Embracing Autumnal Vibes... Sort Of

Well I definitely wasn't going to lead with a photo of myself but my blog platform won't let me upload any other images. Gah!

So I've mentioned before that I'm a solar-powered girl. I love summer! I love the sun, time with Mr. Deck Chair... and my golf clubs. But today, because I found (and ordered) a style of dressy shirts on Amazon, I had to kick my "Autumnal Vibe" in gear!

Yes, I take pictures in the bathroom at work to show my sisters certain outfits. LOL. But you can't argue this doesn't spell FALL.

When I got to my hair artist after work, she's like, "Let's cool you down for fall." I always have complete trust in her – especially when she adds in the red and brownish low-lights in all the right places.

Per usual, I told her I'd have to sleep "real careful" so I wouldn't smush her handiwork before going to work tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. 

I do love autumn as well. If you can believe, it's September 9 and I still have held off having my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Something tells me that's going to drag me from summer to fall in the very near future!

Happy early fall, y'all! 

One of These Seasons Doesn't Belong

Mr. Deck Chair and I are headed to couples' therapy after what he had to endure during the night while I was sleeping. I mean I honestly wouldn't have known the white stuff was a possibility until I had Up North sisters text me asking if it was snowing here yet. I guess it was on some Wisconsin or Minnesota weather dude's radar. Just not mine.

But sure enough there was a late-night deck shot and one this morning when the sun wasn't even up. Both shots so ugly if you ask me. It it is time one of these seasons stepped aside for a minute (or month!).

Naturally, I was like, maybe I could take some picture so this juxtaposition (oh my high school English teacher would be proud of that!)

So the park above and my church yard here were great photo ops to show that again, one of these seasons doesn't belong.

I honestly didn't pay much attention to the white stuff since I had church then BINGO. But apparently even a high of 30 degrees (below freezing in my mind) means the snow can melt if the sun is out. Either way, it's fine with me since the roads were clear all day.

I just hoped the "Nordic Fever" would blanket our Vikings with good vibes today. Ugh. I don't have a defensive reason for our loss since I was getting scoring updates at BINGO. 

But dang, I wish my fave NFL team could align with my currently undefeated fantasy team! Who knows? When I said one of these seasons doesn't belong, maybe football and BINGO don't mix. Then again... that means one of us deserves a big WIN!!

Very soon, please.

Sisters' Getaway

 

Our 27th annual sister weekend was more like a sister Sunday-Tuesday getwaway. We had an AIRBNB up in Eau Galle, Wisconsin, which must be an incredible spot in the summer. And was still amazing for us with the post-fall colors.

The house itself was amazing with plenty of room for all of us to have sleeping space – some on our own and some of us sleeping with our twin.

Naturally, Raylene and I did our annual opening act. This time we quickly transitioned from Bette Davis Eyes to she's got Tiny Hedberg Eyes. Only spooky at first!

Monday late lunch/early supper we were in nearby Durand along the Chippewa River. Had to get a group picture courtesy of our waitress! 

And today, when we were about to part ways, one sister (OK, me) insisted we try for another group picture without sun and shadows...

And today before we parted ways, here we are!

Right before we promised to love each other and keep in touch with each other!

Right Brainers Unite

I don't even know if it's scientific proof or just an old myth that left-brained people are pretty logical and fact-focused – and right-brained folks like me are imaginative and artsy. But I can see a trend among us folks in my Marketing Department. 

Sure I bring the trifle... but look at today's options between our writing and creative (design and video) teams.

First Melissa (aka "Pinterest") brings in these delightful treats she made this weekend. All inspired by Pinterest, she said, but it must have taken forever! Love it! And oh my, the pumpkin spice cookie sandwiches with cream cheese frosting (second from left) were a-maze-ing!

Then we had Andrew's pumpkin seeds...

There were 3 different flavors and we could vote on which flavor we liked. AFTER voting, we could look at the cheat sheet of the ingredients. No surprise I chose spicy No. 3 which actually had Sriracha as an ingredient.

How fun!

Of course, I was thinking I might have an entire week off from creating a trifle, but my 27th annual sister weekend is coming up this Sunday-Tuesday (hey we'll call it a "weekend"), so I'll see if I need to do one on demand or not.

For now, my right brain is focused on our work team Halloween costumes for Thursday. 

Just so many brain cells on this side of the brain!!

One More Sleep

Who's so excited for her scrapbooking weekend that she had her car packed LAST night? Apparently, THIS girl!

I was missing a few key items that had to wait until tonight/tomorrow morning... like my clothes for the weekend. Even though I'll wear the same thing probably all 4 days. And the food and snacks – which half are in the fridge right now.

Including my Pumpkin Spice Spice Baby Trifle I whipped together after work! 

Now I just have to throw my clothes together and hopefully I'll be all set to hit the road at 8 a.m. Must make the most of 4 days! Ha. 

