Fa-La-La-La Fun

Took the day off today to get through a mammoth To Do list. Didn't get through it but got some of the important things done. Kitty and I got the tree decorated. I miss the days when Carter was my little helper but Sylvester is a good supervisor.

So thankful for the "skinny trees" they make now. We've had this a few years because of our larger TV but now the we have an even larger one, was glad it could be up and not touch the new appliance – or block the view, of course.

A few of my favorite decorations...

My ice cream truck – a gift from Germany a few years ago, courtesy of our boy Lukas and his family.

And this guy – and his Twins brother – is so cute. Not just a snowman, but a skol-man. Yeah, I just made the up.

After the tree and hall decking, I got all the Christmas presents wrapped – those that have arrived via Fedex, UPS, and USPS, that is. Still a few to go but I wanted to keep pace. Mainly because I won't get anything done this weekend.

Got my scrapbooking stuff in order and took it over to my friend Becky's house this afternoon. My long, long, long-time friend Julie arrived from Madison around 5:30 p.m. and we headed back ofter there to scrap. We are home to sleep tonight but, since Becky lives only 3 minutes away, we'll be back in the morning to get back at it.

It's like a pre-Camp Crop-A-Lot crop. Complete with the usual snowy forecast! And typical poor eating habits and lack of sleep. But, dang we have a lot of fa-la-la-la fun!

Deck the halls and scrap those pages...

When the Fog Clears

When it comes to weather patterns there are two that are very sneaky: fog and snow. While you're sleeping, they can stealthily take up residence at, around, and on your home – and you won't even know it until you awake.

Life is like that.

When we're caught in the whirlwind of everyday life, we might not notice the fog creep in until suddenly we're overwhelmed and don't know which way to turn. If we're patient, God will act like the sun and burn off the fog, giving us clarity again.

Snow can be just as sneaky, quietly accumulating while we're asleep or even when our backs are turned. When we're so busy with one area of life, we forget to look at the others. Forget to gauge how well things are (or aren't) going.

The thing about snow is that when you walk or drive through it, you leave tracks. There's evidence of where you've been and the path you took to get there. You may look at new snow with utter dismay, seeing it erase your journey. Your progress.

I look at a fresh blanket of snow like a clean slate. A fresh start. While we can still see the tracks from the past, as we move forward, they are gradually filled in and eventually erased. We can learn from where we came, but it doesn't have to define the direction we are going.

I'm especially grateful today for that clean slate. For second chances and new beginnings.

Twenty years ago, I was in both fog and snow. I couldn't see what was in front of me but knew I had to take a step forward. Trudge slowly ahead until the fog lifted and, over time, could finally look back and see the footprints of the past disappearing in the snow.

Thank God that today I keep plodding forward, equipped with supportive snow shoes that hold me up in all conditions.

Thank you, my snow shoes angels. You know who you are.

If You're Cold, They're Cold

I was a little startled this morning to find out the temps were only in the single digits. It is still autumn, after all.

What I found entertaining – with a warm cup of coffee in my hands – was that we had a heat index today. Real temperature is 2 degrees but it FEELS like 10 degrees. Plus it's sunny. Heat wave! Just glad I remembered to wear a coat today. I don't always think about it because I go from warm house into cool garage in the morning and start up the car right away. It's a luxury now that I think about it. I really feel bad for people who have to work outside in this.

Or those who might not have a warm place to go. They are out there. Correct that. They are out here.

Was impressed this evening to see these scarves tied to the railings in front of our library in town. I've noticed the library is one of the few places in town that a person of needs can go to get out of the elements and not have to buy anything. They can read a book or newspaper quietly and stay warm in the process.

Each scarf contains the following tag and message:

I am not lost or forgotten,

I have been made and placed here

by Wisconsin Rapids Rotary 

Special Needs Boy Scouts #105.

I am here to make your winter warmer

and your day a little brighter.

If you need a winter scarf, please take me home.

Not sure who is in charge of this project, but thank you! Thank you for thinking of others. Thank you for recognizing a problem and providing a helpful solution. Thank you for caring.

We could all learn a thing or two from your actions. And maybe do the same!

Purple Monday

Usually I have the blues on a Monday, but not today! Today it was purple!

