Just Coughing, er Checking, Things Out

Since my dear hubby was diagnosed with bronchitis this week, he urged me to get to the Walk-In Clinic this morning after a night of coughing, etc.

Turns out I just have a cough/cold that needed some nasal spray and a night-time cough medicine.

That's a relief. I also realized I have the perfect method to eliminate double chins – just cover them up with a mask!

But seriously, since I had a few raffle baskets to deliver to our hockey team's Stick It To Cancer Night, I was glad I didn't have anything too serious happening.

And really, can I pass up a date night with Mr. Zamboni? And even though I didn't win any baskets, our team won! And I will have to wait until normal human hours to go through the pictures. In other words... sometime Sunday!

Red Sky in Morn, Creativity Re-Born

As much as I hate leaving the house in the dark this time of year, I appreciate that I occasionally get a beautiful sunrise on the way to work. Today was not exception. The sky was on fire! Glad I finally had a red light so I could stop and capture it! 

Ignore all the street lights. I took it as a sign we should all be fired up for work today!

And although the day was long (who comes up with these 5-day work weeks anyway?), I was actually energized by the time I got home. 

Partly because I had an itch to be creative. Our Pacelli-Assumption etc Co-op team is have a "Stick it to Cancer" fundraiser at our game Saturday night. 

Since lucky me won a basket a few weeks ago, I figured I'd pay that one forward and make one up myself. So... time to plug that special Cricut in again!

I think the hockey moms and dads will appreciate these coffee mugs I made. Just have to find a few more things for the basket in the next few evenings.

This definitely put me in the creative mood. And thinking about my upcoming scrapbooking weekend. Yes, Camp Crop-A-Lot is at the end of February, but still, a girl has to plan ahead. I'm so far behind I now have to try to remember life 7 years ago! So glad I have several weeks to figure that out.

But if you're a sports mom (or dad) and want a mug with your sport (hockey or whatever), let me know. I'm in the creative zone!

Ice, Ice, Baby!

It's that time of year again when I renew my special relationship with chilling temperatures and Mr. Zamboni. 

Tonight I stayed a little late at work in Stevens Point before heading to Ice Hawks Arena to shoot pictures of the Pacelli Co-op team (which has at least one Assumption member) AND take pictures for Parents Night.

I left after the 2nd period when we were tied 2-2 versus Northland Pines. Only because I had taken 2 periods of action photos, the parent photos, and I had a 30+ minute drive home. 

I do usually get to shoot at least 3 home games in the season. Hope they all are mild weather with a few snowflakes outside and the ice, ice, baby limited to the inside!

Let's go, Cardinals!

What the Flock and Flake?

Wasn't thinking straight this morning. I haven't gotten into the mode where I need to check on the weather for any reason. Today, though, with cold, snow and a hockey photo shoot in the forecast, it would've been a good day to actually wear a jacket.

In my defense... When you leave a house and go straight into a garage and then park in a parking garage and go straight into the office building with no direct exposure to the elements, cold isn't really a factor. On the way to hockey rink after work, the flakes were coming down.

I guess that means it's Mr. Zamboni season! Thankfully, I've got most of the boys trained how to pose so I can get the puck out of there in a minimal amount of time.

On the way home, when traffic was backed up to the exit for Plover, I decided to go further south on the interstate to take Country Trunk W toward home. Glad I did. It was getting dark but I could see a ton of cranes in a field by the roadside – no sure if there were sandhill or whooping or what kind. But since I happened to have my "real" camera with me, I stopped.

"Guys, it's time to head South!"

"We mean it! There's some intrusive camera lady by the side of the road and she's going to shoot us!"

"Where are they going? We're not fully hydrated yet for the flight!"

"Hey, little ones. Follow us! We're serious."

"Did you all forget to book your flight, too?"

"Guys. Did we forget something today?"

Yep, just me trying to be funny. Wish I would've come across them even 10 minutes earlier to actually have good lighting to get them in focus.

Either way, I could still see the flakes coming down on my windshield. Grr. Be careful out there!

