COVID Variation

Since our juniors last year and this year didn't get a spring prom – thanks, COVID – Assumption held a Royal Gala this evening for those two classes. Basically dinner and a show (Comedy Sportz). And time for photos, of course.

I was stationed in the photo room to take both nice and fun photos. Played around with the props while waiting around for the kiddos to show up. You know I can't resist a purple feather! Matched my shirt! Naturally.

Wasn't a huge crowd of students but they were dressed up like it was a formal dinner and looked amazing. Stayed for dinner and the coronation – senior court to acknowledge Junior Prom 2020 and junior court for this spring's non-dance gala. 

I hope the kids enjoyed it. Hoping this pandemic will quit pooping on all their plans, too! 

In the meantime, all we can do is just grab our purple feathers and smile. It worked today, anyway.

Playing Dress Up

It's obvious Mother Nature did not have a prom date this year so she had to make is miserable for everyone else. Well, to her credit, she did not make it rain today. But it was definitely chilly for those girls in their short-sleeve or sleeveless dresses!

Felt weird not being a prom parent this year. Hubby and I could just go about our business of running errands – bank, brat fry and baking, among a few.

My accomplishments today were minimal. I did not get to my "Saturday chores" yes. But I made my Little Monster Cookies so I could take some to the almost birthday boy when Jim and I head to Platteville tomorrow. I got a 4-mile run in – with pit stop at a garage sale. For real, some friends were holding a sale on my route and they gave me a bottle of water! (I did not buy anything.)

But no flowers to pick up this year. No pictures to take. Just Sylvester and I being the princesses in the house, as usual.

Kitty heard it was dress-up day so she tried to wear Jim's shorts. That or she just needed to crawl into a warm cave out of the cold!

We did get to see some of the "real" dressed up people later. First had dinner with a bunch friends (table for 13, please), then headed over to Assumption to see some of our "daughters." Hey, there are some special young ladies in our life. One of them always calls us "Dad and Mom" and said we had to come to the Grand March and see her last prom!

We're used to seeing Kara dusty and dirty on the softball field, but she cleans up well! It was a treat to see a lot of "our girls" transform into princesses for the ball. And the guys looked pretty good, too.

Everyone seems so grown up when they play dress up. Then we'll see them in pig-tails and slugging a home run this week and wonder if it was real.

Thank goodness for photos and scrapbooks. Right, moms?

Senior Moments :: Prom

When you wake up to 19 degrees, it can only mean three things: it's still garage sale weather, it's prom day and you are in Wisconsin!

After a chilly morning working at the garage sale – complete with long underwear, hand warmers in my shoes, hat, scarf and mittens – I felt bad for the girls in dresses who would have to stand outside for prom pictures today.

Carter and the guys are kind of lucky they have long sleeves AND a jacket to wear. At least for that part of the day.

He left before 4 to go pick up his date and friend, Allyse, and then squeeze in photos with some of the junior class at the museum (her classmates) and the senior class at the Mead Inn (Carter's class). After that, some of us parents when to Jennings to eat before heading to the Grand March at 7:30 p.m.

A few photos highlights from the day before Cinderella (me, not his date) turns into a pumpkin at midnight...

I should know better than to have us squinting in the sun. But at least we got a picture of the three of us before he left us for better-dressed friends!

Carter and Allyse trying to stay warm posing at the museum.

Carter and the cool T-cats (Tyler and Tony) who live at our house some weekends.

Junior boys and miscellaneous senior boys who are dates of junior girls. If you recall from last year, it's a tradition for junior boys to wear white tuxes. Not required by any means.

Classmate, friend and German co-traveler Nathaniel.

Mason, another friend and classmate who traveled halfway around the world with him!

Ava, one of three adorable sisters who call Jim "Mr. Awesome" instead of Mr. Austin.

Her sister Ellie with Mr. Awesome.

Inside the Hotel Mead, it was warmer for picture taking, but the lighting wasn't ideal. A mix of seniors, juniors and sophomores here.

Grand March time. No way I was getting a decent pic from my seat in the bleachers.

Thankfully we could grab photos afterward before they kicked out spectators to start the dance!

Carter and his VIP guests Grandma Austin and Auntie Sherry. (You can see from the background, they had a Greek theme.)

Carter and another special guest, a former Assumption graduate who continues to adore Carter and vice versa. Hannah is just a cool, forever kind of friend. It's neat.

Classmate and bud Macie.

Fellow goofball, cross country teammate and dishwashing co-worker Theo.

Friend and co-traveler Trevor. 

Good friend Emilie and a former homecoming date.

Good friend Macyn and previous homecoming date as well.

