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!

Spring Chickens and Other Random Commute Photos

 If you ever saw the Disney movie Up, you know that dogs can have a single train of thought until "Squirrel!" That is me. Of course, I've said previously that my "spirit animal" is an eagle or a fox. But now I'm thinking... squirrel. I offer my commute photos from the first part of this week as evidence...

Coming home from Stevens Point on Monday, I saw a plume of smoke and drove 10 miles out of my way to follow it. The old newspaper reporter in me never dies. Took this from the Prairie Chicken Viewing/Counting Area on County Trunk F (if you know, you know). But does anyone know what was going on south of there Monday? Gas prices are rising so I didn't go any further.

And here is what I am calling a spring chicken in the neighbor's yard. Mainly, since this was taken on that fake spring day Monday, I was attempting to coax it to make spring a little more permanent. Let the record reflect that that effort failed.

I was, however, successfully treated to a glorious sunrise. I will always tap the brakes for these!

PHOTO CREDIT: JIMMY AUSTIN

My photographic failure is that hubby captured a photo of this pale guy in our front yard and I've had my camera – with mega zoom lens – on the kitchen table all week to get a nice, crisp photo of him. And he (ooops, maybe SHE) hasn't reappeared since I've been at the ready. Multiple neighbors keep on seeing IT so hopefully IT will come back.

Also I assured Jim he'd get a photo credit.

So, yeah, there's a peak inside my hamster cage (or squirrel cage) of a brain! Enjoy your perfectly NORMAL selves for the second half of the week!

The Fog is Trying to Lift

My morning commute was trying so hard to display color despite the lingering winter darkness and the fog.

Naturally I realized this was the most appropriate metaphor for the past few days. My brain is foggy and mushy from two days of training and my color (aka Creativity) is trying to show through!

Pretty spot on, actually.

I was trying to do my "normal" job today and found it challenging to put words together. I guess upending how you normally do your work can cause a bit of fog. Not to mention mental and physical exhaustion.

So I am just sticking close to home tonight. Was going to shoot some pictures at school but I just don't have it in me. From what I've read about New Year's resolutions, it's a good one to realize and practice the art of saying no. 

Especially when it's a non-paying volunteer gig where someone else is capable of handling it. (Also known as: Note to self, Robyn. You don't need to be the hero here.)

So I'm going to veg a bit, maybe hook a little, then go to bed at an absurdly early time. Because I really want to. Really need to. And because I can.

Don't forget to make choices for yourself this year!

Get In Line

The beautiful sunrise commute inspired me this morning as I made my way back to office for the first time in a week. To be honest, my body was not ready to return but I wanted to deliver that darn birthday trifle. 

Another night of coughing (for both of us) so I was pretty exhausted. I think that's our unfortunate current state of existence.

I did give it the old college try though and made it until lunchtime before deciding to drive home and work remotely for the afternoon. Since hubby had went back to the walk-in clinic this morning and got some prescriptions, I figured I better head over there, too, as my first order of business.

Turns out we are not the only ones with respiratory predicaments. Get in line! Thank goodness they had the Hallmark channel on in the waiting room!

My appointment took forever and, turns out, I have some prescriptions of my own. But here we are 6 hours later and the pharmacy doesn't have them ready. According to my app, they are super busy and "Sorry, we're running behind schedule." So we'll see what time we get our goods. 

And how quickly they produce any results.

I'm not going to be a birthday hero or any type of martyr tomorrow, that's for sure. If my coughing is the same as today I'll just stay put. I feel super blessed that this is something I can do with my current job. 

Hope you all are escaping the fall crud!

Sneaky UFOs (Unidentified Farm Objects)

We're basically on the eve of Spooky Season. And I've already been spooked a few times!

You can refer to yesterday's blog to see what non-fiction UFO-related book I am currently listening to. So here I am driving in the thriving metropolis of Plover on my way to work today and this gigantic foreign object sidles next to me at the stoplight.

Yes, I flinched.

Basically this BAT (big ass tractor) scared the crap out of me. He could roll over all of us little vehicles and looks even more sinister when the light changed to green and continued toward what was a glorious sunrise.

Those darn Unidentified Farming Objects!

There is so much to unpack and I still have 3 hours of listening to go. I dread what dreams I'll have tonight. 

Unrelated (just kidding), are the old X Files episodes streaming anywhere?

Be careful out there. Sincerely!

What Are The Odds?

 

What are the odds I'd have a glorious sunrise commute two days in a row? I mean I couldn't stop myself from taking a picture!

Also because my sleep has been lacking this week, I enjoyed the sunrise and stopped at a gas station for a mandatory sugar-free Red Bull. Hey, the sun is inspiring to take on the day!

Our United Way dress-up day today was literally United Way T-shirts of any kind if you have them. That was not me. I did however "support the kids" by visiting the King Cone ice cream truck! Hey, we walked across the street to our other office so we not only enjoyed ice cream but we got lots of steps!

