Hump Day

You know it's not a good day when going to the dentist is the high point -- and that includes a half day off! But we all have days like that and we get through them. And tend to appreciate the days that are a little more steady, with a few less highs and lows.

Hubby and I had the morning off to go to a dreaded meeting at the courthouse. Things have gotten pretty serious where son no. 2 and his lack of school attendance are concerned. We hope that what the judge said sinks in and he will get the picture. But we aren't holding our breath. We know you can't really change a 16-year-old's attitude but now there a some people who will be laying on some heavy persuasion. So while we are gravely disappointed about the situation on one hand, we are cautiously (very cautiously) optimistic on the other. We'll just keep praying.

We got to work before noon and put in a very busy, stressed 4 hours. I realize the less time we have to work on something, the more focused we are getting it done. But I'm not a fan of the stress level. Plus, I had to miss Zumba (the one form of exercise I actually enjoy!). On the bright side, someone did come to my rescue today with chocolate -- mint chocolate even! (A gold star for Katie!)

We lit out at 4 so I could get to the dentist. You can see why I was looking forward to just laying in the chair, feeling no pain. It was a nice reprieve. I was not thinking about the truant. I was not thinking about deadlines. I was just concentrating on keeping my mouth open (and really, we all know that's not hard for me to do!)

Carter called my cell and let me know that the teacher made an example out of him today. But in a good way. He is ahead of the class in his math objectives for the year. He apparently said to the teacher, "I don't mean to brag, but I reached number 100 today." The teacher said, "Well I'll brag for you!" And so she did. Actually in a nice way so Carter wouldn't be embarrassed. She just shared what Carter accomplished and told the class that it is possible to reach that goal if you work at it.

So to treat our good student and lift hubby's spirits, I stopped at KFC on the way home so the guys could "eat like kings" for supper. That's their feelings on KFC. My mouth was still numb so I enjoyed the mashed potatoes and tried not to bite my cheek or tongue with chewing on my cornbread muffin!

The guys were happy and I was smiling (somewhat lopsided) because Jim also tried to lift my spirits after our trying day by buying me flowers. Let me hear you say "awwww."

Seeing pretty yellow flowers on the counter next to the container of leftover Christmas cookies is sort of odd. But it reminds me winter won't last forever and spring is only like 3 months away. So, too, our stressors of today won't be around forever. Someday we'll look back on this time and see how much those challenges helped us bloom and grow as people, as parents.

In the meantime, though, we could use some plant food here. Sunshine would be nice, too...

S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D

I’m pretty sure this concept of “stress eating” is just an excuse people (me included) use to indulge in something we shouldn’t have.

Many has been the occasion when I am pulling out my last hair at my desk and I yell up to the ceiling, “I need chocolate!” And one of my faithful co-workers comes to my rescue.

Now they must have gotten wind that I am trying (once again) to start off the New Year on a healthy note. Boy, did that come back to bite me in the butt!

Today, on one of those days where my head is splitting at 4 p.m. and I am on my last nerve, I say, “I’m hungry!” And what do I get? One offer for applesauce, another for a handful of multi-grain cereal and another for some toasted almonds. Where’s my support team? Where’s my chocolate? What kind of working environment is this?

I opted for the almonds, since they sounded the sweetest, and have lived to tell about it. I suspect that tomorrow will be on the same level of stress so perhaps I better get out that memo now about how STRESSED spelled backwards is DESSERTS. Couldn’t hurt, right?

My Girl

Growing up the youngest of 8 kids, I never had a chance to be a big sister -- unless you count being 9 minutes older than my twin. So it was quite the treat to become an aunt for the first time when I was just a fifth-grader.

My niece Caryn was born 30 years ago today. Yes, 30! (Big milestone.) Carter is pretty impressed with that number. "You mean you were an aunt when you were only my age?" Yep. And it was awesome!

As the first niece and grandchild, Caryn was as cute and spoiled as they come. We all did our part to contribute, that's for sure. Reading through my diaries, I noted that I was always very excited to see Caryn or spend time with her -- whether it was a brief visit or an overnight stay to babysit her.

