Fake Madness

 

Me. This is me. I am the "I don't watch basketball much" person in the office. Well one of many. So I always think there's a chance I could win the NCAA pool with my mostly #1 picks combined with random upsets.

Just doesn't work. My bracket was busted to splinters last week.

So do I watch the championship game tonight since it will be close and Michigan and UConn are obviously the best teams at the moment? Uhm, probably not. I'll admit my enthusiasm was more for winning the bracket than for college basketball itself.

I'm a fake.

But if I won our pool, of course I'd take the office traveling trophy and bragging rights and run with it.

Hubby still has a chance for a good return on his investment. So I'll let him watch and I'll catch up on The Voice another night. Now there's no fake passion there!

Good luck if you're still in the hunt!

Easter Weekend

This makes me laugh every year. Predictable, juvenile humor. But I love it. And who doesn't need a good laugh these days?

Today there were a ton of egg hunts in the area. I did not participate in any of them. I did however check out a bake sale and RAFFLE BASKETS for the Best Christmas Ever program. Last time, I walked away with two winning baskets. Today, well, zero. Unless they're still making calls. LOL.

Other than that we had a lazy day. I finished the baby girl blanket and am starting the boy one now. 

And baseball was on TV. And basketball. My bracket blew up so I don't know if I care. I do like close games though!

Jim is singing in his church tonight and I have to sing at both Easter services in the morning. The Easter Bunny did not make up baskets for either one of us so that chocolate pictured above is all I'm going to get. Probably for the best.

A picture is calorie-free!

Enjoy your Easter weekend – hopefully with family, loved ones, or your own box of chocolate!

 

A Madness Most Discreet

Now that I've finished reading the Shakespeare-inspired fictional book and see the Oscar-nominated movie Hamnet, I feel I can throw Shakespeare words and phrases at will. "A madness most discreet" is from Romeo and Juliet. But I'm sure thou already knewest that!

So this was my moment of madness today. Bear with me. I'm over 50. We have earned the rights to daily rants of "madness." So I want to finish up this bridal shower gift and my silver wrapping paper at home falls short by a half inch. Any way I situate the box. 

So I go to Walmart since I needed ingredients for two upcoming trifles anyway to get either white or silver wrapping paper. Looking at this photo would you not see silver wrapping paper and two matching silver bows?

Turns out. No. It was just clear cellophane around a silver-colored rather than cardboard-colored tube. Grrr.

I'd already ripped the label off so that's how they getcha. And back to Walmart I went. 

Guess what? I just settled on red. A color I can count on seeing correctly. One that won't cause me madness. And matches the new family name I Cricuted onto the tub. Maybe that's how it was supposed to play out all along!

As for seeing red, though... Ugh. My bracket! We'll skip over that convo today. Definitely March madness.

But as for another episode of March gladness...

We had the most pleasant evening at the Sky Club supper club with our friends Jeff and Cathy. Jeff was Jim's college roommate and Cathy was Jim's high school classmate. You see how this story played out! They just moved to the Twin Cities so were back in Wisconsin and it worked out to connect. Just a great visit as always.

Make the time to make the connections so you don't regret it later!

Leprechaun Vibes

St. Patty's Day is over but I'm still feeling leprechaun vibes. Not only am I vertically challenged but so is my car! Still cannot see over piles of snow at most intersections.

And this icicle at work? It might be as tall as me by the time it's fully formed. If it doesn't fall to it's melting death first.

Roads were better on way home but any city side streets are just slushy messes. The temps are supposed the rise the next few days. I was ambitious thinking that when I got home tonight I could shovel out our turnaround area before the melting created Lake Austin.

This little area here is the concrete area I usually back into when pulling out of the garage. I was wrongly thinking that since the snow was fluffier to shovel Monday that today would be same. But no. Warmer temps added moisture and I realized right away my aging back ain't made for this. So I quit that almost as soon as I started!

My leprechaun car is small enough I can back up, make a few tries at a Y turn and eventually get out the driveway hood-first without any problem. So I will deal another day with this First World problem!

Be careful out there!

March Sadness... or March Blues Today

In one poignant photo I can sum up how the Royals' bid for state went today. But it does not tell the whole story. 

