For Our Amusement

We got to spend a gorgeous day at Six Flags amusement park today. We pretty much stayed together as our whole group of 11 so that was fun.

Of course, if we needed an even number for a "scary" ride, I would volunteer to sit and watch drinks and backpacks, etc. Aren't I nice?

I did summon up some bravery for a wicked roller coaster that had me screaming and squeezing my eyes shut the whole ride. At the end of the day I even rode their infamous Batman coaster with its upside down loops and corkscrew turns. Wow. I absolutely loved it! Definitely the bravest thing I've done as a 45-year-old!

The only damper on the day was some late afternoon rain that blew so hard it was sideways. It caused a wet group and some delays. On the positive side, it prompted some people to go home so we had shorter lines after that.

All in all, a great day. And I am beat!

Sweet dreams.

Robyn Unplugged

Pretty much going to be unplugged this next but here are a few highlights from my birthday...

Got going at 7 a.m. as planned and after only two stops, we made it St. Louis!

Did not go up in the Arch but saw it on way to the very cool City Museum. It's almost time for lights out so here is a quick pic of our crew...

Better log off so I don't get in trouble.  Hope to type more later.

Early Start

My fellow runners know what I'm saying when I tell you today is my last day as a F40-44.

As part of the "old" crowd in the Female age 40-44 division, I had an excuse to be slow during races. Now, I'm moving on up (just add 40 candles above) and I'll be that fast, young thing in F45-49.

Yeah, right.

It gave me an excuse to start celebrating early anyway.

Even though I spent a little time baking last night, I decided I would use those cookies for the mission trip and stop by Dunkin' Donuts on my way to work instead. I almost took a picture of the cop in line in front of me. It was too ironic! Granted, he only got coffee (that I could tell), but it struck me as pretty funny.

So I shared treats at work and treated myself to a chair massage AND King Cone on the way home. Heck, it might as well be my birthday TODAY!

I guess I figured since I'm getting up around 5:30 a.m. tomorrow and driving 8 hours with kids I am just getting to know, I should make sure I have my fun today.

Now I still have just a few items to pack, plus go pick up the van I'll be using, and maybe see some of Carter's 8 p.m. baseball game...

Yep, that's my fun! When we get old, I guess we appreciate the little things.

Or something.

The 'A' List

You've heard of Craig's List and Angie's List and now, Robyn's List...

My brain can't rest this week with all the lists running through my head. I have my list of things to get done at work before my out-of-office absence. I have the list of items to pack for our mission trip. Then there's the list of things I won't be here to take care of that have to be done ahead of time.

How do the "A" listers in Hollywood juggle all this?

I'm happy to see the work list is seeing lots of boxes get checked. I will be done with what I HAVE to be done with when I check out tomorrow afternoon. The stuff that would be NICE to get done, will likely slap me in the face on the Monday I return. Oh well.

I have things done to plan for my absence at home -- like paying some bills early -- but still have a few things to get squared away.

Regarding packing... What a nightmare.

They do a very good job of giving us a list of pretty much exactly what we need. I am still a bit challenged getting it all in one suitcase. After seeing that the forecast for Booneville, Ark., is a high of 103 tomorrow, I wonder if my shirts are "thin" enough. Breathable enough. Whew. Good thing it will be "cool" there next week (in their minds) with highs only in the upper 80s.

Despite having to use The Voice to try to get Carter to start packing, I am still in an upbeat mood about this. I am getting pretty excited.

I found out tonight that one of the days we will be helping with flood relief. Just today, President Obama signed a disaster declaration for 11 counties in Arkansas that were hit by tornadoes, severe storms and flooding from May 30 through June 3. So we will be doing some REAL work that has REAL immediate impact. That is exciting. And will be rewarding too.

I just have to remember to add 3 more things on my packing list -- jeans, sturdy shoes and work gloves -- and then find a way to make them fit in that ONE suitcase.

Carter's touring around the neighborhood right now to see if he can find one that's even bigger. For HIM, not me. I guess "Get Suitcase" is the first item on his one and only list.

That's a start anyway. I hope he realizes we leave in 34 hours. I don't want to have to use The Voice again.

That's not on my list.