I don't know if I'll have time or connectivity to blog at all. I'll be working to finish up my 2017 "family memories" album and get a good start at 2018. My high school BFF Julie will be joining me again (yay). Sometimes we get more distracted chit-chatting than scrapping. But you know what? I wouldn't change that for anything. 

So no judging on my productivity (or lack of it). I really need these 4 days out of the office!

Plus, reliving memories is so fun and healing. Today my dad would have been 98 years old. Logically, I know he wouldn't have made it this far. But that doesn't make me miss him any less. I scrapbook to preserve moments in time that I want to cherish from this day forward. 

I mean if you can find a hobby that's both fun and therapeutic, you gotta grasp it and hang on!

Getting Pumped Up Around Here

Yesterday was a gorgeous fall day so I finally got little pumped up and pumpkin-ed up with holiday spirit.

Yup, headed back over to our neighbor's Pumpkin Shed. When I purchased the painted witch one up top – the one I call my self-portrait pumpkin – I had idea for some even smaller pumpkins...

Ta-da! Halloween decorating is done! Of course when these giant alphabet stickers do fall off, I may have to give painting a try. At least bring out Mr. Sharpee.

Yesterday was also a beautiful day to watch OTHER PEOPLE run! The Wisconsin Rapids high school hosted a cross country meet and our Royal Runners were taking part. Our girls team finished in the smaller school division! Finish strong. It's playoffs time1

Speaking of playoffs... to congrats to any friends who are Brewers fans! Onto the next round!

Today was even cooler than yesterday. Hubby and both stayed home from church. Him with his cough and me with cough – but mainly getting pumped up... with colonoscopy prep stuff. Trying the pill form instead of the yucky drink. But so far I have not kept any of them down. Not good. I start round two in an hour. Hopefully that goes better. Hate for them to turn me away in the morning. I've sacrificed so much already!

Alright I gotta keep this short so I can stay much closer to another room in the house! 

Hope you had a good fall weekend. Let's have crap-free week, shall we? (Yes, I had to go there.)

Hunt for Red Hot October

This week has been insanely warm for October. Record high Friday and tied for high temp today. And you know who loves that? A solar powered sister like me! Of course I had to work every day this week but I did get some outdoors time the past three days.

After work on Thursday I headed straight up to Athens with my camera for a Royals cross country meet. So behind on fall sports pix! Guess who doesn't like summer weather in autumn? Runners. Spoiler alert if you have a gag reflex!

Yup, this was the look on probably half the runners' faces right before they crossed the finish line and tossed their cookies! Not kidding. I do not know how I stayed upright since that is such a trigger for me. Uff da. Those poor runners. Both our high school and middle school girls teams took first place anyway!

Gives new meaning to "hurling" through homecoming week! Speaking of homecoming...

Finally was IN TOWN so I could attend and photograph a Royals football game! So many weddings, so little photography time. But we still managed to attend a retirement/birthday party before the game! LOL.

The Royals ended up falling to Pittsville 30-6. Still, I managed to capture a few good photos of both the game and musical entertainment. Once a Pep Band Mom always a Pep Band Mom!

Today's summer-like weather called for a summer activity. 

Mr. Fox and I have literally not been golfing for more than a month! So fun to get out for a very warm round with our friends Craig and Sara.

It also happened to be Big Cup Challenge Day so we got to play larger holes but somehow none of us could manage to take advantage of it. I was just too rusty. That's my excuse. Still... so fun to be out again like it was August!

Of course I 100% got into autumn mode at the Nekoosa Giant Pumpkin Fest! 

Seriously, holy Great Pumpkins, Charlie Brown! I feel like there were tons more arts & crafts and food vendors there than ever before. I found quickly that I was grateful there was an ATM on site, too, because I did not prepare for that. It was so hot, though...

Much like my tasty mini donuts! But productive. I had a few gift things in mind and I found what I needed. After 12,000+ steps on my pedometer between that and golfing I was ready to head home and shower!

Because, of course, our social calendar still had another appointment to go to, after all! And we wonder why time flies.

Had a special 50th anniversary party for our friends Jon and Audrey, who are more like family since they helped raise our baby boy. I mean seriously, how did they know that 30 years into their marriage when she was operating a daycare that they'd meet young Mr. Carter needing afterschool care? And that he'd work his way into their hearts and they'd find a home in ours? 

They really are like family – and we've come to know their entire family very well, too. Just special!

Sometimes I can't believe how blessed we are with the people in our lives. Even how many we've spent time with in just the past few days. It might be the hot summer temps, but I suddenly have water leaking out of my eyes.

Life is so good when you count your blessings! Just sayin'. 

Hello, September

I'll admit there are very few things I like about the transition from August to September. But I do love that Pumpkin Spice Lattes everywhere and Pumpkin Pie Blizzards at DQ are back in the picture. It's also nice to turn the page on the family calendar.