Today I also learned that our friends' at the Feltz Dairy Farm Store have a ton of pumpkins and pumpkin stuff. When I asked if they had my "pumpkin spice eggnog" I loved last year, I was thrilled to see them reply: "It just arrived today." 

Thus my after-work detour to Feltz's! 💛

Tonight was also my return to church choir practice. I missed the first week because I was in San Francisco. Then last week I spaced it out and missed it because it wasn't part of my usual routine yet. So I got the music at church on Sunday and plunked my way through this coming Sunday's song on Carter's Casio keyboard.

And I think we'll be fine Sunday.

Got home in time to wonder what I could wear tomorrow for our United is the Way campaign that involves a Stars Wars themed dress up. There may be something in the works. I'll keep you posted.

Pretty Tuesday

 

Although I hated to hear the alarm this morning after so few hours of sleep (I think it's an age thing). But Got rewarded me with a lovely morning commute.

It was just pretty and gave me some hope that another week of work in the office. Of course, it's still our jam-packed United Way campaign going on, so it was fun today. We got some cool pictures of our team. But I'll have to wait and share them tomorrow because I didn't get all of them from our photographer. Oh yes, when you work in marketing you can have professional photographers take your picture and not just a phone! 😁

Tonight after work I headed to Girls' Night Out at the new Rodeo Tex Mex Grill in the building formerly occupied by Polito's. Yes, second night in a row of Mexican food. If you haven't been, check it out. You wouldn't even recognize it as the same place. Secondly, my food was delicious. I got the Chori Pollo (which is spicy chorizo with chicken) and it was excellent! Nice to have a few new options at relatively the same price points as El Mezcal.

Also, great to see the lady friends!

Got home and just fielded a catch-up call from my baby boy so my day is literally pretty and pretty good!

Sunday Sidelines

 

My Sunday was pretty cliche and boring – but then exciting.

I went to church, got my car washed, took care of some yard duties and sat down to watch the Players Championship to see if Tommy Fleetwood would pull off his first PGA TOUR win. While I was watching. Turns out, he could and did. That was exciting for those of us who cheered on an underdog!

The only reason Sunday was a bummer is that I was cheering on a different underdog all day — me. Who hadn't had enough Mr. Deck Chair time this summer and had too much of the coming rainfall and wind today to mess up our date!

But there are worse things! #FirstWorldProblems

Let's have a good week!

Scenic Drive.... to Work

After working from home on Mondays – when I can set my alarm for 7:25 to be at my "desk" at 7:30 – Tuesdays are hard. Since the time change, it's now dark again when that 6:20 a.m. alarm goes off. But there are payoffs.

Exiting our cul-de-sac this morning I was greeted by a glorious sunrise. I guess 7 a.m. is perfect timing. I'll take it!

Then, a few miles down the road, I stopped for a white deer (I can't assume it's an "albino") about to cross the road. Of course, there was a car on my butt, so I couldn't stop for an actual in-focus photo, but it was cool to see. For you locals, this was on 80th Street just a bit before the railroad tracks and Highway 54. First time I've seen one there.

After that it was a pretty boring day. Work was filled with meetings so a fast day. There might be a pretty sunset happening now but I gotta catch up on some of my shows during my brief "off season." And check the forecast regarding some stupid winter weather tomorrow. That's my least favorite version of March Madness!

Be careful out there!

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!

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!

Back to the Grind – If I Can Log Back In

This image is quite legit. After 10 days out of the office and inactivity, I struggled with a few routine tasks at work today.

Nothing major, just – where do I park, how do I purchase a Diet Coke at the cafeteria, and oh what's my password again?! We actually keep the same password for about a year. The good thing is that you can remember it. The bad thing is that it always falls about now (8 days, according to my annoying reminder) and I have to set it, then remember it AFTER Christmas break!

My mind is not quite prepared for that.

The good news is that today was the first day for Secret Santas on our writing team. I got some Very Milk Chocolate Cocoa Mix that I can't wait to try!

The other positive thing is that my 4 p.m.-ish departure from work means I'm guaranteed some sort of sunset on my commute home. Very vibrant strip tonight! 

Unfortunately, next week I'll have to adjust to dark on the way to the office. And dark on the way home.

Maybe by then I'll resent my password to IhateTheDark24-7!

Back to the 9 to 5

The par 5 9th hole at SentryWorld was the last hole we played tonight for our work golf league. When I saw the sign, I reminded how next we go back to the "9 to 5" so to speak. No early exits for afternoon league.

Dang.

At least we had perfect summer-like weather. It was very un-September like today.

Except for the fall colors on my morning commute. Those definitely speak September.

The shadows were getting long on the course, too. It seems like there golfers on every hole. Everyone wants another summer round – it is technically still summer!

I liked that when our round was wrapping it, I got another dose of color on my commute back home.

Oh and then pull over to see the colorful full moon, too.

