Fast Cars

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

 ~ Tracy Chapman song (1988)

As Saturdays go, it was off to a slow start. Since we didn't get to bed 'til almost 2 a.m., I felt compelled to stay in bed til 10 a.m. so I'd get my 8 hours of sleep. I tried, but just didn't couldn't do it.

Pretty close, though.

It was so bleepin' hot out already that there was just no magical Motivation button around here. Did get some windows clean and my Saturday chores done -- on a Saturday for a change! Took a long walk and just about melted. And that was before it was the hottest point of the day -- 94 degrees.

We turned the air on and I hid out in my scrap cave, trying to start that organizational process. Did not get too far before hubby and I had to hit the road.

Today was a Ford fundraising event at school, where our school would earn $6,000 if we could get 300 people to stop in and test drive one of the Fords they had on hand. Well, you don't have to guess what I chose...

Seriously. Wasn't I made to be in the driver's seat of a Mustang?? A 2014 model and I wasn't even afraid to drive it. I just wanted to see someone I knew. So they could see me, that is. I didn't so I told Jim he better take a picture! 

It's a dream car. I didn't even look at the price tag. I'll just know it's out of my league but I can at least say I've driven a "muscle car" in my lifetime... since I'm pretty sure Honda Civics don't count!

After that, we stopped at Jim's parents and picked them up and went to Marshfield to watch our nephew Colin race. He qualified with fast time for the super late models so he got to hoist a flag during the national anthem.

During the main feature, he worked his way from the back and was vying for the second position when he got caught up in a three-vehicle mishap -- that's what we call it when we don't want to swear about it -- which sent him and another vehicle to the back. So he had to work his way back up toward the front but only had a dozen or so laps to do it in. He couldn't quite get there but finished 4th.

We were happy for him. But maybe next time he'll want to borrow "my" Mustang!

Got home at a decent time and Carter was still up and still watching college football on TV. I can guarantee you he stayed home to be in the A/C and relax. There were no books taken out of the backpack. We can tell him he doesn't want to have to do homework on football Sunday so he should do it Saturday, but that doesn't mean he listens. Does he need more incentive?

How about something red, four-wheeled and fast?

I would do his homework for that!!

Friday Night Lights

After two pretty major losses on the road, Assumption had its first home football game tonight.

That meant picking Carter up from cross country practice, getting him something to eat and dropping him off at the field by 6:15 to play in the pre-game Pep Band performance.

It was a great night for football. Today's high temps in the upper 80s leveled off to mid-70s and breezy. Nothing a sweatshirt in the fourth quarter couldn't handle. Despite the recent blowouts, this one was a nailbiter and we actually stood a chance of winning.

We were down 15-14 at halftime and even though we scored after an interception, Thorp responded in kind with a TD of their own. After an on-side kick (they recovered), they used up most of the clock in the 4th quarter and put up another touchdown.

We were losing hope, especially with just 3 or so minutes on the clock.By some miracle -- and the receiver's catch could qualify as one -- we scored in the last minute, going ahead 35-29 or something. The remaining 29 seconds were the longest ever.

Luckily we held on and won the thing. What a great way to start the home stand.

After the game, we celebrated with a colorful campfire, courtesy of our friends the Kubisiaks -- and strands of old Christmas lights.

Can see a little of the blue, purple and greens here. Fire was good but the company was great.

Still smiling about both. Maybe a good season is on the way.

On Duty

Had a late night tonight since we were all "on duty" at the high school for the evening.

Hubby and I were the concession leaders for the first home volleyball game. And Carter entertained between the JV and Varsity games with the Pep Band.

Managed to get one shot of him before he hid behind his tall friend Olivia. I guess he's safe for the rest of the year (as far as he knows).

Since we worked concessions (and are done for the year - yay), we did not get to watch the games but I guess they were exciting. A couple of nail-biters and our Varsity girls won 3 out of 4. Nice. Can't wait to watch some time.

For now, though, it's after 10 p.m. and Carter is on duty for homework. I, however, am officially off duty and heading to bed.

Son-Shine

In a former life, I am convinced I was a sunflower -- minus the tall and skinny part. Pass a field of sunflowers once and you will see something different based on the time of day.

Early in the morning and late in the evening, they stand with their heads hanging down, asleep on their feet. When the sun rises, they lift their heads in joy, soaking up the warmth on their faces, turning their heads to follow the blazing ball as it crosses the sky throughout the day. They don't want to miss a moment of it.

That's me to a T.

I lift my face to the sun any chance I can get! And to the son, too, now that he is taller than me.

As a teenager, he doesn't always give me that same warmth, but I understand. He's got a busy life and lots occupying his mind now that school is back in session.

There's plenty of homework the third day into school -- his backpack weighed 29.6 pounds tonight! Then there's the homecoming dilemma. Does he go alone or ask someone? He's got a month to figure that one out. The homework, though, has got to get done.

Now.

Yes, I look up to my son. Somedays it's due to his height. Other times, its his ability to make me smile.

Just like a little ray of son-shine on an otherwise cloudy day.

