I'll keep this brief since it is the bewitching hour of midnight! Am thankful for many things today...
Thankful it's Friday and I managed to get caught up at work.
Thankful my father-in-law's surgery went OK.
Thankful we got to take in the Assumption boys basketball games vs. Edgar -- seeing Carter's old teammates play plus seeing the varsity team win a very physical battle!
Thankful for time and treats and table talk with friends after the game.
Thankful it's the last day of No-Shave Movember so I can shave tomorrow!
OK, gross. I made that last one up. But I am sincerely thankful for Fridays!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Transitions
Our household is in a state of transition -- and I'm not just talking about our ripped-up bathroom that better transition into something soon. All three of us embarked on a different chapter of our lives today. Nothing earth-shattering. Just signals of changing times.
Jim worked from home and joined the old "gang" at lunch. This was the first time without their friend Davey, who died last month. Just won't be the same any more. I'm sure they probably spent some of the time talking about him and most of the time missing him. I am quite sure Davey will always be there in spirit.
My transition is more a sign of aging, I guess. I picked up my new "night driving" glasses. Yay. While it is good that I can see better, I'm just less than thrilled that my eyes are progressing to that stage. Next it will be my hearing. And before you know it, I'll be wearing Mom Jeans. Gasp!
Carter's transition was thrilling for him and a bit of a bittersweet moment for me. After 14 years of getting his hair cut -- and usually buzzed with the clipper -- by Mom, he went to a hair "artist" today for the first time. Ever. Trust me, I had to hold back the urge to take photos. Ha. That's just the scrapbooking mom in me.
The hair-cutting mom will miss being needed. But he wants something more, shall we say, trendy now. Ms. Tina did a fine job and she definitely has a new fan in Carter. I like how it looks, too. And at some point, he may even give me permission to take a picture!
The only family member who didn't have to cope with a change today was Sylvester. According to Jim, she has been on the same chair for 6 hours now. Eventually, she may make her way to the food dish or litter box.
I hope she can handle the transition as well as we did!
Jim worked from home and joined the old "gang" at lunch. This was the first time without their friend Davey, who died last month. Just won't be the same any more. I'm sure they probably spent some of the time talking about him and most of the time missing him. I am quite sure Davey will always be there in spirit.
My transition is more a sign of aging, I guess. I picked up my new "night driving" glasses. Yay. While it is good that I can see better, I'm just less than thrilled that my eyes are progressing to that stage. Next it will be my hearing. And before you know it, I'll be wearing Mom Jeans. Gasp!
Carter's transition was thrilling for him and a bit of a bittersweet moment for me. After 14 years of getting his hair cut -- and usually buzzed with the clipper -- by Mom, he went to a hair "artist" today for the first time. Ever. Trust me, I had to hold back the urge to take photos. Ha. That's just the scrapbooking mom in me.
The hair-cutting mom will miss being needed. But he wants something more, shall we say, trendy now. Ms. Tina did a fine job and she definitely has a new fan in Carter. I like how it looks, too. And at some point, he may even give me permission to take a picture!
The only family member who didn't have to cope with a change today was Sylvester. According to Jim, she has been on the same chair for 6 hours now. Eventually, she may make her way to the food dish or litter box.
I hope she can handle the transition as well as we did!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Golden Tickets
Powerball fever is definitely sweeping through my neck of the woods. Probably yours, too, with tonight's jackpot estimated at some $500 million. Even the cash payout of maybe $280 million isn't too shabby either.
Hubby and I play the numbers regularly -- same ones week to week -- so we don't think it's fair that people who just buy it when it's "big" have the same chance of winning. Like a piddly little $8 million jackpot wouldn't be enough??
I guess we're guilty of doing that, too, though. We are in with 40 other people at work, who only do this when it gets "big." As in big enough to split between 42 people and maybe allow us all to retire. Quickly. Oh the dream!
So we have our tickets and, as usual, I won't give it another thought until I hear about the winners... usually from some other state.. or someone who's won before. Whoever has the Golden Ticket is going to have one heckuva holiday season!
But don't you worry about me. A friend just tormented me with this picture from her kitchen counter...
This season is heaven for mint lovers. And I don't need millions to enjoy it! Maybe a thousand minutes on the treadmill, but if I win the lottery, I can pay someone to do that for me!
