A Warm Madison Welcome

Spring finally sprung today! And it will evidenced by the hundreds of race fans who show up for work tomorrow looking like lobsters!

After church we picked up Jim's sister Sherry to head to Madison to see our nephew Colin race. All we could remember about this track is that it's usually windy. So our debate leading up to the parking lot was weather we needed a sweatshirt, jacket, or both. An hour later I wished in I was in shorts! 

So. Very. Warm!

We did get a warm Wisconsin welcome when part of the UW Badger Marching Band came through with some entertaining music!

They must get the most interesting gigs around Mad Town!

For a small group, they sounded great. They performed the National Anthem, too.

So let's get racing! First, I need to warn you you will not see the usual "Reffner Blue" #87 stock car.

Nope. Colin has switched to the Midwest Truck Series this season, driving #31. Believe me. It took me several laps to get used to it! Still has some pretty blue on there, too. 💙💙

He had a pretty good Ton 10 kind of day. He qualified 5th fastest. He finished 3rd in the heat race and 7th in the feature. A few more pictures so you, too, can get your eyes used to this new speed machine!

The exciting thing is that since is a Midwest series, he's racing outside of Wisconsin and his next race is at Hawkeye Downs Raceway – conveniently located in a new place I like to visit called Cedar Rapids, Iowa! So we get to see our baby boy again in less than 2 weeks. More hearts! 💙💙

We got home after 8 p.m. because the 200-lap super late model feature took forever. I stopped counting caution flags after 5. Huge, huge crowd that stayed to the exciting finish of the Joe Shear Classic, though.

We're fried and tired so I wish you good night. I'm going to dream that spring is here to stay. I hope it comes true!

The Deet-tails on Them Skeeters

At some point you knew the mosquitoes had to come out. We honestly got by over half the summer without them. Now, they're out in full force.

I wouldn't have noticed them except for spending a few hours outdoors on a photo shoot. Thanks to the mom for carrying bug spray in her van. I always have mine in my golf bag in my vehicle. But since hubby needed my vehicle tonight, I was driving his big truck. No repellent in there but I felt like I ruled the world, barreling down the highway like a bad-ass, sitting on two pillows to see over the dash.

Even with the blood-suckers out, we had a great shoot in the Rudolph area. Sort of.

It was awesome to have the mom and daughter have props all figured out. 

Including suitcases on the railroad tracks...

And laying in the middle of the road with her music and cello. That's correct. There's no traffic in Rudolph!

I'll have to trust the rest turned out. I am ready for ice cream and bed. And probably a de-DEET-ing shower. 

Dang skeeters!

Sort of on the Wild Side

Had a whirlwind trip Up North and back today. Just me and hubby's big blue truck. And my fancy two-pillow booster seat. He had a perfect day for his out-of-town golf outing and I had a perfect day for a long drive.

It was awesome to visit with my mom and see four sisters as a bonus. And super awesome to get up and back without any deer mishaps.

I got up to Mom's apartment in Grantsburg a little afternoon and took her to lunch at T-Dawg's, where my sisters Renell and Raylene were able to join us. After lunch, I took Mom for a drive. We pretty much cruised around the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area on the north side of Grantsburg.

Although the sign says our entry is prohibited, it's just going into that field to hunt or trap. We could stand legally on the road side and look at it. It's Mom cute in her little hat?  We saw some swans and birds and flowers. I'll see if any pictures turned out and share tomorrow. After cruising a few hours, I dropped her back at her place and started for home – with a few planned detours.

Stopped by my old church to visit Dad in the cemetery. Had a good conversation. And I knew he was listening because when I stopped talking, then the patriotic pinwheel at his gravesite would start spinning, as if he was answering.

Glad I asked him to get me home safely and that he agreed to it!

From there, I headed southeast so I could near Balsam Lake and stop at a graduation party for my sister Romey's granddaughter Rylee. Didn't stay too long since I had nearly 4 hours drive to go. Romey and my sister Rachel were there so I got to see 4 out of 7 siblings today. Not bad. 

So I call this picture with Nell and Lene "Sister Distancing part 1."

And this one with Romey and Rach "Sister Distancing part 2."

I know. We were all acting on the wild side today, weren't we? Photos without face masks. 

Well, when we're all so happy to see each after nearly 6 months, why hide the smiles? 

Hopefully it won't come back to bite me in my tired, trucker butt. Dad sounded like he'd be watching over us for that, too. Thanks be to God.

In The Driver's Seat

So much of our lives are out of our control right now. Where we work. Where we shop. Who we see. Who we can't see. And rules... Don't touch your face. Don't leave your house. Rules. Rules. Rules.

I've decided to concentrate on what I can control about this quarantine situation. It's not much. But it's a lot of me. So I've put myself in the driver's seat and have controlled the destination of my wide open weekends.

Last weekend was the decluttering and organizing of the northeast sector of the basement. Lots of stuff thrown out, given away and in piles for donating. I felt really good about tackling work I have put off for far too long.

This weekend, I've moved my motivation to the southwest sector – also known as the laundry-utility room / storage area. Not a lot of fun things to uncover or give away. Filled up a very large garbage bag and realized we have enough plastic shelves and totes for everything we own. Probably gonna have to donate some of those shelves!

I got one half of the quadrant done today and will hit the other half tomorrow. That will take more time because it's where I have all my gift wrap and bags and tissue paper and all that nonsense stored. (I use that term loosely.) Plus candle holders and other beautiful junk I don't use. Lord, help me stay on task!

I did take one break today. Since I found out I will be working from home at least another month, I figured I better get myself an ergonomically correct – or at least supportive – office chair. Mine has seen better days. And I can tell it's not holding up its end of this quarantine bargain. I also needed a floor mat to put by the desk I use for work – as opposed to my blogging desk. Ha. (a.k.a. my large Mac computer for design, photos, etc.)

So on a whim, I asked hubby, "Can I just take the truck? Just in case the chair won't fit in my car." When he said, sure, I grabbed the keys and an extra pillow and took off.

I felt like a truck drivin' boss. "Get out of my lane, little cars. Big truck coming through!" I said confidently while boosted up on two pillows so I could see over the dash.

Thank goodness there were hardly any cars at Staples so I didn't have to park perfectly. And it turned out I didn't need the truck anyway because the chair I picked and then the backup choice I picked were out of stock. So I bought the floor mat and trucked home to order my chair online. At least I sat in the store model so I know it will be comfy and supportive. And I won't need a booster seat to see my keyboard.

You can tell from the photo it was a sunny day today. Temps in the high 40s, I think. Warm enough Jim did some yard work while I was inside. This is why I've got to keep my mojo going. As soon as the mercury hits 60, I sense Mr. Deck Chair will be taking over the wheel!

What are you doing to put yourself in the driver's seat during lockdown? Good luck and good productivity!