Golf, Forrest, Golf!

I am 100% sure Forrest Gump did not engage in golf or anything we would welcome as some sort of entertainment today. But since this was my t-shirt of the day before golf league, I figured I better share it!

OMG! It was forever ago that a I bought that t-shirt and we had our vacation in Fort Lauderdale. Not sure what to even compare it to. But I feel good that we all were smiling then and were smiling again this weekend.

It was fun to eat (and buy a t-shirt) from the Bubba Gump restaurant. That was when I also learned that "Jenny and me are like peas and carrots." I heard it in the movie. But it was definitely reinforced in the restaurant. 

Thanks, Bubba Gump, and thanks to our friends Mike and Christine for making this hot trip happen!

A LOVE-ly Day

Happy Valentine's Day! We currently have a lovely floral display in our kitchen – thanks to the tulips from the girls last night and the roses from hubby this morning! Smells great. Now just gotta keep them all alive!

Sometime this morning, my sister Rachel texted me to see if we had plans for the day. Turns out that she and our sister Rayna were not anxious to get home to Wisconsin after a month-plus in Florida so they wanted a detour.

So they came from St. Louis and made it here to have a tasty Valentine's dinner at The Ridges. Rachel got her hair braided and beaded when they hopped over to the Bahamas last week. How fun!

After dinner, the four of us played cards – competing like it was an Olympic sport, naturally – then watched some real Olympic recaps so we could see our Wisconsin boy speed skate to another gold! That's so awesome.

My sisters are staying here tonight at the Bloody Run Creek Cabin and we'll figure out the mayhem of church choir and pancake breakfast and BINGO in the morning.

For now it's just nice to have a house full of love. Hope you can say the same! 

Run, Rodent, Run!

Happy Groundhog Day! Not so happy really when Phil saw his shadow (again) and declared 6 more weeks of winter, which almost coincides with our calendar anyway. I mean, I'd take 6 more weeks over 7 more anytime!

The Philadelphia airport had this fun picture today with this Facebook post: 

Breaking News: Phil the Groundhog spotted at PHL en route to Cancun

In a brief statement before departure, Phil cited the forecast as the deciding factor, saying, “Six more weeks of winter was simply more than I was prepared to endure.”

I also think (on behalf of the entire Midwest) he may need to run for his safety. Just saying.

I didn't even blog this weekend because I did nothing exciting and was just waiting and hoping our 16 weeks (or maybe 20 weeks??) of January would come to an end!

And trust me, I have it on good authority that Phil has to go as far as Cancun to escape winter. Two of my sisters are on a little cruise from Florida to the Bahamas as we speak and there is a freeze warning for much of the Sunshine State – and highs in the 50s. They could not have predicted that when booking, that's for sure.

Even though we got beach and palm tree pictures texted to us when it was 40 below zero windchills here, I still feel bad for them. Honest!

Speaking of cold... I did have an unusual Sunday afternoon... I mean after the USUAL not winning at BINGO.

I had a senior photo shoot! So different having so much welcome brightness – and snow instead of leaves in the background. But also it was 20 degrees and windy and we went very fast! Three locations, nine different backgrounds. Done in roughly 30 minutes! Super kid. And I did promise to Photoshop out the snowflakes in his hair. Yup. That kind of Wisconsin winter day! And this kid was from Texas. Definitely scored points with me for being a trooper.

So pardon me while I may or may not look into airfare, et. al., to Mexico!

Wild Friday Nights

After reading this list, it makes sense that when Carter called tonight we were having a wild Friday night – sitting in our respective recliners, watching The Parent Trap. Because yes, we're 80 years old!

To be fair, he was just sitting home alone and catching up on his streaming TV shows. So... winter really cuts into the socializing, that's for sure! 

It was good to hear from him. His new year has been just as exciting as ours. Work and surviving winter. There a few fun things on the horizon anyway. And I hope weather cooperates.

They've gotten into the 40s down in Dubuque. I told him our high this next Monday is supposed to be -4! How can a 3-hour drive south be that much different? I guess moving south doesn't require a beach.

Two of my sisters are in Florida right now and it's predicted there could be snow in the northern parts. They're kind of in the middle. And hopefully that won't reach them. What a waste of time if you can't sit by the pool or hit the beach every day! Be nice, Mother Nature!

Alright, I better get back to my Friday night excitement. Be careful out there! 

We Can't Outrun Winter

Unlike the deer who crossed over the road in front of me on the way home and headed for the fields, we can't run from winter. I mean, we can book a flight and fly away to escape it. But most of us are stuck here and required tolerate it.

I am super grateful that my sister Rachel was gifted a January escape to Florida. She deserves it! 

