Dad's Day

Well I was off the hook to provide any type of Father's Day entertainment since hubby was still off on his weekend golf trip with the guys.

So I did what we probably would've done anyway. Sat and watched the exciting final round of the U.S. Open while crocheting a baby blanket.

Finished it with just a few holes to go so I headed into town and watched the rest of it with my father-in-law. That was nice.

It's still so weird (and lonely) even after 13 years to not have Dad to call on Father's Day. One of those things where you start to say in your mind, "Oh I have to get a card for Dad..." then remember. Good thing he instilled so much of his charm, humor, and know-it-all attitude in me that sometimes when I open my mouth, he really does come out!

Trust me, my siblings and I have no qualms about calling out each other as LeRoy 1, LeRoy 2, etc. We mean it endearingly, of course, but it's obvious none of us apples (or nuts) fall far from the tree!

Hope all you dads our there realize the great power you have to influence the next generation! Think what you want to be remembered for. 

Unrelated, hugs to all my friends coping with your first Father's Day without your dad. If you're feeling a hole in your heart, remind yourself that means he must have been a pretty special father!

Happy Father's Day!

RIP Mr. Deck Chair

 

While hubby is hopping around Minnesota golfing with buddies this weekend, I've been mourning the loss of my better half. Not him – Mr. Deck Chair!

If you want to know the answer to the question "Can you wear out a deck chair from too much use?" The answer is yes, apparently you can.

Well he was on his last legs. Had a big crack in his back. As Jim pointed out when he sent me this picture on garbage day, it was his time. "He was dirty and broken." Same. I am, too, sometimes!

Of course this photo was after he was already taking him apart to stuff his corpse into the garbage can. Sniff!

So I am hanging out with Mr. Deck Chair 2.0 and 2.1 this weekend. Yes, it takes TWO to replace the OG Mr. Deck Chair!

We'll soldier on!

Doh! Or Doe?

Interesting day as I transitioned between doh and doe. While earning the dough, of course.

Today was our last day in the office for awhile. Every time I thought I had everything together and ready to exit, I'd have a Homer Simpson "DOH!" moment when I remembered something else. Trust me, though, I was ready by lunchtime to head out.

Our full team of writers had our Last Lunch – not at all to be confused with the Last Supper. But I bet AI could alter this image. Not even going to think about trying it.

I gave a few hugs goodbye – because you know I'm a hugger – and was out the door well before 4 p.m. because our golf league tee times changed up at the last minute.

The weather tonight alternated a few times between long and short sleeves. Thankfully there was only a few sprinkles of rain before the wind blew those evil clouds past us. Molly and I did not do as well as last week but who cares? We had fun! 

And as competitive as I am, this is one area where I know my limits so I am 100% here for fun and spending time with a friend!

As I drove into the driveway, there was another DOH or DOE moment. I raced into the house to take a picture of her through my office window. Not the best photo, but she just hung out there, enjoying the evening for a good half hour. 

I know nothing about wildlife. I was just concerned she might be injured. Or, on a positive note, pregnant. Who rests in a yard when there's traffic nearby on the street and in the driveway? But then, she was gone!

Doh!

Anyway. A random plus-side is that the weather forecast for Friday calls for no, possibly minimal, rain. So get out and enjoy the Cranberry Blossom Fest events. We might luck out and have a weekend of weather in our favor! 

More Cake? Well, Sure!

The question isn't will I turn older next week. The question is whether I'll gain 5 pounds before my next birthday. Because I have the best coworkers!

OMG. Steff created the most tasty 3-layer coconut cake I've ever had the privilege of tasting! So good!

A little back story on how I fell in love with coconut cake. 

Throughout my growing up years, my mom and her sister Virginia would visit each other quite often. I felt like it was weekly. Taking turns at each other's homes. It always required some bakery items to go with the coffee, of course. Occasionally, when Mom was "hosting," she'd buy one of those Pepperidge Farm Classic Coconut Layer Cake. Could not get enough of that flavor! So good. So that was a lovely treat today!

My almost birthday twin Darcey and I felt spoiled yet again! We had to pose one more time by my ice cream light (my real twin gave me a few years ago) before I unplugged it and brought it home. 

