Race Ready

It seems strange that when the Renaissance Race Against Cancer event started in 2011, I was just a mere participant, wondering if I would ever get a chance to work for the company that started it to remember employees who had lost their battle with cancer.

I also recall that the first time I ran it, I only knew two people personally who had recently battled cancer – and unfortunately lost: my good friend Cindy's husband Rory and my former boss, editor and mentor Karen.

Fast forward 5 years and I am now part of the race community, sort of, working at Renaissance, and sadly know too many people who are fighting this dreaded disease. What I appreciate about this event is that the money raised stays right in our community, supporting the UW Cancer Center Riverview, thus helping people we know.

People you may know, too.

Today as my volunteer part, I helped clean up the race route, picking up trash after work with a handful of other employees. This event takes so many volunteers to make it work, but I wanted to be able to walk it Saturday with Jim so I took a pre-race duty.

Now the course is spic and span and waiting for you. Seriously, you can still sign up! No, I don't get a commission from this. I just believe in the cause and am grateful each day for my own health. Not too difficult to walk a 5K for someone else who can't.

Here's a link to learn more and register: https://www.renaissance.com/rrac/registration.

Let us know if the Austins will see you at the starting line! 

The Day Florence Nightingale Retired

Long before Florence Nightingale founded "modern nursing" some hundred years ago, there were the original nurses: Moms.

It's weird how we jump into that role from day one. No qualifications necessary. A new life is in your hands. They will cry to you when they're in pain, snuggle with you when they're tired, and puke on you when they can't help themselves.

No matter the boo-boo, a kiss and hug from Mommy is the best medicine.

Until it isn't.

Today, Carter got his wisdom teeth out. With our work schedules, hubby took him to Stevens Point for the surgery. It was hard not to be there but it made the most sense since Jim works from home and would be the one keeping an eye on Carter post-op. And I didn't particularly miss having to deal with the bloody gauze and all that stuff when they got home. Not that I wouldn't do that for him, I just was OK not to.

And no, there were no viral videos taken of any weird "awakening" when he came out of anesthesia. I did text him and asked how he was feeling and he responded, "Great, actually." So I think he was feeling no pain.

During my lunch hour, I ran to the pharmacy and took him his pain meds and special mouthwash he'll start using tomorrow. Didn't have time to stay, but I didn't need to. He had his nurse coming over.

Yup, stark reality is this. Ol' Florence Nightingale forced into retirement by a younger, newer model. Ha. Well, that's what girlfriends are for, I guess.

I had been so focused on the milestone of graduation that I forgot there are other events leading to Carter's independence these days, too. I am not prepared to just let him go completely. Apparently, time doesn't wait for mothers to adjust, though, does it?

My brain is telling me I am not hanging up my nursing lantern for good. But my heart isn't listening.

Yet.

Until the time they are on the same page, I will be grateful for now that the surgery was "routine" and he hasn't had any complications. I will continue to pray for pain relief and quick healing.

Because prayers are always needed.

Even from dear ol' Mom.

Blessings and More Frosting

Carter got one more opportunity to be honored today as our church paid tribute to the 2016 graduates!

The two in red gowns were graduating from Lincoln High School in Rapids today. The one in black graduated from Port Edwards last week and got to keep his gown. Carter is the only one who had to return his gown to get his diploma. But he wore an Assumption Royal Blue tie at least.

The pastor gave a nice blessing and reminded them of "The Five W's of Life":

• WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.
• WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. Do not be afraid to explore.
• WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won't regret.
• WHEN life pushes you over, you push back harder.
• WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in stride and move forward.

Good words.

After the service, there was cake. I just happened to be standing there and got a corner piece! And let me tell you it was the good, sweet frosting, not that healthy, light, whipped stuff. Perfect breakfast, if you ask me!

It was strange to see these kids all so grown up since they have been together through Sunday School as little ones, confirmation and now graduation. There are actually 5 others who are a part of this honored group but, for whatever reason, they were unable to make it today.

I swear I didn't take any of "their" cake!

I do believe I worked it off anyway. Did some weed whacking in the front yard and did not see one single snake. Then I delivered some bowls and spoons my friends brought full of salads to the graduation party last week. I not only hand-delivered them, I foot-delivered them. First walked down Deer Road almost a mile to Brenda 1 and then over to Townline Road to Brenda 2.

Probably just a 3 1/2-mile walk, but later I got a run in when I was done shopping at Wal-Mart and had to get to my car FAST in the downpour. Good thing I did those other neighborhood deliveries earlier.

Rain didn't last long here but the storm majorly hit in my old stomping grounds in Iola. Downed trees and power outages, I guess. Praying my friends are safe and sound!

Rainbow Disconnection

You know we've had too much rain when we have ducks in our backyard! What on earth?

Yes, we technically live on waterfront property, but the Bloody Run Creek isn't ever flowing, so to speak. It might have standing water, but no waves, ripples or rapids. The ducks would have had to swim quite a ways to get to our place with no help from the non-moving water.

Hubby says they have a nest somewhere back there. The backyard is not that big. Lucky no one stepped on or accidentally invaded their privacy during out post-grad party campfire with some 20 people back there on Sunday.

At least the nest is not in the fire ring because that was used. Didn't have time to investigate because there were other things to do.

The rain appeared off and on today, including one partial rainbow to view this evening.

While I couldn't see the full arch of it, I did see and experience some pots of gold today.

One was our church indoor garage sale. Found a few books but more importantly saw a few girlfriends.