A Good Cup of Joe

Some sports news today: Dallas Stars' Joe Pavelski says he's done after 1,533 games and 18 NHL seasons. 

Pavelski, who just wrapped up his fifth season with the Dallas Stars (a team I usually don't acknowledge as a Minnesota North Stars fan), turns 40 next month. The Wisconsin native, whose 74 playoff goals are the most for a U.S.-born player and were the most among active players, was at the end of his contract with the Stars. 

While Joe is no Mr. Zamboni in my eyes, ha, he grew up just down the road in Plover and I go through his hometown every day on my work commute.

Plus, he made my birthday pretty special last summer when he was a VIP guest at the U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld. Love that he took his son out for a round to share the experience. Exactly what you'd expect when you hear the term "Midwest Nice." 

Of course, there's also a banner that hangs where my Assumption-Pacelli Co-op team plays each winter. So I'll still keep him in mind. Just fun to have interactions with people who are famous but don't act like it.

That's good Wisconsin roots, right? Good luck, Joe! I think you're skating in the right direction. 🏒👪

That Fat Tuesday Thing

I'll have to defer to my late mother-in-law's favorite cat to observe Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras). She loved Garfield and we can identify. In fact, Jim had lasagna for supper! And I just enjoyed Fat Tuesday treats at work!

They did have a Mardi Gras theme in the cafeteria and I honestly did not have to do anything to earn my purple and gold beads. I swear!

But someone brought in Fannie May chocolate bars and someone else made fruit pizza and still someone else had mini-cupcakes with the "good" frosting. So yep, I was full by the time I got home from work.

And even now, after a fun night shooting hockey pictures for Rapids, I'm still full.

But I have that little space for popcorn, as always.

As for tomorrow... are YOU dieting? I may give up some caloric things but I haven't committed quite yet. Sorry, Garfield, it's still Fat Tuesday in my books!

A Baker's Dozen't

Is it Murphy's Law or Baker's Law when you remodel your kitchen – except for replacing the stove – and then it dies a month later?

This is the last batch of cookies (or anything) baked in our trusty Frigidaire glass-top stove we bought 24 or so years ago. I was trying to be the daughter-in-law of the year Saturday and was excited to discover Cream Cheese chips to add to my spice cookies. But when the first pan was in, all of sudden the temperature was going down. Thankfully, it lasted just enough to get the first 20 cookies out of the oven and give Johnny a dozen.

After further review, the burners no longer worked either. And the clock went black until I turned on the "bake" dial. Yep, far more messed up than when I could simply replace the heating element several years ago. (I was so proud of that DIY moment!) 

So we had to pick out a new stove – and since we have those concrete countertops in place, one that must squeeze into that 30-inch gap exactly! Fingers crossed for the new stove arriving Thursday!

After that, we grabbed some food in Point and went to the Pacelli Co-op Hockey game so I could shoot pictures of their Stick it to Cancer night. I feel like my dates with Mr. Zamboni are now supervised!

Today, we took advantage of our last free weekend for the foreseeable future and went to the movie The Boys in the Boat, based on our 1936 Olympic rowing team. I've read the book and was excited that the movie did a great job reflecting their story. We both liked it.

Then it's been nothing but football and me doing a little photo sorting for scrapbooking weekend. 

Naturally, we ordered Portesi pizza for dinner since we couldn't do a take-and-bake from anywhere. Takes getting used to. I'm wondering if the remaining cookie dough will last in the fridge until I can bake it. Someone seems to like it. And it's not me or the kitty.

Frozen Fun

With a wakeup call below zero, it was so hard to get out of bed! But I managed to bundle up and head to Stevens Point, where is was probably one degree colder.

My challenge actually came after work when I headed to the Pacelli-Assumption-etc Co-op team play hockey. I definitely warmed up my car several minutes before leaving the parking garage. Thank goodness for covered parking even though there was no snow this time!

Even though it was senior night, it was a small crowd due to the sub-freezing temperatures, I'm sure!

