Heat Wave

I know the mercury tipped 90 today but I'm not sure just how far it got. 93? 95? Did we set a record? Does it matter? After awhile you're just darn hot!

Sitting in an air-conditioned office, I was somewhat oblivious to how warm it was getting out there today until I went over to the fitness center at lunch time. It was toasty! Everything in the car was hot to touch. Way hot! Needless to say, I got a good sweaty workout today.

Carter was home with a rare day off (ha), sitting in the A/C, watching movies, playing Wii, doing as little as possible. That's probably for the best since he had baseball practice tonight.

On our way home from work, we had the A/C cranked and it didn't even feel like it was one. Until you cracked open the window and the oven air came in. Ugh. Hubby and I got to witness an unusual phenomenon...

You know how sometimes it can get so hot the road will buckle in an earth quake-looking way? You don't know how it happens, it just does? Well we were on Highway 54 just about to our south turn at the Portage-Wood county line. Suddenly right in front of us, the road buckles... just sort of pops up in pieces like confetti out of a Jack in the box or something. So weird. Like something you'd see on a cartoon or movie.

Obviously, we were startled and had no time to stop. Thankfully we had just slowed for the turn so we weren't going 65 mph. Still, we couldn't avoid driving over it. Luckily, it didn't puncture any tires. Weird. Very weird.

I made sure I checked in on my parents tonight. My dad, going on 84 this year, has an awful hard time with heat. They don't have A/C but he said they're keeping the house closed up and that keeps it cooler than opening windows for any hot breezes. I reminded him to stay hydrated anyway. He says, "I don't know if that does any good." (Did I mention my dad is stubborn? And that I'm nothing like him?)

Up in Luck and all of western Wisconsin (and Minnesota for that matter), they've been dealing with this since yesterday. We're always a day behind in Rapids so we'll see this hot stuff tomorrow, too, before we see some relief. Not that I'm even complaining. This is perfect ice cream eating weather... if a person can keep pace before it melts.

I don't know about you, but I'm up for the challenge.

Ready or Not

Saturday will be a challenging day for us. Physically challenging for me and mentally challenging for Carter.

To prep for my 5-mile Point Bock Run, I concentrated on hydrating today, carbing up on spaghetti at supper and will get to bed early.

To prep for his math competition, Carter is "boxing" on the Wii.

That seems to be the better approach. He's concentrating on his moves so he has no time for worries. Sounds good until someone like me tries it and I throw my back out the night before a race.

Yup, I best stay put.

I am looking forward to a little reading tonight. Unfortunately too late for tomorrow's run, I got in the mail this week my new running training journal and The Complete Book of Women's Running. I just started the book and am already loving how it caters to us females. The two pieces of running equipment we must not pinch pennies over are shoes and a good sports bra. Oh yes, this is my kind of book!

I look forward to using the training journal for my future races this year. Tomorrow, I will just have to wing it and, well, just do it! Physically, I'm not quite ready for it but we have to start the new "season" somewhere.

Hopefully, my lucky Twins hat will carry me through again!

Carter, on the other hand, doesn't need any luck. He's got the skill. ...If he's not too sore to lift his pencil!

Single Parenthood

This is that crazy time of year where hubby does all of his traveling for work, I go away on my long weekends and Carter is left to wonder: Which parent will spoil me more?

After spending the weekend with Dad, now Carter is stuck with Mom for 3 nights. My first thought this afternoon was where should we eat tonight? Jim tends to think we always eat out and I never cook a meal for Carter when he's gone. It's not on purpose. We just tend to be in town at supper time.

Anyway, I was thinking a Shamrock Shake sounded good. But then I got an email from Dairy Queen and they announced that Mint Oreo is the Blizzard of the Month for March. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

In the end, I got neither. We just got our computer back from the fix-it man this afternoon so I knew I had to hook that up tonight. So I burnt a pizza (dang), hooked up our now super-fast computer and then Carter schooled me on Just Dance 2 -- a Wii game/exercise type thing where you mimic the singer's moves no matter how fast and twisty. Thankfully, I beat him on the '80s songs. (Of course!) But he did way too well. I may have to buy that for my new workout routine!

Especially if I keep that yummy, minty green stuff on my "menu"!

