Jimmy for the Win

Sorry I didn't get time to blog yesterday. I was doing too much research trying to figure out if I should believe  Punxsatawney Phil's prediction of 6 more weeks of winter (boo!) or Wisconsin's own Jimmy the Groundhog (above) who says we're in for an early spring.

In the end, of course, I'll go with Jimmy for the win.

And there's actual data to back that up. 

While groundhogs across the country are asked to predict the weather without a formal education or degrees, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says some of them are accurate more than 50% of the time.  This includes Sun Prairie’s Jimmy the Groundhog, who ranked sixth in the country for most accurate Groundhog Day forecaster. Jimmy was found to be accurate 60% of the time in the past 20 years.

As for the furry forecaster in Pennsylvania? 

He may be the most iconic groundhog and the one that started it all, but he was found to only be accurate 35% of the time, placing him at 17th on the list.

Go, Wisconsin!

And was my only win of the day. I played BINGO and won diddly. And that progressive jackpot sits at over $3,000 for the next game day on February 16. Maybe the Dobber Diva Gods are just waiting for me to win a bigger pot.

I should ask Jimmy the Groundhog if he has any predictions!

Hello, February

With the wind picking up and the temps dropping, the transition from January to February took a negative turn. Of course, we were just being teased with that nice "car washing" weather the past several days.

Not we flip the calendar and are reminded we technically still have a lot of winter to go. 

This is such a quiet weekend on our calendar, we really didn't care what the weather did. Just ran a few errands here and there and mostly hung out at home. I got a few more things set for scrap camp and even took a short walk.

Tonight I'm working at getting at least 2 Hallmark movies off my DVR queue. Right now I'm 100% in Christmas mode. With a romantic happy ending of course.  In fact, this feeling might stick around for a another month if I don't have time to get through my DVR recordings. 

Good thing there are no sporting events on TV this weekend that I feel compelled to watch. I just might make progress on some projects yet! Hope you're having a fun or productive weekend – or both!

A Little Bit Before (or 44)

I'm so embarrassed that since I worked from home yesterday afternoon, I had "Friday" in my head. And thus, the end of January. Oops.

Today, though, for real. LOL.

And it was pleasant enough at 44 degrees that I didn't mind venturing out a few times. Especially for good things!

Yup, lunch hour was an hour-long deep tissue massage. So hard to come back to work after that. Mildly painful, but effective. And also a trigger to nap!

Tonight, I picked up fish fries for us from The Ridges. It's Wisconsin. Every place is packed for a fish fry. Any Friday of the year! Very delicious!

Now, we have a surprising night free. I really better wrap up those Christmas movies – especially knowing Hallmark has a full slate of Valentine's ones. What can this dorky old lady say? I'm living the dream here!

Have a wonderful, enjoyable, and safe weekend, everyone!

After 53 Days, January is Over!

What a bi-polar January. There was that deep freeze and then today was allegedly 50+ degrees in Wisconsin Rapids. Meanwhile I just realized I never shared a picture of our family calendar my nephew's wife Amy created for us.

The January page features Amy and my great-nephew Eli in top photo and our dear Carter and Mamie on the bottom. Can't wait to see what February brings us – on the family calendar anyway. 

As for weather, maybe just normal winter. Nothing extreme in either direction. Of course, I should consult the Farmer's Almanac or at least Weather-pedia to see what's predicted. I'm just going to pretend we're in for a quiet month with some snow but none of these crazy germs circulating around.

If it starts off on a positive note, I might just make a New Year's resolution or too.

Just kidding. Obviously it's been a very long January!

Dirty Snow, Sky's Aglow

If you look closely, the juxtaposition of this photo completely exemplifies January here in Wisconsin. Mother Nature is a good distractor. I was focused on the gorgeous sunset last night but now I see that ugly pile of dirty snow in the foreground at right. 

A picture that says it all!

I didn't get a chance to share last night because I snapped some Lady Royals hoops picture and I as was working on those 'til bedtime. And just remembered I gotta finish those tonight.