After Labor Day

I don't think we give Mother Nature enough credit about how much power she wields. Seriously, she can flip a switch and it goes from pre-Labor Day summer to post-Labor Day fall.

Or make that winter!

Not joking. We awoke to 39 degrees in central Wisconsin. This is why we have a fashion exemption here. In Wisconsin, we ARE allowed to wear white after Labor Day.

We call them "long johns."

I wasn't sure if we'd need them today for the late afternoon cross country meet, so I packed an extra sweatshirt and jacket just in case. As it turned out, I did need them at work since the A/C was still cranked. So not needed today.

Later, when it turned pleasant outside, we never did get the opportunity to enjoy it. Carter's back has been bothering him big time the last two days. He texted me after school (on the way to the meet, of course) that he wasn't going to run it today. He said he was in too much pain to make it 3.1 miles.

Well part of me, the "I'm a tough mother runner" part, told him to power through it and he'll have 10 days to recover before his next meet. The other part of me, the "I've dealt with back pain and it can be debilitating" part, empathized and sympathized a bit more.

But he really better be in pain since we stayed at work longer and Momma got no time in the sun. I mean, with my son!

He's going to keep icing and stretching and whatever it takes to help it. We know he's not exaggerating because he was so excited about his performance last week, he was looking forward to trying to match it in the Loyal cornfields. Now that will have to wait another week or so.

I hope he gets another day like this one. The one thing I like about those after-Labor Day temps -- they are good for running. Mr. Deck Chair does not agree. But he also knows I am not ready to part ways just yet either.

Even if I have to sit out there in my fashionable WHITE long underwear.

Fruits of our Labor

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. ~ U.S. Dept. of Labor

Do you ever wonder if your work efforts are worth it? Take a look at this....

Hubby planted a handful of trees in the front yard a few years ago. This tree above is the lone one still standing. And it is barely doing so. Obviously, you can see from our drought of a summer that even grass didn't grow. But this tree has had a few years to pop out some branches at least.

We are not giving up yet.

Meanwhile, some 10 yards away or so, this big ol' leafy tree has just seemed to appear overnight along our front walk and deck. We didn't even plant it! Yet here it is!! (For now anyway.)

Ever wonder if you should just let nature take its course? Many of us don't and that's OK. Some of us tend to keep working hard at something and hope for the best result. Strive for success through OUR efforts.That's also known as work ethic!

The definition of Labor Day above makes it pretty clear we should just lay around doing nothing today except feel the rewards of our hard work.

In a perfect world, right?

Lots of people had to work today. We were fortunate to have the day off from the office. Not from "working" in general around the house, but it was nice to be on the homefront -- even though we spent a lot of time in our office (aka "Computer Room," aka "Clear Off Counter and Table and Place Items in This Room").

We are doing some rearranging in the house. Sort of our own version of musical chairs. Basically, Carter's bedroom and my scrap cave are trading places, while the Office actually becomes an Office for work (not Robyn's Dumping Ground). Carter will now have a bigger room -- but he'll have to share it in the spring when we host a German student. (It's a boy, don't worry.)

So in order to move fewer things, you need to have fewer things to move. That's how Labor Day becomes Labor Month around here. It will be a forced downsizing and de-cluttering. And it will take some work!!

The hard part for me, of course, does not involve the inevitable physical labor. It's letting go. Letting go... right out to the garbage can or recycling bin. It's remembering that an emotional attachment should be to people, not items. Well, some items, but not every little note or card. If you are at all like me, you know saying goodbye is no easy task.

But I do look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor. The "after" to our currently cluttered "before."

Let's get to work!

The Over 50 Crowd

It looks like we now have two in our house who can qualify for senior discounts.

Our pretty kitty turned 9 years old today -- which I have now learned, from people smarter than me, is the equivalent of 52 human years.

So she's older than her favorite guy in the house and can start bossing him around. Oh, other than the fact hubby already would do anything for the princess!

Except change her name.

Yes, she's a girl and yes, she's named Sylvester. When Carter got her we let him name her and he appropriately called her Sylvester since she looks like the Looney Tunes character. She doesn't have the trouble-making energy like the cartoon, thankfully.

But who does once they turn 50?

Actually got to hang out with a few more in the half-century category today. One of Jim's high school classmates was in town visiting her mom and invited us over for a potluck picnic lunch. They are both adjusting to the fact that the class of '81 is all a bunch of 50-year-olds now.

They seem to be holding up well, considering.

Got home in mid-afternoon so we could visit with No. 1 son Casey, home for a quick break before college classes start this week. This will be his second and final senior year at UW-Eau Claire. Always good to see him and admire how grown up he is.

Everybody's getting old!

Well, almost everyone.

We got together with a few old friends tonight to close out the summer. And by "old" I mean we've known them awhile. I certainly don't mean age. Only Jim and one other in the group have reach the nifty milestone. So the rest of us felt young -- until we started talking about how fast time flies "these days" and how old our kids are getting.

It was fun but we are pretty tired and thankful we get tomorrow off to sleep in a bit and recuperate.

Even us youngsters with a 4 in front of our age need days like that!