It makes me realize that the rest of us – who aren't literally lucky to be alive based on 2024 events – should just accept our usual Wisconsin winter without complaint. Well, some complaining must be allowed for us cold-hating, heat-seeking mommas. I mean, we just can't change our ways no matter who's involved.

I'm just grateful today for heat in the house and a heated mattress pad on my bed. I pray you have ways to stay warm this winter too.

But if you find a way to outrun it, let me know!

Gradual Re-entry

When I was poolside on Friday morning, I looked up and saw this big ol' turtle slowly making its way down the embankment and into the nearby pond. 

This could also have been a selfie of me today!

The nice thing about working from home on Mondays is that I can set the alarm for 7:25 a.m. and be to work at 7:30 a.m. Especially helpful when re-entering the workforce after 10 days!

What a rude awakening. On plus side, I had so much work to do that the day flew by! We'll see if I can keep my momentum going tomorrow when I have to set a "real" alarm.

Hopefully my hard-shelled spirit animal will be there to trudge along with me.

Have a great week, y'all! Be careful out there.

And March Comes in Like a... Pizookie

Whether you're in Wisconsin or Florida, I think March is doing a good job coming in like a lamb. Hopefully it's not required to go out like a lion.

Just to prove the point, I made sure I was poolside by 10 a.m. today. Also just to soak up the last bit of sun on my last day! It was tough putting on long pants again!

We stopped for late lunch on way to airport. And shared a "pizookie" for dessert. I've only had this in the south – Arkansas, Arizona, and now Florida. Just a freshly baked cookie with ice cream and other toppings. This one was a caramel one. And delicious!

Held me over through the meal-less flight!

Got back to Madison before 6:30 p.m. and hubby picked me up. Now we're home by 9 p.m. but my Florida body thinks it's 10 p.m. and time for bed. Thank goodness I have two weekend days to adjust before going back to work.

100 percent worth it! And I brought some warm weather back with me. You're welcome!

Spring It On!

Spring is in the air and I'll give you 4 hints how I can tell.

1. Last night the girls basketball playoff season began and our Lady Royals cruised to a Regional Round 1 win over Port Edwards, 70-8. Not a typo. Keep it rolling, girls.

2. We had near-record temps in Wisconsin today. 55 degrees in Rapids. Just what we needed to finally get that ice from last week off the roads. Yay!

3. I have to get my spring colors on. And by that, I mean hair...

Don't you love SnapChat filters? I would love to have wrinkles gone and look that glamorous.

Still, I love what my hair artist did in real life! She's got the magic touch!

4. I'm packing – as the top photo illustrates. Two trips actually. This weekend is my scrapbooking weekend at the Lions Camp in Rosholt. I'll leave for that at 8 a.m. Friday. Then, when I get home Sunday afternoon, I'll switch suitcases and head to the Madison airport where I'll be going somewhere where the "spring" temps will look like this next week...

I'll give you a clue: Not in the Midwest! It just happens that my oldest sister is cat sitting for a few weeks... in Florida! So she just happens to have a spare room. And the direct flights from Madison to Fort Myers just happen to be a screaming deal. I could not pass this up!

Thankfully this warmer weather is helping me to think spring. But trying on "summer" clothes is making me think I should've been starving myself – at least since New Year's. 

Oh well, I think scrapbooking with friends, followed by sunshine and a few fun activities will put all that right out of my mind.

Spring it on!

Winter Storm Austin

I realize the Weather Channel always names the major winter storms, starting at the beginning of the alphabet. I don't even know if they've named any yet but since this is the first one in central Wisconsin, let's call it Winter Storm Austin.

And here's our man on the street with one comment...

"This stinks!"

Wait, that was yesterday's theme. There has to be better taglines than that. Well, I have one. "Yay for being able to work from home!" Not a catch phrase but a gratitude statement nonetheless.

So this morning's view...

Since our yard had been green/brown so had the trees. But by late afternoon...

There was a white Christmas vibe – even though we're well past that holiday.

Thankfully, while I was finishing up my work-from-home day, hubby was on the job. Carving a path to the road.

Even though the snow was still coming down. (P.S. It hasn't totally stopped yet.) But he wanted to clear a path to go to his dad's and shovel.

In the meantime, I see this same storm system – blame it on Austin if you will – is impacting the entire East Coast. That means our boy in Raleigh and two of my sisters vacationing in Florida are in tornado watches. 

WTF: What The Forecast?!

Praying all of you will be safe tonight and in the days to come!

Warning: Flake News

Remember when we were whining about our subzero temperatures a few weeks ago? Sorry about that, Siberia. (And the South.)

