Ringing Out the Old

If I'm blogging around 7 p.m. you know for certain we have no ambitions in this house to stay up until midnight. And that's OK.

I did find some words of inspiration while we close out 2024. Things to bring into the new year and things to leave behind...

I'm glad that instead of waiting for a New Year's decluttering resolution that during my Christmas break I was able to declutter and take 6 garbage bags full of clothes to Goodwill. And glad that today I shredded and discarded quite a bit of "crap" from my home office!

And came across some cash while opening old thank you cards and birthday cards from this year!

I also got some steps in with my friend and golf partner Marigene – even though there was no golfing involved. (Dang.)

Managed to sneak in another Hallmark movie, too. Wow, I only have one more day off/Hallmark movie viewing day before heading back to work. I better step up my game so I can enter the new year on a positive (and possibly romantic) note.

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

Foggy Monday Slow-Down

Today's day off consisted of a day of relaxing. Plus a little chiropractic time and some relaxing in front of a Hallmark movie. Definitely no thoughts of what we were going to give up for our new year's resolutions!

And with the dense fog, I had no important travel anywhere. 

For now. I'm gonna continue as a queen of my neighborhood, er house. And then some!

Crime Doesn't Pay

It was pure coincidence the Minnesota and Wisconsin State Patrols posted this photo this morning prior to Vikings-Packers Border Battle this afternoon. But it was so appropriate, too.

While I was off at church dressed in my Game Day finest, our house was being vandalized!

Yup, as I rounded the curve into our neighborhood, I immediately noticed Mr. Skol Man had a scowl on his face and disgusting headgear. Who would do such a thing in our quiet little suburban neighborhood?!

Actually, plenty of people. But I had the suspects narrowed down to one or two. And before calling in the Border Battle CSI, I got it right the first guess. 

And while I pretended to take a bite out of the cheesehead, these lips did not touch it. And being the nice neighbor that I am, I returned it intact to Mr. M. across the street – and didn't even press charges. No worries, Mike, we'll take the W instead!

I tell ya, crime doesn't pay!

We did have a fun (but nerve-wracking time) watching the game at in a purple-friendly atmosphere at our friends' Sean and Michelle's place. A few Packer fans there, too, but purple prevailed in more ways than one. 

Again, always so stinkin' close when these two teams play. I'm not going to lie that selfishly we really enjoyed it. Especially seeing our team have their first 9-game winning streak since 1975. (Yep, hubby recalls how we lost and ended that streak.) And to see our QB reach a milestone with his 14 wins during his first season with the Vikes.

Now it's onto the Lions next week. Weird to think it felt like a playoff game today when the Packers, Vikings AND Lions are already playing in the REAL ones. Thankfully we have a week to recover. And get our heartbeats back to normal! Should be a fun post-season!

I Did Dream of a White Christmas

After a few days of snow that marked a White Christmas, we can now see a reflection of a very non-white Christmas.

I knew it was sunny today when I was up a UW-Stevens Point taking pictures of our Assumption Royals.

And though it was a very tough loss to Bonduel, there were some extras on hands helping us get over our loss. While the final score was a 20+ deficit, I was so glad to make up a few deficit angles with many "projections."

Still, there have been a lot of scores during this early winter season to get off of the current posts.

By the time I got home I ignored that, though, and after processing dozens of. pictures, I took a walk with my neighbor Marigene. We both deciding to focus on the simple and the best. Hopefully you will do the same!

The Clouds are Always Greener...

Usually the saying is about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. But today, the unsual thing is the clouds in the weatherman's forecast being greener. I mean green as in RAIN, not snow or sleet. 

All day.

Since I had today off I opted for an oil change instead of a car wash (look how smart I am at the end of the year?!). Then sat inside and knocked off two DVR'd Christmas movies. Making progress there!

Late this afternoon, my nephew Tony (twin sister's son) arrived and is staying the night on his way from Up North to Green Bay. We went out to eat for a delicious (but super slowly delivered) fish fry at Ryder's Roadhouse. And now might play some cards as long as we're snowed, er rained, in.

I guess we should've left our rain gauge out. Hopefully it doesn't turn to ice overnight. If so, be extra careful out there!

Days Off, Movies, and More

I loved that today I had the day off and could catch up on at least one Hallmark movie – and one traditional one. White Christmas.

And that movie happened to be on my mind this season since my loving twin got me a sweatshirt from that movie last month when we had our sister gathering. Love it!

Then, since I was in the Haynes sisters and White Christmas movie mode, I got Raylene and I matching... puzzles! Did I mention this was one of our Sister Weekend opening acts??