Tomorrow's the last day in our current digs. I said loudly this afternoon, "OK, is anyone bringing treats of any kind tomorrow? Otherwise, I'm packing up my little plates and bowls." 

No response so I think the party's over. I mean I guess we're still pre-gaming!

After work, our team went to Guu's on Main in Stevens Point because our Nashville team member is with us this week and they have at least 6 flavors of deep-fried cheese curds. She was suitably impressed. Even though it's funny sometimes how we want greasy, gooey goodness to represent our state!

Go, cheese!

P.S. Unrelated to anything... my friend at work and I went to the Herrschners warehouse sale at lunch today. Holy million people but also million deals. Get there! I think it goes through Sunday.

P.S.S. It has rained all day. Apparently hubby still had golf league. Probably wearing his long underwear. Yep, mid-June and temps in the 40s and 50s. Be careful out there!

Early Signs of Aging

Even though my birthday is not until the end of next week, my coworkers surprised two of us today with early birthday wishes since we only have two days left in the office before we're sent home for a spell as office renovations kick into high gear.

My coworker Darcey (who just got back from Italy) has a birthday a few days after mine so she also got decorations and cake. Frosting for breakfast always works for me!

And my gift is so appropriate since we'll be working from home the next 6+ weeks before we come back to an every-other-week schedule in a different office building in Point. I will not mind being in close proximity to Mr. Deck Chair in July!

Another perk today was seeing an old friend who was covering a golf event at SentryWorld.

Rob and his family live out in Arizona but when he comes to Wisconsin for work it's usually a multi-week thing. Glad it was a nice day to sit down and chat a bit. 

The rain definitely came later! Uff da what a drive home! Needless to say, no one in this house is golfing tonight. I'm doing a quick design project then really really need to get some speed crocheting done!

OMMG (Oh Mother Memories, Goodness!)

My cousin shared this picture of my mom and of a Facebook "memory" from about 7 years ago. This is what she wrote then and why I miss my momma every day...

"Had a spontaneous visit with my Aunt Marlys. Davis and I were driving by and saw her out in the yard tending to her flowers. It was nice to visit for a few minutes. She told Davis how she remembered the day he was born. His Uncle Lloyd was painting her house at the time and got a call that Davis has arrived. 

She also told of how when she was little her teacher asked the students to pick milk weed pods to help support the war effort. She said she went home and picked two gunny sacks full. “Daddy had to take me to school that next Monday because I couldn’t carry them”.  I guess they were used to make parachutes and life preservers. 

Marlys said the teacher mentioned that she should have offered an award for the student who brought the most. She said, “ I thought - ‘that’s right, she should have’...”. That was probably the start of her efforts to help others.  Marlys should start recording all her memories - such a sweetheart!"

I definitely remember that Mom collected all that milk weed. It was an intriguing story. But I don't think that was when I realized that Mom was so competitive. I think we all inherited that. Well me with BINGO etc.

Just remember that no matter what you think or learn from your mother, appreciate it! If she is not here, you'll appreciate one minute with her for a story or a memory!

A Two-Some Weekend

Saturday was sort of like an episode of Wedding Crashers... but we were more like Wedding Surfers!

We happened to have two weddings on Saturday – one family, one friends. We somehow managed to get to both ceremonies. First our friends' daughter Allyse (one of Carter's prom dates from forever ago) at 1 p.m. When the ceremony start was delayed a bit, we wondered if we'd get to the other ceremony at 3 p.m.

Thank goodness both wete within 5 miles of Wisconsin Rapids.

After Allyse's absolutely beautiful wedding, we got out to Rooted in Red for Jim's goddaughter's Becca Austin's wedding. It's a nice venue for any outdoor ceremony, etc. The weather was just pleasant – not super hot. So nice. And so great to visit with Austin family and cousins.

Becca was the happiest bride!! Just loved to see her joy! 

After our dinner and some dancing – oh yes, two dances with hubby – we headed home and stopped at wedding No. 1 reception at The Ridges on the way. Got to officially congratulate the bride and visit with some friends. Full day of two-some fun!

Then this afternoon we started our "two-some" couple's league at Tri-City. The fun thing is that Jim and I go against another couple and we get to do a scramble format so we can keep the pace of play going. The non-fun thing is I realize once again my hubby is a phenomenal golfer and I am a complete dead weight. Unfortunately, according to couple's league rules, they have to use at least 3 of my drives in the 9 holes. 