I guess when I get stressed about life in the "9 to 5," I should just look around. I can see God's trying to get my attention. "9 to 5?! Work, smerk," He says. "We got this."

 

Red Sky in Morning...

When I turned onto Deer Road just before 7 this morning, I saw a colorful sunrise. Not so much the clouds today, but the sun. I stopped to take a picture with my phone and really zoomed in. It was a definite red sky.

According to all the fokelore, a red sky mean's take warning... Or a red sunrise actually can mean that a high pressure system (good weather) has already passed, thus indicating that a storm system (low pressure) may be moving to the east. A morning sky that is a deep, fiery red can indicate that there is high water content in the atmosphere. So, rain could be on its way.

I zoomed out and it ended up looking more orange and yellow – not red really – so I figured we were in for an OK day.

Not that I had anything outdoors planned anyway. But a bunch of us marketing writers did eat outside in the courtyard for lunch today. So it was nice that the red sky at morning wasn't too much of a warning.

After work, I had to deliver some senior photos (on flashdrive) and then had choir practice. With my tight time schedule, I skipped our monthly Girls' Night Out, but just happened to catch a few still gathering on my way home. 

Yup. Ignore that Farmers' Almanac B.S. and just enjoy each day to the fullest! No matter what the color is!

A Reluctant Hello to August

I say this every year, but this time I really mean it. How is it already August? And where did my summer go? So insane. 

I has definitely felt like summer all week. So hot. And usually I like hot. But it's been crazy humid and has created some crazy weather.

Caught this picture on the way to work yesterday. Was raining but I could see the sunrise around the bend. Maybe we can get out of our own rain storms and find some peace around the bend. Neat concept. 

Then yesterday afternoon and evening, it stormed so much, they actually canceled our Ladies Golf League. We got an inch of rain here. But as you can see from my dry and crispy flower basket in the background, that wasn't nearly enough.

Today was about 90 degrees and we had already purchased tickets to a Wisconsin Rapids Rafters baseball game. A group of folks from the church in Rudolph where Jim sings was going and we sat up in the elevated "Rat Trap." Thankfully the game was after 6 p.m. and we got some shade from the stadium. Whew. It still was so hot and humid. But we got free food and drink the whole time, so I think we all coped.

Their mascot Roscoe the Rat was trying help Jim text. Kids these days and their phones!

He was gracious enough to take a "nice" photo with me too. Well almost nice.

He must have been roasting in that costume! Uff da!

And to keep the streak alive, I managed to spot a pretty sunset on the backside of Witter Field. These gorgeous colors this week are probably caused by wildfire smoke from somewhere. But my camera still loves them.

Wishing you all a safe and cool weekend. Stay hydrated and let's try to embrace this August thing!

Sunrise, Sunset

I'm back in Wisconsin Rapids after a few days of my Home Health Nurse shift in my hometown. At least Luck treated me to a gorgeous sunrise off of Big Butternut Lake...

 

And a decent sunset off to the west of Rachel's place.

I was also treated to continuous surprises at Rachel's rockstar progress. And a chance to see every single sister over the course of my 3 days there! 

Got home to Rapids tonight and it seems like Facebook has deleted my account forever with no chance to appeal. So maybe no one will even see this blog. I'm pretty frustrated about that right now. I mean, what could a middle-aged woman from Wisconsin of all places do to "go against Facebook Community Standards"? If I didn't have connections with some people for senior portrait sessions this summer, I'd say screw it. But I do. So I'll see what I can do. Grrr. Way to screw up a positive 3 days!

So I guess I'll just hope for a pretty sunset here to ease my stress. I know – first world problems – but still! Ugh.

Morning Views

Although I slept through the 2 a.m. arrival, I certainly was overjoyed to be greet this sight this morning.

And it only got better.

My sunrise commute to work was simply gorgeous.

And my drive home was nearly identical. Crazy beautiful and colorful. Awesome.

Then, of course, my day was made seeing Carter and Mamie. Who knows how long they'll park their belongings here, but we're in no rush. Awesome to see them and know it's not just for a weekend.

Thanks, God, for blessing us with a beautiful entrance and exit to the day with warm hugs and love in between.

Friday Eve

Now that the rain and the snow have subsided, it seemed like a normal sub-freezing commute into work today. Normal and beautiful, that is! Like Mother Nature was trying to make up for a few days of miserable failures.

Nothing could quite reflect how gorgeous it was but I did snap a few of my rearview mirror as I exited off the interstate. So nice!

After work I took my final senior portrait shoot. Another reluctant young lad who made his momma happy he agreed to "a few" pictures.

With a free evening, I decided to catch up on some of my streaming series I haven't watched in quite some time. I guess I am behind on The Crown but having an identity crisis since this actress has a major role on Emily in Paris. I obviously need to take advantage of a few weeks off from my side hustle to catch up!

Kitty agrees. And we haven't even embarked on the already released Hallmark Christmas movies this fall. So behind! As I say at work, help us prioritize our RUSHes!