Birthday Border Hopping

When it occurred to me that this was going to be the first birthday I wouldn't celebrate with my baby boy, I needed to find a reason to head south. As it turned out, a legitimate one materialized.

Since College Boy has to return his rented lofts next week, we had to get him the bed frame we've stored in his room at home all school year. Today, the day before his birthday, was actually the only day that worked. Completely mutually agreed upon by both parties.

So hubby and I hit the road at 9 a.m. and headed down to Platteville. We had to time it so we'd get there at noon because college kids need that 10-11 hours of sleep minimum on the weekends. So we dropped the headboard stuff off and gathered up items Carter won't need in the last 3 weeks of school.

Despite the pretty blooms of spring, Carter was hesitant to give up his winter jacket. I mean when I visited him in February, we walked around in short sleeves. Today was 40 and windy. B-r-r-r! Pretty trees on campus, though!

We headed for the border and beyond for birthday lunch. Yup, when your college campus is in the middle of nowhere, sometimes you have to go the next state to find a Buffalo Wild Wings.

Dubuque, Iowa, is a pretty town. In parts. We drove through the industrial area but there were a lot of pretty church spires jutting up to the clouds. Sometime on a nice day, we'll have to explore.

After lunch, it was time to head north and cross the Ol' Mississippi again.

Wisconsin welcomed us back but we didn't really have time to miss it! It was a pretty short visit since Carter had homework to do and meetings later in the day. While we did not have birthday cake, I did deliver plenty of Little Monster Cookies to keep his protein levels up a few days. Lots of peanut butter in those!

Since I was nice enough not to give him the surprise birthday treatment at B-Dubs, the almost birthday boy was willing to pose for one picture in front of the pretty tree in front of his dorm. "Make it quick," he said.

He's almost 19. He's got to be used to his mother embarrassing him by now, hasn't he?

Or was that why we had to go to a different state for lunch? Hmmm... He may be getting wise at his old age!
 

Playing Dress Up

It's obvious Mother Nature did not have a prom date this year so she had to make is miserable for everyone else. Well, to her credit, she did not make it rain today. But it was definitely chilly for those girls in their short-sleeve or sleeveless dresses!

Felt weird not being a prom parent this year. Hubby and I could just go about our business of running errands – bank, brat fry and baking, among a few.

My accomplishments today were minimal. I did not get to my "Saturday chores" yes. But I made my Little Monster Cookies so I could take some to the almost birthday boy when Jim and I head to Platteville tomorrow. I got a 4-mile run in – with pit stop at a garage sale. For real, some friends were holding a sale on my route and they gave me a bottle of water! (I did not buy anything.)

But no flowers to pick up this year. No pictures to take. Just Sylvester and I being the princesses in the house, as usual.

Kitty heard it was dress-up day so she tried to wear Jim's shorts. That or she just needed to crawl into a warm cave out of the cold!

We did get to see some of the "real" dressed up people later. First had dinner with a bunch friends (table for 13, please), then headed over to Assumption to see some of our "daughters." Hey, there are some special young ladies in our life. One of them always calls us "Dad and Mom" and said we had to come to the Grand March and see her last prom!

We're used to seeing Kara dusty and dirty on the softball field, but she cleans up well! It was a treat to see a lot of "our girls" transform into princesses for the ball. And the guys looked pretty good, too.

Everyone seems so grown up when they play dress up. Then we'll see them in pig-tails and slugging a home run this week and wonder if it was real.

Thank goodness for photos and scrapbooks. Right, moms?

Spring Thaw? Naw.

If you see Mother Nature, could you please remind her that nowhere in the phrase "spring thaw" is the word snow or cold or freeze? Thanks.

We couldn't believe yesterday when we looked out the windows at work mid-morning that it was snowing. I mean we just figured the weather guys meant Up North. Certainly not Central Wisconsin. But there it was. And pretty, too.

People often say that folks who live in Wisconsin must be made of sturdy stock to survive winter after winter after winter. But what about our flowers? Talk about tough. Here they were beaten down by heavy snow and ice and rain. Some even buried a bit. I hope they recovered. It was too cold to walk outside today and check.

They did make for some pretty photos to mark the occasion of snow just 4 days before May...

By the way, I did not pick out the purple-and-yellow color scheme around the grounds at work, but I have no complaints. Especially during NFL draft week. Ha.

And there is some pink thrown in, too. None of them was safe from the anti-Spring Thaw!

