Hollow-een

Take it from an Empty Nester, holidays – all of them – are hard. I just want to snuggle with my cute little clown baby or dinosaur toddler or ninja pre-teen. Dang.

Time flies... like witches on brooms.

I haven't carved a pumpkin in years and this year, mainly being gone for half of October, I didn't even get pumpkins to decorate outside. Just don't have the same ambition without having a kid around. Granted, he was too old to dress up the past few years, but still. The holidays are just reminders of days gone by. And what our hearts are missing.

Hollow-days, they should be called.

I did text Mr. College to see if he was going trick-or-treating. Now that he's in a house, he said they might just have the light on for trick-or-treaters. I reminded him they can't hand out beer to kids. Ha. Hopefully, it was a fun night.

We had our usual five trick-or-treaters. All siblings from the other side of the neighborhood. Basically, as long as they're around, I am justified buying a bag of candy with treats that I like. In case there are any leftovers.

Unfortunately, since I can't make this deal any more, I have to take matters into my own hands. I'll dress up as an Empty Nester and knock on my own door if I have to.

Hopefully hubby will answer it.

Hope you had lots of treats today! Hugs to you fellow moms and dads missing your little monsters!

Anniversary Date

Today marks 365 days at my new job – including weekends and holiday, which I thankfully never have to work.

In fact, I can no longer call it my "new" job, can I? Or even call myself a "new" employee. Instead it will be nice to say "I've been at Sentry a year," instead of 8 months or 10 months, etc. And, yes, I still love it!

Very good move. Very good.

I put the Magic Blue Pan to work to celebrate. Made some yummy cranberry bars last night. Only a few left to bring back home. Basically I had cranberry bars for breakfast and lunch and popcorn for supper. Movie theater popcorn.

Had a date night with Bradley Cooper, er, Jim Austin to see A Star is Born movie. So very, very good! Great music. Great story line (as in the original). And I used up all my popcorn napkins to wipe my tears.

So much crying.

But such a great way to get out on a weeknight when we have nothing going on. Hopefully we don't wait another year or for another special occasion to go out. We do have a few more movie passes, so we'll see!

National Princess Day

When I heard it was National Cat Day, I figured I'd better show some love to Princess Pukes-A-Lot. Yes, her name changes depending on her behavior. And since she was trying to hack up a hairball on the carpet when I was leaving for work, she's Princess Pukes not Poops today.

But, of course, we still love her.

No sarcasm.

She must love me, too, because according to her human, she slept in my office today. That's not normal. She doesn't hang out in here unless I'm in here and she can jump on my desk and keyboard. So I'm a little leery of what surprises I might find.

I just hope I don't have to call her Princess Poops-A-Lot by the end of her special day!

I Wish I Was A Good Speller

There's nothing wrong with being a witchy woman when you have friends nearby to share brew secrets with – and cast a few spells.

Apparently I didn't do a very good job with that today. Was out for a walk and stopped to chat and cackle with this one at the Pumpkin Shed. We were both wearing our purple and working up a spell to cast on the Saints tonight.

So far, it's not panning out. But it's only halftime. We'll see if there is a wickedly wonder-SKOL conclusion!

Meanwhile, the rest of the day was spent singing in church at both services with yummy coffee in between, some quick shopping, chili in the crockpot, and editing photos. All caught up for the moment! Time to get back the recliner and put one more layer of Vikings gear on!

Just in case my spells are getting rusty.

Finishing Strong

I swear one out of five years the weather is decent on the last Saturday in October. This was not that year.

This weekend is historically the state cross country meet – which conveniently takes place at the golf course five minutes from our house. I knew it was going to be cool today. But the rain was predicted to be done before noon.

Had book club first thing. Raining. Did a little shopping. Raining. Had hubby drop me off at the race. Raining.

Well, drizzling is more accurate. But still I felt a bit like Mary Poppins – only in running shoes, not fancy boots. And carry a camera, not a magic carpet bag.

Glad it did not deter the Royals fans from cheering on our boys team. I felt bad for all the runners having to slog through wet grass and a bit of mud. Our guys did pretty well, though. Two of them finished in the top 15 and the team took 9th out of 16. I guess they were predicted to go 10th, but the finished 1 point ahead of that 10th place team!

If you don't follow cross country, it's probably confusing. Just know that there's a great group of guys who had their last run for Assumption High School and they did us proud. As the retiring coach told me before the starting gun went off, "We've been to state seven of the last nine years. That's pretty awesome."

It sure is. Way to finish strong!

