Quote of the Week

"We Must be Willing to Give Up the Life We Have Planned, So As to Have the Life that is Waiting for Us."
-Joseph Campbell
Week of Aug 12, 2013




Saturday, February 28, 2009

Fun Day

Today has been great. Really. Hard to believe I'm saying that with 6.5 inches of snow on the ground. But is has been.

Got up at 8am to watch our snow coverage. I'm on call, so I needed to be on top of it - make sure we were "owning" weather. Show was good. I laid around a little longer, and it wasn't too bad to get up at 8.

Ryan made pancakes - they really hit the spot, then we kind of just laid around a little longer. We had NOTHING in our cabinets -- and really needed to replenish, so Ryan ventured out for a big grocery hit ... and the boys and I lugged out ALL the Play-doh. And they've got quite a collection. We played Play-doh for about 2 hours ... and everyone enjoyed it! I took several pics of them creating and just enjoying us all together in an activity.
After lunch we all put on our winter clothes and snow suits and headed outside. We got the sleds out and the boys all did some sledding down the perfectly sized hill in our front yard. Jack, who never wants to come out to play in the snow, had some new snow pants and actually had some fun. Yes, he was the first to go in, but he stayed out much longer than he usually does.

We then came in -- the house smelled GREAT from the roast Ryan had going in the stove. We made hot chocolate for everyone -- with colored marshmellows and enjoyed that and a big fire to warm up.

Later, we all sat down for a FABULOUS dinner. And now I'm downstairs tinkering with my scrap stuff .. hoping to scrap .. but mostly just organizing. Well, honestly I keep playing around on the computer (obviously) ... but still. I got my website up playing my FAVE songs and am just really enjoying this great snow day. And the evening still awaits!




Thursday, February 26, 2009

Recalculating ... Life Lessons from a GPS

I got my husband a fancy GPS thingy for his birthday. It's portable - but we mostly stick it on the windshield in the car and let it tell us which way to go. The is a very appropriate gift for my directionally challenged husband. (He got lost on our first date.)

What's cool is that this very pleasant voice reminds you of turns ahead and helps navigate the drive. And, she is very patient.

For example, if I had been looking at a map -- or just giving suggestions on our route, and Ryan took a wrong turn (inevitable), I'd probably launch into eye-rolling ... proceeded by huffing ... and the more turned around we get, remind him "I TOLD you to go that way, but nooooo ..."

Not the lady in the GPS. Her tone never changes. And if you make a wrong turn, there's a brief pause, and then she simply says "RECALCULATING." Throw her any curve ball, and the answer is a steady, calm, non-condescending "RECALCULATING."

Imagine if you could work that into how you handle difficult people or situations.
Kid can't find his shoes and you need to be walking out the door NOW? You could yell and scream, or pause: RECALCULATING. Get your wits about you and find the shoes.

Time to head out the door and you go to the kitchen to find same kid covered in Sketti-O's? First instinct: FLIP OUT. But instead: RECALCULATING. New shirt. Move on.

Or at work. Work all day on a special project or idea, present it with high hopes, then get told -- "that's not what we had in mind." Heartbreak? Pout? Discouraged? RECALCULATING. Ok, what do I need to do to meet their expectations? Adjust. Adapt. Recalculate.

If we could all have the patience and ability to adjust -- like the calm lady in the GPS, the road we're traveling would probably still be bumpy ... but the ride would be easier.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

flingin' flangin'....#@#!%%

still working on the redo. can't get the header "just right" - it's all squished in the middle instead of spread out across the top. my eyes are starting to cross. i need to do something else for awhile. you know i'm fried when i'm not capitalizing my sentences or my "i'"'s. that's fried.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Seriously?

So, I had lost my first 10 pounds and rewarded myself with this new raincoat. I LOVE it. My husband saw it and backed away -- not a fan I guess. (Rolling eyes.) But I not only bought the jacket -- I bought a matching umbrella and ..... this hat. (I considered the knee high rubber boots that are all the rage too, but resisted.) Ok, so that hat. The model was wearing it in the picture - and it looked so cute. But, she must have had like a cantalope on top of her head or something. Because, no matter HOW I put it on -- this is what I get. So, it's either made for Marge Simpson ... or that dude from Fat Albert, and I need eye holes.

Ryan flipped up the bottom flaps ... and it looks more like a sailor hat. He liked that, but I'm not sure. That's NOT how the model had it on. And if I try to shift it back a bit, like a jaunty hat, or up and back, it just falls back down again and I'm blind.

Oh well. I'll figure something out. And by the way - today I'm celebrating hitting a 15 pound weightloss. Maybe I'll reward myself with a cantalope.

Friday, February 13, 2009

I AM Awesome.

I am awesome.
I am super mom. 
Today I did my weigh-in and have now achieved an 11 pound weight loss.  Good milestone.  I was feeling good.  Because I am awesome.  Focus on the word "was."

I purchased all the "parts" for the craft for Kyle's V'tines party.  That's enough for all three kindergarten classes.  I did not seek reimbursement.  I wanted to donate.  

I cut out all the pieces for the craft, and put them in sandwich bags so everyone could just have a pre-cut ready to assemble craft - grab your bag and go.  Enough for all three kindergarten classes.  I am awesome.

I made 6 posters with the teachers' black and white pictures blown up and decorated like "valentine princesses" ... 2 for all three classes so the classes could divide up and have two games of pin-the-lips on the V'Tine princess going at once.  I hand drew and cut 60 lips for the game.  I am awesome.

I created bingo cards for all three classes ... in color and on cardstock.  I made the calling cards and provided bingo prizes for all three classes.  I am awesome.

I put together the party like a newscast rundown - timing each activity and planning for transitions from one fun thing to the next.  I was prepared for extra students, accidents, diversions, and had Plans B, C and D.

I took the day off.  I went to the school.  I pulled off the party like no one's business.  I had instructions for the parents to follow so they could see what was happening next and how they could help.  The parents were happy.  The teacher was happy.  The kids were happy.  

And from all of that, I should FEEL awesome.  But one moment, one fleeting second, one sidebar, offline, out of sync moment is what rings with me now.   
As I started the party, I hear one of Kyle's friends say to him:  "Your mom is too fat."  
Awesome.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wednesday Woe is Me

It's one of those days. Nothing in particular is bothering me. I'm not sad or mad or anything like that. Just feeling ..... like mush. I'd like to grab a blanket and curl up in silence. Maybe read a book ... or snooze. In quiet. Maybe I'm over stimulated and need a break.

It'd be great to have a full day to do nothin'. No compulsion to clean or get caught up on whatever -- just do NOTHING.

Maybe that's a good descriptor of my mood: nothing.
Inspirational, huh?