I don't mind a glazed doughnut now and then. But I can do without glazed over roads and vehicles.
They (as in the weather gods) predicted freezing rain overnight and warned of a slippery morning commute. Before I left the house, I heard threats of ice, fog and snow. Yet, my drive to work was uneventful.
Looking out the window all day, I saw a fine mist coming down. I did not know that freezing rain could be so deceiving. It left a thin layer of ice on all of our cars in the parking lot, then piled some snow on top of it. Needless to say, it was the longest solo drive home I've had to accomplish. It really made me miss my chauffeur!
Good thing he's home now. For three days at least.
I got home in time for us to go to the boys basketball game. We got to watch part of the JV game then had to work concessions. The varsity game went so quickly, we missed it all. But I'm happy to report our Assumption boys beat Stratford.
When we got out to the car, we realized it was still snowing the whole time we were in there. Hubby was scraping off the car and the windshield wiper came off. Uh-oh. We need that. Good thing he's married to a gearhead. Even in the dark, with no gloves and dealing with ice, I got that wiper back together and on. And we were good to go.
Not really a nice welcome home for someone who's enjoyed the mild Texas weather... when not in airports or convention centers anyway. Maybe when our temps get into the 30s on Saturday and Sunday, he'll feel the love.
Maybe.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Strength Training
There are few songs out that proclaim the message that what doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger.
In my lonely commute to and from work today I heard two versions of this -- one by Kanye West, the other by Kelly Clarkson -- and I knew that even if God doesn't like rap music, He still was speaking to me.
It's funny how sometimes I am completely up for a challenge and other times, not so much. I think I've figured it out. If I choose the challenge, I am in. I am dedicated. I am out to prove I can tackle it. If I don't choose it -- say, maybe God just throws it in my lap or sideswipes me unexpectedly -- that's when I have a problem.
I recently chose two physical challenges. Not because I am particularly athletic, but because I need to prove to myself I am not too old, weak and/or completely out of shape to achieve them.
In December, the "challenge of the month" at the Iola fitness center was planking. I think I told you about that. I don't remember the results or where I ended up, but I wasn't strong enough to do well.
In January, the challenge was to hold two 3-pound dumbbells out like the picture and hold them in that "T" pose for as long as you could. Without dropping your arms. In fact, there was a bar there preventing you from doing that. You had to hold your arms out above it. And if you touched the bar, you were done.
You'd think 3-pound weights wouldn't be that heavy. But after a few minutes, they might as well be 30 pounds. In my first attempt, I surprised myself with a 3 minute, 40 second hold. That was the lead after awhile until some woman got over 4 minutes. 4 minutes, 20 seconds to be exact. I tried twice to get close to that time, but failed. In my final try on the last day of the competition, I just wanted to improve on my 3:40.
By the 3:40 mark my arms were shaking uncontrollably but I wanted to push further. It wasn't quite killing me or anything. I made it to 4 minutes and dropped my arms down though. Ouch. I ended up finishing second and won some free classes at the fitness center! Not bad for someone whose only arm exercises are typing on the computer and scooping up ice cream!
My other physical challenge will be the 5-mile Point Bock Run on March 2. I know that won't kill me either, but it may hurt me. Unless, of course, I get my act together and keep on my running schedule. Since they capped the run at 2,000 participants and some of my friends didn't get in, I better put my best foot forward... quickly followed by the second foot! Should be a great time, regardless of how I do.
And it will make me stronger.
I am hoping that holds true for a few other challenges that have been plunked down in my path. God really must have more faith in my strength than I do. He certainly likes to test me.
But I suppose after handling everything from slippery roads to slimy cat poop on the floor today, He may be onto something.
I'll let you know.
In my lonely commute to and from work today I heard two versions of this -- one by Kanye West, the other by Kelly Clarkson -- and I knew that even if God doesn't like rap music, He still was speaking to me.
It's funny how sometimes I am completely up for a challenge and other times, not so much. I think I've figured it out. If I choose the challenge, I am in. I am dedicated. I am out to prove I can tackle it. If I don't choose it -- say, maybe God just throws it in my lap or sideswipes me unexpectedly -- that's when I have a problem.
I recently chose two physical challenges. Not because I am particularly athletic, but because I need to prove to myself I am not too old, weak and/or completely out of shape to achieve them.