A 10-year age difference doesn't seem that much as we get older. I got to watch her grow up from infancy and she got to watch me try to grow up as an independent adult -- including all my wild hair styles.

I was trying to be the cool, hip aunt. Sometimes it worked, but not always.

We both liked our music! I could identify with her New Kids on the Block phase in the '80s (How many posters, Caryn?!) and learned a thing about Green Day and Hole in the '90s. Then there was that Dixie Chicks concert, too. Chicks rule!

Eleven years ago at this time, she had just given birth to her firstborn son and I was just a few months away from delivering mine. I never thought I'd be a "great-aunt" before being a mother, but that's how it worked out. Now we are bonding again watching our fifth-graders grow up, acting like first-graders some days and acting like 10th-graders other days.

I am still trying to be that cool, hip aunt in her eyes. Sometimes it works, but not always. I'm still trying to understand her music. I'm still experimenting with my hair. And I still am always very excited to see Caryn and spend time with her. That hasn't changed. She'll always be my girl!

Happy birthday, Caryn! Take it from me, the 30s were the best years yet!

Back to Normal?

Now that the Vikings just blew their chances of advancing in the playoffs, I can pack away my football gear just like all the other loser fans in Wisconsin had to do last week when their team didn't make the playoffs. Ooooh, does that sound bitter?

Seriously, we weren't exactly optimistic about today's game. But then the Vikings had to hang in their for 3 quarters and we had hope. That darn hope. It gets crushed every time! When will we learn?

Ahh, the joys of being a fan, right?

So now our household is just about back to normal. Well, we didn't take the Christmas tree down yet. Didn't want to mess with our victory karma, so that'll have to wait until next weekend. But I do have my work bag packed and Carter has his backpack set to return to school tomorrow.

Except for the setting the alarm thing, I think we're both looking forward to being back on our regular schedule. In fact, I'll probably have Carter in bed by 8 tonight (it'll take forever for him to fall asleep) and I won't be too far behind him (need to get in early tomorrow).

I must say it's been a nice two weeks of mostly vacation. Had some great times with family and friends -- and myself. I certainly can't say I didn't relax enough. That's probably why I'm anxious to get back to work. I'm looking forward to using my brain again instead of my mouth. Yep, the holiday grazing season is officially over! My tight pants are thanking me already.

Enjoy your re-entry into normalcy this week!

Extreme Sledding

Our next-door neighbor Mick has created quite the toboggan run in his backyard. After two years of "construction," he's got it down to a science this winter -- or should I say a work of art?

The "run" starts on top of his deck, where a board is erected to hold snow -- and sledders -- in place. Then, thanks to many buckets of water turned ice and the snowblower-built banks along the side, he has a run that envies anything you've seen in Olympic bobsledding or luge competitions.

Today I took the video camera over there to grab a few snapshots from the bottom of the hill. In this first video, you see the lay of the trail as three of the kids go down.



In this video, our neighbor Matt is following his daughter down the trail and takes her out in the end. But no injuries were reported.



In this final two-parter, I got talked into going down the run but thought I'd get cute and give you a first-hand look at what the trail looks like. I'm such a chicken, I accidentally turned the camera OFF after my first scream, but then had the where with all to turn it back on somewhere down the track.




I did bang my head on the ice on the way down, but if the kids can do this for hours a day without complaining, then I'll shut up... and definitely stick to taking pictures from here on out!

Dear Diary...

While I was pondering my New Year's resolutions yesterday -- and their consistency from year to year -- I wondered if I had a record of them anywhere. I found a box last night containing high school yearbooks, all kinds of my reports and papers, school pictures and (jackpot) several diaries and journals I kept as a girl.

The oldest one (as in earliest one) I had was a handmade one that consisted of several pieces of 8 1/2 by 11 paper folded in half, with two holes punched close to the left edge, with brown yarn looped through to hold the pages in place. My handwriting on the front just said, "My Diary." I had just finished 5th grade and turned 11 when I started that one.

I started reading and was fascinated. So this is what my life was like when I was Carter's age. Or at least, this was my perspective on what life was like. With the turn of each page, I could picture myself in my old room, probably sitting on the top bunk, writing down those thoughts and observations from the day. Not necessarily because they were earth-shattering or major news events but because, apparently even then, I just enjoyed writing.

