It Worked Out In My Purple Favor

Last night I blogged before I had to address the Monday Night Football situation. I mean even you Packer fans don't like the Bears so we have some solidarity there.

But I was not convinced during the first half that our very VERY young QB could rise to the occasion. I am so glad I was proven wrong. Especially since our two-week United Way campaign began at work today and the dress-up theme was favorite team.

Yup, I wore the lovely bracelet above plus my now favorite shirt...

The one Jim and I wore to a game last year! We are still hoping for one Super Bowl win in our lifetimes.

Let me just clarify. There were a few more Viking fans at work and they commented on needing a shirt like mine. We all know the pain and struggles. Then, since I went straight from work to shoot middle school football, I was wearing the shirt and a guy from the opposing team (Iola-Scandinavia in this case) asked if he could take a picture of my shirt.

Maybe creepy but I trust he's been through the same pain. Maybe Purple Power will carry us all (well some of us) through the week!

Collector's Fees

This reflects the overabundance of shirts (well, clothes) that the boy and I have. He at least was willing to at least part with some at the garage sale. Fingers crossed, that is. As promised (or threatened) here are the details of our friend's garage sale this weekend.

MULTI-FAMILY

GARAGE SALE

THURSDAY – SUNDAY

APRIL 4-7

OPEN  8AM TO 6PM

Kids to adult clothes (including lots of Carter's young men's clothes), household, books (4 boxes from us – including lots of nonfiction sports memoirs), leather couch, TV stand, puzzles, tools, Miller racing mirrors,  toys, children books, generator, outhouses, birdhouses, children's coupe cars, bikes, torpedo heaters. Way too much to list.

9410 80th St. S.   |   Wisc. Rapids   |  3.5 miles South of Kellner  

Also for sale...

Tons of Stampin' Up rubber stamps! Yes, this collector is attempting to let go.

And some of my lighthouse collectibles and decorations. Again, this collector is trying to let go.

My friend is right that there are too many items to mention. Stop by and check it out. Not sure if I'll be there as I have to work on Friday and am Twin Cities bound Saturday. But my boy may be there Saturday, trying to downsize his t-shirt collection.

Until he finds other cool ones to buy, that is! 

Just ignore the snow: It's Garage Sale Season!!

Goodwill to a Few Anyway

I let the spirit of Christmas carry through today since it was our "Christmas observed" day off. I specifically focused on the "Peace on Earth, goodwill..." part.

In other words, I tackled the basement for a while and hauled 4 boxes of the kids' clothes to Goodwill. Don't worry, they set them aside awhile ago as clothes to either sell or donate. I decided today I don't need them gathering dust until garage-sale season so I let them go. 

If you know me, you know it's a big deal for me to let go. And not think "Ooh this is worth XYZ" or "I could sell that and get something good for it." 

Nope. Not today, my peace on Earth was decluttering and spreading it to Goodwill.

My other big accomplishment was breaking down a ton of boxes. A ton of "I should save this – this is a good box" boxes. Am I the only one?

I must pile them up all year thinking I can use them to wrap presents at Christmas. Since 90% of our gift-giving was cash or direct-shipped, I didn't need the boxes anyway. Since I did the Goodwill run today, I'll do the recycling center run tomorrow. Gotta space things out. I can't have all my vacation fun on the first day.

Hope you're enjoying some peace in your corner of the Earth, too!

50 Shades of Black Friday

As Black Friday approaches, I think every Friday in November should be some shade of a Black Friday.  Something akin to a paint chip card (or today's gloomy rain clouds).

Three Fridays out, I guess it's #333333 Grey Friday. And since our friend has a Christmas Open House at her shop, it seems only right that I get into the #333333 spirit! 

Went to Rustic Redefined after work and fell in love with all fall and winter clothes. This is unique stuff you won't find anywhere else. And I love it! I decided to treat myself to one item – figuring I better pick something I can wear to work. So I tried on four things and purchased... one. Seriously! But I might be back on #222222 Gray Friday! (P.S. Open house is Saturday too from 10-3.)

Hubby and I got into the holiday spirit after I got home from shopping. I mean the overeating part. What could you possibly have been thinking? Anyway, I picked up cajun fish fries at The Fallback (formerly Double Down, formerly Wildhorse Saloon). It was super tasty and we stuffed ourselves! We don't need to do that more than once a week, that's for sure!

Now he's flipping channels from the confines of his surgery recovery chair (aka recliner) and I'm DVRing one Hallmark movie and about to dive into another.

Happy #333333 Gray Friday! 

What's Behind Door No. 3?

You'd be surprised what you can live without once you've lived without it for 2 years and haven't missed it.

Since the lovely pandemic hit while I was on vacation that first week in March 2020, I didn't realize my last day in the office before it was actually my last day... for 2-plus years. Therefore, I didn't take everything I needed from my desk, the little fridge in our department or my locker in our fitness center.

From my desk, I realized I only needed my computer and really didn't need paper documents. I haven't printed anything out in 2 years so there's no sense resuming that habit. You're welcome, Mother Earth. As for the fridge, someone disposed of what was left of my daily essential coffee creamer for me. Good call. As for the locker... well that went untouched until today.

Our fitness center finally reopened now that we're repopulating the office. I was a little nervous wondering what was behind door No. 3. Or in this case, door No. 168. I knew I'd have sneakers in there but hoped to god I didn't have some once-sweaty-now-crusty sports bra or socks. I was prepared for it...

And oh-so relieved when I only left the shoes in there – with deodorizer balls in them to boot – and the essentials like shower gel, deo, perfume, and hairspray! That turned my pew into a PHEW! And the shoes are in decent shape. I mean, we'll see when I put them on, but they should work OK after sitting around doing nothing all this time.

That's right. I did not work out. I just was checking the status of the locker so I could reserve it for another year. Don't judge me. Getting there was the first step, right?

I've already beat myself up plenty in the past week knowing that I had 800-some days to reinvent myself but instead, come back to the office out of shape – and out of clothes that fit nicely. Ugh.

If only I liked spinach or kale as much as I like ice cream! 

Sunny Disposition

I keep telling kitty that her "tan lines" are permanent, but she still tries to soak up the sun whenever she can to even them out. How's that working for you so far, Sylvester?

Gotta admit. I like doing that, too!

This week is "almost see your breath" temps in the morning, then "let me work on my tan line" temps in the afternoon. I can handle this. Especially when it's beautiful out after work – temp-wise and fall color-wise!

I don't mind it cool in the morning. Helps me stay focused on work with no desire to head outdoors.  

Side note: Those of you who know about my hoodie addiction will be happy to know I'm finally doing something about it. No, not getting rid of any. That's extreme, doncha think? But since my office is cold and my work at home wardrobe is pretty casual, I can wear a different hoodie each day to get through my collection. That should get me through the rest of my home office time. 

Well, wait. That just got extended to January. So I likely will run out. I mean for SURE I'll run out. I don't have 90 hoodies. Sixty maybe, but not 90. If I run out, it'll be right around Christmas time. Perfect timing. Maybe I'll get a new hoodie or 6 and kitty will get her tan lines taken care of.

We can dream. Always look on the sunny side.