In January, the challenge was to hold two 3-pound dumbbells out like the picture and hold them in that "T" pose for as long as you could. Without dropping your arms. In fact, there was a bar there preventing you from doing that. You had to hold your arms out above it. And if you touched the bar, you were done.
You'd think 3-pound weights wouldn't be that heavy. But after a few minutes, they might as well be 30 pounds. In my first attempt, I surprised myself with a 3 minute, 40 second hold. That was the lead after awhile until some woman got over 4 minutes. 4 minutes, 20 seconds to be exact. I tried twice to get close to that time, but failed. In my final try on the last day of the competition, I just wanted to improve on my 3:40.
By the 3:40 mark my arms were shaking uncontrollably but I wanted to push further. It wasn't quite killing me or anything. I made it to 4 minutes and dropped my arms down though. Ouch. I ended up finishing second and won some free classes at the fitness center! Not bad for someone whose only arm exercises are typing on the computer and scooping up ice cream!
My other physical challenge will be the 5-mile Point Bock Run on March 2. I know that won't kill me either, but it may hurt me. Unless, of course, I get my act together and keep on my running schedule. Since they capped the run at 2,000 participants and some of my friends didn't get in, I better put my best foot forward... quickly followed by the second foot! Should be a great time, regardless of how I do.
And it will make me stronger.
I am hoping that holds true for a few other challenges that have been plunked down in my path. God really must have more faith in my strength than I do. He certainly likes to test me.
But I suppose after handling everything from slippery roads to slimy cat poop on the floor today, He may be onto something.
I'll let you know.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Another Blizzard?
OK, it's not a real blizzard -- as in hubby is in warm Texas and I home to run the snowblower again (well, maybe with the 4-6 inches forecast for Wednesday night). No, this is the good kind of Blizzard -- as in Dairy Queen is open again for the "season."
My season.
Now before you get on my case about breaking my New Year's resolutions, take a look at this logo. See, they are all running, just like me!
Is it wrong to run 3 miles over lunch so I can have a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard for supper? Not according to this logo. It wouldn't lie.
I can keep running on ice cream!
If you can believe, I actually forgot it was re-opening already. In Wisconsin Rapids we don't have a Chill & Grill. Just a "chill" I guess. So the owners close it from mid-November to early February. This year, really early February. I wouldn't have even known except I saw a picture of the neighbor's dog already getting her first DQ ice cream cone of the year.
I was cool-treat beat by a dog?? I must be losing my touch.
Either that or the subzero temperatures have frozen that little cone-shaped area of my brain that desires ice cream. How tragic.
Good thing I have been saved.
It just happened that I was thinking of DQ and they sent me an email today with a buy one-get one Blizzard deal. You know these coupons don't last forever. So when I picked up Carter from weightlifting after school, we made sure to swing by.
Is it wrong to have to wait for a parking spot while the owner shovels away slush and snow? Clearly we have somewhat of a character defect frozen in place.
I hope it melts by spring!
(Or maybe I don't.)
Monday, February 4, 2013
Making the Connection
Anyone who has traveled by air without a direct flight knows how precious each minute is when it comes to making the connection.
This morning, Jim was up in time, his co-worker was at our house at 3 a.m. to pick him up. They made it to Madison in plenty of time to make their flight and boarded on time. Unfortunately, the plane did not take off in time so when they arrived at the Atlanta airport, they missed their connecting flight to San Antonio.
They were supposed to arrive at 8:54 a.m. and make the 9:46 a.m. flight. That in itself is a tight squeeze for time in that huge airport.
So what did the missed connection mean?
Well, simply put: 8 long, long, long, long hours in the airport!! There is only so much reading, talking, walking, eating and attempts to sleep that one can do in a somewhat confined space -- plus having to lug their carry-ons with them.
They kept an eye on flights that were going to San Antonio and were placed on standby in case someone didn't show. That didn't happen. They ended up on a flight just about exactly 8 hours later and, thankfully, Jim just texted me and said they'd landed in San Antonio.
Finally!
Now last week I will admit I was jealous about his business travel. Golf and California sunshine just about had me holding a pity party in the midst of the snow storm.
But today, I was reminded that business travel is not all it's cracked up to be. The traveling alone can take up full days on each end of the trip sometimes and, while you aren't really doing anything, it is exhausting all the same.
So when he calls in a bit I probably won't mention that I had a good day at work, Carter is already doing his homework and I just pulled some fresh-baked banana bread out of the oven.
