Sunday, May 19, 2024

Roller Coaster Weekend


Not to sound like old hat, but I'd prefer a boring weekend with nothing to do and no place to go over a roller coaster of a ride through ups and downs and loops of emotions.

Saturday morning dawned sunny and warm – and about to get hot. 


My only mission was getting hanging flower baskets. I always wait until later in May, hoping to miss the risk of freezing temperatures.


I was not the only one with this line of thinking. Apparently hundreds of people – at one store alone – thought it was National Spend Too Much Money on Hanging Flower Baskets Day. I was happy with my purcha$e$. 😀 Got home, hung them up, mowed around the house, clipped the long grass close to the curb and front landscaping area, then took a shower. 

That was an "up" the roller coaster part.

Then it went "down." My twin called me and let me know that Mom had gone from the nursing home to the ER and had pneumonia. But it did not look good. Like "maybe you better drive up and see her" type of not good. 😟

Nothing like trying to make a 4-hour trip in less than 4 hours when there's road construction and detours! Two promising signs on my drive: 

These clouds were opening up like God was saying "I got you" when it comes to prayers for my mother, sister, and close friend with scary health issues. 

Then, as I was scanning channels, some song named LeRoy came on and I figured Dad was guiding my drive and watching over Mom, too!

Got there just before visiting hours ended to see Mom and see that thankfully their emergency administrations of oxygen and whatnot (not to diminish it, I just don't know) were helping her. She was able to communicate again. And though she had a tough cough, I was there when the tele-doctor was visiting her. 

When he asked her about what she thought might be bringing on her bouts of nausea, she answered, "I know one thing it's NOT. I'm not pregnant." The doctor got a good chuckle from that and said, "Marlys, if you're still making jokes, you're doing just fine."

That's my mom! 😀

After that, I called hubby to update him and learned that we got hail twice in the evening and the future state of my new flower$ was que$tionable. 😟

I slept at my sister Nell's place nearby and was able to get back to the hospital before 9 a.m. She just finished breakfast and was very tired. I offered her a chance to nap or play cards and she responded, "I think you know what I'd rather do." So I retrieved her cards from her nursing home room.


And she proceeded to kick my butt. (I'm embarrassed to show the score!) There's a fine line between luck and skill, but I haven't determined what that is yet. Her nurse said Mom has basically played cards against every nurse on every shift and even taught a few how to play. She's definitely not ready to give in and miss her play time!

On my way out of town, I had a quick lunch with my sister RoAnn, her son Travis and his family.


My great-niece is pretty much the cutest lunch date I could have! 😀

I managed to find a route home with minimal construction – thankfully! And was still an hour from home when Jim called me asking if I got a text. I said my phone dinged but I was waiting to stop at a gas station to check them.

Turns out I won the Assumption grand raffle of $5,000! Well that's something to end this roller coaster ride with! 😀 Before today: "I never win anything!" Now: "I might not beat Mom at cards but I can win something!" Based on all my "medical trips" to see family, I'll count this is gas money for now.

And maybe hail-damaged flower replacement. We'll see. 

Thanks for all your continued prayers. Let's all have a normal, even-keel week, shall we?

Friday, May 17, 2024

Game Under Repair

When you have 80 degrees and sun on a Friday, you pretty much are required to go golfing after work. My partner Marigene and I also figured we should get a round in before our Ladies League starts on Thursday.


There's lots going on at TriCity this year. I laughed out loud at the first GROUND UNDER REPAIR sign placed in front of a mound of dirt. Ground under repair? You don't say.


They are in the process of creating a lake. Thanks to no water on the course YET, I did not lose a ball all day. That's at least one victory.

Otherwise, we just counted it as a day at the "beach." Sun and fun. And so many things we'll want to "repair" in our games in the coming weeks. Frankly, we don't take it seriously. We'll still TRY to improve of course – that usually comes with more rounds – but if it's a week day and neither one of us are working... who cares?

Hope you find many opportunities to enjoy this gorgeous summer-like weather! According to the forecast, I'll be spending way too much money on hanging flower baskets this weekend. 😀

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Common Lilac Law

We have a weakness in our house for the smell of lilacs. Maybe it's because we've spent 2 decades trying to get our plant to produce. In the meantime, I have to ask, is it illegal to steal lilac blooms from your neighbors if the blooms are facing your property?