Back to dreamland...
Hubby and I play the numbers regularly -- same ones week to week -- so we don't think it's fair that people who just buy it when it's "big" have the same chance of winning. Like a piddly little $8 million jackpot wouldn't be enough??
I guess we're guilty of doing that, too, though. We are in with 40 other people at work, who only do this when it gets "big." As in big enough to split between 42 people and maybe allow us all to retire. Quickly. Oh the dream!
So we have our tickets and, as usual, I won't give it another thought until I hear about the winners... usually from some other state.. or someone who's won before. Whoever has the Golden Ticket is going to have one heckuva holiday season!
But don't you worry about me. A friend just tormented me with this picture from her kitchen counter...
Back to dreamland...
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Back on Track
The first rude awakening was hearing an alarm for the first time in 7 days. Oh yes, I was that spoiled. Back to reality today after being out of the office from Wednesday to Monday.
After dropping off the steamer at 8, we got a little bit of a late start to work but was neck deep in "it" in no time once I got there. Plenty to catch up on and get on pace for my normal deadlines. Was pretty productive and even made my lunch-hour trip over to the fitness center.
That was a tougher reality than the alarm. To illustrate...
Yup, a bit of a challenge today. But hey, I went and am doing my best to get back on track.
From work, we went straight to the high school for the girls basketball games. I was able to watch JV play (Carter's classmates mainly) and they kicked butt. Then I had to work concessions for the Varsity game. So I not only missed my "adopted daughter" playing on her 17th birthday, I also missed a major butt kicking -- something like 70-23 over Pittsville. Gosh, I hope the rest of the season goes as well!
Got home just before 9:30 so we're having a bit of a late night here at the Austin household... Carter started homework, I started some laundry and hubby's taking out the trash.
Life it back on track... just a few hours behind.
After dropping off the steamer at 8, we got a little bit of a late start to work but was neck deep in "it" in no time once I got there. Plenty to catch up on and get on pace for my normal deadlines. Was pretty productive and even made my lunch-hour trip over to the fitness center.
That was a tougher reality than the alarm. To illustrate...
From work, we went straight to the high school for the girls basketball games. I was able to watch JV play (Carter's classmates mainly) and they kicked butt. Then I had to work concessions for the Varsity game. So I not only missed my "adopted daughter" playing on her 17th birthday, I also missed a major butt kicking -- something like 70-23 over Pittsville. Gosh, I hope the rest of the season goes as well!
Got home just before 9:30 so we're having a bit of a late night here at the Austin household... Carter started homework, I started some laundry and hubby's taking out the trash.
Life it back on track... just a few hours behind.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Getting Steamed
Final score from today's action: Wallpaper Steamer -1, Robyn - Big Fat Zero.
I guess I'm not cut out to be a stripper! How is that the always reliable Diff didn't work on our wallpaper and now the highly recommended steamer didn't? Is it just me?
Grrr. I think it is!
Took today off and rented the steamer. Got it home and was getting steamed almost immediately when I couldn't get the hose connected to the "hot pan" thing. Well I tried everything, including Googling it, and couldn't make it work. Had to call on the next-door neighbor, who was at his shop 10 minutes away. He saved the day. And no, I couldn't have figured it out on my own.
Once I got it going, it required some sweat equity, but was easier than the Diff attempts.I had the wallpaper off the wall in about 3 hours.
Or so I thought.
In reality, I just had the first layer. In most places, the "backing" was still adhered to the drywall. Is it OK to score that and steam it again? I had to call on Mr. Neighbor again and after an educated consultation (of course), we decided to give that a try. Well, I would be giving it a try!
That was quite unsuccessful. It required much scrapping and the backing was only coming off in little shavings -- like wet sawdust. After it took a full hour to get two little areas stripped, I called it quits. Probably too late for my back and arms to thank me, but just in time to prevent my steam from blowing its top!
Next step: We'll return the steamer first thing in the morning then consult with our painter to see what he wants us to do. Then we'll see if I have to strip some more or if we pay someone else to. Legally and fully clothed, of course!
I guess I'm not cut out to be a stripper! How is that the always reliable Diff didn't work on our wallpaper and now the highly recommended steamer didn't? Is it just me?
Grrr. I think it is!