That's Entertainment

Just because my twin and I are turning 45 in a few days doesn't mean we have to act our age. Does it?

I had forgotten until today to find the photos from the infamous photo booth at my nephew's wedding. It was a hoot! It came with a variety of props -- including Viking horns!! Hey, we were in Minnesota, after all.

So Raylene and I had some fun with that - trying to figure out where to look at the camera and when. Our timing was a bit off but that's what makes it silly. We were definitely laughing hard by the end of our 2-minute session!

I know. It doesn't take much to entertain me.

I decided to skip tonight's "entertainment." Carter played ball in Rapids for the Blue Team. I opted not to go because our mission trip departure is also only in a few days away and I haven't begun to organize anything in the way of packing.

So I went to Wal-Mart to buy a few essentials -- plus snacks. Came home and tried to figure out how to pack the least amount of items as possible, keeping in mind it's 100 degrees down there right now and I will need to change my dirty, sweaty clothes each day. I guess if we are only allowed to take ONE suitcase, it might as well be a big one.

Plus, as an adult leader I should be able to get away with it. I am bribing them with snack "pack" just in case. Not sharing my main road trip staple -- red licorice -- though. No way.

Also not sharing any of my mint Oreo birthday cake my sister-in-law just dropped off. I guess I have to outgrow my selfish and silly phase. But why rush it?

Errand Boy

We had a high of 83 degrees today and I think the humidity was at 183 percent!

It was just "thick" out there. We could even feel it in our air-conditioned office, where the carpet seemed to be bubbling up in random places and my computer mouse was stuck in place on the mouse pad.

Sounds like great weather to force Carter to bike around on a bunch of errands, doesn't it?

Well, first he had to bike to school to lift weights and then go to driver's ed class. After that, he biked to McDonald's and then to his eye appointment at 1:45. After that, he biked to a friend's and had to wait to bike to his hair cutter at 3:30. He only had to call once for directions.

At that point.

After getting his hair cut, he biked home, taking a different route than he has before so I got one directional phone call. Not too bad.

We ended up beating him home by a few minutes. He walked in and was pretty surprised he had less than 10 minutes to change and get ready for his baseball game. Nothing like a hot, tired, crabby kid who doesn't ever look at the calendar.

Good thing he loves baseball, because he we didn't get too much attitude on the way to Rudolph. Plus, I reminded him I got a nice complimentary text from his hair cutter so he better live up to her praises.

The game itself was not so good. I can't blame it on our tired kid completely, but he could have been more alert on a few plays. He did fine hitting and running but it just wasn't enough. We were ahead 5-4 at the end of the first inning. Then the Red Team lost 12-5. It's our season pattern. So glad we got that one win last week.

Carter will probably be grateful tomorrow is errand-free. Just bike to driver's ed. Come home. And we'll play some ball for the Blue Team for a change.

Finally Fotos

Let's just say this weekend -- starting on Thursday, if you will -- has been quite a whirlwind. I finally uploaded photos so let's get the recap in images...

Better start EARLY Thursday -- as in work time. Spotted this Monarch outside my window at the office. Good thing I had my "good" camera with me that day to zoom in a bit on the action.

I think it would be just a crisper image, too, if I hadn't been shooting through a dirty window. Not that I am volunteering to "do" windows at work!!

Now onto RURAL Stetsonville...

 The Amish buggy we passed on the way there. ... See? I really don't joke about everything!

 Carter playing for the red and BLACK team. I like the 16U uniforms. Nice.

Running home to score. I clicked the shutter a second too soon. Lucky to get him in the frame!

 One of several at bats.

 Ready for a hit!

 Catching for an inning.

More buggy action outside the ball park. I should have stood by the road all evening. Would have gotten much better pictures. It almost looks like I got the horse in focus and nothing else. That's pure accident, I'll admit.

So long, Stetsonville!

Now onto the Friday afternoon nuptials on the Luther Seminary grounds...

The groom, my nephew David, seats Grandma (my mom) before the ceremony.

Wedding party lined up and ready to enter!

David watches his bride-to-be walk down the aisle.

 Sara (my new "niece") walks in with her father. Isn't she gorgeous?

 Hug for Dad (my brother Ron) during the ceremony. Very nice.

 About to exchange vows...

