Friday the 13th Doesn't Have to be Unlucky

 

I'm not super-stitious. Just a little-stitious. Still, I'm always a bit wary about full moons and Friday the 13ths. 

When you think about it, a lot of hotels and buildings omit the 13th floor due to a superstition called triskaidekaphobia – the fear of the number 13. This aversion is rooted in historical and cultural beliefs that the number 13 is unlucky and, naturally, that can cause some anxiety and unease for some people. 

But as the Friendly Reminder above tells us, we don't have to focus on the negative part. I mean, 13 could be lucky.

Today, in fact, my sister Rachel – in a rehab facility after what was probably her 8th surgery following her near-fatal accident last year (this one to re-break and straighten her leg) – managed to walk 20 steps! What a lucky day. Well a little luck and a lot of grit and determination!

This evening, Jim and I got to eat dinner in Stevens Point with our old friend Toni, who we worked with at the newspaper years ago and at Krause Publications in Iola. It was great to catch up. How lucky we are to have long-lasting friendships!

Then when we got home, our boy called. They're coming up Sunday for Father's Day. Double lucky.

POSTIVE-ly lucky!

Full Friday Vibes

 

I actually hoped to use that afternoon off I planned to take on rainy Wednesday this afternoon. But we got the whole rainy gloomy deal again today. So I worked.

Hubby managed lawn maintenance duties between rain clouds. So props to him!

Then, when I was done with work, I managed some 20-plus minutes in the sun with Mr. Deck Chair while I was waiting to hear from my sister RoAnn. She and her hubby were traveling from Minnesota to Green Bay and back today for some special vintage truck parts. I said if it was timed correctly and they were within an hour from me, we could meet up.

So we met up at my work stomping grounds PJ's – SentryWorld (flower picture at top) for dinner. We sat out on the patio until rain forced us inside shortly after we dove in their award-winning cheese curds! Great meal and great catching up. I'm pretty sure we haven't seen each other since Christmas. This year is just going by too fast!

Got home and hubby and I headed out to R & R Patio Bar to see our friend (and his high school classmate) Todd perform with his new band.

If you get the chance, check out Rising Star at a venue near you. New band but all the members come with a wealth of experience and they sound great! And we got to see a few AHS alum friends, too. But again, Mother Nature had other ideas and we bailed when we started to get rained on at some point in the second set. We will see/hear you again, Todd!

Turned out to be a full day for sketchy weather. Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

In the Blink of an Eye

Pardon any photos that might be too graphic. A year ago today my sister Rachel was on her way to Easter weekend services at church in Minnesota when an approaching car crossed the center line and hit her head-on. 

When fire department personnel and paramedics arrived, it took an hour for them to extract her and her passenger (friend Brian) with the hopes that at least one of them – hopefully both – would survive. Honestly, it was touch and go. The med flight from the accident scene to the Twin Cities included some emergency blood transfusions just to keep Rach alive.

Brian had a fractured pelvis and a shorter, but still painful, hospitalization and recovery. For my sister, there were literally months of time in the ICU at Regions Hospital where we all took turns visiting – and you, my prayer warriors, were with me on those journeys. Thank you!

Three months after the accident, Rachel could finally return home. But it was during that time that my mom had her own home accident and ended up in a nursing home, then hospital, then passed away. We waited until Rachel was able to attend a funeral – months later – and that's where that top photo is from. All of us together – and our wardrobes giving a nod to Mom's love of flowers.

Today, Rachel is not out of the woods. She's fighting an infection from some of her new internal hardware. And, once that's clear, needs to have major surgery on that left leg that didn't heal at the correct angle.

What I've learned from this is that we can never take even the tiniest of moment of our lives for granted. Never take your family, your friends, your job, your health, your home, the air you breathe for granted. Life can change in the blink of an eye!

I also learned that when I reach out to friends and family – even strangers, there is an army of prayer warriors just waiting to support us, whether they've met my sister or not.

We so appreciate all of you for not only praying during the immediate crisis, but continually asking "How is your sister?" It means the world to all of us. And God is definitely listening. 

In turn, I pray none of you have to go through anything remotely as stressful and painful as this. Treasure each minute of each day!

The Smiling Scrapbook Gods

 

It's always funny looking out at this totem pole at scrapbooking camp. It's like the scrapbooking gods are watching over us!

And they were this weekend. 

I had the treat of having my twin sister Raylene join me for the weekend! We think it's been about 15 years since the last time she did. It was just so nice to hang out, visit, be creative, and have a treat or 2. Of course! By the way, we did not tell each other what we were wearing. She just showed up Friday and we matched!

The theme this year was scrap-iversary since it was the 25th year of Camp Crop-A-Lot and my 20th year attending. Such a fun group!

This weekend I was working on my 2017 scrapbook. Got as far as October anyway. A few favorite pages....

I got home about 3 p.m. today. And it was such a warm welcome! 

