Expiration Date

 It's June 30th so that means my "I get a mulligan because it's my birthday month" pass is expiring. It didn't do me much good tonight anyway. 

I thought the golf gods were smiling on me because it rained much of the day and cleared up for golf. Party cloudy and mostly syrupy air. But still, dry enough for golf league. Then I realized there was an evil face in the clouds... not a happy golf god...

See? Scroll back up and you can't un-see it now, can you?

Anyway, it was still a fun evening with 3 of my co-workers and I had the best score from the women's tees.

Oh, yes, I was the only female. You got me there! And I did have one par dance. Which must have resembled a rain dance because it started to rain – as soon as we were done, thankfully. Maybe the golf gods were smiling in their own way.

I wonder if they'll let me do get a "I get a mulligan because it's my anniversary month" pass for July. Doesn't hurt to try.

The Thing That Bugs Me in June

Ping! Ping! Ping! You can just hear this guys and his buddies pinging against your screen door, can't you? Ew. I know. The worst thing about June.

After the mosquitoes, that is.

Oh wait, after the mosquitoes AND snakes! Of course.

Anyway, since I had a free night (hubby's golf league night), I was going to sit out on my swing and relax. Then I saw these guys. And remembered Freddie and Frankie and Fernando's friend had been hanging out in that exact spot last week as well. Not going to chance it just yet.

So I got a few things done around the house – including making part of Jim's birthday gift. Or anniversary. I haven't decided. One's Friday and one's Sunday so I suppose it doesn't matter. Two other things that were supposed to arrived today are "running behind." Glad I pay for Prime and its 2-day shipping when they can just change to 3, 4, not sure how many, days. 

Oh well. It'll work out. It's just one Birth & Ball and Chain Palooza around here this week! Late gifts won't take away from the fun.

But June bugs might.

Be careful out there!

Somebody Likes Birthdays

Here's something that hasn't changed. That look of sheer delight when a birthday treat is placed before me! Even pictures that are 40-some years apart!

Yup, always loved my birthday. Or I should say, I've always loved my twin sister's birthday.

And she looks pretty lovingly at cake, too. We're not identical but definitely two peas in a pod!

Both of us had to work today since Tuesday birthdays are just another day. Rain day, in fact. And both of us went out to eat tonight with our hubbies and a few others. When I talked to Raylene a bit ago, we both were so full we couldn't move. Because we were both full from dinner but HAD to have a birthday treat!

Told you. Two peas.

I did have a nice day. I made my Coconut Dreams trifle for work and there were no leftovers.

So that's why when we went out to eat at El Mezcal with our friends Mike and Cindy, I had room for dessert and HAD to have fried ice cream. Did not know it was such a huge dessert. I mean, they brought 4 spoons with it. 

Yes, I shared. But we were all too full and I brought most of it home. Remind me it's in the lower drawer of the freezer!

Got some nice gifts today and a lot of nice birthday wishes via phone calls, texts, cards, and messages. Thanks for giving this old lady a reason to smile with sheer delight!

Monday Funday

It's completely past my bedtime already. But that means it was a Monday Funday for me! 

Finally got to golf with my neighbor Marigene. Last year by this time we had gone at least once a week. Our schedules just haven't aligned. Until today after work. Weather was perfect today. Sunny and mid-70s. We had a great time and we're totally smiling since we were there for fun.

Not to do silly things like keep score. Who does that?

After golf, I buzzed over the baseball stadium where all the Legion teams were playing tonight. Went back and forth between the 17U and 16U games since we had some Assumption boys playing at each. Was going to stay after for the 18U game – but had to get home to make a trifle good treat for work tomorrow! 

Now I gotta sleep fast. Hope Tuesday's fun, too. But Tuesday Funday doesn't rhyme, so I'll get back to you on that.

Sweat dreams!

Under-Booked

We had a very light schedule this weekend so we managed to squeeze in some rest and relaxation – along with fun, of course.