But this morning I was blessed with more color at 7 a.m. on my commute. Kind of freaky how it almost looks like a California wildfires-type photo. Thankfully, it was just the sky on fire.

Today our work cafeteria crew celebrated the Lunar New Year and we got fortune cookies. I'm pretty sure mine refers to something like trying a new ice cream flavor rather something silly like a new exercise program. It's almost the end of January. I missed that boat!

After work, we had our Marketing Department Christmas party. We always have it in late January since we're so busy in December prepping for our golf tournament on Maui first week in January. Had some hors d'oeuvres, won a prize, and then headed to Rapids.

Needed to get to a funeral visitation for the mother and mother-in-law of our friends Mike and Christine.

Was glad I was blessed with seeing this gorgeous sunset before arriving. It reminded me God is here and he'll give them comfort. And me, too, since I broke down crying realizing how much I miss my momma, too! 

Got home with enough time to whip together a Peanut Butter and Chocolate Trifle for work tomorrow before choir practice. I can't thank my Martha Steward television crew enough for cleaning up after me as I ran out the door!

I'm thankful hubby feels well enough to go to his golf simulator league tonight. That's a good sign. Prayers for further progress, please!

Be careful out there – of germs and any slippery roads!

Unconditional Love

So I had to quickly write my column for our church's February newsletter tonight, I thought I'd just share it here since our Monday was just a boring work day!

The Power of Love

We’re all children of God and, of course, children of a human mother and father. As a child – or perhaps slightly rebellious teen – I thought for sure my parents didn’t love me when they punished me for something that, in retrospect, I totally own up to deserving. 

Turn the tables and, as a parent, I get it. 

We realize that like marriage, we love our children in good times and bad… in both mature and poor decisions… and even when they seem to have outgrown us and want nothing to do with us.

In this day and age, the options for communication are right at our fingertips. It’s both a blessing and a curse, isn’t it?

I love that even in the “off hours” of life I can at least text my adult son to check in on him. But then, knowing he carries that smart phone in his pocket and is always connected to it, I am flummoxed when I don’t get an immediate response.

Is he OK? Was he in an accident? Is he hurt? Is he sick? Every possibility runs through my head until 90 minutes later I get a “Hey, Mom. Was just grocery shopping. What’s up?”

Do you think God, our heavenly Father, feels this way? I wouldn’t doubt it. 

Check your spiritual voicemail: “This is God. I’ve been trying to reach you about… NOT YOUR CAR WARRANTY BUT… the many ways I show you I love you – during February, the month of love, and always!”

• Oh, the fact I had a safe commute to work on icy roads? Sorry, God, I meant to say thanks. 
• When a cancer diagnosis was caught early enough to be treatable? Of course, that was you, God. Sorry to be so discouraged! Thank you! 
• When you gave us a 16-color sunset during the dark days of winter? Of course, I KNOW it was you, God. Thanks for reminding us to be grateful.

And thank You that Your love for us has no conditions, is not based on our performance, obedience, worthiness – or attitude – but is a freely given gift. Keep “pinging” us any way You can till we get it.

We, in turn, owe You all the love, praise – and full attention you deserve!

That's it. Definitely let me know by 6 a.m. if there are any typos before I submit it to church!

What the ... Heal?

It stinks that when I'm ready to raise a banner saying, "I only coughed 3 times today!" that hubby continues to hack away. Feeling quite helpless at this point.

We both did got to our churches this morning, but then it was pretty much hunkered down at home. I had few more scrapbooking odds and ends to take care of, but mostly it was just checking out who would be in the superbowl.

In the Eagles-Commanders game, I was actually pulling for the Commanders even though they knocked us out. Mainly because a sort of local kid – Tyler Biadasz from Amherst – plays for them. If you can believe it, Carter played against him in both middle school football and basketball. Too bad they couldn't hold on and win.

The Bills-Chiefs game is on right now. The Bills are like the Vikings in that we've been to 4 Super Bowls but have never won. But I do I want them to win this year instead of us?? Not necessarily. The only reason I am cheering for the Chiefs has nothing to do with Mahomes or the Kelsey/Swift thing. 

