Beauty and the Bling

I forgot to report out on the great bling I received and earned yesterday.

First of all, we all received a ring to wear (they're fake but pretty and I'll probably wear mine in real life). Then throughout the shower if someone said the word "bride," you could steal their ring. Obviously the goal is to see who has the most at the end. And obviously with my competitive family, it was vicious! I managed to "trap" two people (including the mother of the groom) and that earned me a nice prize! 

The other bling is that beautiful purple and yellow bracelet on my wrist! My great-niece Kenlee (who lives in Minnesota) knows I am the only aunt to cheer for the Vikings so she thought it was perfect for Auntie Robyn. And it is! Taking after my mother, I wrote and mailed her a cute thank you note today and promised to wear it every game day. 

More precious than jewels, I tell ya!

As for the "beauty" part of the blog, it's not me but my hair. Had my 6-week locks refresh after work today and I feel like a new woman-ish. She always does a great job and I can usually "sleep carefully" for 3 nights to hold the style. I told her we have a wedding to attend Friday and asked "Do you think I can go for a record and make this last through 4 sleeps?!"

Our conclusion is that I'd have to sleep in a chair with one of those airplane pillows around my neck so I couldn't possibly twist, turn, or lay my head back on a flat surface. 

Guess what? That ain't happening. So I guess I might lose the "beauty" by the end of the week, but I'll still have the "bling"! Still winning. 

Fun With The Niece-To-Be

When a Sunday drive is about 9 hours on the road, it helps that it is worth it. Hit the road at 7 a.m. to attend the bridal shower for my nephew Eric's soon-to-be wife. Due to so much road construction it ended up taking about 4 1/2 hours to get to Grantsburg. but I still got there in time to set up the welcome poster (above) that I designed and many more decorations.

My sister Romey (mother of the groom) outdid herself but is was all a wonderful theme of sunflowers, chickens (which they raise) and a tribute to the bride's mom, who passed away from cancer earlier this year.

I especially loved the center pieces because I immediately recognized the chicken salt and pepper shakers to the right of the vase as something my Grandma Flossie had. (She had hundreds in her collection!)

Bride-to-be Stephanie is in the center flanked by her daughter on the right and a foreign exchange student (left) they're hosting for the upcoming school year.

The soon-to-be mother in law and aunties!

Regarding gift opening... I was thrilled when the bride gushed over my blanket, wrapped it around her shoulders and said she loved it. Multiple times. Long live personal off-the-gift-registry gifts. Ha!

After the shower, I had a chance to visit with Dad and Mom. The gravestone finally has Mom's "end date" which was a bit jarring. As I said in my convo to them "I still don't think it's fair I'm this young to have no parents!" Every time it's refreshed grief. As one of the babies of the family, probably won't get over that. Ever. 

In the last hour or so stretch of the trip home, I noticed I was going into some very darkened skies to the east. But then I caught sight of more than one rainbow.

I actually pulled over and took a picture on the side of the road because I could see hints of purple – not always the case. Or as I say it, the IV in the ROY-G-BIV color scheme!

It did help guide my home. And to be fair, I went a completely different than I did on the way up. Still road construction, but for way fewer miles!

When I got home I learned my hubby's team – the Reds – ended the Brewers' win streak. Sorry about that. I say with fake sincerity since we all grasp for a win – even at a word scramble game at a bridal shower!

Game on!

The Day that Jack Built

Do you recall a very old nursery rhyme called "The House that Jack Built"? By the end, the verse goes something like this:

This is the rooster that crowed in the morn,

That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,

That married the man all tattered and torn,

That kissed the maiden all forlorn,

That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,

That scared the dog,

That worried the cat,

That chased the rat,

That ate the malt

That lay in the house that Jack built.

That was a bit like our Saturday. Hold tight while I try to string this together...

This is the storm that caused the wind and rain...

That blew over the tree on the power line down the road that led to a 10:20 a.m.-1:30 p.m. power outage...

That postponed showers (personal, not rain) and the shotgun start from noon to 2 p.m. ...

That led to pools of water on the course...

That gave us hope despite the darkening skies and eventual lightning that let us all finish or partially finish ONE hole...

That meant an early dinner and raffle basket win for Jim – but since the coach mentioned "a moisturizer basket" I had to run up and claim it.

