Motherhood Blessings

It's a bit early in the day for a blog, but since I couldn't deliver yesterday I felt compelled to write early. Plus, I'm it's not even 5 p.m. and I can't wait to go to bed tonight!

It was a special Mother's Day weekend for a handful of reasons. First, we were headed to a wedding where both our baby boy and his girlfriend were walking down the aisle – just not together. Then there was the fact there was going to be quite the UW-Platteville alumni contingent there – so some of the "boys" we considered our "kids" were there.

So the Readers' Digest condensed version (for those of you who even know what I'm referring to) is this: Carter and his now girlfriend Mamie met while working for Potosi Brewery and Halayna also worked there. They became fast friends. Then Halayna met Mamie's brother Amon the they became ... a fast couple. LOL. So the wedding this weekend was a combo of (Carter's girlfriend's) family and college friends. 

So celebrating the new Redfearns went a little bit like this...

Halayna's little sister wanted to be a REAL bridesmaid, not a junior bridesmaid and she wanted to walk with Carter. Heck, I'd choose him too! Side note: She's a little fireball and pretty much danced all night!

Mamie was one of the two maids of honor – and did a million thing beyond that role including sewing any alterations to anyone's wedding dresses. 

When you see Halayna escorted down the aisle with her big grin, this is her 100%. So when there was a point in the ceremony where they exchanged vows, we weren't surprised at how it played out. The groom did a great job, then Halayna took her turn. 

Then he said into the ceremony microphone something like: "That was so good!"

Then Halayna started giggling – also captured on the microphone – and we all thought "this is so them to a tee!"

During the ceremony, Carter had to hang onto the "flower girls" – their two Corgis. And at the end, those ladies led the way out!

If you couldn't tell by hair flying, it was crazy windy outside. So I guess I take no shame in my hair in this picture with hubby. I was just happy Jim an I coordinated and I coul fit perfectly into my "back up dress" from Casey's wedding 2+ years ago. 

Of course, spending any time of my Mother's Day WEEKEND with my baby makes all the difference in the world! I don't think kids comprehend this like us moms do.

And the kids... oh they just continue to be "matched" so perfectly! What a joy to spend some time with them and for me, selfishly, get to get out on the dance floor with the other "housemate" moms. That was fun. Also great to see and visit with a bunch of Mamie's family who we've come to know over the past 6+ years.

This morning was interesting because it was Mother's Day and I got to see and say goodbye to my baby... but at a hotel. Still, I wouldn't trade any Mother's Day WEEKEND experience with him! That was great!

I've been spoiled for more than a decade with the tradition Jim makes me Eggs Benedict for breakfast on Mother's Day. Pretty much the only day indulge. It took a few towns but on the way from Mineral Point to home, we found the Golden Eagle Cafe (or something) in Barneveld and we stopped and I could indulge in my tradition.

So yum!

When we got home, I hoped the rest of the day would be filled with spring-like thinks like flowers, but it really has been cold and windy. So I'll take my motherhood blessings I've gathered this weekend and run with it!

Hope all my mom friends and those in mother-type roles had the best weekend ever!

Voice of God: Take a Day Off Already!

I may have been the voice of God streaming down with lights from the clouds – or just my maximized stress levels – but my mind got the message to take the day off today. Shout out to Mental Health Awareness Month!

Slept in to make up for many sleep-deprived nights this week. That was a good start. Had to be sure I was up and showered in time to go to my one-hour deep tissue massage. Priorities!

Then it was a crap-ton of errands and special shopping...

As in let me check out some area greenhouses for hanging flower baskets! I visited Ella's on the recommendation of a friend.

I guess these "cone" type holders are a trend this year but my hanging baskets aren't very elevated so that didn't speak to me. I had to bypass those.

What did speak to me was that ONE hanging basket could take up the back of my vehicle for the very reasonable price of $36.

Fits perfectly in the front deck galvanized tin. Now I'll have to figure out the rest of my color scheme for the front facing part of the deck another day! Isn't that crazy amazing? I realize quite a few people I know were hopping around at Amish greenhouses today, too. So I'll have to check things out Sunday or Monday.

Another buy... and keep this under your hats so we don't offend Mr. Deck Chair...

I'm NOT exactly replacing Mr. Deck Chair. He just has new friends... who happen to have places built in for phones and water bottles.

Also, I thought these would match well with our new siding from last summer. Close but not quite the same. However, I'm glad I snapped the photo because holy crap, our deck needs attention this $ummer! Gah.

I did get some steps in after "work hours" but then remembered one of our favorite book club books was being featured on Netflix only starting today – in a remarkable movie starring Sally Field. So good!! Don't be intimidated that this is about an octopus that talks to a human. That's not what's happening. He may have thoughts, but humans can't hear those.

In the end, he just realizes (just like in the book), "Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures." 

Great Kleenix-filled way to wrap up that Godsend of a day off!

We Can All Be Rock Stars

Happy Thursday. The first thing I want to say – especially with any of you with some self-doubt at work – there is always someone on your team who thinks you're a rock star.