Nah, I'll just mention how cold it is here so at least he's got that going for him!
This morning, Jim was up in time, his co-worker was at our house at 3 a.m. to pick him up. They made it to Madison in plenty of time to make their flight and boarded on time. Unfortunately, the plane did not take off in time so when they arrived at the Atlanta airport, they missed their connecting flight to San Antonio.
They were supposed to arrive at 8:54 a.m. and make the 9:46 a.m. flight. That in itself is a tight squeeze for time in that huge airport.So what did the missed connection mean?
Well, simply put: 8 long, long, long, long hours in the airport!! There is only so much reading, talking, walking, eating and attempts to sleep that one can do in a somewhat confined space -- plus having to lug their carry-ons with them.
They kept an eye on flights that were going to San Antonio and were placed on standby in case someone didn't show. That didn't happen. They ended up on a flight just about exactly 8 hours later and, thankfully, Jim just texted me and said they'd landed in San Antonio.
Finally!
Now last week I will admit I was jealous about his business travel. Golf and California sunshine just about had me holding a pity party in the midst of the snow storm.
But today, I was reminded that business travel is not all it's cracked up to be. The traveling alone can take up full days on each end of the trip sometimes and, while you aren't really doing anything, it is exhausting all the same.
So when he calls in a bit I probably won't mention that I had a good day at work, Carter is already doing his homework and I just pulled some fresh-baked banana bread out of the oven.
Nah, I'll just mention how cold it is here so at least he's got that going for him!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Super What?
OK, as I start this blog there's a power outage delaying the game. When it comes back on, I may not even watch any more. I am surprisingly disinterested this year.
Maybe it has something to do with my whole day being off-kilter. I set my alarm to get up for 8 a.m. church today. But I realized when I rolled over at 7:54 a.m. that I forgot to turn it on. Whoops. So I went to 10:30 church and saw a whole new crowd. Well, there were a few familiar faces but now I know there is rarely much crossover between the two services. Oddly, a person gets in a rut and sticks with what they know.
After church, we had a little time to relax before heading to our annual Super Bowl party at our friend Chet's house. He's been doing this party for so long, you really better have a good reason not to show up. It's tradition. Even though his basement lacks a bit of space and HDTVs.
But it does not lack for food, beer and good company.
Got to catch up with my friend Christine, who I don't see often enough. And see a lot of the guys we normally only see during "racing season."
We had planned ahead to leave at halftime since Jim has to wake up at 2 a.m. or so and catch his ride to the airport at 3 a.m. When we got home and saw there was a power outage at the game, he figured it was as good a time as any to hit the hay.
Carter, on the other hand, sat on the couch through all that even though he could have been getting his reading homework done. Instead I have to come home and start nagging right away. He ignores me anyway and we'll go through our familiar routine of him staying up past all our bedtimes to get his homework done and me having to drag his tired butt out of bed in the morning.
It's no wonder Daddy doesn't mind these work trips!
That and the fact it is going to be cold and/or snowy again while he's gone... and highs close to 80 down in San Antonio. I'm guessing he cares less about the Super Bowl than I do right now.
At least with our new cable system, I can rewind and check out all the commercials I missed.
Whoops... I was just informed by the couch potato that the game is getting close again. Maybe I better check it out after all!
Maybe it has something to do with my whole day being off-kilter. I set my alarm to get up for 8 a.m. church today. But I realized when I rolled over at 7:54 a.m. that I forgot to turn it on. Whoops. So I went to 10:30 church and saw a whole new crowd. Well, there were a few familiar faces but now I know there is rarely much crossover between the two services. Oddly, a person gets in a rut and sticks with what they know.
After church, we had a little time to relax before heading to our annual Super Bowl party at our friend Chet's house. He's been doing this party for so long, you really better have a good reason not to show up. It's tradition. Even though his basement lacks a bit of space and HDTVs.
But it does not lack for food, beer and good company.
Got to catch up with my friend Christine, who I don't see often enough. And see a lot of the guys we normally only see during "racing season."
We had planned ahead to leave at halftime since Jim has to wake up at 2 a.m. or so and catch his ride to the airport at 3 a.m. When we got home and saw there was a power outage at the game, he figured it was as good a time as any to hit the hay.
