Motherhood Blessings

It's a bit early in the day for a blog, but since I couldn't deliver yesterday I felt compelled to write early. Plus, I'm it's not even 5 p.m. and I can't wait to go to bed tonight!

It was a special Mother's Day weekend for a handful of reasons. First, we were headed to a wedding where both our baby boy and his girlfriend were walking down the aisle – just not together. Then there was the fact there was going to be quite the UW-Platteville alumni contingent there – so some of the "boys" we considered our "kids" were there.

So the Readers' Digest condensed version (for those of you who even know what I'm referring to) is this: Carter and his now girlfriend Mamie met while working for Potosi Brewery and Halayna also worked there. They became fast friends. Then Halayna met Mamie's brother Amon the they became ... a fast couple. LOL. So the wedding this weekend was a combo of (Carter's girlfriend's) family and college friends. 

So celebrating the new Redfearns went a little bit like this...

Halayna's little sister wanted to be a REAL bridesmaid, not a junior bridesmaid and she wanted to walk with Carter. Heck, I'd choose him too! Side note: She's a little fireball and pretty much danced all night!

Mamie was one of the two maids of honor – and did a million thing beyond that role including sewing any alterations to anyone's wedding dresses. 

When you see Halayna escorted down the aisle with her big grin, this is her 100%. So when there was a point in the ceremony where they exchanged vows, we weren't surprised at how it played out. The groom did a great job, then Halayna took her turn. 

Then he said into the ceremony microphone something like: "That was so good!"

Then Halayna started giggling – also captured on the microphone – and we all thought "this is so them to a tee!"

During the ceremony, Carter had to hang onto the "flower girls" – their two Corgis. And at the end, those ladies led the way out!

If you couldn't tell by hair flying, it was crazy windy outside. So I guess I take no shame in my hair in this picture with hubby. I was just happy Jim an I coordinated and I coul fit perfectly into my "back up dress" from Casey's wedding 2+ years ago. 

Of course, spending any time of my Mother's Day WEEKEND with my baby makes all the difference in the world! I don't think kids comprehend this like us moms do.

And the kids... oh they just continue to be "matched" so perfectly! What a joy to spend some time with them and for me, selfishly, get to get out on the dance floor with the other "housemate" moms. That was fun. Also great to see and visit with a bunch of Mamie's family who we've come to know over the past 6+ years.

This morning was interesting because it was Mother's Day and I got to see and say goodbye to my baby... but at a hotel. Still, I wouldn't trade any Mother's Day WEEKEND experience with him! That was great!

I've been spoiled for more than a decade with the tradition Jim makes me Eggs Benedict for breakfast on Mother's Day. Pretty much the only day indulge. It took a few towns but on the way from Mineral Point to home, we found the Golden Eagle Cafe (or something) in Barneveld and we stopped and I could indulge in my tradition.

So yum!

When we got home, I hoped the rest of the day would be filled with spring-like thinks like flowers, but it really has been cold and windy. So I'll take my motherhood blessings I've gathered this weekend and run with it!

Hope all my mom friends and those in mother-type roles had the best weekend ever!

The Short Life of Precious Blooms

As I mentioned last night, thanks to recent rain and heat, then more rain and more heat, all the blooms at SentryWorld are in peak condition. And so beautiful. It was amazing. 

As I also mentioned, before we had league, a handful of us took our 4 Marketing interns to the driving range so they would be more comfortable for their upcoming intern scramble. So fun!

But I share this picture because I want you to look at these young faces of 19- and 20-year-olds. This is basically how young two girls in southwest Wisconsin were when they lost their lives in the past few days. Both a 22-year-old from La Crosse (where I went to college) and one from Platteville (where Carter went) had disappeared – and both were found dead today. No causes of death have been confirmed.

As I told my son, I'd just die (probably literally) if that happened at this young stage of life. Let's be honest, any age and any stage if our kids go before us. All of you parents KNOW this! So please pray for the families and friends of Eliotte and Emma, who weren't given a full season of life to bloom.

And think of them – and your current blessings – while you view a few more flowers.

Thank God for the colorful, beautiful people you are blessed to still have in your life today!

Now You Want a White New Year?

While we only got a touch of freezing rain overnight, the above-freezing temps took care of that before we hit the road before noon to take Carter down to the Platteville area.

It was like we hit a line on the interstate north of Madison and the rainy snowflakes were definitely sticking despite the warm temps.

By the time we were to his girlfriend's brother's place, this was our front grill. Ice, ice, baby! But the roads were mostly OK ( I can say that as I was the passenger and Jim seemed to handle it all fine.) When we headed back and were north of Portage, it was like it hadn't rained or snowed here at all.

And our driveway and front yard confirmed that.

Looking up, I think the moon was just trying to mess with us one more time before the end of the year. Hopefully, that's it. And thankfully, we all got where we needed to go today safely!

Be careful out there! 

Just Needed One More Hug

Worked just a half day today then hubby and I hit the road to the Platteville-Potosi area to see the kids one more time before they drive back to Raleigh this weekend. Momma needed just one more hug since it will likely be a few months before we see them again.