For today's sectional final, we as the 4-seed played the 3-seed Southwestern High School – coincidentally Carter's girlfriend's alma mater in Hazel Green. The game was at the halfway meeting point in Westby (some 2 hours away) and my friend Lisa and I got a ride with our friends Craig and Sara so I didn't have to drive by myself.

It was a Royal Blue versus Wildcat Blue battle. The whole gym was fans of the same color. Not the first time this has happened.

We started off the first half pretty hot and had a lead at halftime of 26-13. Probably giving us fans too much optimism. But after the halftime break, the Wildcats came back a different team. Not missing their 3's and stealing the ball from us with pumped up defense. But we still held a lead.

This was the point the game got close and our lead (as home team) was in jeopardy.

Less than a minute to go and we still had a nerve-wracking lead by one. But then they had 2 free throws at the 34 second mark and made them both. Down by 1 and we could not get that lead back. Sadly we lost 44-43.

This was the group of boys (seniors especially) I've watched and photographed since their middle school years. So much talent I knew they'd do well. And frankly, they took us further than any of Royals boys' teams has taken us since 2009.

I know in the moment of a tough loss it is hard to remember that. But I hope they do. What an amazing ride this has been.

#RoyalPride4ever

Windy Day in the One Acre Wood

I know Winnie the Pooh and Piglet made a pile of money of their portrayal of a windy and blustery day in the hundred acre wood. Today we had the same thing on our one acre wood, er yard.

I guess my pompass grass is my compass. When I was at the end of the driveway before running errands at lunch I figured the wind was blowing strong toward the west.

And then, 5 seconds later, it completely changed directions. Quite the rude awakening to our disappointing delivery of spring so far. But the winds and chill today are not the worst of it in central Wisconsin. We've seen what is coming for "spring colors" and it isn't pretty.

Gross, right? What I do know and appreciate is they are holding those sectional playoff games at 1 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. tomorrow to "beat the weather." I just wish that means we could avoid it altogether. Dang.

Be careful and be safe out there this weekend. And buy some popcorn ahead of time so you can watch movies (or NCAA hoops) while we're shut in!

Bring on March Gladness

Don't forget that March Madness actually begins at the high school level with the regionals and sectionals leading up to state hoops. And when we're lucky, it turns into March Gladness.

The crazy and amazing thing Friday night was that our boys won their Regional round 2 game versus a higher seed, Blair-Taylor (which is my college territory around La Crosse).

I had a few things to do and did not travel 80-plus minutes to shoot pictures last night in Elroy when they faced the No. 1 seed. But I quickly heard through the grapevine that our boys claimed the Regional Championship!

That is so exciting. Now onto sectionals for the first time in at least 8 years.

The other part of March MADness or GLADness is always weather dependent, of course!

Today after we both sang in our respective churches, we went to a retirement party for our friend Christine. Alwasys great to see old / long time friends. When we got home, the temps were in the mid-50s so I went for a walk.

Got to chat with my friend and neighbor Cindy and my favorite four-legged creature Buddy. Then ran into golf partner and neighbor Marigene.

We literally went the extra mile, so to speak. I forget how long winters somehow stop us from seeing people! No one likes to hang out on the swing in front of the house when it's 22 degrees! You know?

When Carter called this afternoon he, of course, was having slightly warmer weather "down south" in Iowa. But we both hoped this wasn't a fake spring again. And we know, naturally, that it probably is because this is, well, the Midwest and the calendar won't acknowledge spring yet for 2 weeks.

I heard a rumor, though, that tomorrow's high temp could bring Mr. Deck Chair out of winter hibernation. Just saying.

Hope you find your March GLADness this week!

Marching on in Like a Lamb

New month means a new calendar view! I hope the phrase "Blossom by blossom, spring begins" comes true!

Yesterday's weather was just nice enough for me to wash the sludge off my car. And today we tipped 40 degrees. Not that I got out to enjoy it. Ended up having an extra long workday and I am about ready to put on jammies and veg out for the night. Definitely won't stay awake until The Voice is over.

How old am I?! Geez.

Hopefully this lamb-like nice (for Wisconsin winter) weather this week will put some pep in my step as we March toward spring! 

Hope you find a way to enjoy it this week.

Inching Toward Real Spring

I feel bad for the robins and other birds who thought it was spring a few weeks ago. After the lovely snow and ice storms, I was relieved to see a survivor in our yard tonight. Have they not learned their lesson that April is the earliest month to return – and May is even safer?