Stopped at the bank drive-thru and one of my favorite "daughters" was working and managed to slip two Smarties packets with my cash. M-m-m, sugar! Win-win.

While the baseball games were delayed and rearranged, I did manage to get pictures of three friends' kids in the late morning. Sun was shining and seemed like a perfect day for ball. Another treasure!

Of course, with that 90% chance of rain, you knew it had to hit at some point. And that was when my buddy Aaron was playing in the mid afternoon. So I never did get back to take any more pictures of him. Will have to catch him at another tournament.

This evening, our jackpot was spending time with my BFF and her hubby. They just happened to stop in to drop off a graduation card for Carter when Jim was grilling burgers for supper. We didn't have a whole lot to offer, but they stayed to eat and we enjoyed a leisurely visit. Very nice. Don't see them often enough and definitely not when there is time to just chill. That was great.

Carter had to work this morning, then had two grad parties to go to this afternoon, then worked a short shift this evening. He stopped home long enough to say hello and point out the rainbow. Now he is off with friends again.

Feels like his graduation and party were weeks ago! I thoroughly enjoyed it but it was nice to have an open schedule today where I could let the pots of gold fall where they may.

Nothing to stress over. Now that's a treasure.

Grass is Greener

Let me tell you what this picture is...

It is the reason the grass is greener and way taller than it should be less than a week after a cut.

It is the reason we are home and not sitting outside at a graduation party.

It is the reason we heard the severe weather sirens.

Let me tell you what this picture is not...

It is not ideal for graduation parties this weekend. (Thankfully we just have one and we had that tonight before the rain.)

It is not ideal for garage sales. (Thankfully our youth group is holding its mission trip fundraiser sale INDOORS tomorrow at First English Lutheran Church. Stop by and support it!)

It is not ideal for the opening weekend of youth baseball and softball tournaments.

The Rapids Rage baseball teams (remember Carter playing for them?) are hosting the tournament in the nearby Kellner ball park facility. While hubby mowed the back yard quick before rain, I stopped over to the park to snap a few shots of my buddy Aaron. Hopefully I can get some pictures of him (and some other young lads I know) in action tomorrow.

But... like I said, it is not ideal ball weather. In fact, that radar picture might not change much as it will be 90% chance of precipitation.

So you know what that colorful radar picture really is?

Ugly. It's just ugly.

That is all.

Mother Hubbard Meets People of Wal-Mart

I finally decided to get some ambition today. Doesn't mean I got it, it was just the route I was hoping to go.

After work, I texted my neighbor go for a walk and if I didn't hear back from her in 15 minutes, I would be forced to go for a run. Well she texted me back... sometime around the 2-mile mark, I think. Dang. At least I got a 3-mile "trip" in with mostly running.

When I got home, I showered but didn't wash may hair. Figured I could just throw a hat on to go out, as in out to get some groceries for my empty cupboards.

Between hubby and I, we probably go north of 100 baseball-style hats around here. I had one in mind I was going to wear because my hair is now too short for a pony tail. Might as well break out a fitted one I never wear. I grab it off the top of the vanity, where it's been sitting awhile, and it's a bit dusty, to say the least.

I don't have time to deal with that! But by the time I put it back, I had dust streaks all over the front of my shirt so I looked like hell instead of fashionably cool in my black t-shirt and purposely hole-y jeans. Threw a different hat on. Who cares, right? At least I didn't smell.

Naturally, this is the time I run into no less than 4 people I know at Wal-Mart. Now that I think about it, the 2 who hugged me are probably walking around with dust from the 2001 Janet Jackson Concert hat. Whoops.

And yes, I did spend more than I planned. And while I didn't forget toothpaste, I did forget bananas. Will have to forgo my 10 a.m. snack at work tomorrow. I also didn't get anything else to snack on at home.

So, yes, I confess I am that mom who texted her son and asked to cut into the brownies someone gave him for graduation. Even though they've been in the fridge all week, I said I didn't want them to "go bad."

Go ahead and say it. Bad Mother Hubbard. Bad.

This wouldn't have happened if I had remembered those bananas.

Just sayin'.

Suffering from Neglect

Oh gosh. It's back to reality this week now that graduation and the after-party are done and over with.

I would still like an evening to sit back and decompress, but I look around and see too much that was neglected during those final days, well weeks, well maybe months even.

Although I did some basic cleaning before the weekend, I was not prepared to take visiting family on home tours. Indeed, I did have to clean for two hours just to tell them "Sorry for the mess!" That was a bit embarrassing, but hopefully they won't judge me.

And if they do, I'm sure they'll still love me. How could they not?

Still, in order to get my office back to an office/scrap cave instead of Party Headquarters, I probably should get through mail piles, to-do projects and, of course, finish the final pages of Carter's senior year scrapbook.

I had hoped to start tonight, but I worked late, went to kickboxing, then went to the ballfields in Kellner, where at least 3 of my friends had kids playing. I honestly wasn't going there to avoid work at home, just had to meet up with some people I purchased sports raffle tickets from. But while I was there, I naturally had to visit... and buy popcorn for my supper.

Since we didn't have leftover burgers and brats from the party, I may have to venture to Kellner for ballpark food now and then. You can't beat fresh (fattening) food – made by someone else! – just 5 minutes away!

Got home and did a design project and now am ready to crash. I probably should cross off "get 8 hours of sleep" from my list one of these nights. That just might make the other tasks do-able.

Maybe.