Colors of February Come Full Circle

February is finally wrapping up. Thank goodness we're done with the 4th (practically) month of winter!

My week has been a whirlwind. A few highs and lows. We had a Trifle Thursday this week since the birthday boy at work actually celebrates today. While everyone raved about the taste of the Cookies and Cream Dream, I find it ugly. I reminds my of dirty slush and snow. (A common February color.) Of course, I didn't say that out loud!

Yesterday the thermometer projected into the 50s so you know what that means. Everyone to the car wash!

Other than the Valentine weekend flowers, this is probably my favorite color of February!

Today was a full day. Jim and I headed down to a bridal shower for Carter and Mamie's college friend Halayna. They are both in the wedding in May since she is marrying one of Mamie's brothers! I had Jim go with since we had more time to visit with Mamie's dad (up from Alabama) than we will at the wedding. I did shower stuff and they chit-chatted.

Since it was a mid-morning start, the theme was a "love is brewing" coffee bar. Coffee is a good color any month!

And look at that cute "bar tender"! I'd have to say he's a 100% devoted boyfriend for helping out at Mamie's friend's baby shower a few weeks back and now this bridal shower. He's a keeper! In fact the bride's 11-year-old sister insisted she not be a "junior" bridesmaid but a "real one" instead and she must walk down the aisle with Carter! Adorable.

Speaking of adorable... my girls! I don't know how Carter's mom got to be the cool mom and invited to these things, but I adore them all!!

Also adorable... the kids with the bride-to-be...

And especially adorable... Jim and Halayna... They get a picture together every few years and their smiles are genuine. Her personality is larger than life! So happy for her.

Oh and I finally got to give her the blanket I did in January to match their new sage color theme. She loved it!

Our 2 1/2 hour drive home was too wintery for our liking. It was slippery. Glad Jim was driving or this winter grandma driver probably wouldn't be home yet.

As a result of the snow and slush... my car does indeed look like a Cookies and Cream trifle! Am I right or am I right? Gross!

Of course the Assumption Royal Blue is always a fan favorite in February as the girls' playoff season is underway. But I do not like that ugly Almond-Bancroft green that defeated them tonight for the regional championship. It was quite the physical battle! All I can say is I am proud of girls who left nothing on the floor. They were 100% committed and did amazing!

And when I got home a little bit ago and saw that all my slushy icy stuff was on my car, I thought, February, you are free to move on now!

Raw Deal

This Polar Vortex is like a fat man in a bakery. He's gotta touch 'em all. All the states, that is. 

Poor hubby had this for temperatures "down South" in San Antonio. That's so crazy. Even though the trip is for work, he certainly deserved a bit of a break from winter. Wow. This can be over already!

On the flip side, when Carter texted he had a Shamrock Shake for lunch (cold be darned), he admitted, "I am my mother's son!" Love it. And oh that sounds good! 

I should've thought of that when I was grocery shopping after work. Yup, I'm two sleeps away from Camp Crop-A-Lot so I had to get the essentials – food items I signed up to bring, snacks and drinks for myself, and oh, just a trifle to share for dessert on Friday. 

Just the usual.

Most of my other "scrap" has been set to go for weeks. But tonight after choir, I'll take inventory again just to be sure. I'd hate to have all this time then forget the real essentials!

Bundle up and stay warm – no matter what state you're in. Be careful!

Hello, February

With the wind picking up and the temps dropping, the transition from January to February took a negative turn. Of course, we were just being teased with that nice "car washing" weather the past several days.

Not we flip the calendar and are reminded we technically still have a lot of winter to go. 

This is such a quiet weekend on our calendar, we really didn't care what the weather did. Just ran a few errands here and there and mostly hung out at home. I got a few more things set for scrap camp and even took a short walk.

Tonight I'm working at getting at least 2 Hallmark movies off my DVR queue. Right now I'm 100% in Christmas mode. With a romantic happy ending of course.  In fact, this feeling might stick around for a another month if I don't have time to get through my DVR recordings. 

Good thing there are no sporting events on TV this weekend that I feel compelled to watch. I just might make progress on some projects yet! Hope you're having a fun or productive weekend – or both!

A Little Bit Before (or 44)

I'm so embarrassed that since I worked from home yesterday afternoon, I had "Friday" in my head. And thus, the end of January. Oops.

Today, though, for real. LOL.

And it was pleasant enough at 44 degrees that I didn't mind venturing out a few times. Especially for good things!

Yup, lunch hour was an hour-long deep tissue massage. So hard to come back to work after that. Mildly painful, but effective. And also a trigger to nap!

