Last Day of Stay-Cation

After such a low-key week I am totally not prepared to wake up to an alarm in the morning and get back to work!

One of my friends at church commented, "You know what your vacation sounded like? Retirement!" Oh, god. Now I want that. NOW.

I didn't get a ton accomplished but I am OK with that. The important thing is that I did not think about work. At all. That's a true victory for me.

Of course tomorrow morning might be a startling reality. But I'll deal. 

Today was pretty laid back. Church and some Mr. Deck Chair time and then baseball.

It happened that both my Twins and hubby's Reds were featured "squares" on the MLB Network. Yay, Twins, for beating the Yankees!

After that I was just lazing about, doing some crocheting and listening to an audio book. I really got used to that. Help me acclimate to real life tomorrow, please!

Hope all of you found time to relax over the holiday weekend. I'll never take if for granted again, I swear!

Palooza Wrap-Up

 

While today was "cooler" by the heat wave standards, the high temps and humidity definitely made our birthday-anniversary palooza week less eventful than it could have been. 

My birthday Sunday, our anniversary Wednesday, and hubby's birthday today. Our palooza has officially petered out. 

Jim got lots of birthday greetings (thank you) but we didn't have big plans. Clay came over and helped him with a backyard project. So I took off to Point. Herrschners was have a "Sale After The Sale" sale! Got some more cheap yarn for a new project.

I also stopped at Ski's Meats, Walmart (with a million other people), and Feltz Dairy Store. And ran in the rain at every stop.

Needless to say, the backyard project didn't get done. And I found myself with more Mr. Recliner time than Mr. Deck Chair time. Sad.

Since my tummy is still a bit wonky, we did not go out to eat. But Jim made himself some delicious-looking fajitas! He's got his recipe nailed down if we ever want to serve company. Ha.

Tonight we're just relaxing in the A/C and watching baseball. With the MLB Network, we can see both the Reds and the Twins play – plus two other games. My mind can't wrap my head around it yet. I'll just pretend I'm at Buffalo Wild Wings and there are 4 games on 4 different screens.

Pass the ranch for my spicy wings, please!

Enjoy your holiday weekend! Be smart and be safe!

Those Darn Bad-Luck Bowls

There are some baseball fields we just call “bowls” because they are situated at the bottom of a park ringed with banks of grass where fans could sit and watch the action from most of the sides of the field. For the longest time, the Pittsville “bowl” was our perennial nemesis, almost always knocking the Royals out of the postseason playoffs—while exhibiting highly vocal, annoying behavior from their dugout.

Somehow conferences and possibly divisions have realigned in recent years. So this season, after soundly defeating Gresham in round one of Regionals, we headed to Iola-Scandinavia. My old stomping grounds if you recall me blogging about our 100-mile round trip to work for a dozen years.

As someone with certain sports superstitions, I immediately recognized the similar “bowl” setup to P-town. That was unnerving right away.

But the game was so close. Not a runaway score by either team. We were ahead by 2 then the Thunderbirds caught up. Then we’d make a mini-surge, but they’d catch up. It came down to the last batter for the home team. And they ended up defeating us 6-5 and knocking us out of the playoffs in what was one of our better season record years of late.

For me, though, the fun was running into some of my “Iola people”!

I left the publishing house some 10 years ago now. But Cori the ticket taker who worked at the Fitness Center there remembered me!

Then I ran into Miss Mandy, one of Carter’s first daycare people in Iola. And her mother, Judy, who worked with Jim and I at Krause. Just great to get long overdue (though you didn’t realize they were overdue) hugs!

Of course I then had to check out some of our favorite haunts…

Including Carter’s favorite ice cream place Shivers. Per usual, a long summer line.

Then I took the route home through Scandinavia, which always seems like I just earned another stamp on my passport. If only! Still, all was a great reminder of how we can forge great bonds in the workplace when we work in a friendly community and we, by nature, are friendly too.

Side note: I absolutely do not miss that commute.