Just like his dad, Carter has had a different date to each dance in high school. But they've all been great friends who are just fun to hang around with. Cool memories all around.

Can't believe this is the last time we'll see Carter in a tux... for quite some time anyway. That part we don't need to rush either. Let's just enjoy prom weekend and break tradition by getting 8 hours of sleep.

Out of Season

Woke up to this. AGAIN. Went to early kickboxing class and it was snowing enough to cover the car while I was in class. Bit slick out there, too.

My first thought: Looks like Garage Sale weather to me!

Right. If you get time this weekend, head on down to 9410 80th St. S. for a multi-multi-multi-family sale! Need to bundle up? There are clothes from baby girl to 2XL men! Lots of books, household goods, toys, furniture and "man stuff" too! Today through Sunday, 8-4.

I had to work my normal job today. But if you bring me hot yummy coffee when I'm on sale duty tomorrow, I'll give you a discount!

Or something.

Pretty much snowed all day. This is the view from inside my car after work, when I sat there pondering if I really had to get out and brush the car off or if the snow would just fly off when I hit the gas. In the end, since it was such a sticky mess, I had to get back out in the wind and swirling snow and deal with it.

I'm not even exaggerating when I say the flakes were so big, they hurt my eyes. It was weird, crazy and moderately painful.

So when I got home, I just stayed home. I have worked enough this week, I didn't want to have to DO anything. Since the guys were both gone for their activities, I plopped on the couch and watched Wheel of Fortune, followed by a movie.

When Jim got home he wondered if I was just getting home or just leaving because it was 8 p.m. and I hadn't turned my blanket on yet. Wow. Guess my butt was literally anchored to the couch.

Remember that one nice day in March when we didn't need the blanket on? Yeah, I can't really recall it either!

I just know it does not LOOK like Garage Sale Season. But tomorrow better LOOK and FEEL like it ... and Prom Season, too.

Uff da. If Mother Nature is bi-polar, I hope tomorrow is the non-polar vortex mood. That's so last season.

Hump Day Headlinez

Double Date:  Hubby and I had a double-date tonight with our friends Gregg and Lori. Gregg and Jim graduated from AHS together a few years back. Sure, we all live in Rapids, but do we see each other? No. Last year, when they buried a classmate, they vowed the class of '81 and their spouses would get together more often. Better late than never, I guess. It was a very nice evening with longtime friends. And, as a bonus, they have excellent thin-crust pizza!

License to Drive: I can't believe it's been a year today since Carter got his driver's license. Who knew he'd be starting out with my well-used Honda Civic and upgrade to a Camaro by prom time? Good thing that was short-lived. He still has a second speaker to install on his Civic (now that the weather is nice). At least we know the gas pedal works since he's gotten caught for speeding (at least once). I will say it sure has been convenient not to have to chauffeur him around everywhere. Not that he doesn't deserve that!

Speaking of Prom: Got the official prom portrait this week. Dang. Those two look so grown-up and beautiful, don't they? I tell you, between photos like this and college campus visits, I am starting to realize there is another man living under my roof. Attempting to stay in denial, but that's not changing anything. So glad Carter and his friend Gracie had as much fun as the photo portrays. They're good KIDS.

We be Jammin': Got my "Seascape" Jams on today. Just sharing the photo now so that when I invite you to my June Jamberry Nails party, you say, "Why yes! I want what she has!" They are really fun and easy to do. I mean, seriously, even a tomboy like me can put on her princess pants and do this myself. Don't worry, we'll teach you. Just mark your calendar for 5 weeks from tonight. With more pretty details to come...

Rainbow Connection

It rained today, thank goodness. One, we need it. And two, it held off until after prom. There were no rainbows (yet), but it reminded me that I didn't share the pretty decorations in "daylight."

Like I said, the women who orchestrated this have an eye for design. Just loved the colors and what they did with them. Just thought I'd share in case you have a summer-time sherbet-time party of some sort coming up. You might get a few ideas...

Dance floor area with the tulle canopy and lighted posts wrapped in more magical mesh.

View looking from dance floor toward dining area and stage. The "Royals" on the floor is proof it was a gymnasium up until last Thursday!

The tables kept the color scheme going with criss-crossing sashes and bows around the white-covered chairs. Gave it such a nice, formal look!

There were two towers of lighted votive candles – one in front of each side of the stage. Got to light those Saturday before dinner. They lasted a long time and no one's dress started on fire. Whew.

On Friday, a table of balloon holders sat waiting for their attachments. There ended up being a balloon tunnel type entrance. I guess I forgot to take the "after picture" of that on Saturday.

