Back to What Shopping?

I wanted to prove that I don't just jet off places every day and have fun. But then this...

Even back-to-school shopping is fun at Wal-Mart when I run into brand new treats, er healthy breakfast cereal, like this! Yes, I said "back to school' just because I was hunting deals on flash drives. And no, I didn't buy this. But dang. Those might make some good bars. Move over, Rice Krispies. Am I right?

In other boring news, I've just been getting through lists of things to do, paying bills, and all that jazz. Things don't get done magically when I'm out gallivanting around at photo shoots and professional baseball games.

Although the piles of laundry magically got done while I was gone today. (Love you, honey!)

I must admit it was nice to go to work and have it feel like a Monday and have Friday already coming tomorrow. Maybe you were right. I just keep living the dream, don't I?

Thank you, Lord!

Double the Losses but Double the Fun

The Twins had their first walk-off home run by a pinch hitter in 13 years to beat the Braves. But that was Monday. Before me – and my apparent bad luck – strolled into town.

Spoiler alert: The Braves beat the Twins quite handily last night and today.

Another spoiler alert: This Twins fan still had a blast!

It took some planning a few months back, but last night there were 28 of us from my family attending the Twins game. Mostly Twins fans. But we'll get to that.

I'm basically related to just about everyone in this picture. And that's not everyone. My sister Rachel hadn't arrived yet. My niece Beth took the picture. And my friendly hubby is way up top on the right in the white hand, talking to his new friend. A Braves fan!

As you can see, my brother-in-law Paul and sister Rayna (lower left) are Braves fans. But they did live in the Atlanta area for a decade, so they get a free pass. A few of my other siblings were somewhat noncommittal. Just there for the camaraderie I guess!

So it was a great date in "my happy place" – with Jim and two dozen family members.

Thanks to our seats in a busy area in right field, I got into the Jumbotron action right away. There I am at left, pretending to be supporting the bean bag tossers. Don't judge me. By the end of the night, pretty much everyone in our family made the Jumbotron. It was unreal!

And then our name was up there, too! See lower right part of scoreboard:

I was wondering if I should've gone to today's game a bit early to sign autographs!

The happy Braves fans: Paul and Rayna.

Sister Romey and brother-in-law Rick (his first time at Target Field)

Sister Renell sharing popcorn with a few of her grandkids.

Sister RoAnn and I enjoying Pizza Luce before the game!

Brother Ron and his son David (who could walk over from work).

Nephew David and wife Sara enjoying a night out without child!

Us twins at the Twins game!

Twin and hubby Steve. I think the first time at Target Field for both of them.

Niece Beth and husband Anders – also enjoying a childless night out.

 Nephew Travis and his girlfriend and her mom.

Our usual selfie with niece Caryn, including photobomber niece Ashley and her boyfriend in the background!

Even though we lost 12-7, we had so much fun. The Twins still hit 3 homeruns so that was cool. Plus all the Jumbotron moments were entertaining, too. I didn't leave there feeling like we lost. Just had a nice night with the fam.

Today was like deja vu...

Stayed at Rayna and Paul's in Hudson last night and took the day off for the 12:10 p.m. game. Tried to get some luck by visiting TC Bear. Didn't work.

Here's what I was up against: Two Braves fans and the starting pitcher for the Braves is on one of Jim's fantasy baseball leagues. I couldn't erase my bad luck!

Still had a great time, though. Since Paul and I were reminiscing at breakfast about the Hrbek play in the 1991 World Series, we stopped for a photo. Notice we both have one finger up... but mine is the nice one. Once a Braves fan, always one, I guess.

And we had great seats. A little hot in the sun for the first few innings, but we could see the action – including a Twins triple play! Have never seen one in person and there it was, right in front of us. How cool!!!

Lady, did you see THAT? Or were you too busy crocheting? No words. Sigh.

Unfortunately, we didn't start scoring until the 6th inning when we were down 7-0. Although we did score 7 more, the Braves also kept scoring. Ended up losing 11-7. But I still had fun. It's just cool to be at a sporting event where you're cheering for the same team as most of the people there!

Thanks to Rayna and Paul for organizing the fun. Driving back home tonight I felt like we were gone for a Saturday and Sunday and tomorrow would be Monday. I don't mind starting my Monday on a Thursday and having my Friday one day later! 

Pretty sure I deserve that for enduring these losses, don't you?

Go Twins!!

Beautiful Calm Before the Storm

We're getting a bit skittish in central Wisconsin after all the recent severe storms and all their resulting damage. So wind and rain and cloud-to-ground lightning was pretty freaky tonight. But that was an hour ago. Now this...

Our backyard view to the west right now. Beautiful or scary or both? Pretty eerie if I do say so myself.

Of course, I don't want anyone to deal with more damage, power outages, etc. But selfishly I want it to happen now – tonight – and be over with. Because...

Yup. Headed to Twins Territory tomorrow for back-to-back games Tuesday night (28 family members) and Wednesday afternoon (four of us). Should be great. Twins are hot and the Braves are, too.

Hopefully, these funky clouds are signs of a Bomba Squad Storm coming to Target Field. Let's go Twins. Keep taking the American League by storm.

