I'll Take The Combo x 2

It just so happens that less than 2 weeks after son No. 1 moves back to Minnesota with our beautiful daughter-in-law, my Twins are hosting hubby's Reds at Target Field. 

So we decided a few weeks back that we'd go to these baseball games and invite the 3 brown-eyed bandits and their ladies. It happened that it only worked out for the newlyweds to join us Saturday night. 

So we thought... let's take this Twins-Reds combo weekend into a Minnesota combo weekend. I mean, what are the odds the Twins and the Vikings both play at home at noon?

So Saturday is baseball and Sunday will be football – our first ever visit to the new U.S. Bank Stadium! We're pretty excited!

And our hotel is within walking distance of both events, so our belated summer getaway is working out just fine. As long as I end up with a Minnesota Win-Win Combo at the end of it! 

Fired Up

It just so happened that today was a day to be fired up about a few things. I mean of course at work we continued with our very fun United Way campaign. But after work, we had our Ladies League finale.

As it turned out with the rankings, my partner Marigene and I were set to play WITH my friends Sara and Michelle. She couldn't make it, so Trisha, who I golfed with during couples league, filled the spot. We had a great time. And I think finished 3rd in the scramble category. Either way, we all had fun.

The fun part was seeing this amazing water hole that had been just sand last week until our hubbies helped install a ton of sod. It looks so good!

Especially at sunset angle when we've really never had a pond to reflect off of!

Of course, sunset on any hole is a pretty way to wrap up a long summer of league. Thank goodness we didn't have to follow our balls at this time of night! Enjoy the campfire picture up top from my backyard. Let's appreciate night-time colors of any shade!

Red Sky in Morning...

When I turned onto Deer Road just before 7 this morning, I saw a colorful sunrise. Not so much the clouds today, but the sun. I stopped to take a picture with my phone and really zoomed in. It was a definite red sky.

According to all the fokelore, a red sky mean's take warning... Or a red sunrise actually can mean that a high pressure system (good weather) has already passed, thus indicating that a storm system (low pressure) may be moving to the east. A morning sky that is a deep, fiery red can indicate that there is high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain could be on its way.

I zoomed out and it ended up looking more orange and yellow – not red really – so I figured we were in for an OK day.

Not that I had anything outdoors planned anyway. But a bunch of us marketing writers did eat outside in the courtyard for lunch today. So it was nice that the red sky at morning wasn't too much of a warning.

After work, I had to deliver some senior photos (on flashdrive) and then had choir practice. With my tight time schedule, I skipped our monthly Girls' Night Out, but just happened to catch a few still gathering on my way home. 

Yup. Ignore that Farmers' Almanac B.S. and just enjoy each day to the fullest! No matter what the color is!

Charity Combined with Clarity

My company takes our United Way campaign very seriously. So thankfully today, that meant a scoop of delicious King Cone ice cream – for a good cause of course!

It also meant raffle baskets and thanks to our marketing department, an incredible book fair. Oh gosh, if you have a favorite author or book title in mind, you need to let me know ASAP as this sale/fair only goes through Wednesday!

Of course my clarity in life came on the golf course after work today. A bit windy so there were actually waves on the water holes. But not bad versus the super high humidity and temps of previous weeks.

Of course, we're still so blessed we get to golf at SentryWorld and play the back 9 for league just enough to experience an appreciate the Flower Hole.

Still looking pretty in September!

Something my two black thumbs could never accomplish!

Since were into mid-September almost, we've got the bonus sunset views.

And wildlife, too! We loved that they didn't care about our tee shots. There was obviously tasty in the grass by the 18th tee box!

I had a great round – despite some required mulligans to keep me happy. Worked out just fine to cap off a day of doing good for United Way. 

More to come for the next 2 weeks. Hope you all have a chance this time of year to support a very good cause!

Different Kind of Fall Colors

Most of us love the colors of autumn. Of course, the warm hues of maple leaves come to mind first. But today, there were some different colors for me.

