As parents, we want our children to inherit the best of both of us. Who doesn't want their child to have brains, brawn and beauty, plus be sensitive and sensible and have a sense of humor?
The problem is when something quirky shows up in the gene pool. Then who's going to take ownership? Usually, in Carter's case, I get to take credit, er blame, for those! (Why is that??)
I honestly did not know the Squeamish Gene could be passed on from generation to generation. You know the one I'm talking about -- the Wimp Chromosome.... the Faint Factor....
I can pass out at the drop of a hat, well the drop of blood anyway. I am known to block the television screen with a pillow through much of Grey's Anatomy. I can't give blood anymore because they just can't find a way to keep me conscious.
It hasn't been fun to live with personally. And now I find out Carter's got "it."
My phone rang at work about 2:30 p.m. I could tell by the caller I.D. that it was a direct call that usually only comes from Carter or family. Knowing that school wasn't out, I said, "This can't be good." I was right.
The caller was one of Carter's teachers. As a mother, I can't begin to tell you how many thoughts went through my mind from the beginning of her sentence "Carter passed out in school today..." to the end of the sentence "... but we revived him and he's fine."
Here's a hint for you school personnel out there: Never use the word "revive" when talking to a worried mother! "We revived him" sounds way more serious than "He fainted after seeing something gross and we nudged him back awake." Which was actually the case.
Apparently they ended the day with a special speaker who came in to talk about his near-death experience after being crushed by a semi he was working on. I'm sure he talked about his faith and how that helped him through it all. But then he just had to show his scars and Carter, being of sound mind and weak stomach, fainted on the spot. Thankfully sitting and thankfully right by a group of teachers.
Colin gave him a ride home so he wouldn't have to ride the bus. He managed to get his homework done but then stuck to the couch. At first I figured he was really milking this for attention. But now I am thinking these complaints of cold hands and an "owie tummy" could mean he has a flu bug or something.
At least then we'd have hope this "thing" isn't permanent!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
The Game Plan
Going into each basketball game, Carter's coaches share their strategy. Basically it's pretty simple: Just implement the game plan. You know, all those plays, moves, strategies, drills we go over and over and in practice? Do them!
When the team doesn't follow the game plan -- or prepare to work around challenges -- it doesn't do so well.
Tonight that was the unfortunate case in the Assumption boys game against the Rapids West Junior High team (which consists of former teammates and classmates of Carter's). We ended up going scoreless the first quarter, were behind 20-6 at half, then lost 36-20.
Carter played tough on defense but did not contribute much offensively. He was 0 for 1 from the free-throw line, and there are times it looked like he hadn't touched a basketball since the last game. And, in fact, due to the long Thanksgiving weekend, that was the case.
Just goes to show you when you have a game plan, you need to learn it, learn from it and find a way to implement it -- even when obstacles (tall kids, lack of practice, etc.) seem to be standing in your way.
Trust me, I know what happens when I don't follow my game plan. If I'm on the golf course, I starting shanking shots, missing putts and cursing like a sailor. If I'm running a race, I get a cramp or side ache or can fizzle out early, too early. In life, I tend to get cranky and, therefore, by the process of osmosis or something scientific I'm sure, get everyone else cranky. Not good.
I am one of those fortunate folks who actually has a game plan for living a positive, peaceful life. I had been trying to outrun God's proverbial lightning bolt for a long time. And actually managed to stay a step or 2 ahead of it, sort of. It was 12 years ago today that it hit me, as close to literally as it could, and I had an awakening. All I had to do was turn my will (that's a hard one) and my life over to God.
Simple, right? It is if you remember to do it every day and sometimes more than once a day. It all goes to Him and He can do what He wants with it. But I have to trust Him. That's part of the game plan. If I try to take control -- take my will back -- we're in trouble. Well, one of us is anyway.
Thankfully, I have a super support network of family and special friends who keep me on my game, who keep me "growing" in the right direction. You are awesome and I love you!
If there is one thing I have learned over the past dozen years, it's this: We cannot change our past but we have the power to change the person we become because of it. You just have to follow the game plan.
And, if you're human like me and screw up. Ask God for the strength to start over tomorrow.
It's worth it.
When the team doesn't follow the game plan -- or prepare to work around challenges -- it doesn't do so well.
Tonight that was the unfortunate case in the Assumption boys game against the Rapids West Junior High team (which consists of former teammates and classmates of Carter's). We ended up going scoreless the first quarter, were behind 20-6 at half, then lost 36-20.
Carter played tough on defense but did not contribute much offensively. He was 0 for 1 from the free-throw line, and there are times it looked like he hadn't touched a basketball since the last game. And, in fact, due to the long Thanksgiving weekend, that was the case.
Just goes to show you when you have a game plan, you need to learn it, learn from it and find a way to implement it -- even when obstacles (tall kids, lack of practice, etc.) seem to be standing in your way.
Trust me, I know what happens when I don't follow my game plan. If I'm on the golf course, I starting shanking shots, missing putts and cursing like a sailor. If I'm running a race, I get a cramp or side ache or can fizzle out early, too early. In life, I tend to get cranky and, therefore, by the process of osmosis or something scientific I'm sure, get everyone else cranky. Not good.
I am one of those fortunate folks who actually has a game plan for living a positive, peaceful life. I had been trying to outrun God's proverbial lightning bolt for a long time. And actually managed to stay a step or 2 ahead of it, sort of. It was 12 years ago today that it hit me, as close to literally as it could, and I had an awakening. All I had to do was turn my will (that's a hard one) and my life over to God.
Simple, right? It is if you remember to do it every day and sometimes more than once a day. It all goes to Him and He can do what He wants with it. But I have to trust Him. That's part of the game plan. If I try to take control -- take my will back -- we're in trouble. Well, one of us is anyway.
Thankfully, I have a super support network of family and special friends who keep me on my game, who keep me "growing" in the right direction. You are awesome and I love you!
If there is one thing I have learned over the past dozen years, it's this: We cannot change our past but we have the power to change the person we become because of it. You just have to follow the game plan.
And, if you're human like me and screw up. Ask God for the strength to start over tomorrow.
It's worth it.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Game Day
Am home and exhausted -- in a good way -- after a great weekend Up North.
Got to my twin's before dark Friday and we commenced to cookie baking. Well a little bit. After supper, Carter and I assisted her with her peanut butter cup cookies. Basically we unwrapped the cups and tried not to eat them. Tough job but someone had to do it.
We got up Saturday morning to get everything ready for the "crowd" otherwise known as our family. We had some lunch and grazed all day while mainly playing games. There was little baking actually going on. Just lots of eating, laughing and playing. We should almost just call it our annual "Game Day" but I guess that would indicate we only do those once a year. Not so.
It's not that our family is competitive (well, it is). We just like having fun playing old favorites -- and introducing each other to new games we have learned since the previous gathering.
Yesterday we played some cards (I continued in my brother's spot after he left and won). We had a new game called Smartass that I did not partake in but, based on the name alone, undoubtedly would have won. And a new "old" game called Pit that I remember my parents having when I was a kid. I don't remember playing it, though. Surely something so loud would not have gone on long.
In fact, Carter got so into that game (the yelling part) that he woke up this morning without a voice. I was so proud. He's a true Hedberg alright.
By the way, his voice returned so there was no permanent damage :)
Carter and I hit the road in mid-morning and got home in time to see "highlights" of the Vikings' first road game win this year. So we had 2 successful Game Days in a row! Will Carter's basketball game tomorrow make it 3?
Let's hope so!
Got to my twin's before dark Friday and we commenced to cookie baking. Well a little bit. After supper, Carter and I assisted her with her peanut butter cup cookies. Basically we unwrapped the cups and tried not to eat them. Tough job but someone had to do it.
We got up Saturday morning to get everything ready for the "crowd" otherwise known as our family. We had some lunch and grazed all day while mainly playing games. There was little baking actually going on. Just lots of eating, laughing and playing. We should almost just call it our annual "Game Day" but I guess that would indicate we only do those once a year. Not so.
It's not that our family is competitive (well, it is). We just like having fun playing old favorites -- and introducing each other to new games we have learned since the previous gathering.
Yesterday we played some cards (I continued in my brother's spot after he left and won). We had a new game called Smartass that I did not partake in but, based on the name alone, undoubtedly would have won. And a new "old" game called Pit that I remember my parents having when I was a kid. I don't remember playing it, though. Surely something so loud would not have gone on long.
In fact, Carter got so into that game (the yelling part) that he woke up this morning without a voice. I was so proud. He's a true Hedberg alright.
By the way, his voice returned so there was no permanent damage :)
Carter and I hit the road in mid-morning and got home in time to see "highlights" of the Vikings' first road game win this year. So we had 2 successful Game Days in a row! Will Carter's basketball game tomorrow make it 3?
Let's hope so!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Black Friday
For the first time in probably 10 years, I set an alarm the day after Thanksgiving so I could go feed my scrapbooking need!
My friend Christine picked me up at 5:30 a.m. and we headed to Menards in Plover. I had discovered yesterday that Menards was carrying a different, larger version of the Cricut I had planned to get at Michaels -- at a quite a decent price. When got to Menards we saw the line was around the building. The temps were in the teens this morning so I really didn't have to think twice. "Screw it. Let's go to Michaels!"
Since Michaels had opened at 5 a.m. the big crowd was gone. I waltzed right in and got my Cricut! Yay!
After stopping at Wal-Mart and Kohl's, we did stop at Menards one more time. But when we got in the store, the lines were all the way to the back of the store. We basically turned around and left.
Now I have to see if I have to wrap up my new toy or if I get to play with it. Even though I play Santa a good chunk of the time, I somehow don't think that's my call!
Oh well, I won't get to it this weekend anyway. Carter and I are hitting the road right now to go to my twin sister's in the Grantsburg-Siren area. Waaaay up north where they've had lots of snow. We want to get there when the sun is still shining, so we're going in a few minutes. Tomorrow will be the cookie bake, then Sunday we return.
Hubby will hardly miss us. He helped at the basketball tourney this morning, is going to visit his aunt and uncle in Marshfield later today, and has some indoor girls softball to attend in the Dells tomorrow.
The kitty is napping in the sunshine and couldn't care less. I'm jealous!
Except I have a Cricut and she doesn't!!
My friend Christine picked me up at 5:30 a.m. and we headed to Menards in Plover. I had discovered yesterday that Menards was carrying a different, larger version of the Cricut I had planned to get at Michaels -- at a quite a decent price. When got to Menards we saw the line was around the building. The temps were in the teens this morning so I really didn't have to think twice. "Screw it. Let's go to Michaels!"