Took today off and rented the steamer. Got it home and was getting steamed almost immediately when I couldn't get the hose connected to the "hot pan" thing. Well I tried everything, including Googling it, and couldn't make it work. Had to call on the next-door neighbor, who was at his shop 10 minutes away. He saved the day. And no, I couldn't have figured it out on my own.
Once I got it going, it required some sweat equity, but was easier than the Diff attempts.I had the wallpaper off the wall in about 3 hours.
Or so I thought.
In reality, I just had the first layer. In most places, the "backing" was still adhered to the drywall. Is it OK to score that and steam it again? I had to call on Mr. Neighbor again and after an educated consultation (of course), we decided to give that a try. Well, I would be giving it a try!
That was quite unsuccessful. It required much scrapping and the backing was only coming off in little shavings -- like wet sawdust. After it took a full hour to get two little areas stripped, I called it quits. Probably too late for my back and arms to thank me, but just in time to prevent my steam from blowing its top!
Next step: We'll return the steamer first thing in the morning then consult with our painter to see what he wants us to do. Then we'll see if I have to strip some more or if we pay someone else to. Legally and fully clothed, of course!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Round Trip
Carter and I just got back from a 500-mile Round Trip. And by round, I mean a trip where we ate enough fatty food to make us round in no time!
The first miles came early Black Friday. Well, not early like most hard-core BF shoppers refer to as early! I slept in until 7 a.m. and attempted to get my shopping partner up and out of bed. Of course, Carter changed his tune from the previous evening. He groggily asked which stores were we going to, then said, "Oh, we can go there any time." And rolled over and went back to sleep.
This was the only snow we had to contend with in the Rapids area. So I made my way to 2 stores in Stevens Point -- JoAnn's and Dunham's Sports -- got in and out with no problems and got the items I needed. Well, wanted and sort of needed.
Got home and loaded up the vehicle with our suitcases and treats for the Cookie Bake. We stopped at school to take in game 1 of the Cranberry Classic Basketball Tournament. Got to see our girls JV (with Carter's classmates) win against Marshfield Columbus.
Then we hit the road, stopping first in Rudolph, then in Luck, then at my parents, then Grantsburg, then to Romey's, and finally to Raylene's for the night. Each mile north we saw more and more snow. Yuck.
Saturday dawned cold -- as in single digits or close to zero. The Cookie Bake "party" started about a 11 a.m. and carried on a good 8 or 9 hours!
New this year we had a distinguished panel of judges to taste test and determine the best cookies! From right, Carter, my grand-nephew Anthony and his friend Jared.
It didn't take long for Romey to try to bribe the judges. Didn't work.
They had quite a task, too! Look at the variety! With 11 participants, that was a lot to sample. Trust me, they only got a few "leftovers." But after judging the entries with a 1-5 grading system for both taste and presentation (this is serious business), they determined a winner.
Your blogger/photographer got 3rd place... Romey the briber got 2nd... and RoAnn, who may or may not have bribed them, got 1st!
First prize was very important because the boys, er judges, had been taking pictures of us with their phones and using a Fat Booth app that made us all look hideously blimp-ish... which could happen after a Cookie Bake anyway! They also could "age" our mugshots, too. We're doing that on our own. So as the winner, RoAnn got to have her picture deleted with a promise of no future use. The rest of us have to wonder if and when our fat faces will show up on the Internet.
Dang. Shoulda tried the bribery route!
Of course, some people got gifts or prizes anyway. Raylene got a cute towel and gift bags from Romey and RoAnn who are trying to show their non-Fat Booth, skinny chin faces. Ha. My sisters always make me laugh.
Game time! Ashley and Angie wait to start "In a Pickle," a fun new game.
Renell, Sara and her fiance, my nephew David, wait their turns.
In the other room was a close battle of "Sequence." Note the snow-covered field in the background!
Afternoon capped off with a noisy game of "Pit" followed by a quieter game of "What's Yours Like?"
Had a great time and it was so good to see everyone who could make it!
Carter and I stayed another night then made our way home in the busy traffic today, with one major pit stop at the Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire. Got some gifts taken care of there. Got home in the late afternoon and am ready for bed right now!
Just have to finish unpacking and try to keep away from 11 dozen cookies!