Linebacker Leo Chenal is from Grantsburg, Wisconsin, the town I was born in (thanks to Burnett General Hospital) and where I still have family living. He's been such a gracious super star and mentor there, it'd be cool to see him get the change to continue that at the mature age of 24!

So we'll see what the final score brings. 

And what another medicated night's sleep brings to the house. This has to evening end, right? Stay safe and healthy out there, friends!

Productive "Work" Day

To the average human, this photo means nothing. But to fellow scrapbookers, you'll see that 8 hours of work today means these 12x12 file folders hold all the photos and papers and embellishments I'll need for an entire album. In order!!!

And Camp Crop-a-Lot is still a month away!

Yup, hubby and I stayed in today so I decided I'd prep for camp. I ordered these pictures last weekend and today had to "fill in the missing gaps" for my 2017 album. 

Got those prints ordered and even stopped at Lighthouse Gifts for my rare papers I needed. I say that because I have a thousand pounds of scrapbook paper in my Scrap Cave – but sometimes you just need that certain piece! 

So came home from picking up the essentials and have my folders in scrapbook order and most of them have what they need. It's my version of what we call a "Power Layout." Tomorrow during the playoff games I can look through my admittedly extraneous paper packs and see if I can find some more perfect additions for the folders.

I have never been this ready for camp weeks ahead. Can it start tomorrow??

Honestly, if you want to join me, it's February 21-23 (or stay with me til the 24th) at the Wisconsin State Lions Camp in Rosholt. Don't worry, it's heated! My usual table mate and bestie since junior high is busy with a brand-new grandbaby so there is room for you. Let me know if you're interested. 

I'm excited to be so productive on a Saturday. But sad that it's because we're not quite up to venturing out as a couple. 

Stay warm. Stay healthy. And please come to scrap camp!

Just Random Stay at Home Things

 

I honestly don't feel comforted that other people in the universe are feeling under the weather. Just feel validated that our symptoms in this house aren't exaggerated. Or made up.

After working from home the past 2 days, I felt pretty good. But you can't feel 100% well when your better half is still hacking up a lung. Every hour. At a minimum.

Tonight I felt pretty OK going to the girls basketball game to take pictures. But then when I got to school, the opposing team's girls had too much illness so they forfeited. I mean this team was Prentice from way up north. So not our fault for spreading it there.

So, I made my long trip home. Long as in a lengthly wait in the Walgreens drive-through for more meds for hubby, then far too much time in Wal-Mart finding random solutions like Lysol spray and comforting Chunky Soup. So many options.

The unexpected "free" night gave me time to find my 2017 and 2018 photos for my upcoming scrapbooking weekend. While listening to an upcoming Book Club audio book.

Maybe I'm winning after all.  Cough, cough. Or not.

Be careful out there!

Not So Green With Envy

In our post-Christmas days, it seems green is dominating our red and green front deck light bulbs.

But don't be green with envy. This was my view after driving home in snow from choir practice tonight. Do we really need this after 3 days of super sub-zero temps?!

Just one of those stupid reasons that makes me wonder why we live in the Midwest.

At least my car started this morning. After 10 hours of sleep with only 1 or 2 coughing incidence last night, I was ready to head to work in the office. 

Crazy that I didn't start coughing again until I go into the office. By lunchtime, I could tell a few people were nervous about my potentially germ spreading cough, so I decided to work from home this afternoon.

After that, I did go to book club, of course. Check out As Long As the Lemon Trees Grow if you want to feel educated.

Then it was off to choir practice and that lovely commute home. I know we SHOULD be ready for snow at anytime. But sometimes I'm so not ready.

Be careful out there!

So Cold it's Painful

Two things to note about this screenshot. First of all, it's bleeping cold out. Secondly, note the time.

About the only time I get up at 5:48 a.m. I'm usually trying to catch a flight. Or, in this case, it's me up half the night coughing and shivering and hoping to get more than 3 hours of sleep.

