Won't Get Fooled Again

You know how you can pull off a surprise birthday party when it's way ahead of the date instead of ON the date? Well, Mother Nature did the same thing. Nice April Fools joke today.

Well, no, not nice.

I realize it could have been worse in central Wisconsin – since my Up North family reported 10-12 inches – but still, it was just bad enough that poor little kids froze their fingers during community Easter Egg Hunts today and the Assumption softball team had to cancel their brat fry fundraiser.

That was a bummer for them but really, more importantly, is what did this do to the field conditions for this coming week when softball AND baseball are supposed to kick off their season.

Since I couldn't have a brat for lunch, I opted for movie theater popcorn. A very tasty second choice!

I met some friends for the movie I Can Only Imagine, based on one of my all-time favorite Christian songs by the same name. Like it's been around almost 20 years so I've enjoyed it and cried to it plenty over the years. Today I cried even more. Was thankful I listened the warning to bring Kleenex. I won't spoil the story but it's about the reason why and how the Mercy Me song came into being – largely due to the relationship between the lead singer and his father.

Movie was good. I highly recommend it – especially if the song is dear to you as well!

Popcorn was excellent as always, too. I brought some home but after doing my Easter Bunny duties – and accidentally eating a few peanut butter eggs – I probably should ease off on the buttered popcorn. Then I saw what Robyns look like in spring...

 Oh this poor girl! Not only confused by the snow, but carrying quite the "load."

I was 8 months pregnant at this time of year, too. I certainly resembled this momma-to-be. But if recall correctly, it was a rare warm spring in 1998 and I got to golf just weeks before our blessed May Day baby arrived. March definitely went out like a lamb that year.

Let's hope this snow disappears quickly and temperatures warm up. Not foolin', Mother Nature. I'd like things to be easy for the Easter Bunny.

Plus, I know some coaches and players who would really like the play ball this week!

Tale of Two Kitties

It was my last day to peek in on my grand-niece Mischief and feed her on the way home from work. Today she was so content with my scratchin's and lovin's that she again ALMOST sat still for a picture.

In fact, since was hovering behind right behind on the back of the couch, I thought I'd get a selfie with her...

And just like that she's crawling across my face! And that is why she is appropriately named Mischief. God bless my nephew Tony as he tries to keep us with her when he gets home!

Meanwhile, when I got home later after Good Friday church and Easter shopping, Sylvester decided to sit on my lap. Well, I was accidentally the only human home. But she sat so still, I had to take a comparison shot...

Definitely a mature, poised princess, right? I guess I should appreciate her more!

I'll tell ya who I do appreciate...

A teenager who delivers a Shamrock Shake to his mama! As Julie Andrews sings: These are a few of my favorite things!

He definitely but the good in my Good Friday. And I guess I can give a little credit to my furry friends, too. Who knew the day would come when Carter would be the most cooperative for a photo??

Easter miracles, folks! They're out there.

Play Ball!

There's one day you can put yourself out of your March Madness bracket misery... and that is the MLB Season Opener.

For today, and today only, you have hope. You have confidence. You haven't lost a game!

Yet.

Well, for Brewer fans, they still haven't. For us Twins fans, we did – even though it took 11 innings. And for hubby's Reds, well, they got a "snow delay" and will have their season opener tomorrow. So I guess they technically haven't lost either.

Oh well. There's 6 months to make up for it! Whoo-hoo!

So yeah, despite the loss out of the gate, it was a good day. And made better because College Boy took time to come up and visit me at work. Bought him lunch (duh), gave him the grand tour – I think he was suitably impressed – and he got to see 3 out of the 4 people I used to work with in Iola. They've known him since before kindergarten so it's always fun to shock them with a "young man" visiting instead of a little boy!

He got to hang out with the cool kids – including his buddy T-Bar. They can pull off that "I'm too cool to smile" smirk alright!

Later, Carter also made good on his one item on his list of things to do this week. He delivered our card tables over to his former babysitter's house for her upcoming garage sale. Since Jon and Audrey keep tabs on him in this blog, I'm hoping it was a treat to see their little guy in person. I know Carter enjoyed it!