There were news reports that temperatures in parts of Siberia plunged to a "how do they breathe?" 88 degrees below zero yesterday, prompting even eyelashes to freeze. And probably any exposed body part!

I thought the picture was fake news, er flake news, but no, it's real. I would guess – like us Midwesterners – they are accustomed to record-cold weather now and then. But uff da! Or, as they say in Russia, ncNx!

I have some friends and family saying their equivalent of uff da this week, too!

My poor sister and brother-in-law opted to "winter" two months down in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Oh, they should never use "winter" as a verb! Today, as snow and ice blanketed the South, Rayna and Paul were basically locked out of their car. Iced out, to be more specific. Two snow brushes on hand couldn't chip through it enough to get in, see out of the windshield or go anywhere. At least for a good chunk of the day.

Uff da, right?

And our dear friends Mike and Christine were so looking forward to a week in Florida visiting her "wintering" parents. Well, it is sunny. But they have to bundle up to walk on the beach... in the 26-degree temperatures. At least it was nice enough one day to golf.

Hopefully the sun will actually bring warmth to both their beaches soon. Very soon.

I guess I'll have to refrain from bragging if the mercury reaches the projected 39 degrees here Friday. Mum's the word.

Or is it numb's the word?

Rocking Like a Hurricane

We got quite the deluge in central Wisconsin this afternoon. As soon as I left work, it started lightning, thundering and raining hard. Very hard.

I didn't mind. The grass needs it. My car could definitely use a wash. I love the smell of rain. And, frankly, it's pretty pleasant compared to what my friends in the south and southeast have endured this fall.

Say what you will about crappy, cold Midwest weather, but it beats getting rocked like a hurricane. A friend of mine who lives in central Florida shared these photos recently to give us some perspective about what Hurricane Irma did and why Maria scares the poop out of them.

First the unbelievable wind... Can you imagine flying debris that can do this? Holy crap. That would be scary as heck. It's amazing a lot more people didn't die from fatal injuries. Thank you, tree, for taking the brunt of that punishment.

Of course, the wind (and flooding) did no favor to anyone as it blew things over that subsequently fell onto power lines, knocking out electricity for millions of people. Yes, millions.

Want to know how people come together? The Miami Zoo has been a staging area for utility trucks and teams from all over – not just the U.S., but even Canada. Wow.

And guess what these women are in line for? Not ice cream, that's for sure. They are waiting to take laundry from linemen so they have a bright spot in their day when they wear a clean uniform AND restore power.

It's a sad situation but certainly gives me hope for mankind. There are good, supportive, helpful, caring people out there. Everywhere. It's unfortunate it takes extreme conditions to bring some out of the woodwork.

But once they're out, maybe they'll stay.

Flirting with Natural Disasters

Whether or not you have friends or family beyond the borders of Wisconsin and Minnesota, you still can't ignore what's happening in the category of "Natural Disasters" in and around the U.S. right now.

While Houston folks are just starting to see dry land after Hurricane Harvey, Florida and the Caribbean Islands are hoping to survive the monstrous path of wreckage from Irma. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest is on fire and in Wisconsin we are about to turn on the heat.

Just. Plain. Crazy.

I have friends in each locale and this is scary business.

So far, the Houston friends have survived with minimal flood damage – compared to what we see on TV. In Florida, it's too soon to tell where Irma may or may not hit and how much damage will result. Hoping friends are safe.

The wild fires are the most concerning really. They just seem to be out of control. So far, friends in Washington and Oregon are fine. My girlfriend and her family in eastern Montana are OK for now, but she said it is pretty bad for lots of relatives and friends in other areas of the state. And a few of the fires have been pretty close to her parents' ranch. Wow. Just scary.

Suddenly, considering turning the furnace on doesn't seem so drastic, does it?

Pray for safety and the ability to recover. Pray for strength, too, for all emergency personnel meeting dealing with floods, fires and storms.

And thank God if you have blessings you can count today!

Snow State vs Sunshine State

If you ever want to predict the weather in February, just ask me what hubby's travel schedule is. Without fail, it always snows or sleets or something wintry when he is off to someplace warm.

Today, as we looked out the office window, the first thing I thought was, "Figures. Jim's on his way to Florida!"

This photo, taken courtesy of my co-worker Jeff, is a perfect illustration of the Snow State versus the Sunshine State. Thankfully, the snow was short lived and the sun did come out later.

When Jim texted me from the Atlanta airport that it was 56 degrees, I responded, "It's 32 here but feels like 56." Later, when he arrived in Orlando, he texted, "76 here. That's more like it." I've got no response to that!

