under 18) and my twin's granddaughter Hanna (2 1/2) were the only kids. My niece Ashley had fun hiding, er throwing, candy around the yard for the kids.

Since it drizzled rain all day, it was a very quick hunt! Not even full yard boundaries this year. And only about one or two treats each ... unless a Peanut Butter egg magically landed in your hands or lap courtesy a kind niece or nephew!

There was mix of visiting and some game playing. The guys claimed this game was too complicated for girls. Probably. Plus, it looked like whatever it was, it required way too much thinking!

Got a nice picture of the cousin class of 2016. My great-nephew Anthony just finished classes and will graduate high school in June. Carter still has 2 months and 2 days. They look like nice young men, not boys, now!

Had to be sure I got a photo of the birthday girl and her youngest grandson. He's a great grandson, just not a great-grandson. You know what I mean.

I suppose you're wondering if she is smiling because she got her new mailbox in. Well, funny story...

My brothers-in-law Rick and Steve were on the ball and fixing it in the rain while we were eating. I guess there was a bit of a disconnect. The old mailbox had been bungee corded to the board on top of the post because the board had rotted and couldn't hold the mailbox in place. So they put a new board on and got the mailbox secure.

Turns out Mom had a brand new mailbox she wanted in place of the old one. It sat in a box on the deck but the mailbox fixer uppers didn't know it. So now the "story" is that the screws they had "wouldn't work" on the new mailbox so this old box on new board is a temporary fix. In the meantime, one of the fixer guys is going to make sure the new mailbox gets prettied up in some way before they install. Then, she'll be really happy.

To secure their place as the sons-in-law of the year, those two also replaced the toilet seat at Mom's. This was all before lunch. Wow. I wonder if they make house calls to other moms in the family. I'm sure I could find a project or two.

I'd even pay with peanut butter eggs... just this once.

Pretty Good Friday

Not only is today my mother's 84th birthday, but coincidentally, she was born on Good Friday. Here's a little Good Friday trivia for you...

Today is a religious rarity that will not occur again in our lifetimes. For most Christians in the West, it is Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. It is also March 25, the traditional day of observing the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her she would become pregnant with Jesus.

This overlap has happened just three times in the 20th century (1910, 1921, and 1932, the year Mom was born) and twice in the 21st (2005 and 2016). And it won't occur again until 2157. It's a rare event because the Christians use different methods to schedule holy days. Fixed feasts, like Christmas (December 25 in the West) and the Annunciation (March 25), fall on the same day every year. And movable feasts, like Easter, fall on different days depending on the lunar calendar.

Glad it has happened two times that my mom can remember. When I talked to her this morning she claimed that being born on Good Friday is the reason she is so good. I said that was great that she passed that along another generation and had 8 good kids, too. I don't know why she laughed at that. Like she didn't believe me or something.

To observe Good Friday, we all went to church – Jim to his Catholic church and Carter and I to our Lutheran church. Maybe it's because we have a new pastor with new ideas, but I really liked our service today. Neat presentation of the Easter story and good music. Was glad Carter could join me.

Other than actual Good Friday- and Good Friday Birthday-related activities, it was a busy day of errands and projects. Since it was sunny and in the 40s, I did sneak in a walk with my neighbor Cindy. I am still dealing with The Crud so I was sure to dress warmly and wear a hat.

Tonight I believe much of Wisconsin is feeling The Crud. Watched a heartbreaking loss in the NCAA playoffs. We had such terrible shooting percentage the first half that neither team deserved to win. I don't think Notre Dame with get much further unless it plays a much better game against its next opponent. Not that I know anything. I was just glad the Badgers outlasted my bracket.

Me having a decent bracket is about as rare as my mom's birthday falling on Good Friday.

The Skinny Snow Belt

Remember that line of 8-14 inches of snow that was supposed to hit central Wisconsin overnight? Well, within that snow belt was a skinny snow belt around Wisconsin Rapids that only got 5-8 inches.

So now are we supposed to be grateful, Mother Nature, that we did not get the foot of heavy, wet snow they got just to the north and south of us? I'm just not feeling the attitude of gratitude.