Tonight, I picked up fish fries for us from The Ridges. It's Wisconsin. Every place is packed for a fish fry. Any Friday of the year! Very delicious!

Now, we have a surprising night free. I really better wrap up those Christmas movies – especially knowing Hallmark has a full slate of Valentine's ones. What can this dorky old lady say? I'm living the dream here!

Have a wonderful, enjoyable, and safe weekend, everyone!

Put Monday on Ice

It was a wise decision to close local schools for the day. Actually, they mostly do virtual learning these days instead of the old-fashioned snow days like we had. I was glad it was Monday today so I could work from home anyway. It would not have been a safe commute.

The Rapids area got a healthy layer of ice. The sleet stopped late morning and then changed to snow. Probably got an inch or so. I have not ventured outside to check. 

In fact, I took my ice pictures through the window!

A nice coating on everything. Glad we didn't lose power or cable or internet.

It's back to the office tomorrow. Our desks have been rearranged so we have to unpack in our new locations and talk about the weather and probably not get much work done. I'll have to hit the road early in the morning so I can allow extra time to get there on time. Don't want to miss out on doing nothing!

Be careful out there!

Before and After Olive

It makes sense that they named a winter storm after something I don't like anyway. Olives. The flakes are still coming down lightly here in Central Wisconsin but early reports indicate we probably are the 9-10 inches of snow line here by Rapids.

I was thinking ahead and took before and after pictures. Well, almost thinking ahead. It had snowed a bit Tuesday so the ground was even more bare earlier in the day.

To think this was late February is pretty unbelievable, isn't it?

And then now...

A little bit more on trend with typical Wisconsin winters. And the roads were still crappy-ish when I went into town after work. Ahhh, winter. You've returned. With bells on.

Since school was canceled again today there are no local sports tonight. So I have plenty of time to pack up for Camp Crop-A-Lot. This year I pretty much just have to unplug my computer and accessories, place them nicely in my vehicle and go.

Though of course the back seat will still be full of "stuff" I have to have with. This happens every year even though I know I'm wearing my same comfy outfit all weekend! Good intentions.

And my back feels better thanks to some extra special ointment. Hoping I get through the weekend OK. I got a free pass from shoveling anyway.

If you're out and about, be careful out there!

Break Dancing

The older you get, the more you worry about slips and falls and breaking some brittle bones you thought were strong due to a lifetime if ice cream intake. No, I didn't break anything. Just rearranged things. While break-dancing.

I noticed something wasn't right after the basketball game last night and my right hip and backside were hurting as I tried getting into hubby's truck. That pain and discomfort continued during the night when I'd try to roll over and when I grunted my way out of bed this morning.

Knowing I have a weekend of scrapbooking ahead, I knew I had to get this fixed. Managed to get an appointment at the chiropractor at the end of the work day. 

She asked me if I had done anything new or unusual in the past week. I said I had a new bed but it was comfortable. Otherwise nothing new. "Oh, I fell on the ice Saturday..."

Well there you go!

So while were hauling the bunkbeds out the basement patio doors and onto the truck, I was concentrating on getting the frame onto the tailgate and during the 40-degree weather didn't even look down to notice there was ice.

Until I was down.

It was like slow motion and I got to swear at least twice before landing. Mostly on my right side. Surprise. Surprise.

My doc's best guess is that I rearranged things and they sat in the wrong place until I did something. Like stand 2 hours to take photos. Or hop off the stage when it was over. Probably a combination. 

Have I mentioned it stinks getting old?

Anyway, she adjusted me and hopefully that'll set things right for the weekend. I relaxed tonight since the state is in a snowstorm warning and there was no place to go. Ash Wednesday service was canceled at my church and most, I'm sure. And, since it's still snowing and blowing for the next 16 hours, tomorrow will be much of the same.

Bring on the healing, please!

Whether you're driving or waddling, be careful out there. 

Well, Buy George!

This is so hilariously accurate. I mean the strange tradition had to start somewhere. And thank goodness it did. 

I woke up feeling so well-rested on Presidents Day. In fact, it's a bit more of a Monarch Day, thanks to that new king bed! And thanks to you, President George Washington, for getting that trend started. Great sale and great mattress!

Aside from that, it wasn't much of a holiday. We both worked per usual. And I shot middle school hoops after work. And uploaded pictures tonight.

Oh, and filled up with gas while it was still mild out and we could still see our dead brown grass instead of snow. That's all about to change. Just going to have to see how accurate the weather dudes are.

Hopefully this meme is closer to reality than their forecast.

Happy Presidents' Day!

I Like Big Trucks and I Cannot Lie...