Since Michaels had opened at 5 a.m. the big crowd was gone. I waltzed right in and got my Cricut! Yay!
After stopping at Wal-Mart and Kohl's, we did stop at Menards one more time. But when we got in the store, the lines were all the way to the back of the store. We basically turned around and left.
Now I have to see if I have to wrap up my new toy or if I get to play with it. Even though I play Santa a good chunk of the time, I somehow don't think that's my call!
Oh well, I won't get to it this weekend anyway. Carter and I are hitting the road right now to go to my twin sister's in the Grantsburg-Siren area. Waaaay up north where they've had lots of snow. We want to get there when the sun is still shining, so we're going in a few minutes. Tomorrow will be the cookie bake, then Sunday we return.
Hubby will hardly miss us. He helped at the basketball tourney this morning, is going to visit his aunt and uncle in Marshfield later today, and has some indoor girls softball to attend in the Dells tomorrow.
The kitty is napping in the sunshine and couldn't care less. I'm jealous!
Except I have a Cricut and she doesn't!!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Turkey and Stuffing
We all know we're going to overeat on Thanksgiving. We tell ourselves we'll take it easy this year. We'll just take little portions. Of everything. And suddenly your plate is full. And you have to clean your plate.
Then you are stuffed.
But wait. There's pumpkin pie...
Ohmigosh! You can't say "no" to it when you only have it once, maybe twice, a year! But oh I am regretting it now.
I am super stuffed. And it's been hours since we finished eating! I guess the first thing I should be thankful for today is that I did not go hungry!
I am also thankful for my in-laws, who hosted us and served up the best dressing on the planet plus the delicious pies! I'm also always thankful for my birth family, who are celebrating hundreds of miles away in their own homes or at their in-laws' today, too. I feel very grateful that we'll all still make the effort to gather again this weekend for my family's annual Cookie Bake & Exchange.
I was especially pleased today that our little family of 5 was all together, too. Casey came home from college and he and Clay joined us at Grandpa and Grandma Austins'. As much as I love seeing them, Carter is always 10 times more excited. He misses his big brothers so family time is not taken for granted.
Naturally, I am most thankful for my loving husband and wonderful son. They are the light of my world. If you would have told me 20 Turkey Days ago that someday I would love 2 people this much, I could not have believed it possible. God has truly blessed me. And I thank Him for it every day, believe me.
I hope you found much to be thankful for today, too. Sure it's cold and the roads are crappy and maybe your favorite NFL team is in the toilet. Take a look at the big picture though, and you'll see that it's not so bad. In fact, life is good!
Maybe tonight when we go to bed we can count our blessings instead of sheep. I should probably start now. You know what they say: Early to bed... Early to buys...
Then you are stuffed.
But wait. There's pumpkin pie...
Ohmigosh! You can't say "no" to it when you only have it once, maybe twice, a year! But oh I am regretting it now.
I am super stuffed. And it's been hours since we finished eating! I guess the first thing I should be thankful for today is that I did not go hungry!
I am also thankful for my in-laws, who hosted us and served up the best dressing on the planet plus the delicious pies! I'm also always thankful for my birth family, who are celebrating hundreds of miles away in their own homes or at their in-laws' today, too. I feel very grateful that we'll all still make the effort to gather again this weekend for my family's annual Cookie Bake & Exchange.
I was especially pleased today that our little family of 5 was all together, too. Casey came home from college and he and Clay joined us at Grandpa and Grandma Austins'. As much as I love seeing them, Carter is always 10 times more excited. He misses his big brothers so family time is not taken for granted.
Naturally, I am most thankful for my loving husband and wonderful son. They are the light of my world. If you would have told me 20 Turkey Days ago that someday I would love 2 people this much, I could not have believed it possible. God has truly blessed me. And I thank Him for it every day, believe me.
I hope you found much to be thankful for today, too. Sure it's cold and the roads are crappy and maybe your favorite NFL team is in the toilet. Take a look at the big picture though, and you'll see that it's not so bad. In fact, life is good!
Maybe tonight when we go to bed we can count our blessings instead of sheep. I should probably start now. You know what they say: Early to bed... Early to buys...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Ringing in the Season
At some point today we definitely shifted from Autumn to Winter. But since most of my family in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin have already dealt with this, I best not complain. Besides, who can complain after a day off?
Got to sleep in a bit while Daddy took Carter to school. At 9:30 we went to school, too, since Assumption was holding a special Thanksgiving Mass today. (It's always encouraging to "spy" on our son and our nephew and see them both behaving!)
When we got home, I braved the winds and the frosty air and went for a run. B-r-r. It was cold but I did the 5 miles. (I do hope it's a nice 35-degree day when I do the Frostbite 5 next week!) When I got home I found hubby in bed, taking a little nap with Sylvester. They were all snugged up like there's no place they needed to be but sleeping. And on a day off, I guess there wasn't!
After a shower, I went over to Carter's old sitters -- who run a tree farm, too -- and picked up some Christmas wreaths I pre-ordered. Got home and put up the big one on the house. There, that's my contribution to outdoor decorating! Well I will get around to putting garland and bows on the deck, but not until after Thanksgiving. Let's not rush things.
After school, Carter joined me in our first bell-ringing experience for the Salvation Army. Last year, I called United Way to volunteer but they already had the slots filled for the season. So they put my name on a list and called me back in October. Carter and I will ring twice this season -- the day before Thanksgiving and on Dec. 22, the day before "Christmas Break" around here.
We got a good shift from 4-6 p.m. at one of the local grocery stores. This is the first day for it so people were sort of surprised to see us -- hear us -- but they were generous. Maybe because they have been thinking about their many blessings this Thanksgiving, they felt like giving.
Or maybe because Carter was ringing with me. I told him he's my ace in the hole. Several people commented that it is good to see a child ringing the bell and learning what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. I couldn't agree more. We have everything we need so why think twice about giving to someone who doesn't? This one elderly gentleman handed Carter a 10-dollar bill to put in the red kettle and said, "I know you're too young to know who Red Skelton is, but I'm going to tell you what he always said at the end of his show: Good night and God bless." I thought that was cool.
The only negative was that the whole time we were standing there -- indoors in an entryway thankfully -- we saw the season change. Snow began falling, quickly turned to sleet, accumulating as slush and covering vehicles and roads all within our 2-hour shift. Even the plows got out in that time!
So it was not a fun drive home but I guess it's the season, isn't it? We can't very well ring bells and sing about a winter wonderland if we don't have one.
Got to sleep in a bit while Daddy took Carter to school. At 9:30 we went to school, too, since Assumption was holding a special Thanksgiving Mass today. (It's always encouraging to "spy" on our son and our nephew and see them both behaving!)
When we got home, I braved the winds and the frosty air and went for a run. B-r-r. It was cold but I did the 5 miles. (I do hope it's a nice 35-degree day when I do the Frostbite 5 next week!) When I got home I found hubby in bed, taking a little nap with Sylvester. They were all snugged up like there's no place they needed to be but sleeping. And on a day off, I guess there wasn't!
After a shower, I went over to Carter's old sitters -- who run a tree farm, too -- and picked up some Christmas wreaths I pre-ordered. Got home and put up the big one on the house. There, that's my contribution to outdoor decorating! Well I will get around to putting garland and bows on the deck, but not until after Thanksgiving. Let's not rush things.
After school, Carter joined me in our first bell-ringing experience for the Salvation Army. Last year, I called United Way to volunteer but they already had the slots filled for the season. So they put my name on a list and called me back in October. Carter and I will ring twice this season -- the day before Thanksgiving and on Dec. 22, the day before "Christmas Break" around here.
We got a good shift from 4-6 p.m. at one of the local grocery stores. This is the first day for it so people were sort of surprised to see us -- hear us -- but they were generous. Maybe because they have been thinking about their many blessings this Thanksgiving, they felt like giving.
Or maybe because Carter was ringing with me. I told him he's my ace in the hole. Several people commented that it is good to see a child ringing the bell and learning what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. I couldn't agree more. We have everything we need so why think twice about giving to someone who doesn't? This one elderly gentleman handed Carter a 10-dollar bill to put in the red kettle and said, "I know you're too young to know who Red Skelton is, but I'm going to tell you what he always said at the end of his show: Good night and God bless." I thought that was cool.
The only negative was that the whole time we were standing there -- indoors in an entryway thankfully -- we saw the season change. Snow began falling, quickly turned to sleet, accumulating as slush and covering vehicles and roads all within our 2-hour shift. Even the plows got out in that time!
So it was not a fun drive home but I guess it's the season, isn't it? We can't very well ring bells and sing about a winter wonderland if we don't have one.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
TGImF (Thank God it's MY Friday)
I love a week that starts on a Monday and quickly transitions to a "Friday" the next day.
Yes I am one of those loads who is turning their 4-day Thanksgiving weekend into a 5-day one! And I'm not feeling the least bit guilty about it. Had a productive day at work so we could leave in time to catch Carter's 5 p.m. basketball game versus the Auburndale Apaches.
The little village of Auburndale is known in these parts for their strong basketball program at the high school level, so we weren't sure what to expect. After last night's sound defeat, I'm guessing there were no expectations whatsoever. Maybe, though, an angry drive to go and get that first win.
And that they did.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, we have a W on the record books. Whoo-hoo!
It took a slow start but we did get a lead and kept it. At halftime, it was 16-12 and it stayed pretty much a 2- to 4-point game. Carter did not add to our point total. He was 0 for 2 from the free-throw line. But he had 3 or 4 rebounds and at least one take-away. So he had an OK game, too. Final score was 36-28.
Assumption wins!
Now it would be nice to carry that victory into another game this week. But just like his lazy parents, Carter doesn't have to function (in that capacity anyway) until next Monday!
TGIF!
Yes I am one of those loads who is turning their 4-day Thanksgiving weekend into a 5-day one! And I'm not feeling the least bit guilty about it. Had a productive day at work so we could leave in time to catch Carter's 5 p.m. basketball game versus the Auburndale Apaches.
The little village of Auburndale is known in these parts for their strong basketball program at the high school level, so we weren't sure what to expect. After last night's sound defeat, I'm guessing there were no expectations whatsoever. Maybe, though, an angry drive to go and get that first win.
And that they did.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, we have a W on the record books. Whoo-hoo!
It took a slow start but we did get a lead and kept it. At halftime, it was 16-12 and it stayed pretty much a 2- to 4-point game. Carter did not add to our point total. He was 0 for 2 from the free-throw line. But he had 3 or 4 rebounds and at least one take-away. So he had an OK game, too. Final score was 36-28.