I still managed to bond with Mr. Zamboni between periods 1 and 2. But after 2, I left. My lovely cold for the past several days couldn't tolerate the cold air. We were tied 1-1 when I left. But have since found out we lost 3-1.  Now I'm really glad I could be there for the beginning parts.

And glad me and my health are surviving this Polar Vortex so far. Good luck to you, too!

We Love It!

Gotta give props to Buddy the Elf for realizing December is the magical time of year when we have to use PTO (paid time off) or lose it. We love PTO! Last year I took a payout for 5 unused days. Gasp! This year I'm older and wiser (right?) so I'm determined to use those days!

So I have the next 3 Fridays off. Why not? There's plenty to do!

Today I actually spent a good chunk of time editing hockey photos (individual player pictures) and creating their schedule poster. Beyond that, I baked the cake for my Sunday trifle, went shopping to buy the rest of the ingredients for the other layers of my trifle plus Secret Santa stuff – and had hot and fresh Portesi's pizza for dinner.

Oh, I also finished prepping for my family Christmas Up North on Sunday and managed to watch 2 Hallmark movies. It's still early so I may watch another one.  

Paid Time Off doesn't have to be Productive Time Off all the time! 

New Season

Even though it seemed like there was plenty of time "off" until the winter sports season, it started up pretty quickly. So yesterday I stayed late after work and shot photos of the Pacelli-Assumption-and more co-op team.

I left at the end of the 2nd period because it was a long day at that point – plus we were down 5-1 and I was sure I'd get to photograph more promising games this season.

Today I had the day off thinking I'd have to bake pies for Thanksgiving. But since my sister-in-law the hostess only needed easy things like buns and veggies, I had no serious tasks at hand. So I got some Christmas cookies baked and Jim and I had a night out with friends – entertained by that Elvis impersonator we was this summer.

Hope you are as equally stress-free heading into this holiday weekend! 

Hot Wheels

The heat wave continues for this un-official end of summer Labor Day weekend. To beat the heat, I had some strategy on my side.

Do a senior photo shoot during a little after sunrise. Then go see our nephew Colin race at Golden Sands – allegedly BEFORE the hot spot of the day.

Well, when it's hot as helling dustballs, you do what you can.

Had a great photo session with Mister "I Will Flex For You" Jacob! Fun to have some water shots at his uncle's place on the Lake Camelot chain. Great family and great kid!

Then onto the races. Colin got fast time and let my sweet grand-niece roll the dice for his position. Even though he started in row 6 (11th), he ended up finishing 5th!

Awesome job, kiddo!

Tonight we pretty much stayed in the A/C. I made tacos for supper and some special treats for work this week. Then I found out my 15 minutes of fame at the U.S. Senior Open extended another minute. Well, maybe 3 seconds.

NHL MVP Joe Pavelski included my birthday shot in his instagram story. I may be fan-girling a bit right now!! 

In other words... returning to the office to work tomorrow will be hella boring. Sorry, not sorry, coworkers! 

Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend as well!

Working It

Love this work tip! But returning isn't all bad. Even though I've been back working since I hopped off the Norwegian Epic last week, I hadn't been back AT work until yesterday.

Felt like I'd been gone a month. I mean it was half a month technically, so no surprise there. Not sure which comment I heard more: "Nice tan" or "It was so quiet around here without you."

No surprise there either!

It was good to be back to my spoiled two-large-monitors setup, that's for sure. And seeing people. And getting back into a routine. It's been crazy busy and that didn't slow down while I was away.

Ended up working late yesterday since I had to stay in Stevens Point anyway. Last night was senior night for our Pacelli-Amherst-Assumption-Northland Pines Co-op hockey team. It takes a lot of small schools to build a team!

No offense to my cool boyfriend Mr Zamboni, but the atmosphere was very anti-Aruba. Complete opposite of my surroundings the week before. But I still enjoyed getting back at taking pictures. And seeing one of our Assumption boys score a goal. And winning the game!

Got home late for a "school night" so I just crashed and dealt with photos today after work. And had to catch up on a few others things – including time with the kiddos. Not sure how long Carter and Mamie will be here, but I guess we'll have them another 48 hours since we're doing fish fries Friday. I have to remind myself that he's working during the day so I'm not missing out on anything when I'm at the office.

