God's Work, Our Hands

Despite not wanting to get up and do physical labor, I got to an early church service and did physical work like raking and digging weeds and more. It was amazing what our team did in 3 hours this morning!

After that, I was able to run home and change out of my dirty clothes and then head to Assumption's first week of BINGO for the season.

Sad to say that I was only partially close to getting BINGO. (One away from the Goal Post BINGO above) But it was still for great cause.

By the time I got home, I realized I should pay attention to what my fantasy team should be doing. Turns out, it is doing OK on its own, despite the fact my tight end is up against the Packers.

So that's that. I'm about to just enter this next week. See you there!

Wisconsin Is So Chill

Wow, after another 12-hour travel day, landing in Wisconsin tonight took my breath away. Not the normal beauty of the Dairy State – but the quite chilly temperature! And it's going to get down into the 30s tonight? Can I go back??

Actually, I'm good not going back. Ever probably. I mean I saw and did the 3 things I really wanted to if free time allowed – ride a street car, see the Golden Gate Bridge, and tour Alcatraz. Beyond that, had a fact-filled and fun-filled conference (with personal appearances by SNL comedians Colin Jost and Amy Poehler). People will be jealous they aren't in marketing! 

I have so many pictures to get through, but I'll share a few from our after-conference trip to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It worked out perfectly because the other days of the week it was foggy or cloudy and we couldn't see the whole bridge.

It turned out to be a great view. I liked this view better than a straight-on end-to-end because that would be a long, skinny picture. This way we were up close and could see the actual orange color too. But wait, could we get closer?

Like ON it? Oh yes, it's a thing! For pedestrians and cyclists.

And yes, I faced my fear of heights (and sharks below) and walked out far enough I was definitely above ocean waters only – not land. Uff da! The trick? Look out, not down!

But yes it was cool to see it, experience it, and marvel at the construction of what is close to a 90-year-old structure. Just glad I didn't feel any swaying in the suspension bridge!

From there, we grabbed early dinner yesterday since our alarms were going off at 3:15 a.m. today for a 3:50 Uber ride to the airport for a 6 a.m. flight.

So long day, glad to be home, and especially glad hubby turned on my electric mattress pad hours ago! So good to home again.

The Streets of San Fran

 

Quick recap on today. Had some interesting sessions thru early afternoon. Then coworker Tom and I took advantage of a little break and we hopped on a historic street car! One of my few "must dos" here.

We both did the "Hey look at me hanging off the edge of a street car" pose. 

Even if you've seen multiple movies and TV shows based in San Fran, the hills throughout the city are still a surprise and crazy!

We took the trolley to Fisherman's Wharf. Got some tasty Coconut Macadamia ice cream. Delish!

Rode the trolley car back to the turn around close to the hotel. After a little work (from office) and short rest, we headed back to the conference. 

Author Glennon Doyle was uplifting. Then SNL comedian Colin Jost took the stage and he uplifted our spirits even more.

Thousands of our attendees were there so the image above was using super zoom on my phone camera. He was hilarious. The kind of laugh out loud belly laughs we so needed!

There were a few other highlights as well, but I'll get to pictures in coming days.

For now gotta shut it down for one more day of learning and remembering. 

Hope your week is going fantastic!

West Coast Vibes

OK, I haven't gotten myself into THAT much trouble in California! Frankly haven't had time. 

I don't really have time to blog either, but letting you know I arrived safely Tuesday. It ended up being a 20-hour day with all the travel then heading to the conference center when we arrived last evening. 

Slept so hard!

Today was conference sessions and then late afternoon my coworker and I headed to Alcatraz. Thus the photo above. It was fascinating! The audio tour was incredible with 4 former guards and 4 former inmates doing the story telling.

So many photos to share at some point. 

Hoping to get to the Golden Gate Bridge during a break Thursday. 

I caught this view from Alcatraz today. Clouds were forming above it. Looked cool.

It's an interesting city. Love the waterfront but all the city streets around our hotel and the general downtown are populated with homeless people at night and stumbling men begging for money - even in daylight hours. Glad I have a coworker/bodyguard on this trip. Not sure I'd recommend anyone visit here alone!

I'll try to concentrate on the positives in future reports. It is West Coast gorgeous here, after all!!

Just gotta focus on the right angles!

Hello, September

I'll admit there are very few things I like about the transition from August to September. But I do love that Pumpkin Spice Lattes everywhere and Pumpkin Pie Blizzards at DQ are back in the picture. It's also nice to turn the page on the family calendar.

When I sensed a bit of a theme – purple vs green & gold – I took action. First I took care of all my dead or close to dead hanging basket flowers. P.S. There may be a shallow grave out in the woods to the east!

Then I found ourselves some purple and yellow Vikings mums for the front deck. Success.

Most of the rest of the day was pretty laid back – as Labor Day should be. Jim got together with a few high school buddies. And I found a few minutes with Mr. Deck Chair.

But mostly I was packing for my work trip to San Francisco this week. Gotta leave my house by 6:30 a.m. tomorrow and I'll be back sometime Saturday night. I hope I can share some highlights in between, but don't count on it. It will be the typing each letter on my phone type of blogging. But I'll try.