I'm gonna say no.

It's just so nice to have that smell in our house. And I swear I didn't completely kill the plant to get it. 

From Hopa Trees to rhubarb and lilacs in between, I hate that some of the spring blooms have such a short lifecycle. All we can do is take pictures or eat it – on a deadline.

I actually looked in Wal-Mart last night for lilac-scented anything. They just had lavender. Which is not the same at all! So I'll have to settle for a life of crime as the blossom thief!

Don't judge me. Just visit and enjoy that lovely scent in my kitchen. And ignore the plants near the driveway that have been hacked to death!

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Bleeding Hearts

 

It's appropriate that my bleeding hearts plants bloom in May – the month my dad died 11 years ago. But this year it applies to even more stresses on our hearts as we continue to pray for my sister and mom. 

As I said some time ago (6 weeks seems like a year!), it's been two steps forward and one step back for these two. After a promising weekend, they both had setbacks to start their week. So prayer warriors, please pray for those doctors to have the knowledge and skill set to make them better. And of course, pray that they'll have strength. It's hard to have that after so many uphill battles!

Not that we need any more bleeding hearts in our lives, but we also found out today that two of our friends have cancer. I'll never understand why God allows this to happen, but I will still pray to Him to give them strength to fight this battle! 

As much as I dislike these stressors on our hearts, I know that the power of prayer works. (I mean, my sister is alive, after all.) And that I'm grateful for my somewhat sketchy version of "health" today. Never take that for granted!

Thanks for reading and praying and being a part of my bleeding heart! 

Monday, May 13, 2024

Why Can't People Be Nice?


After my lovely Mother's Day yesterday, it wasn't long before my world (cyberworld that is) came crumbling down. 

I got a message through Facebook from a friend I saw a few days ago that he wanted my phone number. Not unusual amongst us photographers. Then he asked what my email was for my Facebook account. Again, not unusual since he was going to share photos with me.

But is wasn't him. And it was too late when I figured it out.

Sh*t! Doesn't cover my feelings or response.

So I spent the late hours of last night and the early hours of today trying to gain control of my Facebook (and related social) accounts. While trying to work my normal full-time job. It was awful!

The worst part was knowing that people were thinking I needed help, wanted their phone number, or wanted to buy the dozens of things I had for sale. I felt so bad that they were exposed. While also realizing that my fake hacked friend had done the same to me.

Why can't people just be nice?!

I sure hope this is resolved so I can relax and just watch The Voice tonight. But, I think this might be a bit. In the meantime, if you get any weird message from me, ask how I know you and definitely ask which sports teams I cheer for! 

If you know, you know. And hopefully that's enough to protect you!


Sunday, May 12, 2024

Mother's Day Treats


A summer day like this is a treat any day, but on Mother's Day it feels like maybe Mother Nature was catering to us moms who love sunshine and warmth! 

Of course, Mother's Day is always special because hubby makes me homemade Eggs Benedict for breakfast.

A delightful meal at Cafe el James with country fresh egg a la Trevor (our neighbor). Perfect!


Since we didn't have any offspring visiting, Jim also treated me to golf at Northern Bay. It's located in Adams County and going to be the next big thing until Sand Valley stole the spotlight. We've played there a few times but it's been a few years.


Their claim to fame is several "replica" holes closely mimicking famous golf courses. 


Some were a bit of a stretch, if you ask me.


But the Sawgrass island green was definitely one I recognized.

And just like the pros do (sometimes), both our drives took a swim! Still, it was fun.

Only downside was lots of mosquitoes, high winds, and like the top weather picture mentions – poor air quality. My eyes were so full of sand and pollen that they were itchy and bloodshot by the time our round was done. The price we pay for fun, I guess. 

All that fresh air – and my first 18-hole round of the season – and I'm sure to sleep good tonight. Thank goodness it's cloudy so I won't be tempted to view the remains of the Northern Lights.

Hope all you mothers had a wonderful day and were spoiled like you deserve!