 As the guys look on...

 And the girls do, too!

It was so pretty on the grounds, I had to take advantage and get a family photo. I with I could take credit for all of us sort of matching. We all packed separately and it just came together!

Shared a table with my sister Romey and husband Rick -- who also appeared to be matching. Must be the wedding trend!

Onto the fin-tastic car show....

 Don't really need captions. Just look and drool!

 

 Never a shortage of unique attendees at a car show!!

 I wanted to take this one home, too...

 If only to learn how to get my lashes like that!

 Common site around the fairgrounds Saturday.

Today's fun, after a special blessing for our mission trip at church, was the Cranberry Blossom Fest parade. I dropped Carter off at the school to ride with the band, and Jim and I met at a friend's house on the parade route. He hosts a parade gathering every year. We eat, drink and fight over candy. Or something like that.

 A few highlights... I liked these bagpipers!

 Part of the UW marching band from Madison also entertained! "When you say Wis-con-sin, you've said it all!"

Carter salutes his fans at 10th and Grand! All the guys at our party waved their hats back! I'm sure he felt famous for a minute!

After the parade, we hung around awhile then stopped at the ballpark in Kellner to see our next-door neighbor play in the championship game for their weekend tourney. Unfortunately, the girls lost. But I needed that softball "fix."

Came home and frankly didn't feel like doing much. It is so warm and muggy we have the A/C on. My skin is a little crispy in a few places, too. I'm pretty sure I'll sleep good tonight.

Especially now that I got all these pictures done! Hope you enjoyed!

Eggs-Citing Stuff

Another storm blew through the Cities overnight but we thankfully kept power in the hotel. We certainly saw plenty of downed trees and branches, though. And, apparently, power is still out in several areas there.

That might have been part of the reason there was such a crowd at Eggs and I -- a restaurant where a dozen family members gathered for a late breakfast today. The other reason is that, even though the place was not that easy to find (for being "close" to the hotel), the food came in generous, tasty proportions.

It was eggs-cellent!

Nice to see my mom for a bit more and just sit and visit a little bit with some of my sisters and brother. My twin also spoiled Carter with a belated birthday gift of several license plates to add to his collection! He was very, very excited about that. In fact, he is in the basement right now figuring out where to hang his growing collection.

After breakfast, we stopped over at the state fairgrounds for the "Back to the 50's" car show. I had some free passes from work so we figured we'd walk around a while. That was after walking more than a mile from where we eventually parked the car! Got my 10,000 steps alright.

We were all picking and choosing the cars we wanted. Since I am partial to neon lime green, I thought this would make a nice early birthday present for myself! It just looks yummy! (Notice I fit right in the crowd with my Twins gear,too??)

After traipsing around the grounds awhile, we hit the road to head back to Wisconsin Rapids. Basically we were home long enough to unload the car, freshen up, change clothes and head to a graduation party.

After that huge breakfast, none of us had hunger issues all day, that's for sure. In fact, I wasn't that hungry at the party either, but figured I shouldn't just have cake! Not that there's anything wrong with that. I think I walked it off beforehand!

Got home by 8 and I made a salad for a "parade party" tomorrow. It's Cranberry Blossom Fest in Rapids this weekend. Typically we are not home for it since Carter usually has a baseball tournament. This year he didn't. And while we missed most of the activities, we'll be around for the parade tomorrow -- weather permitting.

Right now we are gearing up for yet another storm. This one is calling for rain, maybe hail, and 40 mph winds. Time to log off and batten down the hatches!

Wedding Day Blews

After storms blew through Minnesota and Wisconsin, I made a small request of Mother Nature that she keep the storm clouds away today so my nephew David's wedding would be dry.

It worked.

The 5 o'clock ceremony at the Luther Seminary grounds featured sunshine and beautiful flowers -- and simply gorgeous bride, my new "niece" Sara. When the ceremony was done and we were all indoors for dinner, it was as if Mother Nature flipped a switch.

A wicked storm blew through the Cities, raining very hard with winds downing trees and knocking out power. Right before dessert! Good thing there was a generator but it still took an hour or so for everything to return. Apparently there were 130,000 without power.

It was returned on campus in time for some dancing and dessert, of course. Just more memories!

