June Goes Out With a Bang

It was quite a fun birthday week! I managed to bookend it with couple's league golf both Sundays plus bonus fireworks!

On Saturday evening, I shot lots of pictures at the Shermalot waterski show team show down at Lake Arrowhead. By the time I got through half of them, it was way past bedtime so I didn't even think about blogging.

It's always so fun to watch, though. And I especially enjoy capturing action shots of the jumpers and trick skiers. Cool stuff! (And literally COOL stuff as the temps dropped and wind picked up and I was so cold!)

Today was sunny and mild and we managed to tee off at 3:30 p.m. for our golf match. I struggled on some holes but managed to par two of them! Those par dances are few and far between so I was pretty excited.

After golf, we stopped to visit Jim's dad a bit on our way to Rudolph. They had the band Southbound playing for the evening to lead up to fireworks.

And they had a few food trucks there, too. I was especially excited about this one. But guess what? After our huge burgers, we were too full for dessert. And yes, it was kind of too cold. We were all in sweatshirts with blankets over us if we had them.

How is this July 4th week? Crazy!

It was a nice transition though to Jim's birthday week. So his started off with golf, too. And we had fireworks on our Anniversary Eve.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

The Corner Piece of Life

I've been experiencing the "corner piece of life" the last few days. I was somewhat joking during golf Sunday that it was my birthday WEEK. And I (or others) have found reasons to celebrate each day.

I couldn't believe that I was with my team all day Wednesday and we got back late from the Brewers game that they'd somehow found time to decorate my desk by the time I showed up at 7:30 a.m. yesterday. But they did it. With the help of some "Birthday Fairies for Hire" that is. I have the best co-workers. 

And that big frosting-ed corner piece of cake for breakfast was delicious. Put me in a sweet frame of mind for the day.

Then when I got to golf league last night, our opponents for the week – who happen to be friends of mine – surprised me with a balloon for my pull cart and tiara that fit nicely over my new golf hat! Fun, fun! Plus even had my first "par dance" of the season and my lowest score. Happy birthday to me!

Of course, today is my actual birthday. Who I share with my lovely twin Raylene. We're both celebrating separately. But we're hoping to connect some weekend soon!

I actually worked for a half day. Then had lunch with my friend Jenny and her cousin Melissa – who is also my friend and co-worker.

When I asked the waitress to take our picture for my birthday, she came out with a big slice of chocolate cake to take home with my to-go box. Not gonna lie, I love being spoiled!

A big treat tonight was Carter coming up to help his momma celebrate. We enjoyed a big, tasty dinner at El Mezcal then were all so full, we figured we'd play cards until we weren't. I thought maybe they'd let the birthday girl win.

But with hands like this, Carter won the first game and Jim won the second. I'm going with "I didn't lose, I just regifted my birthday wins to them."

Probably the greatest gift though...

After 91 days (aka 13 weeks), my sister Rachel was the released from the hospital and headed home! Of course, she's not all fixed up and ready to take on the world. But she's made great progress and is ready to take the next big step – in the familiar surroundings of her own house. Praise the Lord!

Pretty sure this is a good sign that he's still listening to our prayers so we can all enjoy a little "corner piece" of life this week, right? 

A Different Kind of Day at the Office

It was a completely unproductive day at work today. And none of us cared. Our writing team hopped on a bus and headed to Milwaukee this morning to see one of our PR agencies. From there, they hopped on our bus and we all went to what I still call "Miller Park" for the 1:10 p.m. game vs the Texas Rangers.

As a Twins fan, I don't know a lot of Brewers players. To be honest, I only knew Yelich going into today. But still, nothing beats a live baseball game, no matter who is playing. 

My day was made immediately when I spotted the parents of one of my college friends. I got to spend some quality time with her dad last summer when he was at the U.S. Senior Open. So he recognized me. All because I took the long way to our section. Providence! 😊

We had great seats just 13 rows up. But anyone who goes to day games there knows there's a good chance we'll suffer if it's sunny and hot. No shade!

And yep, it was warm! You know me, I love the heat, but this was a little bit stifling. I lasted 3 innings and had to just chill in the concourse by a huge ceiling fan for an inning. Needless to say, expensive water was my friend today.

It was funny that we all cheered when this teeny tiny cloud gave us 15 seconds of relief from the sun! 

Group photos about the time we all started melting! 

See, we're still smiling anyway! Plus there was lots to smile about.

We had good seats. I could see Yellie in person. We witnessed a grand slam! And an in-the-park homerun.

Plus those adorable sausage races!