Tomorrow it will be back to normal with just "another day" of baseball and, unfortunately, winter-like weather returning. Cold temps. Snow some places.

Makes me appreciate this day more than ever now!

Going 55

What do you get when you cross Spring Fever and March Madness? I don't know. But it felt good today!

After surviving the morning commute in very thick fog, we all deserved the sunshine and warm temps that followed. It was actually nice enough during my lunch hour that I walked outside in short sleeves. Me, who is always cold, found the mid-40s a comfortable temp.

Was even better when it warmed up by the end of the work day. But by then I had other obligations...

A little one-on-one time with Mz. Mischief. She loves me. I actually stayed longer today because she needed her people time. And she liked how scratched her so she sat still – for 5 seconds at a time, but it was nice.

Came home and grabbed my choir stuff and was off to practice for all our Easter weekend performances. Got home at 8:30 and College Boy still isn't home. He spent the day down at Devil's Lake State Park, enjoying the sunshine as he and his buddies hiked around the whole lake! Can't wait to hear about that. And see pictures, maybe.

I realized I've only seen him at meal times – Friday night out, Saturday birthday parties, and last night when Dad and I treated him to Charcoal Grill in Point. This week is flying by. Since his spring break didn't jive with a bunch of his friends, I am glad he's having some fun.

And I know I'll see him at Easter Dinner.

It's all part of Spring Madness... er, March Fever?

Pre-Season Preview :: Balls, Banners, Brats

Hot off the press! The 2018 Assumption Baseball AND Softball schedules on one calendar!

I feel blessed to have been a part of this new school "project." To date, I don't think they've had schedules in a large format to hang at businesses around town. Let alone one with a picture AND both teams. The coaches came up with the idea and I just helped execute it.

The fun part, of course, was trying to photograph 32 teenagers with them all looking at me – and more importantly, me being able to see their faces. And smiles. And eyes open. All at the same time. I actually designed the poster early last week when schedules were finalized. Took the group picture Wednesday after work and got it to the printer on Friday.

Today, hubby picked them up and delivered them to the coaches.

If you have a business around town or know of one willing to support the Royals by hanging up this 11x17 beauty, let me know. Or get in touch with one of the baseball coaches – Hartman, Austin or Grundhoffer – or softball coaches – Schill, Nelson or Leberg.

If you want one to hang in your home, just download the picture above and print it. It should fit on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, too.

Or, better yet, there may be copies of some kind available at the upcoming brat fries at West Grand IGA. Come support the softball team this Saturday, March 31, and lend your support for the baseball team next Saturday, April 7.

First home game for both is Tuesday, April 10, versus the mighty Stratford Tigers.

Is it too early to cheer? Nah. GO ROYALS!

Crazy Cat Lady

You know I'm not crazy about cats. Just crazy, according to popular belief. But once in awhile they find a warm fuzzy spot in my heart.

Don't tell Sylvester, but I am two-timing her this week. My nephew Tony is up visiting his mom (my twin) Up North and has a new kitten that needs a bit of looking after. Since I basically drive by his apartment on the way to and from work, I get to check in on her and provide food and poop patrol duties.

Her name is Mischief and she sure lives up the that. I am so used to our laid-back princess at home. And here's this energetic kitty meowing and running and jumping all over the place.

I had a hard time getting her to sit still for a picture. In fact, she moved so much and so quickly, these are the only two in focus... out of some 15 attempts. Ha.

But she did have fun with me. So the anti-cat vibe wasn't too strong. And she hadn't made any messes anywhere and didn't hiss at me. So she scored some points with Aunt Robyn.

I worried Sylvester would catch wind of a new scent when I got home and start a cat fight. But she ignored me about the same as usual since her human was home.

We'll see if I can keep them both happy the rest of the week. And the other two-legged creatures in the house, too.

Seems like a lot of work for Spring Break. Hope you're having some crazy fun, too!