Saturday, May 11, 2024

Lights, Memories, and Bears, Oh My

The past two days felt more like a very long weekend with all the activities going on between here, Up North and back again.


First of all, even though I left by 8:30 a.m. Friday, it was a long haul going up to Grantsburg. For you future travels, it's almost all one lane going north on I-94 from Osseo to Bloomer (via Hwy 53). In the picture above we were pretty much at a standstill the last few miles on I-94 before I could exit onto 53. 

Guess Friday is a travel day even if it's not summer. Of course, those weren't my only delays.


Saw at least 5 deer – hey, they even cross roads in daylight! And, for the first time in my life, a black bear crossed the road in front of me. I was so startled that between slamming on my brakes and trying to grab my phone for a picture, I only caught this...


His quick scamper into the woods. Unreal! I mean most of my siblings who live in the Northwoods have seen a black bear – even Carter did vacationing up there as a child – but not me. Wow.


The only other delay was one of my own choosing – stopping to visit Dad. Unfortunately, the only flowers nearby were dandelions. 


Still, it was nice to visit with him and see my childhood church! 


I also stopped to see Mom at the nursing home before going to her apartment so I could give her her Mother's Day gift and visit a bit one on one. She's been having good days and not-so-good days. But she wants to get better and get her strength back!

The main purpose of my visit was to help go through her apartment with my siblings and decide what we wanted, what others might want, and what we could donate as we clean out her place by the end of the month. Friday afternoon was spent with a handful of my sisters as we cleaned out things and organized them into piles we could all look at today to see what we wanted to keep for ourselves.

Four of us had dinner at T-Dawg's in Grantsburg and Renell, who I was staying with, had some work training. 


I was enjoying the pretty sunset view from her apartment and considered it a good day. 

But it wasn't long after she got home that Jim texted me a picture of the Northern Lights from the Rapids area. My mind has been in so many places this week that I didn't realize this was a big thing that pretty much everyone in the contiguous United States could see.


So we got in the car and headed north of town to Phantom Lake in the Crex Meadows area. And dozens of other cars full of people had the same idea.


It was really strange. To the naked eye, we couldn't really see the colors, just some wisps of "clouds" in the sky. But then when we took pictures with our phones, we could see the brilliant colors everyone else was capturing. Pretty amazing.


And pretty cool seeing them by a lake where we could capture the color reflecting on the water. First time since childhood I've really got to see them. It was awesome!

This morning, the 7 of us (with Rachel there in spirit) were sorting through things at 10 a.m.


I wasn't expecting that Mom had all our baby shoes ready for us to take home. Yes, I guess my tiny shoes are antiques.


And yes, Mom wanted evidence that we were all alive and not fighting each other over anything. We survived it fine and really didn't had any reason for fisticuffs. 

By mid-afternoon, after I had two boxes of stuff "I don't need" but took anyway, I stopped by to see Mom one more time and hit the road.

I took a different route back. But turns out Highway 53 from Spooner to Rice Lake was just one lane so that wasn't a quicker route home. And, if you can believe it, I saw another black bear cross the road in front of me between Neillsville and Pittsville. It was far enough down the road, I didn't have to slam on my brakes but too far for me to get a picture. Just unreal to experience 2 bear crossings in 2 days.


And tonight, I could experience the special lights 2 out of 2 days. At least some of my unexpected surprises were good. And the others, thank goodness, didn't cause any damage to my car! 

Thanks, God, for the beauty and the safety!

Thursday, May 9, 2024

Just Girls Cruising Through the Change


Ohmigosh. I think my cheeks still hurt 24 hours later after smiling and laughing for 2 hours straight during the musical "Menopause 2: Cruising through the Change." Hilarious!

Every month, a group of us "girls" get together somewhere in the Wisconsin Rapids area for dinner. Usually a group of 6 to 8. A few months ago, one of the ladies suggested going to the "Menopause 2" musical at the Grand Theater in Wausau. 


The funny part was that I was meeting a girlfriend on the way up to Wausau and while I got a tour of the private jets in her hanger, I just pretended I was flying like a millionaire does. Sorry if you fell for that. I mean I have flown a corporate jet for work – but not Girls' Night Out. Yet. 


Got to see my friend Katie – a coworker and our kiddos graduated together!