I had an unusual workout today after church. After hauling the bunkbeds out of the basement yesterday, today we had to haul the queen mattress, box spring, and frame down to the vacant spot in the basement.

Of course, the box spring didn't fit through the basement door frame, so that had to go in the truck and Jim had to drive it down to the back patio off the basement. Our yard is a muddy mess! By the time we go everything downstairs and reassembled, the windows were open on this 40+ degree day and we were sweating. And then I had vacuuming to do!

We forgot that all when the big truck came in the driveway and two very helpful young men brought in our new king bed frame and set that up. And then the mattress! After putting on the new heated mattress pad (or course!!) plus new sheets and comforter, I can't to go to bed tonight! I'm hoping it's as comfortable as it was in the store!

I'll report out tomorrow.

Not much else new today. When I did finally take a break, I started watching season 5 of The Crown. Somehow that escaped me and I didn't get to it when it first came out. At least I'll have something to do when this hits this week.

A little early for April fools, doncha think? Oh, I hope they are wrong. So very, very wrong.

Wake me up when this king-sized nightmare is over!

Weekending Right

When the snow is melting and the sunset reflects off ice in the fields, you know we're having a mild February. 

When you step out of a saloon and there's a horse tied up to a dumpster, you know you're from Wisconsin. Or a few other places.

Last night, Jim and I picked up our friends Craig and Sara to go to the Assumption boys game up at Auburndale. Along the way we stopped for a fish fry at the infamous Sherri Land Ballroom. Or I should say bar and ballroom. No one was dancing. We were just eating. I've never been there but it's the hotspot of activity for Sunday polka bands!

To continue my weekending vibe, I did not even take my camera to the game. Just took the night off and spectated. And our boys lost. I guess they do better when I'm courtside!

Afterwards, we stopped at Patsy's bar and bowling alley in Rudolph for a few hours. I was really seeing the highlights of Wood County! Late night, slept fast.

Had book club first thing this morning. Then my friend Cindy and I went from there to the Empty Bowls soup and raffle fund-raiser. Pretty bowls, delicious soup and yes, I am a basket winner. Keeping that streak alive!

The rest of the day was cleaning out some "old stuff" from our bedroom – things we decorated with 20 years ago just have to go – as we prepped for the Empty Nest Shuffle. We got Carter's bunkbeds and mattresses up to the garage. A friend is picking them up Sunday evening. We'll move our queen bed down after one more night's sleep on it. And our king will be delivered tomorrow afternoon! 

We both realized we have a pile of books by our sides of the bed so I guess I should get reading before I think I need to buy more books! I also realize I could use about a week off just to keep this "out with the old" streak going, too! 

For now though... I'm weekending. And learning how to do it right.

The Meltdown

When we met for dinner before the show on Saturday night, we saw these amazing ice sculptures around the popular 400 Block in Wausau.

So of course we had to peek our faces through the hole so we looked like Frosty. Lisa is taller and she knelt down for her picture.

I'm shorter so I just did a crouching squat thing and was holding my fingertips on the back of Frosty for balance. But when I saw the picture later, it looks like I'm inside Frosty and trying to tap my way out! I figured if I'm part snowman, I should be melting away some pounds in this warmer weather.

I mean, above freezing that is. And rainy.

Yup. It's 8:20 p.m. and it's raining. And we're at our warmest temperature of the day and it's climbing. So strange. So some of the snow will melt – and hopefully it stays above freezing through the night so I don't have a treacherous morning commute. 

Based on the week's forecast, I think Frosty or his friend Flaky are going to become pretty soft around the edges.

They sure were beautiful works of art, though. There's always a trade-off for "nice" weather, isn't there?

Be careful out there!

Hello, February

Had a gorgeous sunrise through my filthy car window to accompany me on my morning commute today. Almost made me think that if February is going to go all pretty on me, I might like it.

But most likely I won't. Not until the current Polar Vortex ends its reign anyway.

Let's just hope the shortened February goes as quickly as January. I guess it helps to be in southern climates for half the month!

When I went to choir practice tonight I hadn't realized it was the first one I've been to this year. It was just the timing of my Wednesdays with travel or vice versa that made me miss. We've got plenty of songs and performances lined up for the rest of winter and Lent, which already starts later this month. So that'll be fun.

Jim was out of town this afternoon and evening eating dinner with some aunts and uncles on his dad's side. And yes, they did eat at 4 p.m. – that doesn't only happen in Arizona! Just glad they were all willing to get out of the house in this cold weather! 

And in related news... Dairy Queen in Wisconsin Rapids reopens Friday. In case these subzero temps have you craving ice cream.

Who am I kidding? That's pretty much any day of the year for this girl. Though I may have to be snuggled under a warm blanket to eat it. It's all about balance, folks.