Assumption wins!
Now it would be nice to carry that victory into another game this week. But just like his lazy parents, Carter doesn't have to function (in that capacity anyway) until next Monday!
TGIF!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Magic Monday
They say the early bird gets the worm. Now I have reason to believe it. And sometimes the "worm" is a good thing.
Hubby and I got up at 4:30 so we could get to work early and, ultimately, leave early for Carter's basketball game. At some point in the morning, someone mentioned something about Amazon and I was reminded that I hadn't checked my "Black Friday" websites since Friday. (Where are my priorities?)
So I took a quick glance and saw that Target was having a 4-day pre-Black Friday sale and, lo and behold, MY Christmas Netbook was on sale -- for the same price as Radio Shack plans to have them this Friday! I was concerned that the sale started Sunday already. Since the closest Target is in Stevens Point (20 minutes away from work), I called to see if they had any Netbooks left. The guy said, "Six!" Oh boy, would they have any left after work?
It was my supportive hubby who said, at 10:30 a.m., "Why don't we take our lunch now and go get it?" You don't have to twist my arm. Good thing we went. We got there and there were only 3 left and another lady in the aisle was getting one the same time as me. Whoa. Close one! While we were there, we bought a wireless router to set up in house so we can get the Internet on this new "toy."
I felt like a kid on Christmas morning! It suddenly became a long day as I waited impatiently to get home and get all this set up!
First we had to finish work. Then we had to go to Carter's basketball game, which was a blowout loss to Nekoosa BUT Carter had a career-high TWO points tonight!! He was 2 for 4 in free throws. Nice work, kiddo! After the game, I had to go grocery shopping, too. You know me. Rarely do I not want to go to Wal-Mart. I made it a quick trip.
Got home and installed the wireless router. Considering I did not know 2 days ago what a wireless router is, I now consider myself a technological genius! And the fact that I am blogging from the couch confirms it!
Ahhh, I love the magic of Christmas. Thanks, Santa!
Hubby and I got up at 4:30 so we could get to work early and, ultimately, leave early for Carter's basketball game. At some point in the morning, someone mentioned something about Amazon and I was reminded that I hadn't checked my "Black Friday" websites since Friday. (Where are my priorities?)
So I took a quick glance and saw that Target was having a 4-day pre-Black Friday sale and, lo and behold, MY Christmas Netbook was on sale -- for the same price as Radio Shack plans to have them this Friday! I was concerned that the sale started Sunday already. Since the closest Target is in Stevens Point (20 minutes away from work), I called to see if they had any Netbooks left. The guy said, "Six!" Oh boy, would they have any left after work?
It was my supportive hubby who said, at 10:30 a.m., "Why don't we take our lunch now and go get it?" You don't have to twist my arm. Good thing we went. We got there and there were only 3 left and another lady in the aisle was getting one the same time as me. Whoa. Close one! While we were there, we bought a wireless router to set up in house so we can get the Internet on this new "toy."
I felt like a kid on Christmas morning! It suddenly became a long day as I waited impatiently to get home and get all this set up!
First we had to finish work. Then we had to go to Carter's basketball game, which was a blowout loss to Nekoosa BUT Carter had a career-high TWO points tonight!! He was 2 for 4 in free throws. Nice work, kiddo! After the game, I had to go grocery shopping, too. You know me. Rarely do I not want to go to Wal-Mart. I made it a quick trip.
Got home and installed the wireless router. Considering I did not know 2 days ago what a wireless router is, I now consider myself a technological genius! And the fact that I am blogging from the couch confirms it!
Ahhh, I love the magic of Christmas. Thanks, Santa!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Thanks for Showing Up
Did I not mention yesterday that I was probably more prepared for today's game than some of the players?? Man, I hate being right all the time!
We went to our friends Mike and Christine's house to watch the Packer-Vikings game. Thankfully they love us and are forgiving of our purple nature. Plus we brought food to bribe them.
The company was good -- but what a disappointing game. I didn't even get time to get excited about our brief lead and that was it. No more scoring. And really, it didn't look like they were even trying. It's like they showed up and had their minds on deer hunting or something. Ugh.
So, like any good fan, we turned to comfort food. And there was a lot of it. I am still full. But strangely, not feeling comforted.
Going into the game with only 3 wins, we had no expectations. But just a tiny bit of hope that home field would hold some advantage. Nope. Just makes it harder in central Wisconsin to go into work tomorrow!
I said to hubby, "I better check our work Packer pool before I blog. Maybe we won some money at least."
"No," he said. "Try checking the Powerball numbers."
Oh because we're so lucky? We got shut out there, too. Sigh...
Sometimes I wish I was a fair-weather fan and could just say "screw it" until next year. But I'll hang with these losers and their old man.
I'll just have to swap my purple for black on Mondays to reflect my mood.
We went to our friends Mike and Christine's house to watch the Packer-Vikings game. Thankfully they love us and are forgiving of our purple nature. Plus we brought food to bribe them.
The company was good -- but what a disappointing game. I didn't even get time to get excited about our brief lead and that was it. No more scoring. And really, it didn't look like they were even trying. It's like they showed up and had their minds on deer hunting or something. Ugh.
So, like any good fan, we turned to comfort food. And there was a lot of it. I am still full. But strangely, not feeling comforted.
Going into the game with only 3 wins, we had no expectations. But just a tiny bit of hope that home field would hold some advantage. Nope. Just makes it harder in central Wisconsin to go into work tomorrow!
I said to hubby, "I better check our work Packer pool before I blog. Maybe we won some money at least."
"No," he said. "Try checking the Powerball numbers."
Oh because we're so lucky? We got shut out there, too. Sigh...
Sometimes I wish I was a fair-weather fan and could just say "screw it" until next year. But I'll hang with these losers and their old man.
I'll just have to swap my purple for black on Mondays to reflect my mood.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Happy Hunting
Thank you, deer hunters, for waiting until after 7 a.m. this year to fire your first shots near our house. I should say, not necessarily close to our house but within ear-shot.
At first I thought hubby's snoring woke me up, but then I heard 2 more shots and was reminded it's opening day of gun-deer hunting in Wisconsin.
Hubby doesn't hunt so we felt it best to stay inside in our nice warm bed -- considering the temps didn't get out of the 20s until mid-morning. B-r-r-r. Glad I wasn't in a tree stand anywhere. I do appreciate the hunters that are out there thinning the herd, though, so I don't have to do it with my car!
Since I had good reason to stay indoors, I turned into Martha Stewart on Red Bull.
Got the last of my Christmas cookies baked and my plates set up, bagged and labeled for my family cookie exchange next weekend. It's all set to go. In advance of a Packer-Viking party tomorrow, I made a pan of The Best Cranberry Bars Ever and the frosting recipe that goes with those, plus some dip, plus a yummy mandarin orange jello salad. (I'm thinking I'm more prepared for tomorrow's game then perhaps some of the players!)
After my Martha stint, I did do some "hunting."
Went over to my Scrap Sister Jenny's house and hunted through her Cricut cartridges to see which ones I should put on my Christmas list. This is definitely a case of putting the cart before the horse -- or in this instance, the cart-ridge before the Cricut. I am just assuming (and you know where that gets us) that I will snag one of these on Black Friday. There's no turning back now.
While I was gone, hubby put on his "Martha" hat, too, and we had homemade beef soup for supper. Yum! He's the best!
Tonight Carter and I kicked it old school and watched a movie on the VCR. I can't tell you when I last operated one of those! I see how I have enjoyed skipping through the previews without having to labor through "fastforward." But something put us in the mood to watch Monsters Inc. and we only have that on VHS. Glad we watched it. Those Pixar movies rock!
Now it's bedtime and I told Carter he better brush his teeth or a monster will jump out of his closet! For some reason all I got was an eye-roll.
I swear he used to think I was funny ... back in the days before DVD players were invented, I bet.
At first I thought hubby's snoring woke me up, but then I heard 2 more shots and was reminded it's opening day of gun-deer hunting in Wisconsin.
Hubby doesn't hunt so we felt it best to stay inside in our nice warm bed -- considering the temps didn't get out of the 20s until mid-morning. B-r-r-r. Glad I wasn't in a tree stand anywhere. I do appreciate the hunters that are out there thinning the herd, though, so I don't have to do it with my car!
Since I had good reason to stay indoors, I turned into Martha Stewart on Red Bull.
Got the last of my Christmas cookies baked and my plates set up, bagged and labeled for my family cookie exchange next weekend. It's all set to go. In advance of a Packer-Viking party tomorrow, I made a pan of The Best Cranberry Bars Ever and the frosting recipe that goes with those, plus some dip, plus a yummy mandarin orange jello salad. (I'm thinking I'm more prepared for tomorrow's game then perhaps some of the players!)
After my Martha stint, I did do some "hunting."
Went over to my Scrap Sister Jenny's house and hunted through her Cricut cartridges to see which ones I should put on my Christmas list. This is definitely a case of putting the cart before the horse -- or in this instance, the cart-ridge before the Cricut. I am just assuming (and you know where that gets us) that I will snag one of these on Black Friday. There's no turning back now.
While I was gone, hubby put on his "Martha" hat, too, and we had homemade beef soup for supper. Yum! He's the best!
Tonight Carter and I kicked it old school and watched a movie on the VCR. I can't tell you when I last operated one of those! I see how I have enjoyed skipping through the previews without having to labor through "fastforward." But something put us in the mood to watch Monsters Inc. and we only have that on VHS. Glad we watched it. Those Pixar movies rock!
Now it's bedtime and I told Carter he better brush his teeth or a monster will jump out of his closet! For some reason all I got was an eye-roll.
I swear he used to think I was funny ... back in the days before DVD players were invented, I bet.
Friday, November 19, 2010
TGIFF (Thank God it's a Free Friday)
This self-imposed challenge of finding something every day in November to be grateful for is actually pretty easy. I guess I must be blessed that way.
Today, though, I was just plain thankful it's Friday. And that for the first time this week, it was sort of "free" schedule. Sure, we had work to get through, but Carter did not have any practice or games or anything. So we could come home and take a deep breath.
That's nice.
Of course, I couldn't let a free night go unfilled. But this time it was MY time. No hubby, no child.
I tagged along with my friend Christine to a smelly home party. Well these were good smells. Good candle-like smells. But that can get overwhelming when you take little whiffs of several (as in up to 80) different fragrances. Yikes.
Sounds pretty wild for a girl's night out, doesn't it?
