Not as Trifle of a Trifle Tuesday as I Hoped

I should've known at the first glance of the sunrise on my morning commute that God was trying to instill in me a sense of calmness for the day ahead.

Instead I was worried about my precious cargo for a Trifle Tuesday birthday celebration at work. Granted that does take 30 minutes of concentration – especially when I had to slam the brakes for two idiotic deer crossing the road. I held my hand across my passenger seat like I was protecting a child! In the end it got to work intact.

Right now I feel stupid talking about what was in the trifle because some tragedies occurred today with some of my loved ones but I'm not at liberty to share yet. Just hug your loved ones and know cancer effing sucks!!!

So anyway, this is my usual Frosted Circus Animal Trifle. So appropriate when a majority of us working in corporate setting know it can be a circus!

Bottom layer had a very carefully placed parade of animals on the outside. Inside that parade is mini frosted vanilla cupcakes basically cut in half or crumbled a bit. Next layer up is white chocolate pudding I added some red food coloring to for a pink-ish layer to match those animals! Next layer is chopped up vanilla wafer cookies – the kind with frosting in them, not to be confused with 'Nilla Wafers.

Repeat layers. Add Cool Whip on the top – plus more circus animals!

It was very sugary and sweet and delicious. And I came home with perhaps one serving left if I really scrape the bowl good. I'm not above licking it clean when it comes to this particular trifle combination!

The other bright spot of the day – although much colder than "summer" yesterday – was Royals baseball kicking off their home season. I lasted a few inning but got pictures of each of the starters at bat. And we were ahead when I left and thankfully continued to kick butt and beat Owen-Withee 11-1. I think this will be a fun season to watch and capture.

When it's warmer! 

I do hope you all found something positive and not the least bit "trifle" to your emotions today. Take care!

Monday's Micro-Dose of Spring

This. This is 100% me. And also why I decided at 7 a.m. – after consulting with Mr. Deck Chair and the ugly upcoming forecast – I was taking the afternoon off. I mean It's almost April and I've used one day (of 6 weeks' worth) of vacation in 2026.

Best decision!

I logged off at noon and was at my friend Jenny's house in town by 12:15 and we commenced to enjoy a leisurely but calorie-burning 3-mile walk. With so much catching up!

Got home and started assembling a trifle for tomorrow (no spoilers allowed this time). Then sat on the deck to paint my toenails a sparkling pink SUMMER color (of course!). Then sat on the swing to let the nails dry while I listened to my current Book Club book that is changing my life – Theo of Golden. Trust me, as soon as I'm done I'll be blogging about it because I want everyone to read or listen to it!

Took another walk later because well, it was still gorgeous out. Plus I had to get in a few more steps. I think my health and fitness program at work is going to think someone stole my FitBit because... 10,000 steps TWO days in a row?! This is not the Robyn Austin we've come to know.

I fully acknowledge that shortcoming. Working on it, working on it!

The challenge comes with winter allegedly returning in 48 hours or less. Gah. I think Old Man Winter and Mother Nature should just pool their resources and pay for therapy for the lot of us!

On a serious note... graphic photo alert... today is the 2-year anniversary of my sister Rachel's horrific crash that tried to claim her life (a few times!) but the angels decided it wasn't her time yet! If you don't believe in God and miracles then look at this photo and ask yourself how else she and her friend survived!

Even now, she's not out of the woods yet. She's advancing more to walking without a cane or walker but is smart when she knows she should use one of them. And the legal battle for which insurance company will pay her medical bills is ongoing. She even had a deposition today of all days. Minnesota's "no fault" rule means she was 50% at fault for the accident because she was on that road – even though the other driver crossed the line and struck her. Obviously with impact! If any of you are the praying type, she still could use your prayers.

It continues to remind our family that there are so many miracles of spring. We love the birds and the little shoots of flowers blooming. But having our sister still with us tops them all. 💖

Hug your loved ones. Or if they are far away, tell them you love them!

Spring Brake, Palm Sunday, Etc.

So I was thinking that when my church choir and I sang two songs on Palm Sunday that for sure I'd have an "in" to win the cross BINGO. Nope. There were two games that I was one away from BINGO and couldn't claim a payout in time.

Close does NOT count in BINGO. Still, so fun! Too bad there's only 2 Sundays left this "season."

When I got home and it was 64 degrees I quickly changed shoes and went for a walk. Dang the snowplow drivers did some damage to neighborhood yards when they could tell road from anything with 2 feet of snow.

Was fun to catch my friend Marigene on the circle and the a few miles in, though. So nice!