Shoulda Been Loyal to Loyola

I have admitted I know close to nothing about college hoops. And as for the NCAA playoffs, well, if the Badgers aren't in it, than I know absolutely nothing.

I pick random upsets (definitely the wrong one this year) and a different method to my Madness each year. This year, for example, I was thinking heart over head. I got burned when I picked Arizona to go all the way to the championship game because "Carter and I had fun there last year on spring break."

Guess I should have extended my warm fuzzies to other picks.

Take stinkin' Loyola University – Chicago. I know the place. I have person knowledge of it. Carter really does. As seen in the photo above, he spent 8 days there for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program back in 2014. He loved it. Had a great time meeting new friends and learning more about the career and life opportunities with STEM.

It was also his first real "college life" experience and that clinched the deal that he really, really wanted to go to higher ed after high school.

I cannot believe that was not enough for me to express some bracket loyalty to Loyola. If not the championship game. At least the Final Four. (Sincere congrats, though.)

As it is – thanks to Duke falling short in OT – I have one out of 4 teams left (Villanova) and no one in the championship game.

So did I learn my lesson? Uhm, about what? Nobody know basketball THAT well. I'm sure you can count on me to waste more time and money next year. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile.

Wait... does anyone have a squirrel for a mascot? Oooh, I'm starting to see my 2019 strategy...

One-Car Birthday Parade

I am willing to go to great lengths for cake with good frosting. 350 miles, in fact.

It just happened that my mother and mother-in-law both have March birthdays. And both had parties today – 175 miles apart. So my Honda Accord created a one-car birthday parade from Wisconsin Rapids over to my sister Rayna's in Hudson for Party No. 1 and back to the east side of Rapids to Jim's sister Sherry's house for Party No. 2.

And now I'm party-pooped.

Knowing we'd be late to Party No. 2, just Carter and I went to No. 1. Hubby had things to organize for his mom's party.

Here's the birthday girl with the yummy cake my niece Ashley created! 86 looks pretty good on her, doesn't it?

And here she is with her greatest gift – her 8 R's!

It was so nice to see everyone! Christmas seemed so long ago! Also got to see some nieces and nephews, too, and sweet baby grand-nephew Hans. A total sweetie! While Rayna and Paul had billed it as a birthday party and game day, we couldn't stay for the games.

Took a three-generation picture and hit the road by 3 p.m.

Got to Sherry's house and everyone was done eating so Carter and I ate so we didn't hold up the cake-eating process too much.

Since we missed Colin's birthday in February – he was on his belated honeymoon – he got in on the March birthday party. The birthday "kids" from left to right: Baird, Grandma, Colin and Casey.

And here's the birthday girl with her handsome grandsons: Carter, Casey, Clayton and Colin. Quite the group! Was great to see everyone together there, too.

Yes, the cakes were worth the miles and miles of driving. But more importantly, it was so good to see all those familiar, smiling faces on both sides of the family.

Family is everything. Even worth a birthday parade.

There's Something in My Empty Nest

It's fitting that I would make these little spring bird's nest treats for a family birthday party tomorrow. Because our Empty Nest is not empty any more, either.

It's not filled with M&M's Easter eggs. Just College Boy and hugs. Works for me. And less calories.

Well, not quite.

Carter arrived a little after 4 p.m. Jim was already at church working the fish fry. And I got home after 4:30 p.m. I suggested a mother-son dinner out on the town since, if you recall, we really didn't get the opportunity during Christmas break. Wasn't taking chances this time. Jumped on an opening in his schedule!

Obviously, I saved no calories when we went to Jennings Bar and Grille and I had to have my favorite – the Pineapple Express Burger. Oh it's definitely as good as it looks. Burger, peanut butter, pineapple and sriracha.

In fact, when we stopped at Wal-Mart for a few groceries on the way home, Carter and I picked up some sriracha. Figured we spice up some meals over the course of the next week!

