From Empty Nesting to Nesting

I feel like I am EXPECTING – and in a way I am – because my empty nesting has turned into plain old nesting.

What is Nesting?

Nesting is the term used to refer to an expectant mother’s instinct which gives her a surge of energy which prompts her to clean and do various chores around her home. Nesting usually arises as the mother nears her due date.

Of course, not all women will nest. And it's a proven fact that the nesting process has no relation on how good a mother the woman will be. This is good news because, frankly, I am still waiting for anything resembling a surge of energy that prompts me to clean!

I will say though, that expecting our boy home in 48 hours or so has prompted me to review the list of chores I intended to do while he was gone. Ha. Time really did fly after all. His due date is almost here!

So I squeezed in a few chores tonight after work. His bathroom had been cleaned and somewhat redecorated so that was done. I still had to dust and vacuum his bedroom and wash the bedding. I hadn't been in his room except to put his mail in there. Had no idea he left dirty laundry nearly 4 weeks ago. There's the Carter we know and love.

And miss.

Honestly! Sure, we've saved a ton of money on groceries and had a good time spending it on golfing and the races and such, but it's not quite the same. Looking forward to seeing him late Thursday night and possibly, a long shot but quite possibly, getting that nesting surge of energy before then!

Trip Log :: Winding Down

The journey of our Assumption students in Germany is winding down. Carter's teacher sent this update this weekend...

It is interesting to see how perspectives change. During the planning phase of our trip, our nearly 4 week stay seemed like an eternity to our GAPP participants to be away from their family, friends and normal routine. Now, however, the time appears to be way too short. The thought of saying goodbye is already making several weepy.

We had a very busy week again. On Monday [June 29] we traveled to the BMW plant after our morning classes. We got a very informative and interesting tour of the BMW plant in Dingolfing (30 min away) where the 5, 6, and 7 series cars are built. Unfortunately, there were no free samples given out. The students were impressed with the technology and automation used to produce each vehicle. Our bus driver added to our adventure as well with his driving skills. The non-air conditioned bus also was an experience as well.

Wednesday [July 1] we had our somber day at Dachau [Concentration Camp Memorial, picture above]. We also got to experience first hand the frustrations of public transportation. The normal 45 min ride to Munich took nearly twice that due to construction. Upon our arrival in Dachau (after switching trains in Munich) we then had to deal with multiple groups who wanted to get to the memorial site. It took 3 buses before we could get on. Even though we spent 3.5 hours at the camp, our time did not do justice to all the information that is available there to see, read and absorb. We had very warm and sunny weather for the day, which helped dispel some of the gloom.

Our return trip to Landshut was another adventure in the use of public transportation. Again, the return buses were filled to the gills, so it took 2 buses before all of our group was together. Then the train from Dachau to Munich was delayed and surprisingly no information was given to all of us roasting in the sun waiting for it to show up. The train from Munich to Landshut also had a delay so we were 1.5 hours late coming back to Landshut. My German cell phone got a work out letting families know of our delay. The train was also very full so many of us stood for most of the stretch from Munich to Landshut.

[July 2] after lunch we took the city bus to the Wittmann brewery. The brew master gave us free bottles of cold soft drinks (made by his company) and a wonderful tour of the facility. In response to a question from one of our students, the brewmaster shared with us that each employee gets up to 78 liters of their beer per month for free. Each employee can then purchase per month another 78 liters of beer at the reduced price of 35 Euro. There were several that were eager to fill out a job application after hearing about this fringe benefit. At then end of the tour, I presented the brewmaster with Point beer coasters in the shape of our state (thanks to the Hilltop in Point) and a package of sweet and dried cranberries. He gave each student a Wittmann brewery 1/2 liter beer mug.

[July 3] is another very hot day. There is no air conditioning anywhere at school. Teachers often look to relocate their classes to another, cooler classroom, which makes things interesting. The weekend is forecasted to be in the 90s. Many students will be here in town for at least part of the weekend to attend the Burgfest, a precursor event held in anticipation of the next Landshuter wedding re-enactment in 2017. ...

