Gateway to Summer? I Think Not

Unofficially, many of us think of Memorial Day Weekend as the "kickoff" to summer. But if we wake up to 42 degrees the day before the weekend begins... I claim false advertising.

Most of us "office workers" are smart enough to know we have to dress in layers. If it's cold outside, will it be chilly in the office or will the heat be cranked? One never knows. Because well, like most offices, it's not consistent.

Today I knew to dress in some warm layers because I was going to be walking across the street from my office to give a bit of a walking tour about SentryWorld. Could we have driven over? Yes. But now I have my 10,000+ steps for the day. It's all about priorities.

And I was quite warm by the time we returned!

Do you know what else warms us on the inside? Special time spent with old friends who know every good, bad, and ugly thing about you and still love you to pieces.

I got to reconnect with friends tonight that I've known for almost 30 years. About how long I've been in Wisconsin Rapids. Some I see often. Others not so much. But boy, nothing warms you from the belly out like unapologetic laughter over other people's comments and stories. And firm, loving hugs!

Seriously, exactly what I needed in my current mostly stressed state of mind.

Thank you, God, for placing people in my life who enrich my soul and my attitude. And if you could do the same for Mother Nature, I'd owe you a big one!

Soggy Sunday

Today was the extreme opposite of our sunny and 85-degree Saturday. It was rain all day and maybe a high of 55. Welcome to "spring" in Wisconsin!

So we did indoor things. Went to church. And I plunked down on the recliner under a fuzzy blanket and watched golf and the Twins-Brewers game (yay, Twins)... and perhaps napped here and there. Not a bad life. Ha.

Tonight we went to a meeting at TriCity golf course for our upcoming couples league. That should be fun again this summer as long as it's nothing like today's weather!

Now I have time to watch at least one mindless rom-com before going to bed. Look at me being so agile with Mother Nature's moods! Hope we all can do the same in the coming days!

Run, Rodent, Run!

Happy Groundhog Day! Not so happy really when Phil saw his shadow (again) and declared 6 more weeks of winter, which almost coincides with our calendar anyway. I mean, I'd take 6 more weeks over 7 more anytime!

The Philadelphia airport had this fun picture today with this Facebook post: 

Breaking News: Phil the Groundhog spotted at PHL en route to Cancun

In a brief statement before departure, Phil cited the forecast as the deciding factor, saying, “Six more weeks of winter was simply more than I was prepared to endure.”

I also think (on behalf of the entire Midwest) he may need to run for his safety. Just saying.

I didn't even blog this weekend because I did nothing exciting and was just waiting and hoping our 16 weeks (or maybe 20 weeks??) of January would come to an end!

And trust me, I have it on good authority that Phil has to go as far as Cancun to escape winter. Two of my sisters are on a little cruise from Florida to the Bahamas as we speak and there is a freeze warning for much of the Sunshine State – and highs in the 50s. They could not have predicted that when booking, that's for sure.

Even though we got beach and palm tree pictures texted to us when it was 40 below zero windchills here, I still feel bad for them. Honest!

Speaking of cold... I did have an unusual Sunday afternoon... I mean after the USUAL not winning at BINGO.

I had a senior photo shoot! So different having so much welcome brightness – and snow instead of leaves in the background. But also it was 20 degrees and windy and we went very fast! Three locations, nine different backgrounds. Done in roughly 30 minutes! Super kid. And I did promise to Photoshop out the snowflakes in his hair. Yup. That kind of Wisconsin winter day! And this kid was from Texas. Definitely scored points with me for being a trooper.

So pardon me while I may or may not look into airfare, et. al., to Mexico!

Our Own Happy

Saw this today and I liked it. Because today was my first happy-ish day of 2026. After being sick and then having no energy for a few weeks, I'm finally feeling good.

And that makes me happy. Unfortunately, the other half is battling something, but I hope I don't catch. I'll just pray he recovers and it disappears from our household germs file.

I was also feeling good today because I got a much-overdue deep tissue massage at the end of the day. My neck and upper back were screaming for it. I will have to try to get into my regular guy soon. He knows how tough I am. LOL.

Tonight I had to get a few groceries and gas on my way home. Still so cold in single digits and the wind took my breath away.

