December??? Already???

Hi friends! Oh wow -- how did November escape me without a single post??? I've been overwhelmed lately with the office and various other things - so the good old blog has suffered. Frannie the mini-golden doodle says hello! What a needy dog!! She is spoiled beyond belief by Rickster. They sit together in the recliner nearly every morning for some CNN news and toast!!!!!!

Here's a quick recap and my New Year's resolution will definitely be to do better!! Pinky promise!!

Well, October zipped right by, didn't it! I made a couple drives to Kearney to see Miss Maddie and those were fun! I just love that campus. Sometimes Maddie and I would take "walks and talks". I'd call from Lincoln and walk and talk to her and she'd walk in Kearney. Such a great way to keep in touch. I kind of wish I had known about the University of Nebraska at Kearney when I was going to college and maybe I would have gone there! Of course, there have been a ton of improvements since the really old days when I went to college.

Maddie is now in one of the suite-style dorms known as Antelope dorm. Nicer than any apartment I ever lived in! So great that she can have her own private room as that makes studying so much easier. Otherwise, she was jam-packed into a tiny space and had to leave the room to study and/or make a phone call. She'd make telephone calls from her car so she had a little privacy. She was on the waiting list to get into the suite-style dorm since fall and there was an opening, so Connor and I went one weekend and helped her move from one dorm to another. I recommended she move when it became available as I sure didn't want her to be sitting in her cold car calling! Later, she had fall break around the end of October and it was super to have her home for a few days. The fountain above is right outside her dorm and so pretty!

In case you're wondering, she and I like to send each other inspiring quotes now and then, so I'm posting a few of our favorites!

That's it for this update. Stay tuned and I promise to keep posting no matter if anyone reads it or not.

BAT ATTACK - OH MY!!!

I almost hated to write this post as I had such a scary experience, but I wanted to memorialize what was one of the most terrifying mornings of my life! Seriously!! You know that book and movie called "My Terrible Horrible Very Bad Day -- that was how my day started about a month ago.
After I came out of the shower, something suddenly swooped down at me!!! At first, I thought it was a bird - but NO - it was a freaking BAT!!!!!!! Oh my goodness -- I quickly grabbed some clothes and shut the doors and ran down the stairs! It had evidently sneaked in at some point overnight. True, I had heard some fluttering noises during the night, but thought the fan was blowing on a JCP bag that was sitting on the floor - I soon realized that the bat had been in the bedroom for some time! [I would have put in a real photo of a bat, but the photos I saw online were sooooo scary.]

Of course, I quickly called Animal Control. They informed me that I had to be in the room watching the stinking bat before they would send anyone out. I had a cup of coffee and got brave and went back upstairs. Meanwhile, Rickster went back to bed in another bedroom!!! I called Animal Control again once I was in the room and spotted Mr. Batty-Bat. While on the phone, it made a circle around the ceiling and swooped down at me! Of course, I screamed -- sorry to the lady on the other end of the phone call. She said she'd send someone out, but had no idea how long it would take and I had to stay in there to watch it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Guess what friends -- it was over an hour and a half! I spent the entire time cowering in the corner with a raincoat on with the hood up watching Mr. Batty-Bat take off, fly around and swoop down towards me many, many times. I'm surprised I didn't pee my pants! How cow! I was shaking and it swooped at me often. Was it playing chicken with me??? We'll never know, will we? Generally, it flew over to one of the windows and either hung on the window ledge or the curtains. Finally, the animal control guy came, I pointed out the last place I saw the filthy critter, on a window sill. He walked over with his little tupperware container and pushed it right in. It was a little brown bat -- at least it was not the Big Brown Bat - but it was definitely big in my book. Since it had been in the room while I was sleeping, they had to send it in to see if it had rabies. As Mr. Animal Control officer told me, you can't even tell if you get bit by a bat as it is a tiny bite and doesn't hurt. So, the lesson is that if you're ever in a similar situation, don't kill and throw out the bat. It needs to be checked or you will end up having to have a bunch of painful and expensive rabies shots. Happy to report, Mr. Batty-Bat did not have rabies! However, it terrorized me so bad, that I slept in the living room downstairs for 2 weeks, afraid that Mr. Batty-Bat left an opening somewhere for his friends to visit. So far, none! And, I contacted a bat remediation company to come to the house and close up some spaces where it could have gotten in. Praying that it never happens again.

The whole experience has left me very jumpy! Like I'm scared of squirrels running up trees, birds flying in and around, butterflies, bees, the wind blowing. Seems like every critter imaginable is after me! Just last week, I saw some GIANT (I mean really, really BIG) black crows sitting in the trees at the office parking lot. Creepy and extra large. So, I figured I'd snap a quick photo with my iPhone. OMG -- as soon as I did the 3 turned into 6 and they swarmed me! I ran to the office like one of the poor old ladies in The Birds movie! Again, they came at me and swooped down at my head. Is it my hair?? It wasn't even frizzy and nest-like either of those times! My heart was pounding so hard!

My advice - be careful out there! Be very, very careful!

Quick - Some Summer Photos before I Forget!