OK. Not gloating. Seriously not. Ugly game. Two bad teams. We were lucky to come out on top.

And the good mood didn't last all day. How could it? It was still a Monday.

Had a quick, busy day at work, then stopped by the middle school not far from work to take some pictures of our 7th-grade basketball team playing against Pacelli. The lights in the gym seemed bright but my pictures were looking like crap, so I opted not to stay for the 8th-grade game – even though the 7th-grade one went into overtime so I knew there was excitement to be had. Could have just stayed and cheered anyway, but I had things to do at home.

Besides eat pumpkin pie for supper and watch The Voice, that is. Had to cheer up a sad loved one and remind them not everything is in our control. I can't change the lighting in the gym and they can't change someone else's mind.

All we can do is try to infuse more purple than blue into the Monday. Maybe throw in a SKOL! for good measure.

Playing for a Piece of the Pie

Does eating pumpkin pie qualify for stress eating? It does if it's the Packer-Viking game!

I don't stress eat often – over sports, that is – but when I do, it's the Border Battle. Last time we played, Jim and I were in Minnesota, visiting Casey and hoping having all of us in Vikings Territory would help. The game ended in a tie. Maybe we have no influence, after all.

Still, I wouldn't dream of watching the game without my Viking socks, pants and shirt on. Under a Vikings blanket on my recliner.

It's halftime now and we're tied. Again.

So far I am one piece of pumpkin pie, a bag of popcorn, and two Christmas cookies into the game. No matter who wins, I know I will not be a loser on the scale tomorrow, that's for sure.

Game back on. Good thing there is still half of that pie left!

Game Day Strategy

I've learned a thing or two about competitiveness from my mom. She likes to win. She also knows it takes a good strategy.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you that we (the team of Mom, brother Ron and me) won this game of Sequence. If you have a choice, always be on Mom's team!

Today was the Annual Cookie Bake aka Annual Cookie Exchange and Game Day aka Surprise 40th Birthday Party. Say what?

A couple months ago, I came across some cute Vikings shoes (aren't they all?) and right away thought they'd make a great birthday gift for my niece Caryn. (And I wouldn't mind a pair for myself.) I definitely don't go all out on birthday presents anymore, but I do if it's a milestone. And she turns 40 in January. Take it from me, that's a stinkin' huge milestone!

Of course, I didn't want to wait until January to give her shoes that could help with the Purple Karma during the season, so I figured I'd have to do it Cookie Bake time. Then figured, I should add on a few more surprises. Jim and Carter can attest that everyone deserves an extravaganza for their 40th!

Recalling Caryn's childhood obsession with NKOTB (that's New Kids on the Block for you amateur fans), I worked it in to the surprise and made some funny posters with their old pictures. What was funnier, though, is that Caryn saw them and wondered who was turning 40.

The secret to pulling off a 40th birthday surprise is to do it five weeks in advance under the guise of a cookie exchange! That's good strategy. Thank you, Mom!

And since my sister Renell (and most of us in my family) doesn't throw anything away that could be valuable some day, Caryn got her old blanket back, too! I was not exaggerating about the NKOTB obsession, was I?

The shoes ARE pretty wonder-SKOL, aren't they?

Beside the cookies and surprises, I also got to meet my new great-nephew Linus...

Two months old and he knows how to smile for the camera. Or I accidentally caught him in a gaseous moment.

And here are the four generations: Mom, brother Ron, his son David the new daddy, and Linus. Love that!

Also loved seeing my other great-nephews...

One-year-old Hans who runs everywhere. No sense walking when you can run!

And 21-year-old Anthony, who likely is taller than Carter, who learned the old "stand on tippy toes for photos" trick from his dad.

Didn't get much of a chance to visit with my twin, the hostess, but we'll be co-hosting Christmas together up there in a few weeks. I am sure we'll have plenty of time to visit then!

Just have to get our time-management / productivity strategy in place. Oh, motherrrrr...

Red, Green, Blue, and Purple Friday

The only Black part of my Black Friday was my mood when I woke up with a very sore back. It sort of "went out" last night before dinner and I can't figure what I did. But those of you with chronic back problems know it doesn't take much, does it?

But I quickly changed my Black mood into some Red and Green with a little Hallmark action on the big screen while icing. It was great multi-tasking!