Hope you had a non-laborious Labor Day, too. Let's carry this relaxation vibe into the entire week!

The Colors of Weekend

It's been a colorful weekend. But I'll be honest, I didn't like ALL of the colors. Like above. Yes I realize we often consider Labor Day weekend as the end of summer, but dang, I wish the leaves would pay attention to the real calendar! Not quite ready for fall, that's for sure.

Saturday was a very laid back day on Blue Jay Drive. Finally got a little bonding time with Mr. Deck Chair!

In the evening, I shot pictures of the last waterski show of the season. It got dark pretty quickly so i didn't have a ton of stellar shots. I love how they twist and turn off the jump and I never know which way is up, but they more often than not "stick the landing." 

Today we tried to hold onto summer green.

Since our golf scramble for Royals Football got rained out 2 weeks ago, we got together with the other half of our foursome and golfed 18 at Bullseye this afternoon. Always a fun time with Mark and Trisha.

Saw plenty of wildlife – well mainly deer – who were trying to distract us on this very uphill par 3.

You can barely see the green from down below but look where I landed! Bring on my birdie dance!! Nevermind that I had an 8 on the hole prior. No one can take away my legit, non-Mulligan birdie!

After our round, we caught dinner at Ida's. Always yummy.

Speaking of yummy... I was just thinking of yummy chocolate...

As in the color of our new neighbor's nose! Yup, don't tell my hubby, but I am in love with the new guy next door. Meet Moose! A mini Bernedoodle, but a BIG cutie!

Hope you had some color or at least a bright spot or two to your weekend. Yay for no alarms tomorrow! Happy Labor Day!

I Used to Like Purple

Anyone who knows me knows I love purple. But I don't always have to like it! Especially when it represents below average temperatures on a long holiday weekend!

Today was worse because it was both chilly AND rainy. My friend Molly and I had planned to take the afternoon off and golf. But it was raining and that didn't seem fun. So we just met for lunch instead! That was nice.

Then I just worked the afternoon and tried to warm up. Tonight our friend Todd's band is playing down by Lake Arrowhead. Outdoors of course because it's allegedly still summer. Some friends were going as well so I sent Jim on his own. I hate being cold. And it's already down to the 50s.

So I've got my blanket warming up and I'm watching the original Footloose on TV. That combo should warm me up pretty fast.

Have a warm and dry and fun and safe holiday weekend!

Do What You Love

School has started for people like Assumption students who don't have to wait until the after-Labor Day start date like public schools. This also means fall sports immediately kicked into gear this week.

Since I know I'll be out of town all next week, I figured I better hit one fall sport at a time – beginning with Royals tennis.

First of all, I didn't realize it was going to be so warm this afternoon. So I sweated through a good hour-plus to take pictures of our talented girls.

Knowing I had to get home for another priority – my fantasy football draft through work. For the record, I have had the traveling trophy at my desk. But also full disclosure, it's been a hot minute. I want it back!

Tonight's draft when freakishly fast as I assume we all had the "next best player" strategy.

But I think the Swedish Chef Mafia did OK. Once I examine the roster I actually ended up with in such a fast-paced draft, I'll let you know.

Frankly, the best part was that my boy called in the middle of it just to check in and see how I'm doing. Since he had to do his fantasy draft in the middle of last weekend's wedding, he understood why I couldn't give him 100% attention.

Hopefully the stupidity of all this random actions makes it worth it in the end! 

Not Worth It

 So I almost faced some jail time last night. Facebook jail, that is. Three times I tried to share my blog link and they took it down accusing me of trying to scam people or spam people and coerce them to click on a link.

There are no humans in this process. They just follow some algorithm or something. No person on the other end where I can explain I'm some middle-aged woman in Wisconsin just trying to bring some inspiration or levity to people.

So I haven't decided if I'll even try to share this tonight. It might be too soon.

Also, I really don't want them to cut me off when I have sports to shoot in the coming days and a fantabulous work trip to the West Coast next week.

Just know this is where you'll always find me, whether I post the link on social media or not. Bookmark this site so you won't miss a thing. 

Including any pending time behind bars.

Be careful out there!

Foto Fun

 

How come every time I have a major life-changing announcement, T Swift has to eclipse it with some random announcement like, say, an engagement? Honestly, good for them. I like "them" as a "them."

Now onto my announcement that I am about to become a millionaire because I have developed something even better than the latest Google Pixel or Photoshop "Remove" tool. I am not joking here.

Tonight during my senior photo session, I told one of my waterskiing boys that I like the angle and the water but I'd probably have to Photoshop that darn dead tree out of the picture. He stands up and says, "Hold on."

And just like that I could see the technology working before my eyes as the tree was removed!

Wow. What an amazing app feature! I think I should go on Shark Tank or something!

For the record, he put it back in place when we were done so no one was the wiser. Except all of you, of course. I'm trusting you to keep this between us. I just haven't stopped giggling about it for 2 hours! 

Love my side hustles!

Hope you find something to giggle about this week! 

