International Fun

Change of plans this weekend. I wanted to head south to visit my folks, but haven't felt 100% lately, so I decided to stay home this weekend. Did an easy run this morning and then headed out on the lake this afternoon. Where did all those people come from?

Oh that's right, it's that time of year when all the international students from UW-Stout come out to Tainter Lake to enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun. I chatted with these two young ladies for a while. The gal on the left is from Romania, and the gal on the right is from England.

Of course broom ball is very popular with the students! They were certainly having a good time.

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These young ladies from China were so sweet. Would you please take our picture? I sure will, I said!

Can I take your picture? Awwwh....you sure can!

Even Bike man got in the action here and gave a lesson on drilling an ice hole with the gas auger. Just seeing and hearing this gal squeal was precious. What we take for granted, these people relish as fun. I'm so glad these students had fun today.

Surprise Today

The sunset was pretty tonight. Wasn't long after I took this photo and the dark clouds moved in and the wind kicked up, then the snow flakes started flying!

Hey, I heard a robin singing this morning in the woods next to our house. Can you believe that? It's mid February for heavens sake. Robins aren't suppose to show up until mid March. Does this indicate an early spring????

Outside

Another mild day with lots of sunshine and temperatures in the upper 30's. What little snow we have on the ground is slowly melting. I don't think I've ever experienced a winter like this one in all my 51 years! I'm not complaining, but only perplexed at what's going on with our weather.

I guess I choose a good winter season to continue my running workouts. I'm accomplishing my goal of getting outside to exercise verses working out inside a gym......did that, done that......not anymore! I'm a slow runner, but at least I'm getting out and about and it feels good!

Special Treat

She lives a quiet life now and doesn't have a care in the world. Well actually, in her world every day seems like the same day over and over again. My mother-in-law lives with memory loss now, but she's still the same woman I remember from years ago.

I thought my mother-in-law deserved chocolates for Valentine's Day, so Bike man and I stopped by the specialty chocolate shop last weekend. You know, everyone deserves chocolate no matter how young or old you are.

We just happen to visit with my mother-in-law over the weekend, so I presented her with this lovely box of chocolates. " They're too pretty to eat " she says! After hesitation to pick her first candy to eat, I finally picked one for her to try. She only ate half, but I know she was pleased. My mother-in-law won't remember where the chocolates came from, but that's ok, we still love her just the same.

Happy Valentine's Day Grandma Winne.

Birthday Wishes

Can you guess my recent baking project? In my family, I'm known as the cheesecake lady.....hint, hint.

Yup, this was my Sunday night project. I baked another Heath Bar cheesecake, just like the one I baked for Becca's birthday back in November. Well this time, I baked one for the Son. Happy 24th Birthday Chris!!!!! Bike man just happened to be in Minneapolis today for a VA appointment, so he hand-delivered the cheesecake to our son. I wish I could have been there, but my job rules my life, so no such luck.

Speaking of birthday's, I remember my baby experiences very well. After Chris's birth, I remember the nurses bringing all these Valentines into my room. It seems that the elementary children at the local school made Valentine cards for the hospital patients. Since there were only two of us gals in the maternity wing, we were given tons of Valentine cards from the local school kids. How cool is that? I have very fond memories of Becca's birth too. There's nothing comparable to giving birth. As a mom, I will always cherish the moment.....the moment where I went from being a young lady in my mid 20's to an instant mommie!

Hope you enjoyed your birthday Son!

Hello Friends

Man oh man that sunshine felt good today. After two days of 15-20 mph winds and cold temperatures, it felt good to get out and run my three mile route. Just having fun with my shadow today!!!!!