Stopped to do some grocery shopping on the way home so I could make some more treats tomorrow. Now Carter is bored and wondering what we're doing. Well it's almost 9:30, what do you think we're doing??
Getting ready for bed and eating Peppermint Stick ice cream until our mattress pads heat up!
Ahhhh.... TGIF!
Today, though, I was just plain thankful it's Friday. And that for the first time this week, it was sort of "free" schedule. Sure, we had work to get through, but Carter did not have any practice or games or anything. So we could come home and take a deep breath.
That's nice.
Of course, I couldn't let a free night go unfilled. But this time it was MY time. No hubby, no child.
I tagged along with my friend Christine to a smelly home party. Well these were good smells. Good candle-like smells. But that can get overwhelming when you take little whiffs of several (as in up to 80) different fragrances. Yikes.
Sounds pretty wild for a girl's night out, doesn't it?
Stopped to do some grocery shopping on the way home so I could make some more treats tomorrow. Now Carter is bored and wondering what we're doing. Well it's almost 9:30, what do you think we're doing??
Getting ready for bed and eating Peppermint Stick ice cream until our mattress pads heat up!
Ahhhh.... TGIF!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
He Shoots... He Scores!
OK, so we lost our 4th basketball game tonight. This time by 20 points. The important thing to remember is that Carter Austin scored the last point of the game!
Yes, it was just one point. But he is now on the "books" anyway! He was actually 1 for 3 from the line, as the say, but we'll focus on the fact he made one free throw (which by the way, means he was trying to dribble or shoot or something to draw that foul)!
The rest of the game is not worth going on and on about.
We traveled up to Marathon -- the tiny city outside of Wausau where, coincidentally, Jim's parents got married. We actually had been to St. Mary's Catholic Church (adjacent to the middle school) a few years back for Jim's uncle's funeral. It's quite a hike from home (and work).
I was hoping that since it was such a small town and school, that we could kick their butts on the basketball court (very unchristian of me, I'm sure). But then I remembered (too late) Assumption is just a little school, too. So we were more evenly matched than I expected and we just didn't click like we were supposed to. Final score was 50-30. Yikes.
That's OK. Carter scoring may have been the highlight of the day but a close second was taking a long hot shower this morning. Yay! And doing much-needed laundry tonight. Yay!
Hot water is under-rated (much like the St. Mary's Eagles).
Yes, it was just one point. But he is now on the "books" anyway! He was actually 1 for 3 from the line, as the say, but we'll focus on the fact he made one free throw (which by the way, means he was trying to dribble or shoot or something to draw that foul)!
The rest of the game is not worth going on and on about.
We traveled up to Marathon -- the tiny city outside of Wausau where, coincidentally, Jim's parents got married. We actually had been to St. Mary's Catholic Church (adjacent to the middle school) a few years back for Jim's uncle's funeral. It's quite a hike from home (and work).
I was hoping that since it was such a small town and school, that we could kick their butts on the basketball court (very unchristian of me, I'm sure). But then I remembered (too late) Assumption is just a little school, too. So we were more evenly matched than I expected and we just didn't click like we were supposed to. Final score was 50-30. Yikes.
That's OK. Carter scoring may have been the highlight of the day but a close second was taking a long hot shower this morning. Yay! And doing much-needed laundry tonight. Yay!
Hot water is under-rated (much like the St. Mary's Eagles).
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
In Hot Water
Usually when someone's "in hot water" they are are in big trouble. I'm here to tell you, though, that hot water can be a good thing. A great thing, actually. Even the most desirable thing in the world.
Especially when you don't have it.
Sometime around 8 p.m. last night I went down in the basement to grab Carter's clothes out of the dryer. I was walking into the dark utility room and my foot sort of when "splat" in a "splash" kind of ways. When I reached the light switch I realized we had a path of water a few feet wide next to one of the walls. There was no "stream" from the washing machine so, after calling hubby down, we determined it was coming from the water heater. After further investigation, we could see there was a slow leak. Thank goodness for SLOW leaks! Or that part of our basement would have been really flooded!
As it was, it took a good half hour to hour of mopping it up while Jim got on the Handy Helper Hotline. In other words, he called his sister's husband and it was another episode of Brother-in-Law Baird to the Rescue! Baird, who also is the mechanical genius behind his son Colin's race car, just knows things!
He figured out some coil thing was broken or whatever. Not sure what it meant but he had to disconnect everything and we had to drain it. I earned lots of steps hauling pails of water out to the back yard! By then, I was tired and just saw dollar signs, a short night and a cold shower in my future.
Jim and I had already planned to get up way early, as in 4:30 am., so we could work 6-2 today and get Carter to an early basketball practice and then confirmation, etc. So despite not getting the water heater situation under control until 10 p.m. or so, we still got up early, I took the world's fastest shower and we hit the road shortly after 5 a.m. Ugh.
I was wicked tired all day but I got so much done that it went fast. Got home and dropped hubby off so he and Baird could go spend our shopping money shopping for a new water heater. I took care of shuffling Carter around, getting some groceries and visiting friends. I definitely got the easy job.
I got home a little after 6 and they were "getting close." Then Baird had to run to the store again for another part of some kind. So now it's almost 2 hours later and they are "getting close." Nothing is ever easy -- especially when only one person knows what they are doing. No offense to hubby. I mean we both acknowledge that neither one of us is "handy." This is not the first time (nor last, I'm sure) that Baird has bailed us out.
I'm just hoping we can have lukewarm showers in the morning. If nothing else, I guess we can dip in the hot tub.
That's the other "hot water" I don't mind getting into!
Especially when you don't have it.
Sometime around 8 p.m. last night I went down in the basement to grab Carter's clothes out of the dryer. I was walking into the dark utility room and my foot sort of when "splat" in a "splash" kind of ways. When I reached the light switch I realized we had a path of water a few feet wide next to one of the walls. There was no "stream" from the washing machine so, after calling hubby down, we determined it was coming from the water heater. After further investigation, we could see there was a slow leak. Thank goodness for SLOW leaks! Or that part of our basement would have been really flooded!
As it was, it took a good half hour to hour of mopping it up while Jim got on the Handy Helper Hotline. In other words, he called his sister's husband and it was another episode of Brother-in-Law Baird to the Rescue! Baird, who also is the mechanical genius behind his son Colin's race car, just knows things!
He figured out some coil thing was broken or whatever. Not sure what it meant but he had to disconnect everything and we had to drain it. I earned lots of steps hauling pails of water out to the back yard! By then, I was tired and just saw dollar signs, a short night and a cold shower in my future.
Jim and I had already planned to get up way early, as in 4:30 am., so we could work 6-2 today and get Carter to an early basketball practice and then confirmation, etc. So despite not getting the water heater situation under control until 10 p.m. or so, we still got up early, I took the world's fastest shower and we hit the road shortly after 5 a.m. Ugh.
I was wicked tired all day but I got so much done that it went fast. Got home and dropped hubby off so he and Baird could go spend our shopping money shopping for a new water heater. I took care of shuffling Carter around, getting some groceries and visiting friends. I definitely got the easy job.
I got home a little after 6 and they were "getting close." Then Baird had to run to the store again for another part of some kind. So now it's almost 2 hours later and they are "getting close." Nothing is ever easy -- especially when only one person knows what they are doing. No offense to hubby. I mean we both acknowledge that neither one of us is "handy." This is not the first time (nor last, I'm sure) that Baird has bailed us out.
I'm just hoping we can have lukewarm showers in the morning. If nothing else, I guess we can dip in the hot tub.
That's the other "hot water" I don't mind getting into!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Pea Soup
It wasn't quite as thick as pea soup, but a blanket of fog laid over us all day today.
I felt like we were in a life-size snow globe and someone fogged up the glass. Couldn't see much beyond our parking lot at work and was smart enough not to even think about going out on the road for a noon run.
I did escape to the fitness center for a bit when I lost patience with Mr. Sun -- who never did make an appearance. By 4:30, you'd swear the Sun, wherever he was, had set. (Just not liking this dark time of year!)
The good news is that the fog seems to have lifted on the 7th-grade basketball team. They traveled to Amherst tonight to play the unbeaten Falcons. And did OK.
They did not win, but they hung right in there and even had the lead for awhile. We bleacher moms had a stunned moment of silence when that happened. We haven't been in the position to even cheer this year. You know, it's kind of fun! I hope we can do it again.
In the end, we lost 33-26. Not bad at all. We can see that Carter (well, probably the whole team really) has a bit better grasp of what's going on. It's great to be able to see a clear picture, isn't it?
Wouldn't it be great if we never had to deal with "pea soup" blocking our view in life? It would be so comforting to have a clear direction, wouldn't it?
I guess the next time God hands you pea soup, ask Him for a spoon and dig in.
I felt like we were in a life-size snow globe and someone fogged up the glass. Couldn't see much beyond our parking lot at work and was smart enough not to even think about going out on the road for a noon run.
I did escape to the fitness center for a bit when I lost patience with Mr. Sun -- who never did make an appearance. By 4:30, you'd swear the Sun, wherever he was, had set. (Just not liking this dark time of year!)
The good news is that the fog seems to have lifted on the 7th-grade basketball team. They traveled to Amherst tonight to play the unbeaten Falcons. And did OK.
They did not win, but they hung right in there and even had the lead for awhile. We bleacher moms had a stunned moment of silence when that happened. We haven't been in the position to even cheer this year. You know, it's kind of fun! I hope we can do it again.
In the end, we lost 33-26. Not bad at all. We can see that Carter (well, probably the whole team really) has a bit better grasp of what's going on. It's great to be able to see a clear picture, isn't it?
Wouldn't it be great if we never had to deal with "pea soup" blocking our view in life? It would be so comforting to have a clear direction, wouldn't it?
I guess the next time God hands you pea soup, ask Him for a spoon and dig in.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Hard Part's Over
We woke up to a snow-covered lawn and deck and driveway... but by the time we got going to work, it had pretty much melted. Just a dusting. Not sure if we can technically call it our "first snow" of the season. I'm sure you folks who actually had to SHOVEL this weekend are saying, "Heck no!"
That's fine. We'll wait.
Work went by in a blur today. Lots to do and it seemed a short time to get there. But that's Monday.
We had to leave at 4 so we could get to Carter's 5 p.m. game at "home" versus the Newman Fighting Cardinals. I can say this, the hard part of having that intimidating first game of the season is over and it seems like the boys were a little more comfortable out on the court. Yes, that includes Carter. He didn't have that deer-in-the-headlights look when he got the ball. Instead he did some dribbling, decent passing and had a few defensive moves worth noting. He didn't get a chance to shoot so no personal scoring to report.
