Left Out in the Cold

Last weekend, before the Vikings had their surprising win over the Packers, I told hubby he could take his best buddy from next door to the Vikings game this weekend – if they won and played at home.

When the Vikes took the division title, I had to stand by my word. While it was tough at first, as the week went on and the forecast kept getting colder and colder, I was OK with it.

So today Jim and Mick hit the road at 6 a.m. with plenty of layers and hand warmers in the CRV. Thanks to my niece Caryn, when they got to the stadium, they had a place to park and free admittance. She took a picture of them before the game and before they were frozen solid.

This is pregame warm-ups. Can we call them WARM-ups when it's minus 6 degrees?

As the jumbo-tron points out, it was the coldest game in Vikings history and the 3rd coldest NFL playoff game. One almost wondered if Hell was freezing over and maybe the Vikings were headed to the Super Bowl.

Nah. Just kidding. None of us were thinking that.

However, the karma was there. With former legendary coach Bud Grant rocking a short-sleeved shirt for the coin flip (at age 88), Viking fans were pumped up! Jim said that was awesome to see.

When he could see, that is. His primary complaint about the frigid weather was that his glasses kept steaming up and his feet were cold. They did put foot warmers in their boots but they weren't as effective as the hand warmers in their gloves for some reason. Thankfully, both boys came home with all 10 fingers and toes!

Meanwhile, back home kitty was trying to soak up the sunshine and heat to send "Daddy" a warm hug via text. 

Meanwhile, back at the game, the beer was freezing! This wasn't their beer, they said. Too cold to drink beer. Plus they had a long drive home, made longer by the Vikings kicker. For longtime fans, this is deja vu all over again, isn't it? Grrrr.

I tell you, when they were about to kick it, I said to Carter, "Ohmigosh, every Viking fan is nervously re-living the Gary Anderson kick right now." He said, "Don't jinx it!"


Too late. Just knew it was going to happen. Dang.

Felt worse for the guys since they had to brave that cold all day and deal with the disappointment and devastation on top of it. Sadly, we're used to it. They still had a good time, though. Glad they had the opportunity to go and that I was forced to sit on my warm couch.

At least I didn't have to worry about my tears of frustration freezing on my face. Sigh...

White Un-Christmas

When I told Sylvester I had to take down the Christmas tree soon, she gave me that look like, "Don't even think about it." So I gave her a reprieve until today.

And wouldn't you know it, we finally woke up to a white Christmas-type day. Over all the icy, slushy stuff that has been wreaking havoc on the drive the last few days lay a fresh layer of powder. As much as I was hoping to be productive around the house, I figured the shoveling better come first.

The snowblower is still awaiting a part, so somebody had to remove the white stuff manually. Here's Mr. Stink Bug and me looking at the pretty scenery and wondering whose turn it is to shovel. Not his, I guess.

I was pleasantly surprised the temperature felt mild, by Wisconsin standards, and the snow was quite light and fluffy. This was good. Since I skipped my strength class today, I could get a workout (without hurting my back) plus get some steps on the Fitbit. It turned out not to be much of a calorie burner as Carter relieved me at one point and Jim finished the job.

The Stink Bug did nothing. And since I was so concerned about getting a photo, he lived to tell about it. I'm just not sure where right now. Eww.

After the shoveling, undressing the tree (with kitty closely supervising) and un-decking the halls, I got my Saturday chores done and hit the shower shortly after noon. Didn't have anywhere we had to be today but we wanted to catch the Assumption boys basketball game. (We watched the girls beat Pittsville last night.)

Once in awhile for nonconference games, they play on Saturdays. So Elk Mound came down to Rapids. Got to see both the boys JV and Varsity games. The JV team won with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to tie, followed by a successful free throw. Exciting. The Varsity team lost by close to 20. Ouch.

From there, Carter went to work and Jim and I came home. He went to church tonight since he'll be gone tomorrow and I sat on the couch and knocked off another Hallmark Christmas movie. I think I am down to just 2 left in DVR storage bank.

I guess I'm a bit like kitty. I'm not ready to let Christmas go just yet.

But winter... you can hit the road any time.

Construction Instruction

This is the second school year that Carter's school has opted for a different schedule for reporting grades. They now end the first semester prior to Christmas break, with finals the days leading up to the holiday. In order to keep the second semester on its same "old" schedule, they hold a Winter Symposium term for the two weeks after New Year's.

Last year, Carter took some American Experience class that ended up not having much sightseeing or experiences. This year, he is actually enrolled at nearby Mid-State Technical College for an "Introduction to Civil Engineering" course. While that is not the area of engineering study he plans to pursue, it is still a valuable class that parallels to some of the things he may need to know for mechanical, electrical or software engineering.

Probably knowing the difference between cement and concrete won't matter so much, but it did result in a field trip to see how that knowledge was paired with engineering and architecture to build the south end of Lambeau Field.

This a file photo of construction. It is obviously complete now because the Vikings scored there last weekend.

I asked Carter if he took any pictures today and he replied, "No, it wasn't worth photographing since I  just went there two years ago with our (German exchange students)." Oh I am sure that response breaks the hearts of a few of his aunts and uncles! Nothing, nothing at all worth photographing? Love that kid! (I'm sure they do, too.)

