W-I-N (for 5 points)

You know the old adage, "It doesn't matter how you play the game as long as you win"? Oh wait, that's not it. But I can see how it would work in some circumstances.

Today, for example, our Vikings were pitiful against the winless Lions. So pitiful, in fact, we almost gave them their first "W" this afternoon. Almost, but not quite. So we'll take one in the win column and remain on top of our division (dismal all around this year) but certainly won't be bragging about it.

You'd be proud of me, I didn't even call my dad to rub it in that the Vikes had a win while the Pack was handed another loss. See, I told you this wasn't worth the boast. Plus, I'd end up talking to my mother (a fellow lover of English, spelling and all that is grammar) and have to admit to her I can't seem to beat her youngest grandchild in Scrabble.

Now last night, I helped him quite a bit, so he beat me by quite a bit. No surprise he wanted to play again tonight after supper. Of course, I'm happy he wants to play a game where he can "work" on English, but I said I wasn't going to help him this time.

Well I did help him just a little bit and then he won, again, by just a little bit. He had all the good letters! (whine, whine) I have this feeling that if I didn't help him at all, the best I'd do is tie him.

I guess when the real adage says, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how you play the game," they're referring to having fun, bonding with your child and figuring out how to make a word with a Q and a J.

Fa-la-la-la-load

OK, I lied yesterday. I am a load. Make that two of us. This morning, while Mommy and Daddy were snuggled under their blankets, the 10-year-old was out shoveling the driveway by 7:30 a.m. Yeah, we sort of slept right through that one. Didn't hear a peep.

What a nice surprise to wake up to, though. We didn't think he was taking it seriously when we said last night, "If you get up early, you can shovel." He also took Daddy's advice to heart and did a thorough job. "Dad said it better be clean enough for me to place a piece of cake on it and eat it."

Say what? Apparently Jim said it should be smooth enough to eat lunch off of. That's still not clear to me what that means. But naturally, Carter (like me) would substitute the word "cake" for "lunch." Any time, man.

To thank Carter, I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast (well, baked them anyway). Then we all proceeded to have a day of fun. This afternoon, we picked up some friends and headed to Stevens Point for the UW-SP basketball game against Jim's alma mater, the mighty Warhawks from UW-Whitewater.

If you follow college hoops in Wisconsin, you'd know that Whitewater was supposed to have a slight edge. And they did. Until the end when Stevens Point tied it and we went into overtime. They (the Pointers) ended up winning by a basket. My how the "mighty" have fallen.

It didn't really matter to me who won. I was just glad to see a good basketball game. It was kind of cool to see some "kids" playing that we watched during Wisconsin Rapids high school games just a few years ago. They did pretty well today so that was neat.

Afterwards we stopped in Point at a pizza joint and had supper. Now we're all full -- and claiming our couches for the night. Because, wouldn't you know it, there's more college basketball on TV tonight! Go Badgers!

That's OK. We're just coming full circle. Waking up loads and wrapping up the day in the same fashion. I know. You're just jealous...

TGIF (This Girl Is Freezing)

I'm just chillin' on a day off. No seriously. I am chilling. And even more than that, I am freezing! And yes, just stating the obvious. It's winter in Wisconsin. What else was I expecting?

I had the day off today. I know it sounds like I'm a load with all these days off lately, but I just didn't get any vacation time used up this year. So now it's use it or lose it. I'd rather use it -- even if it turns out to be more work sometimes than, well, work!

Today was very productive. Walked Carter to the bus stop. Went to Mr. Back Cracker. Got all my Christmas cards mailed (fa-la-la!). Got just about the last present bought (more fa-la-la). Did a few more loads of laundry (love that machine -- am pretty much caught up now). Dusted and vacuumed. And yes, did sneak in one Christmas movie on Lifetime this afternoon (while folding clothes). Carter and I even delivered a present, too. But that was an outside job -- as in outside, where it's cold and snowing.

Then I stopped moving. My back was a bit achy from its earlier "adjustment" so I sat in my comfy chair to read and just got chilly. I guess it helped I was on the go all day. Kept me warm.

Now my electric mattress pad has been warming up for me for 2 hours so I am going to lay down and read a Christmas book. It's my day off after all -- even if it took 'til 9 p.m. to start relaxing. As a bonus, I don't have to set an alarm either. TGIF!

Label Reading 101

One of Carter's "homework" assignments this week is finding two items (food, personal products, whatever) to bring in for a label-reading project -- "We're checking for nutrition and chemicals and stuff."

I'm not sure I will like where this is going. First he was reading the plastic water bottle "recycling numbers" last night and was ready to throw out our fancy one because it had some number Carter deemed to be dangerous for us.

What if he starts getting nosy and starts looking at my Diet Coke can?? He'll be like, "Mom, do you know what aspartame and phenylalanine (and he'll be able to pronounce it) are doing to you?" I'll be like, "Yes, I know, but it keeps me awake a work."

