Monday Funday Checkered Flag Day!

It's pretty much our Labor Day plans to head to Golden Sands for some racing. Naturally, it's always a bonus when our nephew Colin is racing.

This year, it just happened that he claimed the Track Championship a couple weeks ago. So it was fun to watch him at his peak of the season.

We sat with our usual racing friends and it was great to see them AND on a day when the temps were only in the mid-70s versus 90s at this time last year.

Colin qualified with the 5th fastest time so was eligible to compete in the Fast 5 Dash. He won that and earned that top photo. When the feature came around, it took awhile to figure out what was happening since the scoreboard didn't work – after being struck by lightning this summer.

Thankfully, we could watch him passing several cars in the feature and end up finishing 5th. Great job!

I love that his daughter – our great-niece Mya – was willing to help sign autographs.

Meanwhile Colin was eager to meet fans and sign his own autograph.

While son Eli was thrilled to get one from Dad! That just made for a pretty cool day off!

Red, White and Confused

When you have a holiday on a Thursday followed by a day off on Friday, I wasn't sure if today was Monday or what. It seemed like we just had the weekend.

So glad it's not quite over!

Yesterday's excitement was random shopping for things for a raffle basket. Plus, I finally replaced the broken/non-working solar lights on our deck posts.

I'm pretty jazzed about the new look! How does that song go – Spend big money at Menard's!

Today we trekked down to the Dells to see our nephew Colin race.

It was 80 or so degrees but felt so much warmer up in the metal bleachers. I had to take a break in the shade after awhile.

Of course, as soon as the sun went down, it was time to throw on a sweatshirt. Happens every time down there. Colin's race did not go too well. It was a 100-lapper and I think he exited the track with 70 to go. Something got knocked loose when he got knocked around a bit on the track. It happens. Just bummed he couldn't finish.

At least we got a nice sunset (top photo) out of it. And a variety of fireworks shows on our way home. 

And... tomorrow still ISN'T Monday! Yay!

Memorial Daze

This has been a crazy week – and it's only Wednesday. Monday – a holiday – was a bit of a blur as we went to Golden Sands to watch our nephew Colin race. And the feature got rained out.

Looking at these clouds, it was obvious something was headed to the track. But they got 30 laps in for the Trickle 99 before the heavens opened up and we all bailed.

Not sure if they'll reschedule that particular race so we can pretend Colin won, right?

Memorial Day was also kind of tough because it was the 11-year anniversary of my dad's death – and it was Memorial Day that year, too! My twin sister Raylene shared this picture of Dad entertaining her while Mom fixed something on my dress on baptism day. Now that they're both in heaven together, I sure hope they aren't worried about us twinsies!

Tuesday was the return to the office after several days. I love, love my team and co-workers but it's not always emotionally stable to receive their love in return. (Thankfully the lovely gift from my writing team was delivered on Saturday!)

I got this adorable purple "pocket hug" – which I'm going to have to rely on my hooker friends to figure out how to crochet and teach me! Such a sweet sentiment.

Speaking of purple, my Mad Town Girls (as I call them) sent me a care package through inter-office mail from our Madison office with every purple candy they could find. So sweet. Literally!

Then unrelated to any sorrow, it just happens that I finally won the Survivor pool in our department! This wonderful hand-crafted trophy plu$ $ome ca$h!

My friend Nancy wasn't thrilled to hand it over. But hey, give it 365 days and things may change! (P.S. I have yet to watch an episode!)

Last night I was disappointed that my golf outing at SentryWorld in Stevens Point was rained out. But it wasn't raining at Robinson Park in Wisconsin Rapids, so I got to see this home-run celebration as our Lady Royals softball team moves unto the sectional final Thursday!

The only bummer was that our "temporary pet" for the weekend had to return home last night. The good news is that his human momma had a successful surgery so now he can cheer her up while she recovers and conquers her next challenges.

Today ushered in a few more expressions of sympathy from work friends, but also this good news...

My sister Rachel is moving from the Surgical Care Unit to the Physical Rehabilitation area of Regions Hospital! I can't comprehend how long the past 2 months have been for her as she's gotten to this point, but she'll definitely need your prayers for strength as she tackles this serious uphill climb to return strength to all her limbs and move forward.

Thanks so much for all of you who have been praying for both my mom and sister. The power of prayer has carried our family so far. I'll admit I'm pretty weak without it. Thank you!

Season Finale

Just like any entertaining show, the race season has a finale, too. Our nephew Colin didn't get to race as much as he hoped this summer so we were glad to catch a few races at the end of the season.

Today we picked up Jim's dad and took him to Marshfield Motor Speedway for the Tundra Series championship. There were two 50-lap races and it was still light for the first one so I could capture some photos. But first, the important photos...

His cute kiddos! And biggest fans, I'm sure. He's beginning to look like a little Colin!

And Mya is definitely geared up for team daddy. So adorable!

OK, fine Colin. You're cute, too. But that's just your biased old aunt talking! What really looked good was seeing him work his way up to the front of the pack by halfway through the race. 

Unfortunately there was a caution and restart with 12 laps to go and he just couldn't keep pace with the guy who recorded fastest time during qualifying. Still a great race and good second-place finish. 

The temps dropped rapidly after sundown. Glad we had jackets and sweatshirts but we still wimped out and headed home early. I wouldn't say we're fair weather fans. Just not cold weather fans. Glad racing is a summer sport around here!

Hot Wheels

The heat wave continues for this un-official end of summer Labor Day weekend. To beat the heat, I had some strategy on my side.