The human side of me was just thrilled that we were inching closer to 60 degrees. My friend Marigene and I took a walk after I got home from work and I even wore short sleeves. The madness!

But since I knew tomorrow was going to be a hair warmer, I took my car to a "manual" car wash so I could hang my car mats and give them a good power wash. So much salt on my driver mat. And so nice to get rid of that. 

For now.

I mean you never know in Wisconsin. And there could be rain on Saturday – or ice. It's too soon to tell. But for $3, I can handle re-doing today's wash and vacuum again! 

My preference, however, would be to keep inching toward real spring – and stay there!

The First Birthday Without You

This is the first time in my entire life that I could not wish my mom "Happy Birthday" via phone, card, or in person. It hurts.  

When we celebrated her birthday last year and she was smiling and enjoying her cake, we had no idea this was her last birthday. Never take your parents for granted!

And of course, just like 3 days before she died in May, she was a card-playing wizard!

Her youngest grandson happened to beat her that day, yet she still smiled because anytime with children and grandchildren was so treasured.

Of course I am crying as I type this because we just never know when it's the last time we are all "normal." We could never have predicted that the next weekend – Easter – would include a head-on collision that nearly claimed my sister's life and that a few weeks later my mom would fall and that signaled enough problems to end her life.

I appreciate that Mom can finally celebrate a birthday in heaven with Dad. But knowing how her birthday was the beginning of the end is a tough pill to swallow. 

Don't feel bad for me. I just ask that if you have one or two parents still alive that you treasure them!

TGIMM (Thank God It's March Madness)

 

Of course I filled out a bracket at work. No cost so it's not illegal. We just have some interesting "traveling trophies."

Do I even know what I am doing? No. Does the competitive me still hope to win? Of course.

But I just pick a random upset here or there and see if it pans out – after no more than 3 seconds of picking each winner. Today Memphis lost and I had them set to win 2 more games. So I logged off and started my weekend pity party early.

And by party I mean taking a 2-mile walk with a friend and watching a few more episodes of The Crown while Jim works his church fish fry. I will watch Marquette tonight to support Wisconsin. But don't judge me if it's on mute and I am listening to an audio book.

March Madness means different things to different people. Good luck!

Spring Eve?

I don't know about you, but my calendar says that the first day of spring is Thursday, March 20. Uhm... that's tomorrow! Today, though, looks like this in central Wisconsin.

I drove to Stevens Point for work knowing that the Winter Storm Warning wasn't in effect until 1 p.m. Figured I'd work in the office and drive home at lunch. I guess the weather dudes were a little off schedule because I drove home at noon and it was flakes the size of quarters and quite the sh...shlush show on the roads.

Took me 50 minutes to drive my 30-minute commute.

But I'm not the only disgruntled one on Blue Jay Drive.

After grabbing some quality time with Mr. Deck Chair last week, he's pretty ticked off. I hear you, my friend!

Since today is Wednesday, I did venture out to bring bars to our soup supper before Lenten services and choir practice at church. Only to realize that was canceled tonight.

By then, visibility was even worse and the roads atrocious. So, as my baby advised me, tonight will be a good night for Hallmark. I hear you as well, my child! 

Hubby has his 37th annual March Madness "draft" party so I wish him safe travels home later. Hopefully plows get out. I might tackle a little shoveling later. But I like the idea of a good Christmas movie (I'm still behind) to set the mood!

Be careful out there!

Scenic Drive.... to Work

After working from home on Mondays – when I can set my alarm for 7:25 to be at my "desk" at 7:30 – Tuesdays are hard. Since the time change, it's now dark again when that 6:20 a.m. alarm goes off. But there are payoffs.

Exiting our cul-de-sac this morning I was greeted by a glorious sunrise. I guess 7 a.m. is perfect timing. I'll take it!

Then, a few miles down the road, I stopped for a white deer (I can't assume it's an "albino") about to cross the road. Of course, there was a car on my butt, so I couldn't stop for an actual in-focus photo, but it was cool to see. For you locals, this was on 80th Street just a bit before the railroad tracks and Highway 54. First time I've seen one there.

