My T-Shirt Era

For us working folk, there's not many casual days in our lives, if you think about it. Saturdays might be an occasion, but there's usually a little dressing up for church on Sundays. After yesterday's fun coincidence of matching my neighbor, this morning I thought, "I'm going to start wearing all these t-shirts I insisted on buying but don't get an occasion to wear."

First one off the pile – King Cone of course! It's a pretty cool shirt, if I do say so myself.

Don't worry, I'm not boring you with a picture everyday. Just had to prove at the same time that I am leaving my desk and getting out walking. A must-do when working at home can keep you chained to your desk. 

I discovered today that 3 laps around the neighborhood "larger circle" will net me 5,000+ steps. So that's a start anyway. Each lap is a nice short break. Just have to keep reminding myself to do it!

Today was also highlighted by military jet training overhead and sonic booms and a nice thunderstorm. All ending before Jim's golf league, naturally.

Also, thanks to the internet and livestreaming, I was able to watch my cowboy nephew Zach compete in the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships in Amarillo, Texas. He's doing pretty good. Now I feel the need to watch The Man From Snowy River, which helped fuel his horse obsession as a young boy!

Don't be to jealous of my exciting life these days! 

Not Gonna Lose Our Shot

This is, I swear, the most random thing in the world. I was all set to wear a pink shirt today for National Wear Pink Day or whatever, but spotted a t-shirt I hadn't worn in some 4 or 5 years. So I donned one of my Hamilton (the musical) t-shirts.

Then when I was turning into my neighborhood after a post-work gas run, I saw a familiar color!

I parked my HRV and after confirming my friend Cindy I randomly picked this shirt today, made sure to take a picture. I mean, what are the odds?!

We saw Hamilton together years ago but the odds of us choosing today to wear our shirts is crazy. I guess that means we're due to see it again. Or see some "Broadway" show in our area in the coming months. 

It's kind of freaky, but I'll take it as a sign. I'm checking out shows right now!

#NotThrowingAwayMyShot

Every Day's a Holiday

There's so many random "holidays" every day, I don't know how a person keeps track! In addition to allegedly being National Kissing Day and National Onion Ring Day, it's Robyn's First Day Working From Home For The Next 6 Weeks Day! 

Also, I haven't had cake in FIVE days! That was a good streak while it lasted. Let's not celebrate that.

Someone who really paid attention to holidays – in particular "personal holidays" – was my mother. She was so good about sending cards for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, babies, get well thoughts, you name it. Always addressed in her perfect penmanship and including a nice, handwritten note.

Tonight at Book Club we discussed The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I thought of my mom the entire time I was reading through. 

The main character wrote in one of her many letters that "the value of the written letter is, namely, that reaching out in correspondence is really one of the original forms of civility in the world, the preservation of which has to be of some value we cannot yet see."

I think I mentioned this book awhile back when I first started reading it. There is no narrative. There are only letters, set in such an order that you piece together the story. A lot of themes of grief and guilt and trying to mend relationships. Good stuff! 

I have a hard cover copy if anyone wants to borrow it.

And now I have to prepare for tomorrow. It's National Pink Day but also National Eat at a Food Truck Day so I need to find something loose-fitting. 

Happy holidays!

Dad's Day

Well I was off the hook to provide any type of Father's Day entertainment since hubby was still off on his weekend golf trip with the guys.

So I did what we probably would've done anyway. Sat and watched the exciting final round of the U.S. Open while crocheting a baby blanket.

Finished it with just a few holes to go so I headed into town and watched the rest of it with my father-in-law. That was nice.

It's still so weird (and lonely) even after 13 years to not have Dad to call on Father's Day. One of those things where you start to say in your mind, "Oh I have to get a card for Dad..." then remember. Good thing he instilled so much of his charm, humor, and know-it-all attitude in me that sometimes when I open my mouth, he really does come out!

Trust me, my siblings and I have no qualms about calling out each other as LeRoy 1, LeRoy 2, etc. We mean it endearingly, of course, but it's obvious none of us apples (or nuts) fall far from the tree!

Hope all you dads our there realize the great power you have to influence the next generation! Think what you want to be remembered for. 