I expected the snow to be gone by this morning, but no. It clung to the decks and to Carter's car. So I had to send him a picture in case he didn't believe me. Don't think they got anything down south where he is. I heard Up North they got like 4 inches of snow!

Suppose we can consider ourselves lucky. And while spring sports were called off yesterday, they were all on today. It was chilly but at least the sun was out to try to keep things more springy than wintry.

Since baseball was out of town, I stopped to see the middle school softball team play at home for a bit. They were playing Nekoosa, whose coach and two daughters (playing today) go to my church. So that was fun to capture a few pictures of them and of my Assumption baby girls who shouldn't be old enough to play middle school already!

I keep thinking my sweet little Ava is still a little second-grader. But no, she's a big (not really) 6th-grader and was fierce on the mound today. I adore this girl – and her big sisters and parents, who are good friends of ours.

That smile just melts my heart. I wonder if it will work on the snow, too!

Almost Anything Goes

After the week and month I've been having, I really haven't gotten the opportunity for me time. Or "we" time with family or friends.

Right before I left work today I got a text from my friend Becky asking me if I wanted to go see the musical at Lincoln High School tonight. I knew I had a freelance project to get done, like every other night this week, but I responded:

I really don't have time... But I will MAKE time because I miss you!

Truth. I haven't seen her since Camp Crop-A-Lot in February. And we only live 1 1/2 miles apart. But that thing called "life" gets in the way. And that is usually a combination of work and kids. So we made a date.

Neither of us had seen the Anything Goes musical before in any format. We like musicals. I've seen a ton from high school and community theaters to touring Broadway productions and, of course, movies. Knew nothing about Anything Goes.

Was fun to recognize some songs – think I Get A Kick Out Of You, It's Delovely and Anything Goes – and really neat to see some talented young artists I know. The girl I mentored for confirmation a few years back did a great job singing and dancing. I was very, very impressed with all the singing.

And, of course, hanging out with an old friend was the best part!

It capped off a day of Anything Goes. We had an office full of rugrats today. OK, let me re-phrase that. It was Take Your Child To Work Day so we had more than 60 kids running around our office. Well, to be fair, they were pretty well-behaved and the company provided many activities for them so their parents could actually get some work done.

All these people had their cute little kids – and I'm over here with Flat Carter. He did get to meet everyone, plus sat in on a department meeting. I also made sure my co-workers kept an eye on him when I had to leave for the restroom. On the flipside, I ate the cookies designated for the kids.

Hey, Anything Goes. Right?

For a Good Cause

Register today for the 2017 Tracks for Tina 5K to benefit the Tina Livernash Memorial Scholarship!

Once again this will be held in conjunction with the Assumption Royal Event the weekend of May 19-21! Register by May 1 to get a cool T-shirt designed by yours truly. (This poster gives a little clue as to the design.) If you want to register, let me know and I will email you a form!

This cause is near and dear to me because my BFF Christine created this scholarship and event to honor her cousin Tina, who was murdered on April 17, 1994. The crime remains unsolved. Although it has been 20-plus years, she is never far from the thoughts of family, friends and other loved ones. I never got the chance to know her since I moved to Wisconsin Rapids in 1995, but I am an "adopted" member of the Livernash family. And feel blessed to say so.

Consider supporting this event. I will be helping with pre-race activities, then jetting up north for a bridal shower for my future niece. So even if you can't walk or run it either, doesn't mean you can't register or donate to the cause. A lot needy kids get scholarships each year.

Help Tina's legacy as a lively, loving, caring Royal live on.

Serenity What?

Totally fitting with the stress lately that my "Serenity Prayer" bracelet broke today. Now I know God should grant me serenity but not sure for what? Change others, maybe?

Such a jumbled mess! The beads were in a particular order around my wrist. Sort of like a rosary, I guess. I'm not Catholic, but I think they touch a bead for different words or phrases. For my bracelet, I remember there are 7 green beads to represent each day of the week. Yup, there is more the to the Serenity Prayer than we usually say. There is a sentence after the usual prayer that says, "Living one day at a time" (every day of the week).

Actually, there is even more than that. Pretty sure my broken bracelet is a sign I should be looking at the whole thing. And praying it, too.

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.

Amen.

(prayer attributed to Reinhold Neibuhr, 1892-1971)

If you are having a week like mine, where every day is a "Monday," feel free to join me. There's gotta be some serenity somewhere in that pile of beads!

Case of the Mondays

I had a full-blown case of the Mondays today, that's for sure. The first thing I learned is that it is really easy to set an alarm. The key, though, is that you then have to turn it ON.

