Sunday, February 28, 2010

A little reflection....


I'm stealing this from another blog I frequent because it 'hit' home a little bit today.  I'm already trying to plan for this summer and next fall and it's 4 months away..... Ummm, hello?  How about planning for  today, the right now?  So, after I hit "PUBLISH POST" I will be spending the rest of my day with my kids who are at home with me.....  and maybe watch a little hockey. 

Enjoy!
The Dash Poem, by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

So tell me, how are YOU living your dash?

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Waiting for a Train wreck...

The US Men's hockey team has arguably won their biggest game of International Hockey since the Miracle in Lake Placid some 30 years ago. By defeating the 23 All-Star strong Canadian team in Pool Play on Sunday the 21st, some fear we have awoken a sleeping giant. Others questioned whether it was luck that a 5-3 game ended in our favor. The fresh faces of USA hockey have reassured us that they are the 'real deal' as a #1 seed, coming off a shellacking of the Swiss goalie just yesterday. Meanwhile, our Canadian counterparts dismantled their next two opponents, outscoring them 15-5.
With 1 game standing between a Canuck and Yankee rematch, we wait with baited breath. All of this is setting up us rabid fans for a Gold Medal match that will no doubt be one for the History books. Not wanting to get too far ahead of ourselves, a Canadian cyber-friend and I have agreed to hold off handshakes until that final horn sounds on the gold medal game.

It's like we're waiting for an inevitable train wreck that you know you won't be able to NOT watch.

By pure happenstance, that same cyber-friend has recently started a workout routine that I have been eyeballing from the couch for far too long now. I sometimes catch myself slowing the remote down long enough to laugh at the schleps that are constantly hawking some new-world cleaning agent or a new hip-hop workout regimen. But I must admit, for near the past 6 months I have been drawn back to the paid advertising brought to you by the fine folks at Beach Body and P90X. Guilt ridden, I munched on my chips and cheese knowing deep down that this brand of calisthenics used to be right up my alley. Ironically, now "right up my alley" requires a wider turn than I am comfortable with.

Anyone familiar with the Adam Sandler film "Spanglish" may recall the character played by Tea Leoni. All that I specifically remember of this movie is the manic like workout ethic of Leoni's character and at times, I playfully tease my own bride in comparison. Let it go on record that Michele is 10 times the athlete I ever dreamed to be and although I am a US Marine, I wouldn't even pick Me first in a good scrap. Lately I've weathered Michele's motivations to crawl back into better shape but I can take it no longer....

P90X - here we come..... it's like waiting for a Train Wreck to happen right in front of your eyes...

Jennine - feel free to vomit anytime now. :)

Sunday, February 21, 2010

She's baaaack......


Don't ask me how I got on the plane and left this kind of view.....but I did. 

I have to ask myself sometimes when I visit other places that to me are vacation land but to others, they call it home.... "How the heck do you go to work everyday?"   

I love Florida and sunshine and happy people. 


Just a few pictures of the day that Becky and I spent on/at/near the ocean.  The temps were 'cool' for most of the natives but I didn't really mind the 55 degree sunshine filled days.   At least there was no snow was my reply to the folks that said "how do you like this cold weather?"

It was a successful vacation for me. A few days with my gal pal Becky, 5 books finished, 4 mile runs everyday, 3 trips to the movie theater,  2 GREAT people (Judy and Joe) and 1 happy Mommy laying by the pool on her last day soaking in the sun. 



"Toes in the water...."  

**Thanks to Gma Judy and Joe for letting me invade their retirement life and spend some time with them. I appreciate all the great meals, conversations and use of the guestroom.   

**Thanks to my hubby who proved that men can take care of things at home while the wife is away.   You're the best honey.....  

**Thanks to Becky for making the effort to come down for a few days.  Next time it will be a longer trip! 

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

"Days, weeks, months... who knows?"



The following post is best read while imagining the orange-bearded author's best interpretation of a dismally gloomy donkey...

Michele's been away from home for 5 nights now. The kids have been perfect but miss Mommy just as I do.
*Supper time isn't as punctual when Mom's not around. Somehow we manage.
*The laundry gets washed and folded but it doesn't happen magically. It takes hard work when Mom's not around. Somehow we manage.
*The dog gets rough-housed and plenty of attention but misses his best friend and snuggle partner. Somehow he manages.
*Emma plays dolls and asks the same of dad. It's just not the same w/o Mommy around . Somehow the dolls manage.
*The school clothes and perfectly matched outfits aren't always laid out the night before. We carefully get dressed each morning and somehow we manage.
*There's food in the pantry and milk in our glasses. Good thing WalMart is close by because our provider has gone on vacation. Yet, somehow we manage.
*I haven't lost any kids, skipped any meals, or burnt the house down. How have I managed?
*Library books have been returned on time and gymnastics lessons attended. This schedule is hectic. Somehow we manage.
*The mail still comes. The bills have been paid. I have little to worry about. How did she manage?
*Logan's fingers are free. Mom's not here to be wrapped around them. He's flooding me with hugs but saving some for Mommy, if he can manage.

The most important person in the world to us has gone on a much deserved vacation. Time to herself to...
- sleep in without toddler body slams.
- go for a walk/run without frequent stops for her dog to mark the town as his.
- not worry about work and making other people happy.
- read a book by the pool without having to worry about her attention hungry husband whining on the couch.
- shop and browse and mingle at her pace without her family in tow.
- do whatever she darn well pleases... within reason of course - I mean she is staying with my grandparents after all!

We sure miss her and look forward to having her home on Friday but while she's been gone we've got along just fine.
As my good pal Eeyore says,
"It works... didn't expect it to... but I'm kinda glad..."

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Musky Ball.......

(don't think about that title too much)

Well, I did it. I attended the elusive Musky Banquet of the Brainerd Lakes Chapter. Never before have the female companions been invited to attend this event. This year, we broke the barrier, tore down the wall and made our presence known.


I'll admit........the thought of spending the night in a room filled with men who live and breathe to fish for muskies, wasn't that appealing to me.  However, a chance to be out of the house with no kids (well, except for Tyler but he doesn't really count as a kid anymore being that he can keep himself entertained) and be able to spend time with some of our friends as couples was appealing.



Here's Becky holding her glass of water, ready for whatever the night would bring.

Me with two of my boys.....

Me and my best pal Rider........both of us are thinking in this picture that we can't wait to be in Florida this time next week.


AND the luckiest couple of the night.  They won 2 out of the first 3 prizes and also ended up winning a new shot gun later in the evening. These are the folks that you want to take to the casino with you.....


Tyler was quick enough to outrun a few older men and grab some free DVDs.  If you're looking for any fishing DVDs, let us know. We won 14 of them.

Well, Tyler, what do you think?
It was a fun night. We didn't come away with any big prizes but we did come away with some good laughs and good time with good friends.

Thanks boys! It was fun....and we would go again next year.........that is, if you dare to invite us.

Monday, February 8, 2010

A beautiful 30 something...



This pretty lady is celebrating a BIRTHDAY today! Have I ever told you how much I am truly grateful for having her in my life? She's given me the greatest gifts I've ever received.... a loving wife and a wonderful family.
In comparison, I guess an iPod is just a drop in the bucket - a little token of my appreciation for all that she is to me. I know it's snowing like mad out there right now. And I find it mildly ironic that my snow princess despises these winter storms yet she's a February baby.... fear not FIVE.... it won't be long and you'll be doing this.....


I love you.
We all love you.
Happy Birthday.