So I only went to a little bit of basketball tonight. Took pictures of the boys JV second half (they beat Stratford) and first half of the varsity game. We had a slight lead at halftime but ended up losing by 2 stinkin' points. That's a heartbreaker. 

I'll mess with my pictures tomorrow. My feet and fingers are still cold. But my bed is warming up and I'm HAPPY about that, too!

Choose your happy this week!

Finally Something Positive

After starting the day at -14 degrees, we reached the level playing field of ZERO degrees at noon, and have inched our way into the positives.

Isn't that great to have something positive? And on a Monday, no less?

I did get out a bit after work and I'll tell you right now, it doesn't feel very positive out there. But the weather app doesn't lie. So I'll take its word for it.

I did get to see some friends I hadn't seen in awhile. So in the end, that was where the positives were.

That's what warmed my heart! 

Hope you find something / someone to warm you this week!

Flew the Warm Nest

15 degrees below zero with a "feels like" temp of 25 below was not enough to cancel church this morning. So I bundled up and headed out. The only reason I flew the coop, er warm nest, was so I could sing with the rest of the choir and what I expected to be a handful of brave souls in attendance.

Turns out, we had a big crowd. I know part of that was because we had our Annual Meeting immediately following the service – and we needed a quorum. We had it! Nothing controversial this year. And more importantly, I didn't get talked into serving on a committee or something in the last minute. It's hard to say no in front of a crowd, you know.

Did a little grocery shopping on my way home (as long as I was out). Then we pretty much lazed about watching the NFL Championship games.

I am not a Patriot fan but I am glad they beat the Broncos. We Viking fans have no love or respect for their coach Sean Payton after "BountyGate" years ago! Grrr.

Now it's halftime of the Rams-Seahawks game. Jim and I can't decide if we should be rooting for or against Darnold – or former quarterback. He had the talent with us. But now I'm thinking I should pin some blame on our offensive line for not giving him time to make throws like he is with the Seahawks. 

Not going to overthink it. Just hope for a close, interesting game.

 

Heat Misers

At one time during our childhoods, I think each of the kids in my family perfected the art of hogging all the heat!

It was a simple task really. A large furnace grate was on the floor between the dining room and living room. Just hunker yourself down on that when the heat was blowing and it felt gloriously warm. Though the rest of the house wasn't feeling it. 

I can't even count how many times I was yelled at to "Get off the furnace!"

But dang, the house was big and that was the heat source. Looking back, I suppose I could've warn long underwear and an extra sweatshirt in the house during those winter days that felt much like our current Deep Freeze.

But then I wouldn't have had to fight for the seat on the furnace register! Where's the fun in that?

I hope you all stayed warm today. We didn't have anywhere to go, thankfully, so I finished my girl baby blanket and started on my boy one. All while listening to an audio. So I was technically multi-tasking AND productive.

It's still going to be below zero when I wake up for church choir in the morning. I don't recall us ever canceling church because of the cold. So I better set an alarm and plan on it.

Stay warm and safe and be careful out there!

Well Something's Freezing Over

Laughed at this a few days ago as we knew "it" was coming. The Deep Freeze. The Polar Vortex. Whatever you want to call it.

And this is what wake-up temps looked like here. 22 Below with "feels like" of 45 degrees below stinkin' zero. Wow. 

Thank you, God, for a roof over my head and heat. And a job that has me working from home on Fridays! It all worked in my favor today, that's for sure. We did not venture out at all. Well, hubby went to the mailbox but that was a quick trip!

Tonight I made some comfort-ish food.

My first attempt making homemade Chicken Pot Pie. I should've taken the picture before I broke off some of the crust accidentally!

Anyway, it wasn't so bad for my first attempt. Only a few things I'd tweak for the next time, if Jim ever wants it again. And we do have some leftovers so we'll see how it holds up on Day 2. Otherwise, I'm not feeling like venturing out tomorrow either. Might have to get inventive!

Full disclosure: I can do that with trifles. But nothing to do with cooking, that's for darn sure.

Hope you stayed warm today. This isn't over. Bundle up and keep thinking safety first!

Keep Up Your Immunity

As cold as it is, the cold still can't kill (or freeze) all the germs floating around out there. So this is my Public Service Announcement to eat citrus or do what you have to boost your immune systems! 

