The Thinker

As much as I miss having my hubby around, I don't mind the single-mom routine occasionally. ... As long as blizzards are held at bay.

I'm at the point I am pouncing on any one-on-one time with our baby, knowing that at any moment, his pre-teen attitude could kick in and he'll want nothing to do with either one of us. So for now, I'll take advantage of every opportunity.

On Monday and Tuesday nights we had the same routine: supper, homework, then a game. We had a nail-biting game of Bustola on Monday (I barely beat him). And last night, well, we ran out of time, but I'm pretty sure I would have won the UNO game.

Although Daddy sometimes ribs me about hanging on every word Carter says, each day he says something I just find entertaining or even thought-provoking.

On Monday, he was thinking it might be a wise career move to be a government employee so he could get all the holidays off. Then, after further thought, he said a teacher would be even better. Three months off! "Can you imagine how different it will be when I'm a teacher?" he said. "We didn't even have SmartBoards (computerized chalkboard/wipe board) back when I was in first grade and now we do!"

Last night, after I picked him up, he talked about watching the inauguration and its historic value. "I just don't understand what the big deal is if someone is black or white," he said. "What's the difference? I mean we're all the same. Why do some people hate black people? We have a black president today but like 40 years ago they were killing each other. How did this even start?"

I think I prefer the simpler questions like how many planets are there? But even that changes.

When I tried to explain about the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil War and slavery, I got a sick feeling in my stomach just saying out loud, "We owned them." What kind of people were we? Are we?

I'm encouraged that Carter is growing up an environment where people are treated fairly and equally. Where he questions why it shouldn't be that way with everyone. I have faith this truly is a new era. And I'm grateful to be a part of it.

Making History

January 20, 1981

Dear Diary,
Today two things happened that will make history. One of them is: We get a new president, Ronald Reagan. I think I'll like him 'cuz I got a brother named Ronald. The other thing is: the hostages got released from Iran. They should be back in the U.S. of A. by the end of this week.
- Robyn (age 12)

We say that this inauguration day is historic. But looking back, aren't they all? Every time a president is sworn into office, he or she and their administration, with its decisions, good and bad, will make the history books.

I asked Carter if he was going to get to watch any of Barack Obama's inauguration at school today. "I know you're young," I said, "but this is really a historic day. It's our first black president."

"Mom," he said, "It would have been historic either way. If McCain would have won, we'd have our first female vice president."

I forget sometimes that the 12-year-old girl that wrote the diary entry above is a lot "younger" than my 10-year-old. He can be wise beyond his years, that one.

I hope some day, long before he's my age, he'll be able to vote for a president who is well-qualified. One who doesn't lose or gain votes because of his skin color or because of her sex. An election that focuses solely on the candidates and their qualifications. It's sad to say that in 2009, we seem to be a long way from that.

So today, we will welcome this historic change. Perhaps this is finally a step in that direction. I just hope my wise young man will witness the day we finally take that step -- and don't look back.

Now that would be historic.

California Dreamin'

On my commute this morning, I heard the radio DJ say, "It's going to be a nice day today. High of 15." Isn't that something we are so brain-washed in the Midwest we think 15 degrees is a nice day? Somehow we are wired to think that compared to the brutal cold a few days ago, double digits is a treat!

I guess that's a good thing -- or we'd spend a good 8 months out of the year grumbling about the cold weather around here with no bright spots. Oh wait. We do that anyway, don't we?

This week I'll be especially cognizant of the weather -- and finding every opportunity to grumble. That's because hubby flew off to Palm Springs this morning, so I will be hosting a pity party for one at my house.

Jim will be gone on his work trip until Friday night. Unfortunately, since he is still recovering from knee surgery, he won't be able to golf (yup, this is work-related) with the others (poor guy) but may use that time wisely, pool side. Now do you see why this pity party has merit?

Seriously, I do hope he can enjoy the sunshine and warmth. And on the home front, I hope our mild weather continues with little snow accumulation this week. Not that I couldn't handle it. I'm not one of those wimpy California girls who wouldn't know a snowblower from a weed whacker...

