Sister Superior

Hello, blog friends. I am back home and using my computer since I realize something went crazy wonky when I used my phone instead! :( 

Instead of Mother Superior, I have a Sister Superior – as in one who finds healing powers from the shores of Lake Superior! 

As I mentioned last week, a civil trial that was supposed to provide some closure for sister Rachel was called off last minute. Since I had take the week off to be her supportive wing man, when she said she needed an escape to the North Shore, I said let's go!

I picked her up in Luck around noon on Sunday. Since we knew rain was predicted Monday and Tuesday, we decided to get our "outdoor viewing" opportunities. So we went past Duluth and up to Gooseberry Falls.

And the falls had so much more water flowing compared to when Jim and I were up there visiting Carter in July.

As we walked back to parking lot I realized that when I am walking with someone using a cane that we walk much slower – but also have time to observe more.

Like we both spotted this leaf with a heart-shaped hole! That was awesome.

Then I'm like, Rachel I see another heart! Well that wasn't quite as natural but definitely crazy within 5 minutes of each other!

After the park, we headed down to Two Harbors (on our ultimate destination of Duluth). When we were there in July, all the road construction prevented us from seeing the lighthouses there. This time we got lucky.

Very cool to see since the lighthouses were in "working mode" and shone their lights!

Also, it was by pure coincidence that the day after (last night) there was a huge fire there in their gift shop area. We did not touch it!!

Something we hadn't taken into account was that as the first day of Daylight Savings Time, the sun was going to set before 5! We bypassed our favorite Betty's Pies in hopes of driving up on our rainy Monday. We found out later it's only open Saturday and Sunday in the off-season. Dang!

We didn't have much sun during the day Sunday, but it came out in time to set!

By the time we got back to the hotel, it felt like it was 10 p.m.! We decided to walk half a block the Canal Park Brewery for a quick bite.

Walked back to the hotel on the boardwalk and were reminded there are lots of "fall colors" in Duluth.

With the time change and walking (plus driving) all day, we were ready to call it a day at 8:30 p.m.! Way too much to adjust to in one day!

And trust me, we were prepared to be snowed in (or something) for days. For the record, we never touched any of these!!

Monday morning the view from our balcony illustrated the exact weather – cold and windy! At some point we decided "Do we sit in this hotel room all day or put on our rain gear and chase a waterfall?"

We chased a waterfall – or two. When we were in Duluth this summer, Jim, Carter, and Mamie and I hiked around Lester Park to find a decent-sized waterfall. Unfortunately we were in the wrong side of the park so I made sure Rachel and I could find it.

Pretty awesome!

After that we did a little shopping and parked in a "stakeout" of sorts waiting for an ice cream place to open at 2 p.m. Even though we were soaking wet and cold, a friend of mine recommended this place so we waited (for 6 minutes that felt like 20, ha).

Excellent homemade ice cream. I had a carrot cake concoction and Rachel had blackberry something.

For our Monday evening, I finally got to see two of my favorite sights on the North Shore – Carter and Mamie.

So great to see them. And we had an excellent meal at Sir Benedict's Tavern on the Lake. I was adventurous and had a Cuban Pork sandwich which was carnitas topped with an avocado spread and sriracha and pepper jack cheese. So good. I might have to change my opinion about avocados.

It was just so nice to see them and catch up! 

We checked out of the hotel today but since it was a late checkout (11 a.m.) we hit the hot tub/whirlpool first since we were still chilled to the bone from yesterday's many outings in the rain.

When we did finally check out, we hit up Voyageur Donuts (upon the recommendation of Carter and Mamie) and it was soooooo delicious!!

I dropped Rachel off in the early afternoon and headed home. We had jokingly talked about being and the few sisters that didn't have tattoos. I said maybe I'd start with piercings – as in my ear holes closed years ago. 

So I stopped into Claire's at Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire and asked to be re-pierced. At first I was going to get two holes in each ear. Then I chickened out. But I have one on each lobe done.

Of course Jim was skeptical when I said I have some piercings to care for. I don't even want to know what he was thinking or hoping for.

I'm just grateful for time on the North Shore to help my sister keep her major concerns a bay. So nice to not think about anything else! 💗

TGIFF (Thank God It's Fabulous Friday)

I worked today at home but realized at some point during the day that Brewer fans were spending time watching a celebration parade.

Good for them. It looked like a grand celebration!

Most of my Friday, however, was working ahead for a week since I'll be out of the office Monday-Friday. There were some civil court case issues happening Monday–Friday for my sister Rachel who barely survived the car accident 2 1/2 years ago.

Now the trial is called off so I told Rachel since I'd already taken the week off, we should go on a mini-vacation.

She loves the north shore and I love my kiddos in Duluth so I think we'll have a nice adventure!

Wisconsin Proud!

Last night was a bit crazy. Two non-Brewer fans in this house stayed up to watch – and cheer them to victory!

Congrats to all you Brewer fans who have been waiting forever for this to happen. It's a big thing for Wisconsin!

A weird memory I have is that in 1982, even though I was already a Twins fan, the Brewers started their season so well that I designed a "shrinky dink" that was a pennant with the words "Brewers 1982". I don't know whatever happened to that, but I remember my creation.

Maybe I've had a soft spot for the Brewers. But most likely when they became National League and my team stayed as American League.

I experienced so much joy when my Twins won the Series in 1987 and 1991. Just bask in the glory. And buy all that merch. You never know how long it will be for the next time!

