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. 

My Summer Daughters

 

Life has been so busy that I haven't been able to update you on my summer daughters. Well, let's just call them interns since that's what they were.

This week was super quiet because our two interns were gone. Their last day was this past Friday and it didn't seem real until we were in the office and realized, dang, we miss them.

Well of course we are in marketing so we could get a picture of them with our team before they were gone. Looking at this picture, they are on the left end of the seated row – Grace and Melanie.

And naturally, we are such a "fun department" we had to have a fun group pose!

It was a fulfilling summer for me because I was the "official" mentor for Grace, our writing intern on our marketing team. If you ask, pretty much everyone will label me as the "mother hen" or "team mother" so I love this. 

And she was great. And she left such a heart-warming thank-you note on my desk so I knew that my efforts were worth it. 

My take away was this: Never underestimate the power you have to make someone feel welcome, valued, and incredibly talented. Sometimes they just need to hear it from someone new. Be the person that says what they haven't heard before!

Random Acts of Color

For some reason I could not get my phone to sync up with my computer when it came to photos last night, so I said "screw it" and didn't bother blogging. Now it somewhat works.

If you've read a few of my previous blogs you know this means I got to golf SentryWorld last night. I was subbing for friend on our other Marketing golf team who happens to be vacationing in Iceland. I'd like to say I was winning – but beautiful Iceland? I doubt it.

One fun hole was me saying, "Hey, there's my ball" and my partner saying, "I think that's a mushroom." Raise your driver if you would've thought the same thing!

At least on my drive home I knew all the COLOR credit went to God with some amazing sunset views en route home. Thanks!

Today's color palette was a surprise. I learned that someone I was loving on this weekend up north now has COVID.

So I swung by Walgreens on my way home to pick up a test. I didn't have symptoms but I had senior photo session this evening and we have an out-of-town wedding Friday. Thank the Lord it was negative. Because, well, I hate to miss out on anything!

I guess my random acts of color this week have truly been blessings!

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!