And with a 5-5 tie after 9 innings, extra innings! Rally Time!!

Thankfully, the Brewers had a walk-off single in the 10th inning. And thankfully, bigger sporadic clouds floated by to help us all cool off and enjoy the game.

Not a bad day at the "office" at all!

Proof I didn't completely melt! And of course, I had fun. And it wasn't hard to cheer for the Brewers since they're in the National League and those darn Rangers are in the American League with my Twins. 

By the time we dropped off our PR friends at their office, we got stuck in Milwaukee rush hour traffic and weren't really "out of town" until after 5 p.m. So it was really a long day by the time we got back to Stevens Point.

But when you're sitting in an "office" with a retractable roof, who cares? We'll bounce back. 

Tomorrow.

Artistic Tuesday

As I mentioned yesterday, these are just few (but not all) of the cool things you can see in the Stevens Point Sculpture Park tour. Google it and bring bug spray...

Thankfully nice signage since I entered the park via the Green Circle Trail and I had no idea where I was going.

I immediately appreciated beauty in the park/trail that wasn't man made!

As soon as I saw this, I thought, "Ooooh, lots of details!" You had to look at tiny details to see why the artist said it had "Three Colors, One Heart."

I didn't take a picture of the artist's sign but based on the color scheme, I'm thinking it represents an American worker trying to move forward.

This one was so detailed! It is call Arhelon's Canoe - after the name of a large, prehistoric turtle who appears in the creation myths of the Native American in the region.

So much detail! I loved it!

In my mind I named this the "Beverly Hillbillys" after Jed and all those folk. But the artist from Minnesota merely called it "Scrap Value." We get it.

I loved this gathering area - or at least that is what I perceived it as. There's no chairs there, but holding hands in a circle at each level sounds so unifying.

I love the famous bicyclist since it's a great trail to bike or walk!

In my mind, quite similar to the Beverly Hillbillies vehicle concoction. It you're young, just Google it.

I love that I first saw the backend of the bear but then kept walking and realized the owls are part of the story too.

I love that this one is called "Communication Tangles" since that represents so much of life - personal, work and otherwise.

 My favorite!

It's called the "Elk Centaur" but I just envision it as one kick-ass woman!

The "Lone Wolf" is really cool and so detailed in design. 

And finally, this one called "Furnished Framework" is totally something I (and my fellow hoarders) could see ourselves doing but won't get around to! Pretty cool. Let me know if any of you get around to it!

P.S. Sometimes we don't realize what's in our own backyards to explore or photograph or learn from. Expand your horizons! You probably don't have to travel too far!

Meandering Monday

I usually work from home on Mondays, but since we have 2 days of  "planning/budgeting" in Stevens Point, I figured I'd take advantage of the extra hours here and explore the infamous Green Circle Trial. Well, parts of it. 

I'll have to give you a "virtual tour" but for now, just know it's pretty cool and there are signs (sculptures not included) that could direct your life and current thinking.

It appears a lot of elementary schools in the Stevens Point area visit here and make signs. Love them!

Not sure what this is called, but I call it "My friend Cindy, you can do it!"

I had to laugh at this one because I just know it was a boy! Ha.

And this sign, well, it kind of encapsulates our department meetings today. What is demanding our attention and what must we respond to? We've got another day (at least) to figure that out. 

In the meantime, just meander and see what signs call to you. There's no wrong answer.

Be careful out there!

Peace! Be Still!

After all the rain lately, it was so appropriate that today's Gospel lesson in church was about Jesus calming the storm. Both literally and metaphorically. 

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

With all the "storms" brewing in my life (and loved ones' lives) these days, am I acting like the disciples and questioning whether Jesus cares? Or do I have faith he'll get me through it?

I'll admit that a lot of times Worry steps in and Faith and Confidence are pushed aside. It's just human nature. Right?

Still, it was a much-needed reminder that God is in control. I am not. And I have a much better chance of getting from Point A to Point B if He is in the driver's seat. Why is it so hard sometimes to hand over the keys? Just gotta keep working at it. And be grateful He's in the boat with me!

On a lighter note, I could've used His driving help tonight on the golf course. Ha. Actually the drives were good -- as far as distance is concerned -- but direction is another matter. That's probably some sort of sign, too!

Still it was fun to start out my "birthday week" playing with/against our friends Sean and Michelle for Couples League. I originally captured the photo "Fun in the sun," but wouldn't you know it? We got rained on the last 2 holes!

Apparently a sign that I can't take the sunny days for granted. There's always storms around the corner. We just need to remember who to rely on to get through them.

Lord, please be our wing man this week!