I don't think we'll get anything worse in the next two days so I won't have to beg the teenager to shovel or operate the snowblower. I can probably make my 8-minute commute to work on my own, too! What a big girl I am. I even took the garbage out!

Tonight, though, I took the evening off to go to a basketball game at Assumption. It was the girls' turn for Senior Night. Can't believe we're getting down to the last home games for these "kids" we've seen grow into beautiful young women. Carter is fortunate to have such neat friends! As a bonus, we won the game against Stratford.

Came home and while waiting for my bed to warm up, I got this lovely photo from Jim.

This is the convention center where he'll be working the next few days. Pretty sure Mr. Deck Chair and I would fit right in.

Sunshine State definitely trumps Snow State!

Oh, Deer

"Oh, deer!" I noticed some lunchtime visitors at work today. I was impressed that they let me get so close to them before they bolted into the woods. I was even more impressed they stayed in the posted "visitor" area.

Hope they survive the fall and winter. (Sorry, hunters!)

I decided I needed to start the blog with that Bambi-esque image before showing you the real reason for saying "Oh, dear!" today...

Never fails that hubby is on a work trip to somewhere warm – should be landing in Tampa shortly – and the weather turns wintry. I am not concerned about me and my lack of someone to snuggle with. I have my electric mattress pad and lonely kitty. But I feel badly for our cross country runners who will have to layer up a bit for their Conference meet on Thursday. Uff da. At least running will warm THEM up.

The other reason for saying, "Oh, dear!" is this evening's committee meeting at church. Since the terms of the both the chairman and treasurer of my committee have expired, as the secretary I was merely ACTING as chair just to have a meeting and keep things going. Only one new person showed up and the two active members did not. I was not a happy camper. I literally sat on my hands so I would not volunteer to be chairperson or treasurer or both... along with secretary. Not gonna happen, no matter how long I have to sit on my hands.

By the way... that does keep them warm! "Oh, dear, that feels nice!"

It's in the Can

Back in the mid-'70s, when my age was still in the single digits, one of my sisters lived in Florida. Oh how my twin sister and I loved to get letters from Romey on Walt Disney stationery or receive little Mickey Mouse stickers. The best gift, though, came one Christmas.

It was a can of Florida Sunshine.

Unfortunately, the gift was for all of us -- not just me -- so I could not claim ownership or any rights to its use. I was young enough to believe, though, that opening that weightless can would actually produce the heat of the Florida sun -- right there in our living room.

On the coldest winter days, I would beg our mom to open that can! Why are we suffering when summer is in the can?? She never relented. So I never knew what was really inside. If anything.

For years it sat on the bookshelves in the living room, taunting me. I wouldn't doubt if it was still there.

If it is, I'm pretty sure if Mom wasn't down in Texas for the past month, she'd have cracked it open by now. I know I would!

Actually, with all the online shopping I do, I wonder if I can't find some bottled up Florida sunshine and have it delivered -- overnight, of course -- right to my doorstep.

I've got my can opener ready.

Backup Plan

When we went to bed last night and hubby said his alarm was set for 2:45 a.m., I suggested I set mine for 3 p.m. as backup. When your wakeup call involves getting to an airport on time, you don't want to take any chances.

As it turned out, Jim got up with his alarm and was ready for his co-worker from Stevens Point to pick him up at 3:30 and head to the airport in Madison. Unfortunately, he got a phone call before then from the person who didn't think to have a backup plan. And just got up.

So to save time, Jim drove over to Plainfield some 20 miles southeast of us to meet this guy at the Interstate. The good news is that they got to their flight on time and landed safely to a sunny 76-degree day in Clearwater, Fla., this afternoon. The bad news is that I had to get someone to drive me to Plainfield to pick up the car parked at a gas station and drive it back. All by myself.

Good thing I have a support network that envies my best sports bra! I just had to call and I had two people willing to drive me down there. So my next-door neighbor did that and followed me while I braved a long drive by myself. Part of my anxiety gets triggered when I get too warm and it feels like that pre-fainting warm feeling. So I have to drive without the heat on. That is not so comfortable in the winter. But it kept me conscious and I really didn't even have a need to pull over and take a deep breath at any time. So that's good progress. Got home and let out a really deep breath, though!

Spent the afternoon getting scrapbooking stuff together for pages I'll be working on during my next getaway. Carter worked on a research paper while I did that. We both were done before the first playoff game so that put an end to any further productivity for the day.

I got a call from Jim later, standing on the balcony outside his 17th-floor hotel room, watching the sun set on the ocean. What a romantic moment to share together... a half-country apart. "I should have brought you with me," he says.