I expected it since there was a meltdown starting at camp as the temperature reached 50-some. It was a gorgeous spring day!

And yes, after a well-timed chiropractic appointment, I did get in line at the car wash! It wasn't so bad since people have had several days to take advantage of mild temps. I'm glad to see they're continuing this week. Just one less thing to worry about when I'm headed back to work.

After a 4-day weekend, that's hard enough!

Between that challenge and lack of sleep this weekend, I'll be hitting the hay early tonight. Maybe not until after The Voice though. Priorities.

Have a good week!

A Few More Requests, My Prayer Warriors

First of all, I thank all of my friends and family who have prayed on demand when I've asked for it. Secondly, I send super hugs to all of you who follow up later – even months later – to see how the situation is going.

I love you for that – and so does my family!

It's been almost 11 months since my sister Rachel was in a life-threatening, almost life-taking car accident. After 3 months in a trauma center then several months of rehab, we were encouraged with her progress. I mean she took several steps at Christmas unaided by a walker or cane.

But sometimes your body takes a minute to reveal what's happening internally.

She now faces a minimum of 3 more surgeries – starting with one tomorrow – and I don't know how her mind and body can handle it. I'm asking for prayers for physical, mental, and emotional strength for her. 

And frankly, please God, make these the last medical efforts to help her whole-y heal! I don't think I'd have the physical or mental power to endure what she has. That's why she's awesome. And I'm just the praying sister.

Thanks for your past and future support!

We Can't Outrun Winter

Unlike the deer who crossed over the road in front of me on the way home and headed for the fields, we can't run from winter. I mean, we can book a flight and fly away to escape it. But most of us are stuck here and required tolerate it.

I am super grateful that my sister Rachel was gifted a January escape to Florida. She deserves it! 

It makes me realize that the rest of us – who aren't literally lucky to be alive based on 2024 events – should just accept our usual Wisconsin winter without complaint. Well, some complaining must be allowed for us cold-hating, heat-seeking mommas. I mean, we just can't change our ways no matter who's involved.

I'm just grateful today for heat in the house and a heated mattress pad on my bed. I pray you have ways to stay warm this winter too.

But if you find a way to outrun it, let me know!

The Clouds are Always Greener...

Usually the saying is about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. But today, the unsual thing is the clouds in the weatherman's forecast being greener. I mean green as in RAIN, not snow or sleet. 

All day.

Since I had today off I opted for an oil change instead of a car wash (look how smart I am at the end of the year?!). Then sat inside and knocked off two DVR'd Christmas movies. Making progress there!

Late this afternoon, my nephew Tony (twin sister's son) arrived and is staying the night on his way from Up North to Green Bay. We went out to eat for a delicious (but super slowly delivered) fish fry at Ryder's Roadhouse. And now might play some cards as long as we're snowed, er rained, in.

I guess we should've left our rain gauge out. Hopefully it doesn't turn to ice overnight. If so, be extra careful out there!

Days Off, Movies, and More

I loved that today I had the day off and could catch up on at least one Hallmark movie – and one traditional one. White Christmas.

And that movie happened to be on my mind this season since my loving twin got me a sweatshirt from that movie last month when we had our sister gathering. Love it!

Then, since I was in the Haynes sisters and White Christmas movie mode, I got Raylene and I matching... puzzles! Did I mention this was one of our Sister Weekend opening acts??

Yup. There is a company to match every Christmas wish. And in this case, I got to order a puzzle with our fun Haynes Sisters White Christmas theme and match Raylene's and mine hairstyles plus include our names. 

I put mine together Thanksgiving week to make sure it worked. Not sure if Lene has had time or not. But it felt good to watch White Christmas this afternoon via Amazon Prime.

I also happened to get garbage bag #5 full of clothes to donate too. I only point that out so I don't feel guilty admitting I'm going to get at least one more holiday movie – traditional or otherwise – viewed and knocked off my list tonight.

Hope you're having and equally productive (aka relaxing) week as well!

Oh, Christmas Trees... and More Trees

If I was lacking in holiday spirit in any way, that's no longer the truth. My oldest sister Rayna came for a visit yesterday and today and we fa-la-la'd to our hearts' content.

On Friday afternoon we went to the Shriners Fez-tival of Trees (where Carter and I went last week).

And, yes, we got to hang out with Santa again. I think we convinced him we've been good girls this year so maybe we'll get what we asked for come Christmas.

If you haven't made it there, there's still one day left to view the gorgeous trees and wreaths and enter for your chance to win. I runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Masonic Center near the Firefighters' Memorial Park and boat landing on 2nd Avenue.

For dinner, the three of us went to The Ridges for fish fries. They just happened to have R decorations so the R sisters had to take a selfie. It's what we do!

After that, we went home and watched the Merry Gentlemen movie on Netflix (ooh-la-la) and then let Jim beat us in two games of 3-to-13. We couldn't hog all the weekend fun to ourselves!