Here Comes the Rain Again...

I was surprised to look at the calendar today and see that June is half over already. It seems like it's been raining for weeks so I keep forgetting we're in the first month of summer!

Of course, it's also easy to forget when hockey action just wrapped up last week and the NBA finals are still going on -- which I know plenty about. In fact, the guys are watching right now, hoping the Celtics wrap it up on the road.

Good thing those are indoor venues. My poor nephew Colin has had so many "rain checks" for auto racing. It's crazy. And Carter once again had baseball practice canceled due to rain tonight. And it's just plain chilly out!

So I trespassed into Wii-ville and played some Wii Sports Resort. I had to have Jim show me how the heck to do everything. This particular game uses a special motion-type remote that means if I hold it crooked and "swing," then my golf ball or Frisbee or bowling ball is going off in a crazy direction. It was still fun, though!

After that, Daddy and Carter took a little batting practice. (For real.) The rain had lightened to a fine mist, so they were OK for the batting part but it was still quite annoying as glasses wearers!

Now they're inside where it's warm and dry, watching the Celtics-Lakers game. I might just join them. I already got a good run in over lunch. I did two loads of laundry and made Rice Krispy bars. I might as well turn my blanket on and go relax.

And wonder when summer will get here...

Wheelin' & Dealin'

I got a hot tip around the campfire last night that my running shoes were on clearance this weekend over at MC Sports in Plover. So this morning, after Daddy left to golf with a neighbor and Carter got his 11 hours of sleep, the 2 of us headed east.

And I wasn't just looking for shoes.

For the past 2 summers, I have been wanting to get a new bicycle to replace my now 18-year-old hybrid bike. Yes, it still works. But I am not a fan of the hybrid style. The wheels are thin like the old school 10-speeds so they don't do well off-road. Not that I am mountain bike queen, but there is a nice path around the lake nearby that has a few areas unpaved that my current bike doesn't handle. It just fish tails like I'm about to hit the dirt. Not liking that. So I have been shopping around for the past month. Today I cleaned out the trunk before we left "just in case."

And I found a "case."

Robyn the deal-digging bargain shopper scored big today. Not only did I get my shoes half price, which is a very good deal, I test-rode and purchased a new "comfort" bike (with fatter wheels!), also on sale in the price range I was aiming for. So it was good.

Since Carter had birthday money burning a hole in his pocket, we went to Wal-Mart over there. He bought a battery charger thing for his Wii remotes and also bought another Wii game -- Sports Resort -- that looks pretty fun.

With today's high heat and humidity, Jim only golfed 9 holes. So after I got my accessories on my bike, we went to a graduation party for the son of one of his school mates. Of course, we saw a few other people we knew, too, and had a very nice time. Did I mention there was yummy cake with good frosting?? Yep, that was a high point, too!

Got home and it had cooled down to the mid 80s so I took the new bike out for a spin. Very comfortable! Good seat and I sit up straight more than the other bike so it doesn't bother my back. I think I'm gonna like it!

While I was out, the "boys" broke in the new Wii game. I don't mind seeing Carter work up a sweat. That means he moving at least. While they played, I plunked myself down on the couch to watch my Twins on Sunday Night Baseball. Got to cheer them onto a win -- which was almost as good as my deals of the day... but, really, it's hard to top good frosting!

Home Sleep Home

I'm ba-a-ack! I had an unexpected break from blogging this week. My trip out of town was expected, yes, but I also had expected some free time to get to a computer and write. Didn't work out that way.

Land of Lincoln: From Monday through Wednesday, I was in Schaumburg, Ill., on the outskirts of Chicago for a work conference. I shouldn't call it a conference. We referred to it as an Innovation Summit... time away from the various company offices (around the U.S. and beyond) to think hard, think collectively and think big. It was very worthwhile.

Of course, when you're in Chicago, things are already "big" -- at least somewhat grand or on the expensive side. The hotel we stayed at was very, very, very nice. Did I mention is was nice? I just had to take a picture of the TV built into the bathroom mirror -- for the businessman who doesn't want to miss the financial news while he's shaving in the morning... or for Robyn who doesn't want to miss Sports Center on ESPN while she's curling her hair. Pretty cool, eh?