Will have to post pictures. Just a nice day and good to see family on a happy occasion.

Now it's time to log off before Mother Nature has another fit.

Rural Route

Carter was asked to play up an age level on the 16U team tonight. Sure, sounds great. Where's the game?

Stetsonville.

Stetsonville? Where the heck is that?

I felt like I should have been looking for a 10-gallon hat to wear to a place with that name. And frankly, that wouldn't have been out of line. But to answer the question where it's at, one needs to look closely -- really, really closely -- at a map of the Abbotsford and Medford area. I can guarantee you it is not on every map. But if you zoom in good online, you see it situated between the two cities on Highway 13.

I had never heard of the town and only knew two things about it... It has 541 people (according to the 2010 census) and a ballpark. (And we actually had to drive 6-7 miles west of town to get to that.)

Oh yeah, and we also knew it was about 2 hours from Iola.

So we left work early and hit the road. When we got to the Abbotsford area, we stopped to eat at Duke's Bar & Bowl, apparently famous for its hotbeef sandwiches... but not famous, we learned, for having french fries or chips available ("We ran out of chips until the order comes in tomorrow".) Also not well-known for its undercooked cheeseburgers, I imagine. Oh well. It was food.

Before we left, we asked our bartender/waiter/cook how far it was to Stetsonville. He said about 15-20 minutes or less. Jim asked if he was familiar with the ballpark we were going to -- the one west of town. The guy looked puzzled and said, "I don't know. And that's weird because I grew up in Stetsonville!"

We were highly amused about that. Wow. 541 people there and we now knew 1.

We found the park -- and only had to pass one Amish buggy to get there. Not kidding. If it wasn't so late at night, I'd be uploading pictures to show you. I will tomorrow. We really were Rural with a capital R.

It was a strange ballpark. The infield was gravel -- like that fine, gray, slate-type gravel -- nothing I'd seen on a baseball field before. But it was a popular place. Lot's of fans showed up to cheer on the Stetsonville Stars, chat with neighbors and enjoy a Pabst Blue Ribbon from the concession stand.

Biting tongue with redneck references.

Oops. I typed that!

The important thing is we won the game and Carter did OK. It was 14-6 margin and it included some solid hitting. I hope Carter gets a chance to play with them again. We'll have to see if they need his spare body.

Now those of us in Wisconsin know it's a courtesy when you leave somewhere at night for people to urge you to "look out for deer" or "have a safe trip home." When people were leaving the ballpark, I overheard someone yell: "Don't hit any Amish your way home!"

Wow. Still biting tongue.

Good thing we stopped at Hawkeye Dairy in Abbotsford on the way home. The scoop of Monster Cookie ice cream numbed my tongue just enough I can keep biting it for awhile.

Red Hot

OK, red HOT is a bit of an exaggeration. But the Red Team did pull of its first regular season WIN tonight. I'm sure you heard the crowd go wild in Rudolph!

Got home early enough to upload some pictures, so let's not waste any time...

Where two Austin men gather... You know it's gotta be a big game. Or Grandpa and Grandma just had a free night. Either way, I'm thinking they were the lucky charm!

Even though the Red Team is technically the South Wood County Cardinals, the two "older" teams get the new uniforms and the 14U team still wears the Rudolph jersey. That's OK. I like that Carter wears a hat with a big R on it!

 Carter had a couple hits last night (in the dreadful loss).

He stole base so quickly I was unprepared! Dang. If only I had time to focus. I'm just including this one so you know I'm not perfect. (Ha.)

Looking to steal home. He's gotten pretty fast this year.

 Watching action from second base. I'm pretty sure he stole third base. 'Cause that's what he does!

They had Carter catch at the end of last night's game and were pleased. So tonight he caught the whole game vs. Pittsville. Did very well. A good, heads-up player. I was relieved!

 St-t-t-t-r-r-r-r-i-k-e!

Fouling off before his one hit tonight. Technically, since he was walked twice, he batted "a thousand," as they say!

 Rounding second.

Anxious to get home! We ALL were. Such a relief that we could come from behind, get a lead and keep it, winning 6-4. I guess all those hits in last night's loss can be chalked up as "batting practice."

Whatever works. Let's stay HOT!