I need more rounds than 2 before I can contribute, that's for sure! But somehow we came out ahead in the match tonight! Whew.

At least on a surprisingly cool Sunday I had my new Cutter and Buck golf pullover that I may or may not have bought myself on my trip to Minnesota last weekend. 88 degrees that day and yet I thought, "I should plan ahead!"

Very comfy and light but warm enough when whimps like me can't deal with wind and chill!

Side note: I love it and I'll be wearing it for much more than golf!

Carter called when we were putting out our last hole. Then we connected later when we were home. We're looking forward to seeing their place up in Duluth and showing them a few sights. How is it that all the weekends in the summer just fill up so fast?!

Hopefully something works out in July. Hubby hasn't been up there and I want to show both of them plus Mamie some of the must-see sights. 

At least we all agree it has to be a summer-type month.... not winter! Appreciate summer right now!

I DO brake for Garage Sales

Since it's already mid-June and I have yet to use a vacation day, I took today off. No real plans at all. But waking up at 6 a.m. (which I can't do on a work day) and not falling back to sleep, I had plenty of time to think. 

And, ope, search social media for events in the area.

So as it turns out my morning was at the Rome Farmer's Market. A huge event and few friends vending there so that was cool. Plus, I got delicious Crab Rangoon for breakfast. So good!

I was joking when I left the house at 9:30 a.m. that "Oh, it's the Kellner-wide garage sales today. So I'll see you at 2 p.m.!"

That got close to the truth. But only because I stopped at a neighbor/friend's in the end to visit a bit.

What did I buy? A few cute summer tops and a dress... and of course more books to add to my To Be Read pile. I think I need a full month off to address this issue!

After shopping, I did get a little bonding time with Mr. Deck Chair 2.0. Also I picked up my crochet hook to whip through a baby blanket – by Tuesday hopefully. Nothing like deadlines on a day off!

Hope you had a relaxing a fabulous Friday!

Mostly a Tomboy

 

It's kind of funny that when I was growing up I was 100% a tomboy – even with 6 sisters. I didn't mind sweaty bike rides or pony rides and absolutely hated wearing dresses for any occasion. 

That hasn't changed much over time but I do wear dresses for important occasions – mainly weddings, I guess. And important occasions like it's Thursday and I am bringing a trifle to work.

I've never worn a dress at work but I remembered when I bought this (with gift cards, yay) a few weeks ago, the mother of the shop owner said the dress would pair nicely with a light, white sweater and sneakers.

For half the day – as a 5-decade tomboy – I wondered where my pants were! Still it was comfortable and made me feel a bit sassy.

Don't be afraid to embrace your sassy feminine side – no matter what your age. Now I am actually looking forward to two weddings on Saturday. My real fancy dress is ready. But can I get away with sneakers??

Thinking of Going to Kokomo

 

I'm kind of embarrassed that Kokomo is not a real place in the Caribbean but a fictional place of dreams.

When us college girls went to the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail, we just went along with it.

In reality... "Kokomo" is a soft rock/yacht rock classic written by John Phillips, Scott McKenzie, Mike Love, and Terry Melcher. It was featured in the 1988 Tom Cruise movie Cocktail.

Still... when I make my "Coconut Dreams" trifle with thoughts toward remote islands and tomorrow, I am a little bit miffed at what is happening!

But I did soldier through and this trifle – from the ground layer up – includes brownies, coconut creme pudding, and chopped up Samoa cookies and my newly discovered Milano coconut variety. I'll let you know if any is left for a drive-thru tomorrow!

Summer Sweets and Treats

Summer is always full of cool treats – and some that are just delicious room temperature ones! Three examples:

1. I forgot to mention that after we all went to an early dinner after the dance recital, we (Ken, RoAnn, and I) were on a mission to find some good "hard" ice cream on the way home. However, there were so many detours just to get back home that we said screw it – let's just get it at the grocery store near Pine City!

Of course, after being in air-conditioning and walking into their very cool house, Ro and I said we needed to light the fire "pit" on the deck before we sat out there and ate the ice cream. Sometimes you have to warm up enough to eat ice cream, ya know? Smile if you understand our logic!