Maddie had some beautiful photos taken for her 1/2 birthday! Yes, she celebrates her half-birthday because her full birthday is right before Christmas and often gets missed a bit (not by me) due to its proximity to the end of the school semester and Christmas! I love this jumping photo! She always tries to get in at least one Jumping photo and this one is perfection. She's got some air going!

She is a girl who loves a pretty dress! Even when she was a bitty little thing, she wore dresses pretty much all the time. Back when Gymboree was around, I'd get her dresses and leggings from there. In order to get out of the house to work on time, she'd put her dress and leggings on at night for the next day! She's not too much of a morning person, so this was perfect.

Speeding through the years --seriously - how can she be a sophomore in college?? She still loves a pretty dress. But she does not wear it to bed to save time. She really doesn't wear dresses daily anymore -- but she does love to dress up now and again.

One of the cheer Moms, Thuy (pronounced Twee) took these fabulous photos! Thuy is amazing. She also did Maddie's makeup and I just love how the makeup and photos turned out. So, I'm finally getting around to sharing with you!

Only one week til she's home for a few days for fall break. We have missed that sweet girl sooooooooooo much! Can't wait to give her a big giant hug and watch a bunch of Hallmark movies with her!

Of course, there are many more and I will put some more together to share as we do enjoy looking back on the blog now and then. Hey, somebody's gotta read it, right.

More from the College Girl

A little update from my favorite college co-ed! She's been there for over a month now and all is going fairly well. UNK (University of Nebraska-Kearney) attracts lots of students from central and western Nebraska. It seems the majority live close enough to go home every weekend which they do and that makes the campus pretty quiet on weekends! Classes are going well and Maddie has joined some study groups and uses the Writing Resource Center for English essays. Can I tell you that she has the weirdest English comp class - it's like English comp with a heavy dose of philosophy and religion. The essay topics can be challenging but the teacher is super nice, so that makes up for the strange subjects.

She is finding the cafeteria to be a bit lacking in yummy food. Sometimes at least the desserts are yummy so that helps! AND bonus - there is a Chick-Fil-A in the student union! Notice her Chick-Fil-YAY tshirt above!

Maddie joined a sorority so has been getting busy with activities there and getting to know the other girls. Last year during the height of Covid pandemic, Greek life was pretty non-existent, so this year is a bonus with lots of fun things going on. After such a lousy end to her senior year of high school and her first year of college, it's great that she has the chance to meet some new people and have a more normal college life.

I've made quick day trips to visit her a couple times and fall break is coming right up! So excited to have her home for a few days! But they will be busy days as she is doing some fall mini-photo sessions for people. She's been doing photos for the sorority girls too and she loves doing those. So, all in all, it's going well. We all miss her to pieces! Frannie seems a bit depressed and has stolen a teddy bear that belonged to Maddie. Dang dog! More updates later! Happy end of September!!

Move-In Day!

Left a very big part of my heart in Kearney, Nebraska at the University of Nebraska! Maddie started her sophomore year there as a transfer student in the Health Sciences field. It was a bit of late sign-up, but she was able to get her classes and a dorm room -- so that was a huge relief. On a tour the week before school started, the tour guide (a student) told us she had a transfer student the day before and she wasn't able to get into a dorm! Even though the rooms are small, it's such a great experience to live in the dorm. UNK was super organized and had lots of student helpers there to move boxes and gear to the rooms and even bump up her bed a bit! Such a huge help! Her room reminds me a lot of my room in Heitz Hall at Bradley University my freshman year -- many, many, many years ago!

Her roomie is from Grand Island, Nebraska, about 40 minutes away. She works at a local hospital part-time so goes home most weekends to work.

Maddie joined a sorority and is busy with classes and studying and getting the whole college experience -- including that the food is often a bit questionable - but at least, the cookies and desserts are generally yummy! I'm sure Maddie and her roomie are going to have the BEST experience there. Lucky for me, she is taking the advice on the pillow I got for her to heart and texting and calling me! Love and miss that sweet girl!

Study hard. Have fun. 💙💛! #UNK #GoLopers

Catching Up Again -- University of Nebraska Kearney!

Hi Friends -- Oh my goodness -- how did I get so far behind again??? I pinky-promise to be a better blogger, but not sure anyone reads it anyway. So much to talk about, but only have a few minutes today, so it will be a quick update!

Some of you may have heard from FB or Instagram that my sweet Maddie decided to go away to college! Yep! She decided she wanted to go to University of Nebraska at Kearney (a couple hours away). UNK's mascot is the antelope so they are called Lopers! They have a very interesting tradition of "throwing lopes." I don't think I've mastered it, but Maddie has. She's a sophomore transfer student and her major is Health Sciences with plans to go into the Radiology Tech program. It's a really nice campus and nice size - about 6,000 students. UNK is said to be a little bit city and little bit country -- how perfect is that! Of course, it's fastest to get there on the scary interstate, but can also get there by some highways that are simply lovely - though it does take longer.

Maddie just decided to apply the second week of July, so it was a bit of a race to get everything done on time and be signed up for classes, the dorm and a roommate. So far, so good!