Went to the store later for trifle ingredients and was struck by the knowledge that we really never know of a spring pothole is half an inch deep or half a bucket deep! Uff da. Wow. Actually so grateful for the bucket at this grocery store because my Black Betty would not have handled that well!

Of course, spring brakes wouldn't be complete without something BREAK-ing. For me. That's my bracket. Dang Duke. 

As Forrest Gump would say, "That's all I've got to say about that." 😩

Forget all the madness. Enjoy spring the next 24 hours!

Weekend Yarns

 

Long before I became acquainted with yarn I though a yarn was a story or a tale, especially one that is incredible and probably made up.

But then a couple of years ago my friend Julie introduced me to crocheting and what the magic of yarn can do.

For awhile after that I was obsessed with making scarves of all kinds. But since then... baby blankets.

So we have 2 sets of young adults in our life who are expecting babies next month. Contrary to popular pre-parenting practices, neither is finding out the sex of their child.

With my self-imposed deadline looming, I commenced to hooking today. With a 50-50 chance I said, let me start with girly colors. Well that didn't last long because my stupid skein was somehow messed up and in knots. So, not that it will effect the outcome, I switched to some typically boyish blues. 

Got a good start... but do you know baseball is on TV now (yay, Twins) in addition to March Madness hoops? Yup. This might take me a day or two. Good thing it was cold and windy with no forecast of me doing anything outside today!

Random Acts Rock

 

I know the "official" Random Acts of Kindness Day was last month, but after a special moment this afternoon I challenge us all to open our eyes wider and see the opportunity to perform these more often.

So I went to my usual hangout after work... OK, it's Kwik Trip and I needed gas and cash – surprisingly in that order. I saw an older couple from church walking into the store. I cannot call them "elderly" because of one of them has former (way former) Miss Wisconsin Rapids vibes.

When I went in and was doing my ATM thing I saw their bouquets of flowers right there. I thought, you know what? I'm going to buy one of these for Helen – which may or may not be her real name.

When my business was done I just waited by the exit for the two of them. She looked up in surprise when I said "Hey, these are for you!" Both of them had such shocked looks and her husband was like "You don't have to buy those" and I'm like "I already did."

I just told them I wanted them to feel a little bit of spring. They deserved that. And they couldn't stop thanking me and telling me how much that meant and how this doesn't happen to them.

That almost made me feel worse because we need to start paying some attention to lonely people!!

Anyway, when they assured me there's a special place in heaven for people like me, I thanked them and of course said, "Well, hopefully not too soon."

It just made me realize that all of us can perform random acts of kindness at any time to make someone's day. If you don't have the financial resources to buy a $15 flower bouquet, just tell someone you like their sweater or if they open a door for you, say you appreciate there are gentlemen still around. 

I forget how good it feels to get out of MYSELF and my issues and just appreciate others. I'm not bragging about my actions, I'm just reminding us all that even a small measure of kindness can go so far. 

Go for it!

And... Action!

So when you're a writer in a marketing department part of your job duties include writing video scripts. I mean for everything from safety advice type videos (it's an insurance company, after all) to more entertaining story lines for a fun video for a sales leaders' ceremony.

Spoiler alert: I like writing the funny and entertaining stuff the best!

So this week and last week we had several video shoots to piece together what we KNOW will be a highly entertaining and memorable video for such occasion. On Monday I was accidentally on camera as a hand model – not really, but I am glad my nails were done for the close-up of my "hand shaking" scene. 

Today we wrapped up our last segment and I cannot wait to see the final results.

I am so grateful to work with such a talented video team. I mean they can piece together magical results every single time. Yesterday they used a Go Pro camera in the pool and I was like, wait, I have Go Pro that I never use. Should I pick up a new hobby and do more video?

No, Robyn. The answer is no.

And yes, I know that would add a level to my photography skills, but dang, I should stick with what I know. Shouldn't I? 

Asking for a friend who happens to be middle-aged and has no excuse nor time to pick up another hobby. 😁

I promise to keep myself grounded. To accept my capabilities. And to dip a toe – just one toe – into the video capabilities pool. Keep me honest!

Second Time Around

Today was mama's second birthday in heaven! A couple things occurred to me. First, she looks amazing for a 94-year-old, doesn't she? Second, how can it be almost two years already since we lost her?

As much I loved Dad and dearly miss him, Mom is the one I keep thinking of calling up to tell her about a good pun I heard, brag about my win at BINGO, or suggest we watch Wheel of Fortune over the phone together. And this is every day. 

While talking to a coworker today who lost her mom within weeks of mine, we both commented how this was still our current reality. I said, "Lucky us! Look how blessed we are to have had these relationships!"