Side note 2: Thank you, seniors! What a great season!

We Can All Be Rock Stars

Happy Thursday. The first thing I want to say – especially with any of you with some self-doubt at work – there is always someone on your team who thinks you're a rock star.

It's true!

The other morning when I was in desperate need for caffeine and they had no sugar-free Red Bull left in stock in our work cafeteria, I was sorta forced to try a sugar-free Rock Star for the first time. Not the same. But...

By sheer coincidence, someone on our team had left me a random "you're a rock star" type gift and I had a little uplifting trophy to accompany my energy drink. In a very unplanned way, it made for the best day!

I'm trying to keep that attitude positive this week as I deal with really inconsequential things like how will our church choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus during Memorial Day weekend? How can I take a mental health day on Friday when there is so much urgent work to do? How can I celebrate other people?

I think I found a way. For me this evening (after a ladies' golf league meeting), it was capturing photos of K.C. pitching successfully while at another ballpark his sister A.C. was pitching to their 10-run victory in softball. I adore their parents so this was cool for me.

I want both the baseball and softball teams to embrace that rock star status today. 

But I also hope that any of you who feel "undervalued" at work – to use my words a few weeks ago – to feel like you matter. But mostly, to feel like you're a rock star.

Pretty sure most of us are!

Dirt and Grit

If you pay attention, you can really learn some life lessons watching a baseball or softball game. Mainly, the players who succeed are the ones with grit who don't give up.

Last night I split time between both of those games and was editing photos way past my bedtime! Behind the lens of my camera I see and capture both jubilation and disappointment. Great plays and missed opportunities.

Last night I really wanted to tell the umpire he was wrong to call this guy from the other team safe. But nope. My frames captured it and our second baseman missed the tag. By mere inches.

But that didn't make him throw his glove down and quit. He just tried harder the next opportunity.

And would you look at that? He clearly made the out the next time. And the opponent missed reaching the base safely... by mere inches.

My hubby coached baseball forever. Not as long ago as when Babe Ruth was around with his inspiring quotes, but many decades. I loved watching him and listening to him encourage the kids (of all ages) to keep trying. And when they made a mental mistake (usually running bases or fielding), he'd ask, "OK, so what did you learn from that?" They'd answer and he'd say something like, "Right? So next time don't do that."

If we all could have a supportive Coach Austin in our ear, maybe we'd spend more time focusing on what we can learn from our mistakes and bad choices instead of beating ourselves up. 

Remember: You can't beat the person who doesn't give up!

Believe in yourself!

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!

 

Not as Trifle of a Trifle Tuesday as I Hoped

I should've known at the first glance of the sunrise on my morning commute that God was trying to instill in me a sense of calmness for the day ahead.

Instead I was worried about my precious cargo for a Trifle Tuesday birthday celebration at work. Granted that does take 30 minutes of concentration – especially when I had to slam the brakes for two idiotic deer crossing the road. I held my hand across my passenger seat like I was protecting a child! In the end it got to work intact.

Right now I feel stupid talking about what was in the trifle because some tragedies occurred today with some of my loved ones but I'm not at liberty to share yet. Just hug your loved ones and know cancer effing sucks!!!

So anyway, this is my usual Frosted Circus Animal Trifle. So appropriate when a majority of us working in corporate setting know it can be a circus!

Bottom layer had a very carefully placed parade of animals on the outside. Inside that parade is mini frosted vanilla cupcakes basically cut in half or crumbled a bit. Next layer up is white chocolate pudding I added some red food coloring to for a pink-ish layer to match those animals! Next layer is chopped up vanilla wafer cookies – the kind with frosting in them, not to be confused with 'Nilla Wafers.

Repeat layers. Add Cool Whip on the top – plus more circus animals!

It was very sugary and sweet and delicious. And I came home with perhaps one serving left if I really scrape the bowl good. I'm not above licking it clean when it comes to this particular trifle combination!