I had planned to be up and at work an hour early, before 7 a.m. at least. Suddenly I awakened and the clock said 7:11 a.m. Whoops. Technically I did not oversleep. Got to work on time but that extra hour would have been nice – especially since new projects were greeting me in my inbox

Serious case of the Mondays.

Luckily Facebook swooped in to save the day. It often will flashback to a memory we posted on a previous year on this same date. Today was a picture I posted 3 years ago lamenting that Carter was growing up and about to turn 16.

When the picture showed up, it just melted my heart! If I wondered where the time went then, I wonder now how we are one week away from having a 19-year-old. Last year as a teen. Uff da.

Still, I remembered when he was sweet and little like this – and could some how run a first down in sandals no less! Love this boy, er young man, with all my heart. And miss him to pieces!

Just had to look at this picture and smile. My case of the Mondays quickly transitioned to a case of the Mommies. My favorite day.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

You can learn a lot from looking down at something other than your phone!

Today was my annual "let's pretend we don't have 2 black thumbs" day. In other words, try to distinguish weeds from plants before both are so big, it's an overwhelming project. I typically wait until the hottest day in July to do this, but I had a free Sunday, so why not start like the normal, two green-thumbed people?

My first task was taking the leaf blower to the white rock garden area and blowing out the dead leaves and other stuff I assume was dead. Then I actually pulled a few weeds so the Tiger Lily plants can grow and bloom without any competition.

The next big project will be re-doing the old rock border at the front of the house. Now that we have the snazzy new driveway, we can't make the rest of the yard look abandoned. So in an oxymoron of projects, we've got grass seed to grow grass (duh) next to the concrete, and I had to take Round-Up to the border area where grass is actually growing – and we don't want it to. So with one black thumb, I have dirt and trying to grow grass. With the other, I am the Black Thumb of Death and killing grass. I have way too much power.

Went to Home Depot with 8,000 other weekend warriors and got the Round-Up and a few other things and had a killer of an afternoon in the 70-degree sunshine.

When I had to take a wheelbarrow of branches, leaves and vines to the pile by the creek, I noticed our backyard was in bloom! I looked down and saw purple everywhere. I like that!

There are times in life I think I have strength and determination. But look at this little violet that pushed its way through an old log to bloom where it was planted.

"Bloom where you are planted." I have seen this old saying posted on my mother's bulletin board of inspirational thoughts, painted on garden plaques and heard it preached in sermons. It reminds me of that other saying I was blogging about just a few weeks ago: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Sometimes we just have to make the best of a situation.

Like these violets, covered with dead leaves, maybe mired in negative thoughts. They decided to rise above them. Be positive. And share their beauty.

We all have beauty to share. We do. It might seem like we have to fight through a lot of dead leaves and rotted wood to get there. But we have it. God has blessed each of us with certain abilities so we may invest them in others and bring glory to Him. As we use our God-given talents, we glorify Him and bless others. That is how His garden grows!

We must hold firm in our faith in Him and in ourselves. Look at this fire ant trying to intimidate this flower. The pretty violet is like, "Do you know what I have gone through to get to where I am? You don't scare me."

This flower reminds me that in order to bloom, we must have fire (purple fire) in our veins and faith in our souls. It also says we can never be perfectly pure (white). We wear our scars as proof that we have persevered. And that's beautiful.

The surprise bloom of the day was this bouquet of yellow flowers that rose up out of nowhere in the Bloody Run Creek. I've never seen them there any other spring. Ever.

They are beautiful and tell me to keep believing in miracles about myself and others.

God has planted us where we are that we might be a blessing. He wants you to take deep root. He believes that even someone with two black thumbs can make love, laughter and kindness bloom on our corner of Blue Jay Drive.

Thank goodness He believes in me. Because these pretty red flowers blooming in the front yard tell me I need a lot of work.

M is for the Million Things...

They say age is just a number, but even big ages don't necessarily mean a lot of points in Scrabble!

Why do we care about Scrabble? That was not one of the games we played at my mother's 85th birthday party today. But we did have some fun with letters.

After enjoying lunch and cake with family, the 8 R's took the stage. Yes, we were at a fellowship hall at Skonewood, up the road from Mom's, and it came with a stage!

We sang a standby of Mother's Day programs from way back when all of us were kids.