These photos are from our official visit day -- which was only 1 week before move-in day! The campus was lovely! BUT . . . there was no food to be found except vending machines! Once again, we proved how non-technical we are as we couldn't get the credit card option to work to get some chips. Finally figured out that good old dollar bills worked. Our lunch was Cheetos and Doritos - oh yum!

We had a great tour from a wonderful tour guide who had also been a transfer student. She gave Maddie lots of information and tips! Best of luck to my sweet girl! More to follow about UNK and hope to get some posts about our summer trip to WDW!

Five on Friday Again!

Hi friends -- Hey look, it's time for 5 on Friday! Are you enjoying summer? I know we definitely are loving it after such a LONG, COLD and SNOWY winter!! I could do without some of the humidity - but "big hair" is my name so am accepting the frizzy look - until it really starts to drive me crazy! So, here's my 5 on Friday today!

1. Sunrise! I've been getting up early to walk in the mornings and love seeing the sun pop up!

2. Balloons! I saw a yard with these balloons all over for a kid's birthday! So cute! Service was called "Balloon My Yard!" I know "Card My Yard" is popular here in town, so maybe Balloon my Yard will catch on too???

3. Pool Time. We are loving going and relaxing at the pool this year. Last year even going to the pool was a bit stressful. This year is much better!

4. Speaking of Pools. Here's an oldie but a goodie of a fun pool where we are headed soon!

5. Another Hint. Going to the happiest and most magical place soon. We cannot wait!! However, I've been a bit of a nervous wreck worrying that I have our reservations mixed up. I sure hope they are all correct! See you when we get back!

xoxo

The Graduate!

Maddie's cousin graduated from UNL (University of Nebraska - Lincoln) last month! As with so many things, there was a lot of uncertainty about graduation in the pandemic age! But, it worked out well - Yay!

The graduation was outside; the graduates walked and picked up their diplomas and it was a happy occasion - even though it was a bit chilly that weekend. I'm sure Grace got used to the crazy Midwest weather though I think the minus 30 degree winter and excessive snowfall may have convinced her that Nebraska, while nice and all, does not have the best year-round weather!

Before she graduated, she got together with Maddie so Maddie could take some photos on campus! Grace and David both graduated. Grace's boyfriend, Clayton, has one more semester and will graduate in December.

The blooming trees on UNL campus were gorgeous for graduation photos!

And those columns you see in some photos - are called The Kissing Columns (not sure why) were removed the day after graduation so that the football training area can be expanded. Of course - football! So happy to have these photos before they got moved!

We had loads of fun celebrating Grace's graduation! She's back in Florida now working at Ernst & Young. Those 4 years went by so fast!! Congrats Grace! We'll miss you!

Five On Friday - Happy Meteorological Summer!

Hi Friends -- from the dreary, rainy and chilly days we endured last weekend, we have jumped into Meteorological Summer with temps hitting over 90 this weekend! I say - BRING IT ON! I'm ready for warm temps and being outside and seeing people and shopping without masks! It's time to get back to our new normal and doesn't it feel good!! So, let's quickly do a 5 on Friday! And because I LOVE these photos, I'm including 5 different ones!

1. Even though I just said it's now summer, these are some spring photos of M from when the gorgeous trees on UNL campus were blooming! So pretty this year and I think a reward for getting through the last year!

2. Our Keurig broke already! WHAT THE HECK? We didn't have it too long before it decided to increase the amount of coffee going into the cup no matter what selection we chose. Choose the smallest, itty-bitty selection and it still overflowed! On to a new one and I hope it will last longer and this time I will keep the box and receipt for a while in case it needs to be returned! We must have our coffee!

3. Speech Class. Maddie is taking a summer school speech class. It's one of the required classes and she wanted to get it completed. It's a lot to condense 16 weeks of work into 5 weeks - so she is busy with that! Practicing her speeches on the dog - who sometimes is a good listener!

4. New Grandbaby. I'll do another post about her -- yes it's a GIRL! She was born on May 26 and weighed in at 6 pounds 14 oz. She is a little bitty thing and so sweet. Her name is Helen Marie. Photos to follow.

5. Shopping! I am enjoying doing some shopping this year and have even bought some shorts! People - I do not usually wear shorts - ever! BUT . . . we are going to Orlando at the end of June after summer school ends and I beieve it will be a tad bit hot there - so bought some shorts! Kind of wishing I could get a spray tan, but afraid I'd turn out like Ross in Friends when he did a spray tan! Did you see that one? Hilarious and one of my favorites! So, that's my quick update. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Jumping for Joy - School's Out!

Yay -- Maddie finished her first year of college the other day. She's had a busy couple of semesters and has been taking required courses and some Health Sciences courses. She's learned a lot and has worked so hard. We're so proud of her and her efforts!!

She's going to be taking three courses in summer school too. And volunteering at one of our hospitals with the activity cart. Only one of the hospitals is allowing volunteers currently and they must have a LOT of volunteers! While she offered to be there 2-3 days a week, they are only allowing one day a week for 2 hours. She'll be driving the cart with toys, games, magazines around to patients.

And I may recruit to help out in the office getting rid of old files, etc. Add in some pool time and it should be a busy summer!