"Darn right," I said. I wouldn't have slept through MY alarm!

Shark Week

Last year at this time, we were vacationing in Fort Lauderdale and I was a little more than concerned about sharks during a certain TV channel's "Shark Week." You don't want to go to bed with visions of sharks in your head, then wake up and head down to the beach. A bit unnerving to say the least.

This year, we are land-lubbers facing a different kind of shark altogether. Yup, it appears Mother Nature has her claws out and wants to wreak havoc on the very few vacation plans we made.

Today was hot and muggy and cloudy. Hardly worth hanging around outside so I got some indoor work done -- like downloading photos and cleaning off our desk. Carter was babysitting for the day so hubby and I went up to Marshfield to visit Jim's aunt and uncle this afternoon. Had a nice visit and enjoyed seeing all the pretty flowers she has grown this summer. (Some day when my black thumbs turn green, I am going to do that, too!)

Got home in the late afternoon and enjoyed some more corn on the cob for supper. Then Carter and I wrapped up our Rocky marathon and watched Rocky IV -- pretty much my favorite after the original. Now Carter's convinced he's going to join the Rapids boxing club (if there is such a thing) and I, after seeing all that blood and gore, am convinced he shouldn't. We'll see.

Tried to do my own Rocky workout tonight and run but it was just too heavy out. Yes, heavy. The air was heavy and not easy to breathe in and out. So I capped it off at 3 miles and will have to do my long run later this week.

I didn't want to overdo it tonight because we were (emphasis on were) supposed to get up early tomorrow and meet friends in Green Bay to go golfing. Now that Mother Nature is giving us 80% chance of rain and strong storms over there, we already have to take a rain check and hope for something better on Friday.

In a domino effect, this screws up a potential overnight trip we had pondered -- but hadn't confirmed -- doing on Thursday. So now we really might not do anything at all. Sort of like we originally planned.

But I still say Mother Nature is as vicious as a shark. Without the teeth but quite capable of messing with my beach-like sun-bathing time!

Florida Fotos

A teeny tiny portion of our photos from Florida...

The early bird gets the ... sunrise photos!

A beach routine -- filling up the Fat Tuesday drink coolers with slushy drinks from Fat Tuesday. Cheers from Christine, Jim and Mike!

Blinded by the white.... Carter poses on the first day. Yes, I'm from Wisconsin. No, I'm not a farmer but I have a "farmer's tan."

I was taking a picture of Carter and this guy rudely walked in front of my lens!

Family picture before the Everglades airboat trip -- just in case they had to search for us or identify us later!

Was all concerned about getting a picture of one of these yellow flowers. Learned later that one of every 4 is a "home" for a black widow spider! Glad I didn't lean over the boat!

Had our ride in an airboat like this one (which ended up getting stuck in the weeds). Glad them not us!

One of the gators near the boat.

Another one we spotted!

This one was part of the show with Crocodile Dundee. Look ma, no hands!

Anyone know a good dentist? Scary.

Glad there was a muzzle on this little guy when Carter held him!

Lots to do and see along the beachfront. Here is a photo op bench (from the Forrest Gump movie) at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Had excellent cajun shrimp there!

It was nice to take breaks in the AC sometimes but every time we'd see the boys play their video games we wondered why we didn't just stay in a hotel in Wisconsin. Would they know the difference?

Spent a few hours at Jungle Island in Miami. Not sure how they got those parrots to behave! Well actually, they didn't. The one took Jim's glasses right off so we had a picture without them! Silly birds!

A photo (without birds) at the entrance.

Good thing they didn't fly off with Carter's hat!

Saw lots of neat things at Jungle Island, including hundreds of pink flamingos!

Also saw unique (but gross) things like this albino alligator...

And this liger -- the world's largest cat, weighing in at something like 900 pounds.

Did you know Godzilla dines on a light salad before toppling buildings and eating people?

I don't want to know what this guy dines on. Glad I didn't volunteer from the audience!

Some unique buildings and architecture in downtown South Beach.

One of first to arrive at Sun Life Stadium for the Marlins vs. Phillies game Wednesday.

Hanging out with my guys.

Billy the Marlin mascot.

The Jungle Queen riverboat that took us on a 3-hour tour of the Fort Lauderdale canals.

I think this was the house used in filming Where the Boys Are. It was hard to keep track when shooting photos and listening to our guide. There were just so many nice homes!

Random nice home...

Another random nice home... I have dozens of these. I'll stop now!

Don't forget Mr. Rich with the new and used yachts. The used one on the left is just not big enough so he has to sell it!

Friday was a super wavy day at the beach...

Here hubby gets a face full!

Time to "wave" goodbye!