Although the Royals played a little bit better than Friday, they unfortunately were no match for the Wausau team and lost 34-17. The boys weren't as bummed out as I expected. Instead most of them seemed OK that they were starting to figure things out.
They won't have a chance to practice before their next game, though. Tomorrow they hit the road and play at Amherst. Carter is getting a ride since that is right on our way home from work. Hopefully the jitters are gone and behind us -- so there's just improvement ahead!
Speaking of improvement, I better get back to my closet project. I did say the hard part was getting started. And that's over...
That's fine. We'll wait.
Work went by in a blur today. Lots to do and it seemed a short time to get there. But that's Monday.
We had to leave at 4 so we could get to Carter's 5 p.m. game at "home" versus the Newman Fighting Cardinals. I can say this, the hard part of having that intimidating first game of the season is over and it seems like the boys were a little more comfortable out on the court. Yes, that includes Carter. He didn't have that deer-in-the-headlights look when he got the ball. Instead he did some dribbling, decent passing and had a few defensive moves worth noting. He didn't get a chance to shoot so no personal scoring to report.
Although the Royals played a little bit better than Friday, they unfortunately were no match for the Wausau team and lost 34-17. The boys weren't as bummed out as I expected. Instead most of them seemed OK that they were starting to figure things out.
They won't have a chance to practice before their next game, though. Tomorrow they hit the road and play at Amherst. Carter is getting a ride since that is right on our way home from work. Hopefully the jitters are gone and behind us -- so there's just improvement ahead!
Speaking of improvement, I better get back to my closet project. I did say the hard part was getting started. And that's over...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Old Style
Old Style: 1) A beer brewed in beautiful La Crosse, Wis.
2) Half the clothes in my closet.
I have been meaning to get to some serious Fall Cleaning and today, since it was another drizzly sort of day, I decided to start.
Of course, I tortured myself for 3 hours watching the pathetic Purple Pride lose another one first. I also got a few dozen more Christmas cookies made, too. I am nothing if not the queen of procrastination. It was after supper, in fact, when I really got going and yes, I already need a break.
The thinking and starting were the hard parts. At first I thought, you know when I get my Christmas stuff out this year, I should really drag it all out and toss or donate the stuff I don't ever use any more. But then I got started looking at our coats and boots so we could donate them to a winter coat drive at church. (Carter and I got that taken care of at half-time.) When I noticed the boots, I thought, you know, I should hit my closet next and get rid of some other footwear I don't wear any more for various reasons.
Well, it didn't take long to tally up 20 pairs to go to Goodwill. Oh don't worry, I won't be going barefoot this winter. I still have plenty of brown, black and white shoes, along with 3 pairs of Sketchers and still no less than 4 pairs of black heeled boots - of various heights and styles. (And this does not count any running shoes!)
Should I be embarrassed yet?
Since I was in the closet, I stayed there and just started filling up brown paper bags. I had a few simple rules that made it easy.
1) If it had shoulder pads, it had to go! (Yes, I probably had more shoulder pads in my closet than the Vikings -- but I knew how to use them!)
2) If I hadn't worn it in the last 3 years, it's gone. (Trust me, I didn't follow this to the letter. I was actually excited to find "new" clothes.)
3) If it's a size I will never get into again, it no longer is inspirational hanging there, but depressing. Plus, if I get that size again, I probably should dress a little more appropriately for a woman of my maturity.
So with those rules in mind, there was a whole lotta purging going on. I ended up filling 9 grocery bags of blouses, slacks, skirts and lovely shoulder-padded jackets. And that's just a start! It doesn't really look like I've done anything.
Should I be embarrassed yet?
I am. Some of these things have moved with me from house to house to house. The only place they are moving now is Goodwill. They're gonna know me on a first-name basis by the time I'm all said and done. Lots of closets and rooms to go through on these cold drizzly days in the coming weeks.
Too bad it took me so long to start!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Lucky 13
It wasn't hard to find something to be thankful for today. I'm thankful I live in central Wisconsin where we merely had some drizzling rain -- not the mammoth snowfall much of my family in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin is dealing with! Must be the lucky 13 on the calendar.
When I checked in with my parents this afternoon, my dad said the plow had already been by once. That's snowplow, not a plow & tractor doing fieldwork. "We might get 13 inches before all is said and done," Dad said. I guess 13 can be unlucky in that way!
It would have been fine to be snowed in. We had no definitive plans for the day so it wouldn't have been disruptive in the least. As it was, we found plenty to do (since we could).
Hubby cleaned up the garage and hung our bikes on the ceiling so we had room for the snowplow -- for when we do need it. I got some more Christmas cookies made. Tried something new I sort of made up and I was very pleased with the results! Yum.
The drizzle held off long enough for me to get a good run in and Carter got some batting practice in, too! Well, he was indoors doing that, trying not to lose all the progress he made this summer.
Later, he helped me on my fact-finding mission -- checking out which stores have Netbooks and iPods, etc. We might have a plan in place if Black Friday proves irresistible. Gosh I hope not.
Tonight, while Jim was at church, Carter and I watched the movie Up on DVD. He misplaced the DVD for a year, honest, and found it so we had to watch it. A neat, touching movie young and old should see!
After that we played some dice (Bustola!) and cards -- we had to keep playing games until Carter quit winning (that's our Mom & Dad rule). I finally won one. But we all know that's just luck.
Better not push ours or we'll see snow on the ground when we wake up!
When I checked in with my parents this afternoon, my dad said the plow had already been by once. That's snowplow, not a plow & tractor doing fieldwork. "We might get 13 inches before all is said and done," Dad said. I guess 13 can be unlucky in that way!
It would have been fine to be snowed in. We had no definitive plans for the day so it wouldn't have been disruptive in the least. As it was, we found plenty to do (since we could).
Hubby cleaned up the garage and hung our bikes on the ceiling so we had room for the snowplow -- for when we do need it. I got some more Christmas cookies made. Tried something new I sort of made up and I was very pleased with the results! Yum.
The drizzle held off long enough for me to get a good run in and Carter got some batting practice in, too! Well, he was indoors doing that, trying not to lose all the progress he made this summer.
Later, he helped me on my fact-finding mission -- checking out which stores have Netbooks and iPods, etc. We might have a plan in place if Black Friday proves irresistible. Gosh I hope not.
Tonight, while Jim was at church, Carter and I watched the movie Up on DVD. He misplaced the DVD for a year, honest, and found it so we had to watch it. A neat, touching movie young and old should see!
After that we played some dice (Bustola!) and cards -- we had to keep playing games until Carter quit winning (that's our Mom & Dad rule). I finally won one. But we all know that's just luck.
Better not push ours or we'll see snow on the ground when we wake up!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Birthday Boys
We had a special evening with the Austin side of the family celebrating my stepson Clay's 18th birthday (from October) and my father-in-law's birthday (earlier this week). But first we had the birth of Carter's basketball career -- which was as painful as births are known to be.
As things turned out, the 7th-grade Assumption Boys team had their first game of the season after a week of no practices since their coaches were both out of town. So yes, they were a little rusty and yes, the "new guy" was really rusty!
Their opponent, Pittsville, was already onto their 3rd game of the year and that showed. They had a commanding lead of 1-0 (you read that correctly) for almost all of the first quarter. Eventually they expanded that quite a bit but the Royals rallied in the second half to finally score some buckets -- and ended up losing only 37-19. One of those baskets for Pittsville was scored by one of our guys (thankfully no one you know) scoring on the wrong end of the court.
It couldn't have been Carter anyway because he did not make any baskets tonight. And actually, did not shoot any either. The first few times he was out there, he seemed at a loss what to do once he got the ball. He -- and all of his teammates -- seemed to get their confidence up as the game went on, so hopefully they'll carry that into next week. We already have games Monday and Tuesday so the boys won't get a chance to practice before their next game.
Just like in baseball, though, I look forward to watching the improvement over the course of the season!
Carter did have the largest cheering section there for his debut (not counting the girls from his class who may have been there to cheer on all the boys). Jim's parents and his sister and her family were there, along with Clay, who we picked up on the way.
Afterwards, we went out to eat at Anchor Bay on the Wisconsin River to celebrate the birthdays. Great food as usual. We were all so full but went back to my in-laws' and had some ice cream cake dessert thing my mother-in-law makes. We were still so full but it's one of those yummy desserts you just can't turn down!
It was great to see Clay again and spend time with family. We were talking about our next big meal together -- Thanksgiving -- and realizing it's less than 2 weeks away already. Guess there's always something to celebrate if you look for it!
As things turned out, the 7th-grade Assumption Boys team had their first game of the season after a week of no practices since their coaches were both out of town. So yes, they were a little rusty and yes, the "new guy" was really rusty!
Their opponent, Pittsville, was already onto their 3rd game of the year and that showed. They had a commanding lead of 1-0 (you read that correctly) for almost all of the first quarter. Eventually they expanded that quite a bit but the Royals rallied in the second half to finally score some buckets -- and ended up losing only 37-19. One of those baskets for Pittsville was scored by one of our guys (thankfully no one you know) scoring on the wrong end of the court.
It couldn't have been Carter anyway because he did not make any baskets tonight. And actually, did not shoot any either. The first few times he was out there, he seemed at a loss what to do once he got the ball. He -- and all of his teammates -- seemed to get their confidence up as the game went on, so hopefully they'll carry that into next week. We already have games Monday and Tuesday so the boys won't get a chance to practice before their next game.
Just like in baseball, though, I look forward to watching the improvement over the course of the season!
Carter did have the largest cheering section there for his debut (not counting the girls from his class who may have been there to cheer on all the boys). Jim's parents and his sister and her family were there, along with Clay, who we picked up on the way.
Afterwards, we went out to eat at Anchor Bay on the Wisconsin River to celebrate the birthdays. Great food as usual. We were all so full but went back to my in-laws' and had some ice cream cake dessert thing my mother-in-law makes. We were still so full but it's one of those yummy desserts you just can't turn down!
It was great to see Clay again and spend time with family. We were talking about our next big meal together -- Thanksgiving -- and realizing it's less than 2 weeks away already. Guess there's always something to celebrate if you look for it!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Ready (or Not)
I need to make a correction. That radio station I mentioned a few days ago that I thought was playing Christmas music 24/7 already actually is only playing it 24/7 on weekends. So far. But then tonight on the way home, we passed a house in Amherst that had all of its Christmas lights on. And this house had a lot!
So the holidays are here -- whether we are ready or not.
