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!

End of April Update!

Hi Friends -- how in the world did April zip by sooooooo fast???? I guess we were busy thinking about nice weather, enjoying nice weather, cleaning the yard and who knows what else. I need to put myself on a blogging schedule, but then I'm afraid you'd all know that I am a bit lazy and don't have a whole lot going on! My most fun things lately are watching When Calls The Heart and Hallmark movies!

Maddie and I have been taking our goofball doodle, Frannie, on walks and while she runs from the leash initially - we know that she really enjoys being out on a walk . . . especially since I take along a few cookies (treats) for her.

I have also been assisting Mads in some photo-taking -- i either advise on location, angle, sunlight and about anything else I feel like might be of assistance. Not sure I'm really helping! :) She has been getting some fabulous photos of friends, a favorite college graduate and a simply adorable prom couple. I'll share later so that I don't take away from anyone else's photos and posts. And this photo below is of her birthday cake -- isn't it fabulous!! Yes, it was totally edible and delicious and I wish I could say I made it myself -- well, no one really knows - so let's say I DID make it myself!!

So, that's what I've been doing besides still working in the office until 3 PM most days. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Happy May Day to all!

This and That and Hot Fudge Sundaes!!!

Hi Friends -- once again, the month has gotten away from me without my doing much on the blog. I think I've been in a pandemic fog for the last year! But hope the fog is lifting and that everyone is staying healthy and getting on the list for the vaccine. The Rickster and I were able to get the first dose a few weeks ago and our second dose is coming up on Monday. It feels like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders!

In other news, we moved a desk into our living room so that we can use our computer upstairs (yes, we are ancient and have a desktop). Maddie has a laptop, but she likes using the desktop and is able to easily print things she needs for classes now without running up and down the stairs. Maddie and I amazed ourselves by actually moving the computer monitor, tower, keyboard and printer all by ourselves. We are NOT techy - so that was a huge achievement just getting all the cords figured out and we've been patting ourselves on the back for the last week!

In other news, Maddie was on spring break from classes last week! Unfortunately, the weather was not good and was cold and rainy almost every day! We did run off to a Nebraska treasure known as Morrill Hall - kind of a museum of natural history! It has all kinds of cool stuff and we hadn't been there in years, so it was fun to go again. I remember going there when I was just a schoolgirl - that was a big trip from Omaha! :) Look at the Wooly Mammoth wearing a Big Red Mask! Good Job Mammoth!

We also visited the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. Connor went with us -- he's so sweet and it was so nice of him to drive. Driving on the interstate to the zoo in Omaha gives me extreme anxiety. Like - I would have had to find a route on side streets that would have taken a lot longer. This crazy looking bear thing was in one bear area -- it's a little funky - but fun to see and make Maddie pose for a photo!

We also went into the Desert Dome and Kingdom of the Night -- I'm not really sure why this white alligator is in the dark as it is not nocturnal like the many, many bats that were in the Kingdom of the Night. COVER your head! EEEEK!

Unrelated to anything, today I was remembering the Hot Fudge Sundaes that we used to get at The Tea Room in Brandies Department Store in Downtown Omaha. OH MY WORD -- they were elegant and delicious! And I wish I had one now. Hope you are all have a Fun Friday tomorrow and good weekend. XOXO

Five on Friday!

Greetings All! Hope you are enjoying some nice weather and the end of February! NO MORE SNOW PLEASE!! With that in mind, I have my occasional list of FIVE ON FRIDAY!

1. Nice Weather! After those weeks and weeks of way below-zero temps and way too much snow, we have been blessed with temps getting into the 40s this week! And loads of sunshine! It's been so welcome and has improved everyone's mood so much! The outlook for March has some days in the 50s!! Bring it on!!

2. Birthday! My oldest son's birthday is on Sunday!! Happy Birthday Philip! He's going to be 36! Wow -- how in the world did he get to be 36?? The day he was born it was 68 degrees! Sooooo nice! Of course, I think there was snow on the day we took him home from the hospital. We have missed celebrating so many birthdays during this long shutdown and hope that will change soon. I think Rickster and I will be up next for vaccinations. Fingers crossed. Philip loves crazy socks and I found these on the wonderful Amazon!

3. Powder Room Refresh! We have a small powder room on our main floor. The tile in it has bugged me for the last 20 years - it's ok -- it just looked like bathtub tile! Anyway, the Rickster knows a handyman who I contacted and he's re-tiling with subway tile. I LOVE it! It's a small room, so he should be finished today - I hope!

4. Maddie Update. I don't think I've updated anything on Maddie in a while. She's doing well and working so hard on her courses at Southeast Community College in the Health Sciences Division. She's looking forward to nicer weather so she can get her camera out again. There was a sweet profile of her as a young photographer in our neighborhood newsletter recedntly.

5. Meteorological Spring. Yay -- Monday starts Meteorological Spring! The official spring is later in the month -- but we are just so happy this year to get through winter that we are celebrating March 1 and Spring! Happy Spring friends!

Temperature Thursday!

On my word -- we have been having such a brutal cold and snowy time for at least the last 4 weeks! Every. Single. Weekend. More snow and cold! I think we are up over 25 inches and for the last week, the highs have been zero and lows bottomed out one day at -24 not even counting the wind chill! BRRRRRRRRR!!! It's not like Texas, but we did have rolling blackouts the other morning due to the heavy usage of power. Praying for relief for Texas and everyone there! It gets cold inside the house fast when there is no heat! However, our temp is supposed to be maybe 18 today and maybe 30s on the weekend, so we feel like celebrating!!

Last year at this time, Maddie and I were in Orlando on a quick trip! We were so happy to have some nice sunny days and enjoy our favorite place. And after we returned home, the shutdown occurred, so we were doubly happy to have had a little getaway before that happened.

We are definitely hoping for another trip there later this year.

Stay warm friends!