Burning Skin, er, Burning Rubber

It was a nice sunny day for racing. Too sunny, some would say. Our nephew Colin had a big Super Late Model race today -- the Memorial 100 -- so we spent the afternoon at Golden Sands Speedway. Since we face the track and the sun is to our left, we all got a bit crispy on our left side, too. But it was worth it. It was somewhat of a historic day.

When Colin was growing up, he idolized his uncle, race car driver Flyin' Bryan Reffner. Today, for the first time, he got to race against him! That was pretty cool.

I had to make sure I took a picture in the early part of the feature, where Colin is actually ahead of Bryan (#80). As it turned out, though, Bryan finished 4th and Colin was just outside the Top 10 with an 11th-place finish. He's getting better all the time. That's what counts!

During the intermission, they shot t-shirts out of a "canon" of sorts. Again, I did not have one come my way. I don't know what it takes to get one! Perhaps if I asked. (ha)

Here Colin waves to the crowd after driver introductions prior to the 100-lap race.

One of the interesting things going on -- besides the main race -- was that this guy JonBoy from a show called Madhouse was there, trying to break the track record. I know nothing about him or the show. But I do know he didn't break the record. I figured I would take a picture of him anyway since I haven't run into any celebrities lately!

I gotta log off. I have to find the sunburn spray, big time, for my red knees. Don't want to be so miserable I can't go back to work tomorrow!

Wheelin' & Dealin'

I got a hot tip around the campfire last night that my running shoes were on clearance this weekend over at MC Sports in Plover. So this morning, after Daddy left to golf with a neighbor and Carter got his 11 hours of sleep, the 2 of us headed east.

And I wasn't just looking for shoes.

For the past 2 summers, I have been wanting to get a new bicycle to replace my now 18-year-old hybrid bike. Yes, it still works. But I am not a fan of the hybrid style. The wheels are thin like the old school 10-speeds so they don't do well off-road. Not that I am mountain bike queen, but there is a nice path around the lake nearby that has a few areas unpaved that my current bike doesn't handle. It just fish tails like I'm about to hit the dirt. Not liking that. So I have been shopping around for the past month. Today I cleaned out the trunk before we left "just in case."

And I found a "case."

Robyn the deal-digging bargain shopper scored big today. Not only did I get my shoes half price, which is a very good deal, I test-rode and purchased a new "comfort" bike (with fatter wheels!), also on sale in the price range I was aiming for. So it was good.

Since Carter had birthday money burning a hole in his pocket, we went to Wal-Mart over there. He bought a battery charger thing for his Wii remotes and also bought another Wii game -- Sports Resort -- that looks pretty fun.

With today's high heat and humidity, Jim only golfed 9 holes. So after I got my accessories on my bike, we went to a graduation party for the son of one of his school mates. Of course, we saw a few other people we knew, too, and had a very nice time. Did I mention there was yummy cake with good frosting?? Yep, that was a high point, too!

Got home and it had cooled down to the mid 80s so I took the new bike out for a spin. Very comfortable! Good seat and I sit up straight more than the other bike so it doesn't bother my back. I think I'm gonna like it!

While I was out, the "boys" broke in the new Wii game. I don't mind seeing Carter work up a sweat. That means he moving at least. While they played, I plunked myself down on the couch to watch my Twins on Sunday Night Baseball. Got to cheer them onto a win -- which was almost as good as my deals of the day... but, really, it's hard to top good frosting!

Doin' Chores

Since this was our "free day," no one in this house got out of bed before 8 a.m. today. Awesome! (Of course, when you go to bed at midnight or so, it's not that big a treat.)

I said something over breakfast about this being a good day for chores. In my mind I was thinking about dusting, vacuuming, laundry, perhaps extending it to some special projects that should get done.

Carter actually took me seriously and, without me asking, went out and got the wheelbarrow and picked up sticks in the back yard so Dad could mow. While he was doing that, I went out for a run/walk. I wanted to run the whole 4-mile route, but it was too stinkin' hot at 10 a.m. already. I should have gone earlier. Oh well, I did it. And got my first woodtick of the season while I was at it!

When I got back, Carter wanted to know what other chores he should do. I know -- what aliens came and took my child and gave us this one? I thought he was up to something since he normally doesn't just help out like this unless he wants something. It's now 9:30 at night and I still haven't figured it out yet.

Anyway, since he was asking -- and had the wheelbarrow available -- I said we might as well pull weeds out of various landscaping areas. That was one of those special projects I knew I should do today but didn't want to. With Carter's help, it wasn't so bad. And now it's done. I haven't decided yet if Ms. Black Thumb is going to plant anything yet. Hmmm, what should I kill?

After showers and lunch, I decided to take Carter mini-golfing. That was my idea, not his. Since Jim was mowing the back yard, he was too hot to go. So we went to Newman's, which is a very inexpensive little place in town (that also happens to sell ice cream). We had a nice time. I ended beating Carter by only one stroke (according to the scorecard he kept). I took some pictures (of course) and will have to post them tomorrow. As I'm typing, I'm simultaneously uploading pictures to get prints done.

After golf, we got a cool treat. Carter had a root beer shake and I was just thirsty so I got a blue raspberry slushie. Yummy.