The other bright spot of the day – although much colder than "summer" yesterday – was Royals baseball kicking off their home season. I lasted a few inning but got pictures of each of the starters at bat. And we were ahead when I left and thankfully continued to kick butt and beat Owen-Withee 11-1. I think this will be a fun season to watch and capture.

When it's warmer! 

I do hope you all found something positive and not the least bit "trifle" to your emotions today. Take care!

The Family Lucky Genes

 

When my sisters hit the road when I was heading to church today, they made sure they gave me the good luck vibes from our Grandmas Flossie and Mom – both legal gamblers, naturally.

Of course, when I did get to Assumption and I was one short of a BINGO a few times, I thought for sure there was no luck on my side. But then... there was also the 50-50 raffle fundraiser for the hosts. Today was the Assumption baseball team. A cause I'm quite fond of.

Thankfully a few others were supportive too, because when they drew the winning ticket there was a $300+ prize for the 50-50. And yes, that was my ticket! The very last number of my string of tickets!

So even though I didn't dob my way to any BINGOs, I still had some luck after all. I may have to figure out a way to play it forward in this house!

The Boys of Summer Meet the Field of Dreams

If there's one thing my father-in-law and his brother Joe loved (besides their wives and kids, that is) it was baseball! Uncle Joe coached baseball for decades. And I have more than a handful of pictures like this where the brothers are at Witter Field to "watch" an Assumption High School baseball game. Surely not there to supervise my hubby and his coaching skills, right?

Today, when I saw Uncle Joe was dressed in that same red Rapids baseball jacket as he lay in his coffin, I lost it. Another boy of summer has moved on to the Field of Dreams.

It was surreal to have almost a repeat of 2 weeks ago when we laid his wife – Aunt Janice – to rest. At her funeral it was nice to see dozens of Austin relatives we hadn't seen for quite some time. Today it was more of a "this is not how we should be getting together again" vibe. Lots of tears.

Still it was a nice service. Jim did the readings again and both he and Clay were pallbearers. Casey drove over from Minneapolis as well (Carter had sleet going on down in Dubuque to prevent his travels).

So after the sad stuff, we were blessed with some smiling time with our big sweetie grandpup Rey – and the humans Casey and Clay too.

I unfortunately had to finish my work day with some meetings. But I could hear three of the four brown-eyed bandits talking and laughing down the hall in the livingroom.

That, my friends, are the moments we need to cherish. Those are the memories that make us one day say, like today, "Remember that time we did this with Uncle Joe..."

I might just have to step and tell November "Move over, Gratitude Month. There are things happening every month that make us grateful."

Hug your loved ones!

Home Hack-A-thon

So here's an interesting fact. Large companies like the one I work for often have huge IT departments and they occasionally have a "hack-a-thon" to test our company's cyber security. This week, though, it's been a bit of a different kind of hack-a-thon between hubby and me.

He wins. 

Or loses really. Coughing so much it's insane. I think I'm a day behind on this. So today I worked from home with my stuffed up head and sore throat while he went to the clinic to see what the heck was up.

All we know is that we are COVID-free. Sometimes we forget that's still an option. And there's just "crap going around" that we'll have just have to "let it run its course." Which according to Dr. Not Helpful could be 7-14 days. Boo.

Anyway, so here we are stuck at home after work. No golfing for him and no choir practice for me. Just trying to cheer on the Brewers in the post-season. But that didn't turn out so well. Sorry, friends.

Now we'll just see what we should eat for supper. Since stuffy noses lead to no taste. But don't feel sorry for us. Neither one of our teams our baseball teams are losing the playoffs.

Mainly because they've been eliminated! LOL. 

Yeah, someday I'll find humor in that. For today, just welcome any prayers for good health!

TGIFF (Thank Goodness It's Fun Friday)

When Friday fun is on the agenda, I go all out. First was our company picnic. I worked a few hours in the morning then headed up to Stevens Point. My goal after last year was just to get a spot at the BINGO tables and win something.