There was a time I would never say we're cut from the same cloth. But then I grew up and learned appreciation. And recognized similarities. We both love the clever humor, the correct use of the English language, creative writing, and definitely, as mentioned yesterday, the need to make putzy desserts. 

She'll be proud to see I came home with an empty trifle dish today! Me too if I ever want to look like her in this photo! That gene never hit me.

Cherish your loved ones while they're here! 💖

A Not-So Trifle Tuesday

How can it be only Tuesday when it's been a whirlwind week at work already? Monday was crazy because I worked from home in the morning, then had to be in the office in the early afternoon (I was accidentally a stunt double for myself plus a hand model, LOL), then back home before an end-of-day meeting.

With the caveat that I needed to log off in time for my VIP meeting with my hair artist!

I don't know how the timing all worked out to my favor, but it did! 

But in the midst of all this, Boy Wonder (aka Mr. Smooth) was going to call us at an appointed time for a "chat." This meant all kinds of scenarios in the brains of Papa and Mama Smooth – from general "catch-up" convo to marriage proposal. I mean, who knows?

We were thrilled to learn that the sentence that started with "We have news..." ended with his girlfriend securing a full-time job in the fashion industry with Maurices. Guess where their headquarters are? Way the heck up in Duluth of all places. Who knew?

So today while I was "working" I had to dedicate some time to reach out to any and all Duluth connections to guide these young professionals in their housing situation. Sketchy versus good neighborhoods, etc. Got lots of information and where to and where not to go, and a few rental bites. But we're working on it.

I say "we" though they didn't ask me and might not want my intervention. But there comes a point in life you know people in a lot of places, and if you did them good, they'll do you a solid too. So we'll see.

Tonight my one task was a birthday trifle for my supervisor, who shares a birthday with my mom. I can't ever let this NOT happen because I'm sure she's up in heaven saying, "Yes, for me, you must do a putzy, layered dessert to earn the adoration of your club / neighbors / friends / co-workers."

On it, Mom!

This one: Chocolate brownies, topped with... white chocolate pudding with peanut butter power mixed in, then... diced up Nutty Buddy bars, and the top... whipped cream with mini Reese's PB Cups on top.

I do have to call out it took me 5 stores to find the Reese's THINS these days.. Festival Foods for the win. Just needed to cut them half for one outside layer around the bowl.

I think my "be sure to make this a putzy, layered dessert" is accomplished.

Continue to guide me on these important quests, Mama! 💗

 

A Madness Most Discreet

Now that I've finished reading the Shakespeare-inspired fictional book and see the Oscar-nominated movie Hamnet, I feel I can throw Shakespeare words and phrases at will. "A madness most discreet" is from Romeo and Juliet. But I'm sure thou already knewest that!

So this was my moment of madness today. Bear with me. I'm over 50. We have earned the rights to daily rants of "madness." So I want to finish up this bridal shower gift and my silver wrapping paper at home falls short by a half inch. Any way I situate the box. 

So I go to Walmart since I needed ingredients for two upcoming trifles anyway to get either white or silver wrapping paper. Looking at this photo would you not see silver wrapping paper and two matching silver bows?

Turns out. No. It was just clear cellophane around a silver-colored rather than cardboard-colored tube. Grrr.

I'd already ripped the label off so that's how they getcha. And back to Walmart I went. 

Guess what? I just settled on red. A color I can count on seeing correctly. One that won't cause me madness. And matches the new family name I Cricuted onto the tub. Maybe that's how it was supposed to play out all along!

As for seeing red, though... Ugh. My bracket! We'll skip over that convo today. Definitely March madness.

But as for another episode of March gladness...

We had the most pleasant evening at the Sky Club supper club with our friends Jeff and Cathy. Jeff was Jim's college roommate and Cathy was Jim's high school classmate. You see how this story played out! They just moved to the Twin Cities so were back in Wisconsin and it worked out to connect. Just a great visit as always.

Make the time to make the connections so you don't regret it later!

Spring. For Real er No?

In my heart I know that our first full day of spring is fake. But it felt so good to embrace it anyway!

After an in promptu choir practice this morning, it was really just hoops and hoops and little outside exposure.

And I got to meet our new neighbor! She's so cute!

That was the highlight of the day other than remembering how to use my Cricut for an upcoming bridal shower. And visiting with my father-in-law. 

With the warm temps I did sit out on the deck steps for a bit. But dang, we really want this to continue! It won't of course. Despite the calendar. But please know, Mother Nature, that I truly liked you for one day!

Whoa, Black Betty

I've been watching my odometer this week because I knew at some point Black Betty – my Honda HRV – was about to reach 6 figures. Wish my paycheck would!