"M" is for the million things she gave me
"O" means only that she's growing old
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me
"H" is for her heart of purest gold
"E" is for her eyes with love-light shining
"R" means right and right she'll always be
 Put them all together they spell MOTHER, a word that means the world to me.

The second time through we said R means... Rayna, Romey, Renell, RoAnn, Ron, Rachel, Robyn, Raylene. We each yelled our name (with some flair, naturally). In case you were wondering, yes, we made her cry. For a good reason for once! We weren't naughty.

We also sang the song One Day at a Time, which Mom often listened to on her record player (way back in the day). Raylene and I also performed (using that word lightly) a few songs we used to sing to the "old people" who visited Skonewood from area nursing homes. Again, way, way back in the day. I can't believe we remembered lyrics and actions. Not sure how we sounded, but when it comes to family, I don't embarrass easily. And moms are trained to say "good job" no matter what!

Even though I saw everyone at our uncle's funeral Monday, it was nice to see each other again on a happy occasion. That's how Mom wanted it. And when you're 85 (or 23 in Scrabble), you make the rules.

M is for a million blessings with this family!

Family Day at the Ballpark

OK, a bit of a spoiler alert here. It was a long game and it was a good game (through 5 innings for the Royals, anyway). And it was a nice family day at the ballpark.

Anytime Stratford is in the house, Austins are sure to follow. My father-in-law and his family grew up there and graduated from high school there. Since some of his sibling stayed in the area, there is usually an Austin on one of their teams.

This time, it was a Jim's cousin's son Hunter, who plays JV but was called up to be on hand if they needed him.

So Jim's Uncle Jug and Aunt Pat made the trip down to watch the game, in case their grandson got to play.

Then there was the usual baseball brain trust of Uncle Joe and my father-in-law John. 

Assumption did have a lead through 5 innings. Then the Tigers rallied on some of our mistakes and pulled off a victory. Thus the big smile from Hunter Austin.

OK, that makes 5 Austins. Wait, we almost forgot my favorite: Coach Austin.

He likely smiled more about seeing family there than the final score. There were some great hits and nice plays by our guys, though. When I realized I took hundreds of photos, I figured I better at least acknowledge family first, Royals later.

Now it's bedtime so we can hit the road early and see my side of the family tomorrow. There will be games, too, but nothing requiring sliding into second or wearing extra layers for warmth.

I hope.

Throwback (Way Back) Thursday

An old friend shared this photo on Facebook today as part of "Throwback Thursday." And when I say Old friend, I mean 40 years (what??). And when I say Throwback, I mean way, way, way back. Like circa 1977 (what??)

How could that be when I wasn't born yet? Hahaha.

Can you tell which one is me? Here's a hint.... I am the center of attention, as always! If the patterns on the couch and the blouses and the wrapping paper don't blind you, you can also find my twin wearing the lovely red floral number in front, at right.

This was a birthday party for my old friend Kelly (striped shirt next to Raylene), who enjoyed presents from the Oak Hill gang... as in non-violent, non-gang-like students at the two-room country school we all attended in rural Luck (yes, that's an oxymoron). In fact, that is probably all the girls in second and third grade. Yes, all.

It's always fun to see the historical images.

Now I am at the age where I can say life was simpler back then. Heck, the pattern on the throw pillow didn't even have to match the stylish sofa.

Of course, I didn't appreciate the simple life for what it was. Now I can see why each generation feels like the one after them is missing out. We grow old. Well, older anyway, and realize how good we had it.

We have it good now, too. Just stop and appreciate it. Maybe thank someone from the previous generation for what they gave you. If nothing else, we've got fuzzy photos and hopefully clearer memories.

Lost Signal

Kudos to the person who named their Wi-Fi network "Jesus I Trust in You!" How appropriate when one is searching for a signal, that that is where we'd find the signal, the answer and the ultimate connection.

I gotta say I have been pretty lost lately. Just losing myself really. Working way too many hours and trying to meet other obligations the best I can.

I'm not spreading myself too thin on purpose. It's just that "perfect storm" of stuff hitting at once. We've all been there, right? Life would be boring if it was just normal, not that I know what that is. But I am relieved that a project eating up my time for the past several weeks is finally finished, off my plate and shipped elsewhere!

Why yes, I did write the words on the paper that is filling that big-ass binder! Well, not all the words, but a good chunk of them. I don't even know how many trees we killed (sorry, Mother Earth), but I hope there are a few left for a campfire, because I need to relax!

Need to relax, find myself, find a signal and make that connection again.

On The Mend

If there's one thing I've learned after attending two funerals in two days,  there's no quick way to mend a broken heart.