Thankfully, he has a whole week to recover before it's back to school as we know it. And if that's the worst thing he has to suffer through with this class, I think he's gonna be OK.

Recipe for Disaster

One doesn't plan to gain the Festive Five (or so) over the holidays. It just happens. Like the sun rises. Like ice cream melts in the summer. Like rain turns to ice in the winter. Like the Vikings lose Super Bowls...

It just happens.

Even though I went to work rather than staying home (aka couch-bound) for 2 weeks, I could feel it in progress. I know you think I'm exaggerating but when you're 5-foot-nothing, you can go from zero to muffin top in less than 10 pounds. That's for sure. So yes, I really could feel it. When your "fat jeans" get a bit snug and you wish you could wear sweats or nice yoga pants to work. When that second chin plays peek-a-boo, just threatening to make an appearance.

Yup, I knew I was fluffing up. I also knew I was "totally going to get back on track in January." (Just a quote from last year and the year before that and the year before...)

Naturally, I had, er have, sincere intentions! Still, the only way to move forward is to remove the obstacles blocking your path. No matter what the sacrifice.

Now I can't completely place blame with others. But ... when my friend Kim shared this recipe with me last Saturday, I said, "Looks great. You should make those and share!" Darned if she didn't talk her hubby into making them and providing them for the Youth Bake Sale at church on Sunday.

You know I'm a sucker for a good cause. So I walked out of there with $5 worth of Andes Mint Whoopee Pies. That's all you need to know.

All week, my fellow dedicated dieters (wait, that's insulting to lump them in the same category as me, sorry) have been making good choices. I keep saying, "I'll get started as soon as I get the good stuff out of the house." The burden was on me. I had to eat them. I mean I, me, Robyn. I had to. Robyn does not SHARE Andes Mint anything!

Well, it was a daunting task, but I'm pleased to report I just polished off the last pie tonight. Whoopee! Now I can get started!

I can just look at this photo for inspiration...

And as a distraction from wondering if I need to "get rid of" those 3 cartons of Schwan's Peppermint Stick Ice Cream sitting lonely, abandoned in the freezer in the garage.

Another tasty recipe for disaster.

Against All (or Most) Odds

I don't always wear my pajamas in public, but when I do it's because I had to run out an get Powerball tickets before it was too late.

When hubby and I were weekly purchasers of "chance," we hated it when everyone and their mother would come out of the woodwork and buy tickets just because the jackpot was big. Like $5 or $6 million wouldn't be enough.

Now we've become "those people."

We just fell out of the routine. Quite some time ago. Still, I've been hearing rumblings of a big pot for Powerball so I intended to get tickets before or after kickboxing. I forgot.

Got home and showered and got the jammies on when hubby says, "Did you buy Powerball tickets?" Whoops.

At least in the winter, you can throw on boots and big ol' jacket and no one is the wiser about what you're wearing underneath. Just add some lipstick and your good to go. Of course, since there are different or more numbers than there used to be, I had to fill out a new card. Great. Let me just keep my beautiful, makeup-less self on the surveillance cameras a little longer. And heck, why not have my sister-in-law stop in to buy tickets so she can see me at my finest?

I could probably buy her silence after tonight. Heck with $500 million or even $100 million, I could probably sponsor her son's race car this year.

But don't get me started on the wish list. The guy at the gas station is pretty sure they've sold $500 in tickets just tonight. So it would be against a LOT of odds.

I'm game.

Sleep Mode

Did you know a good night's sleep can get you fit? Truth. My new Fitbit measures important "fitness" activities from steps to stairs and, yes, even sleep.

Now I'm one of those people who can't even sleep with my wedding ring on. Too distracting for some reason. Like that pea under the mattress, I guess! So I have not worn my Fitbit bracelet to bed. That's why I was surprised when I received my weekly "Fitbit activity at a glance" email that there was sleep recorded.

There's no way I was wearing this in bed and not remembering it. My New Year's Eve was not that kind of fun.

So I logged in to my account to see when it happened. Wouldn't you know it -- New Year's Day. No, I wasn't napping. I was just plain lazy. In fact, 5 hours and 36 minutes worth of lazy! Did I watch that many Hallmark movies in a row? I must have.

If you notice the average times awakened, I "awoke" just enough 21 times. That's 11 times awake and 10 times restless, according to my "this is how you get fit" bit. Those movements were most likely to fast forward through commercials, refill my drink, go to the bathroom and search out snacks.

I should be embarrassed for being a slug but I also recorded nearly 8,000 steps that day, so I couldn't have been that bad.

Of course, there are lots of steps involved with climbing the basement stairs, trekking to the kitchen, back down to the couch, up to the bathroom, back down to the couch, up to the kitchen again...

Wow, I'm getting fit just thinking about it! Sweet dreams.

The New 2016 Reality

Now this was an interesting post I saw on Facebook today...

And I guess Facebook is part of the answer, too... and the Internet and even blogs.

So I probably shouldn't start any arguments tonight on that device. In other words, I'm taking a free pass from blogging. Have had some computer issues tonight and it is well past my bedtime.

Let me know what YOU think would be interesting or difficult to explain about our "new reality"!