This morning, he set his alarm and we went to the Cookie Walk at St. Lawrence Church. If you've never done one, you put whatever you want in your container and then pay for it by the pound. Can you believe this is exactly one pound? That's all it takes. No wonder I put on so many over the holidays!

After that, I went to a funeral visitation for one our church members whose son and daughter (and granddaughters) I've also befriended and known for quite some time. Since Roger was one of the few Vikings fans in my church, I made sure to wear purple in his honor. 💜💛💜

When I got home, Rayna and I headed back into town to check out the 8th Annual Christmas Tree Walk at our South Wood County Historical Museum. I've attended this many times and when I posted pictures of it last year, she definitely wanted to see it in person.

It's an amazing display. Every room in the museum has multiple themed trees and decorations that volunteers provide. They're all so different and so beautiful. Enjoy just a few...

Creative use of dried fruit!

The island themed decorators made each of these Hawaiian shirt ornaments from paper, too. So tempted to try that! Cool.

The blue Starry Night room was fantastic!!

Like I said, so many different types of themes! 

An upside down tree. Why not?

Part of the Veterans' tree.

Ideas for homemade ornaments.

God, bless us, everyone!

Oh and this event runs from noon-4 p.m. Sunday and Monday, then 5-8 p.m. December 13, and noon-4 p.m. December 14 and 15. Free will offering. So worth the visit!

Rayna hit the road after that. And, since it was in the high 40s out I (and everyone else in town) thought today would be a good day for a car wash! Lines everywhere. But my car needed it since we had that one day of crappy snow and, thus, salt.

Late this afternoon, Jim and I wrapped up our holiday weekend with a Christmas concert by the  Wisconsin Rapids Area Community Choir. It's about 60 members and I knew about 10 – including several from my church choir. Excellent show for a full house! 

Now that we're home at a decent time, there may be a chance for more spirit a la Hallmark! 🎄🎅

Hope you're all finding ways to enjoy the season as well! 

It's About More Than Us

It seems weird to say "happy" Veterans Day. So I'll just say hey, today is Veterans Day and I thank all of you who served – whether in war time or peace time. Your commitment matters.

For us non-government employees, today was a normal work day. I had to have a GSD day (Get Sh-tuff Done) day before a few days off. I worked my butt off and I think I can be removed from the office Tuesday–Thursday without worrying about work. 

But then after work I was on mission to get "a few things" wrapped up for our sister "non-weekend" getaway. No one requires anything from any of us. Yet we all seem to do something. 

If my sisters are looking for clues, you won't find anything. Here are my after-work stops: Lighthouse Books and Gifts, Walgreens, Marshall's, and Goodwill. Ha!

All you need to know is that I'm excited to bring some fun and entertainment (hopefully) for our Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Hope you all have something to look forward to Tuesday through Thursday!

God, Bless the Helpers

Yesterday was overwhelming. But in a good way. The benefit for my sister Rachel and her friend and passenger Brian was amazing – to put it mildly. You can't put a price tag on the amount of love and support that came pouring in – through raffle basket and monetary donations plus items for the silent and live auctions and money dropped in the buckets for each of them.

First, my heart was smiling that my dear friends helped me provide 15 raffle baskets – and then when all was said and done, there were more than 100! Crazy amazing! There were also more than a dozen each items for the silent and live auctions.

Of course, it was just just amazing that the Luck fire hall was full for most of the time. So many people came out to support them both. I saw a lot of cousins that I saw in recent weeks due to family funerals, but this was finally a positive reason to get together.

When Rachel gave her thank-you message she mentioned her daily devotion of 1 Corinthians 13:7, thanking the helpers – as in all the people who helped put the benefit together and all those who donated items ahead of time to make it work! (P.S. I thank you, too! You KNOW who you are! 💖 ) – And all her family, friends, and prayer warriors (I know YOU, too, thanks!).

Both Rachel and Brian were understandably emotional and overwhelmed! Shocked and amazed.

Naturally, the paramedics who saved their lives got a standing ovation too. So grateful for you!!!

They even gifted her a new jacket since they had to cut her nice one off of her while extricating her from her car. Who thinks of that? Apparently, Midwest Nice EMTs do! How awesome.

We got a picture of us 8 R's too. We know Dad and Mom were smiling down on us and so grateful all 8 of could be alive and together. We're grateful, too!!

So thankful for the Luck Fire and Rescue Dept for their manual labor during this event.

And for letting me be an honorary member. I do have an official T-shirt given to me after this. LOL!

A couple side notes: 

I was lucky enough to win a few raffle baskets myself and for a friend who gave me basket money. 

And I was more than blessed to see family, cousins and some LHS classmates, plus a long-lost fellow confirmation class friend from junior high (hi Tim!). 

And... thanks to my generous friends Julie, Dar, Marigene, Gene, Cindy, Terri, Julie, Michelle, Sara, Jill, Christy, Jane, and Jackie!

On behalf of me and my sister, I love you all!