It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

Literally, this has not been done since the first day of mail-in ballots, twenty-some years ago. And yet, I might do it again!

Yesterday I visited the local library for the early bird voting as my ballot went AWOL in the mail. It was absolutely pleasant as could be, complete with fun conversation and an entire six-persons-to-assist-only-me table. Where else can you get a captive audience if it isn’t with people already bored, waiting for some opportunity to help? I regaled the crew with stories of my lost ballot, sudden need to get dressed for the public, and fortune at having met them but probably not seeing them again if the system worked correctly, but considering in-person as they were in need of something to do. I also had a five minute “apres vote” conversation with the traffic director woman.

Voting took me 30 seconds. Conversation, ten.

Besides, I’m not in a hurry anymore, right? I’m still furloughed from my Scholastic job!

My ears are still ringing from Saturday’s sellout crowd in Nebraska. 85,000 people vocally supporting their team is a bit loud. Add the fireworks, the incredible marching band, flyover at the beginning of the game, and it will take all week to calm the senses! What fun.

Thankfully, we were able to refresh with this view from my bro and sis’s home. Now it’s back to the chill and drill of pre-holiday mania. We haven’t made it to Thanksgiving yet, but every store is Christmas-ready. Happy November!

Hope you had fun yesterday! My friend, “Parbara,” made these while on her Hawaiian vacation. Isn’t she talented?

Okay, Parb did not go to Hawaii, nor did she make these. Just as I did not make this pie:

Farewell, October!

“You can’t tailgate without a tailgate,” my brother boldly stated.

Thus, we went through the beautiful neon-blinking color-blast car wash last night at 8 pm, leaving with a spotless red Chevy Silverado, ready for the road and the U of N parking lot. We know how to have a good time in my family!

To top it off, we went to Menards, my favorite home improvement store. 8 PM on a Friday evening is a great time to shop, by the way. My brother and his wife, husband and I, each found treasures.

So when Nebraska trounces Purdue today, you’ll know it was because two Coloradans made the trek to cheer them on in a spotless red Chevy, decked in our finery. It’s a great day for football, family and friends.

Today I returned to my birthplace and visited the old home, the aunts and uncle, and the neighborhood pals. Other than a fence to pen in the dogs at my mother’s former house, nothing has changed in my eight-month absence.

Tomorrow – I shall be entertained by my ever-witty brother-in-law who is generously taking us to the Husker game. It’s always great to have a place to wear your red attire!

Living large in “The Good Life.”

It’s amazing how you mention that hallowed word, “Nebraska,” and you find more people with stories of their lives there and people they know. My first conversation of the day brought our shared home states to the foreground. And anyone from this remarkable state thinks you probably know someone they know. Often times, you do have someone in common. It took a few years, but my sister-in-law and I finally figured out we must have cheered against each other at high school sporting events and met each other all those years ago!

All of this is to say that I’m heading out to root for the Huskers and visit my Bro and SIL.

Go Big Red!

The best part of the day was the drive yesterday. It was gorgeous, traveling through the city streets from our appointment in the heart of Denver. Those majestic trees planted years ago were simultaneously dropping their leaves as the wind whipped them around our car. If my husband hadn’t been with me, I might have driven around just for the heck of it! It was magnificent.

And my gorgeous maple lost its leaves yesterday in the bluster. Fall wins in my “favorite season” category.

However, it’s getting there. I’m up rather early, and unfortunately, running the vacuum at this time of the day is not recommended.

It’s so beautiful outside right now – the temperature is still 61 degrees – no wind – clear skies. I’d go for a moonlit walk, but that’s not recommended when you are void of sidewalks. The newspaper hasn’t been delivered yet – physically or electronically, so I can’t do a puzzle and catch up on old news. My inbox is empty. My homework is finished. The only thing left to do is sleep!

Shinedown time…

My husband comes out of his office and says, “We say, “what?” I don’t even know how to properly write that. This was in response to my blog about anniversaries.

So, really, we don’t run around every hour saying, “what?” But seriously, if the washer, dryer, furnace, dog barking, bread machine, toilet flushing, neighbor mowing, faucet running, if any of those conditions exist, we say, “what?” I trace this hearing loss to Star Wars in theaters and that amazingly loud prelude to Dolby sound.

I was considering this loss of hearing, and quite frankly, thought that I am horribly happy to continue turning up the volume on my favorite songs! I just can’t NOT turn up the volume, open all the windows on the car, and sing! (Unless I’m on the interstate.)

It’s probably a miracle my ear still hears, “what?”

Two things which would normally drive me to the point of hair-pulling, were quite simply – easy!

Yesterday I needed to call the election commission for my county and have them track my ballot for the November duty. Calls to government agencies – not high on my list of joys. I prepared for a long haul, when to my surprise, Carol answered promptly and proceeded to regale me during our chat. We both laughed about the delays in many things, but she assured me their new system would be taking care of the many issues being experienced. She even told me she’d call me back so as not to keep me on hold as she navigated the new system doing her investigation. She was true to her word, and I now will be voting in person having voided the lost ballot. Not my favorite option, but the safest at this late date.

The second surprise was my easy online scheduling for a booster shot. Seriously? I tried to get the flu vaccine and could only do so after the third attempt, with help from my daughter. No walking in and getting assistance! No, no. No same day scheduling either! Tsk, tsk. It was irritating.

So it was a pleasant surprise when I didn’t even have to employ patience as a virtue for two minor aggravations. I was walking on air all day! Let’s see if I need a patience pill today for anything?