Funny thing - weather forecasting. My dear sister used to rant and rave over the very un-usefulness of weathermen (and women). More often than not, they are wrong - she insisted - so why do we even listen to them? Well, this past weekend - wrong does not begin to describe it. We were to get about 8 inches of snow with nasty, dangerous conditions on Saturday and get this - they said it was a 100% chance of that happening. 100%! So, the men in my house cut and split a porch full of wood, weatherized stuff, packed blizzard survival gear in my car, stocked the shelves with tons of food - and what happened?
Nothing. Not a flake in sight.
I really think when we are so absolutely 100% sure that something is going to happen - God quietly steps in and gives the Job speech. 'Oh really??? Last time I looked - you did not create the universe - nor the weather - so don't go all Titanic on me (even God can't sink this ship - really???) - cause just as soon as you think you know - I let you know that you don't.'
Well, God - I'm thankful you are you and we are not.
And thanks for no snow, cause I for one, am sooo not ready for winter. And thanks for the sunshine. And that there is no wind. And that it's going to get into the 40's this week! 40's!!! In November. In South Dakota! Whoot!!!
And as long as I'm thanking - in the spirit of the holiday - may I add:
Thanks for you - Father - and Yahshua for mercy and salvation and your Word - and my family, and that I was born and live in this country, for its freedom - and for the awesome, spectacular, breathtaking beauty of your creation and really good food and hot running water and good health and bodies that heal and inspirational, fun friends and a daughter who dances and bakes and sews and smiles with a beautiful smile and lights up the room and boys who are hilarious and smart and inventive and a joy to watch compete and work and just - be - and a husband who provides for my over-abundance of running apparel and our wacky vegan food and angry bird tee shirts and that he can fix anything and does - and nice, helpful neighbors and warm sunshine and the safety of a small town and cute and friendly mice-catching cats and weathermen that are wrong.
So, here's to a fantastic Thanksgiving!
Party on, Pilgrim!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Random-ness . . .
Unless you live under a rock, which apparently I did until just recently - you are aware of the Angry Bird craze that has taken over the world. I mean, it's bad enough to have teeshirts, card games, and key chains with these colorful birds, but to sell them as dog toys? Really? I mean what dog plays video games and cares what its toy look like anyway? Can you say - marketing scam??
Now, to say I hate video games is a gigantic, humongous, monumental understatement. But when I learned that the birds are getting back at the rotten pigs who stole their baby eggs, I had to join the cause! And so I (gulp) actually played the game. Of course I had to have help from the resident experts (not dogs) or I wouldn't have destroyed even one fat hog. But, all in all, it's not a bad little game. But now each family member (almost) has the teeshirt and India even made two little stuffed birdies. Named Rico and Pinto :)
(It's over for me, isn't it?)
It's hard enough to swim 150 laps in a day - but to swim while pushing a pumpkin with one hand is really hard. Not that I would know - but it looked hard.
It's also really, really, REALLY hard to do chin-ups.
What do you do with 40 pumpkins? Anyone?
God made cats to catch mice. We have 4 cats and still we have mice. What, are these guys in a union or something? What's the deal? Need more pay? Better working conditions? Not enough fringe benefits? Come on guys! Just give me a list of demands and then GET BACK TO WORK!
Maybe if I added '15 minutes to play Angry Birds' to their contracts . . .
Now, to say I hate video games is a gigantic, humongous, monumental understatement. But when I learned that the birds are getting back at the rotten pigs who stole their baby eggs, I had to join the cause! And so I (gulp) actually played the game. Of course I had to have help from the resident experts (not dogs) or I wouldn't have destroyed even one fat hog. But, all in all, it's not a bad little game. But now each family member (almost) has the teeshirt and India even made two little stuffed birdies. Named Rico and Pinto :)
(It's over for me, isn't it?)
It's hard enough to swim 150 laps in a day - but to swim while pushing a pumpkin with one hand is really hard. Not that I would know - but it looked hard.
It's also really, really, REALLY hard to do chin-ups.
What do you do with 40 pumpkins? Anyone?
God made cats to catch mice. We have 4 cats and still we have mice. What, are these guys in a union or something? What's the deal? Need more pay? Better working conditions? Not enough fringe benefits? Come on guys! Just give me a list of demands and then GET BACK TO WORK!
Maybe if I added '15 minutes to play Angry Birds' to their contracts . . .
Friday, October 14, 2011
Competition . . .
So, it's been all about the meets. Last Wednesday, Judah and Ez had a Mathcounts meet in a town 30 miles to the east and Noah had a cross country meet in a town 30 miles to the west. Tag team parenting yet again. Gary watched the runners and I watched the mathletes. Thank God for texting so we could keep each other posted as the events were happening! Whatever did we do before cell phones?
Anyway - the cross country race was the Conference meet and Noah got 8th overall, his best time, and his team won the whole thing! Whoot! Meanwhile, Ez got 4thplace among all the 8th graders and Judah placed 1st among the 7th graders! Whoot again!
Now, I know what you're thinking - that we are celebrating a cut throat - win at all costs - kind of thinking. But I have to tell you, that's not the case. When the boys were tots, I actually tried to make our home a non-gun zone. It lasted 3 1/2 seconds. Noah picked up a banana, pointed it at his brother and said, "Bang". Then it was a lego brick and then a rolled up piece of paper. I gave up. And so it went with competition. Yes, we have always given them the 'do your best' and 'just try hard' lectures. But I knew it was all over when they get ready to eat their cereal and yell, "Ready, set, go!" and the race is on to see who can eat the fastest. Are you kidding me? A Eating Cereal Race? Well, you name it - they are competing about it. I mean come on - they race to see who can get their school done first, who can shoot the K-nex piece through a football goal post with a rubber band more times without hitting someone in the eye, and who can fly through the air the farthest after jumping onto the rope swing from the tree in the front yard. It matters not the event - they are going to try to one-up the other guy.
And so - I believe it's a forgone conclusion that it's in their DNA.
And frankly, I can not fathom where on earth they get it from . . .
:)
Anyway - the cross country race was the Conference meet and Noah got 8th overall, his best time, and his team won the whole thing! Whoot! Meanwhile, Ez got 4thplace among all the 8th graders and Judah placed 1st among the 7th graders! Whoot again!
Now, I know what you're thinking - that we are celebrating a cut throat - win at all costs - kind of thinking. But I have to tell you, that's not the case. When the boys were tots, I actually tried to make our home a non-gun zone. It lasted 3 1/2 seconds. Noah picked up a banana, pointed it at his brother and said, "Bang". Then it was a lego brick and then a rolled up piece of paper. I gave up. And so it went with competition. Yes, we have always given them the 'do your best' and 'just try hard' lectures. But I knew it was all over when they get ready to eat their cereal and yell, "Ready, set, go!" and the race is on to see who can eat the fastest. Are you kidding me? A Eating Cereal Race? Well, you name it - they are competing about it. I mean come on - they race to see who can get their school done first, who can shoot the K-nex piece through a football goal post with a rubber band more times without hitting someone in the eye, and who can fly through the air the farthest after jumping onto the rope swing from the tree in the front yard. It matters not the event - they are going to try to one-up the other guy.
And so - I believe it's a forgone conclusion that it's in their DNA.
And frankly, I can not fathom where on earth they get it from . . .
:)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Run like the wind - or into it . . .
'You look like an Ethiopian', the cross country coach said to my eldest son. Noah took that as a compliment and rightly so. Long and lean (read - SKINNY) his body type does resemble those very thin marathon runners. And he's living up to the type. He continues to improve his time and moved up to the number 3 spot on the team. His new 5K PR - 19:54 - so far. Not bad - for a skinny white guy. :o
(Is it just me or do any of you ever wonder how those pencil stick-like legs can carry those guys so far and so fast? )
Well, it seems like the running bug has bitten a few other members of this family. After running in the (gulp) Senior Games a few weeks ago (which, by the way, I had an absolute blast doing. Hanging out with a gaggle of old fogies like me - barely able to bend over to tie their running shoes was super fun) there have been a series of races in the area that a couple of us decided to run. With Gary out with a bad back/hip/leg, I roped India into running a 4K with me, which happened to land on probably one of the coldest and windiest days of the fall. (like nearly every other day in South Dakota) All was well at first - running with the wind at our back pushing us along. I thought, man, I could do this all day. Then at the turn I hit the arctic blast that nearly knocked me over and I felt like I was on a treadmill. But we trudged through - even though our legs and arms felt like icicles. Or could we even feel our legs . . .
After we thawed out, India thought that was so much fun, (?!) she decided she wanted to run a 5K the next weekend - and roped me into it. Turn about is fair play I guess. But during the week, she was dancing and someone actually landed on top of her knee and tore her LCL! Who knew dancing was a contact sport?! Ouch - I know. So, she wasn't up to running, but she went along anyway and kind of walked/jogged the course. (Much against the physical therapist's advice) It was a perfect day for a race. 51 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze. Beautiful.