This morning when I got to work, she was officially at 99,999. I had to get gas on the way home and that was exactly one mile away apparently, so I could take a picture.

In my mind she's still a new car. Because when I hit a deer on the interstate and totaled my Honda Accord in June of 2020, the 2019 was still "new" since people were concentrating on surviving a pandemic, not going anywhere, and not buying cars.

It was the "newest" vehicle I ever had in my life. And the HRV is totally a Robyn-sized SUV.

A 2019 model but less than 3,000 off the lot. I remember hubby saying, "Well this should last you 'til retirement." Now I'm like, dang reliable Hondas. 100K miles is nothing. I'll have to work forever! Grr.

I treated her to a car wash on her special day. I mean we almost hit 50 degrees today. I know with the massive meltdown, she'll get all splashed up and dirty again, but it was the least I could do. She's got my back and keeps me going places!

Who's got your back today? Maybe give them a special nod of thanks!

Leprechaun Vibes

St. Patty's Day is over but I'm still feeling leprechaun vibes. Not only am I vertically challenged but so is my car! Still cannot see over piles of snow at most intersections.

And this icicle at work? It might be as tall as me by the time it's fully formed. If it doesn't fall to it's melting death first.

Roads were better on way home but any city side streets are just slushy messes. The temps are supposed the rise the next few days. I was ambitious thinking that when I got home tonight I could shovel out our turnaround area before the melting created Lake Austin.

This little area here is the concrete area I usually back into when pulling out of the garage. I was wrongly thinking that since the snow was fluffier to shovel Monday that today would be same. But no. Warmer temps added moisture and I realized right away my aging back ain't made for this. So I quit that almost as soon as I started!

My leprechaun car is small enough I can back up, make a few tries at a Y turn and eventually get out the driveway hood-first without any problem. So I will deal another day with this First World problem!

Be careful out there!

WTF (What the Forecast?)

When this is the first thing I see when I get home tonight, I am slightly enraged... and slightly jealous.

I'd take a March heat wave warning any day before an ICY forecast on a day when we're supposed to reach 50 here. It's insane.

This morning's commute proved this is far from done. Yes, the roads were plowed. But quality? Meh. Lots of snow-covered and glare ice-covered surfaces. Plus occasional drifts to drive through. Normally takes 30 minutes to get to work and today it took 50.

When I got to Stevens Point, it was obvious they got more snow because they didn't know where to put it. I was mostly concerned at the roundabout by work because the snow bank was so high I couldn't see to my left. I had to inch out super slowly and pray not to get sideswiped. Thankfully, I didn't.

I was so distracted by concentrating on driving after work that I just realized I forgot to stop to get a Shamrock Shake to celebrate St. Patty's Day. That's definitely the worst kind of distracted driving.

If you're Irish in any way, I hope you found a fun way to celebrate! When we were growing up we had an "Irish blessing" of some sort hanging on the wall – even though we're 100% Scandi-Hoovian. So maybe everyone is a bit Irish today.

Sláinte to us all! ☘

Blizzard of '26 :: Round 2 (Ditto)

Blizzard of 2026 first thought this morning: "Crap" and "Thank goodness I work from home on Mondays anyway." Honestly, with the extra 6-10 inches while we were sleeping, a lot of us in Wisconsin were sort of trapped.

This top picture is after the early morning snowblowing effort.

I realized quickly that a clear-ish driveway isn't a victory for long when the street hasn't been plowed. My low-riding Honda couldn't leave for quite some time!

So throughout the day I naturally took pictures. Remember our poor robin yesterday? Look at our poor cardinal! Granted, a solar version, but still a good representation of the overnight additional snow.

Anyone want to join us for a party on the back deck today? I don't want to disturb that 2-foot frosting coverage of the table!

When main plowing was done late afternoon, I realized those of us in shorter vehicles are challenged like in the '70s and '80s when we needed styrofoam balls on the radio antennas so other drivers could see us at intersections.

Official measurements for Wisconsin Rapids are still to come, but we have 20 or so inches here. In my meteorological opinion, that is.

Considering these are more "official" measurements and Plover is pretty close to us, I think my report is OK.

Late this afternoon we could leave the house and travel about on the "best conditioned" roads and they were not the best. Snow covered. But drivable. Just need to be cautious come morning, that's for sure!

Blizzard of '26 :: Round 1

I guess when they suggest on Saturday that Sunday will bring a blizzard... and churches, restaurants, and even bars in Wisconsin (gasp!) are going to be closed Sunday... and that travel was 100% not advised, they weren't messing around. 

The "black roads" in the map above indicated "travel not advised" and I know portions of some of our nearby four-lanes (like Highway 10) were closed. 