Ready to Launch?

There's a movie made sometime in the last 5 years called Failure to Launch. The story focuses on a woman, played by Sarah-Jessica Parker, who helps parents "launch" their adult sons out from under their roof. Sometimes the grown men are practically dragged kicking and screaming. They are not ready to launch into independence -- with all of its joys and challenges.

Know anybody like that? When's the last time you had a big project or household task in front of you and you said, "I'll get to that but first I need to do this, then this, then that..."? We are using the art of procrastination (and it can be an art) to avoid launching into something.

I am so guilty of that on a hundred fronts.

Yesterday, I spent a good two hours cleaning out a closet in our bathroom that, quite honestly, hasn't seen the light of a cleaning rag in 5 years. The only reason I launched into the project now was because the door broke. Looking at the innards of the closet with no filter wasn't so pretty. There was no way to get out of this one.

Back on New Year's I stepped on the scale. And while I did vow I was going to work on accepting myself the way I am this year, I can't ignore that I need to shed some of the excess poundage and make healthier choices.

Today I launched into a new eating plan. (I'm going to call it that because DIET is such a nasty four-letter word, isn't it?) I realize when I look at the calendar it has taken me half of January to launch into this. Sometimes starting is the hardest step. We're not ready to launch unless there is significant pressure from the flight crew or we hear a final countdown from the Commander, who I know would not push me to launch unless He knew I could handle it.

I think we get into a comfort zone. We don't necessarily like it but we're willing to stay in it because change can be tough. We want to find an easier, softer way. But 9 times out of 10, it's hard work, isn't it?

I'm reminded of a favorite phrase of mine: To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done.

For me, that starts with hitting that "launch" button. From there, the journey is in the hands of our Commander. And, really, what more could we ask for? C'mon. Are you ready to launch?

The Comeback Kid

We had two comebacks occurring simultaneously today. The stuff sports highlight reels are made of. Well, not quite. But it made for good blogging fodder.

You know my hubby is a lifelong Celtics fan. Last year, thanks to an NBA championship win over the Lakers, Carter jumped on that bandwagon, too. Since I don't have allegiance to any NBA team, I'm fine with cheering for the Celtics when they're on TV.

This afternoon, I walked into the living room and saw Carter was reclined on the couch playing his DS, Daddy was in the chair and the Celtics were on TV. I saw they were behind by 10 or 12 against the evil Lakers. "That doesn't look good," I said.

That's when Jim caught my attention, putting his "shhh" finger in front of his mouth, then pointed to the TV again. He was watching ESPN Classic. In other words, this was an old game. Not so old -- just Game 4 of last year's Finals. A game Celtics fans recall as the "greatest comeback ever."

I could see right away what was going on. He was going to see how long it took Carter -- quite distracted by his video game -- to figure out it was an old game. So I plop on the couch and decide to play along. It's almost halftime, the Celtics are behind by 17 or 18 and Daddy's "game" begins.

Daddy offers to bet Carter a quarter that the Celtics will come back and win. But it's not just a quarter. He gives him 20-1 odds or something and says if the Celtics win, Carter just owes Daddy a quarter. But if the Lakers win, Daddy owes him $5. Carter takes the bet (how could he not?) and they shake on it.

During halftime, we decide to play the 3 to 13 card game. In just two hands I am about 50 points to the bad. My points slow down a bit, but I am gradually inching toward the loser bracket.

Meanwhile, we are keeping an eye on that Celtics game and by the end of the third quarter, the bet has doubled -- $10 or 50 cents, depending on the winner. Sometime in the fourth quarter, when the Celtics take their first lead, it doubles again. Now we're talking $20 or $1. Carter is OK either way. "I got a dollar ready."

With about a minute left to play, Daddy proposed this: "How about if the Lakers win, I give you $20 but if the Celtics do win, you just clean the litter box instead of paying me a dollar." OK, says Carter.