I am trying to be on the ball with the cookie-making. That's going good and I have ingredients to go nuts (and some without nuts) this weekend to make some more.
I must confess I am guilty of having a good portion of our presents bought and wrapped already, too. But that's because I will be longing for the couch -- and elusive remote -- come December when I just switch back and forth between holiday movies on the Lifetime and Hallmark channels!
I almost confess that despite how much I detest the thought of 3 a.m. shopping the day after Thanksgiving, I have been stalking at least three "Black Friday" websites looking for 3 particular items to go on sale. And I mean some irresistible, gotta have it, no better deal anywhere type of sale. Two are for me (naturally) -- a Netbook (which I'll share with hubby) and a Cricut (which will be mine, mine, mine) -- and one is for Carter -- who wants the "old school" 5th-generation iPod Nano (not the new 6th-generation square one for those who know the difference or just started caring when researching for Christmas).
So far, I think Radio Shack will be the place to get my, er our, Netbook -- for under 200 bucks! But does the local store even carry them? I don't know. I will have to "research" that in person this weekend. Of course, there's always online deals but we'll see how this all plays out. I'll just keep checking my sites!
Lastly, you know Christmas is right around the corner when the Schwan's Holiday Catalog is here (and the Schwan's Man will be shortly). Yes, I am just finishing my last container of Peppermint Stick Ice Cream from last year. And yes, it is still nummy! I think we're in need of fresh supplies, though. Maybe an Andes Mint Pie? M-m-m-m. Or more ice cream?? I might wait on that one. I have about 46 minutes to decide...
Then, ready or not, it's Christmas time!
So the holidays are here -- whether we are ready or not.
I am trying to be on the ball with the cookie-making. That's going good and I have ingredients to go nuts (and some without nuts) this weekend to make some more.
I must confess I am guilty of having a good portion of our presents bought and wrapped already, too. But that's because I will be longing for the couch -- and elusive remote -- come December when I just switch back and forth between holiday movies on the Lifetime and Hallmark channels!
I almost confess that despite how much I detest the thought of 3 a.m. shopping the day after Thanksgiving, I have been stalking at least three "Black Friday" websites looking for 3 particular items to go on sale. And I mean some irresistible, gotta have it, no better deal anywhere type of sale. Two are for me (naturally) -- a Netbook (which I'll share with hubby) and a Cricut (which will be mine, mine, mine) -- and one is for Carter -- who wants the "old school" 5th-generation iPod Nano (not the new 6th-generation square one for those who know the difference or just started caring when researching for Christmas).
So far, I think Radio Shack will be the place to get my, er our, Netbook -- for under 200 bucks! But does the local store even carry them? I don't know. I will have to "research" that in person this weekend. Of course, there's always online deals but we'll see how this all plays out. I'll just keep checking my sites!
Lastly, you know Christmas is right around the corner when the Schwan's Holiday Catalog is here (and the Schwan's Man will be shortly). Yes, I am just finishing my last container of Peppermint Stick Ice Cream from last year. And yes, it is still nummy! I think we're in need of fresh supplies, though. Maybe an Andes Mint Pie? M-m-m-m. Or more ice cream?? I might wait on that one. I have about 46 minutes to decide...
Then, ready or not, it's Christmas time!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friends for Life
It dawned on me recently that I have now lived in Wisconsin Rapids 15 years. Yikes. I'm a lifer!
I started my new job at the newspaper here on Halloween of 1995. Basically, I donated 7 1/2 years there and now 7 1/2 years (and counting, hopefully) at my current job in Iola. That seems like a lifetime when I used to think 4 years was a marathon session at one employer!
The cool part has been working with some of the neatest people I'll ever know. The best part is that some of them have become lifelong friends!
Amazingly -- and I'll have to thank Facebook for some of this -- I am in still touch with my first editor ever (from the college newspaper), a couple of counselors from my Luther Point Bible Camp counseling days, a team of awesome Resident Assistants from Angell Hall, some wonderful girlfriends from the Marinette & Menominee newspapers, quite a few daily-grinders from the Trib and, last but not least, some incredibly talented people who have moved on from my current place of employment (not always by their choice).
When I think about every time I changed a job and looked forward to the new one, I was never really going to miss the old "job" itself, but the people. The ones who you bonded with -- sometimes all hours of the day and night -- and became like family (even those Packer fans).
This month as we lead up to Thanksgiving, I am taking time daily to think of something I am thankful for. Sure, I love my house and "new" car and Minnesota Twins purse, but they don't hold a candle to the people who have touched my life -- including those who saw me laugh, cry, run, stumble, "steam" and celebrate at work over the years.
Thanks for being there then -- and now!
I started my new job at the newspaper here on Halloween of 1995. Basically, I donated 7 1/2 years there and now 7 1/2 years (and counting, hopefully) at my current job in Iola. That seems like a lifetime when I used to think 4 years was a marathon session at one employer!
The cool part has been working with some of the neatest people I'll ever know. The best part is that some of them have become lifelong friends!
Amazingly -- and I'll have to thank Facebook for some of this -- I am in still touch with my first editor ever (from the college newspaper), a couple of counselors from my Luther Point Bible Camp counseling days, a team of awesome Resident Assistants from Angell Hall, some wonderful girlfriends from the Marinette & Menominee newspapers, quite a few daily-grinders from the Trib and, last but not least, some incredibly talented people who have moved on from my current place of employment (not always by their choice).
When I think about every time I changed a job and looked forward to the new one, I was never really going to miss the old "job" itself, but the people. The ones who you bonded with -- sometimes all hours of the day and night -- and became like family (even those Packer fans).
This month as we lead up to Thanksgiving, I am taking time daily to think of something I am thankful for. Sure, I love my house and "new" car and Minnesota Twins purse, but they don't hold a candle to the people who have touched my life -- including those who saw me laugh, cry, run, stumble, "steam" and celebrate at work over the years.
Thanks for being there then -- and now!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Extra Supervision
We're getting to that age where going to funerals is becoming more a part of our routine than it used to. Not people our age, typically, but their parents.
The moms and dads we got to know as youngsters while we were raising heck with their kids. The neighbors (or even aunts and uncles) who knew us so well they didn't think twice about yelling at us or smacking us on the behind when we deserved it. The "extra" set of parents we often wished we didn't have -- but look back today and are so grateful we did.
This past weekend the mother of 3 of hubby's childhood friends died. We went to visitation last night and the funeral today. We made it work around our work schedule. I was able to work from home and get some online work done before the funeral and lots of editing and proofing afterwards.
It wasn't that I even knew the family that well. I just wanted to be there for Jim, who, in turn, wanted to be there for the "boys" -- who now stand well above 6 feet tall but still love and need their mom.
It was a nice service and luncheon and we were both glad we could be there. Since today is my father-in-law's birthday, it made both Jim and I especially grateful that we both have both our parents still alive and kicking. Sometimes more alive than kicking, but alive and with us nonetheless.
And I imagine we still have a few sets of "extra" parents around, too, that wouldn't think twice (even today) about smacking us on the behind if we needed it! We love you for that.
And thanks.
The moms and dads we got to know as youngsters while we were raising heck with their kids. The neighbors (or even aunts and uncles) who knew us so well they didn't think twice about yelling at us or smacking us on the behind when we deserved it. The "extra" set of parents we often wished we didn't have -- but look back today and are so grateful we did.
This past weekend the mother of 3 of hubby's childhood friends died. We went to visitation last night and the funeral today. We made it work around our work schedule. I was able to work from home and get some online work done before the funeral and lots of editing and proofing afterwards.
It wasn't that I even knew the family that well. I just wanted to be there for Jim, who, in turn, wanted to be there for the "boys" -- who now stand well above 6 feet tall but still love and need their mom.
It was a nice service and luncheon and we were both glad we could be there. Since today is my father-in-law's birthday, it made both Jim and I especially grateful that we both have both our parents still alive and kicking. Sometimes more alive than kicking, but alive and with us nonetheless.
And I imagine we still have a few sets of "extra" parents around, too, that wouldn't think twice (even today) about smacking us on the behind if we needed it! We love you for that.
And thanks.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Professional Day
Today was considered a "Professional Day" in the Rapids school districts so Carter got to sleep in and stay home all day. And here I thought hubby and I were professionals! We don't get days like that.
Neither one of us could stay home today so Carter was on his own. I am getting more used to that now but it doesn't stop me from worrying. Well, I don't quite get to the worry stage before he calls to check in anyway. Yes, it should be the other way around, but he always calls before it's time for me to make the call. I'm guessing it's because he's bored -- not that he misses me.
Today, while hubby and I had productive days at work, Carter did some reading for school, watched a movie, ran the dish washer and put the dishes away, and washed his sheets and made his bed with the clean, fresh ones! Wow. That's a lot.
I asked him if he did all that because he was just being responsible or did he expect some sort of reward for that.
"I was just being responsible," he said. "But if you're giving a reward, let's start the ceremony right now!"
Yeah, I think he was expecting more than a pat on the back.
I'll think about that the next time we're slaving away at work and he's a "professional" late sleeper!
Neither one of us could stay home today so Carter was on his own. I am getting more used to that now but it doesn't stop me from worrying. Well, I don't quite get to the worry stage before he calls to check in anyway. Yes, it should be the other way around, but he always calls before it's time for me to make the call. I'm guessing it's because he's bored -- not that he misses me.
Today, while hubby and I had productive days at work, Carter did some reading for school, watched a movie, ran the dish washer and put the dishes away, and washed his sheets and made his bed with the clean, fresh ones! Wow. That's a lot.
I asked him if he did all that because he was just being responsible or did he expect some sort of reward for that.
"I was just being responsible," he said. "But if you're giving a reward, let's start the ceremony right now!"
Yeah, I think he was expecting more than a pat on the back.
I'll think about that the next time we're slaving away at work and he's a "professional" late sleeper!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saving Time
It's been dark an hour already so I started to panic thinking I better blog quick and get ready for bed soon. Now I see it's not quite 6 pm. Guess we gotta get used to the Daylight Saving Time switch!
I must say this was a pretty good first day in the new time zone.
Thanks to the "extra" sleep, we all had no trouble getting up for early church this morning. Today we celebrated All Saints Day and remembered the "saints" in our lives we have lost in the past year. I am so blessed that I did not have a loved one to mourn. I've had lots of friends lose loved ones this past year, but feel very fortunate my family remains intact. Thanks be to God.