That was not the case. I actually went back to bed with 2 Ibuprofen P.M.s at 6 a.m.  My body must be immune to them. I couldn't sleep then either. So I got up and completed a work day. I just hurt!

But now, almost 12 hours later, I'm already pondering the earliest bedtime possible. This house is an infirmary!

Didn't realize January would be so tough. But here we are, surviving January 47th like a boss. We got this!

Be careful out there!

Deep Freeze Feelings

For most of today, I figured the worst thing I'd have to deal with is the sub-zero temperatures (and maybe the presidential inauguration). But that changed when a college friend messaged me today that another friend of ours had passed away.

Not to age myself, but back in college year 1988-1989 I was a resident assistant (RA) in Angell Hall at UW-La Crosse. Thanks to Facebook, more than a half-dozen of us "Angells" have kept in touch for years. I say "kept in touch" but mean loosely that we maintained at least a surface level contact via social.

Unfortunately, we can't rely on the current social media algorithm. 

In other words, we're fed so many ads that we actually have to purposely look up a friend to see what they're up to.

Right now the 7 of us Angells who are still "connected" don't know yet what happened to our 8th friend. But I told the 4 of us still in Wisconsin that we better quit TALKING about getting together and actually make plans to DO IT!

I also told Jim to quit "talking" about that darn softball/baseball reunion. Just plan it! 

We just don't know. Hug your loved ones and make that call!

By coincidence, our baby boy called us tonight and was pretty excited about his recent trip to New York City and the chance to personally connect with his work team there since he's one of the few non-NY remote employees. He had a great time. 

I was reminded how we rely on these virtual connections – and how nothing replaces face-to-face interactions. 

Don't take it for granted. Make personal connections IN PERSON!

B-I-N-G-OOOOH

Here's proof that today I officially became that BINGO lady! Thank you Amazon for this cheap, purple bag!

After waking up to more than 10 below zero temps, I was somewhat desperate to play as many cards as I could. I was just barely able to keep up with a sheet of 9 and a sheet of 6. And despite all those cards, I did NOT win today.

 So close in diagonal...

And as for Coverall worth a $2,000-plus jackpot.... dang!!!

Still, it was fun. And really, a $20+ investment over 2 hours lasts way longer than the same at a casino. One of these days my luck will turn. 

For now, hubby and I will just watch playoff football with teams we don't care about.. but stay warm in our house not watching these snowy games in person. Looking forward to our $uperbowl inve$tment – no matter who play$!

Be careful in this frigid weather! Stay inside and watch football or other boring TV!

De-decked Empty Nest

Since we were too sick last weekend to do much, today I had to de-deck the halls. And the house looks so naked right now! No wonder people can't keep up with their de-cluttering New Year's resolutions – there's suddenly space to fill!

That was pretty much my only accomplishment today.

Still, we rewarded ourselves with a little night out. Our friends' band The Antonettes was playing at Mickey's Tip-Up down the road. So we listened to them with some other friends for their first set.

They're so good and I probably yelled too much singing along. I realized I better get my voice back since I've got choir in the morning and Jim has to read at his church. So we're home and we're going to see if the Lions play as well as they did against our Vikings – and your Packers.

Tomorrow starts the CHILL. Bundle up and be careful out there!

Winter Sports of Sorts

Winter Sports are full speed ahead now that Christmas break is over. So if I miss a blog there's a 95% chance it's because I was already up way past my bedtime editing photos.

Such was the case yesterday.

I first have to report that my Extreme Hooking paid off and I finished that blanket. Yay me! I don't know if I'd push myself to get one done in just two days again. But it did prove I have the cardio stamina to do so.

After work yesterday, I shot the 7th- and 8th-grade Lady Royals basketball games. They don't have a ton of home game so I figured since the weather was OK and the roads were decent enough, I might as well check that off my Winter Sports list.

I can't believe that some of the "baby sisters" of seniors I took pictures of years ago are already in middle school. Somebody here is getting old!