Yesterday, in my uncle's case, there was no spouse left to mourn – only his daughter and her family, plus the friends and relatives. Today, it was a dear friend's father, who leaves a wife of just shy of 60 years, 3 daughters and their families.

Whether you were close to the person who died or just really close to a family member, you feel the pain. You feel like your heart is breaking just a bit, too, and leaking out some tears.

Yesterday I cried hearing some beautiful songs, nice tributes to my Uncle Allan and a slide show that included photos of my Aunt Betty, who I miss dearly and loved to pieces! Today, I couldn't hold back the tears as I read messages "to grandpa" from my friend Luann's kids and their cousins. I know these kids. I know their heartbreak. So incredibly sad to read about their joy of having a short lifetime with Grandpa and their sorrow at never getting another day with him again.

After the service, when I saw my friend's father-in-law, who I am quite close to, I gave him a big hug and said, "Love you, Dad!" I call him that since, well, sometimes friends are family. I said, "Please stay around for awhile." Then he looked around in the church and I clarified, "Not here, but around for many, many years. I can't lose you yet!"

Uff da.

I guess the risk of loving people is that they may break your heart some day. But God has put so many special people in my life, how could I not take that risk and love them?

The good thing is that I can share with others that He does provide some healing powers. We can't completely mend our broken hearts, but the pain does lessen enough we eventually can smile more than cry at the memories.

My prayers and hugs go out to all who are suffering from a broken heart right now. Hang in there.

His Last Chores

The animals are fed, he's baled the hay, the chores are complete, it's the end of the day. My Uncle Allan finished his chores and hung up his pitchfork on April 11 at the age of 87.

It was strange irony that the night before, I posted a picture – for National Siblings Day – of my 7 siblings and me from my baptism day, when Uncle Allan and Aunt Betty became godparents to 5 of us. In the photo above, I am sitting on Uncle Allan's lap, my twin Raylene is on Aunt Betty's lap and the other godchildren seated in front of the pretty curtains are (from left) RoAnn, Ron and Rachel.

Our Aunt Betty (my dad's sister) died 18 years ago, just after Carter's first birthday.

Farming was their life. They milked cows, raised is, chickens and beef cattle, plus planted and other crops. It was always an adventure to visit their "century" farm in east-central Minnesota (Harris). We especially liked visiting after they adopted one of our dog's puppies!

My mom and all 8 of us kids made it to the funeral today. I got to see some cousins on my dad's side of the family that I haven't seen in quite awhile. It's unfortunate to only see relatives at funerals. Thankfully, there's at least one family wedding this summer that should bring many of us together on a happier note.

In the meantime, hug your parents, family and other loved ones. Treasure each day you have with them.

And each day you are able to do those chores.

He is Risen!

Happy Easter! Rejoice – even in the weeds because that means there is life!

You also know that is the only thing I am capable of growing. Though hubby planted some grass seeds today so we'll see if I can manage that! 

It was an absolutely gorgeous Easter Sunday!! Sunny and temps in the mid-60s. A wonderful church service to start the day, followed by the Easter basket hunt. I really didn't make Carter or Tony work for it, that's for sure.

And Carter almost obliged for a photo for the scrapbook. Humor me, boy!

Had to finish up a few projects this afternoon before heading to the in-laws for the yummy Easter dinner because I am going straight to Minnesota from here. Well, Hudson. I am staying with my sister and brother-in-law so I don't have to do 8 or 9 hours of driving in one day going to our Uncle Allan's funeral tomorrow. What a glorious Easter for my godfather – free of pain and sickness and spending the day with Jesus.

I feel blessed to have had a day with my Easter (and every day) blessings!

Hope you found many reasons to say "Alleluia" today. Happy Easter!

April Showers and Stuff

The rain shortened campfires on Blue Jay Drive two evenings in a row. Last night, Carter and Company came indoors earlier than planned. Tonight, the grownups were enjoying this fine Vikings fire (I can see Purple and Gold, can't you?) across the street when it started showering again.

That's OK. I had to collaborate with the Easter Bunny for a bit anyway.

Didn't time today after running around all day at core-strength-tabata class, then book club, then Assumption softball brat fry, then walk with my furry boyfriend Buddy and his mommy Cindy, then bonding with Mr. Deck Chair.