Do a senior photo shoot during a little after sunrise. Then go see our nephew Colin race at Golden Sands – allegedly BEFORE the hot spot of the day.

Well, when it's hot as helling dustballs, you do what you can.

Had a great photo session with Mister "I Will Flex For You" Jacob! Fun to have some water shots at his uncle's place on the Lake Camelot chain. Great family and great kid!

Then onto the races. Colin got fast time and let my sweet grand-niece roll the dice for his position. Even though he started in row 6 (11th), he ended up finishing 5th!

Awesome job, kiddo!

Tonight we pretty much stayed in the A/C. I made tacos for supper and some special treats for work this week. Then I found out my 15 minutes of fame at the U.S. Senior Open extended another minute. Well, maybe 3 seconds.

NHL MVP Joe Pavelski included my birthday shot in his instagram story. I may be fan-girling a bit right now!! 

In other words... returning to the office to work tomorrow will be hella boring. Sorry, not sorry, coworkers! 

Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend as well!

It's Juxt Us Opposin'

juxtaposition |ˌjəkstəpəˈziSH(ə)n|: noun. The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect: the juxtaposition of these two images.

I remember learning this word in English class back in the day. Never was it so evident as our date night tonight...

A well-rounded date starts with fancy-schmancy dinner at The Muse followed by action at the race track – with a 70 mph wardrobe change on Highway 10 in between. That's how we roll on a Saturday night!

Let's start with dinner. Our delicious dinner at The Muse restaurant that is part of the Sentry campus. It's really a nice place and was a great setting for a surprise 50th birthday gathering for our neighbor. Well now I can't say her name or you'll know her age! Anyway, the new AARP girl was surprised and it was fun. And so very, very delish!

Above, for example, was my rhubarb dessert. Crispy custard topped with rhubarb and white chocolate and pistachios. Do not try this at home. It could never compare. Yum.

From there it was a quick drive west to Marshfield. The guy above is some unknown fan, but I had to capture the image to complete the juxtaposition. Plus, I forgot to take our picture at the restaurant so you wouldn't know the difference with our "outfits" – which were appropriate for each occasion. I basically just changed my shirt while hubby drove and kept my black skort on to save time.

We were anxious to get over there after we heard our nephew Colin qualified with the fastest time. That's always a big deal – and today even more so because they weren't sure the car was going to cooperate for racing tonight. We got to the track in time for the feature but, unfortunately #87 only lasted two laps. Dang. Better luck next time, kiddo!

At least it extended our unique date night – that and the train stopped when we got back to town. Yup. That's exactly how we roll on a Saturday night.

Dream big, my friends. Dream big.

Full Filling

Saturday brought just two main events for us to attend. And several minor activities, too, naturally.

While hubby was mowing the front yard first thing, I figured I better get some steps since my average the last three days was a measly 5,000. Not good. So I went on a 4+ mile run. And it was mostly running, I'll have you know. But...

I did learn that even a 4-mile run isn't too tough when you make pit stops at two garage sales, the cemetery to see my Em, and the neighbors to give sweaty hugs to the birthday girl. Yes, my FitBit has turned me into a multi-tasking ninja!

Our actual scheduled events were a graduation party for our neighbor Sophie and then pick up the in-laws and head to Marshfield for the stock car races.

Was pretty exciting. Our nephew Colin had the fastest qualifying time. Then, after a 60-lap feature that had a lot of caution flags and restarts, he managed to work his way up the pack and capture the checkered flag!!

We were just thrilled for him! It's been a while since he won a main feature and this is definitely his first victory in the Tundra Series he's doing. So that was amazing. Just got done sorting through hundreds of photos and it's midnight. Totally worth it to cap off our full and filling and fulfilling Saturday.

Hope you can say the same!

To Have and To Hold

For some 15 years, our nephew Colin's main love has been car racing. That changed a few years ago when he found something new to love. Her name is Amy and after today, she is now our new niece and has a new last name – Reffner.

What a gorgeous fall day for a wedding. Actually, we all got a scare around 11 a.m. when there was a freak thunder and lightning storm in Wisconsin Rapids. Thankfully short-lived and the sun and warmth returned.

Colin and Amy were married in St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Stevens Point.

 A beautiful church inside and out. I should have taken more pictures!

Carter was an usher so he got to wear a tux. Colors were Reffner Blue and Sunflower Yellow. Very pretty.

The guys goofing around before the wedding.

The groomsmen and ushers all got socks from the groom for the special purpose of this photo. Ha.

A very fun wedding party!

Jim, his sister Sherry (mother of the groom) and their parents.

As long as we're dressed up, you might as well snap our picture!

 College Boy cleans up pretty good!

The bride and groom with Grandpa and Grandma Reffner.

And with Grandpa and Grandma Austin.

These two are made for each other!

Do you see how they're often mistaken for brothers?

Godfather Uncle Jimmy and Colin.

Ahhh... the cousins!! Don't ask me how the baby became the tallest. Unless he's on tippy toes? I'm not sure.

Can't remember the last time we had our family of 5 together. This picture means more to hubby and me than anything else all day.

The brothers three: Casey, Carter, Clay.

Goofing around with Grandma and Grandpa Austin.

A tall drink of water... I seriously should have worn heels!

Parents of the groom showing some love!

It really was a super fun day. Now it is after midnight and we are still full from the delicious dinner at The Ridges and my feet might be hurting just a bit from dancing like a kid.

But you know what they say at weddings and every day: Live (including dancing), Love, Laugh.