After church, I ran a few errands and paid some bills while Carter was in Sunday School. I noticed one of our local radio stations is already playing Christmas music 24/7. Well I love Christmas music but I am just not ready for that yet! Though it did put me in the holiday frame of mind -- which started with the those Christmas cookies yesterday.
So after Carter was done with Sunday School, we headed straight for Stevens Point. Hubby was off golfing today so I knew Carter and I would not be missed at home. Plus there was something I saw in an advertising flyer that I wanted to get Jim and some other important people. We only had two stops in Point -- Fleet Farm and Target. I found just what I wanted at both. Carter had a gift card to blow, I mean use, so he found something, too.
We hustled home because we knew the Vikings were on TV (since the Packers don't play until tonight). We get home and it was still zero-zero so we didn't miss much. Suddenly we scored but then it proceeded to get ugly. Really ugly. So Carter went outside on this beautiful day and I got out some wrapping paper and took care of about 20 Christmas presents while keeping an eye on the pitiful game.
But then what to my wondering eyes did appear .... the Vikings were making a comeback after being down 2 touchdowns with just 4 minutes to go?? Did we dare have hope? I got Carter back in the house by the 2-minute warning. What a crazy finish between that and overtime! Vikings were victorious and I have never been so happy to by 3-5! (Yes, that is pathetic.)
After the game, I got a turkey breast going in the oven then ran (drove actually) to the store to pick up some potatoes to bake. It was a yummy "fall" supper! Now I've got to digest a bit before I head next door to the campfire.
Yup, the one good thing about it getting dark early is that you can start a fire at 5 p.m.! But then you really gotta pace yourself... With the marshmallows and such.
I must say this was a pretty good first day in the new time zone.
Thanks to the "extra" sleep, we all had no trouble getting up for early church this morning. Today we celebrated All Saints Day and remembered the "saints" in our lives we have lost in the past year. I am so blessed that I did not have a loved one to mourn. I've had lots of friends lose loved ones this past year, but feel very fortunate my family remains intact. Thanks be to God.
After church, I ran a few errands and paid some bills while Carter was in Sunday School. I noticed one of our local radio stations is already playing Christmas music 24/7. Well I love Christmas music but I am just not ready for that yet! Though it did put me in the holiday frame of mind -- which started with the those Christmas cookies yesterday.
So after Carter was done with Sunday School, we headed straight for Stevens Point. Hubby was off golfing today so I knew Carter and I would not be missed at home. Plus there was something I saw in an advertising flyer that I wanted to get Jim and some other important people. We only had two stops in Point -- Fleet Farm and Target. I found just what I wanted at both. Carter had a gift card to blow, I mean use, so he found something, too.
We hustled home because we knew the Vikings were on TV (since the Packers don't play until tonight). We get home and it was still zero-zero so we didn't miss much. Suddenly we scored but then it proceeded to get ugly. Really ugly. So Carter went outside on this beautiful day and I got out some wrapping paper and took care of about 20 Christmas presents while keeping an eye on the pitiful game.
But then what to my wondering eyes did appear .... the Vikings were making a comeback after being down 2 touchdowns with just 4 minutes to go?? Did we dare have hope? I got Carter back in the house by the 2-minute warning. What a crazy finish between that and overtime! Vikings were victorious and I have never been so happy to by 3-5! (Yes, that is pathetic.)
After the game, I got a turkey breast going in the oven then ran (drove actually) to the store to pick up some potatoes to bake. It was a yummy "fall" supper! Now I've got to digest a bit before I head next door to the campfire.
Yup, the one good thing about it getting dark early is that you can start a fire at 5 p.m.! But then you really gotta pace yourself... With the marshmallows and such.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Falling Back
My new cough medicine is a Godsend. I did not cough all night and, therefore, got sleep. Lots of it. In fact, I think everyone in our household was in bed some 10 hours last night! No wonder I had energy to get a few things done today!
It was one of those days where the only thing on the calendar was not starting until 6 p.m. so I had permission to do anything (or nothing). Carter even asked this morning: "So can I be a bum today or do I have to read and read and read or what?"
He probably shouldn't have asked.
I didn't have him do anything too painful. He helped me mix up some Christmas cookies -- yes I now have 9 dozen made and in the freezer for my family's upcoming Cookie Exchange -- and I showed him how to use my vacuum cleaner so he could vacuum while I baked the cookies. He survived both tasks and rewarded himself with some couch time.
After the baking was done -- including some frustrating moments with an attempt at being creative -- I finally got a run in. Only ran once this week and I am allegedly training for a 5-miler just a month away. So today, I did survive a 5.25-mile course. Had to do a few 60-second walks in there. But otherwise, it was fine. A nice sunny day that I hope will be repeated come Dec. 4th!
This evening, we were fortunate to attend the Golden Sands Speedway year-end banquet. Our nephew Colin received the trophy for the 2010 Super Stock Championship so it was neat to be a part of that. You can see the trophy is pretty nice! Colin's parents and grandparents (on the Reffner side) were there, too. A TV reporter who covers a lot of the races was there selling his video compilation from the season. Colin's car is on the cover of the DVD so I might just have to get his autograph!
We kept Carter home. Knowing that we turn the clocks back tonight, we weren't sure it we'd spend that "extra hour" out or use if for sleeping. I bet you can figure out which one won! Yep, we're getting old.
And that won't change with the clocks!
It was one of those days where the only thing on the calendar was not starting until 6 p.m. so I had permission to do anything (or nothing). Carter even asked this morning: "So can I be a bum today or do I have to read and read and read or what?"
He probably shouldn't have asked.
I didn't have him do anything too painful. He helped me mix up some Christmas cookies -- yes I now have 9 dozen made and in the freezer for my family's upcoming Cookie Exchange -- and I showed him how to use my vacuum cleaner so he could vacuum while I baked the cookies. He survived both tasks and rewarded himself with some couch time.
After the baking was done -- including some frustrating moments with an attempt at being creative -- I finally got a run in. Only ran once this week and I am allegedly training for a 5-miler just a month away. So today, I did survive a 5.25-mile course. Had to do a few 60-second walks in there. But otherwise, it was fine. A nice sunny day that I hope will be repeated come Dec. 4th!
This evening, we were fortunate to attend the Golden Sands Speedway year-end banquet. Our nephew Colin received the trophy for the 2010 Super Stock Championship so it was neat to be a part of that. You can see the trophy is pretty nice! Colin's parents and grandparents (on the Reffner side) were there, too. A TV reporter who covers a lot of the races was there selling his video compilation from the season. Colin's car is on the cover of the DVD so I might just have to get his autograph!We kept Carter home. Knowing that we turn the clocks back tonight, we weren't sure it we'd spend that "extra hour" out or use if for sleeping. I bet you can figure out which one won! Yep, we're getting old.
And that won't change with the clocks!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Lung Capacity
After coughing up half a lung during the night, I was in no mood to go to work today. But I had things to get done. Plus I had to make a quick trip to my "hair artist" this morning, too. So I toughed it out.
The coughing is sporadic during the daytime but I suddenly had flashbacks to early this summer when I thought perhaps I had a cold, then I thought I had allergies and then it turned out I had bronchitis. So I let hubby talk me into going to the walk-in clinic in Rapids after work.
First we had to pick up Carter at home and drop him off at basketball practice at 5:30.
I was lucky there was no waiting at the clinic. I was also lucky, well relieved, to hear I do not have bronchitis. It's just a cough and cold but they prescribed some good cough medicine that should help me at least sleep through the night -- and keep my other lung intact.
We had to wait a bit at the pharmacy but got done and realized it was only a little after 6 p.m. Carter's practice was supposed to go until 7 p.m. so we had time to kill. So we popped over to Rocky Rococo's for a little supper. (Sort of feeling guilty 'cause Carter only had a bowl of cereal for his pre-practice meal!)
Went to the gym at 6:40 and expected we'd have to wait for Carter to get done but he was already sitting out. Turns out he did not even have practice. Only the 8th-graders did! He did try to call my cell phone and guess what? Bad mom did not have it on! I forgot other people can have emergencies, too!
On the way home, I started wondering if maybe I wrote the practice schedule down wrong on the calendar. To my relief, I had it correct. Jim called the coach and apparently the kids were told Tuesday night there would be no practice Friday. So ultimately it's Carter's fault for not listening. But Mom feels mega-guilty for not having her phone on AND eating at Rocky's, too!
Carter says to just forget about it (I think because he knows he somehow screwed up). We can't really get mad about it. We had to be in town for the doctor anyway. Plus, how's it going to look to praise a kid up and down one day and then expose his irresponsibility the next? (I'll just have to blame the assistant coach for not announcing it loud enough.)
The only other "negative" of the day was that I had great hair... and this is the one time I did not run into anyone I knew at Wal-Mart! If I was wearing sweats and no makeup, I would have seen a minimum of 5 people, I'm sure of it!
Ahh, time to take my medicine and get over it.
The coughing is sporadic during the daytime but I suddenly had flashbacks to early this summer when I thought perhaps I had a cold, then I thought I had allergies and then it turned out I had bronchitis. So I let hubby talk me into going to the walk-in clinic in Rapids after work.
First we had to pick up Carter at home and drop him off at basketball practice at 5:30.
I was lucky there was no waiting at the clinic. I was also lucky, well relieved, to hear I do not have bronchitis. It's just a cough and cold but they prescribed some good cough medicine that should help me at least sleep through the night -- and keep my other lung intact.
We had to wait a bit at the pharmacy but got done and realized it was only a little after 6 p.m. Carter's practice was supposed to go until 7 p.m. so we had time to kill. So we popped over to Rocky Rococo's for a little supper. (Sort of feeling guilty 'cause Carter only had a bowl of cereal for his pre-practice meal!)
Went to the gym at 6:40 and expected we'd have to wait for Carter to get done but he was already sitting out. Turns out he did not even have practice. Only the 8th-graders did! He did try to call my cell phone and guess what? Bad mom did not have it on! I forgot other people can have emergencies, too!
On the way home, I started wondering if maybe I wrote the practice schedule down wrong on the calendar. To my relief, I had it correct. Jim called the coach and apparently the kids were told Tuesday night there would be no practice Friday. So ultimately it's Carter's fault for not listening. But Mom feels mega-guilty for not having her phone on AND eating at Rocky's, too!
Carter says to just forget about it (I think because he knows he somehow screwed up). We can't really get mad about it. We had to be in town for the doctor anyway. Plus, how's it going to look to praise a kid up and down one day and then expose his irresponsibility the next? (I'll just have to blame the assistant coach for not announcing it loud enough.)