You know what the greatest thing about these event is - the people you meet and the conversations that you have. I love it. (Of course, wearing those perfectly ugly 5 Finger toed running shoes is sure to garner a comment or two - and a few stares and sneers and giggles . . .)
Side note - at this race I got my 'After Children and Now I'm Old - PR' of 26:17. So, that's okay too. (For a senior citizen)
And Gary actually ran a few miles this week, so maybe he's up for a race or two now. There's a 5k trail run this Sunday, and another 5K the following weekend. I say - why not? Add that to Noah's Conference, Region, and state (we hope and pray) cross country meets the next three weeks and - wow. The miles are piling up.
You could say we're runners - I'd say we're just - running amok . . .
Friday, September 16, 2011
Seasons change . . .
Either I'm really getting old or I'm simply a chronic complainer - (or both) - but I am really not looking forward to the cold season that has been sprung on us. I am so not ready for boots and hats and mitts! :( But last night, my cold toes were the least of our worries. With the threat of temperatures dipping in the 20's - my sons' garden was in peril. So, they did what every produce grower does around here - sets out to save those lovely tomatoes before old Jack Frost could get to them. Usually that means throwing a sheet over and hope for the best. But that was just not good enough for my young entrepreneurs. Nope. They had to make sure their investment was safe. So they worked til the wee hours doing things by the book (or by the world wide web) - and then some.
First, they watered the base of all the plants til we nearly ran out of water. Then they filled buckets with water and set them on the ground which was now an acre of mud. Then they mounted a small space heater on a block of wood, set it in the middle and turned it on 'high'. (If it fell, it would plop into the wet mud, so we weren't too worried) Then they covered all the plants they could with plastic from top to bottom. And then, they prayed.
The next morning we awoke to the grass blanketed with white crunchy icy frost, and all the leaves everywhere that weren't covered were black and dead from the 28 degree temps. A collective gasp was heard as we stared out the window. The boys donned their hats and boots and ran out the door. Yes, the tomatoes were saved!! Hallelujah! It was well worth the effort. There are so many tomatoes still on the vines, we could not let them perish. We need them for salsa, salads, spaghetti sauce and for our version of BLT's - TLT's. Tofu, Lettuce and Tomato!! MMM!!!
So, thank you once again to the internet for helping us to find out how to do things. It never ceases to amaze me.
Now, if only we could find out how to stave off winter completely . . .
First, they watered the base of all the plants til we nearly ran out of water. Then they filled buckets with water and set them on the ground which was now an acre of mud. Then they mounted a small space heater on a block of wood, set it in the middle and turned it on 'high'. (If it fell, it would plop into the wet mud, so we weren't too worried) Then they covered all the plants they could with plastic from top to bottom. And then, they prayed.
The next morning we awoke to the grass blanketed with white crunchy icy frost, and all the leaves everywhere that weren't covered were black and dead from the 28 degree temps. A collective gasp was heard as we stared out the window. The boys donned their hats and boots and ran out the door. Yes, the tomatoes were saved!! Hallelujah! It was well worth the effort. There are so many tomatoes still on the vines, we could not let them perish. We need them for salsa, salads, spaghetti sauce and for our version of BLT's - TLT's. Tofu, Lettuce and Tomato!! MMM!!!
So, thank you once again to the internet for helping us to find out how to do things. It never ceases to amaze me.
Now, if only we could find out how to stave off winter completely . . .
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
And then there were frogs . . .
Is this Egypt? I have begun to think so. As I stepped out onto the brick patio and had to dodge at least 8 little critters that were jumping from the grass to the flower bed before hitting the driveway to begin my daily run. By the time I hit the mail box, 4 other toady friends leapt out of my path and there were 5 more before I reached the corner. And that's where I lost count. Between the fields of corn and as each telephone pole rolled by, I was hopping and leaping as much as they were just so I wouldn't step on them. It was the game Frogger in real life. With me being the logs. 2 weeks ago they were tiny and cute. Now - not so much. They morphed into, well, bigger, fatter frogs and plopped aside rather than hopped. Ick.
I fell like I'm running an obstacle course, much like the one Noah is going to run this weekend. He'll run three miles cross country, up and down hills, over hay bales, and through water. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?! I hope and pray he does really well and is happy with his race.
And I hope he doesn't meet up with any frogs along the way.
I can see it now - The Dodging Leap Frogs Marathon. The new craze in sport.
Now if the water turns to blood, I'll really start to worry.
I fell like I'm running an obstacle course, much like the one Noah is going to run this weekend. He'll run three miles cross country, up and down hills, over hay bales, and through water. Sounds like fun, doesn't it?! I hope and pray he does really well and is happy with his race.
And I hope he doesn't meet up with any frogs along the way.
I can see it now - The Dodging Leap Frogs Marathon. The new craze in sport.
Now if the water turns to blood, I'll really start to worry.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Here we go again . . .
Another school year is upon us and we are, as usual, knee deep into activities. I'll break it down like this:
Noah runs and writes, Ez and Judah swim and tend their garden, India dances and dances and dances, and cooks occasionally, Gary works and fasts, and I run, workout and try to get everyone where they need to be. On time. Without forgetting them when the are done. And do not ask me if that has ever happened please.
I think I need one of those blackberry/smart phone/palm pilot/ipod-pad touchy things that dings and beeps to remind me when I'm supposed to be doing something. Except for the fact I could probably never figure it out - especially since I just got a new phone :( and even reading the entire instruction booklet - there are things that this phone can do that I still haven't figured out yet. (and thanks to India for putting 'Be Still and Know I am God' by Toby Mac and Kirk Franklin - love that song - as my ring tone - or I'd still have that creepy polka/jazz number that was preset on my phone cause I had no idea how to change that)
Maybe I'll just stick with writing things down on the wall calender - the old fashioned way . . .
Noah's first cross country meet is this weekend. Yeah! The boys are swimming for the big swim team in town and I am in mourning. While I know they will get really great training, I'm so much of a do-it-myself, individualistic, typical homeschooler - that I miss the small squad that felt more cozy. I'd even rather teach them myself, (I'm way too much of a rebel) but swimming is not really my area of expertise. So yeah, I guess I have to leave this one to the professionals.
And yes, that is probably a very good thing.
Noah runs and writes, Ez and Judah swim and tend their garden, India dances and dances and dances, and cooks occasionally, Gary works and fasts, and I run, workout and try to get everyone where they need to be. On time. Without forgetting them when the are done. And do not ask me if that has ever happened please.
I think I need one of those blackberry/smart phone/palm pilot/ipod-pad touchy things that dings and beeps to remind me when I'm supposed to be doing something. Except for the fact I could probably never figure it out - especially since I just got a new phone :( and even reading the entire instruction booklet - there are things that this phone can do that I still haven't figured out yet. (and thanks to India for putting 'Be Still and Know I am God' by Toby Mac and Kirk Franklin - love that song - as my ring tone - or I'd still have that creepy polka/jazz number that was preset on my phone cause I had no idea how to change that)
Maybe I'll just stick with writing things down on the wall calender - the old fashioned way . . .
Noah's first cross country meet is this weekend. Yeah! The boys are swimming for the big swim team in town and I am in mourning. While I know they will get really great training, I'm so much of a do-it-myself, individualistic, typical homeschooler - that I miss the small squad that felt more cozy. I'd even rather teach them myself, (I'm way too much of a rebel) but swimming is not really my area of expertise. So yeah, I guess I have to leave this one to the professionals.
And yes, that is probably a very good thing.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The busy-ness slows . . .
So, after a dozen golf tournaments, 6 weddings, 5 weeks of track and field practice and 2 track competitions, summer basketball league, inter-squad basketball open-gym, 4 weeks of dance camp, long days of life guarding and teaching swimming lessons, and 1 road race - the summer is finally winding down. That is what we did in just the 2 months of June and July. And no, I have nary a stitch of sanity left.
Time for a vacation!!! But since we're about all traveled-out - we are actually thinking of doing a stay-cation. For us - since we are not exactly in 'vacation haven' here in northern South Dakota - a stay-cation would mean cleaning out the garage and re-organizing the kitchen cabinets.
It's not exactly Costa Rica my friends . . .
Heads up!!! SATURDAY AUGUST 6 - Day of prayer and fasting. Join us in asking our Father's mercy on us and our nation. May he hear our humble prayers. 2 Chron. 7:14 May we repent like Ninevah and unleash revival in our land!
Time for a vacation!!! But since we're about all traveled-out - we are actually thinking of doing a stay-cation. For us - since we are not exactly in 'vacation haven' here in northern South Dakota - a stay-cation would mean cleaning out the garage and re-organizing the kitchen cabinets.
It's not exactly Costa Rica my friends . . .
Heads up!!! SATURDAY AUGUST 6 - Day of prayer and fasting. Join us in asking our Father's mercy on us and our nation. May he hear our humble prayers. 2 Chron. 7:14 May we repent like Ninevah and unleash revival in our land!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Proper perspective . . .