If you'll humor me, please, I think I'll be sharing an occasional entry this year as it ties into other aspects of my life today. Maybe it will take you on some of your own trips down Memory Lane.

Remember, girls, when our whole life revolved around boys? (Maybe that hasn't changed.) That's how my diary started. This is my very first entry that I could find. It must have been about the first week of 6th grade. (Last names are deleted to protect the innocent! Spelling and grammatical errors are not edited either.)

August 23, 1979

Dear diary, at school I had too high of desk, you see I'm very short for my age. So I had to get it lowered. I had to sit in Joel ___'s desk for Health because two legs of my desk were up and two of them were down, it's lowered now. Today in afternoon recess Leslie and I were out in the football field with some boys who were playing football. I took Paul's hat. (He used to be my old boyfriend.) We had lots of fun. Now Brent ___ is the love of my life. He almost got this one sheet of paper I tore up because Jon ___ wrote Robyn + Brent and I didn't want Brent to see. He stole my pen and wrote Robyn + Brent on his pants.
Signed,
Robyn H.

Yikes. Now do you see why I am getting gray hairs already about Carter and his girlfriends? If this was life in 6th grade almost 30 years ago, imagine what's happening now! Ahhh. This should be an interesting and perhaps educational flashback. I hope you'll enjoy the journey back in time.

Testing our Resolve

Resolution: 1. The quality of being resolute. 2. a. Something that has been resolved. b. A formal statement of a decision voted, as by a legislature. 3. A solving, as of a problem or a puzzle.

Welcome to 2009! I am happy to report I have kept my first resolution and that was to ring in the new year in the arms of the men I love. Yes, men. Both Jim and Carter were at my side for kisses and hugs at midnight.

We actually went out to eat with Jim's sister and brother-in-law while their son entertained Carter at their house. After dinner, we went to a bar, where we shot pool and promptly raised the average age of the patrons upon our arrival. I don't miss that scene. And certainly don't miss coming home smelling like a bar (in other words, smokey). I had to take a shower before I could go to bed!

We made it back to my sister-in-law's by midnight so we all counted down together, then we headed home. I still got up early today so am tired now from all that relaxing. Carter went sledding on the "toboggan run" next door so I got pictures of all the neighborhood kids doing that. With the below-zero windchill, my fingers were freezing in no time so that ended my outdoor adventure for the day. Kids are far more resilient!

I've successfully avoided sitting down at the computer all day because I knew I'd have to start thinking about the dreaded New Year's resolutions. Do I have the resolve for more self-improvement efforts another year?

I wonder why I even mention them out loud. They honestly haven't changed much in decades. Seriously. When have I not resolved to lose weight (insert any number from 10-40 pounds here) and get organized? It's pretty pathetic. And it's not like I don't have the resolve, the drive, the determination. I do, but perhaps just not enough -- for my standards anyway.

To keep it simple this year, maybe I should just have one resolution. I resolve to love myself... to accept myself for who I am and not berate myself for not being something I could never be.

I know you're saying, "What's not to love? Robyn's awesome!" (ha, ha). But I can be really hard on myself. I don't know how many times I cut myself down (especially about my weight) and hubby says, "Hey, quit picking on my wife!" You get the picture.

That says to me that maybe I don't need to change myself so much as I need to look at myself in a different way. For any of you self-esteem challenged folks like me, you know that's a huge step. Huge. Gigantic. But not impossible, right?

That's not to say I can't continue to work on improvements. I will continue to try to eat healthy and exercise often. But in the meantime, I need to love myself for making the effort, focusing on progress rather than perfection.

With our world not at peace and the way the economy is now, people (those expert types) are predicting 2009 to be a pretty tough year. I expect circumstances will test our resolve in more ways than one. So I believe that now, more than ever, a little extra love towards ourselves, our families and our neighbors wouldn't hurt. In fact, I think it will feel kind of good!

I wish the best of luck to those of you with resolutions you are determined to keep. I hope love, health and happiness will form the best of memories for all of us in 2009!