TV and Trophy Wives

At what point does one become a trophy wife? I think it's the moment we're on a trophy. Or in this lazy photographer's case... when our REFLECTION in on a trophy! You see me, right? Duh.

Still, it was an amazing day hanging out with people who I'm guessing took similar pictures of the famed Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy (and their own reflections) at SentryWorld today for the U.S. Senior Open Media Day. It's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.

Doing marketing for Sentry and SentryWorld and, by default, the upcoming U.S. Senior Open, it was a perfect day to have the media onsite to learn some more insights about the upcoming international tournament – and actually golf the course. Lucky!

It ended up being in the mid-70s – as you fellow golfers know, is perfect golfing weather – which, of course, our marketing team obviously requested of Mother Nature. Thankfully she was in a good mood the day after Mother's Day.

Got to see some of my favorite media, too, including Trav in the Morning (or T-Rav later in the day), who both my hubby and I adore in real life.

And new friend Nolan, who I got to drive around the course for scenic video views.

And of course, just hanging out with my team on a gorgeous day.

Feel free to be jealous. I've worked hard to get to this point in life. And now that I'm a trophy wife, it's just going to get more interesting!

Hope to see you at the event! Check out ussenioropen.com for tickets, starting at $25 for practices rounds and just $50 for championship rounds. Of course I'm still wearing my marketing hat. But dang, it's going to be a great time you won't want to miss!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day for all you special ladies who have made the world a better place by being in it! It's fun to celebrate how awesome we are, isn't it?

My day was a little centered around food! I'll comfort food since my baby texted at 6:30 a.m. that they were officially leaving Wisconsin on their way home to Raleigh. 

Jim's usual tradition is to make me Eggs Benedict for Mother's Day. This year, since we saw a commercial that iHop had a variety of Benedicts, we figured we'd give that a try. We both ended up getting the "classic" anyway. And honestly, Mr. Austin makes it even better! 

And although we were full, it just so happened that after a stop at Menard's, King Cone was open!

Hello, Blueberry "Yes, Please" Cake ice cream! Good stuff. I was super full and couldn't finish it.

But Sylvester helped me lick the bowl clean later!

My other Mother's Day treat was going to be golfing. We had a tee time and it just kept raining all day. It stopped now but it's only in the 50s so I sent Jim along with a buddy. It's not a "treat" for me to be cold and miserable.

Plus, this way, since I'm done with Queen Charlotte, I can jump into season 2 of Firefly Lane on Netflix and all that mushy stuff! 

Hope you all had a relaxing day and were treated like the queens we all are!

Rain Dates

The consistent rain today meant a delay of games when it came to our Assumption Royals and Lincoln Red Raiders.

After skipping the ROYAL event plans due to rain, I did manage to capture a few of my favoriteWR players in action.

It was fun to see the Raiders win softball and baseball their first games. After rain on my camera, I headed home just happy for their victories.

Not the typical fan / photographer efforts, but the rain never did let up enough for us to enjoy any more. Hope the rest of the season is amazing!

Counting Down to Cap and Gown Replacing Bat and Glove

It was a busy night last night spending time with our senior baseball and softball players. When we had so many gloomy, cold days after that brief "summer" in April, I'm finding it hard to believe we are nearing the end of our regular seasons and (gasp) graduation!

Let's start with those boys. What a talented group of all-around athletes. Most of them have stolen the stage in football and basketball – not just baseball. This is an athletic class and I'll miss these guys!

As for the girls... well my heart is breaking knowing I won't get to see them anymore. Some of these girls – that's you, Ava and Sadie lady – I've been watching since before middle school. I loved watching them in volleyball, in basketball, and especially in softball, where they won that state championship last year. That would help me not miss you if you won that again. Just sayin'.

Tonight should have been another round of games for both, but Mother Nature decided our grass needed watering. Baseball was called off. I think both softball and girls soccer were still on, but after coughing and dealing with allergies all week, we decided to stay in for the night.

As for the weekend... partly cloudy with a chance of softball. Maybe golf? I don't know. 

It's Mother's Day weekend. May we all be in charge of our own happiness!

And demand it!

My Current Royalty

I love that the letter R fits so nicely with the concept of Royalty. My current royal situation has nothing to do with my R family or my Assumption Royals, for that matter.

First today I dealt with this announcement. OK. Not quite dealt, but am processing...

If you need reading glasses, the bottom line is that King Cone will NOT be reopening in its Wisconsin Rapids location! I guess I should've gone there even more!

I know that there have been struggles getting hired help – like there are in most service industries – so it's not exactly surprising. But still. Give me a minute to process this. 

For once I count myself lucky that I pass through Plover (one of their other home sites) three times a week! I will not abandon you, King Cone! I am your loyal servant!

Thankfully, I have other royal happenings to distract me. Oh no. Not King Charles, but Queen Charlotte. Now that I am done watching The Diplomat, I can turn my attention to the Bridgerton pre-quel on Netflix. One episode in and I'm pretty curious. 

That helps on the days my favorite Royals – obviously from Assumption – are center stage!

Long live King Cone! Long live the queen!

The Road Most Taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

– Robert Frost

The problem with taking the road most traveled is that you end up in the same places you've already been. 

This morning I had a very foggy commute to work. Thankfully, since I have traveled these roads, I could navigate my way ... while cursing oncoming traffic for not having their lights on! #lightsonforsafety

Tonight, though, when my baby headed down this road with his girlfriend, I knew where this road was leading. And it was far, far away.

Yup, said goodbye and good luck to the kiddos as they departed for southeastern Wisconsin for a very short time before heading back East to North Carolina.

I had a very important appointment after work – my monthly deep tissue massage – and when I arrived home at 6:10 p.m., the house was empty and I freaked out that I missed my goodbye!

But then my father-in-law called to thank me for sending fresh Monster Cookies with the kids and said they were heading to Blue Jay Drive to say goodbye. Whew. Not that it made the goodbye any easier, but as least I got a good farewell-see ya soon hug – or 3 – to hold me for awhile.

There's a good chance I'll see those 2 in less than 3 months when my sister weekend is out that way in the Smoky Mountains, but I might just have to keep an eye on airfares. Ha. Once you've had a dose of brown-eyed boy's dimples, it truly is hard to let go.

Honestly, though. When the fog clears, I'm just grateful to see him and grateful our 3 brown-eyed bandits sometimes take the road here, too! Love them all!

Feeling sappy and blessed. Deal with it. Ha. 

I've Got Sunshine... On a Cloudy Day...

I've got sunshine on a cloudy day

When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May

– The Temptations

Even though it rained today. All day long. And it's still raining. I'm OK with that. Because I worked from home today and got a few hugs from my baby. 

And that, my friends, brings sunshine to my heart.

That is all. Just treasure the moments!