Bring on the sports lull until basketball. My Mary Poppins umbrella and I are OK with that.

Friday PSA

Here are Friday's Public Service Announcements about Saturday's events...

Come on out to The Ridges Saturday to cheer on our Royal Runners at STATE Cross Country! They are keeping the streak alive! Division 3 runs at 12:35 p.m. Since this is the state meet, you can't park at the golf course – just 5 minutes away – so you'll have to see WIAA website for parking and shuttle details.

The other PSA involves activities after the meet... when you want to be home, snuggled up on your couch with a hot chocolate.

I gotta be sure I set my DVR for these! I will try to do a better job or watching them right away so I don't fill up our recording space. But, what else could be more worthy?

Don't know what else to report. Had the afternoon off, accomplished a ton of errands, did a photo shoot, had a dinner date with hubby, then met some friends out downtown. TGIF.

Zombie Watch

I'm a little nervous with the approach of Halloween and the pre-Halloween weekend. My brain is full. Zombies love to eat brains. Therefore, they'd have a feast with me.

Must. Hide.

I seriously am suffering from the CRS (Can't Remember Stuff) syndrome. Part of it probably is because I have so many user names and passwords crammed in my head – my own, I'm not a hacker – that there's room for little else.

The other part is that I do try to keep organized by adding things to my To Do List. But I forget to look at the list. And really, I can't remember it if I don't write it down AND look at it.

Last night before bed I was thinking about running an errand of great import. I think. I was like, "Oh, I could go at lunch tomorrow. I don't anything going on." Fast forward to lunchtime today. No clue what my errand was, where I was to go, and what I was to do.

Mind. Blank.

And I still can't remember! Maybe I shouldn't be so worried about the zombies coming after me. I should be worried I'm becoming one!

#CRS #agingstinks

Seasonal Deception Disorder

Two things I know. One, it's Pumpkin Spice Season (and I have a lovely pillow from my sister Romey to remind me). And two, since Thanksgiving and pumpkin pies are nearly a month away, that season isn't going anywhere!

Yet somehow, nestled in between then, now, and Halloween in a week, the Christmas season is stealthily sneaking in.

Did you know the Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas starts Friday night already? Yes, there is still baseball on TV. Yes, the best cross country runners in the state will compete in the chilly temps on Saturday. Yes, we were planning to golf on Sunday (changed mind now with forecast).

But YES, I am still excited the season (whichever one) is upon us. In fact, here's my current view...

In reality before Thanksgiving arrives, my countdown will include – but isn't limited to – 2 days to Hallmark Christmas movies, 3 days to book club, 7 days to leftover trick-or-treat peanut butter cups, 10 days to a "close the course" run at our golf course in Stevens Point, 18 days to the Elf musical at the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson with our Ladies Night Out group, 3 weeks 'til the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Green Bay, and 4 weeks and day to Thanksgiving.

And you thought my recent travels were the busy part of my schedule!

All fun things, though. I can't wait to celebrate all the different seasons as they arrive – and overlap and intermingle with the others.

Warranties Not Guarantees

There's no guarantee that just because you invest in something and take care of it that it will last forever.

That's why those slick car salesmen try to sell you a lifetime warranty on top of the hefty price you're already paying for your new wheels. Guess what? They're not only slick. They're smart.

I've had a spot of trouble with my car in the past week. It had to be jumpstarted last Thursday morning and Sunday morning – less than a week after I'd had it serviced for some recall fix on the battery sensor. Being a card-carrying Gearhead, I figured it was related to that.

And it was. Sort of.

Brought it in to the Honda dealership just down the road from work yesterday. They ended up giving me a loaner car for the evening and overnighted an alternator so they could fix my car today. They had to jumpstart it to drive it into the service bay this morning. Wow.

I called this afternoon to see if my car was done and they said, "Almost." I guess my battery didn't take to the new alternator, much like a transplant patient's body doesn't handle a new heart. It was either too broken (as hearts can be) or the old alternator was so whacked up, it killed it. So add a new battery onto the bill!

Thank God I listened to that charming used car salesman 18 months ago. The salesman – my stepson Casey – said I couldn't go wrong with that extended warranty, and he was right. Sure I had to pay for the battery, diagnostic testing, and a portion of the alternator, but that warranty saved me $570! Almost has paid for itself – and I suspect it will eventually because, well, there are no guarantees.

With anything.

I thought of that today. My dad would have turned 91 today. It's been five years since he's been gone and really, there's no guarantee he would have made it to 91 anyway. But still, each October 23, I will miss him and think he should be here!