Side note: It was Cedar Crest Blueberry Waffle Cone. So good!

2. Both mornings I was there, I had a slice of delicious Amish Friendship Bread for breakfast. Amish Friendship Bread is like an adult chain letter for people who like to bake! Once you accept that batch of "starter" you cannot leave the cult. You can only break the chain by throwing away whatever starters you can't give away – including your own! So I resisted getting back into that (been there, done that) but did take a half-plus loaf home.

Got home from work today and this is what is left! So I guess hubby does like it. I remember that now. Should've rejoined the damn cult!

3. On my way home from work, I had to hunt and gather ingredients that may or may not be used in a trifle soon. (Hey, gotta get one more in before we're all working from home for 6 weeks!) And that's when I met my sweetest downfall.

Hadn't seen these before nor purchased them. But they fit my "theme." I am a huge HUGE coconut anything and everything fan. But I still felt I should taste test one when I got home. Just to be sure it would blend with the rest of the flavors and all that. I demand quality in my creations! 

Or something.

Anyway, I kid you not, I moaned out loud at first bite. Holy perfectly delicious flavor combination! Good thing Jim is golfing or he'd wonder what the hell was happening in the kitchen!!

I quickly shoved them in the fridge to chill with the other cookies – you have to do that so they cut up nicely (rather than mushy) the next day. But you know that from my previous Trifle Tutorials. I don't know how I can stay away from them! This will be my biggest test of willpower strength in recent days, that's for sure.

I mean I do have another cookie type to cut up as well for the cookie layer, so I might not need to "use" all them. #MeJustifyingANewAddiction. Bwaahaa.

Just... if you love coconut like I do, get yourself some of these!!!

I mean it is a flavor of summer after all... at least tropical islands that are summer year-round! Enjoy the treats of the season!

Just Go With The Flow of Happiness

It's crazy what makes us happy – or mildly content. For me after two evenings and mornings on my sister's back deck, I was thrilled to capture one hummingbird in action. Though the bird is not in clear focus.

Still... yay!

The focus of the weekend was getting to my sister RoAnn's on Saturday so we could see he granddaughter – my great-niece – Kenlee dance in her recital Sunday.

Let me just say, that was the most awesome experience! You were so good, girl!

In addition to her fans who were there to cheer her on, we all had a late lunch with Sunday. Then, it was a nice relaxing treat at my sister's to just relax by the "fire" in the evenings on the back deck.

Today I headed home and seeing my parents' grave was the only non-detour. Was glad about that. Also it had been pouring rain and it stopped for approximately 8 minutes so I could visit Mom and Dad and then it started within seconds. It was insane. So grateful!

As for the rest of the weekend... I am thrilled to be back home safely (with some parts only $4 per gallon of gas)... and craving to do more for more my nieces and nephews. A project for another day!

I Could've Made That

I am heading to Minnesota tomorrow afternoon and am excited to see my great-niece's dance recital on Sunday. All I was looking for after work was some card that said something like "Good job!" or "You're a rockstar!". But no, Walmart has apparently given up on keeping 70% of their cards in stock. So onto Walgreens I went. 

Nothing 100% applied. But I found something I could make up words with that a 10-year-old would understand.

Thank goodness hubby is out of town with some high school buddies for dinner or he'd say, "Well, you can make a card, can't you?"

Yes, I have the rubber stamps with the unfortunately dried-out ink pads and the actual blank paper cards and envelopes. Someday (in my free time) I may return to that hobby.

In the meantime, thank God and Amazon that there are "dance girl" gifts I can give her and a matching gift bag!

A few dance t-shirts will fit into this bag nicely. SHHH. Don't tell her!

I'm just excited to finally see my Kenlee dance. She has sort of invited me several times! 

Now I just have to figure out what to pack for 88 degrees vs A/C for the next three days. I am so up for the challenge!

A Par-tial Improvement

So tonight was our second week of Ladies Golf League for my friend Molly and me. This time we were in the last grouping at 5:20 p.m. so that meant "normal/regular" golfers had tee times behind us. We were well aware of that. And hoping those guys behind us realized that we were held up by the ladies in front of us and so on.