When we got home, I made the nests and Carter jetted off to see friends. That worked out fine. Tomorrow I'll be kidnapping him for a road trip. We'll have a full day with back-to-back birthday parties – one for his Grandma Hedberg over at my sister's in Hudson and, later, one for his Grandma Austin over at Jim's sister's here in Rapids.

A full day of eating and hugs and filling our nests and bellies.

And it goes without saying that my heart is full, too.

A Cat in a Dog-Eat-Dog World

In this dog-eat-dog world, choose to be a cat. Always choose to be a cat.

While I got caught up in a whirlwind this week, it sure would have been nice to adopt the attitude and mannerisms of a cat. One, I wouldn't care. Two, I would be much more relaxed. Three, well, a cat – our princess anyway – doesn't know the meaning of the word "stress."

Lucky cats.

It just happens that my freelance schedule is busy at this time of year with upcoming spring events, etc. But then a larger project got pushed ahead so I was doing next week's work this week – along with the usual "this week" stuff. So yeah, I was a little stressed in my after-hours time slot. And well, my computer could not work fast enough.

For me.

So if you heard any F-bombs in the past two hours. That wasn't thunder. That was a disturbance on Blue Jay Drive! Sorry. Really sorry about that.

On a positive note, most of the stuff is "mostly" done! Yay. And the momma countdown to College Boy's spring break says...

Thank God there's always a light – or son-shine – at the end of the tunnel!

Holding Steady

In a nutshell... my day and evening were so booked, this is all I had time for. Sorry. After 11 and it's a "school night" so I gotta get some rest.

A good day. Just full.

At least my bracket is holding steady.

Spring-Loaded Trap

Another day. Another trap!

Around mid-afternoon it was 29 degrees and "felt like" 19. Still, according to the calendar, it's the first day of spring.

Our local Dairy Queen was trying to (well, they succeeded) to entice customers with a free cone today. While supplies last! A first day of spring trap, to be sure.

You know I'm an ice cream snob and much prefer the hard stuff over soft serve. But it was conveniently on my way to and from my after-work stops. Had a meeting a church and needed a new audio book from the library. Both less than two blocks away from DQ. So yeah, my car did slow down.



But then I saw just enough of a line that I kept on going. Swear to God.

I reminded myself that when I went to Weight Watchers today I registered a small loss. So why sabotage it for lowly soft serve? I can wait 'til the weekend to blow it, as usual.

But for real, I am 2 for 2 on the sugar traps this week. Please don't push my luck. Pretty sure my willpower has gone the way of winter.

Buh-bye.

Walkin' Down the Bunny Trail

Here comes Robyn Cottontail... Walkin' down the bunny trail... Hippity hoppity, Easter's on its way...

So fitting that on the last day of winter (thank goodness) I saw signs of spring AND Easter!

Was out for my noon-time walk when I noticed a jelly bean on the sidewalk. Then another one. Then another. I figured somebody had a hole in their pocket or they were setting a trap for the Easter Bunny or they were setting a trap for a middle-aged woman whose been known to scarf down an entire bag of jelly beans in one sitting.

Except for the black ones. Not a fan. At all.

It was just funny that they were stretched for two blocks. Always just one at a time. And yes, I was tempted to reach down and pick one up, brush off the dirt and eat it. I am almost that desperate for sugar!

I have been making healthier choices lately – other than King Cone and that box of Girl Scout cookies – so sugar is appealing. And probably best, spring is tomorrow and Easter is a mere dozen days away. Can I resist jelly beans for that long? Possibly.

What about a trail of peanut butter eggs?

Not a chance. Move over, Easter Bunny. I'd fall into that trap all day long.

Yum.

A Touch of March Gladness

Hopefully not jinxing myself by reveling in the spring-like weather we had this weekend!

It was 50+ degrees again today. I know there's not a lot to do outside at that temperature, but it was nice "getting steps" weather, that for sure. Got home from a run/walk and had to take this picture of our front yard returning.

Just a little more snow to go, Mr. Deck Chair, and I'm yours!