Our gravel road never, and I mean, never gets graded. In fact, many times, the grader will do all the roads surrounding ours, but not ours. Well, just the other day, he finally went through and made all nice and smooth. Yeah! Then it rained that very night. No, it poured. The next morning, all the heavy duty farm trucks drove on it making deep ruts filled with water and mud all along the road. Not yeah.
Murphy's law or what.
We just bought an army sized bag of cat food a couple days ago, put it in a 5 gallon pail with the lid on and that very night, the raccoons came, and yes, they got the lid off the bucket and ate the ENTIRE bag. Seriously?! Thanks Murph.
Then the boys put the badminton net up with all the stakes and boundaries perfectly measured out, played a couple games and that very night, an epic storm comes and rips the net to the ground.
You're starting to annoy me Mr. M.
Easy to get miffed - right?
Well - I had to put all this in perspective when I read this: A couple months ago, there was this young guy who for three days was leading a major (MAJOR) golf tournament and everyone thought for sure he had it won. Then, on the very last day, he shanked so many shots, he ended up loosing the whole thing. By a lot. People called it a meltdown, and that he choked, and that it was so bad how could he ever get over it and ever do well again. Especially since this very same thing had already happened to him in another MAJOR tournament just a few months earlier. Ouch. Now, he could have really gotten down about that, don't you think? But this young man, age 22 said after it was over, "You know, if loosing The Masters is the worst thing that ever happens to me, it's not such a bad thing." WHAT?
You see, he had just gotten back from Haiti. There he looked upon the REAL definition of 'loosing'. He saw TRUE suffering first hand. He witnessed the aftermath of the disaster there, with it's unbeliveable heartache and pain, and reasoned that that loosing a golf tournament is - well - way beyond insignificant.
Wise man, that Rory McIlroy.
So, if muddy roads, an empty bag of cat food and a fallen net are the worst things that happen this week - hey - it's not that bad of a week. Unfortunate, sure. Devastating - not even close.
So - I need to concentrate on those things that are worth fretting about - and usually those things have nothing at all to do with me.
Perspective. The proper kind. I hope I will learn that as well as Rory.
Murphy's law or what.
We just bought an army sized bag of cat food a couple days ago, put it in a 5 gallon pail with the lid on and that very night, the raccoons came, and yes, they got the lid off the bucket and ate the ENTIRE bag. Seriously?! Thanks Murph.
Then the boys put the badminton net up with all the stakes and boundaries perfectly measured out, played a couple games and that very night, an epic storm comes and rips the net to the ground.
You're starting to annoy me Mr. M.
Easy to get miffed - right?
Well - I had to put all this in perspective when I read this: A couple months ago, there was this young guy who for three days was leading a major (MAJOR) golf tournament and everyone thought for sure he had it won. Then, on the very last day, he shanked so many shots, he ended up loosing the whole thing. By a lot. People called it a meltdown, and that he choked, and that it was so bad how could he ever get over it and ever do well again. Especially since this very same thing had already happened to him in another MAJOR tournament just a few months earlier. Ouch. Now, he could have really gotten down about that, don't you think? But this young man, age 22 said after it was over, "You know, if loosing The Masters is the worst thing that ever happens to me, it's not such a bad thing." WHAT?
You see, he had just gotten back from Haiti. There he looked upon the REAL definition of 'loosing'. He saw TRUE suffering first hand. He witnessed the aftermath of the disaster there, with it's unbeliveable heartache and pain, and reasoned that that loosing a golf tournament is - well - way beyond insignificant.
Wise man, that Rory McIlroy.
So, if muddy roads, an empty bag of cat food and a fallen net are the worst things that happen this week - hey - it's not that bad of a week. Unfortunate, sure. Devastating - not even close.
So - I need to concentrate on those things that are worth fretting about - and usually those things have nothing at all to do with me.
Perspective. The proper kind. I hope I will learn that as well as Rory.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Running weird . . .
Hey! Guess what! I ran my first 5K (3.1 miles) race in years! In the pouring rain! And WON!! Out of all the females! In my age group! (don't ask which age group)
Pretty neat, uh?!
How many female runners in your age group were there, you ask?
Um.
One.
But still . . .
It was my first race wearing those really weird looking shoes with the individual toes. I know - but this is how it happened. I'd been having really bad knee problems (do NOT insert 'old woman' jokes here) and I read that the regular running shoe, you know, the NORMAL shoes, that 'everybody else on the entire planet except my weird mom' wears, the ones with the cushion for the heels and the insole for the arches and the gel for extra padding and the sleek design, just to look cool - well - according to -yes - quite a lot of people - okay - say that those shoes can actually cause some leg and foot pain. They are just not natural. They say that God made us barefoot, so why don't we just walk around the world with the feet God gave us? Well, these people - even weirder than this mom - started running - racing - without shoes and they started having less and less pain in their legs and feet. So I thought I'd give it a try. Couldn't hurt, right??
Now, barefoot running has been around for - well - FOREVER of course - but not too many people especially since NIKE - race without shoes. Too - well - weird I spose. But one guy liked the idea of barefoot running, but he must have lived say, in South Dakota, on a gravel road and tried to run in January or something and after that clearly didn't work, thought there has to be a better way. So he made this wacky plastic thing shaped like a foot molded for each toe, attached a mesh thing over the top, added Velcro and Eureka! The 5 Finger Shoe was born. And it's really gaining in popularity. And you become Mr. or Mrs. or Miss (or Ms.) Popularity just because of the looks, giggles, stares and smirks, and at least a half a dozen 'are those comfortable' comments every time you wear them. If nothing else, it's a great way to start a conversation, right?!
And I have to say, I have had no more pain in my knees since I started wearing them. And I am totally serious. Well, except for the three days when I decided to run in my regular running shoes again and instantly the pain was so bad I could hardly walk up and down the stairs. So, I'm a convert. A very weird looking one, I'll admit. And my children (well, a couple of them) are completely mortified and totally embarrassed - but hey. I did win a race wearing them, so there. ;)
Pretty neat, uh?!
How many female runners in your age group were there, you ask?
Um.
One.
But still . . .
It was my first race wearing those really weird looking shoes with the individual toes. I know - but this is how it happened. I'd been having really bad knee problems (do NOT insert 'old woman' jokes here) and I read that the regular running shoe, you know, the NORMAL shoes, that 'everybody else on the entire planet except my weird mom' wears, the ones with the cushion for the heels and the insole for the arches and the gel for extra padding and the sleek design, just to look cool - well - according to -yes - quite a lot of people - okay - say that those shoes can actually cause some leg and foot pain. They are just not natural. They say that God made us barefoot, so why don't we just walk around the world with the feet God gave us? Well, these people - even weirder than this mom - started running - racing - without shoes and they started having less and less pain in their legs and feet. So I thought I'd give it a try. Couldn't hurt, right??
Now, barefoot running has been around for - well - FOREVER of course - but not too many people especially since NIKE - race without shoes. Too - well - weird I spose. But one guy liked the idea of barefoot running, but he must have lived say, in South Dakota, on a gravel road and tried to run in January or something and after that clearly didn't work, thought there has to be a better way. So he made this wacky plastic thing shaped like a foot molded for each toe, attached a mesh thing over the top, added Velcro and Eureka! The 5 Finger Shoe was born. And it's really gaining in popularity. And you become Mr. or Mrs. or Miss (or Ms.) Popularity just because of the looks, giggles, stares and smirks, and at least a half a dozen 'are those comfortable' comments every time you wear them. If nothing else, it's a great way to start a conversation, right?!
And I have to say, I have had no more pain in my knees since I started wearing them. And I am totally serious. Well, except for the three days when I decided to run in my regular running shoes again and instantly the pain was so bad I could hardly walk up and down the stairs. So, I'm a convert. A very weird looking one, I'll admit. And my children (well, a couple of them) are completely mortified and totally embarrassed - but hey. I did win a race wearing them, so there. ;)
Sunday, May 22, 2011
I've been Kindle-ized . . .
So I come home one day, and there's this package sitting there. 'For you' - they say, with strange looks on their faces. I knew I hadn't ordered anything, but they insisted I open it. I was shocked. It was a Kindle! For me! The new one, with 3G (?) and Wi-Fi (??) and - well - everything! AAAHH! I have officially arrived in the 21st century! Sort of.
Now, I have to say, I was a virtual hater of all things that would be considered anti-book anything - and what I mean by that is - I love books - the actual book - the feel of it, the weight of it, the paper, the very sound of the turning page, everything. So when a gadget is out there which would take the place of books - well - that's almost sacrilegious in my book (really bad pun intended). It's like casting aside your dog or your cat in place of - say - a pillow pet. See what I mean??! But - over the last year, and after many, many trips where I filled bag after bag with hard cover and soft cover texts weighing who knows how many pounds and dragged them across the country taking up valuable living space in either the car or the RV (because you can't check out books from a library in another town and when we traveled I needed lots of stuff to read) - I thought - maybe - just maybe - at those times - only - it would be nice to just have this smallish thing that I could read lots and lots of different books from, stick it in my satchel and have reading on the go. Not that you'd actually replace actual books, mind you - but in a pinch. Now and then. For convenience. You know.