And about that chicken wire. The little "balls of light" on stage and in front are the chicken wire bales wrapped in colored lights. How's that for a cool idea?

Seriously, all you need to decorate for a party is chicken wire and a staple gun. The rest will fall in place!

Good luck!

Getting Off Track

With all the prep for the main event yesterday, it seems like I've been speeding uncontrollably on a freight train bound for PromVille. Now that that train has left the station, what to do, what to do?

I felt way off track today.

I didn't have time to recover since I was scheduled to read at 8 a.m. church. Let's just say I dragged my bleary-eyed, tired butt out of bed and got there somehow. Probably fortunate the podium microphone served as a defibrillator of sorts and shocked me when I touched it to lower it to my height (or lack of height).

Then I was awake!

For awhile. Got home from church before Carter got home from prom. Granted, we knew where he was staying and what he was up to – and figured he didn't get much sleep either. The junior class had to be back at the school at noon, though, for take down / tear down / "un-decorating," as I called it.

Jim got a ride to the Dells with some friends to go see our nephew Colin's first stockcar race of the season. He ended up finishing 9th in the 100-lap season opener. Not a bad way to start.

I had all intentions of helping at the school but thought I'd lay down on the couch "for a few minutes" to rest. I woke up and it was after noon and Carter was gone. He was home by 1:30, about the time I was finally feeling "awake" again. Tear down went fine and I wasn't needed.

Whew. (And, for the record, he and his date had a very nice evening.)

So, with a free afternoon on my hands, I decided to start our next book club selection. My friend Sharon handed the book to me at church since she already had it checked out of the library. Knowing I'd have to get it back by the end of the week, I dove in...

While I did take a break to fold a load of laundry and talk to a friend on the phone, the only other breaks from this intriguing novel were to move from the living room chair to Mr. Deck Chair to the couch. I read the whole thing! I just had things I needed to KNOW! Now I know.

And I'd recommend the book! Written by Paula Hawkins, it is not only a mystery and "thriller," it has some characters struggling with self worth, addiction and anger management. That's all I can say without giving too much away.

Read it. Especially if you just need a day to relax and get your mind OFF track for once.

For Your Viewing Pleasure... Prom 2015

This is pretty much the lazy blogger's out, but I am just going to post a bunch of pictures from today and just give you a brief running commentary. Some of these are probably blurry but it is late and I can't tell the difference!

Puttin' on the Ritz for prom! Thanks to our friends Scott and Sandy, Carter got to escort his date, Gracie, in style!

Yup, they drove over from Green Bay to let Carter drive their "Hot Wheels" edition Camaro to Prom. That's what great friends we are blessed to have. Carter knew about it and was so excited the past few days. He didn't tell anyone!

Of course his other surprise for his "fans," was the white tux, top hat and cane. It is an Assumption tradition of sorts that the junior boys wear a white tux. Many did and looked quite sharp!

Carter was the only one with a top hat (I added the matching ribbon) and cane (which I had to spray paint yesterday to get it looking decent again). He actually gets to keep the hat. "Mom, I can wear it someday for my wedding." Oh boy, let's just get through prom first.

Onto Gracie's house for the exchange of flowers. Here he is putting on her wrist corsage, much easier than pinning on the boutonniere. 

Aren't they adorable? And look at that dress! I am used to seeing Gracie running up and down the basketball court or the soccer field. They both clean up good, don't they?

 Thankfully Gracie's mom is an excellent photographer and captured a pic of me and my baby.

Gotta love when the car matches the vest and tie, right?

 They put the windows up and drove slowly so the hair on both of them would stay in place. Ha.

Ready to roll... First stop, making an entrance at the museum for junior class pictures! Then he basically told people he got the car from his Fairy Godmother and that it would turn into a Honda Civic at midnight. And it did!

 Some of the guys in white!

 Looking dapper on the front steps of the museum.

 Yes they are just friends, but they still make a classy-looking couple, don't they?

 Fun with the cane...

Carter holding Brady at bay.

Carter helping Jake do pullups.

 Festival of lights = Simply gorgeous!!

 Friends forever: Kassidy and Nick.

 Macyn and Macie strike a pose with attitude!

Dinner was served right at the school, as is tradition. I was one of the servers and was so busy I had no time to spy on Carter or hover. Honest. After we cleaned up dinner, we watched the Grand March and headed out to leave the kids to their fun.

Grandma and Grandpa Austin came to the Grand March, too! Grandma was quite impressed with Carter's ensemble... until she saw a picture of the car. Sorry, Carter, Grandma's a gearhead. Ha.

But I thought you, your date and, well, everyone, looked fabulous!