Turned that into Navy Blue and Royal Blue when I went to Assumption and watched some of the Cranberry Classic basketball tournament. Hubby is on the organizing committee for the annual event so he is there all day today and Saturday.

I watched Nekoosa play and took picture of one of my friend's daughters. They go to our church and it's always fun to see these perfectly sweet girls act like tough guys on the court. Good time. I stayed for the Royals varsity girls game after that. Didn't take any pictures of that. Just wanted to enjoy the victory as a spectator.

Went home after that for another round of icing the back before Mr. College and I went out for Lupper – you now, lunch and supper combined.

Went down the road to Sportsmen's where he had some hot and spicy burger and I had chicken strips with hot and spicy raspberry habanero dipping sauce. We are two peas in a spicy pod!

Went across the street after that to visit the tree lot run by Carter's former babysitters. Yes, they have some purple trees this year! First time they've ever had anything but green and they chose purple. We must really be their favorite Viking fans in the whole wide world!

And no, we didn't buy this one. Yet. We don't have room really. Our new TV might make it hard to fit our skinny tree the way it is. But I am SKOL-fully tempted to find space!

Dropped Carter off at home and went back into town for the Royals boys game. Their first of the season and against very tough Milwaukee team that comes up for the tournament each year. Boys lost but hopefully they'll come away with a win tomorrow. I came away with a win – some cranberry raffle basket!

After the game, I picked up some pain relief for my back and a few items for tomorrow. I don't get what all the hub-bub about Black Friday is. It's still Friday and there wasn't a line in sight! Gotta shop smart, people!

And by smart I mean buy what you need. And yes, I did need those Viking cupcakes they had. I'll eat those while contemplating that tree purchase.

Stuffed Like a Turkey

Not sure what's worse: the pile of dirty dishes or feeling more stuffed than a turkey on Thanksgiving.

At least the dishwasher can handle the pile. My body, though, has eased into a food coma since 5 p.m. Will try to type this without falling asleep.

Was a very nice Thanksgiving.

Took a good chunk of the morning to get our pre-Black Friday smart TV hooked up. Initial plans to mount the 65-incher on the wall didn't quite work despite the efforts of hubby and neighbor. So we cursed our way through at least getting it connected to our cable, etc. We both admit the smart TV is smarter than us. Thankfully, Mr. College helped with a few glitches later.

Had a nice dinner with Jim's folks, his sister Sherry and husband Baird, Clay and his girlfriend, and Carter. Just enough to require a "kids table." Had plenty to eat, but more importantly, some fun sitting around talking stupid and watching football we didn't care about. It was great to have a quorum!

Tonight I ran over to ShopKo for one Black Friday thing. Just one. Not bad crowds since their sales started this afternoon. That will be it, though, unless Carter wants to go somewhere tomorrow for some of his Christmas shopping.

I don't think I'll be moving very fast tomorrow. Might have to Google how long trytophan-induced comas last.

Hope you found plenty of people to be thankful for today!

Pumpkin Pie Eve

You know it's a good day off when you don't get around to showering until 5:45. That's P.M.

Oh, don't think I sat around the house all day. I cleaned. I baked three pumpkin pies (hope they taste as good as they look). Did some freelance work. And ran errands.

Yup. No shower or hair style (other than pony tail) and no makeup. And I ran errands. And naturally, I saw someone at every. Single. Stop. Oh goody. As I hugged my one girlfriend in Wal-Mart, though, she said, "That's OK, I haven't showered yet either."

I felt compelled to clean up for church and the Thanksgiving Eve Pie Social. I'm sure they're all grateful for that. Came home and hubby and I headed downtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. College Boy pulled into town after 9 p.m. so we had him stop by, too. I needed that hug! Sooooo wonderful to see him again after nearly 3 months!

Now he's off to see friends (yes, they do start plans at 11:30 at night) and we're hitting the hay. Just one more sleep 'til Pumpkin Pie Day. Oh, and I have to remember to do this...

I found that hilarious and entirely accurate. Pumpkin Pie is healthy. That whipped cream, though. Gotta have it!

Skol Sistah

When five out of eight kids in our family have June birthdays, you gotta call attention to the ones that aren't. And when only one of seven siblings is a true Viking fan like yourself, you really gotta show her some love!