So take time to invest in the here and now – and the who and now.

Met a friend (and former co-worker) for dinner tonight to catch up. Yes, we live in the same town. No, we don't run into each other. Anywhere. So it takes a conscious effort to make the time. Invest in the friendship.

I certainly could put a lot more effort into some of my relationships. Just because there's a lot of time behind some of them, doesn't mean that "warranty" will cover all the glitches – busy lives, distance, health. I have to continually invest.

Lord, there are no guarantees. But help me see the opportunities. I know they'll pay off.

Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear

Our mind and eyes can play tricks on us sometimes. We see what we want to see. And blind ourselves to the rest. Other times, it's just the right glance or angle and the object in the mirror (or in front of us) takes on a new meaning.

When I was out for a walk-run on Saturday, as soon as I turned the corner and saw the shadows, the light, the trees, I thought... church! It's like nature's cathedral! A nice trick on my mind.

Here's another one... Waking up to snow, my twin went outside to build a snowman.

I didn't say it was a big one! But you certainly could trick people with the right view.

By Sunday morning, the snow had melted off the patio table and Mr. Snowman had lost his head. Somehow, it was cold enough though (brrrrr) for him to stay mostly intact. Yikes.

When we were looking through some old photos, I was looking at one of Dad and thought, well, maybe we do look a bit alike (as I've been told but denied).

Definitely no doubt I belong to LeRoy, that's for sure! Never really saw it. I guess I just needed the right photograph for comparison.

Of course, that – and my ability to know everything – earned me the traveling LeRoy trophy. If you can't see it, it says, "Sometimes when I open my mouth, my dad comes out!" Amen and nothing wrong with that.

Next time something causes you to do a double-take, stop and take that second look. You might be rewarded.

Gathering of the Goddesses

This weekend marked the 20th Gathering of the Goddesses, mainly known as Sister Weekend or Wild Women's Weekend (or simple WWW). But since all 7 of us sisters are over 50 now, I think we deserve Goddess status. Don't you?

And based on our recycling bin at the end of the weekend, we might have to take the word Wild out of the title!

We stayed at the Grand Pines Resort outside of Hayward – the same place we stayed for WWW I. In fact, the exact same cabin! Figured it should come full circle for such a milestone. Doesn't mean it ends here. Just wanted it to be special.

In a way, Mother Nature cooperated 100 percent.

Our view on Thursday afternoon when we arrived.

Our view Saturday morning when we woke up!

While the cool weather did limit our exposure to the great outdoors, we still did some shopping downtown and ventured around the resort a bit. In the crazy wind!

Luckily, some Jack Pine Savage left his hat in our cabin. It was actually part of the rustic decor, but I borrowed it for a bit!

Had to keep my ears warm and my wits about me. The Northwoods has not place for City-fied Girls like me. Ha.

Overall, the time indoors ended up being very special quality time. Our older sisters gave Raylene and I a surprise belated 50th birthday party! Awesome! And we had lots of relaxing time to talk, visit, catch up, cry a little, and laugh until we couldn't breathe. Lots of that going on!

Guess that's why my heart was smiling the whole way home. That and getting to see hubby for the first time in 10 days. And watching the Vikings win. All that and a big load of laundry.

I feel like a Goddess!

Fly, Robyn, Fly

Today was departure day. Had to put on my big girl pants because one can only rely on themselves when they travel alone.

My challenge was to wheel my suitcase two blocks from the hotel, go underground and ride the light rail train to the airport.

Me to the hotel doorman: "So they'll just have a place right there to buy a ticket?"

I'm sure he was thinking: "Yes, small town girl. A machine does it!"

I managed to buy a ticket and get on the right train thing instead of 6 buses that also board there. Then it was off to the airport.

So long, Seattle. I do hope to be back!

Flight uneventful despite sitting next to a couple with a 2-month-old! My sister Rayna and brother-in-law Paul picked me up. We went to eat and I'm nesting at their place tonight since Rayna and I will head north in the morning for our 20th annual sisters weekend.

One of the many reasons it's good to be back in America's Dairyland!

Evening Stroll

After spending the day in class, I finally got out to enjoy my last mild evening of 2018. It was an amazing seminar, by the way.

But I am glad I got to capture some sun-sinking shots...

The Seahawks stadium with Mount Rainier in the distance.

They had lots of personalized pendants hanging from the fence by the harbor area. I found my age, ha.

