Happy End of February Update!

Hello Friends!! It's been awhile, hasn't it! Oh my word, I got soooooo far behind. I had been trying to post once in a while, but as we know, that hasn't happened. (I am including some random photos from fall/December to break up the paragraphs as I still haven't figured out this newish blog system!)

I have a few excuses for my absence --- in December, I was working two jobs -- my regular job at Jenny Craig and then also as a gift wrapper at Von Maur. Crazy I know, I set my own schedule for Von Maur and worked way too much - some days working 5 hours at Jenny C and then another 5 or 6 at Von Maur. I was totally confused sometimes as to which day it was and where I was supposed to be working! But, I do love doing the gift wrapping, so even though tiring, it was fun. Miss Maddie also worked there over her break and that's always super to be working with her. We have so many gift wrap friends that it is a treat to go to work.

We went to Zoo Lights at our local zoo - so beautiful and amazing! And COLD!

And then, that darn January came around and it was cold and ugly out and I seemed to hibernate! I do not like the month of January at all. Also, Maddie moved into a new apartment in Omaha. The apartment at her university was fine and in a good location, but the roomie!!! Roomie seemed to believe there was space in the apartment for 3 of them, Maddie, Roomie and Roomie's boyfriend! UGH!!! Not a good situation and so stressful and unfair that M was basically stuck in her bedroom a lot of the time as Roomie and BF were hanging out in the living room. And he was staying over and using their tiny little bathroom and shower! Ewwww -- not good! The whole situation got my blood boiling! Maddie checked and found that the Newman Center (Catholic organization with a dorm in Omaha) had a space open up in January. It is a 4-person suite with 4 private bedrooms, kitchen, living room and 2 bathrooms. One girl moved out over the Christmas break. Maddie nabbed that opening fast! My sister Judy and I moved her over there and we all felt a big sign of relief with some stress floating away with the change. The new girls are super nice and the location is great. Maddie often went to the Newman Center to study and it's perfect that she can be in the study rooms whenever she wants. It's in a very convenient location and only about 10-15 minutes from Maddie's classes. Bonus - Starbucks is around the corner! We are keeping this advice with us into 2023!

Trying to remember this and think positively every day!

Well, I better save some blog material for future posts! Stay tuned friends! I've missed you!!

Hello Waldo; Hello November!

Well, here we are at November!! Oh my word -- how did we get here so quickly when sometimes the days seem to drag by?? As usual, I meant to post earlier and more often, but I screwed up. Some day I hope to catch up and be on a more timely schedule!

Anyway, Maddie was home the weekend before Halloween and said her radiology teacher said EXTRA points for students wearing costumes to class, so we quickly set out to find one. We found a Where's Waldo costume still in the bag from probably 12 years ago! Does that mean I'm a hoarder??? I don't think so, do you?? The only thing needed was a pair of glasses, and we found those at a party store and, and voila - her costume was ready. It was such an easy costume and looked so cute. Probably some folks don't even remember the Where's Waldo books, but my sons loved those and drove me crazy challenging me to find Waldo as quickly as they did! That never happened!

I also wore a costume that day to work at Jenny Craig. I was a baker! Another easy and fun costume that included my love for Disney! See Mickey on my apron!

We had 700 trick or treaters according to a neighbor who counted! That meant there was no candy left for me when I got home from work. Oh well, you know me, I probably had some chocolate hidden away; yes - of course, I did! Hahaha! Hope you all had a good Halloween too!

Hello October; Hello Fall

Well, here we are - mid-October already!! The days and months are going by way too fast!

This past week, Maddie has been on her fall break from school. That did not mean no studying as she has two mid-term exams as soon as she returns - tomorrow and Wednesday in addition to a load of other assignments! College is hard! But, we did manage to have a few outings and some fun!

We went to the Outlet shopping one day -- it's weird to shop on a weekday as the outlet is usually crowded and it was so empty! So, it was strange, but nice to have the stores to ourselves! Corn mazes are popular around here! Do you see me?

One day we went to the movie, Lyle Lyle Crocodile! :) I've seen those books but have never read one! The movie was so good. We both enjoyed it and laughed and laughed. It was very touching too. So glad that we didn't think - that's a kid movie and not go see it. Plus, Shawn Mendes singing -- awesome!! :)

We also went to our local pumpkin patch known as Roca Berry Farm. For Halloween, they call it Roca Scary Farm. Wow -- that place has expanded sooooo much! Going on a nice warm Saturday may not have been the best plan as it was very crowded, but still lots of fun! An oldie but a goodie from 2011 at the Pumpkin Patch

And, of course, the weather is changing around here. This week some mornings are expected to be in the 20's with highs only hitting 50! But, next weekend maybe 80s! That's the way it is in Nebraska and I'm hoping for more warm days than cold ones. A couple more photos from the Pumpkin Patch!