Have a good month. And be careful out there!

Sun Sets on February and a 4-Day Weekend

Hello and happy March! As far as I'm concerned, it came in like a lamb. Not as warm as the super weather we've been having, but my key indicator is that I didn't have to shovel out my car or scrap off snow or ice before I could leave Camp Crop-A-Lot!

I've never done the full Friday-Monday schedule but as you can see, the sun was setting as I pulled out of the Lions Camp driveway tonight. I feel like I haven't been home (or blogged) for a month. And as hubby pointed out, I have been gone since last month! (Which meant he got a nice vacation from ME, too!)

What a whirlwind of a extended weekend. I averaged about 5 hours of sleep so I'm not going get long-winded here. This time.

Thursday was a crazy amazing day down in La Crosse for state hoops. Our girls earned two hard-fought victories to earn them the Division 5 State Championship! Close, nail-biter games to it was a bit stressful for fans, too! I got to shoot pictures court side so that was fun. too. And I was on TV a few times. (Hey, the camera adds 20 pounds during a pandemic!)

We got home after 10 on the fan bus and I started going through pictures to upload. Of course I had a least 600 images per game to go through – plus the celebration! I knew the girls wouldn't want to wait until I got home tonight to see them, so I did the final game pictures Thursday night, went to bed at 4 a.m., then got up at 8:30 to do the semifinal game pictures before I let myself leave for scrap camp.

Thankfully, I was pretty much set to go. I was at my table and scrapping by 2 p.m. Not bad. It was a very different camp this year. Usually around 50 of us. This year was 20 or less, all at our own tables and wearing masks, etc. Still so fun! Plus we had that gorgeous day Saturday so I got out for a nice walk, too! 

My goal was to at least finish my 2015 album. And that's why I stayed later than usual. (For me.) Got it finished by supper time – which meant I got 45 pages done this weekend. So happy about that! And so sleep-deprived. 

Gonna shower, watch The Voice, sleep in my warm, comfy bed, then try to remember how to log into my work computer in the morning!

Did I miss anything while I was gone?!

Tuesday Treat

No need to write anything. This pretty much sums up my day. It's February. In Wisconsin. And 41 degrees. People either got out and walked or got their car in line for a wash. Some of us did both. What a treat!

Hope you could soak up some spring today!

Monday Meltdown

Hard to believe we had a springtime forecast today when the morning involved removing 2 1/2 inches of snow. (Thanks, hubby!) Even the plow went through and I'm thinking, "Really, guys? It's going to be NICE today?!"

The view out of my "corner office with windows" looked much the same. So I hunkered down to a busy day of work and the temperature started rising without my notice. When I was done, though. Dang! It's 37 degrees! I gotta go for a walk. 

The path around Lake Wazeecha requires a few areas where walkers have to take to the road. The walking lane is somewhere under that snow on the right and the Monday Meltdown Lake of Reflections. If temps are going to be in the 40s tomorrow, I don't think I'll be able to skirt around it! 

It just felt good to breathe warm air (Midwestern winter warm). And tomorrow we may just reach the "open the windows and let some fresh air in" stage of Midwestern winter warm. Gotta grab hold of it while we can!

Enjoy this springlike week. Hope it brightens your days and lightens your loads!

Happy National Wisconsin Day

For our friends in Texas and other places typically much warmer this time of year, sorry you had to suffer snow, cold, and power outages today. We had to share the love because it's, well, National Wisconsin Day.

Who knew it was thing? I've lived the Badger State my whole life and I didn't know they did a national holiday for any state, let alone mine.

When most of you think of Wisconsin, you think Green Bay Packers. I think "record cold highs" on Valentine's Day. I think cows and cheese, beer and brats, cranberries and COLD, polka music and brandy old-fashioneds. A look at some online sources that actually recognize this holiday, and they remind us of all those things we learned in 4th grade.

For example, nationalcalendarday.com reports this [with a few of my side notes]:

Rich in copper, lead, forest and fertile farmland, Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29, 1848. In 1634, French explorer Jean Nicolet was the first European to reach Wisconsin while seeking a Northwest passage to China.  [Kids: No GPS in those days.]

A mining boom, not fur trading, led to the nickname The Badger State. [Fans: The Big Ten and football team came later.] According to oral history, the miners burrowed into the hillsides much like badgers for shelter instead of setting up more permanent homesteads. The first wave of settlers to the area also began the uprooting of the Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Chippewa, and other indigenous people. [Fellow white people: We suck.]

Early in Wisconsin’s settlement, dairy production began to take root. By the turn of the century [Shouldn't that be the "churn" of the century?], the state became known for its dairy farms and synonymous with cheese.

