Dark Side

I can't always find a "Light Side" on this blog. I mostly try to keep it funny or inspiring in a positive way. But occasionally I am at a loss for words.

Today is one of those days.

I was at work when I learned early on of the school shooting in Connecticut. As a parent, I immediately have an uncontrolled physical reaction. I got chills, something akin to goose bumps, as I sat there, stunned. Every time a detail came out, my body reacted the same. Like when I first learned it was at an elementary school, not a high school or college. And then when I learned of the unbelievably large number of victims. I just got chills to the point I was numb, I guess.

It's just so shocking. My mind raced with questions. Who would do this? Why? Why innocent children? What would someone have against them? Isn't it safe to send my kid to school? Is it safe anywhere?

It's so incredibly tragic. I can only pray God will offer some comfort and understanding to the hundreds who are grieving. I know I couldn't wait to see Carter after school to give him a hug! I vowed that I was going to hug him no matter how much it would embarrass him in front of his friends. But I sort of tempered that a bit.

Carter and two of his friends stayed after school and went to the girls basketball game. Since his two friends are staying overnight tonight, I had to go pick them up. First, hubby and I went to a nearby saloon to hear our friend "Kat" play in her band. When it was halftime of the basketball game, I left the establishment and went to town to pick up the boys. (I got to see the fourth quarter of the game. We won.)

I dropped the boys off at our house, gave Carter an earnest hug in front of his 2 friends (they only picked on him a little), then left the boys on their own. I picked up Jim and we went to an "adult gathering" with 3 other couples from school. It was a great time. And so good to sit and laugh and not think about the dark day.

We got home at a little after 1 a.m. and I am ready to drop. Carter and friends, however, are still wide awake in the basement, sipping soda, eating chips and playing video games like they could do it all night long. Wasn't I young and full of energy like that once?

I'm a little bit jealous. But mostly just grateful we have a group of healthy boys here ... and my baby is safe. For today.

Thanks be to God.

Happy Skol-idays

All week I've had it my head that it was St. Lucia Day on Saturday. I kept thinking the 15th and wondered how I would, er she would, get presents to Carter without embarrassing him in front of the friends he's having over Friday night.

All this thought going into it and then I realized a half hour ago that TODAY is St. Lucia Day!

Whoops.

Just about missed our Scandi-hoovian holiday!

So I quickly threw our gifts in some bags -- Wal-Mart bags, not gift bags -- and spread some good old Swedish cheer!

Hubby got a nice cheese slicer (built in on a bread board) to replace our old one. Carter got an Asteroids video game t-shirt. And I, following Norse tradition, got a new Vikings apron! Skol!

Or in today's case: Happy Skol-idays!

For the record, for the real Christmas, I do have my shopping all done now. Maybe I better write it on the calendar that my family's gifts are due the 23rd, Jim's family's gifts are due for delivery the 24th, and the boys will get theirs the 25th.

Our bathroom may "arrive" by New Year's. We'll see. Good thing I'm not completely in charge!

Happy St. Lucia Day!!

12-12-12

{  12  }

It's just a number but it drew plenty of attention today -- on 12/12/12... the only time in any of our lives we will see that. And not because the world ends next week. There's just no months higher than 12.

Of course, Packer fans made a huge deal out of this since their QB wears #12. I guess someone who I didn't vote for declared it Aaron Rodgers Day. Here's my answer to that!

Unfortunately, Percy Harvin is out for the season, but you get my point.

Carter's school actually had a "dress down" day today. So they didn't have to wear dress code as long as they were wearing Green & Gold. Here's Carter's answer to that... He wore his St. Patrick's Day t-shirt that looks like a GREEN leprechaun suit with GOLD pieces in the pockets.

Oh yes, we are so clever in this house!

Typically, when I'm thinking of 12/12 it's in reference to 12x12 paper for scrapbooking. That's really my kind of 12! Tonight though, we realized our bathroom tiles come in 12x12 size, too. Now I just have to pick out a style and color.

Trust me. It will not be green and gold!

Festive Fifteen

Other than candy canes and figgy pudding (whatever that is), there aren't many Christmas carols or stories that actually mention food. Yet somehow it is the center of most holiday celebrations.

It's no wonder the Festive Fifteen looms as dangerous to most of us as the Freshman Fifteen does for college students. It's almost inevitable, isn't it? I mean we could fight it, but how? And more importantly, why? It's the only time of year I get Schwan's Peppermint Stick Ice Cream, all varieties of cookies and fudge and, of course, eggnog in every conceivable way.

I don't want to miss out!

I guess it's no wonder that when I came across this cartoon, I laughed right out loud. And guiltily avoided the scale the rest of the day.

Today we had our holiday potluck at work. I did very well with my "portion control" during the main meal. It was the second plate that did me in. OK it was a very small plate but there were sooooo many dessert treats to choose from, a person (with or without self control) couldn't choose just one. (And might I add, the eggnog fudge was divine.)