What I was grateful for was a ride to work from hubby, since the roads were sketchy at best this morning, and the sunshine that came later and melted it off any of the plowed surfaces. For the record, that includes our work parking lot and all roads leading home. Just not our driveway because who wants to shovel when it's Spring Break AND it should melt in a day or two.

That's the part I'm thankful for – not that we fell a few inches short of the preposterous prediction.

Some people had some fun with the sticky mess, making snowmen and other Spring Break Bizarro World photo ops. I tried to stay indoors. I am still battling The Crud, as I will appropriately call it, so don't want to make it worse. I am thankful we have tomorrow off as a holiday so I can get to bed soon and sleep as long as my body tells me it needs to. That will be past 7 a.m., that's for sure.

Hopefully, I will find my motivation to get things done with my free day. I have a feeling that it's buried under the snow and won't show itself quite yet. I guess that's what caffeine is for.

And 8 hours of hibernation. Let me know when winter is over.

Spring Training

I can't figure out if Mother Nature is training us how to welcome change in the weather – or how to cope with her mood swings. Either way, we still don't know what's going on in central Wisconsin.

It didn't start snowing – if you call it that – until midafternoon. They, as in the weather dudes, are still insisting we are right in that line to get at least a foot of snow. Apparently, it's going to happen while we're sleeping so we can have a nice spring surprise sprung on us when we awaken.

I joked with Carter that they already called off school. He's probably bummed it's spring break because they won't get a snow day out of this!

When I got home from work, Coach Austin had left the ESPN Classic station on so I could catch the end of Twins vs Cardinals World Series game from 1987.

Just in time to see Hrbek hit the crucial home run in Game 6. Whoo-hoo! Now I am in the mood for baseball season... and in the mood to wave my Homer Hanky. Will have to wait for Royals (Assumption, not KC) and Twins spring training to wrap up first.

Speaking of spring training, I think my mother is finally training us to give her what she wants. While she is the queen of snail mail, she is not the queen of subtle. I just giggled out loud when I read the note today that I am sure was mailed to all able-bodied sons-in-law and grandsons in advance of the birthday-Easter gathering Up North this weekend! I hope I don't wait until I'm 84 to finally tell people what I want. God bless her.

Hopefully whatever this spring-winter thing is will not hamper anyone's travel plans. I believe after the storm passes, we will have temps in the 40s so there will be nothing to stop the manual labor from hitting the road Saturday morning. 

Unless Mother Nature has another surprise up her sleeve. Let's not give her any ideas.

Who Nose

Kinda sad that my constant companions for the week are a tissue box and a bottle of "put me out of my misery" cold medicine. On a positive note, they may be working.

After my nose was running constantly at work yesterday, a friend gave me a box of Puffs with Aloe and Lotion. "Take it. It's yours. I don't want it back." I never realized how painful cheap tissues are on the nose after repeated, repeated, repeated use. Not that I am going to become a tissue diva, but I think I will keep a box of those Princess Puffs on hand for special occasions.

For now, I just carry the gift box with me. Everywhere.

The second part of this equation is my night-time relief. They now make NyQuil "severe". Frankly, if I ever need it, it IS because the conditions are severe. Last night I took a dose and managed to sleep with minimal coughing and nose blowing. Doesn't stop me from drooling, but that's not cold-related. I was just glad it worked.

Today was a hell day at work and I had to stay late to make progress on a big project. I said that no matter what I had to be home at 7 p.m. so I could take my NyQuil and be ready for bed and sleep at 9 p.m. It's all in the timing, isn't it?

Sure hope it's just as effective tonight.

Maybe by tomorrow night at this time, I won't need it. Who nose, er knows?

I will probably want to put myself out of misery of a different winter wonderland kind. Latest forecast is 14.1 inches. Gotta get that 0.1 in there to cover the spread.

Obviously, when I say I'd rather have the cold than the snow, you can see why. Even with this cold!

Spring Broke

Some people are on Spring Break this week in warm places – and some of us are stuck where spring is broken. Yes, this is a new forecast for 8-12 inches of snow in the HEART of Wisconsin.

I hope the weather guys are proven wrong Wednesday night and we hear rain rather than snowblowers in our neighborhood. Of course, any type of precipitation could bring all those flooding concerns back. Yikes. Realistically, I expect this will be revised quite a bit in 48 hours.