So happy birthday to my SKOL sistah RoAnn, who turns one year more fabulous today! See how nice I am not revealing her age? I am grateful for her and now she has reason to be grateful for me. Ha.

The picture above was taken during our annual sister weekend this fall. We were trying to take advantage of the sunshine – even though it was cold and windy. Oh so very windy. Made for frozen hands and new hairstyles.

Always a fun time with Ro, though! Here's hoping for another year of countless blessings for you (and that adorable family of yours)! Love you!

Would You Set an Extra Plate?

It appears we had some escapees from the Thanksgiving feast. I want to say to these visitors: Hey guys, we'd love to have you for dinner on Thursday. Stop on by! Thank goodness I already got my bird at the store!

It did remind me, though, that I should share this week's column from the church bulletin...

Would you set an extra plate?

“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” 

– Luke 14:13-14

If you didn’t know Thanksgiving was coming up this week, all you’d have to do is stop by a grocery store and it would become pretty evident. Lots of shoppers vying for the same staples of the annual feast: turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pies, whipped cream, dinner rolls, and the fixings for the mysteriously popular green bean casserole.

And that’s just for starters. This year is my turn to host my in-laws. As the hostess, I wouldn’t dream of anyone going away hungry. Gotta be sure there are plenty of side dishes “just in case.”

Just in case… what? I don’t know. Who hasn’t been as stuffed as the giant turkey? I hope I’m not the only one who knows you also have to wear stretchy pants so you aren’t forced to unbutton that top button before it pops.

Somewhere between the football game and after-dinner nap, gratitude turns to gluttony. It’s tradition.
With all the stress of preparation, would I be willing to set an extra plate or two for someone who actually needed a decent meal? Or would the thought of more mouths to feed send my blood pressure skyrocketing?

I’m pretty sure we all know what our answer should be. Jesus spells it out for us in those verses from Luke. A perfect message as enter Thanksgiving week and we embark on the season of giving. Are we typically generous because we anticipate something in return? Or are we truly giving to those who cannot repay us?

Something to think about as we nod off in our recliners Thursday afternoon. Or as we fight pre-dawn crowds for those must-have Black Friday deals.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with blessings and a multitude of opportunities to bless others.

Chillin' Out

When you wake up to single digits and see it's only going to get up to the 20s, it seems like a good day to chill out in a non-chilly way indoors. But no. That's not me.

My indoor fun was singing with choir at both church services, grocery shopping, and baking some cookies.

My outdoor fun was kidnapping a poor 12th-grader for a senior photo shoot. How did we know after several rain delays and scheduling conflicts this fall that today it would only be 27 degrees (at warmest point) and snow on the ground? We made quick work of it. That's for sure.

In fact, the icicles above were part of our scenery. Not fun. Not really. We did have fun once we got to the school and took basketball pictures.

No frozen fingers or cold noses. A little heat can certainly turn things around!

Now if only something – anything – could turn my Vikings around. Watching the Sunday night football game was supposed to be my chillin' out indoor fun for the evening. Make it so, Vikes.

P-p-p-please.

Deer Camp and Dough Camp

While the hunters in blaze orange were off looking for bucks, I was spending a few. They don't call it Dough Camp for nothing!

It was pretty full day for not really having any plans. Went to book club at the coffee shop, then stopped at a few local businesses to pick up some things I wanted but probably didn't need. I thought today was Small Business Saturday, but I think that comes after Black Friday. So I guess I was helping out early and definitely getting something in return!

This afternoon hubby and I visited his aunt and uncle in town. I had a feeling she'd have her Christmas village up already and she did not disappoint. I love it!

Puts me right in the holiday "spirit." Haha.

So does baking. (Dough Camp 2.0!) Got my cookies done now for the Cookie Bake / Exchange next Saturday. I won't show everything I made but I did try a new green and red (sort of) recipe today. Pistachio-Cranberry Cookies...

Wasn't sure they'd be sweet enough or pretty enough so I to drizzle some almond bark on them. Oh, they are really good. If anyone agrees, then I'll share the recipe. I am probably biased since I love, well, sugar. Anything sweet!