That led to an early evening at home in the house that Jim and Robyn own.

(I hope that sums it up! Sorry it doesn't rhyme!)

TGIFF (Thank God It's Foto Friday)

It was a very productive Friday. Jim managed to golf 18 holes with his business partner somewhere in southeast Wisconsin and I managed to work AND get some photo previews done from my 5 shoots this week.

Winning!

That was all fine and good. But my real accomplishment was finally getting through the full New Heights podcast with Taylor Swift. It's been 30 minutes at a time and now I've seen it all. 

Granted, I would never call myself a Swiftie because I can only name a handful of songs, but I adore her take-charge attitude in a business world and her relationship with a professional football player (yes, I'm always a football fan!) and seeing how that's evolved.

I don't like to get sucked into celebrities because they mostly end up to be a little "fake." But the podcast with her boyfriend and his brother seemed legit. And another reason I'll continue to like that little teenager singing "Teardrops on My Guitar."

But speaking of a Foto Friday....

Our pompous ass pampas grass is looking like it might turn into real pampas grass our first year of planting it!

However, everyone else in the Bluejay Drive yard is suffering.

It's supposed to be raining any minute now so I hope the helps. But a side note or two: I am glad my photo sessions are done for this week. 

And I hope Mother Nature grants us some grace when we tee off tomorrow. 🏌

Well, Doggone!

I've taken senior portraits with family pets on many occasions. Sometimes they are as big as a horse (and actually are a horse) and many times all sizes of dogs. And doggone, but dogs are cute. And just like the "stock photo" above, get them to open their mouths and it's like they're smiling! 

As part of tonight's photo mission, the mom wanted me to replicate this picture or at least something similar for comparison's sake after many years.

I think Dude (love that name) cooperated pretty well, don't you! 

It was a fun evening and it was cloudy so I never had to address any sun squinting or extra shadows! 

What I learned the other night with hoops pictures of J is that she can't hold a serious, non-smiling look to save her life. She breaks into a giggle and even more smiles. Oh to be young and filled with joy.

Or just be more like a dog and think "You said my name! I must smile! Yes, I'm panting and I have terrible breath, but you're looking at me! Saying my name again! Yay! Joy!"

🐶🐕🐶🐕

Photo Side Effects

As I was walking to and from meetings at work today I notice my thighs, my quads, whatever you call them, were a bit tender. I'm like "What the heck? I haven't been doing squats or anything, but it feels like it!"

Guess what? I HAVE been!

Three nights in a row of photo shoots. And three nights of literally SQUAT-ting down to be eye level with my subjects!

I finally put 2 and 2 together... and also realized, holy hell, I am so out of shape!

Tonight I was hoping a few more reps (well, many more) would make my body think this was normal and not to react with pain or discomfort. Did it work? I guess we'll see tomorrow. In the meantime, I took a preventative (??) magnesium pill and am willing to go through the pain. 

I only viewed a random 3 photos (out of hundreds) from my photo card of tonight's shoot and they're all fabulous.

I love having a girl who just wants to be super model from the get-go and is super cooperative. We had so much fun and I can't wait to sift through them all! Since I have one more shoot tomorrow night, I might just take Friday off to soak it all in, sift it all out, and give the moms (and some dads – and some seniors) their previews. 

It might physically hurt me to do this sometimes, but I love it!

Facing My Fears

Who knew that this year's senior portrait sessions would make me face some of my fears? But I have netted good results as a result of this bravery.

Last evening I bravely climbed a 12-foot step ladder to shoot from above the basketball rim. And it was gold!

Lot's of deep breathing exercises with that one and perhaps some old-fashioned Lamaze breathing for good measure.

This evening, emboldened by my realization that heights don't automatically kill you, I walked on this old elevated railroad bridge and caught a great silhouette of one of our best hoops players at Assumption. After that, I literally did some rock climbing by the river for another set of shots. I'm either brave or stupid. But I survived. And the customer will be happy in the end.

I cannot wait to go through all the frames of these kiddos (OK, close to adults) but I've got two more nights of sessions before I'll have time. 

I love this time of year. I love putting these young people in their best light. Even if they didn't know it existed. 

And heck, look at me all brave and stuff! Personal growth for the win!