This is my friend Jenny looking up at our reflection at the garage door at The Garage.


Before the show, I was wondering (and bit scared) by how much I would identify with during the show.


Turns out.. a LOT! It was well done and so hilarious. We could not stop smiling and laughing. They took a lot of popular tunes and changed the lyrics a bit. Like this one was called Stayin' Awake to the tune of the Bee Gees Stayin' Alive:

Well you can tell by the way I slump my walk,
I am a tired a girl, no strength to talk;
In the mirror, my eyes so red, I've been up all night, sittin in my bed.
Well it's not alright, not ok and you can look the other way
My husband tries to understand, it's just no concept for a man,

Whether you're a sister or whether you're a mother, your stayin awake, stayin awake,
see the sunrise breakin and you're up cooking bacon and you're stayin awake, stayin awake
ah ah ah ah staying awake,staying awake
ah ah ah ah staying awake...
I'm staying awake

So yes, it was 100% a girls night out. And if you are somewhere between 45 and 65 and can see the show, we all highly recommend it! Accept the change!

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

A Tall Drink of Water

You don't hear it much anymore, but a "tall drink of water" describes a person who is generally long-legged and very attractive. And perhaps could satisfy your "thirst" on a hot day – as water certainly would.

It's not a common expression anymore. But I discovered a brand-new meaning for it this week.

Yesterday when my friend Jenny and I took a walk at lunchtime, she presented this ice cream lover with a special gift! A half-gallon (you read that right) water jug that will definitely keep me hydrated (and running to the restroom) at work. I love it!!

It was so nice, we walked 3 miles! And then after work, I went to shoot pictures of Royals track and field and got a little more sun and 2 more miles of steps!

Those meets are so hard to capture because you've got all the field events going on at the same time for about half an hour, then track starts and you bounce back and forth and try to get a little bit of everything. My favorite thing to shoot is the long jump.




They just fly! I did get other field events plus several running events before I had to go. I just happened to have an appointment with my hair artist at 6:15 p.m. (And those track meets last so long!)

By the time I got home I was sun-kissed and exhausted. And knew I had to sleep carefully to keep my hair styled for another day. Ha. Despite a full-on downpour of a day, I did!


After work, it was a quick stop to check out the brand new Hobby Lobby in Stevens Point. No, I didn't buy anything. This time! Then home to finish going through last night's photos so I could watch The Voice. So much talent this season!

Tomorrow night after work I'll really have some special music. No, not choir practice. Even more special. I'll fill you in after! 

Have a good week and be careful out there!

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Curse that First Round


I should immediately edit that to say "man or woman" learned to swear. If you were at TriCity from 4:15 to 6 p.m., that was me. Sorry if you had children with you!

But when the weather was this nice after our round, you know it was a great day to get that first, awful round in. 

I did a little bit of yard work after church until the next door neighbor spotted what he called a "very small" snake between our yards. That was enough for me to call it quits for the day and head to the safety of Mr. Deck Chair for a bit.

I swung over to the nearby book sale at the Kiwanis Club and found some things to inspire my sister Rachel. I also bought a few 50/50 raffle tickets and am so glad I answered that call from an unknown caller when we were about to tee off. I won!

Just enough to pay for my purchases plus the tickets. So basically a free day.

As for the golf part. Uff da. Definitely the first time in 8 months. We golfed with our friends Craig and Sara. And like me, Sara hadn't golfed much either. The guys have already started their league!

I'm thankful they put up with my pathetic performance but my impeccable use of some curse words.

Saturday, May 4, 2024

Beating the Odds


Sometimes life is like the Kentucky Derby. We all start out with the notion we all have an equal chance at surmounting our challenges.

Even when we're aways into our journey, we think we have a chance.

And sometimes we can overcome it. Not be a nose, but maybe by a nostril. Pretty insane.

Congrats to Mystik Dan for winning the Kentucky Derby. 

And congrats to my sister that today – 5 weeks after her head-on collision – she has her IV's and her feeding tube removed. If anyone has beat the odds and deserves a crown of roses around her neck, it's Rachel. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all your prayer and positive thoughts. Thanks to you, she keeps beating the odds.