If You Build It...

I don't know about you, but I think our neighborhood is getting together to build an ark! It's been coming down steady all day with no sign of stopping until Sunday! We already have an inch and counting in the rain gauge. 

It stinks because there are so many OUTDOOR fall activities to do this weekend.

Our neighborhood Pumpkin Shed opened today. It's not even half a block away so we take pride and ownership!

They've got pumpkins of all colors and sizes – and beautiful mums.

They've got gourds of all shapes and sizes as well.

Including these "things" that look like they belong on episode of Dr. Pimple Popper! You can un-see that now, can you?!

If squash is your thing, they have the usual varieties.

Including this new variety call Mac n Cheese. I mean if squash soup tasted like Mac n Cheese, I might actually like it. Just never been my thing.

They also have decorations, craft items, and Gene's world-famous salsa – made with all ingredients grown on the farm. There are also few cooky and spooky displays like this chicken who never had the guts (get it?) to cross the road.

And this poor fella has been waiting FOREVER for someone to give him a push on the swing!

And this little guy is waiting to trick or treat! Always something fun to see and do. Hopefully when the weather clears, you can show those hardworking farm ladies some love! (Deer Road and 70th Street in Grand Rapids.)

Of course, when the rain does stop Sunday, I'll be having my INDOOR fun. Yup BINGO returns to Assumption! Doors open at noon. Play starts at 1 p.m. And Robyn yells her first "BINGO!" at 1:13 p.m. Ha.

Try to have a nice weekend, everyone!

Rainy Day To-Do List

I woke up listening to the rain and it was just cloudy/dark enough outside, I snuggled deeper under the covers and tried to go back to sleep. Which of course I can never do. But it sounded like a good plan. 

All these wonderful Rainy Day choices and I chose the cleaning one? Something's not right. But I had to tackle my Oh My God room, which is also my office, which is also my Scrap Cave (and all things crafty). A lot is packed into this 10x10 room. And it is not organized!

So I got the "office" work space looking a bit better – even ran out of Lysol wipes! But I have so, so far to go with everything else. Things just accumulate. Anyone need any random note pads?? This old newspaper reporter thought she'd always take notes on paper, I guess?

If I find any goodies that need a new home, I'll be sure to pass those along.

Of course, I did find a loose screw and wonder what's going to fall apart next. Probably me!

And yeah, yeah, I know. I've always had a screw loose. 😜

Summer Water Sports

Summer has been so sporadic with the weather. Either it's super hot and we're sweating like dripping water, or we're doing something on or near the water, or the water is raining down on us from heaven.

Last night, since Jim had golf league and I didn't, I caught the Wednesday evening show of my favorite Shermalot Show Ski Team (shown above). I didn't get through the pictures because my stupid computer mouse was dead and needed recharging while I slept. I'll get more posted soon, I promise.

At work today, I kept an eye on weather all day knowing I had golf league tonight. I was pretty discouraged with my downpour view on the trek from Stevens Point to TriCity. Knowing it was going to be a wet round, my partner and I got a cart instead of walking. But when I got to the golf course, it had faded off and somehow, knock on wood 20 times, it did not rain the rest of our round!

The air DID stop moving, however, so Mr. Fox and I were in our much to often "melting" situation!

Still, I managed a great round. If I hadn't ended up in the very wet by then sand bunker on our last hole, I would have carded my best round yet. Dang. And when we were done, it poured rain my whole drive home.

You gotta love summer water sports! Just gotta choose which way you hope to participate.

Birthday Weekend Sandwich

For this birthday girl, I couldn't ask for a better celebratory weekend than having my bday sandwiched between two rounds of golf – and celebrating actual birthday with tons of friends!

After a fun round on Friday, we headed out by noon Saturday to Delafield and a cathedral on the grounds of the St. John's Military Academy just outside Milwaukee.

What a glorious and historic venue! 

All of the stained-glass windows were gorgeous.

But none could compare to the bride of course. Claire is always beautiful!

So honored to be a part of Claire and Joe's official Gotcha Day! It was so nice.

I managed to snag a hot birthday date with hubby. The reception was at The Commodore, right on the shores of Lake Nagawicki (or something close to that). What a gorgeous venue!

We each had our assigned tables, but then they went one step further.

At each of our place settings we got a personalized card. And I think to an individual, we all shed a tear at this heartfelt sentiment. Wow. Very special.

Of course I was thrilled to have perfectly delicious "birthday" cake. Yum!

And a made-to-order sunset. God knows me and my birthday wishes, that's for sure!

After a fun evening of a ton of dancing – including a few with hubby – we were spent! This morning, though, we hit the road from Milwaukee-dom to get home by noon. 

I got some shopping done and Jim visited his dad – and then (after multiple rain showers) it was time for golf!

Today was our final week of Couples League, which meant we were doing a scramble format, then dinner. Except the rain was not done. So we switched up the plans and ate our year-end dinner food first, then headed out. But it was still a soggy several holes before it quit.

We were lucky to have our friends Sean and Michelle be part of our foursome! One, they're awesome people. And two, they're awesome golfers! This is our Eagle Selfie on the par 5 4th hole. That was all Sean. Great drive, great second shot to land it close to the hole, then we gave him honors to knock it in a few feet for eagle.

Needless to say, we finished 8-under par for our 9-hole round. And won the scramble. I have a lot of wet stuff to dry out in the sun tomorrow. But with a little prize cash in my pocket, I can say it was worth it!

What a fun weekend! Maybe aging isn't so bad after all.