Honestly, I felt so full of sugar by early afternoon, I was convinced Popeye would nickname ME Sweet Pee, er Pea. Now I've crashed from the sugar high and am ready for bed! It's a good thing I don't have that many eating engagements on the calendar this season. Or I might not even be able to hold myself up in a plank position for 15 seconds!

I just have to be sure the Festive Fifteen is something more like a manageable Festive Five. Either way, my scale will run and hide in January as usual... while I suck on the last candy canes and gobble down the last red-and-green spice drops...

Just to get them out of the house, of course.

For the Moment

It was a year ago today that my dad was released from a hospital in Minneapolis after his heart attack and subsequent flight for life.

In some ways it seems like years ago -- so much has happened to fill up that year -- but in other ways, it seems like yesterday -- I'll never forget the shock, the worry, the realization that we could lose someone we love at a moment's notice.

Or no notice.

I've been praying the last few days for some people on both ends of the age spectrum. One is my second cousin's 17-year-old son who died a few days ago -- with no notice. A senior in high school, he had his whole life ahead of him. Now his family is left to deal with the questions, the pain and the empty place in their hearts as they go through life and wonder what he'd be doing if he were still here.

Since I live so far away from my family and cousins, I never got the chance to meet this boy. That doesn't lessen my grief or concern for those closest to him. The thought of losing a child, at any age really, just breaks my heart. I pray my cousins will find comfort.

The second person on my mind is my brother-in-law's mother, who ironically was airlifted to that same Minneapolis hospital late Saturday after a massive stroke. Things aren't looking too good for her. And while she has lived a full life, that doesn't lessen the shock and worry her family is experiencing.

This woman and her wonderful son have been a part of my life since I was Carter's age. My sister married him some 30 years ago so my brother-in-law isn't exactly "extended family" any more. He IS family. He and my sister have two wonderful sons and two adorable grandsons. All who are praying now for this woman to recover, but at the same time, preparing to say goodbye.

I remember when Dad was in the hospital. I realized it could be time for the final farewell. I wasn't ready. I'm still not ready. Are we ever? I know I couldn't handle saying goodbye to a parent or child right now. But I guess that's why we pray. To give people in that situation the strength to get through it.

In the meantime, all we can do -- and must do --  is cherish our loved ones for the moment... while they are here so we have no regrets.

Let It Snow

I don't mind looking at snow but absolutely hate driving in it... oh and shoveling it. But, as the song says, if I have "no place to go," then you can let it snow.

Tomorrow, when we head back to work, it will be a different story!

The first storm of the year made its way across Minnesota, dumping a foot or so in some places, and has been falling steady here since I woke up this morning. Not blizzard-like steady. Just softly falling so that it deceives us with its beauty.

The roads, however, are a mess. But our driveway isn't -- thanks to hubby's manpower. Yup, the snowblower didn't start so we'll be getting that fixed ASAP. There is a whole lotta winter left.

I did spend the day indoors, but not really relaxing and enjoying the view. Worked most of the day in the bathroom and that is down to one section left to strip. I finally gave up around 5:30 and took a shower.

Don't be too impressed. I got a late start to begin with and had to take several breaks in the early afternoon to be sure my Vikings didn't blow their lead. As usual, they kept it too close for comfort. But we won. And I appreciate all the Packers fans who found it in their hearts to cheer with Purple Pride today, too. Thanks!

Carter did some work today, too. After rolling out of bed just before noon, he did some cleaning and even vacuuming in the basement. One, he's getting ready to have some friends over next weekend. And two, he really, really, really wants to prove that a ping-pong table will fit down there. He has not given up on that Christmas wish. Yikes. I'm not sure what we're gonna do about that.

I'll have to watch some more Hallmark movies so I really catch that giving spirit! I might as well since tonight, we have no place to go.

Just hope the plow drivers will be by before we do!

''The Pretty Lady'

Anyone who's played in Pep Band (or listened to one) knows one of the fun songs is The Stripper. Just think of the melody in your head and you'll be swaying back and forth in no time. Right?

I don't know if it's because it's a Catholic school or what, but Carter's band director does not call that song The Stripper. She calls it The Pretty Lady.

So I guess I was a Pretty Lady today. Yup, the painter came and took a look at our bathroom and said we really have to get the wallpaper backing stripped off. He's not going to be able to paint over it in case pieces decide to flake off at some point.

So it was back to stripping.

Good thing we didn't have much scheduled for the weekend. I put in a couple of hours then HAD to go to a cosmetic/skin care party. I left and told the guys, "I'll be back in an hour to start stripping again." Well that turned into 2 hours or so. I didn't know we were doing the whole Beauty Queen Makeover thing! But it was nice.

And, when I got home and changed back into my grubby workin' clothes, I was still the best-looking Pretty Lady in the house!

Hubby ended up helping a lot. It was good to take turns since we both don't have the best backs in the world and you really end up using muscles not typically exercised with our desk jobs. No, we did not finish today. Jim had a few-hour break, too, taking Carter to the batting cage. And I reserved the couch for a 7 p.m. Hallmark Christmas movie. Now it's probably too late to do any more. I mean you're not supposed to "work out" too close to bedtime, are you?

We "pretty ladies" need our beauty sleep!