So here I sit with this - electronic device - and I read through the manual (sort of) and begin. Guess what? You can go to the internet on this thing! You can download whole entire books in like - 3 seconds! I can be on Amazon on my computer and in about 5 minutes - I can send like 11 books over to my Kindle - just like that! I can take notes (?), I can bookmark (??), I can highlight sentences (???), I can play games - (at least - someone told me you can, I, um, just haven't figured out how to do that.) . . . and I'm sure there's other stuff - I just don't even know about yet. (It's a long manual) Okay, so maybe just my big toe is in the 21st century - but hey - I'm learning - I have a Kindle! So far, I have 2 entire Bibles on there, 2 complete dictionaries, and about 50 books, of which about 45 of those were free! Yes - FREE! And now they say they are coming out with a library version - ability - app - thingy wherein you can like 'borrow' books for a small amount of time and then, well, then you - what - you pay a fee if they are 'overdue' ? Or maybe they just disappear from your Kindle after two two weeks is up . . . MMM. It is a tad bit spooky - I have to tell you. But - it's been just so fun. So amazing. I am amazed.
So thanks India and Noah. They bought this for me and I am so grateful. I really like it. A lot. And I got this bright purple case for it, so stylish, and I just feel so, so, techy. :)
Now, that doesn't mean I am done with real books. Heaven forbid!!!!!!! Nothing can replace the feel of a real book and there's nothing like a good old musty smelling library in my opinion - (especially the one in Mobridge, SD) - and you can't get every single book known to man on the Kindle - yet - but - hey - it's portable, practical - and - good for the environment - right? You know - 'save a tree, save the world' and all that . . .
Just don't mention the word 'radiation' . . .
Now, I have to say, I was a virtual hater of all things that would be considered anti-book anything - and what I mean by that is - I love books - the actual book - the feel of it, the weight of it, the paper, the very sound of the turning page, everything. So when a gadget is out there which would take the place of books - well - that's almost sacrilegious in my book (really bad pun intended). It's like casting aside your dog or your cat in place of - say - a pillow pet. See what I mean??! But - over the last year, and after many, many trips where I filled bag after bag with hard cover and soft cover texts weighing who knows how many pounds and dragged them across the country taking up valuable living space in either the car or the RV (because you can't check out books from a library in another town and when we traveled I needed lots of stuff to read) - I thought - maybe - just maybe - at those times - only - it would be nice to just have this smallish thing that I could read lots and lots of different books from, stick it in my satchel and have reading on the go. Not that you'd actually replace actual books, mind you - but in a pinch. Now and then. For convenience. You know.
So here I sit with this - electronic device - and I read through the manual (sort of) and begin. Guess what? You can go to the internet on this thing! You can download whole entire books in like - 3 seconds! I can be on Amazon on my computer and in about 5 minutes - I can send like 11 books over to my Kindle - just like that! I can take notes (?), I can bookmark (??), I can highlight sentences (???), I can play games - (at least - someone told me you can, I, um, just haven't figured out how to do that.) . . . and I'm sure there's other stuff - I just don't even know about yet. (It's a long manual) Okay, so maybe just my big toe is in the 21st century - but hey - I'm learning - I have a Kindle! So far, I have 2 entire Bibles on there, 2 complete dictionaries, and about 50 books, of which about 45 of those were free! Yes - FREE! And now they say they are coming out with a library version - ability - app - thingy wherein you can like 'borrow' books for a small amount of time and then, well, then you - what - you pay a fee if they are 'overdue' ? Or maybe they just disappear from your Kindle after two two weeks is up . . . MMM. It is a tad bit spooky - I have to tell you. But - it's been just so fun. So amazing. I am amazed.
So thanks India and Noah. They bought this for me and I am so grateful. I really like it. A lot. And I got this bright purple case for it, so stylish, and I just feel so, so, techy. :)
Now, that doesn't mean I am done with real books. Heaven forbid!!!!!!! Nothing can replace the feel of a real book and there's nothing like a good old musty smelling library in my opinion - (especially the one in Mobridge, SD) - and you can't get every single book known to man on the Kindle - yet - but - hey - it's portable, practical - and - good for the environment - right? You know - 'save a tree, save the world' and all that . . .
Just don't mention the word 'radiation' . . .
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Shameless plug . . .
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-- I wonder if I get a commission for free advertising . . .
Ok - now on to the news of the day - and/or week. We are in full-fledged dance recital mode. Whew!!! 2 days of dress rehersals and 3 performances. It's quite the cultural event in our little town, and heaps of fun. From the feisty four-year olds dressing in their bright red polka-dot tutus twirling round and round to 60 year old ladies clogging to a 70's disco tune -- and everything in between. It's total chaos with over 500 dancers and yet it's run like a well-tuned clock. It's amazing and wonderful. You'd think we'd get sick of seeing the same production every day for 5 days, but I never do. Yes, I have a small vested interest since not only did India teach or assist with a dozen dances, she will actually be dancing in a few (yeah) and Ezra and Judah will be tapping to 'Kung Fu Fighting' - so for me - it truly never gets old. And yes, we'll be trying to get these contagious tunes out of our heads for the next month.
How many times can you hum 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' before you go completely insane???!!
Do you ever get in a rut with your food choices? We do. For a while, it was pasta. Spaghetti one day, pasta primavera the next, and macaroni or penne after that. Then we went to cereal. Cereal for lunch, cereal for supper and cereal for a snack. You can only do that for so many days in a row before you start dreaming about soggy rice crispies, let me tell you. Just recently, we switched to nachos. We've had nachos every other day for two weeks now, and I can honestly say, if I see another tortilla chip anywhere near a pot of beans and rice - I think I'll run out of the house screaming at the top of my lungs!!! (not that that would be anything out of the ordinary - but that's another story) Anyway - we need help. If anyone has any ideas of the next food rut we should try - please feel free to post. Just make sure it's actually edible - not like monkey brains or anything - okay? Much appreciated.
And get those chips out of my sight! :)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
What a difference a day makes . . .
Ah, the sun, the warmth, the slight breeze. Beautiful day to sit outside and watch children frolic to and fro. Around they go, fast and sleek, sweat dripping, fists pumping, pushing through the pain.
This could be quite poetic, couldn't it? I know that some think the sport of track and field is a dark evil placed upon the land by vicious coaches and parents plotting to torture little kids for fun. I just don't see it that way. I love to run and I love to watch others run. And when it's nice and sunny and you can sit and visit and cheer on the competitors AND get a tan - all at the same time - well - what's a better day than that??!
For the record - Noah improved his time in the 800 and ran the mile for the first time. Not bad. He's going to concentrate on the two mile from now on he tells me. Good choice. That way - he'll be more geared up for cross country in the fall. And on it goes . . .
And now today - of course it's raining and windy and darkly overcast. :( People say variety is good. They say that if the weather was good all the time, we'd get sick of it. I say - just let me try that out and see. Really. I say, if I lived where the weather was good all the time and for some really psychotic and completely deranged reason I WANTED snow and ice and cold and blizzards and rain - I would just drive to find it. You know what I'm saying?? Year round nice weather - yeah, that's something I wouldn't mind getting sick of.
My garden has been taken over by two small future business tycoons ages 11 and 13. So far - they've planted: 1000 - yes ONE THOUSAND onions and about 180 potatoes. The amount of carrots they are going to plant is staggering. Are you ready for this? 4000! I know! They hope to get peas in today - I have no idea how many and frankly, I'm scared to ask - and maybe the lettuce and who knows what else. Yes, they have major plans I'm telling you. They have it all plotted out, graphing the square footage as to how many plants per square something, how wide the walk ways are, what the yield will be, (really?) and all the best crops to grow that will sell the best to make the most money. We just sit and watch - shaking our heads in wonder. If they ever got into real estate - someone better warn Donald Trump! The neat thing is, they are paying for it all with their own money. The sad thing is, that means we can not even sample one pea unless we pay for it! (Drat those mean capitalists anyway) Oh well, they were very kind to let me have a small plot of land for myself - I think it's about the size of a postage stamp. Just the right size for 1 pea. :)
This could be quite poetic, couldn't it? I know that some think the sport of track and field is a dark evil placed upon the land by vicious coaches and parents plotting to torture little kids for fun. I just don't see it that way. I love to run and I love to watch others run. And when it's nice and sunny and you can sit and visit and cheer on the competitors AND get a tan - all at the same time - well - what's a better day than that??!
For the record - Noah improved his time in the 800 and ran the mile for the first time. Not bad. He's going to concentrate on the two mile from now on he tells me. Good choice. That way - he'll be more geared up for cross country in the fall. And on it goes . . .