With the recent explosion of color around here, we were excited for a scenic drive on this sunny day. Not happening. The color lasted only until about this exit (above) in Portage. Then it was sporadic and minimal.

It reappeared after we picked up Carter and Mamie and took them over to the Potosi Brewery. Pretty!

The brewery holds a special place in their hearts since that's where they met while working there during college summers. Jim and I just think it's cool – and they have good food. The beer cheese soup we had tonight was delish!

It wasn't until we were talking over dinner that we realized it was 4 years ago today that Carter had his horrific accident on the way to his last day of work at Potosi.

It was a foggy morning collision that totaled his car but somehow left him shaken, but not injured. Praise the Lord! As Jim said tonight, it was good to see him in person on this "anniversary" instead of visiting a tombstone. Again... praise the Lord!

Now, Lord, keep your protective wings over these kiddos and that Honda Accord as they drive out to Raleigh, N.C. 

And thanks for letting us get in one more hug... or two or three! 

P.S. And thanks for keeping my Honda HRV safe from all those deer in the ditches on our way home! 

The EN Drop Zone

There's all kinds of Drop Zones out there. Near the water hazard on the golf course. By the front of a school. In landing areas for pilots in the military – or skydiving companies. In the movie theaters with Wesley Snipes.

And, oh, in the Empty Nest on Blue Jay Drive. 

As I previously alluded to, our 23-year-old is not embarking on the adventure (somewhat misleading adventure) to the Big City. So, since he had to be out of his college house by today – and he's back at Square One job-search-wise – he had to drop some "stuff" off here.

Hubby had gone down with the pickup truck on Saturday to get the big and bulky items. And today, Carter came to the Empty Nest (EN) Drop Zone. No quite air-dropping. And he didn't use the drive-through – but it was close to that swift with his visit lasting just shy of the 3-hour mark. (In his defense, I was stuck in meetings in my office and Jim was wrapping up work before baseball practice.)

So his room is filled to the brim. "I can't believe much stuff I can accumulate after 3 years in college houses." And he has a few things to "live on" down by Platteville, where he's still going to be spending some special time with a special someone while diligently job searching.

On a positive note, I don't have an empty nest anymore! Not completely empty.

Coffee Hour

Big day today. It was the first time Book Club got to meet in person at the coffee house – since February of 2020! That coffee and apple coffee cake never tasted so good! (I was too excited to take a picture so this stock photo of coffee cake will have to do.)

Due to the lovely pandemic, our monthly club had to get by with mostly online ZOOM meetings with a few socially distanced meetings outdoors in the summer. Sure felt good to really see people and, of course, hug them! 

Just made my day.

After our meeting, I met up with one of the seniors at the high school. Our photo got rain-shortened the other night so we finished today – dealing with occasional bright sun, breezy (not good for long hair), and heavy humidity. Thank goodness we were done by noon, because it go pretty warm today. A few faves...

While I was having fun, hubby drove down to Platteville to get as much of Carter's "big stuff" as he could haul in the truck. Something like 3 tables and a TV and more. It was a quick trip down and back since Jim had a class reunion meeting of some sort late this afternoon. 

Thanks to the 108% humidity, I dutifully turned on the air-conditioning. 

That naturally means kitty spent most of the day on the heated bathroom floor – and this heat lover will likely turn on her electric mattress pad tonight. Yup, we're two P's in a pod.

And the P stands for Princess.

 

Home for Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas

You can plan on me

Please have snow and mistletoe

And presents on the tree

– I'll Be Home for Christmas

When they wrote that Christmas carol in the 1940s, members of the armed forces were begging to be home for the holidays. In 2020, it's kind of a punishment of sorts. But we made the most of it.

Santa visited overnight. We all got goodies in our stockings. Carter and Dad both got Seinfeld calendars. Carter also got this one from Heidelberg, Germany, where he lived for a semester way back in 2019. That didn't arrive until Christmas Eve so I'm glad I had a backup. 

I was thrilled to find a golf punch card in my stocking so I can play several times next summer – vaccine and the good lord willing. Definitely something to look forward to. Thanks, Mr. Claus.

We had a pretty low-key day at HOME. Carter left after presents and breakfast so he could be down in Platteville area in the afternoon to celebrate with his girlfriend's family. Both hubby and I got a walk in this afternoon before watching a bit of the Vikings game. We didn't have to suffer too long before heading up to Marshfield to deliver a gift to his aunt, who's been in a care facility and hasn't been able to receive a hug during this whole stinkin' pandemic! So sad. Glad we could spread a little cheer.

After seeing her (masked and 6 feet away, of course), we headed over to Wildwood Park in Marshfield, where they have a winter wonderland light display each year. It's been a long time since we saw it. This time, instead of driving through, we took the walking path. It was like 9 degrees and felt like zero so it was a brisk walk. But oh so beautiful! A few highlights...

Did I mention Wildwood Park is also a zoo? This mountain lion or bobcat or kitty is probably pretty sick of hearing Christmas music by now!

Cold selfie!

A holiday hole-in-one!