The milder temps also meant opening the windows and front door to let the fresh air in. Kitty definitely loved that. And it did help dry the floors after I mopped them. Yes, you read that correctly. A touch of March Gladness (or madness) and I am doing spring cleaning?

The world is not ready for that.

So I sat on my butt most of the afternoon and evening. Doing some freelance stuff while listening to an audio book. I am the March multi-tasker, too!

Hope you got a chance to enjoy this little prelude to spring. It won't get this warm again for the rest of the month (if you can believe the 10-day forecast) but it should get close to 40 most days (again, if you believe the 10-day forecast).

I believe. And Mr. Deck Chair does, too!

Shakin' My Shamrocks

We didn't have to wait until St. Patrick's Day to start shakin' our shamrocks. Just needed a classic country concert.

I'm not that into country but I do remember a lot of the stars of the '70s and '80s when I didn't have a choice. Ha. That includes Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. When our friends asked if we wanted to go to the concert with them in two other couples, we said sure. It was close by – in Rapids – and I do recall the songs Broken Lady (Grammy winner) and All the Gold in California.

Was thinking I wouldn't know anything else but I did recognize several and these brothers put on a very entertaining show. Much more interactive that some previous acts we've seen here. So that was a bonus! Plus they had some interesting stories of friends who inspired them – from Elvis to Patrick Swayze. Yep, you read that right!

We weren't supposed to take pictures so I waited until the concert was over and got Larry and Rudy, but brother Steve was off stage already.

Of course, there's that encore... Gotta tell you, Larry's voice was amazing. Very clear and pleasant vocal range. You wouldn't know they've been performing for 60 years.

Final salute to our sold-out crowd.

You'd think today's entertainment would pale in comparison. But it's St. Patrick's Day so there's gotta be some shenanigans going on...

Is that not a fitting name for me? For the record, I did not have a Shamrock Shake today – though College Boy texted me he was getting one... and I was tempted. Instead I donned some green and enjoyed the morning my girlfriends at book club. Then did some freelance work. Then went for a run (walk/run) and pretended I was having my own Shamrock Shakin' 5K.

It was beautiful out! I mean almost 50. So yes, by Midwestern standards... a McPerfect St. Patty's Day.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, too. So I will probably crack open some windows and actually get some cleaning done. Unless the leprechauns sneak into tonight and do it.

That would definitely be me lucky day!

Hoopla Begins

It's that time of year I pretend I know something about college basketball even though I haven't watched a game all year. So I fill out a bracket or two and hope my "random upsets" come to fruition. Though they never do.

I don't even have a personal favorite this year as the Badgers and Gophers are not participating. So we'll see how it goes.

I think it took me 2 minutes to fill out the whole bracket online. So obviously I put a lot of thought into it! The rest of the day was work and then more work after work. Just got done with what I could for the night and it's time for bed. I'm not even going to check scores.

The beauty of selecting online is that "they" do all the calculations and keep tabs. Next year maybe I'll let "them" pick for me, too!

Good luck, fellow bracketeers!

Three Point One Four Something Something

March 14 is such a fun day. We all walk around like we're mathematically gifted because we know today – 3/14 – is consider Pi Day.

You know, Pi. That number that starts with 3.14 and goes on and on. You know, Pi. The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Duh.

It has nothing to do with "pie" but it sounds like a good excuse to have some!

But no one brought any to work. And we don't have any kind of pie at home. Not the good pumpkin or apple or Schwan's Andes Mint kind. And not a pizza pie either. Though a slice of sausage and pepperoni pie sounds pretty delish about now.

My challenge, though, is that I can't eat it. No. Not a diet. I went to the dentist after work and even though the allotted two hours have passed, I still don't have 100% feeling back on the left side of my mouth. I tried some rice cakes but I bit my tongue.

That's would never happen with a mushy piece of coconut cream pie. Ohmigosh. I'm suddenly starving!

Anyway, I opted not to go to choir practice tonight. I still look like the Joker from Batman when I smile. And I couldn't open my pie hole all the way.

That's a national holiday in itself. Enjoy it while it lasts!