I didn't hang out with him too long, though. It was mostly cloudy today ... with a chance of humidity. Actually, really humid, which was weird for April. I ended up sitting in the recliner and finishing Finding Audrey and will not choose that for my book club. Need to find something different for June. (And for my friend Audrey – it was an OK book but missing depth and complete plot line, in my humble opinion.)

This evening, hubby and I took Carter out to eat at Jennings downtown. They have quite the selection of burgers there. Carter had a Pizza Burger where 2 mini pizzas served as the "bun" with a burger between them. Yum. I had the Pineapple Express Burger, which had a strange combination of a burger topped with maple bourbon soy glaze and sriracha, peanut butter, grilled pineapple, cilantro on top on a toasted pretzel bun to create some unique yumminess. Weird, yes. But tasty, yes!

Got home and enjoyed some time around the fire and realized that I didn't "work" all day. Yay. Finally, a day of rest. Tomorrow is supposed to be mid-60s and sunny and no April showers.

So I might just get some things done outside... or make sure Mr. Deck Chair has a happy Easter, too.

Lower My Egg-spectations

I had so many things on my To Do List today, I started taking shortcuts. Case in point, coloring Easter eggs. I managed to find a way to color the eggs without having to boil them!

Major time saver. Brown is the new pink, right?

There were a lot of things to try to squeeze into a day "off." And I did not do them all. Got some freelance work done. Went to 1 p.m. church. Very good Good Friday service. Then went to the office. Got home after 6 p.m. like it was a normal work day.

Finally got to see College Boy at that point. Yup, it takes awhile to get home to the actual house when you spend time with friends en route and sleep elsewhere! He's got some 6 or 10 friends over for a campfire tonight so I took my 30 seconds and ran with it.

I'm honestly OK. I have learned to lower my egg-spectations at Easter time and, well, anytime. Just be happy for small moments with loved ones because they are better than no moments.

I wouldn't have had much time for Carter today anyway. Tomorrow, though, there may be a kidnapping.

Since Carter was going to be busy with friends, hubby and I went out for a fish fry and ran into quite a few people we knew. Ended up having dinner with two other couples we know so that was unexpected fun.

See, when you lower your egg-spectations, surprises can happen!

Like me just finding out I do have kickboxing class at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow. I figured we wouldn't because of Easter weekend, but I was wrong. So I better hit the hay. I am using the time I saved egg dying and eggs-changing it for sleep.

Eggs-cellent plan, eh?

Three-Day Booking

My three-day weekend starts NOW. By typing that, does it make it true?

I am not into alternate facts. I do have 3 days officially away from the office. But I can't turn off my Hell Week just yet. So while the doors are closed to the public tomorrow for Good Friday, I'll still have to sneak in and finish a project.

Other than that, though, I really do want to finish the book I am reading (Finding Audrey), then enjoy book club on Saturday to discuss another book (The Nightingale), then start next month's selection (The Nest).

We'll see how far I get in reality.

I have other priorities. Carter will be home tonight yet to start a 4-day Easter break weekend. So I might have to kidnap him for some time at some point. Then there's the rumor it will be 70 degrees on Saturday so Mr. Deck Chair, in turn, may be kidnapping me.

That's only if the prediction of 90% chance of rain turns out to be an alternate fact.

Hey, I love some good fiction. Don't you?

Scrambled Eggs

This just in... Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs really ARE the cure for what ails you. Or we can pretend.

I laughed right out loud at this cartoon. Not because I have PMS or like chocolate bunnies, but because I have STRESS and I love chocolate (and peanut butter) Easter eggs.

It's one of those weeks where I have been chained to my desk most of the time. Early hours. Late hours. And stress eating in between. Today when I caught a break, I made an emergency run over to the IGA store nearby to get some Reese's eggs.

It had to be done.

And yes, for my sanity, it was an emergency.

Don't know if the peanut butter eggs cured everything, but they sure tasted good. It felt like a deserved treat. And I'll only beat myself up about my lack of self-control for another 10 minutes before I am sound asleep and we do it all over again tomorrow.

Meanwhile, with my head scrambled with all that time at work, Easter really did sneak up on me. So I am going to have to buy some more eggs (to share, of course) and other treats for the baskets. I typically buy enough for leftovers... a.k.a. My Belly.

People say they love Christmas candy and Valentine chocolate, but my favorite holiday food involves unlimited peanut butter eggs, jelly beans (not the black ones) and one, ultra-sweet Cadbury egg.

Thanks, Easter Bunny!

And now for my favorite bunny funny every year...

M-m-m... was just thinking Reese's bunnies are probably pretty tasty, too. What??