The first miles came early Black Friday. Well, not early like most hard-core BF shoppers refer to as early! I slept in until 7 a.m. and attempted to get my shopping partner up and out of bed. Of course, Carter changed his tune from the previous evening. He groggily asked which stores were we going to, then said, "Oh, we can go there any time." And rolled over and went back to sleep.
This was the only snow we had to contend with in the Rapids area. So I made my way to 2 stores in Stevens Point -- JoAnn's and Dunham's Sports -- got in and out with no problems and got the items I needed. Well, wanted and sort of needed.
Got home and loaded up the vehicle with our suitcases and treats for the Cookie Bake. We stopped at school to take in game 1 of the Cranberry Classic Basketball Tournament. Got to see our girls JV (with Carter's classmates) win against Marshfield Columbus.
Then we hit the road, stopping first in Rudolph, then in Luck, then at my parents, then Grantsburg, then to Romey's, and finally to Raylene's for the night. Each mile north we saw more and more snow. Yuck.
Saturday dawned cold -- as in single digits or close to zero. The Cookie Bake "party" started about a 11 a.m. and carried on a good 8 or 9 hours!
They had quite a task, too! Look at the variety! With 11 participants, that was a lot to sample. Trust me, they only got a few "leftovers." But after judging the entries with a 1-5 grading system for both taste and presentation (this is serious business), they determined a winner.
First prize was very important because the boys, er judges, had been taking pictures of us with their phones and using a Fat Booth app that made us all look hideously blimp-ish... which could happen after a Cookie Bake anyway! They also could "age" our mugshots, too. We're doing that on our own. So as the winner, RoAnn got to have her picture deleted with a promise of no future use. The rest of us have to wonder if and when our fat faces will show up on the Internet.
Dang. Shoulda tried the bribery route!
Holiday clothing is not mandatory, but encouraged. Romey had blinking earrings and here Renell shows off her blinking snowflake and her sassy shirt with 3 reindeer: Prancer, Dasher and VIXEN.
Game time! Ashley and Angie wait to start "In a Pickle," a fun new game.
Renell, Sara and her fiance, my nephew David, wait their turns.
Had a great time and it was so good to see everyone who could make it!
Carter and I stayed another night then made our way home in the busy traffic today, with one major pit stop at the Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire. Got some gifts taken care of there. Got home in the late afternoon and am ready for bed right now!
Just have to finish unpacking and try to keep away from 11 dozen cookies!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Giving Thanks
I made this little graphic for my Facebook page to illustrate that I may be thankful for many things, but most importantly, I am thankful for the people in my life. Family and friends I hold dear.
Of course, I don't have photos of everyone so this is the tip of the iceberg. That's what's so amazing! I can't believe I would ever have a bad day or anything to complain about when I have all these people in my life and my heart... plus my church family, my school family, my sports family, my work family, etc.
Lucky me!
Today I also have to give thanks for a perfect Thanksgiving Day! Oh not perfect in the mind of a mighty hunter who wants snow to track deer, but perfect for a sun-worshipper like me!
The temps were 60-ish again so after I got my salad made for dinner and my last Christmas Cookie Bake items made, I went for a 3-mile run in shorts and short sleeves, then relaxed in a lawn chair for half an hour in the sun.
Oh yes I did!
That's my kind of Thanksgiving! Especially when I've learned my family in northern Wisconsin and in Minnesota have 2 inches of snow or so. Keep it! (And please be gone when we drive up there tomorrow!)
The day was capped off by a great meal at Jim's parents. His sister and her family were there and Casey was home from college to join us. I am still so full I can't imagine having to eat until Sunday. But of course, I will. I saw a cute cartoon today that said, "It's the holiday season: Don't forget to set your scales back 10 pounds tonight!" No kidding.
Right now, as I digest and blog, Carter is feverishly cleaning the basement in hopes we'll buy a ping-pong table on Black Friday. I can tell you right now, I am not going to any store tonight to get nearly trampled like last year. And I may set an alarm, but not before 6 a.m. And there will be no ping-pong table purchased on Black Friday.
But I certainly won't tell him that until he's got the basement cleaned! Ha.
I am also thankful today for my wisdom. Maybe manipulative wisdom, but it's getting some cleaning out of a teenager. Can't beat that for a finale to a beautiful day.
Thank the Lord!
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