There's me middle front. I look healthy, right?

Just happened to come across this silly childhood picture and needed a reason to share. Thanks for indulging me.

At least I'm not talking about the weather. Orange you glad?!

Take your vitamins, wash your hands, and be careful out there!

A Trifle Cold

I will say it was more than a trifle cold today! And we'll get back to that trifle later!

Woke up to 8 degrees below zero today with a "feels like" of 12 below! We reached our high temperatures of 1 degree ABOVE zero a little after 3 p.m. It was very short-lived. Thank God I didn't have to leave the house. But tomorrow will be even worse! 

And I do have to leave. Because I need to deliver that birthday trifle to work! 

I was not-so-secretly giddy that Kwik Trip is carrying their St. Patty's themed "mint milk" already. So I just had to make mint pudding and another Andes Mint-Chocolate Trifle! If people don't want to brave the cold in the morning, I'll be happy with the leftovers.

Just kidding. That never happens.

Seriously, though. Make smart decisions and be prepared for anything out there in the morning. I don't need an emergency food kit since I have the trifle, but I'll be sure actually wear a winter coat this time!

So as I say, not as I do. Most times.

Grin and BEAR it

 

We had brutal wake-up temps today when you took windchills into effect. But since I had to sing at my church and Jim had to read at his, we had to brave it.

In our heated vehicles, that is. We're not terribly brave after all.

After church and a little shopping, I headed back into town for BINGO. Hey winning the $1,400+ cover-all jackpot would've made it worth it.

Came up well short again. Story of my life. Nobody got cover-all in 54 calls or less so that jackpot will keep growing for the next session in a few weeks. Nice to see friends anyway!

Came home and sort of watched the Patriots-Houston game. Houston really choked.

While hubby got out the leaf-blower... yes! 

It works magically when we just have a dusting. While he did that, I baked a cake for trifle and started a new blanket. A baby one this time.

All while somewhat cheering the Bears on to support my father-in-law, a life-long fan. After being out in cold just a teeny bit. I can't imagine playing in that cold! And then overtime! Oh, Bears. So close. Guess our Central Division will not be represented any further. 

That's the playoffs.

Now back to your regularly scheduled... winter! Ugh. Cold tomorrow. Be careful out there!

Shout Out to My Spice Girls

I can't love this enough. Or stop laughing. Why did I not think of this clever comeback long ago? So even though it's not pumpkin spice season, I still maintain my Spice Girl status.

Yay, me!

Er, no?

I have been going a little bit extra cra-... mentally spicy lately. Still in this new "different way of doing my job" phase. Just going to take awhile to transition. Not because I'm old or resistant to change. It's just THAT different. We'll get there!

Also frigid weather adds to the spice. I know. We chose to live here in Wisconsin. It's the same thing every year. Maybe we just feel it more in our bones as we age. Didn't know that happened at 40. Bwaahaa. Let me have my moment.

I did venture in to take some girls basketball photos tonight. But the snow was a bit icy coming down on the way in, so I just stayed for the first half. Did not want a slippery drive home. The way it was, there were no tracks to follow. Guess it's supposed to keep snowing for the next 24 hours. 

You know. Wisconsin.

Be careful out there, my fellow Spice Girls!

She Never Sleeps

Mother Nature must have the same problem as us women of a certain age have. We can't sleep for crap. Otherwise, why would she be up and about and constantly making more WINTER?!? Dang, girl, take a Tylenol P.M. or something!

Of course, that doesn't work for me most times anyway.

Not looking forward to snow after today's very cold and super windy day.

I regretted letting my gas tank get low because I had to fuel up after choir practice tonight. And just about froze. For real! My teeth were chattering and I was chanting "Just 5 gallons, just 5 gallons. No more." That took long enough!

I even had to put my winter coat on for that. And that usually happens only half a dozen times all winter!

Just be careful out there. We probably have to survive a good 60-90 more days of this.

Thanks, no thank, Mother... Nature!

They're Back

Two things were back today! First BINGO returns to Assumption for the spring season. Had over 100 people so bigger jackpots were on the line. My dobber, however, must have still been on Christmas vacation. Did not want to do much work today. Above is the closest I got to the final coverall jackpot – and frankly, that's not close. 