Monday [July 6] is our final field trip which will be a joint one to Wallhalla and the Liberation Hall. These are located along the Danube River. Our farewell dinner is Wednesday evening and then comes the challenge of fitting everything into our suitcases and not being overweight.

I'll be curious just what Carter is bringing back with him since it appears he is quite skilled at using his ATM card now!

Triple Time

After going to church this morning, my "day of rest" was divided into 3 equal segments.

Had to tackle some more yardwork today, finishing removing the old, shorter bricks that had outlined the garden. Less than a hundred to dig out, fight off ants and worms, and then fill hole with dirt and even out the surface. Got that done and now await the other big bricks when hubby gets to Menards again.

I did make a run to Home Depot to get a few flowers, already potted and on clearance since nobody but me waits until July 4th weekend to do gardening stuff! By 2 p.m. when it was 80-some degrees, I called it a day, showered, started laundry and moved on to the next segment.

Since I needed to get my Book Club book finished for Thursday night, I sat on the couch in the air conditioning and finished that. Jim had golfed today and got home in time to watch some of the Women's World Cup Soccer Final.

When we got off to such a hot start, I decided I might as well multi-task and put new Jams on (Jamberry nails). Getting so good at that I did not miss any of the excitement.

After going to some high school girls soccer games this year, it was fun to watch. Turned out to be a pretty good "show" on TV tonight! Way to go, USA!!

Don't think I can fit any more major time segments in my day so I think I'll get my lunch together and hit the hay early. My body is still physically exhausted from all this labor. Will finish up this week when it is cooler in the evenings.

Not that I am complaining. About time summer got here! I might just have to segment out some time for Mr. Deck Chair...

July 4th Haul-iday

Having Sylvester pose by the flag was about the only thing I did that remotely resembled celebrating July 4th. It was more a work day than holiday. And by work I mean strenuous physical labor!

Hubby and I slept in but then went for a walk around the lake to start our day. The Wazeecha trail is just under 4 miles. With the temps rising, it was plenty warm at mid-morning so I decided I would take my first of 4 showers today when I got home. Even though I knew I was heading out to do yard work and I would sweat some more, I wanted to start "fresh."

The front rock garden-type area that I was hacking weeds in yesterday underwent round 2 today when I was digging up roots of several of the shrubs and crap we wanted removed. Let me tell you, weeding is a helluva lot easier than digging. I was dripping with sweat and swearing at some of the plants for being so gosh darn big!

It was not fun and I ran out of some "pegs" I was using to lay down some weed cover/underlayment thing. So I had to shower before I could go to Home Depot. While we were there, Jim and I looked at some new, taller retaining wall blocks to go around that garden area. We didn't find what we wanted exactly so road-tripped to Menards in Plover. Found something there we both liked but, since each "brick" was 29 pounds, could only load 20 in the back of our CRV. Will have to return for the other 63 tomorrow or Monday. Probably using the neighbor's truck so we can maybe get it in one load. Thank goodness we weren't driving my hybrid. That probably could haul a max of 2 bricks!

Got home, resumed my landscaping project and Casey came out to visit. He was home from Eau Claire for the weekend. Took him out to eat at Anchor Bay (after Shower #3). I should say he took us! Got to ride there in style in his 1985 Cadillac!

Had a nice visit and great meal! A ton of people there and boating right in front of there on the Wisconsin River. Gorgeous day for that!

Came home and resumed the project one more time so I could lay the 20 bricks in place. Had to borrow some dirt from the neighbor to make things level. Really felt like a farm girl or something today! Of course, sweat and dirt meant I had to shower one more time before I could got back to the neighbor's for a campfire.