With about 10 seconds left, Daddy finally shows the "info guide" on TV and Carter realizes he's been played. I wish I would have had a video camera. His reaction was better than anything you'd see on Punk'd or Candid Camera or Howie Do It. Genuinely hilarious!

After he settles down (Daddy and I can't stop chuckling), we decide to finish the 3 to 13 game. We're down to the last two hands and I am still losing my keester. It's my deal and, honestly, I dealt myself 7 wild cards! Unheard of! So I go out immediately and suddenly find myself in first place. A place I hung onto during the last hand, too.

Talk about some great comebacks! The Celtics win... Mommy wins... And we have a clean litter box!

Dog Days

On Carter's vocab calendar, the phrase today was "dog days." While it typically refers to the hot, sultry period of summer. It has a second meaning: A period of stagnation or inactivity. Since today was another weather day off from school, Carter decided it would be a "dog day" for him. Or, in his words, "Can we just call it a cat day?"

Frankly, with two days off in a row, it has been the dog days for him. He spent yesterday with his cousin Colin pretty much racking up high scores on video games. Today was a day with Mom and it was not quite the day at the arcade experience he was probably hoping for.

First of all, when I was off with him in December, I was "off." It was a vacation day. Today I was working from home so it wasn't the fun and games he expected. I worked late last night so that I could hopefully be done by noon today. But noon turned into more like 2 or 3 p.m.

He managed to keep himself busy reading (with heavy sighing) what he was supposed to get done yesterday and today. Then he watched a little TV and a movie. I tried to limit the Nintendo DS time. All we need is carpal tunnel surgery at 13 at the same time we'll probably be paying for braces!

We did manage to get out of the house at 4 p.m. Neither rain nor sleet nor windchill will keep us from Wal-Mart. But that was only because we needed milk and some groceries for supper. I swear!

I can vouch for the weathermen who keep expounding on how darn cold it is. It is! I'm glad we didn't send our kids out in that. And, yes, it was kind of nice not worrying about bundling up myself. I'm pretty much cold all the time the way it is!

In fact, I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner. Since I was home, I could've had my electric blanket on all day. Imagine how toasty that would be tonight! I better go take care of that now. Better late than never...

Winds of Change

Talk to any resident of Wisconsin about the weather on a warm summer day and, without a doubt, they'll be tuned into the heat index. If they are wiping sweat off their brow, they'll tell you, "It's not the heat, it's the humidity." Yes, we can tell the difference.

So, too, on a winter day, we amateur meteorologists can assess not only the temperature but the windchill factor. In fact, it becomes a source of bragging rights. And sometimes makes the national news.

Today, we probably will again. In the first time since I don't know when, pretty much every school in Wisconsin is closed today. And this time it's not due to some snow-dumping blizzard. It's just too darn cold!

We actually knew by the time we picked up Carter at the sitter's last night that school was already called off for today. They expected temps to drop to the minus teens or so and windchills to approach 35-45 below. And dang it, they were right.

We took Carter over to Jim's sister's last night and her son will watch him today. That gave us the chance to come into work early today. (Small rewards for the sick-minded.) I am on a mission to get stuff done today just in case we get a re-run tomorrow and I can be on day watch.

The good thing about most weather patterns is that they tend to come from the west, so whatever my dear friends and family suffer through in Minnesota usually arrives on our door step 24 hours later with a pretty pink bow on it! I guess it's kind of good. We are never truly caught off-guard. No complete surprises.

Wouldn't that be great if it worked that way in life, too? We saw everything coming. Knew when the humidity was going to skyrocket in the summer. Knew when there was going to be a shift in the winds that would plunge the temperature -- or, more literally, change the course of our lives. The weatherman could say, "And Robyn Austin will be in for a major change today..." And we could prepare.

We've had a lot of changes at work lately. A definite changing weather pattern. We feared it was another storm brewing. And for some, it was. For me, the winds came alright. But they didn't blow me away or cause any damage. They just steered me in a new direction. One I hope has more warm, sunny days than arctic blasts. But there are no guarantees with Mother Nature, are there?