Wake-up views gave me a clue why they called it a blizzard and not just a winter storm warning. The crazy wind made visibility a nightmare!

The morning routine was hubby snowblowing us out, then he went to snowblow his dad's driveway, and I shoveled the drifted front deck. The back deck (shown) will not be touched until April at this point!

I realized that the wall calendar in my office doesn't even have spring arriving at all in March. No wonder I saw signs of several seasons today. Here's autumn.

Here's winter/Christmas. Yeah, I'm a little behind at un-decking the halls outdoors.

And poor summer crying like it's a thing of the past that shall never return. Poor summer.

As for spring... I'm convinced Old Man Winter has no heart. This poor expecting mother who arrived with her girlfriends and sisters on the 65-degree day last week does not know what to do. I made sure I scared her a bit so she flew into the woods where there is much better shelter than the few trees in our front yard! Yes, I'm a writer and photographer. We save lives every day. That's what we do. Ha.

A couple hours ago we hit a predicted 3-hour lull in snow so my hero snowblowed a second time for us and his dad.

As you can see, we've accumulated at least a foot of snow so far. And Wausau slightly north of us already has 22 inches! They say tonight could bring another 6 inches here at least. With possible freezing rain just for fun.

It's disheartening to think that after all this snow-removal progress made today that it will all have to be repeated come morning. This really is the meaning of March (very) MADness!

I finally appreciate the true meaning of my new mittens gifted to me from a co-worker. If you know, you know. If you live in Wisconsin or Minnesota right now, you definitely know!

Be careful out there!

March Sadness... or March Blues Today

In one poignant photo I can sum up how the Royals' bid for state went today. But it does not tell the whole story. 

For today's sectional final, we as the 4-seed played the 3-seed Southwestern High School – coincidentally Carter's girlfriend's alma mater in Hazel Green. The game was at the halfway meeting point in Westby (some 2 hours away) and my friend Lisa and I got a ride with our friends Craig and Sara so I didn't have to drive by myself.

It was a Royal Blue versus Wildcat Blue battle. The whole gym was fans of the same color. Not the first time this has happened.

We started off the first half pretty hot and had a lead at halftime of 26-13. Probably giving us fans too much optimism. But after the halftime break, the Wildcats came back a different team. Not missing their 3's and stealing the ball from us with pumped up defense. But we still held a lead.

This was the point the game got close and our lead (as home team) was in jeopardy.

Less than a minute to go and we still had a nerve-wracking lead by one. But then they had 2 free throws at the 34 second mark and made them both. Down by 1 and we could not get that lead back. Sadly we lost 44-43.

This was the group of boys (seniors especially) I've watched and photographed since their middle school years. So much talent I knew they'd do well. And frankly, they took us further than any of Royals boys' teams has taken us since 2009.

I know in the moment of a tough loss it is hard to remember that. But I hope they do. What an amazing ride this has been.

#RoyalPride4ever

Windy Day in the One Acre Wood

I know Winnie the Pooh and Piglet made a pile of money of their portrayal of a windy and blustery day in the hundred acre wood. Today we had the same thing on our one acre wood, er yard.

I guess my pompass grass is my compass. When I was at the end of the driveway before running errands at lunch I figured the wind was blowing strong toward the west.

And then, 5 seconds later, it completely changed directions. Quite the rude awakening to our disappointing delivery of spring so far. But the winds and chill today are not the worst of it in central Wisconsin. We've seen what is coming for "spring colors" and it isn't pretty.

Gross, right? What I do know and appreciate is they are holding those sectional playoff games at 1 p.m. rather than 7 p.m. tomorrow to "beat the weather." I just wish that means we could avoid it altogether. Dang.

Be careful and be safe out there this weekend. And buy some popcorn ahead of time so you can watch movies (or NCAA hoops) while we're shut in!

Another Round of March Gladness

Driving all the way to Black River Falls for boys hoops was worth every mile.

For the first time in at least 8 years, our Royals were in the sectional semi-finals. Up against the higher seeded Cochran Fountain City. They played in BRF because it was a neutral site and much larger gymnasium.

And both sides were packed.

And both teams were playing their hearts out and driven to win. So close and so tense!

In the end, we had our happy ending! Just one more win and we're statebound! Sectional final will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in Westby – scheduling it earlier in the day beat the blizzard or whatever.

Speaking of non-spring... Took forever to get home because there was a whole line of Royals fan vehicles heading back to Rapids in wet and snowy conditions – driving slowly and cautiously. 

So it's past bedtime and I have to set an alarm because it's not Friday night after all. So picture editing will have to wait.

Congrats, Royals!