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!

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!

Another Round of March Gladness

Driving all the way to Black River Falls for boys hoops was worth every mile.

For the first time in at least 8 years, our Royals were in the sectional semi-finals. Up against the higher seeded Cochran Fountain City. They played in BRF because it was a neutral site and much larger gymnasium.

And both sides were packed.

And both teams were playing their hearts out and driven to win. So close and so tense!

In the end, we had our happy ending! Just one more win and we're statebound! Sectional final will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Westby – scheduling it earlier in the day beat the blizzard or whatever.

Speaking of non-spring... Took forever to get home because there was a whole line of Royals fan vehicles heading back to Rapids in wet and snowy conditions – driving slowly and cautiously. 

So it's past bedtime and I have to set an alarm because it's not Friday night after all. So picture editing will have to wait.

Congrats, Royals!

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!

Colors of February Come Full Circle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hump Day, How?

 

I have no idea how it's already Hump Day, but as I stopped behind this vehicle (and bumper sticker) this morning I realized things could be worse. Thank goodness I am NOT living in a van down by the river!

I have so much work and tasks on my list right now, but I can take comfort that I can work in an office and at home. Not down by the river. Close to a creek, but not any type of vehicle by the river.

Last night, I took photos of our girls' basketball team dominating the opening round of regionals with a 50-3 point halftime score – and I'm sure something incredibly impressive by the end. I still have to edit those photos and hope to get to that tonight.

I am trying to allot myself some time, but know other priorities may surface. All I can say is let's all do our best to get to Thursday! 😁

We're All Seniors at Some Point

Tonight was Senior Night for our Lady Royals basketball squad. They've been fun to watch in various sports over the years and a few of them, I took their senior pictures.

So after I took pictures of them tonight introduced with their parents tonight, one of them came over to me with flowers. FOR ME!

I was so surprised and touched. And when I got home, I realized the "thank you" card was signed by all 5 seniors. That really touched my heart. I mean I love taking pictures, but I never know in this digital age how much it matters to this generation.

And technically, I am a SENIOR but not in the way I like to acknowledge. So yay, Senior Night!

What I do promise... is that I'll try my hardest to keep these tulips alive and thriving because, honest to God, it's not every day that people appreciate this little photography skill. I already told hubby he's off the hook for Valentine's Day. He can't top flowers on behalf of 5 people.

Or can he? 💜

Sport Shorts

The last 48 hours have pretty much been all sports. Yes, it was SUPER Sunday yesterday. What that meant was that is was "Souper Sunday" at church with a fundraiser for the food pantry/soup kitchen.

Then, I got home in time to watch legit LIVE Olympics coverage of team figure skating.

The Quad God for the win! I mean, WOW. How fun to watch!

After that, I did pop over to what I believe is like the 44th annual SuperBowl party in our friend Chet's basement! Said hello to all and participated in some "investment opportunities" (which yielded nothing!), then came home to actually watch the game and/or flip with Olympics coverage.

Boring game if you ask me. I like the ones that are super close and down to the last second! But that's just me.

Today was a work from home day that ALMOST had me wishing for a lunch hour with Mr. Deck Chair.

Oooh this high temperature was amazing. Obviously not sit outside for endless hours, but still so refreshing!

After work, I continued on my sports quest with Lady Royals middle school hoops. Turned out we were hosting Stratford – home of all the Austin clan that I'm related to (through marriage). Didn't take me long to recognize their coach as Jim's cousin's daughter. Then, when I talked to her at halftime, she said one of the players belonged to another cousin's daughter... so granddaughter. How fun. I then had players from both teams to shoot pictures of. 

Just got done editing and uploading pictures. And since I know what happened with co-ed curling and ice dancing today, I don't need to watch the delayed Olympic coverage. Or do I?

All the time delays... I just don't know. Go USA! And Royals! And, yes, Stratford!

Our Own Happy

Saw this today and I liked it. Because today was my first happy-ish day of 2026. After being sick and then having no energy for a few weeks, I'm finally feeling good.

And that makes me happy. Unfortunately, the other half is battling something, but I hope I don't catch. I'll just pray he recovers and it disappears from our household germs file.

I was also feeling good today because I got a much-overdue deep tissue massage at the end of the day. My neck and upper back were screaming for it. I will have to try to get into my regular guy soon. He knows how tough I am. LOL.

Tonight I had to get a few groceries and gas on my way home. Still so cold in single digits and the wind took my breath away.

So I only went to a little bit of basketball tonight. Took pictures of the boys JV second half (they beat Stratford) and first half of the varsity game. We had a slight lead at halftime but ended up losing by 2 stinkin' points. That's a heartbreaker. 

I'll mess with my pictures tomorrow. My feet and fingers are still cold. But my bed is warming up and I'm HAPPY about that, too!

Choose your happy this week!

Shout Out to My Spice Girls

I can't love this enough. Or stop laughing. Why did I not think of this clever comeback long ago? So even though it's not pumpkin spice season, I still maintain my Spice Girl status.

Yay, me!

Er, no?