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

Humor me and my age that your remember the commercial jingle: "Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't. Almond Joy's got nuts. Mounds don't."

I mean it played a pivotal role in my "Coconut Dreams" trifle layers tonight. I decided that maybe some people don't like the nuts, so I bought a king-size Mounds to decorate the top. Cannot wait to dig in tomorrow!

The other layers are chocolate cake, coconut cream pudding, chopped Samoa coconut and caramel cookies, with a thin layer of my new game changer...

How fitting, right? Side note: I could just eat this whole container as is. I love coconut that much!

I'll let you know the feedback from the birthday girl and work crew, but I actually hope there's a lot left. Yes, I do love coconut that much!

For additional "work fun" today, I actually went into the office for a bit (normally Monday is all about working from home). While it officially is Melissa's birthday tomorrow, I also "created" a fake birthday for one of our interns. The other one had a legit birthday during our time this summer so I felt bad for the one who didn't get a special day. And this is their last week! So I decorated her desk too and we'll celebrate tomorrow with a two-for-one trifle! 

Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you a just super jealous you don't work with me, right?

Check Out The View

 

As our city's main paper mill continues to be dismantled, there are fewer and fewer "towers" in "Grandpa's castle." I thought most of the big ones were down until I caught sight of this tonight after senior portrait session from down river.

For my hubby's family anyway, it will continue to be a part of their history until it's completely gone.

So crazy when we think that 20 years ago there would ever be a day people didn't need paper versions of everything. Or for our livelihood, that people would ever need an alternative news source than their newspaper on their doorstep every morning.

Unreal.

As for today, I was happy to catch this view after a rushed "beat the thunderstorm" senior portrait session. And earlier today, a nice church worship in the park that also timed out perfectly to rain happening when we were in the shelter. 

Mother Nature is fickle, but some days she allows me to do what I need to do. Thanks, lady!

More About The Dash

Our inspirational speaker the other day included the often read-at-funerals poem entitled "The Dash." I'm sure you've all heard it. (If not, Google it.) It’s a poem about the little dash symbol, often seen on funeral pamphlets or on gravestones, between the date of the person’s date of birth and date of their death. When reflecting on a person's entire life, the dash looks quite small. But when reflecting on everything that happened during that dash, it can represent so much.    

For those still living – like us working stiffs in the audience – it’s a reminder how we should focus on how we wish to spend our life. 

And for those still living – and still grieving – it hit hard. I was sitting at the same table as a work friend who just lost his dad last week. I couldn't make eye contact. We were both feeling it.

 

Then today, since the gloomy, rainy weather prohibited any outdoor activity I enjoy, I worked on some stuff for my soon-to-be niece's bridal shower. I needed a foam core poster board for a sign and this is the first thing I pulled out. The picture boards from my mom's funeral.

Uff da. 

Can I ever not tear up? I mean it's been 14+ months but it seems many times like it could've been just last week.

I guess I should look at Momma's dash and learn from it. So much life. Impacting so many. I need to start adding some depth to mine.

But I might need a few tissues before I get started.

Hunt the Good Stuff

I warned you that our inspirational speaker at work might have a long tail life in this blog! The one thing I thought of during my long and somewhat boring day of work was that there were some positives.

As the speaker said, "Hunt the good stuff" and look for the wins. Every day.

When I was the last person to proof some copy and found an error, I was grateful that I pay attention to every single word of a 26-page document! When I jetted down to Rome for their Farmer's Market, I was so grateful my work is flexible and I get more than a 30-minute lunch.

And so grateful for those fresh Crab Rangoon! Yum!

Then after a long-ish afternoon at the computer, I was grateful for some fun ribbing with co-workers who rarely golf. Highlight that with a little time with Mr. Deck Chair after work and some fresh produce for dinner, and we're good. 

Who cares if my hanging flower baskets are dying despite me watering them? Who cares that my back still hurts 4 days after a deep-tissue massage? Who cares that rain is forecast for some important appointments this weekend?

I mean WE care. But how much of our sanity and internal happiness is it worth?

Today I am vowing to say that it isn't worth it. Hard to say and follow through for real... But I am going to give it a try! Hang with me and keep me honest.