Except that Crack Chicken. And thankfully there's still some of that left! 

And Hump Day is already over so this week is flying. Thankful for that, too. 

No so thankful to hear winter is coming. Might have to wear a coat by the weekend. Be careful out there!

Ice Escape-ades

If you haven't figured out by now, this chick is not a fan of winter. At least not the driving part. Or walking on ice and feeling like I should have ice skates on. Even though I have no idea how to skate!

Yesterday was an OK drive to and from work. Last night I went back up to Stevens Point to shoot some hockey. It was parents night so I said I'd get pictures ahead of time and stay for one period. Figured that would get me back home before the freezing drizzle started.

Glad I was able to go. I got the pictures and more. As two of players were helping me back off the ice, one of them handed me a rose – like they gave to their moms – and assuming I had to deliver it outside the rink to someone, I asked, "Now who does this one go to?" 

They said: "You!"

Awwww. That was so sweet! And I got my team hat, too. And some time with Mr. Zamboni (the machine, not the driver, ha). Oh and they ended up winning 5-4!

I tell you, it's the little things in life that make me smile! And having a mostly rain versus icy drive home was great, too.

Before I had left work in the afternoon, they'd already started closing schools for today in anticipation of the ice. Our team planned to just work from home to stay safe. I planned to watch Hallmark movies from home.

Nope, not playing hooky. Realized I have PTO to use or lose this year and, gasp, it's already mid-December. What?! Anyway, I called into my 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. meetings and then had the rest of the day off. And yes, got 2-plus Hallmark movies watched plus got hubby to rehab (the ice was melting by early afternoon) and got to choir practice tonight. Figured we'd cut it short and get us all home to beat the next round of this winter storm.

Of course it's not over yet. This is Wisconsin. And it's almost winter. We can't escapade, er ESCAPE, it!

Although the ground is still bare here, we could get up to a foot of the heavy, wet, white stuff over night – here and at the office in Point – and they've already called off school everywhere near here.

So maybe tomorrow will be a work-from-home situation again (and I'll really have to work this time) or the frazzled forecasters could be wrong. 

I hope they're wrong. The power blinked off here early this morning. I can't imagine what more ice and heavy snow will do. My poor twin up north spent the day without power! Uff da.

Be smart. And be careful out there! 

Ice Time

While the last 48 hours have included routine applications of icing hubby's knee, I got some of my own ice time today. Yup. That's me and Mr. Zamboni reuniting for another season!

Our Pacelli-Assumption co-op team was hosting the Blizzard team from back home – a team of combined players from Luck, Frederic, Siren, Webster, and Grantsburg (where my cousin Tyler goes to school). Since a few of my cousins would be there, I did some wrangling with the patient care so I could be gone a few hours.

Yup, my sister-in-law agreed to Jimmy-sit for a while. Thanks, Sherry!

It was great to see Rachael and her son Luke, who goes to UW-Stevens Point and played in the pep band at the game today. Fun!

Since it was my first game of the year to shoot and I wanted to capture some players from both teams, I ended up taking about a thousand pictures. Haha. Not kidding. I'm done editing and uploading now. Here's a few of cousin Tyler ...

He looks a bit like my cousin – his Grandpa Gene!

Pacelli ended up beating them 7-2 but at least my cousins got to hang around the area for the night instead of hitting the road for that lovely 4-hour drive home. 

My time with them was short since I had to get home to my slowly-but-surely improving patient. Hopefully we'll turn a corner tonight and he'll get some sleep. I may or may not have random hockey dreams. Br-r-r-r.

Be careful out there and watch for ice!

Sticking to It

It was date night again with Mr. Zamboni. This time for a good cause. And well, I had to take a selfie with him because I got my hair de-tinseled on the way there and it's the only time it looks good!