After that it was a pretty boring day. Work was filled with meetings so a fast day. There might be a pretty sunset happening now but I gotta catch up on some of my shows during my brief "off season." And check the forecast regarding some stupid winter weather tomorrow. That's my least favorite version of March Madness!

Be careful out there!

Before and (Unfortunately) After

After a very rainy Tuesday, I decided to take a "before" picture of our front yard after work, knowing the scenery was going go change in less than 24 hours.

 

And it surely did. And since they did classify today's weather as a Winter Storm Warning, I worked from home and didn't want to deal with that early morning transition from rain to ice to snow on my commute.

Although we were in the 3-6 inches of snow range, I think we just got like 3-4 inches of really wet, heavy stuff. Thankfully, the snowblower dude in my home office could handle it.

This Bluejay Drive Office has such a talented and committed team! Love it! (And him, of course.)

After work, we both were planning to go to Ash Wednesday service – he was reading at his church and I was singing at mine – but the weather changed my plans, at least. I guess when we're Lutheran we can postpone Ash Wednesday to "Ash Thursday." Either way, it's better to be safe, I guess!

But in between the rain and winter storm, there was some excitement. We went to our boys regional basketball game last night. Almost always it works out that Assumption plays at Port Edwards and gets eliminated from the playoffs from the get-go. But last night we faced New Lisbon. And although tied at halftime, we came away with a 19-point victory. What a fun game! 

So if you're following Assumption sports, our Lady Royals play a sectional game against Pacelli Thursday at Adams-Friendship. And our boys travel to the #2 seed Marshfield Columbus Friday night. 

The weather dudes say we're tracking to hit 63 by Monday so I think we'll be free to move about the country, or county.

Be careful out there!

Hello, March and Madness

New month means a flip of the calendar and new (but familiar) faces! Love seeing the two older boys with their special ladies!

March also means it's pretty much March Madness for every sport. 

Last night I was thrilled to see my friend's daughter earn her way to state in two gymnastics events – the bars and the beam. She did awesome despite having a really, really sore foot! Hope it heals so she can rock it at state next weekend – which happens to be in Wisconsin Rapids. There's an advantage to living in the center of the state sometimes!

And tonight March madness was in high gear as our Lady Royals dominated Almond-Bancroft to earn the regional championship! Way to go, Lady Royals! Now the toughest game of the season comes Thursday when we play Pacelli, who we just haven't managed to beat. It will be a good game!

Other than that, it's been a quiet weekend. The mild spring temps of earlier this week have now dipped below freezing. So even though it was sunny out, do we say March came in like a Lion? Or a Lamb?

Since the Royals' mascot is a lion, let's go with that!

This Bud's for You

After the end of what seems to be a series of stressful work days, I got home, picked up the boy and headed back to Point. We had "technical" stops to make at Best Buy and Spectrum. We pondered stopping at some car lots but decided to wait a few weeks. So naturally, our next stop was B-Dubs.

A couple of things we learned. Of course it would be crowded because March Madness games resumed tonight. Thankfully, we beat the first tip-off time.

Secondly, we learned that on Thursdays, they have Buy One, Get One deals on wings so Carter was basically a free date! We also beat the BOGO crowd, too. Just by minutes! There was a line out the door.

Since one of our meals was free, he convinced me to try the Fried Pickles appetizer. Not bad. I liked them – even with the honey mustard dipping sauce which was OK for this anti-mustard chick. Of course, 2 hours later I'm still burping up the pickle taste. I KNOW you wanted to know that!

Since we were living in BOGO Land, we both got 10 boneless wings. Here's my review... I had 5 of them as the limited-time-only Honey Sriracha. I'll tell you it had a pleasant taste but it was not really spicy in anyway. I was surprised by that since I add Sriracha to many a thing – being the Spice Girl that I am. My other 5 were Thai Curry. Jim and I both love these. Great flavor with quite a kick!

Needless to say, I had to save a a few of those for hubby. We both were full anyway so for this time, no room to stop at King Cone! Dang. I gotta learn to think things through.

In addition to hoops, opening day of baseball (Twins won today, by the way), field hockey, NBA and NHL, I suddenly saw the legendary Vikings coach Bud Grant up on one of their 187 or so screens. I think it might have been an outdoors show focusing on his deer hunting exploits. Still, it was a pleasant surprise for 2 lifelong Vikings fans. 