We opted to sit around and chill out there rather than going to the fireworks in town. We definitely could hear them all around us and got a glimpse of a few. I was just too darn tired to think about trying to find a spot in town to park, then find a place to sit and watch. The fire was much more relaxing.

As holidays should be.... at some point in the day, right?

Happy Everything Week

If you enjoyed the day off today you can thank my hubby. Apparently his birthday is a national holiday!

Most years he just brags that "I always get the day after my birthday off," but this year, with the 4th on a Saturday, today was the paid holiday for most of us. Thanks, Jim! What a great way to wrap up a week of everything – my birthday, our anniversary and his birthday!

Today he actually got up a "normal" time (too stinkin' early) and went for a walk around the lake. Then he went golfing by himself. I think he was teeing off on the 3rd hole about the time I rolled out of bed. Hey, what can I say, it's my day off!

He did get to relax most of the day, which was good, and I left him to his remote and couch. Since the weather was pleasant, I ended up spending the morning hacking weeds and clearing out some overgrowth in what would be nice landscape areas for someone without two black thumbs. I still might get things to look OK, though.

After a shower, I ran some errands in town, including a stop at Home Depot, the library and Jim's aunt and uncle's house. Had a nice visit there and came home to sit out in the sun with next-door neighbor Cindy for a good hour visit.

Then it was off the races.

Jim and I picked up his parents and went to see our nephew Colin race up in Marshfield. He had a good night. He qualified 3rd, then got spun out in the heat race. During the main feature, he was neck and neck with the 2nd place car. He ended up finishing 3rd after a hard-fought race. His best finish this season so we were happy for him!

That was our excitement for the holiday. No concrete plans the rest of the weekend. I have more yard stuff to do and well, I could pick any room in the house and go nuts, too. I think I need a 7-day weekend!

Think hubby can pull some strings for some more holidays next week??

Just a Trifle Rich

I might have to start a blog or new Pinterest page called "Fun with Trifle Bowls"!

We had a potluck at work today so I figured I better make some use of that Trifle Bowl I HAD TO HAVE after my successful Eggnog Gingerbread Trifle last Christmas. I got the bowl late this spring on the cheap. But the stuff you can put into it is soooooo RICH!

I had pondered a patriotic display but opted for some peanut and chocolate because I craved it!!

Today's potluck invention.... Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle.

• Bottom layer: Crumbled chocolate cake
• Next layer: Crushed Nutter Butters
• Next layer: Cheesecake Pudding & Cool Whip mix

Repeat layers and top with some randomly played crumbs and a Nutter Butter cookie broken in half for extra presentation points.

I just hoped it tasted as good as it looked. And oh my... It did not disappoint! Just like a creamy, rich peanut butter cup cheesecake or something. Wow. Fat-free, too.

No, not really, but I have to say something to draw in those calorie-conscious readers, don't I?

Oh, and it is so easy of course. I'm all about that. So I will share the recipe for my next creation when I do one. But like today, there are no crumbs left to share or spare.

I'm not trifling with you about that.

Dinner Date

July 1st in Wisconsin means we are on the down-slide toward winter. At least it felt that way with wake-up temps in the 40s this morning. Was working from home and so tempted to turn the furnace on. Instead, I holed up in my office all day with my space heater full blast.

Yup. July in the Midwest!

Of course, July 1st also means something more. Our wedding anniversary! For you young folks out there, we suggest you don't follow our route: baby first, house next, then marriage. Sure, it worked for us but the traditional route to Happily Ever After should not be overlooked.

Speaking of happily ever after...

My Prince Charming took me out for a picnic dinner on Lake Wazeecha. We stopped at Subway and got our healthy sandwiches, then found a picnic table at the lake. My date even brought a table cloth!

But that's not all. When he was done eating, he went to the car and when he came back, had me close my eyes for a surprise. When I opened them, I was greeted with this...

Awwww.... He's such a romantic!! Cheesecake, candles and a nice view! He sure knows how to treat a girl.

I think I'll keep him!