Summer SKOL-stice

 

There's an app for everything... including counting down to my trip to Sweden (and Denmark and Norway) this summer. Well, I shouldn't say MY trip, since my oldest sister Rayna and my twin are going, too.

And plenty of other people I don't know. Found out today the June tScandi Experience trip is sold out so that's awesome! We'll have a bus full of Scandi-hoovians for 2 weeks. Uff da!

Ninety days makes it seem so close! Well, kinda. I gotta start looking into what we're all doing, where we're all going and what I need to bring. Passport, camera and clean underwear should do it. If you want to know why we're excited, here's some of our itinerary...

June 12 – Day 1: Leaving the U.S. We will experience the sunset at 30,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, heading towards Europe. We will make a quick stop to stretch our legs and change aircraft in Iceland. Then off to Copenhagen, Denmark! Meals and beverages are available for purchase on board the flight.

Day 2: Arrive at Kastrup Copenhagen airport in Denmark. Here you will be greeted by our travel-leader Anna and our bus driver who will join the group. Once our group is gathered we will take the bridge over to Sweden and head to our first hotel located in the beautiful region of Österlen. Don't worry, we'll be back to Copenhagen in a couple of days. During the bus ride we will hand out your welcome package and some general information about the tour. You will also receive a light lunch. After checking in and settling in to the hotel we will all gather for a welcome dinner later at night.

Day 3: After waking up and taking in the beautiful scenery and the ocean breeze we enjoy our first of many gourmet breakfast buffets. We will then board our bus and take a ride along the shoreline to take in the history of the area. Later in the day the bus takes us up to the nearby town of Kivik where we will have lunch at Sweden's most famous apple orchard. The afternoon also includes a stop at a local antique store. After a full day of fun the bus takes us back to our hotel where you choose your own schedule for the evening. We have some amazing restaurants to recommend!

Day 4: Let’s head to Denmark! Today is all about Copenhagen. We take the famous Öresund bridge and tunnel connecting the city of Malmö with Copenhagen. Today you will get to browse beautiful Copenhagen on your own and experience modern shopping and your choice of museums and other attractions. We have lots of activities to recommend. For example, why not have a famous pölse (bright red hot dog) and a world famous Carlsberg beer for lunch?

Day 5: After spending 3 days in the southern tip of Sweden we head north. Our first stop is Älmhult, and the location of the first ever IKEA store. We will tour the IKEA museum and have lunch here. In the afternoon we continue north, and after another stop along the way we reach our second hotel located near Sweden´s second biggest lake, Lake Vättern. Here we settle in and gather together for dinner in the evening.

Day 6: We will spend today in and around beautiful harbor-town Gränna where we walk the cobblestone streets and visit local stores surrounded by cozy log homes. Gränna is home of the world famous striped rock candy. Why world famous, you might ask? Just wait til you taste it :) We will then take the ferry over to Visingsö Island and explore the island with the horse and carriage ride called “remmalag”. You will also be able to walk among castle ruins dating back some 500+ years. We will enjoy lunch out on the island. The ferry takes us back to Gränna late afternoon where you will have some free time before dinner is served at the local-fish restaurant in the harbor.

Day 7: Today we take a day-trip to the Kingdom of Glass! Here you will tour the historic glass blowing factories, and even get a chance to blow your own piece of glass if you so choose. We spend most of the day in the Kingdom of Glass where we will also enjoy lunch. This day-trip also includes a visit to the historic world-famous Husqvarna factory and its museum. We will finish the day with a dinner at one of the pier-restaurants in the harbor of Jönköping.

Day 8: After breakfast and checking out from our hotel its time to head west. We leave the province of Småland and travel through Västergötland up to Dalsland. We will make a stop on the way to visit beautiful Läckö castle, located in the cozy harbor of Sweden’s biggest lake, Lake Vänern. Here we will be able to stretch our legs and take some pictures and walk around the castle. We will also enjoy a light lunch before heading to our next hotel:, Baldersnäs Herrgård, an 1800’s mansion, where we will be staying for three nights. After checking in and becoming familiar with the grounds we will have dinner at the mansion.