Saturday's rain came after hubby's round of golf at 7:30 a.m. and my Book Club at 9 a.m.  Our only booked events for the day. The rain actually held off until I was working in the back yard. I figured all my reptile friends wouldn't like getting wet so I worked in sprinkling peace. 

Took a shower and nap and after early dinner, the rain was done and the clouds lifted. So Jim went to a Legion baseball game and I headed down to Lake Arrowhead to watch (and photograph) the Shermalot Water Ski Show Team.

They have another entertaining show this year. Try to catch it if you can – most Saturday evenings. Just turn left/south by Hooziel's by the Lake and it's by the Arrowhead dam. (Also, sometimes you get nice sunsets like the one pictured on the way home.)

Of course I took way more pictures than I realized – kind of hard not to – so I was up editing and uploading until almost 2 a.m. I did not set an alarm for church. Just sleep in. But kitty was bellering down the hallway about 8:52 a.m. so I woke up. Church is at 9:30 so I had 15-20 minutes to get ready if I was going to go. I spent 5 minutes in bed deciding because was sooooo tired... but got up, got ready, and made it in time. No speeding, I swear.

Our Vacation Bible School kicks off tonight so the church was all decorated for some desert theme. Do recall what's in the desert? 

That's right. Snakes!

Big ones! My friends setting up for VBS were really hoping I'd show up for church. Uhm, you're welcome. I think? Ha.

After church, Jim and I went to a graduation party out by the river. Sunny day but so windy. We were glad we were not out kayaking. And also OK with not golfing. It would just make me swing harder! So after the party, we went to visit his parents, then came home to watch the end of regular golf and senior golf.

Definitely just winding down. Wondering how soon is too soon for this under-booked but over-tired old lady! 

Friday Night Lights

With how late the sun sets these days, you'd think I wouldn't need to burn the midnight oil. But it's getting close to that on this lovely Friday night.

We actually had no plans after work, so hubby and I went to the Legion baseball game. The 17U team is hosting a tournament this weekend. So we went and watched.

Just watched. Seriously my first ballgame I've just watched this year. No camera. Just sitting there cheering and chit-chatting with friends. Our boys ended up losing to Plover 3-2. But there's a whole lotta of games left to play this weekend. Good luck!

On the way home, it dawned on me that I hadn't gotten a birthday gift for my twin yet. I know. How could I possibly forget it's coming right up?! So I went to the store to get some top-secret supplies to craft together her top-secret gift. I'm a little out of practice so it took a minute. Just got done and can't wait to show you.

Next week.

I'll ship it tomorrow and hope it arrives Tuesday. I finished another project today, too, but will have to wait for that reveal too. There's a due date in July so just remind me. Ha. For now, I'm turning off the Friday night lights and will but my creative juices to bed.

Have a great weekend. Be careful out there!

The Watering Hole

I'm not going to give you a play-by-play account of every round of golf. But... I have to share how the golf gods were smiling on me during league tonight. Nope, didn't get birdies or pars, just random lucky shots. A lot of random lucky shots.

The photo above is the par 5 5th hole at SentryWorld. I call it the Watering Hole because 9 times out of 10 I hit my drive in the water. Tonight? Nope. the closest you can get without going in! 

But other weirdly impressive shots that my partner Nancy and I wish we had video recorded were my drive across the water on 4, where it skipped the water like a rock and ended up on the fairway. And two other shots that should have gone in water but hit rocks and got the kick of love back into the fairway.

We couldn't stop laughing. It was like a crazy movie. We wished we could replay it! So unreal.

Not so unreal that I sunk this putt for par. The ball is way back there to the left of the sand trap.

How about this angle? Can you see it now? Apparently I was confident I'd sink it for par so I took a picture. Ha. Nope. Two-putted.

Anyway, we both did pretty good and had a blast. Our other 2 couldn't golf and we couldn't get subs last minute so we cruised through and got to our respective homes at a decent hour to relax a bit. 

Laughing takes a lot out of you. But isn't that the best kind of tired?

What's Behind Door No. 3?