And now today - of course it's raining and windy and darkly overcast. :( People say variety is good. They say that if the weather was good all the time, we'd get sick of it. I say - just let me try that out and see. Really. I say, if I lived where the weather was good all the time and for some really psychotic and completely deranged reason I WANTED snow and ice and cold and blizzards and rain - I would just drive to find it. You know what I'm saying?? Year round nice weather - yeah, that's something I wouldn't mind getting sick of.
My garden has been taken over by two small future business tycoons ages 11 and 13. So far - they've planted: 1000 - yes ONE THOUSAND onions and about 180 potatoes. The amount of carrots they are going to plant is staggering. Are you ready for this? 4000! I know! They hope to get peas in today - I have no idea how many and frankly, I'm scared to ask - and maybe the lettuce and who knows what else. Yes, they have major plans I'm telling you. They have it all plotted out, graphing the square footage as to how many plants per square something, how wide the walk ways are, what the yield will be, (really?) and all the best crops to grow that will sell the best to make the most money. We just sit and watch - shaking our heads in wonder. If they ever got into real estate - someone better warn Donald Trump! The neat thing is, they are paying for it all with their own money. The sad thing is, that means we can not even sample one pea unless we pay for it! (Drat those mean capitalists anyway) Oh well, they were very kind to let me have a small plot of land for myself - I think it's about the size of a postage stamp. Just the right size for 1 pea. :)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Spring has sprung - sort of . . .
Fickle. That's what it is. One day it's 60 degrees, the next, 45 and raining. I'm beginning to feel a bit schizophrenic!
The brood is busy - as usual. Track is in full swing, and on a sunny day there's nothing like sitting in the stands watching the kids race. Splendid. The surface of the track is so nice and squishy - it makes me want to sneak in and join them. Yeah, I know, I'd get left behind out of the blocks - but still - one can dream - eh?!
Two weeks til the dance recital. Whew! India's been sewing full time - making over 800 costumes as well as props. Crazy. But I can't wait to see the performances. In one of India's tap classes, a girl's family moved and so there was a missing dancer. Wouldn't be so bad, but part of the dance they have partners and it would have looked a bit silly with one person without a partner - and it just so happened to be Ezra's partner. So, call in the recruits. Judah (who is being bribed heavily) was taught the dance in a couple weeks and so he's going to be in the recital! How fun is that?! I am so excited. I LOVE watching the dances. 3 performances and 2 dress rehearsals and every night is packed. It's quite the production I have to say.
Hey - it's the prairie - we take whatever cultural event we can get!
Boy - there are a lot of disasters lately - wouldn't you say? We have the worst flooding in history here, and it's happening all around us too. Farmland is swamped, homes are flooded, roads are blocked. And then the tornadoes, the wild fires - and that's just the US. You then have all the earthquakes and tsunamis all over the world - kind of seems like God's a little ticked off. Maybe we need a little revival in the land . . .
Sad news - a dear friend who's son just got married less than 1 year ago go into a car accident and his young wife did not survive. The son was in critical condition but has been steadily improving - which is an absolute miracle. Please pray for Cole as he tries to heal both his body and his spirit. We are so sad for his loss, yet we rejoice in his recovery. God is sovereign . . .
Happier news - Cinco de Mayo is upon us! Don your sombreros, break out the beans and rice and throw yourselves a fiesta! Even though we have beans and rice nearly every other day it seems - it's still a great excuse for a party! Ole' amigos!!
The brood is busy - as usual. Track is in full swing, and on a sunny day there's nothing like sitting in the stands watching the kids race. Splendid. The surface of the track is so nice and squishy - it makes me want to sneak in and join them. Yeah, I know, I'd get left behind out of the blocks - but still - one can dream - eh?!
Two weeks til the dance recital. Whew! India's been sewing full time - making over 800 costumes as well as props. Crazy. But I can't wait to see the performances. In one of India's tap classes, a girl's family moved and so there was a missing dancer. Wouldn't be so bad, but part of the dance they have partners and it would have looked a bit silly with one person without a partner - and it just so happened to be Ezra's partner. So, call in the recruits. Judah (who is being bribed heavily) was taught the dance in a couple weeks and so he's going to be in the recital! How fun is that?! I am so excited. I LOVE watching the dances. 3 performances and 2 dress rehearsals and every night is packed. It's quite the production I have to say.
Hey - it's the prairie - we take whatever cultural event we can get!
Boy - there are a lot of disasters lately - wouldn't you say? We have the worst flooding in history here, and it's happening all around us too. Farmland is swamped, homes are flooded, roads are blocked. And then the tornadoes, the wild fires - and that's just the US. You then have all the earthquakes and tsunamis all over the world - kind of seems like God's a little ticked off. Maybe we need a little revival in the land . . .
Sad news - a dear friend who's son just got married less than 1 year ago go into a car accident and his young wife did not survive. The son was in critical condition but has been steadily improving - which is an absolute miracle. Please pray for Cole as he tries to heal both his body and his spirit. We are so sad for his loss, yet we rejoice in his recovery. God is sovereign . . .
Happier news - Cinco de Mayo is upon us! Don your sombreros, break out the beans and rice and throw yourselves a fiesta! Even though we have beans and rice nearly every other day it seems - it's still a great excuse for a party! Ole' amigos!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
1400 miles in three days . . .
So, we drive to Minneapolis. We dine. We meet some friends. The boys go to bed and India and I we sit in the lobby of the hotel visiting some friends and get caught in the middle of a police raid complete with pepper spray, SWAT teams, raving lunatic party-goers, and gun shots. We hide in the gift shop til the police clear the area, escort our friends to their car and the manager escorts India and I to our room via the service elevator. We survived - Thank you God. I only wish this was an April Fool's prank. It was not. (And this is why we live in the country in the prairie in the middle of no where.)
We slept poorly - well - to say we slept poorly indicates some sleeping did occur. It did not. Not for India and I anyway. We were just a wee bit stressed out.
Sat. We roll out of bed to watch Judah swim and swim well. The tee shirt and new flip flops are really cool.
India and I drive another 250 miles so she can take a ballet exam. We get a smoothie and some Culver's fries and turn around and drive back. I did not consume near enough chocolate to keep me awake, and finding only country music at 11pm and driving in the rain didn't help - but we made it to the hotel safe and sound. Only because of God I swear. My GPS (Judah) wasn't with me to tell me where to drive so I was just guessing as to which roads to take. Amazing. (And yes, she passed the test, so it was worth the trip)
Meanwhile, the boys ate and ate and watched basketball on tv while Gary slept. (At least one of us slept.)
Sunday we roll out of bed and watch Judah swim and swim well. And this is the one who hates to swim.
We eat. We go the the King Tut exhibit. Very disappointing. We get two extra large pizza's to go and drive home. In the rain and sleet. Yippee.
So after over 1400 miles, too many detours, too many urban riots, too much bad food, too much chlorine, and not near enough sleep - we get back home. And into my own bed!!!
What a weekend.
Not exactly what we all had in mind, but I guess it's just another story to tell the grandchildren.
And now it's track and dance recital season.
On and on it goes . . .
We slept poorly - well - to say we slept poorly indicates some sleeping did occur. It did not. Not for India and I anyway. We were just a wee bit stressed out.
Sat. We roll out of bed to watch Judah swim and swim well. The tee shirt and new flip flops are really cool.
India and I drive another 250 miles so she can take a ballet exam. We get a smoothie and some Culver's fries and turn around and drive back. I did not consume near enough chocolate to keep me awake, and finding only country music at 11pm and driving in the rain didn't help - but we made it to the hotel safe and sound. Only because of God I swear. My GPS (Judah) wasn't with me to tell me where to drive so I was just guessing as to which roads to take. Amazing. (And yes, she passed the test, so it was worth the trip)
Meanwhile, the boys ate and ate and watched basketball on tv while Gary slept. (At least one of us slept.)
Sunday we roll out of bed and watch Judah swim and swim well. And this is the one who hates to swim.
We eat. We go the the King Tut exhibit. Very disappointing. We get two extra large pizza's to go and drive home. In the rain and sleet. Yippee.
So after over 1400 miles, too many detours, too many urban riots, too much bad food, too much chlorine, and not near enough sleep - we get back home. And into my own bed!!!
What a weekend.
Not exactly what we all had in mind, but I guess it's just another story to tell the grandchildren.
And now it's track and dance recital season.
On and on it goes . . .
Monday, March 21, 2011
Insect invasion . . .
Boxelder bugs, lady bugs, asian beetles and attic flies. We suck them up with a vacuum, but I swear they crawl out and multiply in hours. We are finally seeing some edges of grass due to the melting, but along with the warmer temps, come the critters. Can't complain (even though I do) -because what is the alternative?? A longer winter. I'll take the bugs.