Plus save 2 spots by me for my co-worker/friend Sharon and her daughter. 

Mission accomplished. Then Sharon won. Then I did!! I picked the Five Crowns card game as my prize. It's on that my sisters and I always play during sister weekend!

After that, it was time to eat and cross fingers we'd win one of the "big" raffle prizes – with an obvious 2,000 to 1 odds. I did not win.

But in Robyn's world, getting free ice cream is the same as winning. Just not the same dollar value as say a 4-some golf round at SentryWorld or a PS5. I crossed my fingers so hard! To no avail.

Then this evening the fun continued at the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters game. The church in Rudolph where Jim sings in the guitar choir had the Rat Trap upper deck platform reserved.

Nice view of the game, but mostly just chit-chatting with friends and eating for a few hours. The scoreboard was not working so I don't know if our hometown team won. Based on the lack of cheering, I don't think we did.

Still it was a fun evening after a fun afternoon. I'd take a "work" day like this anytime!

Enjoy your weekend!

About to Catch the Weekend

Just like last night's catch at second base wasn't quite on time, my weekend wasn't quite there either. But after a fast, productive day at work, it's here.

Not that anything exciting was planned for today. I did some quick shopping to put another raffle basket together for my friend Jeannie's upcoming cancer benefit. Then I got home and my neighbor Marigene and I got a quick 2-mile walk in while hubby was mowing the lawn.

I guess that's a sign of spring if anything!

Tonight I'm surging social channels trying to figure out where Jim can take me for brunch or lunch on Mother's Day. Hey, he offered. 

Apparently, most places think moms love prime rib. Not for me! I think I have it narrowed down to Anchor Bay – I mean, who cares if you have to wait if you can sit outside on the river? But if YOU know of something NOT of the rare meat variety, let me know!

Also, now that I got the sports pictures done from last night, I have to share this series of pix where Anna "possibly tripped" to throw out the runner at first. It makes you realize how two teammates are obviously BFFs.

And that's why I love what I do in my "free time!" These two are seniors and I'll miss them so much. But I'll save the mushy sentiments until those last pictures.

For now, we have a big day ahead tomorrow (can't wait to share) and Mother's Day. Make sure all you mommas are spoiled like you deserve!

 

The Art of Cloning and Spring Sports

There was a point in time today at about 5 p.m. that I needed to be in 5 places at the same time. With all the A.I. advancements, why haven't they perfected the art of cloning?!

My first MANDATORY stop after work was our Ladies Golf League meeting at TriCity. I have a new partner this year since my previous one (Marigene) has retired and her fun schedule of life on her hands. So my long-time "I don't see enough" friend Molly will be my partner this summer. I've missed her so I love everything about what's to come this summer!

After the meeting was when the cloning wish came into mind. At the same time the high school and middle school Royals teams were playing softball and baseball. Where to go first?!

I opted to go to AHS softball first since they tend to dominate. Meanwhile, hubby was at baseball and they looked to 10-run the same opponent – Wausau Newman. 

Since "fate" is a half believer in cloning, I was able to see the final dominating innings for both softball and baseball. High school, that is. I really do hope to capture middle school. But I'll just have to see if I can pull off the non-cloning, yet rockstar photographer status!

Obviously, we'll all keep working together in this non-cloning world!

Fair-Weather Fotog

The term "huddle up" means a lot things. It could mean the sports team is prepping for a game or an inning, or it could be the fans and photographers have to huddle for warmth on a sunny, yet only 42-degree afternoon at the ball park. 

Honestly, this fair-weather "fotographer" only stopped by because she knew a player on the opposing team. When I learned he wasn't playing for Pacelli this year, I still stuck around since the sun was peeking out. It was cold. I was cold. And my camera was cold. But I still gave it an inning.

Hours (it feels) after I left, I learned our boys pulled out the victory. In the dark (I can say with an excuse). Yay for them.