Enjoy your fall - we know what is coming next around here and kind of dreading it!

Fall Sunrise!

Enjoying some absolutely lovely fall weather and beautiful sunrises! Hope you're having great weather too! This is a photo with our lovely capital. Praying for Florida.

Someone Really LOVES Chicken

Maddie has always loved chicken -- especially chicken nuggets, chicken strips and chicken sandwiches! She was one of the first to visit Chick-fil-A when one opened in town! She told me recently she ordered personalized license plates. I wondered, hmmm - what would they say???

Of course . . . CHIKIN. I think she needs to be a Chick-Fil-A influencer with those plates!!

Who wants to join us at Chick-fil-A??

End of Summer - Pool Pics Through the Years!

Dear Summer: How did you zip by so quickly?

It seems I waited forever for you and now you're gone - almost as fast as the years since Maddie was a little bitty girl enjoying the pool!!

Can you tell I'm very sad!

Thank you for the warm and humid days and nights that have made me long for cooler temps!

Summer frizzy hair days (and there have been too many to count) help me appreciate winter and low humidity!

Low humidity = better hair days for moi! And, as you all know, it's always about my hair!

It is now meteorological fall. Why did we have to come up with that term? Can't we just wait for "regular fall??" There are great things about fall too- most importantly - my less frizzy hair, sweaters, hot chocolate!! The pool closes next week -- bring it on fall! But, we will be enjoying the pool until the very last day!

Happy End of August and Meteorological Summer!

HI friends! I really do have the best intentions of blogging more - but how is it the month gets away from me ??? I don't know - except time is flying! So, here's the August update! And it's the end of meteorological summer with meteorlogical fall to start tomorrow! I knew summer would zip right by and it's been so hot, I'm looking forward to cooler temps, but I sure don't want to see meteorological winter coming up so fast! ;)

So, in August, Maddie moved to Omaha and started at Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She's in the health sciences category and her major is Radiologic Technology. It's a two year program for an Associates degree with a third year resulting in a focused area and a Bachelor's degree. It's her third year of college, so she's a junior. Her apartment is right on campus and that makes getting to classes easy and fast. She has a very nice roomie who is a nursing major. The campus is SO DIFFERENT than Univ of Nebraska at Kearney! Kearney has a lovely spread-out campus with a big fountain, outdoor seating areas, a football/sports field and complex and in a lovely city where it takes about 5-10 minutes to get anywhere. Methodist is in the middle of a busy city -- the campus is at a busy midtown intersection. Definitely takes longer to get places, but there are more shopping and eating places, so those are all a plus. AND - it's only about an hour away from me! Nice to be close to Mommy! :)

In addition, Omaha has a thriving Newman Center (Catholic Organization for college students). They have a new dorm and she plans to live there next year as it is not far from Methodist. They are having way more activities in the first two weeks than the Newman Center in Kearney had in 9 months, so that's providing a nice bit of social activities. So far, S'mores Night; a trip to the Omaha Amazing Henry Doorly Zoo; outdoor movie; BBQ and I'm not sure what all is coming up next. I think they should do a Lip Sync contest - and/or karaoke - wouldn't that be fun?? Maybe I can be the Activities Director!?!!

I'm still working at Jenny Craig Diet Center and enjoying that. Also walking a LOT! You'd think the house would be totally organized and cleaned up, but I often go out for a walk instead and chat with one of my sisters. We are all missing Connor who moved to Jacksonville, Florida. He'll be gone for his birthday next week and I don't know if he's ever been away for his birthday (sniffle, sniffle)!! I hope he goes to the beach to celebrate.

Rickster is doing ok and planning to attend his high school reunion next month. It was postponed due to lack of interest last year and year before due to Covid. I hope he has fun, but doesn't see his high school cheerleader girlfriend!! Hehehehehe!

Our favorite photographer took these awesome photos of M for her half-year birthday in June. Her full year birthday is right before xmas and that's a tough time due to cold and snow for photos! ;)

Hope you all Have a great Labor Day Weekend!!