Since this sort of turned into a Mommy-Carter day, tonight we went to Iron Man 2 so that I could finally see it. This was part of our weekend plan and I actually got the tickets earlier this week. Was glad I got to see it on the big screen. Carter was right -- it is awesome!! Really, really liked it!

Got home and hubby and the next-door neighbor were actually having a fire in our fire pit for a change. So as soon as these pictures get done uploading, I am outta here. There is no bedtime and no alarm setting going on here. Our "chores" are done and it's time to relax!

Hope you can do the same this weekend!

TGIFS (Thank God It's Finally Summer)

We're just about knocking on the door to June but today was totally a summer-like day already. And I'm not talking about just the temperatures. Though sunny and 80 is a good place to start!

Other signs it's summer (or close):

Golfing on a Friday morning... Jim had a vacation day today and enjoyed a round of golf at Wisconsin River Country Club with his dad, uncle and their friend. They only golfed 9 holes and he still carded 3 birdies! What a great day to be off!

Summer hours begin at work... I didn't mind being at work too much. One, we had a pre-summer potluck. I made up a great treat recipe. Melt some white almond bark and stir it into Smorz cereal (yes, it exists and it's tasty!). Drop by messy spoonfuls on waxed paper and put in fridge. They'll firm up and be a tasty sweet treat. Today also marked the beginning of "summer hours" at work, which means we get done at 3 p.m. on Fridays from now until Labor Day. Today, that meant getting out at 2 p.m. (just 'cause).

Cool eats... Of course, since it was summer, I had to stop at King Cone on the way home for some Blueberry Waffle Cone ice cream. Well, the car just turned in. I couldn't control it. You know how temperamental that Civic is!

Walking on Sunshine... Got home early enough to record some steps on the pedometer -- and simultaneously work on my tan lines. Summer walks are the best!

Frosty beverages... We had a rare date tonight, too. Sort of. We met some friends downtown at The Bar to celebrate a birthday. I call these guys our "racing friends" because that's where I first got to know them 13 or so years ago. Of course, now that summer is here, we'll see them at the races more often but it was a long winter. Always good to sip some beers and root beers with friends. (By the way, in a late schedule change, Colin did race tonight and finished 2nd in the super stock feature at Golden Sands. That's three 2nds so far this year. Not a bad start at all!)

Circle of friends... As is typical in summer (and winter sometimes), we wrapped up the day around a campfire. This time it was at our neighbors' 3 houses down. It was nice to relax, chit-chat and sit and listen to all the frogs and crickets and lord knows what near their pond. I was just glad the June bugs stayed off me! I can hear them outside the window now. Gross. Not everything about summer is wonderful!

Retirement Plans

Not that we were counting on it or anything, but we didn't win the big Powerball jackpot last night so I had to return to work today. Business as usual.

Hubby has this early retirement plan that would require one of two things: Either we win the lottery so we both can retire or we find good jobs that would allow him to retire at age 55 and me at 65. If you do the math on the second option, he (who is 5 years older than me) would have 15 years to perfect his golf game -- and the groove where his butt sinks into the couch.

I'm not in favor of that one.

Especially after today when I got my first taste of it.

Hubby has vacation days today and tomorrow. Today he had a funeral and then got together at a "local establishment" with friends. He also ran errands, did laundry and made supper. It was sunny and 80. Robyn, the sun worshipper, sat at her desk. Tomorrow he has an early tee time with his dad and uncle. It is supposed to be sunny and 80 again. Robyn will be sitting at her desk again.

And thinking of places I'd rather be. Warm, sunny places.

I can tell already I won't like this business of him retiring before me. I know my sister in Texas is in similar situation -- but at least her countdown to retirement legitimately is less than a thousand days. I don't even want to enter mine into a calculator! That would be way too depressing.

I guess I better keep my fingers crossed for Saturday night's drawing.

You Win Some...

The way Carter's game started tonight, I thought for sure we'd see a repeat of Monday. We were up 4-zip early on. I even heard some of the kids say, "Cool, we're going to win like Monday."

Never say that when it's only the 3rd inning.

As is happened, the other team caught up and we were tied going into the 5th inning. We didn't score, but the other team, the mighty Giants, scored 3 -- mainly on steals home. Yikes. We could not score enough on our last at-bat so we lost 7-5. (We still went to Dairy Treat for ice cream since they only have Rootbeer Twist this week!)

The good news is that Carter did get on base both times he was up. He walked both times but at least he was swinging and trying to hit the ball. Now, he just has to connect! Suddenly we're almost halfway into the season and he hasn't had a hit. Sigh.

Well baseball isn't everything.

Talked to my dad tonight and he is on the road to recovery. He went to the doctor today and seems that the fluid around his heart is gone -- thanks to some good meds. In fact, he might be getting rid of too much fluid. So they are adjusting that medication and he still has be careful AND follow doctor's orders. It was good to hear that he is recovering though.

And now for the really big news.... Look what I found growing in my garden!



This Black Thumb accidentally grew something! Cool, eh?

I knew there was a reason to celebrate today! (No guilt about the ice cream now!)

Flower Power

I envy my mother and her green thumb. Even the wildflowers (aka Weeds) in her yard look pretty! I had to zoom in on some of the beauty this weekend. I have no words or clever captions. Just enjoy!

Thanks for the garden tour, Mom!