I hope Mother Nature can finally look at the calendar and see it's officially spring and that we shouldn't have winter temperatures.

Since I have a ton of travel in the next 14 days, I won't be able to capture much in the way of spring sports. In other words, Mother Nature, I am giving you this one last chance to turn things around.

Don't mess with a Scandi-hoovian!

You Had Me at Feels Like 34

 

It's such a downer when Robyn's Day Out turns into "Why are you even outside today!?"

But my trusty camera – who may or may not be cursing me – set out to catch some action at the ballpark.

With the snow, we had to have our Assumption games on the turf (again) at the Lincoln High School quad plex. Both baseball and softball teams were playing today. At the same time.

The first thing I noticed was that without my husband on the coaching team this year, I didn't know all of the baseball team. Or half of it, anyway.

Just like softball yesterday, there seemed to be a lot of new faces. Especially for this old lady whose son graduated almost 9 years ago. (Say it isn't so!)

Anyway I took pictures of baseball and when it got to be a long defensive inning, I hopped over to our softball team just 20 feet away. While the boys lost their double-header, the girls turned things around from yesterday and took 2 W's in their outing.

With the wind making the temperatures cooler than normal, I didn't last the whole afternoon. Even with a winter coat on, that windchill with a real feel of 34 degrees did not agree with my camera. Or wimpy me.

But hey, spring sports in full force now. As long as Mother Nature mildly cooperates. And hubby grilled burgers tonight so that has to mean something.

Please!

Yes Spring Chicken

Usually the phrase includes "no spring chicken" but I'm changing that to "yes spring chicken" after the sun finally came out today and the neighboring farm roosters and hens were scampering about and enjoying it!

Could this be the real sign of spring? Maybe. Here's a few other clues.

Suddenly the summer vibes of Yacht Rock Radio reappeared in my Sirius favorites.

And... our golf course where Jim and I have a couple's membership is opening TOMORROW!! I may head to the TriCity driving range at lunch. I mean I really need to test out my new club somewhere beyond our livingroom carpet!

Other signs of spring include the Twins home opener. Not a win, but they had a game. 

And the sun was bright enough at 6 p.m. for me to take a walk after work.

Don't worry. I haven't drunk the Mother Nature Kool-Aid. I know we're probably going to get screwed over, er disappointed, at least one more time. But let's go with it while it's here. Even for a day!

You're Not Alone, Brew Crew Fans

As I sit here cheering for the Brewers because, well, no team in this household is in the playoffs, I found this graphic interesting. 

While the Cubs are usually the hated team of choice in Wisconsin, look at all these states who allegedly hate the New York Mets. These are your people, Brewers fans! You are not alone!

I do hope they do well. In fact, I am committed to watching this game. While perhaps multi-tasking with a bit of baby blanket crocheting. But still, know that you are not alone and we all wish you a happy ending.

Like last night.

You know what I mean. Good luck!!!

#BrewCrew💙💛

October Hump Day Headlines

Wicked Mother Nature

Rarely – as a landlocked girl in the Midwest – do tropical storms or hurricanes impact my life. Helene changed that a bit. 

First of all, super grateful Carter and Mamie live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, now and not North Carolina. That would have been overly stressful and maybe devastating. Secondly, we just had our 25 annual sisters' weekend a year ago in the Asheville area. And we visited the Biltmore estate! How devastating for them and the many, many shops and restaurants we patronized. Feel so bad for them!

Fall Sports

Oh gosh, I'm still trying to keep pace with fall sports. Last night I got to shoot pictures of the Royals middle school football team in action. Which took me to about an 11 p.m. bedtime after uploading (so I chose sleep over blogging). It was entertaining because just like when Carter was a shorter dude in middle school, there's such a variety of sizes at that age. See the very petite quarterback taking a snap from the super-sized (for middle school) center! Crazy. Our Royals lost but they were pretty aggressive and fun to watch!

It's October!