Day 9: Today we explore Dalsland and all of its beauty! We travel through ancient forests and rolling hills before we reach our destination of Håverud. From here we take a boat ride through some pretty narrow and impressive canals before reaching the small parish of Tisselskog. We will enjoy lunch on the boat. Tisselskog is home to stone carvings dating back thousands of years. After a full day of fun we head back to our mansion where dinner is served later at night.

Day 10: We are off to Norway! We will drive across the province of Dalsland and take in the beautiful scenery. We will make a stop at a local Moose Farm and you will get real up-close and even feed some moose! After getting familiar with the king of the forest we continue on. Our destination is Halden and the historic fortress of Fredriksten. Here we will get a guided tour of this beautiful and well preserved 17th century fortress. After the tour you will enjoy the fortress on your own, have lunch, and choose where to go and see what to see within the compound. Prepare for some astonishing views! After an afternoon spent in Norway we will head back to our mansion where dinner is served later that night.

Day 11: After a good night sleep we are off to Stockholm. But we’ve got some stops planned. First we head to the town of Karlstad, located on the north shore of Lake Vänern. Here we ar e invited into real Swedish homes by real Swedish families for some fika (coffee with snacks)! After fika we head east. The next stop is Örebro Castle where we will enjoy lunch and tour the castle. It is late afternoon/early evening when we reach our hotel in Stockholm. After you check in at the hotel located in the heart of Stockholm you have the night to spend at your own leisure.

Day 12: Today is all about you and Stockholm! You have the entire day to explore Stockholm at your own leisure. We have some great recommendations of some must-see spots in Stockholm. Why not visit the Royal Castle, walk around in Old Town, or visit the Vasa Museum? There is lots to see and lots to do!

Day 13: A day in the archipelago of Stockholm! Today you get to see the beauty of Stockholm, from a difference perspective. We will all walk down to the water from our hotel. From there we will take a small ferry out to one of the thousands of small islands that make up the archipelago. Here we will walk around, visit some shops, enjoy the atmosphere and have lunch. The ferry will dock back to Stockholm in late afternoon. We end day 13 and the last full day of this amazing tour with a goodbye-dinner back at the hotel.

June 25 – Day 14: After an eventful 2 week tour it is time to say goodbye, for this time. After breakfast in late morning the bus will take us back to the airport for our flight back to the U.S.

Now don't you wish you were coming with? I think they have openings yet for August... but there's no way that will be as fun without the Hedberg girls.

My skol sisters!

No Filters

Twenty-four hours ago I was dying to go to bed. Oh so very tired.

Guess who couldn't sleep last night?

How does that even happen? So naturally, today called for a DST-sized coffee. Don't even use a filter for the pot. Just give it to me as strong as possible!

That did get me through the day. But my DSTDV (Daylight Saving Time Deja Vu) is kicking in. So here we are at 9:22 and I am going to bed.

This time I mean it. Darn it!

Hoping you're coping much better than me!

Happy Birthday, DST

Well happy birthday, Daylight Saving Time! Yup, this biannual tradition of trying to figure out how to change the clock in your car started in the U.S. in 1918.

Ben Franklin had actually proposed it centuries earlier to save us money on energy needs. Well I can tell you right now that energy is the first thing to go for this girl.

Granted, we stayed out late and got less than 8 hours of sleep last night. But still, I was ready to go to bed hours ago and it's still not 8 p.m. yet! At 6:30 I asked hubby why I'd want to go to bed when it was really only 5:30? It doesn't make sense but the spring time change always kicks my butt.

Apparently it's still been a long-standing rule centered around saving energy because you have more daylight hours. I guess I did have an energy spurt this afternoon when I went for a walk-run, but that was about it. Certainly not enough energy saved yet that I am ready to do my chores or organize my office.

Guess it takes a few days to adjust. Tomorrow will be ugly. By Wednesday, though, I should be whipping around the house like the March wind.