They never FULLY caught up with us and gave us grief. And for that, we're grateful.

It also helped us maintain our more "relaxed" vibe compared to the first week. It certainly helped that one of us is done with work for the summer (thanks to a school district job) and the other of us was more serene (thanks to a decision/action at work).

I think we both knocked off 7 strokes from our week 1 performance... which is a big deal with just 9 holes. You wouldn't even recognize us... except for our matching clipped up hair. Ha.

We don't normally take a cart because we like to get our steps. But there was this threat of rain. And our hair, OMG, what would we do?! In the end, we did not get wet. AND we had more time to visit than when we use our own pull carts and zig and zang to the green.

Even though some mock lady golfers, I'm grateful God recognizes the importance of female friendships. Any where. Any setting.

Take advantage of those, ladies! 💗 

Those Darn Bad-Luck Bowls

There are some baseball fields we just call “bowls” because they are situated at the bottom of a park ringed with banks of grass where fans could sit and watch the action from most of the sides of the field. For the longest time, the Pittsville “bowl” was our perennial nemesis, almost always knocking the Royals out of the postseason playoffs—while exhibiting highly vocal, annoying behavior from their dugout.

Somehow conferences and possibly divisions have realigned in recent years. So this season, after soundly defeating Gresham in round one of Regionals, we headed to Iola-Scandinavia. My old stomping grounds if you recall me blogging about our 100-mile round trip to work for a dozen years.

As someone with certain sports superstitions, I immediately recognized the similar “bowl” setup to P-town. That was unnerving right away.

But the game was so close. Not a runaway score by either team. We were ahead by 2 then the Thunderbirds caught up. Then we’d make a mini-surge, but they’d catch up. It came down to the last batter for the home team. And they ended up defeating us 6-5 and knocking us out of the playoffs in what was one of our better season record years of late.

For me, though, the fun was running into some of my “Iola people”!

I left the publishing house some 10 years ago now. But Cori the ticket taker who worked at the Fitness Center there remembered me!

Then I ran into Miss Mandy, one of Carter’s first daycare people in Iola. And her mother, Judy, who worked with Jim and I at Krause. Just great to get long overdue (though you didn’t realize they were overdue) hugs!

Of course I then had to check out some of our favorite haunts…

Including Carter’s favorite ice cream place Shivers. Per usual, a long summer line.

Then I took the route home through Scandinavia, which always seems like I just earned another stamp on my passport. If only! Still, all was a great reminder of how we can forge great bonds in the workplace when we work in a friendly community and we, by nature, are friendly too.

Side note: I absolutely do not miss that commute.

Side note 2: Thank you, seniors! What a great season!

Waiting to Bloom

So it's June! That means my column for the June church newsletter is live (or whatever). So I will share it here with you.

Waiting to Bloom for our Master Gardener

As winter slowly loosened its grip this year, many of us found ourselves watching the calendar, peeking outside, and asking the same question: “When will spring finally arrive?” 

All through April and May, we were eager for warmer days, green grass, and especially the chance to head to the garden centers and buy flowers for our yards and porches.

Full disclosure: I have two black thumbs and rely on Google to tell me when I should and shouldn’t buy my hanging flower baskets! Having “freeze warnings” halfway through May was not helpful this spring!

There is something hopeful about planting flowers. Tiny buds and bare stems may not look like much at first, but we trust that, with time, sunshine, and care, beautiful blooms will come. Yet no flower blooms before its season. Some blossom early, while others take longer to unfold. Each one opens in its own perfect time.

Perhaps that is how God works in our lives as well.

Sometimes we become impatient with ourselves. We wonder why we are not stronger in faith, quicker to heal, or further along in life. No matter our age, we seem to fall into the trap of comparing our journey to someone else’s and feel discouraged when we do not seem to be “blooming” as quickly.

But God, the Master Gardener, knows each of us individually. He understands what we need, how we grow, and when we are ready. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

What comfort there is in that promise. God does not rush His creation, and He does not rush us. Through seasons of waiting, growth, pruning, and renewal, He continues His faithful work in our hearts.

So as we finally jump into early summer and enjoy the colors of spring flowers around us, may they remind us to trust God’s timing. The bloom may not come when we expect it, but under His loving care, beauty will come in its season.