But I've been wrong before.

Just figures that yesterday the calendar said Spring. Today it says Baseball Practice. And Wednesday and Thursday it may say Snow. That's Wisconsin in a nutshell.

At least it was mild enough for us to switch sports seasons today. No, Carter did not play basketball but it was still an active fan and pep band season. No, Carter is not playing baseball this spring, but someone else in the house is on the coaching staff.

Yup! Very proud hubby was selected for the Assumption Baseball coaching staff. He has so much coaching experience and so much love for the game, I know he will be amazing in his role as assistant coach. What a great way, too, to keep our Royal connection after Carter is off to college. Should be a fun season to watch!

Let's hope those snow forecasts are long gone before the first pitch April 4!

Another sign of a broken spring is our winter colds. Both Jim and I have different versions of the fun. He's got a cough and I basically filled up a waste basket with tissues today. I wish my FitBit would keep track of steps when my nose is running. My wrist would be vibrating already with those 10,000 steps!!

Ugh. Let's hope this business is over quickly. It's ruining our Spring Broke.

A Complete Stop

There's a well-traveled intersection in our township where there is often an extra set of eyes watching to see if vehicles make complete stops. Believe me. I know 2 people who have been ticketed for the ol' rolling stop at 48th and Wazeecha.

The friendly officer's advice (to my girlfriend, not me, I swear): "If you want to make sure you've come to a complete stop, look at the road ahead of you. If it's not moving, you're stopped."

Good advice. I now at least pause for a count of 3 before continuing on.

I came across this stop sign at the end of a dead-end (obviously) today. If you disobey this sign, even with a "rolling" stop, you'll find yourself in Wisconsin's largest lake!

I wondered why there was a sign at the water's edge, but I suppose it was erected for winter so motorists would stop and check out the ice thickness before venturing further onto Lake Winnebago. On the first day of spring, though, that didn't come to mind. Instead, seeing this within minutes of a visit at the nearby prison, I found it symbolic. Wouldn't it be great if the signs to stop on the path we're headed were as obvious? Keep going and you're going to be in hot, er freezing cold, water. Or stop, turn around and go a different direction.

I think the "signs" are there, but we ignore them, acknowledge them with a rolling stop maybe and keep going.

I had quite a good visit with my nephew Tony around this theme. He is getting to the point in his unplanned journey where he will be traveling in the next few months from one set of walls to another, in a more rehabilitative setting. Then, several more months down the road, no walls.

No more guard rails, so to speak.

It's not going to be any easy road. I know that. I have traveled on it many times. Sometimes as the one in the driver's seat, trying to keep control of the vehicle, aka my life. Other times serving as the guard rail, trying to help someone else get back on track.

I feel blessed that I live near enough to Tony's temporary home so that I have been able to see him, support him, share my experience, strength and hope, and pray for his safe journey. He could always use more prayers, though. 

Sometimes those STOP signs show up out of nowhere and we don't see them until it's too late. Please pray he has the strength to proceed with caution.

We could all use that reminder sign from time to time, couldn't we?

Lordy, Lordy, Look Who's...Young

As someone much closer to 50 than 40, I had to crack up at the old geezer-type gifts a friend of ours received tonight at his birthday party. Forty is not even close to being old. Trust me.

Still, it was funny. And it was great he was surprised.

Hubby and I traveled over to Neenah late this afternoon for a surprise birthday party for our former co-worker Angelo. We picked up Tom, another former coworker, in Waupaca along the way.

Since Angelo's birthday was actually March 7 and they did do something for him then, he was legitimately surprised to walk in and realize the party was for him! Chalk one up for his wife and his parents for collaborating to make that work.

Want to know what 40 looks like?

What 40 looks like... or, a large campfire built for one. He got them all out with one blow, though.

And here he is with his two favorite Robyns – me, his former work wife, and the other Robyn, his real wife now! Naturally, he is blessed to have us both.

Was nice to visit with them and several former co-workers as well. Of course, it does make for quite a late drive home. Could fall asleep any minute now.

It's not like I'm still "just 40" and can handle it.