Today was a busy work day. About 3 p.m. I realized it was 39 degrees out! I had no idea we were in for such a thaw before we begin a deep freeze in 48 hours. So I told hubby, "I'm going to run into town to get my car washed. I should be back in 25 minutes or so."

He's like, "You think you're the only one getting their car washed today?"

I responded that I had the upper hand since it was mid-afternoon and people had to work.

Boy was I wrong.

Since the closest Kwik Trip had a line around the building, I headed to the new on off Lincoln Street since that has 2 bays and surely the line would be quicker. Wrong again.

You can't tell but after this line goes straight, cars turn right toward the wash. My hour in the car allowed me to make a serious dent in my current audio book. And made me realize I was too hasty in a judgmental comment a few months back. So I posted:

Dear Wisconsin Rapids: I apologize that a few months back when I saw new construction I sarcastically said, "Like we need another flippin' car wash in this town?!" The answer is yes. We surely do. #WarmSpell #DontBeSalty

 Shame on me, right?

Well at least I got done just in time to get home, grab my camera and head to the boys game with hubby. It was a close game agains Wausau Newman, but we pulled ahead in the last 5 minutes thanks to their foul trouble. So night to get another win. They're not dominating like our Lady Royals, but they are on a hot streak so we'll take it.

Of course this means I have plenty of photos to edit tonight. But guess what? No alarm tomorrow.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the mild weather before the Arctic Tundra visits!

My Cardio :: Extreme Hookin'

I know most of us have New Year's resolution for more exercise. And maybe I'll follow suit. But my cardio in the last 24 hours has been "extreme hooking."

As in buying yarn after work last night and hoping to crochet fast enough tonight to finish a blanket.

It's an ambitious goal but several co-workers decided we should put a birthday/get well basket together for a co-worker who just had back surgery and will be out several more weeks. 

Of course on Monday I said "I'll make him a nice recovery blanket." Then realized they planned to deliver this basket at the end of the week. So I had to get hookin' and double-stitchin' at maximum speed.

I probably would've have finished it after work but I was interrupted by choir practice. Now I'm home and am going to power through and hope for the best. 

Whew! What a workout! Can you tell how muscle-toned my fingers are? 

Good luck with your New Year's exercise resolutions, too!

Not Freezing Over

I had this momentary lapse of reason Monday that since the temps were sub-zero and the Norse winds were blowing...

And there was a full moon – that our Vikings had a chance to go far this year. But I guess it was just cold.

And Hell was not freezing over.

Someday.

Just like the Packers' paltry performance on Sunday, we didn't deserve to win either. But it sure would've been nice. Dang.

Guess it's time to remove the rest of my chipped purple nail polish. And find my Twins spring training gear.

Never too soon to move on the hope SOMEDAY will be our day!

Enjoy the off-season!

Just Another Sun, er Snow Day

Thank God and doctors that my cough medicine I got last night helped me sleep. But unfortunately, I felt a little light-headed at church. So I sneaked out early and the rest of my day was editing hockey photos and listening to an audio book.

I also did a little crocheting to finish up a baby girl blanket for our brand new neighbor.

By then it was a bit of Wild Card action (most of you know how that turned out) and the beginning of a new book. 

Thank goodness it was Sunday and nothing is expected of any of us. Hope you had a similar experience and can go into Monday with a relaxed and energized attitude!

Just Coughing, er Checking, Things Out

Since my dear hubby was diagnosed with bronchitis this week, he urged me to get to the Walk-In Clinic this morning after a night of coughing, etc.

Turns out I just have a cough/cold that needed some nasal spray and a night-time cough medicine.

That's a relief. I also realized I have the perfect method to eliminate double chins – just cover them up with a mask!

But seriously, since I had a few raffle baskets to deliver to our hockey team's Stick It To Cancer Night, I was glad I didn't have anything too serious happening.

And really, can I pass up a date night with Mr. Zamboni? And even though I didn't win any baskets, our team won! And I will have to wait until normal human hours to go through the pictures. In other words... sometime Sunday!