Or something.

Walk, Rock or Spring Forward

Spring was sort of in the air today. And not just because we had to "spring forward" for Daylight Saving Time.

Temps were above freezing so of course we cracked open a window for the princess. She was poised to spring forward at any moment. Until she realized she doesn't have the stamina to sit in the window when it's still less than 30 degrees.

It got close to 40 later so I had a spring in my own step. Got out for a walk with neighbors Cindy and Buddy. Then sat in my recliner a few hours to finish our book club selection for March – Eleanor Oliphant is Just Fine. Pretty darn good. With some surprises.

For this evening's entertainment, we rocked and danced forward at the Octane Bar, where our friend Kathy "Kat" was singing with her Almost Famous Band. We took Mike and Cindy with us and happened to run into two other classmates of hubby's.

She is simply amazing. So talented. And just sweetest!

Assumption Class of '81 represents with Dawn, Maria, Jim, and Kat.

Cindy and I also got down with our bad selves! Do we look like we belong in a rock-and-roll joint? Maybe not. But we did have fun dancing and singing along.

Got home at 12:30 a.m. Changed all the clocks. And probably won't have much of a spring in my step when the alarm goes off. But it was fun making the transition, that's for sure.

Friday's Excite-Mint

Truth be told, today is sort of a Robyn holiday. As a loyal subject to King Cone, I felt it was my duty to take the afternoon off. Frankly, it's been a long winter and this lady-in-waiting has waited long enough!

For real, though, it was just a nice coincidence that I had a few things happening and this fit into my schedule as well.

After visions of March Mint Madness were dancing in my head all week, I sort of felt I had to get it out of my system. The Mint Brownie concoction did not disappoint.

But the really sweet reason for the day off was this...

Hubby and I got to watch one of our favorite girls "sign" to play college softball. Ellie and her sisters and parents are just the sweetest! Was a privilege to take photos today and just a blessing to be able to see her grow up before our eyes. Cute little girl to determined young woman with goals and a big heart.

Ellie will be playing softball at Loras College in Dubuque, just down the road from Platteville. Her Grandpa Doug, who was my special father figure we lost in mid-November, had attended Loras back in the day. It just happened that the day she was accepted to Loras was the day he died. She felt it in her heart to go. Like that's where she is meant to shine.

Isn't that a cool story? She's a pretty cool girl.

Even though she had to go back to class (still a kid) after the signing ceremony, quite a number of us went out to lunch to celebrate in her honor. I also got to take care of several errands, get adjusted by my chiropractor, catch up on This is Us, welcome his majesty King Cone back in my life and, oh yes, get on the treadmill to get my 10,000 steps.

Now that's a holiday. Time to go sit in my recliner and read.

Thank You, Seniors

If the game had ended any other way, you know I would have had a crazy headline about another buzzer beater. But that was not how the Assumption boys basketball season drew to a close.

The sectional semi-final against Marshfield Columbus Catholic was held at a neutral (and larger) site – the Lincoln High School gymnasium in Wisconsin Rapids. With seating available on three sides of the court, that place was filled. Kudos for the large amount of Royals fans doing their part!

Had we pulled out an upset win over the #1 ranked Marshfield team, we certainly would have been anything but upset, that's for sure. It seemed probable at halftime when we only trailed by one point.

Then, the second half, the Dons came out and built a lead. And quickly. The whole second half was us playing catch-up while trying not to foul too much or turn over the ball. Our Royals hung tough but in the end could not come away with the win to move on.

No buzzer beater. No last-second anything. We lost 63-53.

It's always sad for seniors. This year, especially sad since they comprised the bulk of the varsity team. Of the six, five were seniors. Yikes. That's a lot of big basketball shoes to fill next year. I know they are all bummed now. But I hope they can feel proud that they brought home a boys regional championship for the first time in almost 10 years. That's something to be proud of.

That and playing with more heart than I've seen on a Royals team in quite some time. Thank you, seniors. Thank you, entire team.

#royalpride