Yup. There is a company to match every Christmas wish. And in this case, I got to order a puzzle with our fun Haynes Sisters White Christmas theme and match Raylene's and mine hairstyles plus include our names. 

I put mine together Thanksgiving week to make sure it worked. Not sure if Lene has had time or not. But it felt good to watch White Christmas this afternoon via Amazon Prime.

I also happened to get garbage bag #5 full of clothes to donate too. I only point that out so I don't feel guilty admitting I'm going to get at least one more holiday movie – traditional or otherwise – viewed and knocked off my list tonight.

Hope you're having and equally productive (aka relaxing) week as well!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Austins. It was a very, very, very low-key day today since it was just Jim and I. After sleeping in, we opened out stockings (with our perfect goodies, of course), then had the rest of the day free.

I caught up on few Christmas movies while Jim visited his mother's grave and saw his dad. When I was feeling guilty about too much recliner time, I got outside for a walk around the neighborhood and captured a few more White Christmas photos...

It was pretty – especially when I had no place to drive! And I had just enough fresh air to relax while catching It's a Wonderful Life and Christmas Vacation.

Hope you had a lovely day with friends, family, or your favorite movie or book! Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas... and I'm so glad I saw this message. Especially since all the gift-giving is done and it's just hubby and I the next few days. 

Today was a strange Christmas Eve because Jim had to get some work done and I had to get to 1 p.m. church to sing in choir. Got to see several people I haven't seen in quite awhile so that was awesome.

On the way home, I was taking snow pictures out my car window and caught this beauty just a half mile from home. Snow is pretty. But roads that are clearing up are even prettier!

This afternoon, we relaxed with some TV (I knocked off another Hallmark movie) and then I made a turkey breast to go with cheesy potatoes, etc. Nothing too fancy for the two of us. But it was tasty!

This evening I let Jim nap a bit before he sings at midnight mass and I finally watched the Red One movie. Years ago, that would have definitely been the mother-son movie to go to. I liked it!

Now I'll have to see how I can keep the midnight singer awake for a few hours. (While I just want to get to bed so Santa gets here sooner!) 

Hope you are having an amazing Christmas Eve (or Christmas Day plans) with the ones you love!

White Christmas? Somebody's Wishing Hard

Since I actually slept in until after 9 a.m. on my first day of Christmas vacation, I had no idea it was silently starting to snow outside. But when I looked at it, I figured someone somewhere was really wishing hard for a white Christmas. And like the song says, since I had no place to go, let it snow!

Since this is Christmas Eve Eve, I was reminded though that we should be grateful there were clear skies in Bethlehem long, long ago. Today's 3+ inches of wet snow would've made a mess of things.

While the flakes fell, I enjoyed "brunch" and watched a Hallmark movie. (So many to get through in 10 days!)

Then I started the first of many ambitious stay-cation projects: Cleaning out closets! Not as fun as it sounds. But hey, 2 garbage bags full for Goodwill so far!

Probably why I volunteered to shovel off the deck. That and the fact I wanted to test out the Milwaukee M12 heated hoodie from Santa. Wow. I was sweating and it wasn't even hard work. Am loving this already!

Some backyard views, too, out the livingroom window.

Enough snow to cover the tree branches and some of the pine boughs, too. Pretty!

While I did shovel a little, hubby took care of most of the driveway before going to his dad's and removing his slushy mess. After running a few errands in town (including my first of several Goodwill drop-offs) I was grateful for the other thing I accomplished on my first day off today. Finally ordering new tires (and alignment) for my car. 

Really, nothing says Adult Christmas like a new set of tires. Am I right?

Hope you found a reason to celebrate Christmas Eve Eve today! Especially since the real reason for the season is just hours away.

Jingle Bell Rockin'

We had two reasons to rock tonight. One, our Vikings squeaked by with another win. This time over Seattle to go 13-2 for the season. 

And two, we went to an amazing Symphony on the Rocks Christmas concert with our friends Mark and Lisa up at The Grand Theater in Wausau. Great date night to kick off vacation!

The musicians were a combination of STEEM and Vic Ferrari. 

Which means we got to see and hear our good friend Kat (Jim's high school classmate) perform. She was awesome as always. A shining and shimmering silver star!

Tonight was actually a fundraiser to benefit “Blue Hearts” of Wausau, the local Law Enforcement Blue families who pulled together after the death of Detective Jason Weiland (family pictured at the concert) in the shooting tragedy of 2017. The mission of the Blue Hearts is to support local law enforcement, their families, the community they live in, and the loved ones of fallen officers nationwide.