Tonight was the Stick it to Cancer fundraiser for our friends' son Cale, who is an alum of the Assumption-Pacelli Co-op Hockey team (and Assumption) and currently victorious over Hodgkins Lymphoma. Good crowd and lots of people buying raffle tickets, baked goods, and rubber ducks (Yup, my first Chuck a Duck). I don't know the final total raised, but anything is good, right?

When I came home empty-handed except for a cupcake for each of us, hubby reminded me that's how it should be. You're supporting a cause, not worried about bringing home prizes. Still, had I known I actually had to chuck the rubber duck OVER the plexiglas wall, I would've warmed up my chucking shoulder. Not that I've chucked a softball or any ball in 25 years.

Back home, hubby was able to make it to the conference showdown between our Lady Royals and Auburndale. I believe it was for the expected conference title since their hoops records were tied at 11-2 going into what I thought was going to be a close one. But Jim said we won by 15 or so. And that brings our winning streak to 9! Love the that these girls are Sticking it to the Competition. (Another theme night!)

And now I gotta Stick a Fork into this Cupcake.

That's MY theme night. And one way to ensure SWEET dreams! 

 

A Basket Case

My Sunday day of rest was a day of doing good. I'm excited that our co-op hockey team is holding a Stick it to Cancer fundraising night for our friends and their son. 

Cale played on the Pacelli-Assumption-Amherst-Etc Co-op team when he was in high school at Assumption. The fall of his freshman year of college at Madison is when he found out he had cancer. It's been an unbelievable roller coaster – physically, emotionally, spiritually – for him and his family. But the good news is that for today, he's cancer-free. 

We all know we can only count on today and hope God prepares us for tomorrow!

So as part of the fundraiser night, there'll be raffle baskets. Figured I could put some of my creative talents to work and come up with a basket or two. When I crocheted a blanket and threw in some wine and chocolate, I figured the basket needed something more. That's where hubby stepped in and suggested maybe I could make something on my Cricut. 

And that's what I did...

Got some $1.48 stemless wine glasses at Wal-Mart and made two of these to complete basket number one.

Totally adds the finishing touch, right?

Then I think I'll do a coffee-related one so I got some mugs at the Dollar Store. They were out of black ones, so I took what they had. I think they'll work.

Of course, coffee drinkers like me probably need a bigger mug! The good thing is that now that I saved my design, I can use if for other things – including large coffee mugs. And as Jim pointed out, I can replace the word HOCKEY with whatever else a person is obsessing over! I could take orders, but be aware of supply chain issues! Ha.

I also managed to re-create our team's hockey logo and put that on a skinny tumbler (since I bought those in bulk before Christmas).

Very happy with how that turned out. I'll have to see if I shove that in with the coffee treats basket or start a third. If anyone wants to donate items for a basket or create your own basket for the raffle, let me know. They need them by the end of this week and I'm hopefully delivering mine Wednesday or Thursday. 

Or mark your calendar and join us Feb. 8. Or just offer up continued prayers for Cale and his family. These are incredibly special people in our lives, so every positive thought, word, or action means the world!

Count your blessings!

Rink Rat

Pretty sure I've been at the ice rink more times this "season" than the last 3 combined. But that's OK. I'm almost starting to understand the game. Just kidding. Not even close. Still, it's fun to watch, I'll admit.

Tonight I decided to head to my first Wisconsin Rapids RiverKings (Junior A Hockey) game ever for a couple reasons.

One, my cousin Luke messaged me this afternoon that he and some UWSP friends would be there playing in the RiverKings Pep Band. Oh yeah, it's a thing!

Two, I knew my friends from the Family Center were going to be there as a sponsor – and my friend Debi got to drop the ceremonial puck. Cool.

And three, I've wanted to catch this guy in action since I took his senior pictures a couple years back. Ethan is from Colorado but has a family connection in town here. He's one of the team's 3 goalies and wasn't in the net tonight, but I caught up with him between periods to say hello and send his mom back home a picture. 

I also ran into a few friends – of course – so it was a nice evening. But no worries on me becoming a rink rat (probably not even a real term) because I liked coming home to my warm house and bed way more than a shootout victory for our local team!

Sorry, not sorry. Nice win, though!