Quite the variety of lights!

When our walk concluded with a purple and gold display, I thought for sure it was a sign our Vikings were gaining ground on the Saints while we weren't watching.

Nope. They managed to put the "ugly" in ugly Christmas sweater. Good thing we left the confines of home and skipped most of that. As an added bonus, we saw the Christmas Star. Well, sort of.

Earlier this week, the solar system decided to grace us with a cosmic Christmas miracle that hasn't been witnessed in nearly 800 years. On Monday/Dec. 21 (aka the December solstice), Jupiter and Saturn aligned so closely in the night sky that from our vantage point, looked like they collided and created a radiant point of light often referred to as the "Star of Bethlehem" or the "Christmas Star." It was rainy/snowy and cloudy that night, so we couldn't see it from central Wisconsin.

Now, since it's been a few days, the planets aren't aligned the same. But one of the two definitely was giving off more light than the other. Looked real to us.

Happy birthday, baby Jesus. Thanks for staying in our home for the holidays!

 

A Tale of Two Cities

Hold your horses, Ebenezer, I have the right Charles Dickens novel in mind today. And perhaps a Seinfeld episode, too.

How unusual for us to have no grievances with the weather the day before Christmas – also known as Festivus for the rest of us. Thank you, Frank Costanza. Naturally, I took a good walk in the nice fresh air at lunch today. And I didn't even need a jacket.

If you zoom in, you'll see I'll need one tomorrow with a high of 10 degrees. Bah humbug! Poor Santa.

Meanwhile today, in a city far, far away (well Minneapolis, plus all of northwest Wisconsin), they needed more than a jacket. They needed shovels, plows, and those chains you put on tires. That might not have been enough.

By pure coincidence, my family lives in the purple zone. The one that says "extreme impact" and "travel not advised." Based on stories from my siblings, they were all quite grateful to drive home safely today.  Uff da.

Meanwhile, the light blue zone flows like a river of "minor impact" from here to Platteville. So Mr. Independent made it home just fine this afternoon for a dental appointment. Oh, and Christmas. Yay for holiday hugs!

My commute across the hallway today was uneventful. Worked the day and logged off for the last time in 2020. Hello, vacation. Hello, relaxation. Hello, eggnog-ation. Hello, Hallmark Nation.

Oh, and merry Christmas to Mr. Scrooge, Mr. Dickens and friends. God bless us, everyone!

It's a Great Day to be Done

It was 5 years ago this fall that Mr. College (last time calling him that) applied and was accepted at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He looked like quite a young kids compared to know – with 4 1/2 years of schooling in him. Still, we remember that fall orientation – not just because he got to meet Pioneer Pete (above) – but because the chancellor (and all speakers) basically echoed the motto: "It's a great day to be a Pioneer!" 

So I had to have some fun with that for his graduation. Yup, it happened, folks.

It was so weird having a virtual graduation ceremony. They basically live-streamed it on YouTube and it included prerecorded speeches by the provost, chancellor, and a student speaker – all reminding the graduates to be Pioneers in life. Then they read off the names and we waited...

And there he is! Or Mr. Dual Degree Boy! If you can't make out the words, it's a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in German. Right now it looks good on paper and hopefully soon it will look good to potential employers. First step is finishing finals this week. Then, since his lease runs through May, he'll stay in Platteville working until then or until he gets a "real life" job, which hopefully is sooner. For this weekend, though, it was just about celebrating this accomplishment! So we watched the ceremony online in the morning and then, since Carter worked until 4 p.m., we headed down to Platteville in the afternoon.

Before presenting him with this decorated box, I had to embarrass him with a little show-and-tell presentation to his friends. So I brought the big folding poster boards I made for his high school graduation party. They got to see little kindergarten cutie to Justin Bieber hair middle school to his super model senior pictures. They got a kick out of it. Carter got over it after opening his gift.

Yup, he finally earned his Austin's Pour House jacket! Jim's aunt and uncle ran this bar for years and years back in day. Jim, the big boys and I all got these jackets for Christmas of 2008. Carter was 10 at the time and we said it wouldn't be appropriate for a grade-schooler to wear jacket from a saloon. He wasn't happy.

Now he is! Since it was a 12-year wait, he was pretty surprised. I was just happy to give it to him. It's been hiding in my closet since summer. I'm not the best at keeping quiet about anything.

For the rest of our graduation "party" fun, we picked up pizzas and hung out at the house for the evening. Here's a picture of Carter with his two favorite girls. Well, to be honest, one's his favorite but they are the two girls who love him the most, I bet!

Since they got 4-6 inches of snow on Friday night and Saturday, we booked a hotel room down there. So this morning – late morning – we took Carter and Mamie our for brunch then hit the road since Carter had to work in the afternoon.

So long, Platteville. Even the M on the hill was covered in snow. Already erasing memories of the place.

Not that we won't be back down there in the spring sometime, but for now it's a great day to be a Pioneer grad and great day for that chapter to be done.

I know you don't read my blog, but congrats kiddo! We love you and are so very proud!

#classof2020 #greatdaytobeapioneer