Rapid Reflexes

If you thought Mr. Deck Chair was living on the edge with his position near the beach, wait until you see what his distant cousins – the park benches – are up to this week.

Thanks to a whole lotta rain in the last 24 hours, the Wisconsin River (in town) was rising fast and prompted the Flood Warning in the area that I mentioned earlier this week. Hearing so many reports, I took a field trip down to the river during lunch today.

If you wonder why they call it "Rapids," around here. Look no further than this short video. You will definitely see rapids!

I also took several pictures of park areas along the river that are mostly underwater. You'll be able to see by the line of weeds and gunk that I am a day late and dollar short with my photos. The river water is already receding, thank goodness.

Now, a few pictures...

Welcome to Wet-Sconsin Rapids!

See why Mr. Deck Chair doesn't have it bad? At least we can still sit on him! There used to be a paved walking path that went right past the bench. Not you can barely see the bench and can't see the walking trail!

Back up by the dam area. Now you know why it is called Rapids!

Boat launch with dock removed. See picnic table in way back of photo.

Yes, parks were closed, but I couldn't resist snapping a photo of at least one other offender!

Sign says "no swimming." I hope that doesn't apply to the ducks. They seem to be doing OK with this change!

 More actual Rapids.

 Lyon Park: City's first water park!

Boat landing parking lot under water.

 Water up by former East Side Pool area is spilling over onto the walkway. Yikes.

 Look at those whitecaps! And it wasn't even that windy out today compared to yesterday!

Park closed. Water receding, though. Time to come to dry land, stay there and go to bed. Be careful out there!

Blessing and a Curse

First the blessing...

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Or, as I like to call it, Shamrock Shake Day!

As of 7 p.m., I have managed to willpower myself away from all things minty. Of course, my thoughtful hubby (urged on by a fellow shopper at Wal-Mart who may or may not live nearby) brought home a bag of Hershey's Carrot Cake Kisses. That's right, another of my fave flaves.

I calculated it out and it seems like each Kiss is about 1.1 Weight Watcher Smart (or not Smart) Points. No need to ask how many points I racked up, just refer to the previous paragraph and marvel at my willpower... for most of the day.

Now the curse...

Typically there'd be nothing much to curse about on St. Patty's Day. Even for us non-Irish folk, it's still an excuse to wear some green, kiss the blarney stone and maybe engage in some shenanigans.

This year, though, it coincides with the official opener of March Madness. Or, as I like to call it, the Annual Throwing My Money Away Because My Bracket Stinks.

Granted, I wasn't going to do one since I don't work with the bracket master any more. But we decided to scan ours and email them to him and see if we can't win some gold at the end of the NCAA rainbow. Even though I filled mine out in record time to beat the 11 a.m. deadline, I would hazard a guess that that is the same amount of thought I probably put into it every year. Just willy-nilly picking random upsets and hoping for the best.

The first day and my bracket's starting to bust up already. I think I might need the luck of the Irish on my side, but I am sure the Irishmen living with me won't help. They want to beat me!

I might have to hunt down a few more blessings... Or those "Kiss Me, Even if I'm Not Irish" treats Jim brought home.

Something's gotta work for a girl from Luck!

Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise

This month marks 15 years we've lived on the shores of Bloody Run Creek. Most years, though, you wouldn't know by looking at it that we had waterfront property or required flood insurance. It's typically a very, very shallow to dry creek bed. But then we have those special occasions where God and Noah step in and we have water!

Got a text from hubby this afternoon alerting me of the news. Not that we have reason to be alarmed, but he knew I'd be all over it with my camera!

First, rest assured that Mr. Deck Chair was not harmed in the making of this blog. You can imagine his confusion. One minute he's in the back yard on Blue Jay Drive and the next he is on the beach! Too bad the temperatures didn't reflect a sunbathing atmosphere.

In fact, it had rained all night and morning and turned to snow before quitting this afternoon. We did not have any measurable white stuff, probably because the wind blew it away.

Yup, you take a flood warning and combine it with a wind advisory and you have waves! If you look closely, that is. Surf's up!

I just hope the water level doesn't get too far up. Don't want any old trees uprooting themselves. And Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we don't want Mr. Deck Chair getting washed away either.

Be careful out there!