TGIFF (Thank God it's Frigid Friday)

Even though today's temps finally expanded beyond single digits, I was just grateful it was Friday and I was working from home.

And frankly, there wasn't really a reason for hubby or me to venture out into the cold, so I survived just fine with a hot drink or two.

After work, I finally got through all those gymnastics photos from last night and ended up posting nearly 300. Uff da. Pretty sure I'll have a few less than that when I shoot hockey Saturday night. In the meantime, we're just catching up on some TV and staying warm. 

And tomorrow, I'll have to leave the house!

Be careful out there and stay warm!

We Can't Outrun Winter

Unlike the deer who crossed over the road in front of me on the way home and headed for the fields, we can't run from winter. I mean, we can book a flight and fly away to escape it. But most of us are stuck here and required tolerate it.

I am super grateful that my sister Rachel was gifted a January escape to Florida. She deserves it! 

It makes me realize that the rest of us – who aren't literally lucky to be alive based on 2024 events – should just accept our usual Wisconsin winter without complaint. Well, some complaining must be allowed for us cold-hating, heat-seeking mommas. I mean, we just can't change our ways no matter who's involved.

I'm just grateful today for heat in the house and a heated mattress pad on my bed. I pray you have ways to stay warm this winter too.

But if you find a way to outrun it, let me know!

Oh Sweet Hump Day

Today was another reminder that we somehow managed to work 5 days in a row most of last year – and now it feels like a challenge.

For me, a "5 days in a row" work week hasn't happened since before Thanksgiving. So I'm already caving to mild exhaustion this week. Who made up this rule of 5 days in a row anyway?

Luckily there has been plenty to keep me awake – er, mind occupied – at work so I can be productive. And tonight I had our monthly Girls Night Out to look forward to and carry me through Hump Day.

There was 8 of us who met at Gordie's (formerly Layla's, Goose's, etc on the west side of Rapids). Our food was amazing and we were there catching up for at least 2 hours. That's how you jump into Hump Day and gain momentum to finish out the week!

Hope all of you are adjusting back to your reality after the holidays. Don't judge yourself. It does take a minute!

Red Sky in Morn, Creativity Re-Born

As much as I hate leaving the house in the dark this time of year, I appreciate that I occasionally get a beautiful sunrise on the way to work. Today was not exception. The sky was on fire! Glad I finally had a red light so I could stop and capture it! 

Ignore all the street lights. I took it as a sign we should all be fired up for work today!

And although the day was long (who comes up with these 5-day work weeks anyway?), I was actually energized by the time I got home. 

Partly because I had an itch to be creative. Our Pacelli-Assumption etc Co-op team is have a "Stick it to Cancer" fundraiser at our game Saturday night. 

Since lucky me won a basket a few weeks ago, I figured I'd pay that one forward and make one up myself. So... time to plug that special Cricut in again!

I think the hockey moms and dads will appreciate these coffee mugs I made. Just have to find a few more things for the basket in the next few evenings.

This definitely put me in the creative mood. And thinking about my upcoming scrapbooking weekend. Yes, Camp Crop-A-Lot is at the end of February, but still, a girl has to plan ahead. I'm so far behind I now have to try to remember life 7 years ago! So glad I have several weeks to figure that out.

But if you're a sports mom (or dad) and want a mug with your sport (hockey or whatever), let me know. I'm in the creative zone!

Making Tracks

If you are entering the new year wondering what tracks you left behind in 2024 and what tracks you might leave in 2025, I get it. And a recent walk in a typical Wisconsin winter's day showed me a thing or two.

First of all, as in usual life, there are a lot of turkeys out there! Somehow they survive Thanksgiving and then just wander around like free birds and no care in the world. I just hope they don't intersect with my windshield.

Winter is also a sign that some bunny we care about is out there and about. Love the fact they just hop along no matter what the world is throwing at us human types.

Then there are dog prints. We love our neighbor dogs so much we're just glad to see footprints in the snow (versus random piles in our yard, that is).