When the Game Clock Strikes 12!

 

As only a nice friend of Brewers fans – but not a 100% loyal fan – I ended up going to bed before the game got extended and extended and extended last night. Twelve innings. Wow! Bless you all for staying up until the end!

My early bedtime guilt was only lightened when I found out this morning the Brewers did not win. Sorry, but I still want to witness that glorious finish! 

My work friends who were very tempted to fly off to Tampa are camped out somewhere in the Milwaukee metro to feel, experience and hopefully rejoice in this next game! I hope it's worth it. As someone who experienced two World Series championships for my Twins in 1987 and 1991, I can tell you nothing compares! 

Again, fingers crossed for all Brewers fans!

Wisconsin Gone Wild

Life as a Wisconsinite is cray cray crazy after last night's 10-1 victory over Tampa Bay IN Tampa Bay. And the crowd goes wild. And the state goes wild!!!

After being out of the office for a 4-day weekend, my first priority was checking in on a few die-hard (seriously die hard) fans. The two in my department have definitely been waffling back and forth about flying to Tampa Bay. With one game left to claim the trophy. I guess it will depend on whether the Brew Crew can stick a fork in it tonight!

Looking forward to watching it since I have no sports to shoot for a few days.

My only other excitement today – besides catching up on work – was my annual wellness exam. Ugh. Let's just say things happen as we age and I'm not prepared for all of it. But I'm upright and above ground for the foreseeable future. Fingers crossed because we never know.

I'm thankful I'm not a die-hard Brewers fan. I don't think my blood pressure numbers should be messed with! Good luck tonight!!! 

Pretty Fun

The fall colors were on display for us scrapbookers at the Wisconsin Lions Camp outside Rosholt. Just beautiful and accompanied by mild temperatures that required no jacket. Perfect!

It started at 9 a.m. Friday and I got there about 9:15 a.m. so felt good to get things kick-started. My bestie from high school arrived a little later and we were ready to have some productive fun – except when we stopped to chat without distraction. LOL.

They tried to have the Brewers game on a TV on Friday night but it couldn't hold a signal so we listened to the radio version and were able to cheer for our Brew fan friends. I wasn't sure if it was technology or the weird moon outside or a little bit of both!

Saturday night they set up a TV in the camp office that had uninterrupted viewing. Julie and I kept scrapbooking until it was the bottom of the 7th and nothing was certain. So we walked over to the office to watch the rest. 

What a close and stressful series! I feel for you Brewers fans. Good luck tonight!

More random photos of camp and scrapping highlights...

Love the totem pole by the lake. It gives us peace of mind at every scrap!

It's like a pathway to Fall!

First pages of the weekend – a visit with my friend in Seattle. I have a full digital scrapbook of everything from that and a trip to Bellingham when Casey and Emily were out there.

When you're behind and realize this precious princess is no longer with us, you gotta give her some photo love!

I almost forgot about our (well MY) angst when Carter left for a full semester in Germany! The hardest goodbye.

We're always grateful that Louie the Lion stands guard over the Scrapbooking Kingdom each time we're there!

A cute page with Princess Sylvester in a standoff with our sweet grand-pup Rey. It was kinda funny since they're both as gentle as flies. (The non-biting ones!)

Jules and I before she hit the road Sunday. I stayed until today since Jim said I couldn't come home until I completed 35 pages. No worries. Hit the milestone today.

Some weird things about scrapbooking 2019 is that you realize a lot of these things did not or could not happen in 2020. Glad all 8 of us R's got to join Mom for her annual cancer walk!

Oh... this also happened Sunday in case you missed it.

And here's mostly our full group for the weekend. Just a few missed the photo. Just shy of 40 of us crazy gals!

Got home late afternoon with enough time to unpack the ungodly amount of stuff I crammed into my HRV for camp before heading to Book Club. Discussing any book is always delightful with good Mexican food at el Mezcal! However, this month we recommend The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. Very interesting!

Now I'm home to watch a little of the Brewers before my body takes over and cries "You need sleep!"

Ahhh... the price we pay for a fun four-day weekend!

It's Time to Meet The Muppets on The Muppet Show Tonight

Do-do-do, do-do-de-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

Mahna Mahna

Do-doo, be-do-do

Since we are out of the office next week, today was our day for the Marketing Department to dress up for Halloween. 

The writing team voted (while I was away on my sister getaway) to dress as The Muppets. First, I really wanted to wear my Hee-Haw get-up so I could get my money's worth out of that costume! Secondly, there are a lot of Muppet characters to choose from. And thirdly, thank goodness there is because we found an often forgotten muppet named Annie Sue the pig, who wanted to be a country singer.

Hee-Haw outfit meet my pig nose.

Here's our motley crew! Back row: Swedish Chef, Annie Sue the pig, Animal, Miss Piggy, Fozzy Bear, and Janice the hippy singer. Front row: Camila the chicken, Beaker, Waldorf (grumpy man in the balcony), and Dr. Bunsen Honeydew.

And this one has a few more members of our team dressed as a firefighter, a Brewers fan, and a writer. Ha.

Of course we had a fire drill today and that's when we realized not many departments were into celebrating Halloween a week early! That must be why people shake their heads and say "Oh that's just Marketing!"

We also could trick-or-treat today – in case I don't have enough snacks for my scrapbooking weekend!

Happy early 'ween!