Went to Iowa to a very lovely wedding this weekend. Red, Black and White. Gorgeous. Scripture was read in Russian and English, because 9 (yes 9) of the 12 bride's siblings are from Russia. It was so very moving. Another one of the Russian daughters played the cello. Three little girls all dressed in long red dresses tossed rose petals down the aisles. But the most wonderful part of the service was after the vows, after the unity candle was lit and the license signed - the groom took his new bride's hands, held them in his own, pressed his forehead upon hers and prayed. Outloud. But not loud enough for everyone to hear since the piano was still playing. But to see him praying like that - together, in front of everyone, but clearly in their own little world; was so beautiful, it was hard to wipe all the tears away. What a moving moment. May our Father in heaven bless this marriage - this union He created and ordained. What a spectacular ceremony.
You can all say - ahhhh - now. :)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
25 years . . .
Yeah, this dates me, but 25 years ago on the 8th of March (yeah, I'm late in posting) Gary and I got married. We actually had nice enough weather for him to golf in the morning before the ceremony, which was his dream. The next day, we barley got to the airport, which was 2 hours away, because of a smallish snow storm that hit. Surprised? Didn't think so.
Our honeymoon destination: 1 week in fabulous sunny San Diego! Except for the fact that it rained nearly every day, the hotel that was labeled as 'near the beach' was actually about 1/2 hour away, and on the one day the sun did shine, it was still so freezing cold, we had to wear blue jeans and sweaters to the beach! Not exactly what we expected . . .
So, 25 years later, as posted earlier, we decided to re-do our honeymoon and spent a blissful week in Costa Rica. Sunshine everyday, no rain, our room was literally steps from the beach and it was hot enough to play paddle ball and snorkel in our swimsuits. It was worth the wait. So when the 8th of March came, let's just say, there was no big ado, since we already had our ado a month before. And that was fine by me. But it was still fun to think back 25 years and remember it all. The 80's dress and hair, the cake with the blue napkin stuck on top, the rock band that rocked the walls, (and my mother's ears), the not-so-tropical honeymoon, the cancelled flight on the way back, and the air sickness that lasted from California, through Salt Lake all the way to North Dakota. Whew. At least we can laugh about it now. :)
Let's see. Basketball is over and track has begun. Ezra and Judah swam in the state meet and they are still training for a big meet coming up in April. India is still working, teaching, dancing and finishing school. And we got another couple feet of snow since my last post. It's March, it's 16 degrees, the trees are covered in snow and the plow still hasn't been seen in days. So, I guess there's not much in the way of 'news' around here.
And I'm still dreaming of palm trees . . .
Monday, February 21, 2011
WHAT???
2 feet of snow in one day? Are you kidding me? We were so sure spring was here. We woke up to a sea, no, an ocean of white. Where we once actually saw a tuft of grass and actual dirt on the driveway; there was no trace of a road to speak of. We couldn't even tell where the sidewalk or the road - was!
I am telling you, I really could live in the tropics. Yeah, I know, people here say, "Oh, you'd miss the snow and the four seasons." Yeah, well, just try me. I swear it would take years - YEARS - for me to actually miss snow and cold and wind and ice and shoveling and getting stuck and frost bit and wearing 8 pounds of clothes just to keep warm. I'm done I tell you - DONE!
That one way ticket to Costa Rica idea is looking better and better . . .
And yes - I am totally serious.
Like I said -just try me! :)
I am telling you, I really could live in the tropics. Yeah, I know, people here say, "Oh, you'd miss the snow and the four seasons." Yeah, well, just try me. I swear it would take years - YEARS - for me to actually miss snow and cold and wind and ice and shoveling and getting stuck and frost bit and wearing 8 pounds of clothes just to keep warm. I'm done I tell you - DONE!
That one way ticket to Costa Rica idea is looking better and better . . .
And yes - I am totally serious.
Like I said -just try me! :)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Athletes and Mathletes . . .
How do you juggle 8 basketball games in 2 weeks, daily swimming practices, a math competition, four days of dance, school, work and sanity? Well, mostly, you don't. The sanity part, that is. But, it's the middle of February, so we are seeing a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. It's a very faint light, but it's there. It is. I know it.
Kudos to Noah for making 2 three point shots, 1 two point shot and playing really well in one of the games last week. He's been doing well this season. However, the last couple games, the entire team has struggled. We have four games left, so they are hoping to redeem themselves and save their winning record. Go Knights!
High Five's to Ez for getting 6th overall in the regional Mathcounts competition and qualifying for the state meet. Yeah!! He was up against 4 kids from the same team who's parents all happen to be Math professors at South Dakota State University. One of which went to Nationals last year - all of which are 8th graders and they have no social life because they spend all their waking hours doing math problems (the coach says) Not that we're bitter or anything . . .
Big news: IT'S MELTING!!! Praise God! The temps have been above freezing now for 5 days IN A ROW!! It's like winter has become the Wicked Witch of the West and we are glad to see her go. (hated that movie, but the the analogy was fitting) Now mind you, there is still a good couple of feet of snow yet to melt, but the roads are clear and dry and we can actually see the bricks of our sidewalk and patio!!! And there is blue sky! And sun! HURRAY! Hey - let us get excited. It's a big thing for us up here. Even though we all know it's the annual January thaw that just happens to be in February and we know it won't last - but we're taking it. Yeah, the forecast is for snow this weekend - so come on - let us relish in our little bubble while it lasts . . .
Also big news - I have finally made corn tortillas and they are edible. We will not talk about the many times I tried and failed to make them in the past. But this time - I learned from an expert. While in Costa Rica, this beautiful lady made corn tortillas every morning and I watched her very carefully. There is a secret to it and I finally figured it out. It's water. Yeah, I know! Keeping it moist and keeping your fingers moist while you shape them on wax paper made all the difference. A few veggies, some rice and beans topped with a huge dollop of guac - Sheer happiness on a plate. I'm hungry. See ya!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
The sand was black . . .
Oh. My. Goodness. Gary and I just spent a week in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. I know - Costa Rica's not exactly your typical paradise vacation destination like Cancun or Jamaica, but it was everything I thought a tropic holiday would be like, and so very much more. Why Costa Rica? Well, partly because this was a really great tour I have wanted to go on for some time and partly because it was all inclusive - meaning no added fees. Everything was a one lump payment, room, food, excursions, bus rides - everything. And it was in the tropics - hot - sunny and safe. So- what better way to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary? None. It couldn't have been much better. It was fabulous. Stupendous. A dream come true. Everything about it - the sun, the sand, the temperature, the food, the people, the exchange rate . . . Perfect. Think I'm going a little bit overboard here? Yeah, well, maybe I should get out more . . .
You get off the plane, in your cold weather clothes to this whoosh of hot tropic air. Fantastic! For me, this trip was the ultimate test of fearful survival. I faced nearly every fear I have been harboring in my life. The plane ride, zip line, snorkeling, the dead snake on the bus, the scorpion in one of the guest rooms, and the ocean current - just to name a few. I can not say I conquered any of them, but I did work through them without dying, fainting or throwing up. Pretty big accomplishment in my book.
The zip line was in the jungle, above the trees, 85 plus feet in the air. To say I was scared would be a most severe understatement. To my shame, I got stuck half way through the first section and had to be 'rescued' by a local. The rest of the lines I rode tandem, because I was nearly hyperventilating. And you know the cartoons with the knees knocking - mine really were. If I couldn't see the ground, the ride was a blast. I love the speed and the scenery, but when the trees broke away and I could see the river or dirt path below, I started to loose it all over again. But - the last line I went by myself (really, I did) and actually liked it. So there. Would I do it again? Um, maybe. And that's a really big maybe.
The other highlight was the snorkeling. Gary and I had never been, and that was utterly remarkable. Indescribable. The colors of the fish seemed like they would glow in the dark. Vivid blues and yellows, and the variety. Amazing. Gary saw 2 octopus, and we saw many strange ocean creatures we had no idea what they were. On the beach we saw hundreds of little baby hermit crabs. So cute. We also saw lots of monkeys,(spider, howler and white-faced) lizards, (including the really big male that sat on the steps to our room and wouldn't let us pass) really colorful birds, (cool way to wake up) and so much more. To see God's creation up close, was so wonderful. We were in awe. I would go back in a heart beat. You need to check out my daughter's photo blog to see the pics. http://yakarphotography.blogspot.com/
For Gary and I, it was literally the first time we had ever been away from the children for a vacation. When India and Noah were wee tots, we went overnight twice, a few hours away, but that has been it. So, this was a tad bit out of my comfort zone. But, I was surprisingly okay. Really. Ask Gary. I was a bit stressed the first day, but island fever must have taken over and I was pretty relaxed for the rest of the week. Thank God for Skype! Knowing that the kids were ok - even through three blizzards, hazardous driving conditions and 50 degree below zero temps - well, talking with them each night helped a lot. They had fun, we had a spectacular time so all was grand. Next time, and yes, there will be a next time, we'll take them with. They would love it. We did - for sure.