Still, I had fun!

The second things that's back today is Mr. Sun. Yeah! That does not mean it was warm out by any stretch of the imagination. Still, when I looked out the windows and saw a pinkish hue, I knew there was a decent sunset close by.

Stepped out on the front deck and yessirree! So beautiful!

How lucky are we to live in a world where beautiful sunrises and sunsets can make us forget for one minute the harshness of winter. And, frankly, the harshness or the world right now.

Soak it in and be careful out there!

Strange Sighting

I saw something yesterday out of my office and couldn't believe my eyes. This morning, waking up to snowfall, I though I must have dreamt it. Then mid-morning, it appeared again.

Sunshine and blue skies! About time, 2026! It lasted long enough for me to smile during a few errands before coming home.

Where the snowfall has since resumed.

Guess we have to enjoy it while we can. No matter how short-lived. I guess by the end of this month, the won't set until AFTER 5 p.m., so there's some hope on the horizon!

Two of my sisters are down in Florida for a bit. Mr. Deck Chair and me are super jealous. But I am making good progress on a blanket I'm crocheting that keeps me warm as I go! I might just work on that all evening since the other football game is on Amazon Prime. We have that but I don't want to sit in my uncomfortable desk chair to watch it on my computer. I'm sure I'll hear how it goes.

Stay safe out there and enjoy the little patches of sunshine when you can!

Goodbye 2025 – No Hard Feelings

The only festive things about this New Year's Eve is this graphic. Yesterday and today were just two old people hanging close to home – sneezing, coughing, and blowing our noses. And blowing snow. Must it snow every day?

As I mentioned, I'm a few days' behind hubby on this "fun" so he's finally improving and I am hoping to turn the corner tomorrow. Before returning to work Friday. Ugh.

I want to give some inspiring reflection on the past year (Can it end already? No hard feelings!), but I'm not feeling it. Especially after such a work-related stressful December and now feeling the crud. But my former boss (I miss her) shared this with me this morning and I think it could hit home for a lot of us who expect too much of this old year-new year transition business.

This Morning Matters More Than the Countdown
(A New Year’s Eve Morning Reflection by Levend Montgomery)

This morning is different. Not because everything has changed, but because you are standing at the edge of something finishing.

New Year’s Eve is often treated like a night to escape into noise, but it begins as a morning to stand in clarity.

Before the countdowns.
Before the reflections rush past.
Before the pressure to summarize an entire year into a sentence.

You woke up here on purpose.

You didn’t arrive at this morning untouched.

You carry a year’s worth of moments in your body.
Some strengthened you.
Some stripped things away.
Some required courage you didn’t know you possessed.

There were prayers whispered and prayers wrestled with.
Endings you accepted.
Endings you didn’t choose.
Faith that held steady.
Faith that limped.

None of it was wasted.

God is not waiting until midnight to be present.

He has already met you here.
In the quiet before the year closes.
In the ordinary hours that don’t get celebrated.

The God who carried you through the past months is not suddenly more available when the calendar turns.

Faithfulness does not operate on a clock.
This morning is not asking you to evaluate the year.
It’s asking you to stand honestly inside it.

You don’t need a final verdict on success or failure.
You don’t need to rush into resolutions.
You don’t need to tidy up every loose end.

Some things take longer than a year to make sense of.
Some growth only becomes visible in hindsight.

There is wisdom in beginning the last day slowly.

Slow enough to acknowledge what shaped you.
Slow enough to release what no longer needs to be carried.
Slow enough to thank God for the strength you borrowed when yours ran out.

This day is not a finish line.
It’s a handoff.

Walk through this morning grounded, not nostalgic.

Carry gratitude without romanticizing pain.
Carry hope without demanding certainty.
Carry trust without needing a full map of what comes next.

You are not closing a chapter alone.
And you are not stepping into the next one unaccompanied.

Goodbye, 2025! Whether you're ringing in the New Year with a midnight toast or a Nyquil-induced 9 p.m. bedtime, be joyous, grateful – and safe!! 

I Don't Care How Pretty You Are

I know the days are starting to get longer now, but today felt like 3 days' long! And that was without leaving the house!