I have been going a little bit extra cra-... mentally spicy lately. Still in this new "different way of doing my job" phase. Just going to take awhile to transition. Not because I'm old or resistant to change. It's just THAT different. We'll get there!

Also frigid weather adds to the spice. I know. We chose to live here in Wisconsin. It's the same thing every year. Maybe we just feel it more in our bones as we age. Didn't know that happened at 40. Bwaahaa. Let me have my moment.

I did venture in to take some girls basketball photos tonight. But the snow was a bit icy coming down on the way in, so I just stayed for the first half. Did not want a slippery drive home. The way it was, there were no tracks to follow. Guess it's supposed to keep snowing for the next 24 hours. 

You know. Wisconsin.

Be careful out there, my fellow Spice Girls!

Shootin' Hoops Again

Christmas break is over for everyone. And that means high school basketball is back in action.

I knew tonight was going to be some tight action because we were playing a very good Auburndale team. My intention was to shoot the second half of the JV game and then all of varsity.

Got through JV game, which we won. But it took too much out of me after standing for the first half of the varsity game. I still don't have my energy completely back after sick.

Anyway, thanks for some good shots by players like Chase above, we had a slight lead at halftime. And are holding onto a lead with less than a minute to go. Crossing fingers. This would be a huge win.

Luckily there's plenty more to the season so I'll eventually catch ALL the action some night. Go Royals!

Super Cold

 

It's definitely a Midwestern thing where we are obsessed with weather forecasts from Thanksgiving to Easter. So we all knew we'd have the coldest morning of "fall" today, but we sort of had to document it to compete to see who had it worse.

Frankly, I didn't want to compete with my Up North counterparts because -7 degrees is low enough for me. I was just happy my car started fine in the nice garage and I made it to work safely. And when the temperature was twice as high – at 8 above – during lunchtime I ran to get gas so I wouldn't have a "low fuel" light come on after work when it was likely plunging back to the negatives.

I went straight from work to St. Vincent's to shoot hoops – pictures of the middle school girls, that is. I think today was their first game, but I prefer to take pictures early in the season so I can "skip" the games when it's snowing or just icy out. Apparently, I had an exception today for the COLD.

Speaking of cold, the "Cold Moon" was shining brightly tonight.

I don't know if this is the "what seems to be common SUPER moon," but it was a super Cold Moon on a super Cold Night so I think this one fits the bill. Ha.

And these are the highlights of my day. I have quite the basketful of "low-lights" but I am still processing those. Thank goodness I have tomorrow off with total focus on my upcoming family Christmas on Saturday. 

Step aside, Old Man Winter and Work Stuff, I have Christmas on the brain! 

Chillin' With The Boys (and old men)

When I woke up to this temperature on Thursday morning it did not surprise me when I checked the school sports calendar that the first basketball games were already happening.

So I had hubby charge my camera battery and after work I headed to St. Vincent's for 7th- and 8th-grade Royals hoops versus Stratford. Interesting that our 7th-grade team had one boy on the bench and our 8th-grade team, well, I think there were 17 on our roster. Wow!

And the Stratford Tigers sneaked by with wins in both games.

I think that's because my favorite Stratford High School graduate is celebrating a birthday this weekend! Yup, last week my dad would have been 98 (that really wouldn't have happened) so that means this week my father-in-law (a young 10 years younger) turns 88! We took him out to Anchor Bay tonight and they gave him a red velvet cupcake with a candle AND singing by everyone in the restaurant!

We also had more celebratory calories when we went to his place afterward. He really is the sweetest, kindest man. I am so lucky I still have him to call "Dad."

Hug your loved ones. Hard!

Facing My Fears

Who knew that this year's senior portrait sessions would make me face some of my fears? But I have netted good results as a result of this bravery.

Last evening I bravely climbed a 12-foot step ladder to shoot from above the basketball rim. And it was gold!

Lot's of deep breathing exercises with that one and perhaps some old-fashioned Lamaze breathing for good measure.

This evening, emboldened by my realization that heights don't automatically kill you, I walked on this old elevated railroad bridge and caught a great silhouette of one of our best hoops players at Assumption. After that, I literally did some rock climbing by the river for another set of shots. I'm either brave or stupid. But I survived. And the customer will be happy in the end.

I cannot wait to go through all the frames of these kiddos (OK, close to adults) but I've got two more nights of sessions before I'll have time. 

I love this time of year. I love putting these young people in their best light. Even if they didn't know it existed. 

And heck, look at me all brave and stuff! Personal growth for the win!

Deja No Thank You

Since the winter storm came through on Wednesday, we had choir practice at 8:15 a.m. today before church. Little did I realize we'd have the same weather exiting church today. Mr. Deck Chair was not a fan.

Yup, all day on and off again snow and sleet. With a mix of a ton of NCAA hoops on TV. 

Later in the day, I finally decided to watch a movie on Netflix that I'd read the book on. It Ends With Us was not fun to watch but it did match the disturbing storylines of the book. I guess that means I'll have to turn my attention to a different book tonight. 

Hope you all stayed safe traveling today. Please continue to wish for spring!

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!