Wii big different: After Tuesday's day full of meetings and thinking, we had dinner reservations at a place called Pinstripes, which boasted Bowling, Bocce & Bistro. Not your typical bowling alley from Wisconsin, that's for sure! Even had leather couches to sit on while waiting your turn. Very upscale, but the lanes were still the same width and same length -- just a bit more difficult to see with the mood lighting. Not that I'm making excuses. Thanks to my recent Wii training, I did better than my usual struggle to break a hundred. In fact, my first frame was a strike! Beginner's luck. I did pull out a 135 which is very good for me.

Home Sleep Home: That was it for the fun. Headed back Wednesday evening and I got home by midnight. I am dead tired after a few sleep-reduced nights and a very busy work day today catching up. I anticipate I'll be in bed before Carter tonight -- mainly since he'll be up watching the Celtics hopefully win and move on in the playoffs.

Runs, Hits, Errors: Speaking of Carter, I missed out on some of his activities this week. In the Runs category, he had his once-a-year 6th-grade track meet with all the elementary schools. Daddy had to wear long underwear to spectate that Wednesday morning! Carter did triple jump, shot put and 100m dash. He will not be taking home any gold medals.

The Hits category reflects the first 2 baseball games. Oh, I don't necessarily mean Carter had the hits. The Reds lost 3-zip on Monday night and tied 6-6 Wednesday evening in a game called for the time limit. I guess it was a bit chilly both nights. Maybe it's not so bad missing a game or 2. The other "hit" is just a little positive side note. Carter tried out for and made the baseball tournament team! So we'll have to adjust our summer weekend schedules (which I previously noted were already full to some extent). Should be fun though.

The Error category is a bit unfair. Hubby was assigned the task of capturing some of this with pictures this week. Of course he couldn't shoot while coaching baseball but the track meet didn't quite go as well as I hoped. He was there but missed Carter's shot put and triple jump -- which were both somehow done in the first 10 minutes. In his defense, he had a 2-minute tutorial (over the phone) on how to use my/our new camera, so the 100m dash pictures sure look like Carter must have been running fast! At least too fast to stay in the frame. Ah well, you live and learn. I was just glad Jim was able to go.

I'm also just glad to be home. End of story. (er, blog.)

Youth Sunday

Today was the Youth Sunday service at our church, which meant the kids took over everything from the readings and sermon to the final blessing. Despite the fact he's missed a month of Sundays, well a month of Sunday School, Carter got to read the Psalm and joined in the group singing. It was a nice service.

After church, I had to run to a friend's house for some emergency hugs and prayers. But after that, the day was uplifting and fun. We sort of made the whole day a Youth Sunday -- and Mom got to act like a kid again (and will probably pay for it tomorrow).

I got my bike down from the garage rafters, dusted it off and Carter and I biked over to the gas station to put air in our tires. It was a breezy but sunny ride. I let Carter set the pace and I didn't mind all that it was quite leisurely. Gotta ease into it, ya know. Just five miles and plenty of sunshine.

When we got home, I could not pass up an opportunity to sit on the deck a bit and read. Guess what I'm reading? Now I'm into the second book of his Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. I guess I've sort of committed to reading all 4 of them after Carter gets done with each one. Hey, if it keeps him motivated to read, that's cool. Plus, he keeps insisting "it's the best series ever" even though it's probably the first real one he's read. Too funny. Oh well, I didn't mind an excuse for some sunshine time.

Carter was quite anxious to set up my character on Wii so we had to do that. Then he showed me just some basics on tennis, bowling and boxing. I was getting my heart rate up there! It was pretty cool -- and soooo easy, even a mom can do it!

After supper we all went to batting practice. Daddy pitched, Carter hit and Mommy fielded. I know it doesn't take too many throws before it's too late and I've already done the damage to my old lady arm, shoulder, back. Ah well. I was not there to be an athlete. Just an athletic supporter.

Some dark clouds rolled so we headed home. It didn't rain though. I guess it was just my cue to head indoors and get a little work done.

It was really a nice, warm day. But I think I'll still need my mattress pad on for my aching back...

Youth Sunday. Yeah right.

