Misplaced Motivation

You know what's funny? The fact that I took the day off so I could get things done. You know the drill...

Saw this on Facebook and I thought, yep, I have a lot of things I COULD do, but do I have the desire – well, energy frankly – to do them? The short answer is NO.

Got some design work done. I did get my Saturday chores done (finally) and really should have mopped, too, but that became a low priority. I did clean up the kitchen and purged the fridge of any party hangers-on. Didn't get to the bedroom and closets or my "oh my god" room/office. I managed to avoid those by leaving town.

Today was the Wisconsin High School Softball All-Star Games in Wisconsin Dells. The girl next door was selected for the Division I team so Jim was planning to go see her last game, starting around 3:30 p.m., if he got his work done. I knew I had plenty of work I could do, but instead I said, "I'll go with you. I have to remember not to put work first. It will still be there when I get back."

So I went for a 3-mile run (only had to walk once), showered, and we hit the road at 2 p.m. It was a bit warm and muggy but not uncomfortably so. Once we got down there, it clouded up, too, so it was a nice day to watch softball and take some pictures of Madison. At one point I did look on my phone to see if the clouds were just blocking the sun or if there were going to drop rain on us. This is what my phone displayed...

What? The weather stopped? Hey, I guess we were all cleared for outdoor activities for the rest of the day!

I need to figure out the app to stop Time while my phone is at it.

Got home and did a little grocery shopping then baked a cake for a potluck tomorrow. I did finish a good book (What Alice Forgot) on the way home from the Dells and read the first chapter of my church book study book (If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat).

So it does sound like all kinds of accomplishments, but no. I have a long way to go. Maybe if I clean my desk off I'll find that misplaced motivation. Right now kitty is laying on it, though. Best not disturb her, right?

S.O.S.S. (Sign of a Swan Song)

When you see a great big swan sleeping outside your hotel room, isn't that some sort of sign that a swan song is in the works?
 

I mean really, it was eerily appropriate for our swan song as parents and Carter's first verse of his new song, don't you think?

It was like the sign was saying, "This way to your new life, Carter."

The three of us had a full day today on campus, starting with 8 a.m. breakfast, then programming at 8:30 a.m sharp. We had several welcome and informational speeches on everything from food plans to campus security, then the parents stayed at the student center and the kids went off. We did connect again for lunch but then they split off again.

Carter got his new student ID picture taken and the ID was ready by day's end. And most importantly, he registered for his first semester of classes! No 8 a.m. classes for this sleepy head, thank goodness!

Just in case, we did point out that his new alarm system has been installed on campus. Ha. Some mornings it feels like that's what it takes.

At least the campus is small enough he shouldn't have problems getting anywhere on time, even if he has to hustle or perhaps the ride the rails.

Move-in Day will be the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and they want us parents out of there by 2 p.m. As the Welcome Weekend event planner noted, "This isn't about you. You'll need to go and let your child become immersed in UW-P. You've had them for 18 years and you will have them forever. But starting that weekend, it's our turn."

That's definitely telling it to us straight! And really, it was just exciting to be there. Sure, I'll bawl my eyes out when I say goodbye in 82 days, but I remember how much I loved college and can't wait for Carter to experience it (most of it, that is).

Need to keep reminding myself that it is time to be a proud Pioneer parent! No time for sad swan songs.

For now, UW-P and Big Miner M are in our rearview mirror, but soon we will be surrounded by the Pioneer life and what it is doing to turn our baby into a grown man.

Heaven, help us. Please.

Son - Shiney Day

Started out the day with another salute to our graduate.  Today it was Jim's church holding a breakfast to recognize the seniors.

Turned out only Carter and one classmate could make it,  but it was still very nice. Had a speaker who works with campus ministries who laid down the groundwork on what they can do so they don't lose sight of their faith in college. Good advice but it's not what most 18-year-olds are thinking of following as they experiment with true,  independent adulthood. 

After breakfast and mass (with a special blessing for the grads), we went home, packed and headed to Amherst for a graduation party.  This one was for Harry, whose mom worked with us in Iola, and who attended Kidz Camp and took a vacation to Washington DC with Carter

Like the party yesterday,  there was an "old" picture of Carter and the host. This pic is from their spring break trip to Washington DC when the boys were in 6th grade, I think. 

And here are the handsome lads today!

From the party we headed straight down to Platteville. We decided we'd rather just get here and sleep than having to hit the road at 5 a.m.! So we got here around 6, found a room at the Super 8 and then went walking around campus. 

Carb loaded at Steve's Pizza in downtown Platteville so we'll be set to register for classes and more by 8 a.m.

Uff da. This is it. All signs point to our baby growing up! 

Racing Around

It was one of those days we found ourselves racing around to get things done. And we didn't even need to move fast to work up a sweat! At one point today my weather app said it was 92 degrees and "feels like 99." Uff da.

We started the day at my workplace (Renaissance Learning) doing the Renaissance Race Against Cancer 5K. Between the 600+ participants in the 5K and 10K, we raised $30,000 for the local UW Cancer Center. In the photo above our CEO is presenting the BIG check!

With this hot and muggy weather – oh, and lack of training – I walked the 5K with hubby, no chance or running (though I have enjoyed the 10K distance at other races... in the past!) Carter had to work this morning so he was not a part of this at all.

Also walking with her hubby today was my scrap sister Jenny who became my sweat sister by the end. Just so warm!

There were only two of us dedicated Desperate Housewives of Blue Jay Drive. And I have to count Marigene even if she lives a half block off. Somebody's gotta be dedicated, right?