My New Photo Remove Tool

How come every time I have a major life-changing announcement, T Swift has to eclipse it with some random announcement like, say, an engagement? Honestly, good for them. I like "them" as a "them."

Now onto my announcement that I am about to become a millionaire because I have developed something even better than the latest Google Pixel or Photoshop "Remove" tool. I am not joking here.

Tonight during my senior photo session, I told one of my waterskiing boys that I like the angle and the water but I'd probably have to Photoshop that darn dead tree out of the picture. He stands up and says, "Hold on."

And just like that I could see the technology working before my eyes as the tree was removed!

Wow. What an amazing app feature! I think I should go on Shark Tank or something!

For the record, he put it back in place when we were done so no one was the wiser. Except all of you, of course. I'm trusting you to keep this between us. I just haven't stopped giggling about it for 2 hours! 

Love my side hustles!

Hope you find something to giggle about this week! 

May the Course Be With You

It was a great day at the office today – since 6+ hours of it was golfing for United Way! Hey, it's all for the kids! 

Our company's theme for this year's fundraising campaign is United is the Way so it naturally lent itself to some Star Wars themes. (Above) Which is why I teed off by Yoda (who I am taller than!) on the first hole.

But wait, this is a fundraiser! So we paid $20 to spin the wheel and we lucked out with the Luke and Princess Leia ball placement. Making it an easy birdie on our first hole!

Later on the course we ran into one of our fellow marketing dudes who was videoing things for the event. But was totally in costume!

Here's me trying to use my throat-crushing powers for good! Though coincidentally have Darth on our hole helped get my drive on the par-3 green. Let's not examine if my powers lean more to the dark side.

To be honest, most of the day was fighting wind (you can see above) instead of evil. But we can't deny that when it was behind us, it was an actual helpful factor.

Despite the morning chills (I'm serious about the wake-up temps of 52 degrees) it turned out to be a pleasant day with some cursing – but consistently gorgeous views. And so many laughs. 

I'm wishing us all a great week with continuous out-of-this-galaxy golf outing feels! 😁

Sunday Sidelines

 

My Sunday was pretty cliche and boring – but then exciting.

I went to church, got my car washed, took care of some yard duties and sat down to watch the Players Championship to see if Tommy Fleetwood would pull off his first PGA TOUR win. While I was watching. Turns out, he could and did. That was exciting for those of us who cheered on an underdog!

The only reason Sunday was a bummer is that I was cheering on a different underdog all day — me. Who hadn't had enough Mr. Deck Chair time this summer and had too much of the coming rainfall and wind today to mess up our date!

But there are worse things! #FirstWorldProblems

Let's have a good week!

Oh, Boys!

We had a two-day whirlwind celebrating boys who have grown up to become handsome, successful men. Pretty fun! 

Friday's fun revolved around these dudes. In late May of 2018, these 4 moved into a lovely college house in Platteville. And the following weekend Carter, Jack, Josh, and Johnny invited their parents down so they could show it off.

We parents didn't quite get over it. But we also couldn't quite get over how cool this friendship was and what fun and amazing guys they turned out to be.

Fast forward to yesterday. Josh (left recently got married), it was Jack's wedding day, Johnny's getting married in October, and Carter was a groomsman for Jack and will be an usher for Johnny. Love that they made lifelong friends.

It turned out to be a beautiful day for an outdoor ceremony at Koehler-Andre State Park near Sheybogan.

An our favorite groomsman cleaned up pretty good in his brand new suit! 

We hadn't seen them in a month so it was good to reconnect with Carter and Mamie.

They always look good together. It was a fun evening a dinner and dancing. Got to dance with both of my brown-eyed bandits. 💜💜

We stayed at the Harbor View Inn in Port Washington. And it did indeed have a view of the harbor.

Took a walk around and found my boat – Foxy Lady – of course! 

This morning we hit the road at a decent time so we could make a side stop on the way home. A cemetery in the town of Maple Grove where Jim located the grave of his 4-greats-grandfather. If you're into genealogy at all, you'd understand. Very cool.

Got home around 1 p.m. and I did some speed trifling. Whipped this one together for our nephew's "25 years of racing" party faster than he finishes a feature race!

Utilized his Reffner Blue with a touch of red race car colors. And topped with some stickers from my scrapbooking supplies.

Look at him in his early years on a go-kart.

And how tiny that kart looks now! Another boy all grown up! He's come so far and has become such a  wonderful man, husband and father. The years pass much too quickly. It was a very nice get-together.

From there we ran home for a few minutes to gather layers. Yes, it's getting down to the 50s tonight, to go over to our friends Joe and Michelle's for a fire. There were several of us couples that hadn't gotten together all summer. The guys had for golf, and most of us girls had for golf as well. But not all together to just hang out.

The relaxing and laughing was long overdue. Including some talk among boys who are technically men now, but don't always show it. Ha. Which only made for more laughs.

It just happened to be a summer where it was either 90 degrees and you didn't need or want the warmth of a fire. Or it was rainy. Tonight felt like fall. But it was a good feeling. 

I still hope to relax with no plans tomorrow except for maybe some time with Mr. Deck Chair. He's been so neglected with my busy schedule.