Birthday Treats

I think we can officially call this a "birthday weekend" because it's been filled with too many treats to confine it to one day!

Last evening we got some much-needed rain so soccer practice was canceled. Since Carter couldn't play outside, he decided to show us how he learned to play Happy Birthday on his trumpet (which I just realized he forgot to do for his party today). Anyway, he didn't have sheet music for the song so he created some and played from that. A little later, he asked if he could play the organ -- referring to an old electric organ that I think used to reside in the basement of Jim's childhood home.

Two things to know about this organ. One, Jim can play it very, very well -- using both hands plus the foot pedals -- but doesn't let people know that. Two, Carter has never touched it (or a piano).

But he sat down with this Happy Birthday sheet music and figured out in just a few minutes how to play it on the organ! I was quite impressed. But that was just the beginning. For the next hour, I heard him play through all of his band music. He could do every song -- even Eye of the Tiger -- on the organ. Unreal! What a treat.

After that, Daddy and I decided to kick his butt in a game of Dirty Rummy just to take his ego down a notch or two.

Since today is Carter's birthday, he got to pick breakfast. So I made blueberry pancakes. Then we cleaned up the house a bit and headed over to soccer. I don't know if it was the power breakfast or extra birthday energy, but the whole team was rockin' today! They won 8-0!

Carter played goalie the first half and had a handful of saves which, ultimately, helped in the shutout.

This is my favorite "action shot" with my new camera. Both feet off the ground and a look of determination. Love it!

This one also was good as he and teammate Peter go after the ball to keep it away from the orange team! The more goals they scored, the more energized they all seemed to get. Fun to watch!

After 4 p.m. we had Jim's parents and sister (and family), along with our friends the Jacksons, over for supper (pizza) and presents and cake.

Carter got some very nice gifts and was quite surprised when he opened the Wii. With the help of his cousin Colin, he got that set up in no time and they were boxing and bowling and playing baseball. His friend Nate has one at home so he was giving some inside tips, too. After everyone went home, I had Carter show me how it works. I beat him in a short game of golf. (I think I'm going to like this thing!)

Although we were stuffed from pizza, we did find room for some Dirt Cake. I expect I'll come crashing down from that sugar high shortly and then I'll be ready for bed. I had to wait up anyway. Carter doesn't officially turn 12 until 10:15 p.m.

Guess I can go give him his birthday kisses and tuck him in. There's no guarantee he'll let me do that next year... or even next week! I'll appreciate that kind of birthday treat when I can get it!

Royal Event

Today was the Assumption Royal Event -- their annual carnival, auction, food festival, beer tent, craft sale, you name it Event. Part of it also is a 5-mile fun run or walk.

This year we signed all 3 of us to do the walk (since it's an untimed event I figure why kill myself running it!?). The neat thing about the walk is that we can earmark our donation to a non-profit organization. If that group gets the most participants, they can earn extra money from the school, too. So it's for a good cause all around. We helped a friend's scholarship fund and they had great support -- enough to "win" the extra funds. Awesome!

When we woke up and it was pouring rain and 40-some degrees, we were not too enthused about it. Carter also had some stomach issues (starting at 5 a.m.) so he got the "get out of rainy walk free" card. As it turned out, the rain stopped for us anyway. It was a little cool and windy but not bad at all.

Afterwards, we got some good food and tried to find ways to spend money. Ha. I did get some cotton candy for Carter. He can eat that in a day or two when his stomach is all better.

I was so tired when we got home -- probably a combination of not enough sleep and a lot of fresh air -- so I relaxed with Carter awhile and we watched the Iron Man movie. We needed to refresh our memories since Iron Man 2 comes out next week. Can't wait!

After that, I ran into town to get a few things for lunches this week. While I was there, I picked up a Wii. Oh what the heck. No use fretting all week about what we're going to get him, right? Shhhh. Keep it a secret, though! And if anyone is looking for a gift idea, cash or Wal-Mart gift cards are fine. He's going to have to spring for a second controller. (Isn't that crazy they only include one? Oh well, I knew that going into this.)

I better sign off. He keeps finding reasons to come into the computer room and I don't want him seeing my blog. I've got 6 days to keep my mouth shut! Now that's a Royal Event!