It was nice to see a big crowd.

Afterward, Jim and I raced home, showered and hit the road. We did a little "browsing" in Green Bay and came home empty handed except for an early birthday present for me. I feel I need to find a reason to wear this new golf outfit BEFORE my birthday way at the end of the month! Will have to see when and where I can squeeze it in. Anyone have Flag Day off besides me? Let's go!

When we got home after 5, we had a graduation party for one of the boys – well, MEN now – Carter went to school with at Grant Elementary from kindergarten through 6th grade, plus played tournament baseball with.

Joey's mom had this cute picture of Joey and Carter hanging up so I had to take an updated one to prove they are still little cuties.

Am I right or am I right? And yes, they still have their moms wrapped around their fingers!

From there, Carter had another graduation party and we came home. Jim walked the mile-plus and I drove the car. I was waiting for the temp to drop so I could take a short walk, too, but it's 86 degrees at 8 p.m.

Guess I better suck it up and get out there. I had to have that piece of cake, didn't I?

Calm After the Storm

When you take a walk break at 10 a.m. and the air is already sticky, you know it's going to be a hot and humid day. And it was.

The high was 94 in Wisconsin Rapids anyway. While I took a late lunch break to run an errand around 3 p.m. I heard the emergency signal on the radio. We were under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m., which basically means the weather gods could be up to anything.

We knew we had a graduation party to attend, but when the sirens started going off shortly after the 5:30 p.m. start time, we decided to wait out the storm at home, then go.

There was definitely plenty of wind, rain and lightning here, but no hail or twisters. I do have friends not too far away that are still without power, however, 4 hours later. Yikes

We went to the party around 7 p.m. and it was still raining. When it got done, the sky turned some crazy colors of pink and yellow. We could see that from inside the garage where we were sitting, but now I wish I would have investigated.

Purely from a photographer's standpoint, that is.

Here is a photo one of our police officers took after the storm, looking across the Wisconsin River. Isn't that awesome?

It's a beautiful thing when the red on the radar transforms into these gorgeous shades of pink!

It's also a beautiful thing to spend an evening with friends in our "Assumption family" who have brought a lot of laughter and love to our lives over the past 6 years. 'Tis the season for grad parties and a whole storm of emotions that may not bring calm for quite sometime.

But we'll weather it together.

Goal Tender

Since late February, I have been trying to do more than fit into my high school earrings.

I joined a Weight Watchers at work program with a few goals in mind. Ultimately, I wanted to drop some pounds but I also wanted to do it correctly, not in some drastic, quick-fix fashion that would result in me gaining it all back as soon as I quit the magic pill or potion. Essentially, I wasn't shooting to be skinny, just fit rather than fat (or fluffy anyway).

My weight goal was my driver's license weight, which wasn't crazily out of line and also jived with the Weight Watchers' guidance to lose 10% of your weight (if needed). Plus it was a number on the scale reasonable enough to maintain – as in continue to eat and enjoy food and not have to work out twice a day to keep it off.

It took me 19 weeks, but I hit that goal with a loss of 16 pounds!

If you need proof, here's me with my GOAL charm!

Along my journey, I also earned my 5 and 10 percent charms, and fitness charms, too.

Makes it seem easy but it took all of 6 weeks to lose the last 2 pounds. They were stubborn, like me I guess, and didn't want to go!

They may be back but for now I am going to see if I can manage at this magic number for the next 6 weeks. Then I will still be in the program but wouldn't have to pay a weekly fee. Incentive!!

When the group asked how I did it, I admitted I didn't always make great choices but I made better choices more often. When I bragged I had only been to King Cone twice since it opened, they pointed out it hasn't been open that long! "How do you count the points there?"

I said, "I don't!"

I guess I have a few things to learn! But really, I work it in. Oprah has her bread and I have my ice cream. We just make it work and make a concerted effort to work it off when we can. If I deprive myself of everything, this is no longer a "lifestyle change," because I am not enjoying life!

So yes, I will frequent King Cone as needed (or desired) and will have a piece of cake at every graduation party we attend – as long as it's the good, sweet frosting. None of that healthier whipped stuff.

It's gotta be worth my points!

School Night Fun

Tonight was Assumption Catholic Schools Night at the Rafters game. The Rafters is our Northwoods League college-age baseball team started here in 2010.

When an organization or business or what have you sponsors a night there, we participants get a picnic all-you-can-eat meal to kick off the evening. Tonight, we used that time to also announce recent raffle winners from our Royal Event. Uhm, no, there were no winners at this address.

This also meant the state championship basketball team was honored, along with last weekend's state track championship boys relay team. Very cool. Our friend's daughter threw out the ceremonial first pitch, then the Assumption choir sang the national anthem. Awesome.

We also got to be in charge of the 50/50 raffle ticket sales. This was a fundraiser for the Assumption baseball team so Jim and the other two coaches made sure we had players on hand to sell tickets. Someone went home with a $460 pot. Again, it was not anyone at this address.

Still, had a blast. Saw lots of people from school, naturally, that I feel I haven't seen in ages. That graduation business puts everything in a time vacuum or something. Also saw several friends who are either hosting players in their homes or are just big supporters. Pretty sure we won the game, but I may have been paying more attention to the social scene.

Managed to nab a photo with the mascot Roscoe P. Rafter. Not really a fan of rats – even river rats – but since the snakes in my yard aren't taking care of the rodent problem, I'll just roll with it and smile.

Pretty good time for a "school" night! I'll be sure to get back there again.