Soggy Sunday

Today was the extreme opposite of our sunny and 85-degree Saturday. It was rain all day and maybe a high of 55. Welcome to "spring" in Wisconsin!

So we did indoor things. Went to church. And I plunked down on the recliner under a fuzzy blanket and watched golf and the Twins-Brewers game (yay, Twins)... and perhaps napped here and there. Not a bad life. Ha.

Tonight we went to a meeting at TriCity golf course for our upcoming couples league. That should be fun again this summer as long as it's nothing like today's weather!

Now I have time to watch at least one mindless rom-com before going to bed. Look at me being so agile with Mother Nature's moods! Hope we all can do the same in the coming days!

Happy Satur-Dane

I don't know my father's thoughts on Danes. His only remark one time (as a 50/50 Swede and Norwegian) was about "goofy Finlanders."

Today I spent the day in a historic building called Danes Hall in Waupaca. Apparently lots of Danes settled in this town 45 minutes away. First time at the hall. An impressive facility that can accommodate a ceremony and reception on the third floor, an area to relax for appetizers on the second floor, and a popular bar in the bottom floor known as The Cellar. 

Every time I swear off shooting wedding photos, I cave to another request. This time to one of hubby's cousin's kids who lives on the East Coast but wanted something close to the bride's hometown in Waupaca.

Today was sunny and 84 degrees – the warmest day this year – but sun is not always a photographer's friend. So I did take most of the pictures inside the nice venue but took a few dozen outside with the couple. 

Although I am the cheapest photographer around, I still want to prove my worth and deliver good photos.

What I liked about this one is that I framed an angel on their shoulders to represent Grandma Batch, who is my mother-in-law's sister. Both are gone now. For the bride, I think/hope this picture means a lot! I know it will to Uncle Richard, who tearfully hugged me while commenting, "This is so hard to experience without Batch. She'd be so happy."

Sometimes in the chaos of all things weddings, we might forget how much the occasion means beyond the immediate family and friends. It's good to remember the feelings of grandparents who were overjoyed for the first times to be called Grandpa and Grandma. These "young people" are the world to them! 

Just pointing that out since I have several brides planning in 2026 and 2027 and I knew your grandparents who have gone. Also, I know for 99.9% certainty that y'all have better things to do than read my blog! LOL. Well, I did my part!

#hugyourfamily

A Patriotic PTO

Some of us of a certain age can appreciate the 250th "birthday of the USA" because we there to celebrate the 200th... the Bicentennial!

This picture may appear again this year... but my twin and I sang some song related to the Christian flag rather than the USA flag that day, and I have no idea. Other than.... look how cute we were!

First on my agenda today... I had to participate in America's REAL favorite pastime. Sorry, not baseball, but golf!

I took the day off and my friend and neighbor Marigene and I took our "pets" for a walk! That worked out great! #SoMuchRustToShakeOff

Afterward, I headed to my destination of flower shopping. My hair artist clued me into a place last week that was amazing. An Amish farm/greenhouse that no only had impressive blooming flowers, but special displays and very helpful staff.

I did have a few other stops, but I think I was privileged to finally get everything to present a nice 'Merica front deck presence.... 

For now, just know 'Lene and I are not going to perform any songs about it!

Hidden Talents

My first hidden talent today was learning that I am a "good bleeder"... this is after a simple finger prick that turned into a good half hour of "bleeding out" (in my dramatic opinion) and hoping not to faint just to test our cholesterol and all that jazz for a work health program.

Thankfully some old friends had my back and I survived mostly unscathed except for a little down time on a couch in a lactation room (all these things exist in today's corporate America) and some stomach upheaval. 

Still waiting for my gold star for being such a great and generous bleeder!

After work, it was a bee line to Robinson Park for Senior Night for our Lady Royals. Every time I think I'm 100% aging out of this school, I think of the current squad that moves my heart with their hearts of dedication and hard work for Assumption. Congrats, Ari and my R sister. I will miss the heck out of you!

After that, I was able to finally stop at soccer a bit so I could get some pictures to Mr. Yearbook. That was a little bit more affirming that we are getting old and don't know most of these "young kids" anymore. Still, was fun to see.

Then, while I was editing and uploading photos tonight I hear some very young voices and realize we are watching our youngest next-door neighbors for a spell because of a sort of family emergency. Their hidden talents: Endless energy!

I realize we really don't have any toys around here any more. But we may have turned them into zombies by the time they left. Side note: I'd give anything for the energy of a 3-year-old. Wow. 

Good thing I don't have to set an alarm tomorrow! 

A Wee Bit of Wednesday Wisdom

If you quickly read it as "Life is meant to be a cycle of stress and survival," then we're on the same page.

And that's not good.

So I guess it's NOT meant to be that. Ope.

When we had our weekly team meeting at work today I was confident to report that my current workload was at a manageable level. Then later, as I was "preparing for the next thing," I realized that's going to change any day now.

You'd think by now, some 30+ years into my career, that managing change would come easier. I mean I'm not at the "Get off my lawn!" stage, but I do find some changes a bit challenging to manage.

I must remember the key message above: Pause. Look up.

Sometimes we just need a minute to see how God is going to help us handle a situation or if He has total confidence we've got this! I'm convinced that short pause can lead to just the 60 seconds we need to breathe and reassess.

And if you're wondering if God follows you around all day with messages...

This was a banner hanging at church during choir practice tonight! I guess there's no such thing as "coincidences," is there? 

Change is here to stay. Embrace it. And if you can't handle it, someone up above will have your back! 

Monday :: Part 2

Well I wasn't intending on having my Tuesday play out like a Monday... but I set my Monday "work from home" alarm so I got up when I should've been halfway to work already.

Then there was road construction and a detour.

Before I left work, though, I was going to be wife of the year and finally pick up Buffalo Wild Wings on the way home – since hubby hinted I drive by there every day (not really) and never bring it home – then remembered halfway home that he golfs on Tuesday nights. Good thing he is not opposed to leftovers.

But the sticking point was...

I feel like I got the best car wash ever on Sunday and when I saw the dust storm, I probably said out loud, "Are you effing kidding me?" to my audience of no one in the car. Ugh.

When I got home, I followed Taylor Swift's advice to shake it off.

I grabbed a t-shirt and took a walk...

It was still windy (obviously) but not dusty. Also, the t-shirt brought back a lot of great memories! 

So it turns out that only about 30% of people hoping to see Denali – the biggest mountain on the planet as far as I'm concerned – actually get to see it. And my sister Renell and I did when we were there about 5 years ago.

The day we were actually in Denali National Park, we did not see it. We're like, how can we not see it if it so huge? We see all these mountains, but that's not it? No, said Mr. Park Ranger, you'll definitely know her when you see her.

And when we did see her the next day, it was like wow, she is three times the height of these "normal" mountains and impressive as heck. 

Today's life lesson: So if you're experiencing a Monday repeat, just remember, there could be something great lurking in the clouds, just waiting to reveal itself!

May we all be part of that 30% Club!

Monday Monday

Monday, Monday (Bah, da, bah da-da, da)

So good to me (Bah, da, bah da-da, da)

Monday mornin' (Bah, da, bah da-da, da), it was all I hoped it would be.

Maybe I captured the robin with a worm but if not, I'm thrilled to participate in Monday madness – and fun!

Funny how you take a day off on a Friday – and come Monday, it's like you are almost punished for a day off. So much work that piled up in one day. 

Anyway... I hope that you fellow mothers are still feeling the love from "Mother's Day Weekend". 

And, if you have a new audio book in your recent "listened to and enjoyed it," please let me know before my week's commute begins.