Not a good answer. Bad mommy.

I will say I do read labels a lot. Seriously, I mostly am looking at the calories and fat content. Doesn't mean I won't buy the product (I mean, some are worth it), but it's good to know what the truly healthy options are out there.

I remember when my dad had just gotten out of the hospital after a heart procedure. He'd also learned he has diabetes. So here I am shopping for healthy food for him and I was shocked when I was reading the labels for "healthy" soup. Ohmigosh, there is so much sodium in one can! Shopping was a quite a challenge, but as usual, you can't go wrong (unless Carter learns differently) with fruits and vegetables.

At our house, we've pretty much cut out salt as much as we can from our diets. I mean it's probably hidden in food, but I don't add it to anything. We're big fans of pepper, though, and other spices that aren't sodium-based. I came across a mention of this one recently in an article.

Cardamom: One of the most popular spices in the world, cardamom is used around the globe in both sweet and savory dishes. For an entirely new taste, try mixing a little bit into your ground coffee!

I think I might try it because the name sounds like "carter-mom" doesn't it? Then it has to be healthy. And sweet, too! But that goes without saying...

A Cleansing Breath

Shhh... Can you hear that? Swish, swish. Swish, swish... It's the sound of our new washing machine with its inaugural load of clothes! Ahhh. Who would have thought it feels this good to do laundry?!

I realize it's only been 10 days since we washed clothes (8 days for Carter), but it seems like forever. And hubby was right (yep, print this page out for the record), I did not run out of clothes! We both sort of ran out of socks. Well, I still have a drawer full, but we ran out of the ones we like to wear -- or can wear in the winter anyway. That does tell me I probably can get rid of some of those! Oh well. Let me revel in this cleansing moment first!

I lucked out (in a way) and didn't have to help unload and set up the new machine. Our brother-in-law, a truck owner by coincidence, picked up the machine and helped install it -- plus took away the old one. I was outside snowblowing (yes, this old girl remembers how to do it without help) so I didn't even get to direct the unloading or installation. And it still works. Something tells me the old lady with the bad back is just not needed sometimes. The big boys came out to help, too, since it is best Jim doesn't do any lifting or deep knee bends just yet.

About the time they all got done, I was wrapping up the driveway project so we all went out to eat. A way to a man's heart is through his stomach ... so naturally, the way to tell a teenage boy thanks is by feeding him! I was going to just stay home and do laundry but I wanted Jim and Carter to share in the magical moment of the first load.

Of course, Jim is already saying the machine looks too complicated for him. "Too many buttons!" I see where this is going. I didn't fall off the appliance truck yesterday!

Movie Shorts

Typically, you won't find the Austin clan sitting down and watching a television show together -- unless it's football. Once in awhile, though, we'll find something we all want to (or should watch) together.

Last week, we enjoyed A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving followed by a short Peanuts special on the Mayflower. This was of particular interest to us since Jim and Carter are Mayflower descendants. (I should have Jim guest blog about that sometime.)

For last night's viewing entertainment, we gathered around the computer to watch a DVD of hubby's knee surgery. It wasn't the blood and gore I expected. Instead, it was a recording from the micro-camera inside the knee that the doctor actually used to guide his surgery. Pretty amazing when you think about it. You could see the bones and stuff I won't even start to describe or I'll get woozy again.

Carter and I could only handle a minute or two and then we decided it was too much. Didn't want to keep visualizing that all night! Even Jim admitted he was a little light-headed after the doctor showed him the video earlier in the day.

I guess for future family TV times, we'll steer clear of those PG movies when the PG stands for Pretty Gross!

Music to My Ears

I've been secretly listening to Christmas music for weeks but now that it is December 1, apparently it's "legal" for me to go public. There have been a few radio stations playing it already but today was the first time it aired on our Muzak system at work. That's usually a sign we can officially acknowledge it!

I just love Christmas music. It started when I was a kid and we'd listen to Christmas records on the old phonograph. Over and over we'd play them until we knew the order of songs on every one, plus which ones had scratches and skipped and needed a needle nudging to keep going. Good times.

I still love the "oldies" but do enjoy some of the new renditions and have been a fan forever of Mannheim Steamroller. Carter likes the holiday music, too. He enjoys singing along to the Muppets version of the 12 Days of Christmas and doing all the character voices. (Imagine that.) This year on the way Up North, we only listened to that particular CD once. Last year, I think it was 5 or 6 times. I'm OK with the change.

He also likes that silly song Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer. Yes, it's a catchy tune but I think we'd be wise not to perform that one for our family Christmas program. Something tells me someone would not find it amusing. Now bring out the Bing and we're in good standing! Gotta love it.

Well, you don't gotta. But I plan to! Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la....