So we had a 130 degree temperature swing from there to here one day, and I for one, didn't want to leave. I would have much rather had the kids sell everything, hop on a plane and we could just live out our days in the sun. Yeah, I know - reality has a way of getting in the way of ideas like that. But hey, a girl can dream, can't she?
So, now that we are back, (and we are glad to be back with the kids) we are trying to adjust. And it's tough! So, I am already plotting on a return trip. And it must be soon. Before it fades from my aging memory.
Besides, we have to let India meet her future husband that we found for her down there . . . :)
Pura Vida!!!
You get off the plane, in your cold weather clothes to this whoosh of hot tropic air. Fantastic! For me, this trip was the ultimate test of fearful survival. I faced nearly every fear I have been harboring in my life. The plane ride, zip line, snorkeling, the dead snake on the bus, the scorpion in one of the guest rooms, and the ocean current - just to name a few. I can not say I conquered any of them, but I did work through them without dying, fainting or throwing up. Pretty big accomplishment in my book.
The zip line was in the jungle, above the trees, 85 plus feet in the air. To say I was scared would be a most severe understatement. To my shame, I got stuck half way through the first section and had to be 'rescued' by a local. The rest of the lines I rode tandem, because I was nearly hyperventilating. And you know the cartoons with the knees knocking - mine really were. If I couldn't see the ground, the ride was a blast. I love the speed and the scenery, but when the trees broke away and I could see the river or dirt path below, I started to loose it all over again. But - the last line I went by myself (really, I did) and actually liked it. So there. Would I do it again? Um, maybe. And that's a really big maybe.
The other highlight was the snorkeling. Gary and I had never been, and that was utterly remarkable. Indescribable. The colors of the fish seemed like they would glow in the dark. Vivid blues and yellows, and the variety. Amazing. Gary saw 2 octopus, and we saw many strange ocean creatures we had no idea what they were. On the beach we saw hundreds of little baby hermit crabs. So cute. We also saw lots of monkeys,(spider, howler and white-faced) lizards, (including the really big male that sat on the steps to our room and wouldn't let us pass) really colorful birds, (cool way to wake up) and so much more. To see God's creation up close, was so wonderful. We were in awe. I would go back in a heart beat. You need to check out my daughter's photo blog to see the pics. http://yakarphotography.blogspot.com/
For Gary and I, it was literally the first time we had ever been away from the children for a vacation. When India and Noah were wee tots, we went overnight twice, a few hours away, but that has been it. So, this was a tad bit out of my comfort zone. But, I was surprisingly okay. Really. Ask Gary. I was a bit stressed the first day, but island fever must have taken over and I was pretty relaxed for the rest of the week. Thank God for Skype! Knowing that the kids were ok - even through three blizzards, hazardous driving conditions and 50 degree below zero temps - well, talking with them each night helped a lot. They had fun, we had a spectacular time so all was grand. Next time, and yes, there will be a next time, we'll take them with. They would love it. We did - for sure.
So we had a 130 degree temperature swing from there to here one day, and I for one, didn't want to leave. I would have much rather had the kids sell everything, hop on a plane and we could just live out our days in the sun. Yeah, I know - reality has a way of getting in the way of ideas like that. But hey, a girl can dream, can't she?
So, now that we are back, (and we are glad to be back with the kids) we are trying to adjust. And it's tough! So, I am already plotting on a return trip. And it must be soon. Before it fades from my aging memory.
Besides, we have to let India meet her future husband that we found for her down there . . . :)
Pura Vida!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Stress and more . . .
If you've never driven 3 hours in unfamiliar territory in freezing rain so bad that the defrost can't keep the ice from melting and you almost can't see a thing, and you run out of windshield washer fluid, and you then drive 5 hours in a near blizzard trying to get your 1992 Honda through the snow drifts, at night, against oncoming semi's creating a complete white-out and this after 2 days of making sure your boys are swimming the right events at the right time and hoping the other half of your family is having fun in a town 3 hours away from home watching 3 basketball games back to back and then driving back home in the middle of the night when it's 5 below zero - well, then, you just haven't lived!
Yes, this was our weekend. We split up - I took the little boys to the All Star Swim meet in Lawrence Kansas, and Gary took India and another parent to Mitchell, SD to watch Noah play basketball. The boys were so excited to be able to swim in such a prestigious meet and it was a great experience. There were over 750 kids swimming all the way from Colorado to Missouri. A few of these kids are some of the best swimmers in the nation. Super cool and we had a really fun time, except for the driving part. Meanwhile, back in South Dakota, our basketball teams lost all three games, so that wasn't as much fun.
But, they did have Noah's famous French toast and India's famous falafas, and watched 'Salt' - twice, and we had pizza at Whole Foods and watched 'Good Luck, Charlie' on the Disney channel. Oh, and an episode of 'The Suite Life on Deck' and 'Cupcake Wars'. We're so into good quality educational television viewing. Guess that's what happens when you don't have a TV at home and then you suddenly have access to one. Yep, you only watch the really good stuff . . .
Oh, did I forget to mention that Ezra competed in another Mathcounts competition last week and got second to the top 8th grader in the region? That was fun to watch. Those two went head to head, getting tossed these wack-a-doodle hard math problems and were all tied up til Ezra's nemesis, Jacob M. got two answers right in a row. But Ezra did win the coveted Mathcounts Cow by answering another wack-a-doodle hard question before anyone else even raised his hand. He named his first Cow - Newton (given to him by the head guy - because he thought Ez deserved it by beating every other person in an earlier meet) and this cow he named Isaac. Funny kid.
So, to recap - drove out of town to watch 12 basketball games
- drove 18 hours to KS to watch 2 days of swimming
- fought the cold and the snow and the drifts and the ice for a total of 24 hours
- two dentist appointments
- one eye appointment
- one math competition
- ALL IN ONE WEEK
And that, my friends, is how we get the 'busy' in Busy Brood. :)
Yes, this was our weekend. We split up - I took the little boys to the All Star Swim meet in Lawrence Kansas, and Gary took India and another parent to Mitchell, SD to watch Noah play basketball. The boys were so excited to be able to swim in such a prestigious meet and it was a great experience. There were over 750 kids swimming all the way from Colorado to Missouri. A few of these kids are some of the best swimmers in the nation. Super cool and we had a really fun time, except for the driving part. Meanwhile, back in South Dakota, our basketball teams lost all three games, so that wasn't as much fun.
But, they did have Noah's famous French toast and India's famous falafas, and watched 'Salt' - twice, and we had pizza at Whole Foods and watched 'Good Luck, Charlie' on the Disney channel. Oh, and an episode of 'The Suite Life on Deck' and 'Cupcake Wars'. We're so into good quality educational television viewing. Guess that's what happens when you don't have a TV at home and then you suddenly have access to one. Yep, you only watch the really good stuff . . .
Oh, did I forget to mention that Ezra competed in another Mathcounts competition last week and got second to the top 8th grader in the region? That was fun to watch. Those two went head to head, getting tossed these wack-a-doodle hard math problems and were all tied up til Ezra's nemesis, Jacob M. got two answers right in a row. But Ezra did win the coveted Mathcounts Cow by answering another wack-a-doodle hard question before anyone else even raised his hand. He named his first Cow - Newton (given to him by the head guy - because he thought Ez deserved it by beating every other person in an earlier meet) and this cow he named Isaac. Funny kid.
So, to recap - drove out of town to watch 12 basketball games
- drove 18 hours to KS to watch 2 days of swimming
- fought the cold and the snow and the drifts and the ice for a total of 24 hours
- two dentist appointments
- one eye appointment
- one math competition
- ALL IN ONE WEEK
And that, my friends, is how we get the 'busy' in Busy Brood. :)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sweet 16 . . .
Yes, my oldest son, Noah just hit the big one. Wow! As all parents say, "Where has the time gone?"
From this little straight as a string blond-haired boy that couldn't sit still, making us all laugh with his antics and funny sayings - to this taller, brown and curly-headed young man that now loves to sit still unless he's on a basketball court or biking or doing something crazy with his brothers. We've traded booties with size 11 court shoes, and training wheels with braces. He went from hating to write to loving to blog. It's cool to look back and see how he's grown. And I can't wait to see what he'll become!
So - Happy Birthday, to my son Noah. Hope he has a super great day today.
God willing, he'll play really well in his basketball game tonight and they'll win. That would be a great present!
From this little straight as a string blond-haired boy that couldn't sit still, making us all laugh with his antics and funny sayings - to this taller, brown and curly-headed young man that now loves to sit still unless he's on a basketball court or biking or doing something crazy with his brothers. We've traded booties with size 11 court shoes, and training wheels with braces. He went from hating to write to loving to blog. It's cool to look back and see how he's grown. And I can't wait to see what he'll become!
So - Happy Birthday, to my son Noah. Hope he has a super great day today.
God willing, he'll play really well in his basketball game tonight and they'll win. That would be a great present!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Chlorine overdose . . .