And finally, my favorite tracks... well that's my new tires after 78k plus miles on my original ones! I'm stopping better on our Wisconsin winter roads AND not shaking from a mis-alignment. 

No matter what my original New Year's resolution, I think I'll make these memorable tracks all year!

Close Only Counts...

As I learned many, many years ago, "close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Definitely NOT in BINGO.  In other words, even though I was only 3 dobber spots away on 2 cards, it didn't win me cover-all BINGO today. On the plus side, no one won the grand prize so the jackpot will go up for the next session in 2 weeks.

As far as football luck... at least father-in-law Johnny (a Bears fan) is smiling. 

As for us Sunday night Vikings fans... 

I'm watching and am crossing my fingers... but in the end, we know we're still in the playoffs so we'll just see what happens. 

Most fans in the North Central should just be thrilled we have 3 teams with 11+ wins. Crazy!

Hope that no matter what happens,  we can all go into the new week with a positive attitude!

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Had two days of busy photography sessions that were quite a roller coaster of emotions.

Last evening, our undefeated Lady Royals played a tough game against the equally strong Pacelli team. We ended up losing in OT! Heart-breaking. But it's good to play a tough team so we can keep working on our skill-building.

Today I spent the day with my friend and former co-worker Colleen, whose daughter is a freshman at Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School and on their gymnastics. I think I first met Elsa when she was in kindergarten or 1st grade. To see her take first in the All-Around Competition today was a treat!

I've always been an Olympics gymnastics junkie, but seeing it in person at a high school level was pretty fun, too.

Now that I'm done with my pictures, I have 2 days of golf to catch up on. 

I know I made the social media cut yesterday. We'll see what else is happening. On a day when we just got into the double digits, I need some warm Hawaiian golf in my life.

Bundle up and be careful out there!

Teeing Off the New Year

This morning was a bit of a rude awakening back into the land of the working. Had to get up to an unheard off alarm AND warm up my car before heading into work. 

And most of the day was spent reminding myself that today was Thursday and tomorrow is already a work-from-home Friday. 

Then there was the start of our company-sponsored golf tournament on Maui. 

I'm not bragging up any self-importance about this tournament, but I did put a lot of hours into writing content (social and otherwise) ahead of time. And now, many of my co-workers are on island and I am sort of "on call" in case they need something written from the Central Time Zone.

As usual, I'm a bit bummed about that. But I usually get a special gift or two from our team, so it somewhat balances out. Not completely, obviously, but since hubby and I have vacationed in that area in the recent past, at least I know what the experience is like!

And now, since the broadcast is on Hawaiian time, I better get to my recliner and oversee things. Or just watch enviable golf in a gorgeous location!

Hope you have time to tune into The Sentry sometime in the coming days!

I May or May Not Resolve...

Since I wrote the column for our January church newsletter, I figured I'd share it here since it definitely has a New Year's theme to it.

I Resolve…

Happy New Year! Did you make your resolutions yet? Without fail, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, people find themselves committing to becoming better people. In reality, there’s no difference between December 31 and January 1. Nothing mystical occurs at midnight. But society has decided this is the time to make a change.

Common New Year’s resolutions are commitments to quit bad habits, to manage money more wisely, and to spend more time with family. By far, the most common New Year’s resolution (and usually mine) is to lose weight. Fitness centers are packed every January! 

These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 

In other words, perhaps we should try faith-based resolutions this year – like praying more, reading the Bible every day, or attending church more regularly. Just keep in mind these New Year’s resolutions can fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. 

Why? Because there’s no actual power in declaring a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation and dedication. 

You might not want to hear this, but that means we still have to do the legwork. We still have to maintain our commitment – even on the tough days. 

The good news, as Philippians 4:13 tells us, is we “can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Maybe if God is the center of our New Year’s resolution, it has a better chance for success. We still must do the work and remain steadfast. But if we rely on God’s strength and guidance to help us, we have a better shot at making it last past the month of January. 

Let’s do it! We all deserve a happy, healthy, and faithful 2025!