Carter, on the other hand, sat on the couch through all that even though he could have been getting his reading homework done. Instead I have to come home and start nagging right away. He ignores me anyway and we'll go through our familiar routine of him staying up past all our bedtimes to get his homework done and me having to drag his tired butt out of bed in the morning.
It's no wonder Daddy doesn't mind these work trips!
That and the fact it is going to be cold and/or snowy again while he's gone... and highs close to 80 down in San Antonio. I'm guessing he cares less about the Super Bowl than I do right now.
At least with our new cable system, I can rewind and check out all the commercials I missed.
Whoops... I was just informed by the couch potato that the game is getting close again. Maybe I better check it out after all!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Furry Friend
Oh yes, from the perch of "Gobbler's Knob," the prognosticator of prognosticators finally predicts an early spring! After several days of sub-zero temperatures, I for one can hardly wait. And so help me, if he is wrong, I am going to track down his furry... face.
I don't joke about the cold.
And Mr. Deck Chair and I certainly don't take lightly any possibility OUR days in the sun will come sooner than expected this year.
We did get above zero today. In fact, the Weather Channel reports today's high was 11 degrees at 1:45 p.m. when conditions were sunny. Just warm enough for the guys to shovel the snow we got last night and nice enough we could run around and take care of errands and even take in a few basketball games.
Some of the boys Carter plays tournament team baseball with are on Assumption's 8th-grade tournament team for basketball. So we watched them in a few games and Carter hung out with some friends there for awhile.
Tonight he is over at some girl's house with some other girls AND boys watching movies. Since I could smell his fake cologne from across the dining room, I asked if he thought this was some sort of date. After the expected eye roll, he gives me the "No Mom. It's not against the law for boys and girls to be just friends."
Oh, OK. Glad we have that straight. And doubly glad hubby talked to the parents to confirm my son was telling the truth. Ha. I did warn Carter he has our trust when he goes places so he better not blow it.
You don't even want to know how long it took me to forgive Phil that year he was wrong about spring.
Oh, Phil. Please make me forget!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Take Two
OK, somehow it's already month number two in 2013. Here I thought February was the shortest month of the year, but January just flew by. And I didn't get everything done I needed to.
First, I realize I didn't even get my beautiful photographic calendar from my sister hung up anywhere. I usually hang it at work but I have that firefighters' calendar that hubby gave me hanging there. (Don't want to hurt his feelings and not hang that up.) At home, I have one that has mega spaces each day because we often have to squeeze 3 or 4 events in one square. Sorry, Rayna, I WILL find a spot for your special planner. I know I'm missing out on some great pictures!
Second, I haven't gotten into the habit yet of writing 2013 on my checks (or anywhere). I'm still changing 12's to 13's but making it look like a natural 13. Must be working. It hasn't stopped anyone from cashing my checks!
Third, I was planning to celebrate a blogging milestone but now that event is over. So instead of raising a glass of Coke Zero and toasting my 2,000th blog post, we are saying "cheers" today for number 2,006! Maybe I should have held off for 2,013. Of course, I was pondering retirement at 2,000. Now I might have to wait 'til 3,000 to keep it an even number!
Fourth, I really haven't given my new year's resolutions a chance to even glimpse success. I am not giving up, though. It's a new month so we get another new chance. Just like in the movies. If the first take isn't good, we "take two."
Sounds good to me.
First, I realize I didn't even get my beautiful photographic calendar from my sister hung up anywhere. I usually hang it at work but I have that firefighters' calendar that hubby gave me hanging there. (Don't want to hurt his feelings and not hang that up.) At home, I have one that has mega spaces each day because we often have to squeeze 3 or 4 events in one square. Sorry, Rayna, I WILL find a spot for your special planner. I know I'm missing out on some great pictures!
Second, I haven't gotten into the habit yet of writing 2013 on my checks (or anywhere). I'm still changing 12's to 13's but making it look like a natural 13. Must be working. It hasn't stopped anyone from cashing my checks!
Third, I was planning to celebrate a blogging milestone but now that event is over. So instead of raising a glass of Coke Zero and toasting my 2,000th blog post, we are saying "cheers" today for number 2,006! Maybe I should have held off for 2,013. Of course, I was pondering retirement at 2,000. Now I might have to wait 'til 3,000 to keep it an even number!
Fourth, I really haven't given my new year's resolutions a chance to even glimpse success. I am not giving up, though. It's a new month so we get another new chance. Just like in the movies. If the first take isn't good, we "take two."
Sounds good to me.
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