When I sensed a bit of a theme – purple vs green & gold – I took action. First I took care of all my dead or close to dead hanging basket flowers. P.S. There may be a shallow grave out in the woods to the east!

Then I found ourselves some purple and yellow Vikings mums for the front deck. Success.

Most of the rest of the day was pretty laid back – as Labor Day should be. Jim got together with a few high school buddies. And I found a few minutes with Mr. Deck Chair.

But mostly I was packing for my work trip to San Francisco this week. Gotta leave my house by 6:30 a.m. tomorrow and I'll be back sometime Saturday night. I hope I can share some highlights in between, but don't count on it. It will be the typing each letter on my phone type of blogging. But I'll try.

Hope you had a non-laborious Labor Day, too. Let's carry this relaxation vibe into the entire week!

The Colors of Weekend

It's been a colorful weekend. But I'll be honest, I didn't like ALL of the colors. Like above. Yes I realize we often consider Labor Day weekend as the end of summer, but dang, I wish the leaves would pay attention to the real calendar! Not quite ready for fall, that's for sure.

Saturday was a very laid back day on Blue Jay Drive. Finally got a little bonding time with Mr. Deck Chair!

In the evening, I shot pictures of the last waterski show of the season. It got dark pretty quickly so i didn't have a ton of stellar shots. I love how they twist and turn off the jump and I never know which way is up, but they more often than not "stick the landing." 

Today we tried to hold onto summer green.

Since our golf scramble for Royals Football got rained out 2 weeks ago, we got together with the other half of our foursome and golfed 18 at Bullseye this afternoon. Always a fun time with Mark and Trisha.

Saw plenty of wildlife – well mainly deer – who were trying to distract us on this very uphill par 3.

You can barely see the green from down below but look where I landed! Bring on my birdie dance!! Nevermind that I had an 8 on the hole prior. No one can take away my legit, non-Mulligan birdie!

After our round, we caught dinner at Ida's. Always yummy.

Speaking of yummy... I was just thinking of yummy chocolate...

As in the color of our new neighbor's nose! Yup, don't tell my hubby, but I am in love with the new guy next door. Meet Moose! A mini Bernedoodle, but a BIG cutie!

Hope you had some color or at least a bright spot or two to your weekend. Yay for no alarms tomorrow! Happy Labor Day!

Hello, November

I probably say this ever year, but "This year has flown by in record time!" How is it November already? 

I definitely noticed the time of year during my "leave the house when it's still dark" commutes to work this week, but I'm just not wrapping my head around the fact that Thanksgiving is this month. And I should get my Christmas shopping started. And those cards!

A friend of mine shares posts from a Positively Present site and it gives me an idea how to address November. First, the To-Do List...

Then, there's what you should do just for yourself...

Let's turn that page on the calendar, ignore the dropping temperatures, and find a reason to enjoy November!

Back at the Homestead

What a whirlwind of a week! I thought I'd be sharing highlights each day of my time in San Diego. But to be honest, I was exhausted trying to live on West Coast time while my body was mentally and physically 2 hours away in Central Time.

First of all, about the amazing marketing conference. It was good and I learned some exciting things. I've been to the San Diego Convention Center before – remember when I was there for Comic Con and met Erik Estrada? – but I forgot how massive the place is. And very interestingly designed.

You know how I love me some architecture pictures. This was coming down the escalator at the right moment and seeing the other escalators off in the distance.

For the conference, the final keynote was an interesting coincidence.

On the plane ride out, I just happened to finally watch the Barbie movie (worth seeing!). And it turns out actress Issa Rae – "president of BarbieLand" – was our final speaker! 

How interesting! Most times, we have no idea how hard people work – or what obstacles they must hurdle – to get where they are today. Probably like most of us. We're just not that famous!

In the evening hours, after grabbing a bite to eat, I could explore a little bit. But kept it close to my hotel since the sun sets there early, too, at this time of year.

Fun fact: The bar where the filmed the "Great Balls of Fire" piano scene in Top Gun was not even a half block from my hotel!

Piano is still there!

And plenty of memorabilia.

Also, service men and women have found it a place to hang their hats. Pretty cool.

Also, just a block or two in the other direction is the USS Midway Museum on the Navy Pier and some interesting statues.

The Unconditional Surrender statue – based on the iconic photograph – was pretty cool to see.

Especially when there was a couple replicating the pose while I was there! Gives you a sense of how tall the statue is, too!

In that same park, they also had a statue scene of Bob Hope entertaining the troops. If you're too young to know, you missed out!

Very well done!

Of course, I also had a chance to catch the sunset there before booking it back to my hotel before I got dark. Glad it was so close!

Yesterday was a super long travel day...

Leaving the marinas of the Pacific Coast...

To flying over snow-capped mountains...

To the beautiful fall colors of the Midwest!

Due to some delays and fun travel headaches, I didn't get back home 'til almost 11 p.m. last night. Glad to be home same and sound! 

And in the Central Time Zone. If you know, you know!