Tricks AND Treats

Happy Halloween! I just gotta say to all you pumpkin spice haters who were griping in August, having the Christmas season arrive on Halloween is even worse!

My first reaction this morning was: "Well, frost my pumpkin! It's Halloween!"

It was still dark when I headed to work, so I couldn't get a picture of all the snow in the yard, but I was the first traveler on our road heading east. Yikes. Not a fun TRICK for Halloween.

We did have TREATS at work, though, Some mildly spooky...

Some scary gross... but still delicious if you closed your eyes and remembered it was just vanilla wafer cookies in disguise!

It kept snowing through the morning. This is the view from our cafeteria. I realize you all got it way worse up north – with icy roads and such. I only saw one semi jack-knifed in the ditch on my way to work, so I counted myself fortunate.

For fun, our writing team dressed up. I mean I count a "Pumpkin Spice, Spice, Baby" t-shirt a costume – especially since Darcey (lower right) brought extra witches hats!

We make a fierce-looking coven, don't we? And we're writers so we can SPELL! You've been warned.

I told my friend Tom it was cannibalism for him to be dressed like a banana then eat a banana. But anything goes on Halloween, I guess. Side note: He's bananas!

Jim and I are both home now to greet trick-or-treaters. Last year we had one family of 4 and this year we've had the cute 2-year-old neighbor girl so far and that's it. I hope we get a few more.

Though I wouldn't complain about leftover Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, would you?

Have a BOO-tiful Halloween! 

When Time Flies

When they say time flies when you're having fun, they're not wrong. I can't believe today already marks 7 years at my "new" job. Of course it feels like only 5 since the COVID years were basically lost years. But they counted!

I was on location today for a video shoot so it wasn't even close to a normal work day. But I got to spend it with a fun team. And love my writing team, too! 

Honestly, most people do stay in jobs because of the people. If you have great co-workers – for whatever reason – you don't want to leave. You don't want to miss out. It does also help if you love what you do.

Lucky for me, I've got both job enjoyment and like-minded potty-mouthed friends. Ha. Works for me!

Here's to another 7 years. Exactly. I hope they go as fast as these last 7. Retirement is a lovely light at the end of that tunnel!

Wonder-SKOL Sunday

 Wake-up temps were at the freezing mark, but I never did feel cold today. Even after 6 or 7 hours outdoors. This indoor NFL fan can handle the elements after all. Especially in close quarters during tailgating and the game.

I picked up my friend and host and ticket-giver Dave at 7 a.m. and we made our way to Green Bay.

Even though they (Packers) claim their border battle is really with the Bears, the made special buttons for today. Thank you!

Dave and I before the battle. I loved his Halloween hat. But that was it. 

I immediately ran into some Vikings fans face-painting each other so I felt good I was not the only Vikings fan in the Packers tailgating area.

Then I saw more and thought: This is going to be a good day!

This is my friend's Lot 1 setup. I designated myself as the person who took people's phones to take pictures of them doing the shot-ski. That was fun.

And as for dressing up, it got crazy and cool. Here's Dave with the friendly minion.

Meanwhile, I only posed when I could cover up the ugly G on his midsection. I'm strategic!

I thought this was a highly clever Halloween snack display!

Hi Vikings fan. OMG those are legit upper-body tattoos of Viking things. Wow.

And this guy was a scary Vikings fan but had a wife who dressed similarly as a Packers fan. Does Halloween matter? I don't think so.

Of course you know this guy from TV. I decided to pose with him for my siblings who are Packers fans.

Then, even smiled to be nice. LOL.

And then met lots of cool Vikings fans. Go bald and bold, I say!

Hello, SKOL Vader!

I'm pretty sure we're both on the Dark Side when we're at Lambeau!

Random Joe Exotic sighting.

And yes, I met Eddie Lacy and he says hi to my family and friends who are legit Packers fans! 

My friend and co-worker Hannah and I were able to tailgate together for all of 3 minutes before it was time to head in.

Cute couple. Sorry your day wasn't as good as mine!

When I see some purple and gold flowers going in, I know it's a good sign. And it was.

Badger Marching Band playing National Anthem!

Flyover one.

Flyover two.

Game time!

Our seat views. In comfortable Club Seats with backs and cupholders. Nice.

I could see action!

Game-time temp. Thank goodness for the hand warmers. I never did need the foot warmers. Yay!

A little touchcown play.

Badgers at halftime. You rock!

As you heard media outlets predict, there were a lot of Vikings fans at Lambeau today. And it was exciting to participate in our SKOL chant in the 4th quarter!

Yup we won! And was a privilege to witness in person. Thankfully there were 2 other Vikings fans within high-five distance so I felt OK celebrating the win!

And the UW Marching Band played a 5th quarter, so that was a treat too! 

Of course, driving into the sunset was a treat onto its own. Hope you enjoyed it. Or at least some part of your Sunday.

The Good Race

It was a day of racing (of sorts) in central Wisconsin today. First we went to Tom Reffner's funeral, where Father Gruba (famous in NASCAR circles) shared a lot of great stories – both funny and heartfelt – about Tom. Very cool tribute for our "extended family" member, who's taken his final lap.

Didn't quite get home in time to get to state cross country for the girls' Division 3 race, but it was exciting to hear our Lady Royals took 4th as a team and Lucy (far right) finished 3rd overall. That is fantastic!! Love that we have such a strong girls' program – with no seniors. Congrats!

Then this afternoon – in this lovely 38-degree weather – hubby raced around getting the last of the leaves out of the front yard.

And I raced around prepping for tomorrow's Packer-Viking game. Because guess who's going to Lambeau? This girl! It's going to be cold so I had pick from one of our three Viking winter jackets – plus get hand warmers and do the nails and all those essentials. Pretty jazzed my former boss is taking me because, in his words, I'm generous, super helpful and "just a good shit!" SKOL!

We capped off the day with a relaxing (non-race pace) dinner at Savory Steakhouse with friends who just happen to be 1981 Assumption grads – or are married to one. Delicious food and lots of laughs. They're going to a haunted corn maze but I declined with a pleasant but firm "Hell no!" Not, not, not my thing. 

It'll be scary enough walking solo into Packers territory tomorrow. We'll see if it turns out to be a trick or a treat!

In the End, I Think of Grandma

As far as days off go, it wasn't that exciting. It was more like a "let's put things in our new cabinets" ... bookended by funerals.

Our morning funeral was for the mother of a classmate of hubby's and the grandmother of a co-worker of mine. The final song was "How Great Thou Art," which always reminds me of Grandma Minnie (above) and her funeral  – the first time I saw my dad cry. So, I always cry when I sing it!

The second sad event of the day was a visitation for Jim's sister's father-in-law Tom Reffner. That was quite a big crowd – including several former well-known racing buddies. Our thoughts are with my sister-in-law, hubby, and son Colin – our nephew who was inspired to race thanks to Grandpa Tom.

A lot of emotion today. Wasn't expecting to re-live moments with Grandma Minnie and my dad. Hope they're enjoying some more uplifting music – a polka maybe? – in heaven together!

As always, I urge you to hug the loved ones you have near!