First of all, the faded yellow rose each of us 8 kids received at Mom's funeral a month ago. I know it's time to go out with this week's trash. But I'm grateful to feel her presence in my kitchen for a few weeks.

And while I can't keep up with what's happening on the planet, I appreciated this colorful drive home after a photo shoot tonight.

I was definitely confined to the views I could catch on the drive home. 

In fact, when I pulled over to catch this shot, helpful pickup drivers from both directions were concerned if I had car trouble since I had my flashers on. I am quite sure they had no appreciation for my answer that "I just stopped over to take a picture of the ball of fire in the sky."

Their loss, right? I mean, talk about glorious fall colors!

Of course, there was a sliver of a moon making his presence known simultaneously. No offense, Mr. Moon. I just need to soak in the shades of autumn first!

Hope you all got a glimpse of something pretty today!

Weekend Snapshot

I just realized I haven't blogged since Thursday night. I'll give you a hint what's been taking up my time. Yup, 5 photo shoots.

Initially, hubby was going to be out of town on a golf trip so I figured I'd set things up this weekend so I could be free next weekend. Well, they ended up not going. So I still didn't see much of him – thanks to my schedule. 

The good news: 11 senior sessions are done and only 4 more to go! 📸

And some random pictures mixed in...

Like this cute cow / bull guy in the field near my picture taking yesterday.

He really wanted his picture taken – and to reach over the fence to help me take mine. Harmless but slightly pushy. Ha.

This morning I took pictures for our church and our annual God's Work, Our Hands work day – doing everything from cleaning gutters at some elder members' houses to packing up Lutheran World Relief school kits and quilts to painting at local elementary schools. It's always a productive morning of putting faith into action. I'm will to break a sweat, but with two black thumbs, they definitely trust me more with a camera than a set of garden shears!

After that and a senior shoot today, I stopped at our Downtown Grand Affair craft/vendor sale and classic car show. Why would I go there when the Vikings were playing at noon?

Because even though the Packers already played this weekend, the TV idiots decided to air the Bears game here instead! So I know we won. But it sure would've been fun to see our new QB and other new players in action. 

I already lost my fantasy matchup so I'm glad there was something wonder-SKOL happening at least!

This evening we had what feels like the 5th funeral / visitation this week. A friend of ours, just my age, had been battling ALS and then his heart gave out this week. It was unexpected to happen this quickly. Our hearts break for his dear wife and their family. There must have been 400 people gathered for his celebration of life "party" tonight. What a testament to how many lives Rick has touched with his kindness and positive attitude. I could not stop crying. Uff da.

Afterwards, we grabbed a bite to eat at Sportsman's with two of the other couples that were there. We have to treasure time with friends and loved ones when we can! We just don't know.

Let's have an uplifting week. We deserve it! 💕

PAR-allel Seasons

I'm starting to experience when two seasons collide. Tonight was our penultimate night of Ladies Golf League – and we were definitely borrowing daylight – and the kickoff of the NFL season and, thus, our fantasy football season.

As luck would have it, my partner Marigene and I had the latest tee time tonight for league – 5:20 p.m. Based on our league's track record of slow play this season, we wondered if we'd finish before dark.

Especially when this was the typical scene on many tee boxes.

After the 7th hole, Mr. Fox was enjoying the sunset views but was hoping we'd have light to finish. We did.

Got done at 7:40 p.m. when our official Wisconsin Rapids sunset was 7:27 p.m. No worries. We all found our balls – even in the rough!

When I got home, I was reminded that it was the first night of NFL football. I thankfully remembered to set my fantasy lineup earlier today. But my famous QB – Taylor Swift's boyfriend's teammate – isn't doing so hot, I got concerned.

Do I finish my golf season strong or start my fantasy football season strong?

Based on my skill set, I'd say just sit back and watch. Good luck out there!