Another weekend at the pool. Now that Ez is in the older group, the boys swim in different sessions, which
makes for a looonnng couple days. But, it is so fun to watch! The difference between the older kids' session and the younger one - is like the difference between watching golf and soccer. When the younger kids swim, it's complete pandemonium. The noise level is through the roof. Parents yelling at the top of their lungs, screaming their children's names and waving their hands - as if that will make them swim harder, which it probably won't simply because they really can't hear a thing when their heads are under water. Then you go to the older kids' session and it's quiet and calm, parents sitting there all ho-hum and hushed - no use to get all riled up you know - as if they've been here done this and it doesn't make any sense to go all world cup soccer crazy. Yes, watching those little 6 year old's swim is cute, but with the older group it's just so much more peaceful. And that's nice.
As for the meet, Ez improved his times, and that's what matters. He's in a tough spot being at the lowest end of his age group and the qualifying times are a lot quicker. Judah, on the other hand, is at the top of his age group and he's smoking. He's make it to state in 5 events now and by a fair margin and this weekend he got 4th place overall in his age group. And this comes from a guy who declares he hates to swim! Yet - both of them were up bright and early at 4:30 am for practice. That's dedication. Or insanity. Or both.
And on the basketball front, another one of Noah's games got postponed due to weather. When the snow falls, and just stays there, it's not too bad, but when there's even a slight breeze, the roads drift, and the visibility is zero. And there is never a slight breeze here. Our version of a slight breeze is about 15 miles an hour, so, windy is downright dangerous. And it's always windy here, thus the treacherous driving conditions. They've already postponed so many games, they might still be playing basketball into May! This week alone, they have to play four games - well, at least that's the plan. It is snowing again as I type, so who knows.
And are you as sick and tired of reading about our weather woes as I am blogging about them? I bet. Well,
I say - enough already!!!! So, from this day on - I declare a ban on snow for the rest of the winter!
No more snow! No more snow! Say it with me now - NO MORE SNOW!!
Thanks. I feel much better now.
makes for a looonnng couple days. But, it is so fun to watch! The difference between the older kids' session and the younger one - is like the difference between watching golf and soccer. When the younger kids swim, it's complete pandemonium. The noise level is through the roof. Parents yelling at the top of their lungs, screaming their children's names and waving their hands - as if that will make them swim harder, which it probably won't simply because they really can't hear a thing when their heads are under water. Then you go to the older kids' session and it's quiet and calm, parents sitting there all ho-hum and hushed - no use to get all riled up you know - as if they've been here done this and it doesn't make any sense to go all world cup soccer crazy. Yes, watching those little 6 year old's swim is cute, but with the older group it's just so much more peaceful. And that's nice.
As for the meet, Ez improved his times, and that's what matters. He's in a tough spot being at the lowest end of his age group and the qualifying times are a lot quicker. Judah, on the other hand, is at the top of his age group and he's smoking. He's make it to state in 5 events now and by a fair margin and this weekend he got 4th place overall in his age group. And this comes from a guy who declares he hates to swim! Yet - both of them were up bright and early at 4:30 am for practice. That's dedication. Or insanity. Or both.
And on the basketball front, another one of Noah's games got postponed due to weather. When the snow falls, and just stays there, it's not too bad, but when there's even a slight breeze, the roads drift, and the visibility is zero. And there is never a slight breeze here. Our version of a slight breeze is about 15 miles an hour, so, windy is downright dangerous. And it's always windy here, thus the treacherous driving conditions. They've already postponed so many games, they might still be playing basketball into May! This week alone, they have to play four games - well, at least that's the plan. It is snowing again as I type, so who knows.
And are you as sick and tired of reading about our weather woes as I am blogging about them? I bet. Well,
I say - enough already!!!! So, from this day on - I declare a ban on snow for the rest of the winter!
No more snow! No more snow! Say it with me now - NO MORE SNOW!!
Thanks. I feel much better now.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
You know it's been a bad blizzard when . . .
We usually get a couple good (bad?) blizzards a winter, but there are some that are doozies. We have been stuck at home for 5 days now and we're going just a wee bit stir crazy. For those who have never experienced it - here are the signs.
YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN A BAD BLIZZARD WHEN:
- All the roads are closed - in the entire state
- Even the home schoolers take a snow day - or two
- The drifts are higher than the my six foot tall husband - really
- When you shovel the sidewalk and the cats walk on it, they look like they are little rats in a deep tunnel-like maze with the walls made of snow
- All sporting events get postponed - in the entire state
- You now know what the astronauts felt like when landing on the moon
- There is no mail delivery and no newspaper delivery - for days
- You can almost sled off the garage - and yes, it's been tried
- Doing the laundry is fun, just because it's something to do (ok, maybe that's going a bit far)
- You can barely see the weather vane in the middle of the yard
- Your non-reading husband starts the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - and then quotes from it
- The only way to get to town would be on snowshoes (or a snowmobile) - if it was running. . .
- But you would have no reason to go to town because everything's closed - even Friday night Bingo at the Catholic church
- You go out to feed the cats and you come back with frost on your lashes and an icicle hanging from your nose - literally
- You almost could get lost going out to the garage to feed the cats because you can't see a thing in front of you
- It has to be a weekend - cause we all know that blizzards only happen on the weekends - never on a weekday - ever
- You can barely make out the trees in your front yard
- 'White out' takes on a whole new meaning
- You watch 5 episodes of Psych, 2 Cary Grant movies, play 6 hands of the Golf game and 4 games of Clue, learn all the words to Beckah Shae's song 'Life', you almost start to like rap because you listen to Lecrae over and over and over (ad nauseam), and break out the yo yo's - just to pass the time
- You eat every kinds of food and drink known to man including cereal, sandwiches, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, buckets and buckets and buckets of popcorn, bags of chips, pounds of nut mix, baby carrots and massive amounts of fruit - all - day - long
- You look online for pictures of the beaches in Bali and sigh
- You look out the window in the morning and you can't see out because the snow is piled half way up on the window sill
- You look up at the ceiling and yell 'WHY' to all your ancestors who settled here
- Your energetic boys go outside to play and come back inside in 20 minutes half frozen
- You wonder if this isn't the end times - you know - when 'the sun and the moon shall be darkened and the stars shall withdraw their shinning' cause you haven't seen any of them for days - and days - and days
- The sidewalk you shoveled the day before has been completely covered over with snow and has drifted in higher than it was before you shoveled the first time
- You wear the same clothes every - single - day (I know!)
- You have to dig and dig to find the wood pile
- You get on each other's nerves by day two
- You can not wait for Monday
YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN A BAD BLIZZARD WHEN:
- All the roads are closed - in the entire state
- Even the home schoolers take a snow day - or two
- The drifts are higher than the my six foot tall husband - really
- When you shovel the sidewalk and the cats walk on it, they look like they are little rats in a deep tunnel-like maze with the walls made of snow
- All sporting events get postponed - in the entire state
- You now know what the astronauts felt like when landing on the moon
- There is no mail delivery and no newspaper delivery - for days
- You can almost sled off the garage - and yes, it's been tried
- Doing the laundry is fun, just because it's something to do (ok, maybe that's going a bit far)
- You can barely see the weather vane in the middle of the yard
- Your non-reading husband starts the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin - and then quotes from it
- The only way to get to town would be on snowshoes (or a snowmobile) - if it was running. . .
- But you would have no reason to go to town because everything's closed - even Friday night Bingo at the Catholic church
- You go out to feed the cats and you come back with frost on your lashes and an icicle hanging from your nose - literally
- You almost could get lost going out to the garage to feed the cats because you can't see a thing in front of you
- It has to be a weekend - cause we all know that blizzards only happen on the weekends - never on a weekday - ever
- You can barely make out the trees in your front yard
- 'White out' takes on a whole new meaning
- You watch 5 episodes of Psych, 2 Cary Grant movies, play 6 hands of the Golf game and 4 games of Clue, learn all the words to Beckah Shae's song 'Life', you almost start to like rap because you listen to Lecrae over and over and over (ad nauseam), and break out the yo yo's - just to pass the time
- You eat every kinds of food and drink known to man including cereal, sandwiches, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, buckets and buckets and buckets of popcorn, bags of chips, pounds of nut mix, baby carrots and massive amounts of fruit - all - day - long
- You look online for pictures of the beaches in Bali and sigh
- You look out the window in the morning and you can't see out because the snow is piled half way up on the window sill
- You look up at the ceiling and yell 'WHY' to all your ancestors who settled here
- Your energetic boys go outside to play and come back inside in 20 minutes half frozen
- You wonder if this isn't the end times - you know - when 'the sun and the moon shall be darkened and the stars shall withdraw their shinning' cause you haven't seen any of them for days - and days - and days
- The sidewalk you shoveled the day before has been completely covered over with snow and has drifted in higher than it was before you shoveled the first time
- You wear the same clothes every - single - day (I know!)
- You have to dig and dig to find the wood pile
- You get on each other's nerves by day two
- You can not wait for Monday
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