Tonight hubby (a 100% non-hunter) is out with some friends hopefully celebrating some of their successes. I think I still have time to start a Hallmark movie and get to bed at a decent time.

It's just how we do things at this camp, anyway.

I Don't Do Windows ... or Carpets

I wouldn't necessarily say I'd pay to get out of anything related to housework. But it's possible.

I just know that after slaving away to clean the living room carpet on my own last year as a surprise for hubby, it was a waste of blood, sweat, tears, and time. So when we say the carpet cleaner dude next door last weekend, hubby called and they got us in on Wednesday.

So we moved furniture out of the living room and hallway on Monday and Tuesday nights. And you now who freaked out, right?

Sylvester knew something was amiss. I kept showing her where we put her chair, but I don't think she was paying attention. As usual.

But when I was leaving for work Wednesday, I just had to take a picture of the funniest thing. Here's kitty laying in her "recliner" because that's her spot! Too cute.

She had to be locked in a room while the cleaners were at our house, but they were quick since it wasn't a ton of carpet. It was just enough stress on the fur ball, though. She puked on the "new" carpet before it was dry. Thanks, sweetheart.

Guess we know for sure we won't get new (for real) carpet while she's still around. Based on today's 14-year checkup, that should be for quite awhile yet!

Meanwhile at work, some other people were getting paid to do a fun job... washing windows. But not just any windows...

Yeah. You couldn't pay me to wash those windows. It's like a cross between rappelling, Mary Poppins, and Spider-Man. Yikes. Gotta admire their bravery, though.

There's something to be said for a desk job. A nice, warm, both feet on the floor, desk job.

Some things are just best left to the professionals.

Deck the Halls with Fire, Lights, and Lasers

It's beginning to look and sound a lot like Christmas already. If you count electric violins, guitars, and drums as sounds of the season. And, after last night, I sure do!

Finally got to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert. And if you don't know anything about TSO, they aren't your grandmother's orchestra. Unless Grandma likes progressive rock and symphonic metal -- and is into pyro, light, lasers, and the occasional fog machine. Then I'd like to meet her!

The 4 p.m. show in Green Bay yesterday was the kickoff to TSO's 20th year on the road. More than cool to be a part of it!

I had the afternoon off and picked up neighbor Cindy and my friend Carmen and her two teenage daughters. We were parked and getting in line in plenty of time to see the show. But the super long line in the super cold weather was moving super slow and we were lucky to get inside in time! In fact, the music had just started when we were taking our seats.

Was it worth the wait? Heck, yeah! (10 thumbs up from our five-some!)

The first half of the show was their all-new production of "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve" while the second half featured the best of TSO and more.

I don't even know if spectacular is a big enough word to describe it. Pictures and contraband video clips don't do it justice. It has to take a brilliant mind (or team of minds) to coordinate all the moving parts – the lights, the gigantic video screens, the moving pedestals "floating" band members above the crowd, the flashes of fire, and those lasers. So many lasers.

A few pictures...

The fans in the back got a show once in awhile, too!

Just swinging by to say "hi."

Just an incredibly amazing and unique experience! And that's what it is. Not just a show or concert, but an experience! If you ever get a chance to see them, do it. You won't regret it.

And it will rock you right into the holiday spirit if you aren't there already!

Just in case you need help, a video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sx96VRwpgpjStNXRA

If Everything Could Rebound

Yes, the Assumption Middle School basketball season has tipped off already. Got to shoot, er photograph, two games tonight since the 7th- and 8th-graders each have a team. The game above was part of an exciting 8th-grade win. Exciting for real. And it's a sign of good things to come for the high school team next year.

I didn't even get a chance to look through the hundreds of pictures I took because we were getting furniture moved out of the living room in advance of our carpet cleaner visit tomorrow. Plus I had to watch The Voice first. And I can't stay up late.

One more sleep until Tran-Siberian Orchestra concert! So excited!

Speaking of Siberia...

Our wake-up temps were flippin' freezing this morning! Almost single digits. Yikes. Don't need that quite yet.

If anything, Mother Nature could take a cue from our young hoopsters and rebound that temperature back up to above freezing anyway. Doesn't she realize I still haven't put my golf clubs away?

Maybe I'll do that after the Christmas concert because that just seems to be the order of things these days.