But there was also plenty of rockin' Christmas tunes, of course. 

And some Tran Siberian Orchestra numbers they knocked out of the park. So talented! Loved it.

Kat was her usual gorgeous and beyond spectacular self! 

I took a picture of this one and told my date we could pretend this was a Vikings tribute. Close your eyes and you can just hear them chanting "SKOL!" Ha. Well WE could anyway.

That sounds like Merry Christmas to me! And a great start to the week. Hope you have some jingle rockin' in your week, too!

Winter Solstice (aka Family Christmas parts 2 and 3)

When the stars align, not only is it the Winter Solstice, it's also the first time in 6 years (we think) all 4 cousins were together at Christmas. Same with having all 3 of our boys together. What a blessing!

So today was the Austin Christmas at Jim's sister's house. It was a full house as all boys had their plus-one with them and Colin had his two children as well. Had to be sure to get a picture of Grandpa John and his boys. Love it!

After dinner there, we came back here to celebrate our own Christmas since none of the boys will be in town on actual Christmas Eve or Day. So we opened our gifts and I just listed to the chit-chat and the laughter and was so grateful to have us all under one roof again. 

Had to get a picture of the handsome boys, of course. Both Casey and Carter are spending the night here.

And the girls! Yup, our grandpup Rey is staying here tonight, too. They're all adorable, aren't they?

We're biased. And rightfully so. 

Honestly, we're feeling the warmth of love, so we didn't really notice it was only like 10 or 15 degrees today and the shortest "day" of the year. Family time makes a great distraction.

Hope you find something or someone special to keep you warm, too. Be careful out there!

Dreaming of a White... Sand Beach

I think it's been established that I'm a dork. It's also been proven I like to have fun and don't care what people think. Thankfully, Mr. Deck Chair always goes along with it.

Today at work we had planned to have an Aloha celebration to get us revved up to the golf tournament we sponsor on Maui in January. By celebration, I mean a couple thousand employees wearing matching teal Aloha T-shirts and posing in a tropical photo booth – and eating cake. There's always cake for big work parties!

With the snow storm that was coming, a majority of us worked from home today. So we were asked to take pictures of what Aloha spirit in Wisconsin really looks like in December! 

You didn't have to ask me twice! Though I will admit I didn't last long in the flip-flops. 

At least it put me in a good mood. That and the fact that we didn't get nearly as much snow as they predicted. Maybe 4 inches? Light enough to shovel.

Don't worry, I put on boots and even a jacket for that! I may be silly, but I ain't stupid.

Be careful out there! Aloha! 

Who's in Charge of our Future?

Who's in charge of our future? While we'd like to think we are each in control of our destiny, it isn't always us. Sometimes it's divine intervention and other times it's those darn weathermen.

For example, when the weather alert this afternoon indicated we were in a Winter Storm Warning tomorrow, we stood up and took notice. Especially when they predicted 5-8 inches of snow versus the 3-5 inch projection yesterday.

And when later forecasts put my house (red dot) in the 6+ inches region, I began to take it seriously. Who knows what will come during my morning commute time? I hope it's actually nothing so I can participate in some  fun "Last Day in the Office Before Christmas Break" activities. 

I'm realistically thinking that won't be the case since my school district and the Stevens Point one (where I work) are both calling off classes tomorrow. 

I'm grateful I can work from home any time I need. Hope you all can stay safe tomorrow too! 

Santa Knows I've Been Good

Santa must know that I've been good this year. First of all, in our Secret Santa reveal today, my friend Emily had me and gave me a mini Mr. Deck Chair bird feeder! How cool is that!?

I had my friend Hannah (who sits right next to me) and she definitely knew it was me. So much for being sneaky! Still, she loved her gifts – even though the final one hasn't arrived from wherever. Hopefully I can give that to her this week yet.

When I got home after work, I was pretty excited that my other Secret Santa (OK, it's ME) had a gift delivered too.

I think I've shared before that although my hubby is an accomplished organist, I know nothing about playing the keyboard so I made up little Post-It notes to guide me while practicing choir songs. On a whim during our ride home from Minnesota Sunday, I thought I'd see if there was something out there for other novices like me. There was!

So today my little keyboard cheat-sheet, so to speak, arrived!

And I immediately could play my songs for our church choir Christmas performance! Just a random joyful moment this holiday season.

Hopefully you have a few of those, too, whether Santa agrees or not!