Bring on March Gladness

Don't forget that March Madness actually begins at the high school level with the regionals and sectionals leading up to state hoops. And when we're lucky, it turns into March Gladness.

The crazy and amazing thing Friday night was that our boys won their Regional round 2 game versus a higher seed, Blair-Taylor (which is my college territory around La Crosse).

I had a few things to do and did not travel 80-plus minutes to shoot pictures last night in Elroy when they faced the No. 1 seed. But I quickly heard through the grapevine that our boys claimed the Regional Championship!

That is so exciting. Now onto sectionals for the first time in at least 8 years.

The other part of March MADness or GLADness is always weather dependent, of course!

Today after we both sang in our respective churches, we went to a retirement party for our friend Christine. Alwasys great to see old / long time friends. When we got home, the temps were in the mid-50s so I went for a walk.

Got to chat with my friend and neighbor Cindy and my favorite four-legged creature Buddy. Then ran into golf partner and neighbor Marigene.

We literally went the extra mile, so to speak. I forget how long winters somehow stop us from seeing people! No one likes to hang out on the swing in front of the house when it's 22 degrees! You know?

When Carter called this afternoon he, of course, was having slightly warmer weather "down south" in Iowa. But we both hoped this wasn't a fake spring again. And we know, naturally, that it probably is because this is, well, the Midwest and the calendar won't acknowledge spring yet for 2 weeks.

I heard a rumor, though, that tomorrow's high temp could bring Mr. Deck Chair out of winter hibernation. Just saying.

Hope you find your March GLADness this week!

Crash and Burn

Well today was our last in-person day to celebrate our Out of this World success in 2025. After making and flying paper airplanes with my great niece and nephew at Thanksgiving, I was pretty confident going into today's flying competition.

But... I must have forgot a key folding element or something, because I crashed and burned. TWICE.

So no prizes for me this week... other than the bonus deposited into my checking tomorrow. 

I should've won a prize for my cool T-shirt I wore – thanks to Amazon and, apparently COVID.

Still it was fun to have a little levity – and cake! – during a somewhat stressful time. I'm seriously grateful because the last 3 companies I worked for were very focused on cutting costs (and people) to thrive. Now I have a very financially stable employer and I will never take that for granted.

Cake or no cake.

Today's Space Invasion

I love that my company planned today's space invasion culprit to be the sun – and warm temperatures! We're going to get spoiled. Please don't let us down, weather forecaster dudes and Mother Nature!

I had to get gas to make it from work to my chiropractor. All I could think was "tell me it's 55 degrees in Wisconsin without actually telling me." This is definitely it. Also, I'm glad I went through the cleansing line on Sunday!

I didn't get a lot of time to enjoy the nice weather since I had work after work (after my spinal but not attitude adjustment) and then had to edit photos from the Assumption boys' regional win last night to advance to round 2 AT HOME on Friday. We haven't been in this position for quite some time so it's exciting.

As for today's space invasion fun... there was cake and we could dress like our favorite space movie or TV or whatever character. I had nothing. I wasn't creative. But tomorrow we can dress as our favorite planet... and this Atari-era girl is going with an anti-planet Space Invaders t-shirt that says "Don't invade my space."

Dang I miss that game and the rolly-polly ball to shoot the enemies!

Also dang. I guess this is the week I continue to age myself.

Get out and enjoy our spring weather this week – even if it's only temporary!

Close Encounters of the Fun Kind

The 9-foot inflatable alien lurking outside my office door probably would've scared me on any other day. But not during our annual "success week celebration" and the theme is Out of This World. That's what all of us employees are – out of this world!

So as usual, we got all out with theme-related fun.

Fun graphics. Fun food like SUN chips and MOON pies and COSMIC brownies. And games.

And this is all day one of three of in-person festivities. 

My only hope is that I will still get some actual work done and that our alien friend won't suck my brains out!

I'll keep you posted! And if you don't hear from me, well, you know what happened.

Be careful out there!

Marching on in Like a Lamb

New month means a new calendar view! I hope the phrase "Blossom by blossom, spring begins" comes true!

Yesterday's weather was just nice enough for me to wash the sludge off my car. And today we tipped 40 degrees. Not that I got out to enjoy it. Ended up having an extra long workday and I am about ready to put on jammies and veg out for the night. Definitely won't stay awake until The Voice is over.

How old am I?! Geez.

Hopefully this lamb-like nice (for Wisconsin winter) weather this week will put some pep in my step as we March toward spring! 

Hope you find a way to enjoy it this week.

Colors of February Come Full Circle

February is finally wrapping up. Thank goodness we're done with the 4th (practically) month of winter!

My week has been a whirlwind. A few highs and lows. We had a Trifle Thursday this week since the birthday boy at work actually celebrates today. While everyone raved about the taste of the Cookies and Cream Dream, I find it ugly. I reminds my of dirty slush and snow. (A common February color.) Of course, I didn't say that out loud!

Yesterday the thermometer projected into the 50s so you know what that means. Everyone to the car wash!

Other than the Valentine weekend flowers, this is probably my favorite color of February!

Today was a full day. Jim and I headed down to a bridal shower for Carter and Mamie's college friend Halayna. They are both in the wedding in May since she is marrying one of Mamie's brothers! I had Jim go with since we had more time to visit with Mamie's dad (up from Alabama) than we will at the wedding. I did shower stuff and they chit-chatted.

Since it was a mid-morning start, the theme was a "love is brewing" coffee bar. Coffee is a good color any month!

And look at that cute "bar tender"! I'd have to say he's a 100% devoted boyfriend for helping out at Mamie's friend's baby shower a few weeks back and now this bridal shower. He's a keeper! In fact the bride's 11-year-old sister insisted she not be a "junior" bridesmaid but a "real one" instead and she must walk down the aisle with Carter! Adorable.

Speaking of adorable... my girls! I don't know how Carter's mom got to be the cool mom and invited to these things, but I adore them all!!

Also adorable... the kids with the bride-to-be...

And especially adorable... Jim and Halayna... They get a picture together every few years and their smiles are genuine. Her personality is larger than life! So happy for her.

Oh and I finally got to give her the blanket I did in January to match their new sage color theme. She loved it!

Our 2 1/2 hour drive home was too wintery for our liking. It was slippery. Glad Jim was driving or this winter grandma driver probably wouldn't be home yet.

As a result of the snow and slush... my car does indeed look like a Cookies and Cream trifle! Am I right or am I right? Gross!

Of course the Assumption Royal Blue is always a fan favorite in February as the girls' playoff season is underway. But I do not like that ugly Almond-Bancroft green that defeated them tonight for the regional championship. It was quite the physical battle! All I can say is I am proud of girls who left nothing on the floor. They were 100% committed and did amazing!

And when I got home a little bit ago and saw that all my slushy icy stuff was on my car, I thought, February, you are free to move on now!

Hump Day, How?

 

I have no idea how it's already Hump Day, but as I stopped behind this vehicle (and bumper sticker) this morning I realized things could be worse. Thank goodness I am NOT living in a van down by the river!

I have so much work and tasks on my list right now, but I can take comfort that I can work in an office and at home. Not down by the river. Close to a creek, but not any type of vehicle by the river.

Last night, I took photos of our girls' basketball team dominating the opening round of regionals with a 50-3 point halftime score – and I'm sure something incredibly impressive by the end. I still have to edit those photos and hope to get to that tonight.

I am trying to allot myself some time, but know other priorities may surface. All I can say is let's all do our best to get to Thursday! 😁