The only other "negative" of the day was that I had great hair... and this is the one time I did not run into anyone I knew at Wal-Mart! If I was wearing sweats and no makeup, I would have seen a minimum of 5 people, I'm sure of it!
Ahh, time to take my medicine and get over it.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Worth that Wait
There's a reason they set aside 4 hours for parent-teacher conferences. It can take almost all of that to see 9 different teachers! Actually, we got it done in 3 hours but some of those moments of standing in line sure made it seem like 4.
Of course, it was all worth the wait.
We knew going into this that we didn't have any concerns. Carter already got his first report card and proudly boasted A's in 9 out of 10 classes. Still, we wanted to get to know these new teachers at this new school of ours. (Well most know hubby because he knows everybody, but I wanted to meet them, too!)
Parent-teacher conferences are different these days. When I was a kid, we stayed home and crossed our fingers that our parents would hear good things and come home in a good mood. These days the kids are invited to go along and hear it at the same time as us. Of course, if they have nothing to fear, why not go along? I'm pretty sure if Carter had known it would take 3 hours to see everyone, he would have opted to stay home, though.
Really, it never gets old to hear positive things about your child. Of course, we are pleased he's doing well academically. We love that teachers see he is a student who wants to do his best and won't settle for anything less. But we are even more pleased when we hear how polite and respectful he is in class. "Can you clone him?" one teacher asked. Now that's a high compliment.
Carter did get worried when his favorite teacher told him to "go away" so he couldn't hear our conversation. I think Carter was freaking out that the teacher had concerns or something. But no, the teacher explained, "Carter's awesome! I just don't want him getting a big head!"
We don't either. But we did tell him we are really pleased with everything we heard... and he better keep it up, or else...
I personally felt reassured that many of the teachers wanted to make sure Carter was feeling good about transitioning to a new school and making friends. They really care that he is feeling a part of the "family." That's so cool. I just love that!
I think this is going to be good. Really good.
Of course, it was all worth the wait.
We knew going into this that we didn't have any concerns. Carter already got his first report card and proudly boasted A's in 9 out of 10 classes. Still, we wanted to get to know these new teachers at this new school of ours. (Well most know hubby because he knows everybody, but I wanted to meet them, too!)
Parent-teacher conferences are different these days. When I was a kid, we stayed home and crossed our fingers that our parents would hear good things and come home in a good mood. These days the kids are invited to go along and hear it at the same time as us. Of course, if they have nothing to fear, why not go along? I'm pretty sure if Carter had known it would take 3 hours to see everyone, he would have opted to stay home, though.
Really, it never gets old to hear positive things about your child. Of course, we are pleased he's doing well academically. We love that teachers see he is a student who wants to do his best and won't settle for anything less. But we are even more pleased when we hear how polite and respectful he is in class. "Can you clone him?" one teacher asked. Now that's a high compliment.
Carter did get worried when his favorite teacher told him to "go away" so he couldn't hear our conversation. I think Carter was freaking out that the teacher had concerns or something. But no, the teacher explained, "Carter's awesome! I just don't want him getting a big head!"
We don't either. But we did tell him we are really pleased with everything we heard... and he better keep it up, or else...
I personally felt reassured that many of the teachers wanted to make sure Carter was feeling good about transitioning to a new school and making friends. They really care that he is feeling a part of the "family." That's so cool. I just love that!
I think this is going to be good. Really good.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Chicken Soup for the Soul (Mate)
Sometime right before Halloween, the Massive Head Cold Monster sneaked into our house and bit hubby and me. We're guessing it was Friday night when we were too caught up in the euphoria of a new car and scarfing down good greasy pizza to notice.
But on Saturday, we had an inkling when we started sniffing a bit and feeling that illusive tickle in the back of our throats. Oh, it wasn't enough to keep us down or stop us from our weekend fun, but we knew it eventually would.
Come Sunday morning, we were done in. Seriously, we all slept like 10 or 11 hours and no one made it to church. (Perhaps this was a satanic monster??) We were stuffed up and coughing that annoying little nagging cough that doesn't quite require a cough drop.
We still stocked up on the Hall's and hubby decided it was a good day to make chicken soup. He makes the best! So we fortified ourselves with that while resting comfortably on the football-viewing couch and, later, not caring a whole lot that the trick-or-treat action (requiring movement off the couch) was slim to none.
Here it is 3 days later and I still can't shake this thing. Jim, luckily, has moved on. I, on the other hand, have been downing his delicious chicken soup for lunch each day and getting myself to bed by 9 each night.
I'm guessing since I ran out of Kleenex at work and coughed significantly less last night that the end may be in sight. Who would have thought a stupid, inconvenient head cold could wield so much power?
Part of me thinks I'm just sick about how the elections turned out. Unfortunately, even the best chicken soup on Blue Jay Drive can't fix that!
Cough, cough, sigh...
But on Saturday, we had an inkling when we started sniffing a bit and feeling that illusive tickle in the back of our throats. Oh, it wasn't enough to keep us down or stop us from our weekend fun, but we knew it eventually would.
Come Sunday morning, we were done in. Seriously, we all slept like 10 or 11 hours and no one made it to church. (Perhaps this was a satanic monster??) We were stuffed up and coughing that annoying little nagging cough that doesn't quite require a cough drop.
We still stocked up on the Hall's and hubby decided it was a good day to make chicken soup. He makes the best! So we fortified ourselves with that while resting comfortably on the football-viewing couch and, later, not caring a whole lot that the trick-or-treat action (requiring movement off the couch) was slim to none.
Here it is 3 days later and I still can't shake this thing. Jim, luckily, has moved on. I, on the other hand, have been downing his delicious chicken soup for lunch each day and getting myself to bed by 9 each night.
I'm guessing since I ran out of Kleenex at work and coughed significantly less last night that the end may be in sight. Who would have thought a stupid, inconvenient head cold could wield so much power?
Part of me thinks I'm just sick about how the elections turned out. Unfortunately, even the best chicken soup on Blue Jay Drive can't fix that!
Cough, cough, sigh...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
It's a Free Country
When I got up this morning and heard the temperature outside was in the mid-20s, I started thinking about Christmas music. When I walked into Wal-Mart tonight and the first sight that greeted my eyes was a 20-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree, those thoughts returned.
No, I didn't act on them. Yet. But I'm contemplating it ... as I sip my eggnog.
I guess if I wanted to dig out my holiday tunes and play them, I could. It's a free country after all.
But I think we all had better things to do today to exercise our freedoms. I don't recall the last time I actually missed an opportunity to vote. I think of the millions of soldiers who fought for our freedoms, including 2 nephews most recently, and it doesn't cross my mind not to vote.
Even when I've had it up to here with negative commercials and "computerized" campaign phone calls, I still feel it's my right and my duty, really, to vote.
Plus we all know that if we don't vote, we really have no right to complain! And you know me, I am not the quiet one in the corner. (Though I will say I choose to exercise my right not to share my political beliefs in this blog. I do not wish to engage in controversy nor endorse it!)
What I would like to engage in is some Peppermint Stick ice cream to go with this eggnog. I think I just might. Hubby's getting Carter from basketball practice. The couch is mine for GLEE in 11 minutes. Let me find that big spoon...
It's a free country, right?
No, I didn't act on them. Yet. But I'm contemplating it ... as I sip my eggnog.
I guess if I wanted to dig out my holiday tunes and play them, I could. It's a free country after all.
But I think we all had better things to do today to exercise our freedoms. I don't recall the last time I actually missed an opportunity to vote. I think of the millions of soldiers who fought for our freedoms, including 2 nephews most recently, and it doesn't cross my mind not to vote.
Even when I've had it up to here with negative commercials and "computerized" campaign phone calls, I still feel it's my right and my duty, really, to vote.
Plus we all know that if we don't vote, we really have no right to complain! And you know me, I am not the quiet one in the corner. (Though I will say I choose to exercise my right not to share my political beliefs in this blog. I do not wish to engage in controversy nor endorse it!)
What I would like to engage in is some Peppermint Stick ice cream to go with this eggnog. I think I just might. Hubby's getting Carter from basketball practice. The couch is mine for GLEE in 11 minutes. Let me find that big spoon...
It's a free country, right?
Monday, November 1, 2010
8 Weeks
As we turned the calendar today to the penultimate month of the year, we got a memo from our CEO reminding us there are only 8 weeks of our "business year" left to reach all the goals we had for 2010. So let's "push forward" and do what we have to do to make that happen.
If you are thinking of your personal goals, sometimes called resolutions, don't despair about the short 8 weeks remaining. Technically, there are 9 weeks if you count the last week between holidays when I plan to be oh-so nonproductive.
I don't know if back in January I even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for my usual perennial goals revolved around writing and weight-ing. I do feel some progress on both. Slow and steady will get me far, I have learned. I know, lame excuse. But I still have 8 or so weeks!
Just think, in 8 weeks, the Vikings season will be all but over. Oh wait, hasn't that already happened? I never even got to wear my old #84 and off he goes. I wish they would have started with lower numbers and worked their way up, with Childress being a Zero and maybe stopping after #4. Ah well, each week it's a soap opera!
Also in 8 weeks, Carter's school basketball season will be all but over, too. He actually just started his first practice tonight and will have 16 games between now and then. Plus he's on the Cage Club team which means weekend games.
So perhaps 8 weeks doesn't seem so long to go in 2010. But I imagine between work and home life, the Austins are going to be pushing "forward" and in all directions between now and then.
And we'll totally deserve that 9th week as a freebie.
I got dibbs on the couch!
If you are thinking of your personal goals, sometimes called resolutions, don't despair about the short 8 weeks remaining. Technically, there are 9 weeks if you count the last week between holidays when I plan to be oh-so nonproductive.
I don't know if back in January I even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) for my usual perennial goals revolved around writing and weight-ing. I do feel some progress on both. Slow and steady will get me far, I have learned. I know, lame excuse. But I still have 8 or so weeks!
Just think, in 8 weeks, the Vikings season will be all but over. Oh wait, hasn't that already happened? I never even got to wear my old #84 and off he goes. I wish they would have started with lower numbers and worked their way up, with Childress being a Zero and maybe stopping after #4. Ah well, each week it's a soap opera!
Also in 8 weeks, Carter's school basketball season will be all but over, too. He actually just started his first practice tonight and will have 16 games between now and then. Plus he's on the Cage Club team which means weekend games.
So perhaps 8 weeks doesn't seem so long to go in 2010. But I imagine between work and home life, the Austins are going to be pushing "forward" and in all directions between now and then.
And we'll totally deserve that 9th week as a freebie.
I got dibbs on the couch!
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