Underneath those towels are the two most beautiful easels I’ve ever seen. They represent just a few of the many props needed to make Flannel Fest special. Carey and I spent the morning with Mollie and Kallie decorating for the flannel gala. As we monitored Sam’s movements across America, we were inspired to make this the most beautiful and loving day ever. Only three problems revealed themselves: 1) no power by the crock pot, 2) underestimated pizza table space needs (changed from circles to keeping in the box so they stay warm, and 3) Carey decided her Pool Tournament style needed some Flannel Fest branding. We will solve them on Friday and carry on! Weather is looking less rainy. Yay!

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I assembled almost three hours of music titles to serve as the playlist for Flannel Fest. Many of the 43 songs were picked by members of the clan hoping to stir shared memories. The rest were simply my suggestions for people who were having trouble thinking of a song. Maggie took my list and transformed it into one heart-stirring delight after another. It has exceeded my expectations! I am so very grateful!

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Over the week-end, Keith lost his car keys. At least twenty man-hours and 1/10th of a women hours have been spent looking for the keys. The cost to replace it varies from $285 to $335 depending on whether it is the “master” of the pair or not. The 1/10th hour was me, this afternoon after getting replacement estimates. 10 min. on the phone with the dealership. And then five minutes walking to the car, looking under his seat, looking under my seat. Voila! It now is adorned with an Apple Air Tag. We played “Hide the Keys’ for an embarrasing amount of time. We are easily amuzed by technology. All is well and I am awesome! Keith was so thankful he bought me dinner. Yay!

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I took over the Charade prep for Samantha and Mollie. I worked with AI to make a cheat sheet of Charades challenges. It took a ridiculous number of prompts to get what I needed, but get it I did. Ten charade categories with 10-25 challenge ideas. I also made these cute little bags to hold the slips of paper for the opponents. My only regret is I won’t be able to play because I know all the answers!

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I made my poem look cute and posted it on the Flannel Fest website today. I am so excited for this party! I am working the list and getting so much done. I hope the event is half as fun as the prep!

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Brenda is a lovely woman who grew up with my daughters. She is a manager at the McDonald’s we frequent every morning for our caffeine kick-starts. She just lost her dad and the weight of it is so heavy. Given the things she’s been carrying before this happened, we are even more concerned about her well-being. I made this card for her and we had a long talk today. It is a privilege to give her a little extra love at a time like this. It makes me realize everyone needs a little extra love always, not just in times if grief.

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After 55 years of cleaning “his” toilet (the one in the Powder Room), I asked him to take over the chore. About one week into his new responsibility, he said he was getting a horseshoe seat because it would be more sanitary. I gave him my hardest no explaining aesthetics for rooms the public used should always trump function. I couldn’t bear the thought of this grade school seat in my beautiful powder room. To my surprise, my hard no was met with a harder yes and the fight goes on. I can’t imagine what a compromise might look like but there is no way this is going in the powder room. This will be fun!

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We tried all summer, the hottest summer in our life, to find a replacement for our dead air conditioner. It is a through-the-wall model from several centuries ago. The ones made today are tailored to newer construction codes with 24” on center studs. Since our house was built in the 1860’s, our studs are placed without regard to standard. This particular pair is about 15” on center and no replacement A/C exists. We finally surrendered to reality and Keith closed the hole, making a secret little hidey hole. You can see the panel with the two black screws (soon to be red) obscured by the book case. I love a mystery, especially one we invent for other people. Keith and I are brainstorming a few great ones for the grandkids.

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When someone discovers a lump in the region of their previous cancer, it is alarming. She had to wait until today for an MRI with contrast in Milwaukee. After about a half hour laying motionless on her belly, the die was cast and we waited for the verdict. Here it is: “Breast MRI was unremarkable, no abnormalities.” I thought it should say “Breast MRI was remarkable - FANTASTIC in fact. No abnormalities.”

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It was a challenge to fulfill Carey’s dream of a family tree for Flannel Fest. There were lots of familial pitfalls that needed to be avoided. My solution was a clan of only invitees, and a logo which combined Ojibwa, Viking, and Irish heritage. Natural generational divisions were used to separate Elders, Warriors, and Sprouts. And everyone’s name was memorialized. The chart will be included in the Memory Book I intend to make and online if people want to download it. I just adore little graphic design projects like this. A labor of love.

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Maggie is taking care of her friend Amy’s dog named Oakley. There is a lengthy rabies protocol he must complete before he is allowed to join Amy in Hawaii. I was invited to ride along to Neenah with a couple of errands along the way. I cherish times like this spent with my daughters. So easy, laid back, and lovely. Oakley was a perfect gentleman. (Photo Credit: Jaspir)

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Mollie was outraged that SSM gave Keith a 1-hr. ultrasound today and a 2-hr. one tomorrow. She suspected it was a ruse to capture more billing. The Ultrasound Tech agreed. She did all 3-hours worth of tests in 40 minutes this morning. I think she might get fired and I don’t think she’ll care. It seemed like she maybe had already argued with someone about the self-serving scheduling, and this was her an act of defiance. She told Keith, “If they try to get you to come tomorrow, DON”T. You have all the tests your doctor ordered.”

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It took two months and a huge amount of time and effort to make the new Photo Contest website. Although there are still a few troubles that need shooting, I’m calling it done as of today’s completion of comments and judging for the September contest. Yay! I just love it.

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Our most diligent photographer won his inaugural First Place award today, and he doesn’t even have to share it with anyone. Congratulations to Allan with this montage of the drought-taxed ponds at our beloved Wildwood Park in Marshfield. I am so happy for him!our beloved Wildwood Park in Marshfield. I am so happy for him!

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Two of our best friends founded Gilbertson Engineering decades ago. We were invited to tour their new shop and were stunned by this ominous, abandoned treehouse located at the neighboring farm. Coincidentally, my brother John had just told me about a Pat Benatar song called “Hell is for Children.” The first line of the lyrics seemed a perfect photo title: They Cry In the Dark. I love the photo. The treehouse would make a disturbing centerpiece for a haunted house tour on Halloween.

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This is titled Blue Hat Laundry Day. When Keith washes all his hats, he stuffs them with filler to hold their shape and hangs them on the shaker peg board to dry. It looks to me like I’ve stumbled upon a secret meeting of the “Blue Hats” political alliance from the 1930’s. But, that couldn’t be true. If there ever was such a thing, I would be highly suspicious. Keith does not join groups!

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Such a relevant and difficult topic makes it a superb choice for this month’s discussion. It lurks in the corner from childhood and throughout life as THE true existential fear, hard-wired by evolution, and underlying all fears. I think we are all looking forward to a discussion that helps us make friends with this upcoming finale to our cherished lives. Should be poignant, useful, and memorable. Knowing me, it will also be tearful.

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