We woke to about 5 inches of snow and below-zero feels. My hubby the winter hero spent the morning nose-blowing and snowblowing here and at his dad's. And I am about a day and half behind him on the winter cold/cough train. So I had absolutely no energy!

What I did accomplish was starting a trifle cookbook (well not really, but I do have 6 recipes done anyway for friends who got trifle bowls for Christmas). 

Then I switched to scrapbooking mode. It took all afternoon but I found and uploaded all my 2018 photos I want to use at Camp Crop-A-Lot in February – but since there are 392 of them they won't all fit anyway. But.... drum roll please... I ordered the prints!! What? I know. Crazy. Still have lots of prep and organizing to do once I get the photos, but this is a great start.

And for my final accomplishment of the day, I wrote a poem.

Thoughts on Winter

Dear, winter:

I don't care how pretty you are.

I still hate you.

The end.

Be careful out there, my friends!

Micro Temperature Multi-Tasking

 

I almost think that if it was a was a work day and we woke up to 10 below zero, we both might have stayed at home. But it was a Sunday and we both had to ding in our church choirs. So we warmed up our vehicles, and that's what we did.

And we survived just fine.

Since my one-loss fantasy football team is on bye and my real-life NFL team doesn't play until tonight, I decided to get my work secret Santa shopping completed. After I stopped home and layered up with long underwear, that is. I had gotten a few things awhile back, but today's stops included Home Depot (don't ask), Walgreens and Dollar Tree.

I should have started at Dollar Tree based on the prices of gift bags, etc. Duh me.

Got home and have watched a little bit of football while trying to wrap up a high school basketball design project – and prepare for my book to be discussed at tomorrow's Book Club meeting. 

Never underestimate the power (and sometimes stress) of multi-tasking. 

I even did my festive nails this afternoon to look like I'm 100% in the holiday spirit (whether that's true at work or not.).

At the end of the day, let's all just focus on staying warm and safe!

B-b-b-east Mode!

 

I can't recall the first 6 months of 2025 but I know today was definitely the coldest day of the second half of the year!

And wouldn't you know it, we had the guy coming over to clean out/vacuum whatever our duct work. With the heat turned off!

His giant suction machine was called Beast so we were literally in Beast Mode rather we wanted to be or not. Thankfully he got done in less than the 4 anticipated hours. I promptly took the hottest shower of my life when he left!

Today was the Rudolph Christmas celebration but with the ultra cold temps, all outdoor activities (including petting the reindeer) were canceled. Jim went up there to go to church with his guitar choir peeps and socialize after.

I stayed home and opted to buy a Powerball ticket to get us out of Wisconsin Winters...

And catch up on a cozy Hallmark movie or two. (Duh!)

After getting a Hallmark BINGO yesterday on my day off – where the prize is eating the spicy gumdrop game pieces – I had to try again. Looking good so far!

Be careful out there and stay warm!

Super Cold

 

It's definitely a Midwestern thing where we are obsessed with weather forecasts from Thanksgiving to Easter. So we all knew we'd have the coldest morning of "fall" today, but we sort of had to document it to compete to see who had it worse.

Frankly, I didn't want to compete with my Up North counterparts because -7 degrees is low enough for me. I was just happy my car started fine in the nice garage and I made it to work safely. And when the temperature was twice as high – at 8 above – during lunchtime I ran to get gas so I wouldn't have a "low fuel" light come on after work when it was likely plunging back to the negatives.

I went straight from work to St. Vincent's to shoot hoops – pictures of the middle school girls, that is. I think today was their first game, but I prefer to take pictures early in the season so I can "skip" the games when it's snowing or just icy out. Apparently, I had an exception today for the COLD.

Speaking of cold, the "Cold Moon" was shining brightly tonight.

I don't know if this is the "what seems to be common SUPER moon," but it was a super Cold Moon on a super Cold Night so I think this one fits the bill. Ha.

And these are the highlights of my day. I have quite the basketful of "low-lights" but I am still processing those. Thank goodness I have tomorrow off with total focus on my upcoming family Christmas on Saturday. 

Step aside, Old Man Winter and Work Stuff, I have Christmas on the brain!