I really could have wandered for hours, but I'm smart enough to realize that wouldn't be smart by myself.

With temps about 70, it was an amazing evening stroll. Fly out tomorrow morning. Hope I'll be back. I've got more strolling to do.

MARVEL-ous Monday

Oh you know, it was a typical Monday. Hanging out with the occasional super hero.

Actually worked this morning since my hosts had to work and the kids were at school.  Kristin got out of work at lunchtime so I caught a little sun in Mr. Deck Chair Northwest.

I realize that I am cheating on the other Mr. Deck Chair and he's covered with snow. Don't judge me. I'll make it up to him. Just couldn't resist 60 and sunny on my last day with some free time!

Kristin and I headed into the city for the afternoon. Visited the Museum of Pop Culture,  which featured a Marvel comics exhibit and exhibits of Seattle-based musicians Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. Plus all kinds of interesting artifacts owned by Microsoft founder and Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen, who coincidentally died today.

Fun and strange stuff, I tell ya!

We walked around downtown after that and grabbed lunch at the Amazon Go store. It is the one thing of all that Seattle offers that Carter told me to see.

You scan yourself on the way in, pick your stuff (pretty much food stuff), and walk out. It just knows what you put in your bag. Crazy and I was charged correctly for my lunch of Red Bull and a coconut cupcake. Ha.

After that, we meandered our way back to the car and she dropped me off at my hotel, just few blocks up from Pike Place market and harbor view park.

I took a walk and found an ice cream place. They call this Washington Hazelnut Brittle with Salted Ganache.  I call it dinner.

The sinking sun was also a treat.  Just couldn't stay out too long. The homeless come out in droves in the evening.  It is a sad reality here.

Was blessed to see so much of the positive aspects of the area. And super blessed to spend quality time with a dear friend of 25 years!

May just have to come back to this Marvel-ous neck of the woods.

No Snow-homish

Dateline SNOHOMISH, Wash. -- Actually is pronounced like snow-ho-mish, but unlike Wisconsin and Minnesota, nothing but sun and 60s out here in the greater Seattle area!

Arrived yesterday (Saturday) about 1 p.m. and my friend Kristin picked me up. We spent the afternoon in downtown Seattle, mainly walking around the Pike Place Market area. And some other touristy things because, well, I'm a tourist!

I took lots of pictures, naturally, but they're on camera.  Here's some from my phone though... (and disregard typos as I'm doing this all on my phone!)

Naturally, we had to get Starbucks.  Stopped at the very first one ever. Long line there so took pictures and got our coffee at the one down the block. Because well, there is one almost on every block in Seattle!

Something I did not know about Seattle is they have a great gym wall. Actually walls om both sides of this alley. I call it the ABC (already been Chewed) wall.

I think it would make a nice senior portrait background!

We did plan to go up in the space needle but it was a 3-hour wait, so we moved on.

Trolled the streets and found this guy! Weird but so cool. Lots of folks taking pictures. Does help to have a "local" as your tour guide.

This was a cool view! Have the Space Needle on the left, Mount Rainier in center, and Seattle's harbor area.

Met up with Kristin's husband for dinner (fresh seafood) then to their place. Was tired with the 2-hour time difference.  In fact I woke up at 5:30 a.m. local time because it would have been 7:30 a.m. at home!

Unlike the countless reports of snow at home, we had a gorgeous day out here. Not a cloud in the sky. And just shy of 70 degrees. Perfect to see some scenery!

Went for a nice 6-hour Sunday drive. One of first stops was Deception Pass.

This bridge is crazy high and I had a deceptively high amount of courage to cross it. Yes, a walking lane. A yes, I had a bit of a panic attack, but made it over. And back! Don't look down. Just breathe.

My heart was racing for an hour after that, I think. Good thing they sell ice cream in Washington so I could recover!

One of the neatest stops was Fort Casey State Park. Right on Puget Sound. Could see San Juan Islands and more on the Pacific coast. Beautiful!

And look at all this driftwood on the beach. Some pieces the size of telephone poles.

And look! A lighthouse! We climbed to the top. I have proof! I guess after that bridge,  everything was minor.

Took a ferry on the way back. Did not see McDreamy anywhere, even though he always rode the ferry by Seattle on Grey's Anatomy!

That's OK. This perfect, no snow weather is better than a celebrity sighting any day! Supposed to be like that here all week. I, however,  won't last here as long as the weather. Might get to do something tomorrow but for most part, it's work time.

There was an actual purpose to this trip. Besides avoiding Old Man Winter's early arrival.