Oh, and be safe out there!

Syrupy Sweet

When I wasn't looking, I became my mother. Well, any "old lady," if I really want to stereotype.

I reach in my purse for a cough drop in church this morning and pull out a syrup bottle from Cracker Barrel last weekend. I've officially become THAT old lady.

I honestly forgot it was there. And no, I didn't really steal it. The waitress gave me two bottles for just two pancakes, so it's like she wanted me to have it. I'm just glad I have it in the kitchen cupboard now before some accident happened and the police would wonder why I'm carrying around maple syrup. What sort of emergency calls for it? Random waffle delivery?

I have no answers.

My other "sweet" moment of the day was the half hour or so that Carter was home before heading back to Platteville. He was dropping a friend (and his dog) off in Madison on the way. So we also got a little "big sweetie" doggie time! Artemis Rose is a big sweetie, for sure.

And so is Mr. College. Did not get nearly enough time with him. But I gave him several hugs goodbye on behalf of all of you!

In between the sweet stuff, I had two photo shoots in the hot sun. But survived and I am happy with the results. Full day but I can relax at work tomorrow. Ha.

Trifle Busy Weekend

Adding the word "thin" to anything doesn't necessary mean it's healthy for you. Sure, it may be fewer calories, but only because of the compressed size. Not because fat calories got edged out by nutrition. Still, those new Reese's Thins are so good they pretty much HAVE to be good for you, right?

I decided to use them in a trifle recipe this morning and they did not disappoint. I was putting one together this morning for my friend's parents who were celebrating their golden anniversary today. I figured 50 years of marriage should be celebrated with the first perfect union: peanut butter and chocolate.

Don't you agree? I think the guests did, too. By the time I got to the party two hours into it, my only option was to lick the remnants out of the bowl. Which I may or may not have done on the way home!

I met with the family at 10 a.m. and took a few pictures before the party before going on a senior photo shoot at 11. That went really well. The boy was not enthused at first and hoped it wouldn't last too long. But he quickly got into and he went from Mr Shy to Mr GQ in 90 minutes flat.

Am I right?

I love my hobby! Definitely meet some great people and get to bring joy to a few, too. Tomorrow will include two photo shoots as well. Hopefully the weather stays gorgeous (a little cooler than today would be welcome) so I can get them both done.

Also hope to squeeze in some time with Mr College, too. He's home this weekend for a wedding but got here last night well after midnight and was gone to the wedding and fun before I got home from my shoot. So... shoot! Haven't seen him yet.

Always a trifle busy around here.

Pick-a-Nic Basket

Call me Yogi Bear, but I love a good Pick-a-Nick, too! Today we had our company summer picnic right across the street at SentryWorld.

I volunteered for part of the time – checking in attendees at the beginning and helping with raffle prizes in the end. In the middle, I enjoyed food and fun. Even with 3,000-plus attending, there was still something for everyone – music, bingo, bouncy houses, bean bags, arcade games, lawn games, face painting, cotton candy and, of course, ice cream.

You'll notice from this picture that the apples were a close second in popularity to cotton candy. Well OK. Not that close!

My friends' daughter Maggie and I bypassed both of those selections and went straight for the ice cream. Been a long time since I had a Drumstick. Still yummy!

The picnic got down about the time I'd normally go home from work anyway. Got some things done at home and then went over to our friend Brenda's house for a campfire. After a very stressful week on so many levels, it sure felt good to sit and watch the flames. Talk a little, laugh a little, and just relax.

Life is not always a pick-a-nick but lucky for us, there's always Friday.

Have a great weekend!

The Pick-Your-Pet Days of Summer

Raise your hand if I'm not the only one who reluctantly turned the calendar page this morning. August already? I feel like June and July were each like 4 second long!

Apparently we now enter what's called the Dog Days of Summer. Can we still experience those if we have a cat? Not sure. I also figured Dog Days had something about being lazy like a dog (or cat, really), so I had to look it up.

Spoiler alert: You're about to learn something.

Why are they called the Dog Days of Summer? The ancient Romans called the hottest, most humid days of summer "diēs caniculārēs" or "dog days." The name came about because they associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius. Sirius was known as the "Dog Star" because it was the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

When are the Dog Days of Summer? According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, they're traditionally the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, which coincide with the dawn rising of Sirius.

So this pretty much means we only have 10 more days to loll around, pant in the heat, and attempt to scratch behind our ears with our hind legs.

Since I love heat, I probably won't be entirely lazy. I started making a concerted effort in July to get 10,000 steps a day. Yes, I know I always TRY. But I rarely keep a streak going. Until this time. I officially logged at least 10k a day on every day in July – except July 1, which is surprising because we golfed that day... but also ate a fancy anniversary meal and cheesecake. I probably couldn't walk after that! (Probably why I got my 10k in today before we went out for coconut shrimp at Two Lakes Supper Club!)

Hoping that I can continue that streak of minimum activity in August – and maybe even step up my exercise game. Of course, that might require one of those dog shock collars to get me going. I wonder if that's part of the Dog Days, too.

Yikes. I better keep moving.

Happy August!