It's true!

The other morning when I was in desperate need for caffeine and they had no sugar-free Red Bull left in stock in our work cafeteria, I was sorta forced to try a sugar-free Rock Star for the first time. Not the same. But...

By sheer coincidence, someone on our team had left me a random "you're a rock star" type gift and I had a little uplifting trophy to accompany my energy drink. In a very unplanned way, it made for the best day!

I'm trying to keep that attitude positive this week as I deal with really inconsequential things like how will our church choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus during Memorial Day weekend? How can I take a mental health day on Friday when there is so much urgent work to do? How can I celebrate other people?

I think I found a way. For me this evening (after a ladies' golf league meeting), it was capturing photos of K.C. pitching successfully while at another ballpark his sister A.C. was pitching to their 10-run victory in softball. I adore their parents so this was cool for me.

I want both the baseball and softball teams to embrace that rock star status today. 

But I also hope that any of you who feel "undervalued" at work – to use my words a few weeks ago – to feel like you matter. But mostly, to feel like you're a rock star.

Pretty sure most of us are!

Team Steps Challenge

We're having a companywide steps challenge at work in May. It started Tuesday but I didn't realize until today that my FitBit is no synched up with the new version of the work app. Darn technology.

Hopefully I got everything reset and reconnected so I didn't lose all of yesterday's steps and today's. Our Writers Assembling team needs me! 

This after for what was intended as fun, a small group of us from Marketing took a short walk across the street in Schmeeckle Reserve – this amazing 280-acre conservancy area technically on the campus of UW-Stevens Point.

I say "intended" fun because is turned out to be sunny.... but in the 40s and windy. B-r-r-r-r! (Side note: Hubby wore long underwear to golf league tonight!)

The fun part was coming across a small herd of what I could only call "domesticated city deer." 

I mean this dude (I shouldn't assume a dude just because he was very busy chewing on his snack with his mouth open, sorry) just looked at me and I was 5 feet away. No flinching or need to run away from a crazy camera lady!

And yes, my Up North brothers-in-law and nephews would be ashamed of me not knowing the difference between male and female deer. But this one looked like Rudolph's girlfriend Clarice. I obviously follow a different outdoors learning guide.

Anyway, it made for a fun little jaunt to get steps!

And now I better log off because I still need 145 steps to get to 10,000 today. Can't let the team down!

P.S. You know me. I am NOT at all competitive!

Happy Five-o of May-o

When I see this, I'm hoping there's a spicy queso dip ahead or maybe buffalo chicken! What's your favorite dip?

Of course I am that dorky photographer who takes a picture and knows I'll share it 2 months later on Cinco de Mayo. 

We had a Salsa-Guac Showdown at work again this year. I only participated as a taster/voter. Did not make any this year. I would have had a pretty late start after taking track photos! But there some good entries! I have yet to warm up to the taste of guacamole, but I'll take salsa with heat any time.

After work, I met up with friends Cindy and Marigene at the movie theater to see The Devil Wears Prada 2. Loved it! Funny moments, of course, but some heartwarming ones as well. No spoilers! If you liked the first one 20 years ago, go see it!

Now I've got to get reading. I picked a book for my June book for Book Club called The Correspondent. It already reminds me of my mom – the most prolific letter and card writer of all time! Should be good.

Enjoy the non-holiday!

Temporarily in Bloom

I was so excited to take a bunch of these pictures yesterday and even today (at lunchtime), but boy did I need a jacket to ward off the wind by the time I got to track meet at 5 p.m. I just don't know what has Mother Nature in such a foul mood!

Anyway... enjoy some blossoms from yestersday when I thought the REAL spring was here. Probably a good thing hubby reminded me of the many nights in the 30s this week so I didn't go hogwild at the flower place!

Full disclosure. I have no idea what any of those flowers are. But I like them!

What I do know is that while I was taking pictures at a track meet tonight my friend's little daughter latched onto me and picked me a handful of flowers! As someone who hopes to be a grandmother some day, I thought is was the greatest gesture leading into Mother's Day.

P.S. That's my not so subtle warning that Mother's Day is this Sunday. 💜

A BINGO Cage Match?

Sunday suddenly BINGO got more serious. After singing at church and going home to pick up my official old lady BINGO bag I ordered on Amaazon, I headed to the school.

Naturally I was pumped up after taking some $1,000 in the past 6 weeks. But boy. BINGO bitties (or is it biddies?) don't like that. Buying my cards they said, "Yep, you're not allowed to win today." That was just the buying the cards process. 

Then, at intermission, a handful of ladies I do not know at all said, "You better not win the 50/50 today." My first thought was "sore loser" and second thought was "should I alert ESPN there is actually BINGO cage match potential?! And... how do I make money off of that?

I fell short in the goal post pattern BINGO by one and the coverall Progressive Jackpot by two (pictured above). Come back September 20 to join me!

For my safety (LOL) I guess I'm glad I was a loser!

P.S. I really was going to focus on some pretty spring blossom pictures today but they wouldn't survive in any cage match!