We got home about an hour ago and I am still so full I can't breathe. Thank god we didn't get a side of those filling carrot sticks!

Getting By With a Little Help From My Furry Friends

Although I firmly believe you can never trust a puppet (thanks, comedian Heywood Banks), I don't mind that once in awhile on a super stressful work day that you have a furry friend nearby to cheer you up.

Our team joked a few weeks ago that we should have puppets on hand (pun not intended) to deliver good news and bad news. Today I just got a "you look like you could use this" visitor to my desk.

Yay, stress. That's why they call it work, my late mother-in-law often said.

Anyway, I got through it and came home to a naked yard. All that snow... gone! There's still some stubborn flakes flying about, trying to stake their claim. But I don't think they'll stay.

The good news is that despite a bit of a day, Cookie Monster prompted me to buy some Thin Mint-wannabes at the store and whip up a Tuesday Trifle for work tomorrow. Celebrating a couple of birthdays and I'm so lazy I combined it into one...

Delicious-looking (and hopefully tasting) Thin Mint Madness trifle! And now that my "work" is done for the day, I can watch The Voice – and maybe Sesame Street if I have time.

Have a stress-free week and be careful out there!

Manageable Monday

Turns out we go exactly what the weather dudes predicted. More than 3 inches but definitely less than 6. Fine with us.

Good neighbor Mike snowblowed our driveway so Jim could get out for morning baseball practice – inside the gym, of course. And I work from home Mondays so I wasn't in a rush to get anywhere. The roads cleared up pretty quickly – mainly because the temperatures were above freezing and it was raining.

And raining.

I think it will rain tomorrow, too.

Tonight we ran into town and it was starting to fog up quite a bit. Say a prayer for our boy, who's driving home from Dubuque tonight. Rain and fog and dark roads make for a challenge.

I say I'm going to bed shortly, but we'll see how relaxed I am!

Be careful out there.

(Oh, and happy birthday to my mom, who officially made it to 92 today!)

It's a Fine Line

For as much as I watched the weather this weekend, I wasn't quite prepared for this return to winter. I guess I should've paid attention to that fine line (circled in red) where we live and where it magically divides between 1-3 inches and 3-6 inches.

I'm guessing we're on the north side of it!

Our first surprise was waking up to snow. We were concentrating on the actual 1 p.m. start of the storm advisory. But like those magic lines on the map, weather isn't always an exact science. So our morning plans changed. 

I had planned to go since at 9:30 church then book it home so Carter could borrow my car to drive down to a funeral / wake in Dubuque. Since it was already snowing, I stayed home and he hit the road by 8 a.m. so he could try to stay ahead of it. Thankfully he did and made it down there OK. And he'll just drive back up tomorrow after work. (Yay for remote jobs!)

As the afternoon went on, the snow wasn't accumulating a ton but icicles were forming – never a good sign.

And most of the time the snow was blowing sideways. Uff da. I can't imagine what my family up north – in that hot pink 10-15 inches bubble – is dealing with. We have spring break here in Wisconsin Rapids this week but I'm sure schools are closing everywhere!

The last look down the road before it got dark. Not that the visibility was super anyway.

The only good thing about being housebound for the day was that I had time to clean off my desk in my office, make a cheesy chicken dip in the crockpot, and price dozens of garage sale items. 

Oh and maybe watch a little basketball – despite my crumbling bracket.

Hope you stayed safe and are careful out there tomorrow! I'll let you know which side of that fine line we fell on.

March Eh-ness

Unless you live under a rock (and lucky you), you know it's bracket season – also widely known as March Madness. 

I guess Madness can be defined in a couple ways – you're fanatic (aka A Fan) or your angry (aka Busted Bracket).

I do a bracket every year and – just like my non-interest year-round – I can't expect my picks to do well. Nor shall I get MAD if they don't. I watch a few Badger games each season but have no passion for college hoops.

Sorry to offend.

But don't worry, even if my uninformed bracket with work friends is stellar, there's no money involved. I'll be lucky enough to park the traveling trophy (with bragging rights) at my desk for a year. My life really won't change.

So I wish all of you fully INVESTED bracketeers good luck! May madness mean "crazy" good, not "dreaded disappointment."

Yay, basketball!