You'd be surprised what you can live without once you've lived without it for 2 years and haven't missed it.

Since the lovely pandemic hit while I was on vacation that first week in March 2020, I didn't realize my last day in the office before it was actually my last day... for 2-plus years. Therefore, I didn't take everything I needed from my desk, the little fridge in our department or my locker in our fitness center.

From my desk, I realized I only needed my computer and really didn't need paper documents. I haven't printed anything out in 2 years so there's no sense resuming that habit. You're welcome, Mother Earth. As for the fridge, someone disposed of what was left of my daily essential coffee creamer for me. Good call. As for the locker... well that went untouched until today.

Our fitness center finally reopened now that we're repopulating the office. I was a little nervous wondering what was behind door No. 3. Or in this case, door No. 168. I knew I'd have sneakers in there but hoped to god I didn't have some once-sweaty-now-crusty sports bra or socks. I was prepared for it...

And oh-so relieved when I only left the shoes in there – with deodorizer balls in them to boot – and the essentials like shower gel, deo, perfume, and hairspray! That turned my pew into a PHEW! And the shoes are in decent shape. I mean, we'll see when I put them on, but they should work OK after sitting around doing nothing all this time.

That's right. I did not work out. I just was checking the status of the locker so I could reserve it for another year. Don't judge me. Getting there was the first step, right?

I've already beat myself up plenty in the past week knowing that I had 800-some days to reinvent myself but instead, come back to the office out of shape – and out of clothes that fit nicely. Ugh.

If only I liked spinach or kale as much as I like ice cream! 

Hello, Summer

Nothing says "Hello, Summer" like memories of beach volleyball... replaced with new memories of beach football. Yup. Talking about Top Gun and the new Maverick sequel.

Since our hubbies had no interest in seeing it, my friend Jenny and I planned weeks ago that we'd go see it. Finally got it on the calendar and went tonight for $5 movie night. Very much worth it! How long have I liked Top Gun? Here's a clue...

This long! For you kids, that's called a cassette tape. And no, I don't have anything to play it on, but I can't part with it. 

The original movie came out in 1986. That fall, I believe the first weekend of college, a bunch of us from Angell Hall took the city bus out to the theater at the mall on the north side of La Crosse and saw the movie. 

And fell in love. With Tom Cruise and, frankly, all the guys playing beach volleyball! Even got a free movie poster that hung in my dorm room all year!

Tom Cruise has since turned into a bit of whack job, but I didn't hold that against him when contemplating going to see Top Gun :: Maverick. I didn't hear any negative reviews from the dozens of people I know who saw it. 

And we concur. Both Jenny and I gave it two thumbs up. I was crying 10 minutes into it. Good mix of emotion, humor, and action. Loved it! 

So now instead of snakes, I can have sweat, er sweet dreams of beach "anything" with Kenny Loggins singing Playing with the Boys in my head! 

Roger that. I'm out! 

94 and Sunny and S-s-s-slithery

CONTENT WARNING: YOU WILL NOT WANT TO LOOK AT THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT LIKED MY PREVIOUS F WORDS, ER FRIENDS WITH F NAMES!

The massive heat wave hovering over much of the country hit us today with full force. I believe it got up to 94 here. Not a record, but I think I have now set a record for seeing a certain reptile this summer. 

Because you know who else doesn't like the heat? That's right. Snakes!

I WARNED YOU!

Just a bit ago, Jim says, "Look at that, there's a snake going across our driveway right now!" And sure enough, I could see a blackish string inching across the concrete toward my front rock garden. Which I have neglected so far this summer and will continue to do so now, for sure! 

Anyway, I said, "Let's take a look." I'm brave and willing to look at them if it's on MY terms. I was just coming down the deck steps and walking in front of my swing and holy mother of God. There was a big snake right next to the driveway. I say big. I'll let you be the judge. I screamed and ran forward and realized I was between two snakes. And I think my heart stopped. Or worked triple time!