Mining, dairies, and breweries grew one after the other. [Supper clubs and deep-fried cheese curds came next.] An influx of German immigrants in the 1850s brought a new brand of dreamers. Brewers cropped up across Wisconsin satisfying the thirst of The Badger State. As with brewers in other regions of the country, the 18th Amendment of 1919 prohibiting alcohol drowned out much of the competition leaving only a handful after the legislation was repealed in 1933. [Pretty sure we've made up for lost time.]

From Lake Michigan to Superior and numerous river and lakes in between, Wisconsin offers ample opportunity for water recreation and sport. There are also year-round trails perfect for summer hiking or substantial snow for winter activities. [And Frozen Tundra temps to keep the long underwear manufacturers in business.]

And for the record, I guess this is only the second National Wisconsin Day. Now we know for next year to plan a big celebration that involves shutting down the schools and staying home due to extreme temperatures and wind chills. Pretty sure we got those logistics figured out today.

Be careful out there, Wisconsinites!

My Loves

I guess everyone celebrates Valentine's Day in this house. And the two women here love the same man. How does that work?

I used to think I was lucky only one of us could talk. Now, it seems we both can, thanks to my Meow Talk app. I tell hubby "Happy Valentine's Day" and she gets her two cents, er meows, in... 

It's pretty spot on with its translation. She loves him. I love him. And he loves both of us. She gets more back rubs. But I'm the one who got chocolate, new towels and rugs for the bathroom, and a gold-dipped rose today.

This year's color is Baby Blue. Pretty! I guess roses are red AND blue!

That was the extent of excitement today. Got some chores done and relaxed in my warm recliner while Jim was off golfing (indoor simulator). It didn't get above zero degrees here so I was not motivated to leave the house for any reason! Schools are called off tomorrow already, too, since the windchill (likely -36 ish) makes it impossible to breathe outside. Uff da.

If I didn't know better, I'd say Cupid and Ol' Man Winter teamed up to force us all to snuggle on this Valentine's Day. 

Works for me. I might even turn off Meow Talk for the night. Nothing ruins a romantic holiday like a cat fight.

Oh That's Why it's a Pand-emic

Saw this today and I can relate on so many levels. After 343 days in "soft" lockdown, this panda behavior has become the new norm. Of course, it wouldn't be so bad if I spent the last year snacking on leafy greens for half the day.

That's not how it works. Not on Blue Jay Drive anyway.

I eat like a panda and move like a cat – closer to the "sleeps 22 hours a day" movement more so than the "young and frisky" side.

I was so good the month of January about getting out to walk at lunch time and after work. Probably because January felt like December. Now February is feeling like the usual Polar Vortex that is January. And I hate it.

By the way, it's warmer in Alaska (see you in 123 days) than in the Midwest right now.  We're apparently in a 10-day Arctic blast and these next 5 days will be worse than the past five. Can you say 23 below zero? Oh yes, that's how the weekend will wrap up. 

In other words, I'll just continue to eat like a panda, move like a geriatric cat, and hibernate under a warm blanket like a bear. And Lord help us, this does not become the "new normal" for all of 2021.

Stupid pandemic.

Leaping Through the Day

Happy Leap Day! It's like we got an extra day today to accomplish so much! Did you?

I didn't either.

I had a list of things to do. I got as many done as I had the ambition for. And for the record, I had as much ambition as kitty above. Though it looks like she's leaping (for Leap Day) or flying (without a cape), she's really just trying to sun her arms. (My solar sister!)

I didn't get a chance to do that since I was cleaning, running errands to the library and DQ (it was on my list!). I also stopped at the Empty Bowls fundraiser where I apparently won a raffle basket! Not sure what it is until I pick it up tomorrow, but it's probably something I can use. Like chocolate, maybe?

My big accomplishment of the day was reserving our hotels for out in Seattle and Bellingham next weekend. Only 5 days away. That sneaked up fast – even with the extra day in February. I might not want to leap and jump through my Sunday. I've got things to get ready!

No cat naps allowed.

Fond Farewell to February

Not like spring is going to arrive as we switch the calendar page in a few hours, but I won't miss February.

The snow will still be here. The ice, too. But not basketball season. Sadly, the boys lost a close one in regional play Tuesday and our girls lost a nail-biter against their nemesis tonight in sectional play. So dang. Even though one month from today is the opening day of MLB, I'd rather hoop it up a few more times with our Royals.

Since we just got home from Wausau, I better hit the hay. I'll have to mess with photos and other fun some other time. Next month, I guess. Haha.

See you in March.