weekending

the weekend started early.

we set off for madison to take teddy on his first college visit.

my mood was a little foul like the weather.

it was a gray, rainy day so I wasn’t looking forward to traipsing around campus.

i left the umbrella at home because we departed in such a hurry...

it's the wegehaupt way.

mike, our resident weatherman, assured me that we wouldn’t need it, but on the way the rain seemed heavier and the skies darker.

i wasn't convinced.

while the guys parked the car, i found a shop in union south that sold umbrellas.

i bought two.

i was about to buy a rain jacket when they caught up with me.

again, mike expressed his complete confidence in a beautiful day.

i passed on the pullover and returned one of the umbrellas.

ye have some faith.

we gathered for a large-group presentation in a theater.
the kids all looked so young...too young...and a little overwhelmed.
i wanted to hug them all and tell them everything would be ok.

i was prepared like a boy scout with a pad of paper and a pen.

i wrote exactly one sentence before my pen crapped out.

sometimes we prepare and still fail.

it turns out there wasn’t much to write down and when we left the union some 20 minutes later, it was a sunny, glorious day in madtown.

we were the only ones dressed for the weather.

my guy didn't let me forget it all day.

the tour took us in a loop around campus including grainger hall where ted will spend lots of time if he chooses madison.

about 6 miles around, up and then down bascom hill. 
i don't miss that trek, but i have missed the view.

  

 it was the last day of spring semester so the campus was charged with excitement and anticipation.

nothing quite compares to madison on a beautiful friday afternoon.

mike and i resisted the strong urge to spend too much time reminiscing, but we did show up in bucky gear.

ted even let us buy him a t shirt.

i think the tour went well.

i think teddy could see himself fitting in there quite seamlessly.

after a housing tour, we meandered back on the lake shore path to state street.

we thought we’d find a fun place for some lunch.

it was 3 o'clock and we were hot and hungry.

ted vetoed state street brats, tried to suggest pot belly and then we gave up and agreed to try a breakfast all day joint almost to the capitol.
it was forgettable, but the day was not.

turns out ted was anxious to come home and catch up with his friends for a round of golf and wing stop wings post match.

it was 3 o'clock and there was still plenty of time to golf.
dah!

it’s what’s on his mind these days and nights.

we didn’t take it personally though because we know his passion.

and we were dog tired too.
emotionally exhausted.

in fact, i was in bed early, woke long enough to pick lil up from a friend’s and then went straight back to bed.

that meant i was up extra early saturday morning just the way i like it.

mike too.

we felt refreshed and decided to invite some friends over spontaneously for cinco de mayo.

ted and a couple of his golf buddies joined us after a day on the course as well.

we planned a simple menu and had a great night talking a blue streak, laughing until crying and singing old songs.
we never left the kitchen and before we knew it, it was dark and late and time for siesta.

mike’s fajitas were a hit, my salsa was a favorite and the churros cupcakes were good and gone.

i learned that subbing beef stock for the water in a pot of pinto beans makes them sort of special.

i also learned that juicing your own limes is a nice touch for margaritas so long as you remember to make the simple syrup.

sunday i was up early again and out weeding the garden soon after coffee.

everything is coming up and filling in and every year it sort of amazes me.
it also amazes me how very much satisfaction i get from pulling weeds from the ground.

teddy had another golf date or two, and lily and mike had softball practice.

i cleaned up for a date with the ladies to see a gentleman’s guide to love and murder.

the performance started off slow, then picked up midway through the first act, and by the end, i had a big smile on my face.
i obviously enjoyed it.

post show festivities took place at jackson blue ribbon, a crowd favorite.

only we had the place to ourselves and that was nice.

i was a real lady ordering wings, which i washed down with chilled chardonnay.

a real happy lady.

after a little one on one time with my aunt, i came home sunday night happy and tired, but eager to get things ready for the busy week ahead.

i put together a banana bread to bake for monday morning breakfast.

ted had two ap exams that day and i like to feed him well especially on test days.

never mind that the half hour early I rose wasn’t enough time for the monster loaf to cook.

i put some chicken in the over to bake for lil’s daily lunch salad.

then i drifted off and it cooked to hockey puck perfection.

i tell myself it’s all about intentions.

best intentions.

it's really all that matters.
the end.