The next-door neighbor heard me and knew I saw a snake. So he and his dogs come over and the dogs are super curious about the snake closest to the house – since the other one disappeared into my rock garden. They start barking at it and I got brave and said I need to get my good camera with a zoom lens. So I ran into the house.

LAST WARNING! TURN BACK NOW!

This is before the zoom lens. Just with my phone. They just kept barking.

My first shot with the zoom. Shaky hands much?

Winston and Murphy trying to be brave. And stupid.

Tongue slithering and I am lightly screaming as I keep snapping photos.

He's annoyed with the dogs and starting to get fatter and hood up (or whatever you call it). I call it freaking scary!

Oh Murphy, he doesn't like you!

Doesn't that look like a cobra ready to strike! Holy crap! Seriously!

And he just smiles at me. Honestly, now you see when cartoon snakes have the smile on the side. Good grief.

Anyway, s-s-s-sweet dreams tonight!

Here's a pretty kitty to help you forget what you saw. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Be careful out there!

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you dads, stepdads, granddads, special uncles and those serving as a father figure. You're all very much appreciated! And special hugs to those of you who don't have a dad to give hugs to in person. It's always tough!

I'm pretty sure hubby had a pretty decent day. After church, we met up with son #2 for golfing at TriCity.

Let's just say Clay and I let him win. Because, well, it's Father's Day and all. Was great weather and we had fun!

After golf, Jim and I headed over to a friend's house for the post-parade party. Yup, we completely missed the Cranberry Blossom Fest parade and, frankly, everything about the festival this weekend. Just too busy. But is was fun hanging with the Grand Avenue garage gang and talking stupid for a few hours. Seeing the parade first was not a requirement!

After that, we headed over to Jim's parents so I could give my father-in-law a Dad's Day hug. Then it was home to grill brats for dinner. And sons 1 and 3 called. All 3C's so a pretty complete day.

Hope you and/or the dad in your life had a great day, too!

Road Worthy

Woke up and decided to take a 336.2-mile round-trip road trip. I mean, why not? Gas is cheap, right? Honestly, although a graduation party was on my calendar for quite sometime now, I was waffling on my decision to go. Since hubby had a previous golf engagement, did I want to drive to Marinette by myself – almost 3 hours each way to spend an hour in between? And with these horrendous gas prices?

When I woke up this morning, I decided yup. These friends are worth more than the price of gas! If I didn't go and something happened to one of them, I'd regret it forever.

And it was the best decision! So very, very glad I went. I needed hugs from these almost-lifelong friends. Three decades and counting. Cindy (left), Sally and I had worked together at the daily newspaper in Menominee – my first job out of college! Cindy and her family took me into their fold and they literally were my family when I lived in Marinette – since driving home to Luck was a 6-7-hour drive so I missed some holidays. Love both these "girls" so much!

Cindy's daughter Sara was 7 when I first met her. Now she's the mother of the graduate! I've got to see her grow from a little girl to a strong young woman to an amazing mother of two!

And I've known her brother since he was born. Love my little Jacob! He's gonna be 30 this summer so yeah, somebody here is getting old!

After much-treasured hugs and visiting (3+ hours not 1), I hit the road. But not before touring around some of my old stomping grounds. Mainly the Lake Michigan waterfront wrapping around Marinette and Menominee.

This car breaks for beaked-creature pictures!

Looking across the waters of Green Bay you can see Door County in the distance! I loved that when living up there.

And I had to stop and see my lighthouse. Yes, MINE!

The memories here are classified, sorry.

Don't miss the gulls though. Their poop, that is!

Slams on brakes midair.

Dives for something.

No sure what because he surfaced empty-handed and empty-mouthed as far as I could tell.

Watching the boats – and occasionally riding one – never got old. And still doesn't.

New (to me) statue in Menominee.

And a Robyn-sized lighthouse replica that I couldn't lift to take home in my car. It wouldn't have fit!

Driving back into Wisconsin, I just felt so blessed and grateful that I decided to make the trip. These people were my family for 4 years and still are. 

My advice: Always take the trip. Make the time. See that person. Get that hug. Always!