I'm crushed that my Twins were eliminated from the playoffs at the last minute! So, naturally, I'll be a good Wisconsin citizen and send my positive vibes to the Brewers. Based on my co-workers and friends attitude today, I gotta send mega-good vibes. I just checked and they are tied with the Mets tonight after a loss last night. I don't want to say anything to jinx them. So I'll just say go Brew Crew! NOW!

Cancer Sucks

It's true. Cancer is so non-discerning. It doesn't matter if you're old or young. It doesn't matter if you're the friendliest business owner in the community – like our friend D we lost this week – or a mother of 3 – like our friend J who has it everywhere after so many clean scans. We send prayers and hugs to all of you!

Pretty sure I should I should wrap up my blog before any other sad thoughts present themselves. As always, hug your loved ones and be careful out there!

Many Smiles in the Minne-Apple

You win some. You lose some. But sometimes you have a weekend where everybody wins – eventually.

We arrived in Twins Territory and our hotel in midafternoon Saturday. I was excited we could see Target Field from our hotel room – as advertised!

Cool to be right in the heart of the atmosphere.

After we got settled, we headed to a nearby pub to meet up with Casey and Emily for some pre-game apps. A very short walk from there to the field.

So we had time for Robyn-forced photos!

There were even a few new props that got me excited!

Saturday was Military Appreciation Night at the field.

This included a unique flyover with military helicopters. Very cool.

Our seats were in the front row of a second-level section on the third-base line. Close to Jim's Cincinnati Reds' dugout. At least he had something to smile about. A pitching change for the Twins was a common occurrence Saturday night!

Still amazing to be there, win or lose.

And boy did we ever lose! But great to catch up with the kids for a few hours. And Jim had plenty to smile about with his victory!

Sunday morning was the breakfast of champions at the hotel. Pretty fancy for a continental breakfast, eh?

The stadium was just a mile's walk away so we headed over there so we'd have time to soak in the sights. Including the Bob Dylan mural. Holy amazing!

There's a big fun and games area for all ages on the north side of the stadium. This must be extreme bags because they're throwing coach pillow-sized bags!

Lots of music was rocking the pre-game area – including some beats from our Skol Line!

I can't describe U.S. Bank Stadium in simple teams. It's just such a unique architectural park. Just awesome.

 

Getting our game day faces on!

All the cool glass features had me drooling. I could spend hours taking pictures of this place.

And the Minne-Apple downtown skyline is reflected in the windows, too.

Inside the stadium, we got to walk around a bit and see the highlights – including the local FOX guys doing their pre-game broadcast.

Found our seats! See where the lady wearing the #43 jersey is standing above Bud Grant's name? Our seats were front row to the right of his name.

Nothing between us and our Vikings but a piece of glass. Yup, those pesky railing obstruct the view sometimes. So let's have a scared-of-heights Robyn plop down on the "safe" side of the glass non-railing.

Thank goodness we got there early enough for me to have plenty of time to get used to it. Thankfully!

Also, we got our shirts several years after, I'm sure, another quest for a Superbowl trophy fell short. Or went wide right. They pleadingly say: "Just one before I die." We are hopeless optimists.

Since this was the season home-opener, they did a lot stuff before the first kickoff. Including... wait for it...

Snow inside the stadium!! What?

Yup, they were representing Norse blood with that. It was time bits of foamy-type flakes that disappeared after impact. What a crazy cool thing to do now that we're back indoors!

I began to love my unobstructed view. 

Specially loved that we scored first (despite way too many red uniforms in the stands).

Totally reminded me of the Dome days and how loud we'd get it!!

And I was thrilled to finally get to participate in person with the Viking fan's SKOL clap. So cool!!

And we had plenty to SKOL about – including a Justin Jefferson 98-yard touchdown. I'll never top as one of the greatest plays we've witnessed in person! 

It was exciting to upset the 49ers with a nice win – and fun to have my Twins finally winning at the same time.

I guess everybody does win! Thanks, MN!