Unrelated, hugs to all my friends coping with your first Father's Day without your dad. If you're feeling a hole in your heart, remind yourself that means he must have been a pretty special father!

Happy Father's Day!

RIP Mr. Deck Chair

 

While hubby is hopping around Minnesota golfing with buddies this weekend, I've been mourning the loss of my better half. Not him – Mr. Deck Chair!

If you want to know the answer to the question "Can you wear out a deck chair from too much use?" The answer is yes, apparently you can.

Well he was on his last legs. Had a big crack in his back. As Jim pointed out when he sent me this picture on garbage day, it was his time. "He was dirty and broken." Same. I am, too, sometimes!

Of course this photo was after he was already taking him apart to stuff his corpse into the garbage can. Sniff!

So I am hanging out with Mr. Deck Chair 2.0 and 2.1 this weekend. Yes, it takes TWO to replace the OG Mr. Deck Chair!

We'll soldier on!

Doh! Or Doe?

Interesting day as I transitioned between doh and doe. While earning the dough, of course.

Today was our last day in the office for awhile. Every time I thought I had everything together and ready to exit, I'd have a Homer Simpson "DOH!" moment when I remembered something else. Trust me, though, I was ready by lunchtime to head out.

Our full team of writers had our Last Lunch – not at all to be confused with the Last Supper. But I bet AI could alter this image. Not even going to think about trying it.

I gave a few hugs goodbye – because you know I'm a hugger – and was out the door well before 4 p.m. because our golf league tee times changed up at the last minute.

The weather tonight alternated a few times between long and short sleeves. Thankfully there was only a few sprinkles of rain before the wind blew those evil clouds past us. Molly and I did not do as well as last week but who cares? We had fun! 

And as competitive as I am, this is one area where I know my limits so I am 100% here for fun and spending time with a friend!

As I drove into the driveway, there was another DOH or DOE moment. I raced into the house to take a picture of her through my office window. Not the best photo, but she just hung out there, enjoying the evening for a good half hour. 

I know nothing about wildlife. I was just concerned she might be injured. Or, on a positive note, pregnant. Who rests in a yard when there's traffic nearby on the street and in the driveway? But then, she was gone!

Doh!

Anyway. A random plus-side is that the weather forecast for Friday calls for no, possibly minimal, rain. So get out and enjoy the Cranberry Blossom Fest events. We might luck out and have a weekend of weather in our favor! 

More Cake? Well, Sure!

The question isn't will I turn older next week. The question is whether I'll gain 5 pounds before my next birthday. Because I have the best coworkers!

OMG. Steff created the most tasty 3-layer coconut cake I've ever had the privilege of tasting! So good!

A little back story on how I fell in love with coconut cake. 

Throughout my growing up years, my mom and her sister Virginia would visit each other quite often. I felt like it was weekly. Taking turns at each other's homes. It always required some bakery items to go with the coffee, of course. Occasionally, when Mom was "hosting," she'd buy one of those Pepperidge Farm Classic Coconut Layer Cake. Could not get enough of that flavor! So good. So that was a lovely treat today!

My almost birthday twin Darcey and I felt spoiled yet again! We had to pose one more time by my ice cream light (my real twin gave me a few years ago) before I unplugged it and brought it home. 

Tomorrow's the last day in our current digs. I said loudly this afternoon, "OK, is anyone bringing treats of any kind tomorrow? Otherwise, I'm packing up my little plates and bowls." 

No response so I think the party's over. I mean I guess we're still pre-gaming!

After work, our team went to Guu's on Main in Stevens Point because our Nashville team member is with us this week and they have at least 6 flavors of deep-fried cheese curds. She was suitably impressed. Even though it's funny sometimes how we want greasy, gooey goodness to represent our state!

Go, cheese!

P.S. Unrelated to anything... my friend at work and I went to the Herrschners warehouse sale at lunch today. Holy million people but also million deals. Get there! I think it goes through Sunday.

P.S.S. It has rained all day. Apparently hubby still had golf league. Probably wearing his long underwear. Yep, mid-June and temps in the 40s and 50s. Be careful out there!