The Sun Sets on Lucy and Ethel

First of all, if you're too young to know who the "Lucy and Ethel" are in my blog title, it's your loss. Google it and enjoy some belly laughs. Full disclosure, this was before my time too, but I was treated to reruns as a child!

Tonight was our final night of the Foxy Ladies Golf League. We had a sort of scramble format which meant my partner Molly and I were scrambling but so were against the other two in our foursome. All summer this is how we did Couples League but tonight was the first time for our Women's League. Since Molly and I are typically bogie/double bogie golfers, we still did about the same. We tried to help each other out but it wasn't in our golfing nature.

Still, what we realized with our matching side hairclips, was that we are today's version of Lucy and Ethel. We are laughing through the whole round because it is genuine "feel good to be reconnecting" feelings. And perhaps we're the only ones to get the humor. But we're so funny, so please tune us in!

We also managed to pull out a "second place in the league" accolade. Don't try to be our friends NOW that we're swimming in money. Or something.

I just can't get over how it was destiny that I reconnected with Lucy when this Ethel needed a new partner – and we had known each other for more than decade. Never put an expiration date on a friendship. The universe can throw you back together at the most surprising times (school BINGO) and you'll forever be grateful!

A Non-Cheesy Wisconsin Experience

Even if every flower in a garden can be completely different, it doesn't mean they all can't claim to be pretty. But displayed together they are collectively beyond beautiful! So it goes with people on a "team" of any kind. They can all be best at what they do but they can't be the bestest until they work collectively to bring the bestest to meet all the needs of their co-workers, company, client, etc.

Yup, today was a full day and evening of working with a team of our new "co-workers" in Nashville. Not naming any names but my company acquired their company and this was the first opportunity for the two individual marketing teams to meet as a whole.

When I hear we were having a motivational speaker for our afternoon, I expected all kinds of cheesy – and not just because we're in Wisconsin. I've heard so many over the years ("There's no I in team") that I honestly had low expectations. (Plus this guy had once led meetings and events at Lambeau Field!) But wow, I was impressed.

Pat Cavanaugh not only helped us all stay interactive with each other and participate, he gave us tools we can apply to work thinking and real-life personal thinking (and actions). So a fair warning, you might be reading some inspirational vibes in days to come as I dissect what I learned. 

When the afternoon session was done, we all got to hang out at PJ's Live to listen to music and eat good food, including cheese. But it was not a cheesy thing – just your normal Midwest hospitality! I mean it comes so naturally to most of us, it's interesting to realize some people don't do it or experience it. Glad our massive full team was there to accommodate.

As I learned today, even though the Golden Rule is to treat others as we want them to treat us, the Platinum Rule is to treat others as they want and deserve to be treated. Your (our) first assignment. And go! 

Build Me Up, Buttercup, Exchange Program

We have many of our marketing coworkers from the Nashville office in town the next two days. So we had a bit of a cultural exchange – most of it involving food, naturally!

Jillian on our team introduced us to OMG Goo Goo Clusters – Nashville's Official Candy – and Moon Pies. And we, in turn, gave her a bit of cheesy exchange at the Feltz Farm and Dairy Store – home of Buttercup the cow (above).

Got to see a few regular cows and cute babies (yes, I know they are called calves in real life).

Plus a unique "How now, brown cow?" moment!

Naturally, we got the photo op! We not only posed by Buttercup, but our Nashville guest is going home with a "cow hat," toy tractors for her kiddos, and I believe some cheese.

I, on the other hand, bought my favorite String Cheese Whips (always so good) and with a twist of cultural exchange-ness...

OMG! Cannot wait to grill or air fry these!! If you like a little spice in your life, try anything Nashville Hot. I'm obsessed. I mean I have a bottle of Nashville Hot Ranch in my fridge, for hot sake!

Oh, and of course we all got King Cone ice cream! I think tomorrow is filled with more meetings than fun for us, but I'll let you in on any cultural secrets. They've been delicious so far!

Maniacal Monday

 

I wasn't even ready for Monday. Let along coping with the fact we are charging into August like Black Friday shoppers looking for a deal. And I don't like it.

People can give all the advice they want. That we can and still should make the most out of it. But my reality is....

I'm just not that ready. Plus I just don't feel 100% so that takes a toll on ambition right there. But things always turn around, don't they? Here's a to a good week and great (and very slow) August for all of us!