Wrestling with technology

Technology, good or bad? Helpful or not? 

I think my answer to this is simple, when working properly and used in moderation, technology can be a wonderful and enhancing addition to our everyday lives. However, there is always the evil flip side to this scenario. 

Often times technology seems to operate and go about it's merry way, not behaving the way we want or need it to! Think about all the computer gadgets now in our vehicles and the constant updates, upgrades, notifications we receive on our computers. We have a home equipped with some "smart" technology. Our heating and cooling system is run via an iPad in the wall. Looks neat, until it isn't working properly. I have spent more time on the phone with repair people and can practically call them friends for how frequently they've needed to come "fix" things. My husband swears our next home will be equipped with the bare bones and less technology is better. 

I have to say, it is nice to have fun music at my fingertips, a car that cools to my desired temperature, the ability to see loved ones face to face, even when they live thousands of miles away. Most of the conveniences we live with would be very difficult to give up. Today I am grateful that we have an alarm on our freezer when the door is left open, even if the beeping is truly annoying! It saved us a lot of money not having to replace those waffles and ice cream! 

There is always the constant battle in our home with our children and technology. They are so accustomed to electronics--iPads, Tv's, smart phones, digital cameras and so on. We have to monitor their frequency and what type of sites they are visiting. If given the chance, our son would love nothing more than an uninterrupted day spent playing MineCraft on the iPad. Rules are constantly in place so this won't happen, but it really is a battle! So to live in relative peace with the technology that is such a part of our lives, I must keep chanting the mantra use in moderation, and if broken, be nice to your repair guy/gal, they may be your new best friend!

Another chapter ends

Well it is truly that time of year again, when the days are getting a bit shorter and the kids a bit antsier. 

That's right, the end of summer is just around the corner. Sprinklers will be jumped through just a few more times, Kool-Aid and lemonade stands will be flipping their closed signs over until next season. Soon the days of sleeping in and staying up late will be over, replaced by frantic mornings rushing out to catch buses and race into school. All over the city parents are checking their back-to-school lists and checking them twice. 

It seems that this summer was on super warp speed for some reason. I think it had something to do with the weather, and summer arriving so late after such a rainy spring. Then when it hit, it hit with a force and it continued on at a frantic pace. About a week ago I was lamenting the fact that I would be sending my kids back to school so soon, and I wasn't ready. 

Then another week went by, and the whining seemed to amp up to an almost unbearable level, and suddenly, school cannot start soon enough! I'm sure I'm not the only parent feeling this way! Kids are tired of the same old same old, and I'm ready for some routine to enter back into our lives. Brains need to be challenged and bedtime routines reestablished once more. Now I would feel so much better if those dang school lists were complete. Can anyone tell me where I can find the elusive skinny dry-erase markers? 

Ah summer, you will be sorely missed. Come back soon, and thanks for all of the wonderful memories.

Lifelong learning

I've written before about my attempts at learning to play guitar. 

I haven't visited this topic in quite awhile, simply because I feel that I am a miserable guitar student, at best. That is not to say that I have not thoroughly enjoyed my dive into this pool of opportunity. I love the way that it challenges my brain and lights up a sense of learning that I have never experienced before. 

I attend my weekly guitar lesson, and now it is something that our 8-year-old son does with me. In our hectic schedules, we don't often find the time to have some quiet together. So now we find ourselves, once a week, trekking to lessons together. 

We will often talk about school or the books he's reading, or whether we like a certain song on the radio. Sometimes we drive in comfortable silence, me just enjoying having my not-so-little buddy alone in the car with me for a bit. He's doing a wonderful job learning to play, and far outpacing me as a student. It is rather humbling to have your 8-year-old show you up so handily! 

Lucky for me he doesn't read this blog, so this isn't a fact I'll be sharing with him anytime soon! My husband has taken his new skills to a different level, and has starting jamming with a couple of fellow friends. I played with them not so long ago, and it recharged my enthusiasm for learning to play! There is something energetic about playing with others, even if you are in the wrong key the entire time! But we ended the jam almost sounding, dare I say, mediocre! No, we are not booking any gigs soon, or even ever, but it was a fun way to put into practice all that I've been learning. 

My husband aspires to write his own song soon, this too will enhance his joy that he's found in playing guitar. I'm fortunate to have found this little hobby so enjoyable. It's enhanced my appreciation for music, and will continue to do so for years to come. Now, if I only practiced like I am supposed to, I might be able to play a recognizable tune! One thing at a time.

Turning lemons into...

How do you cope with unexpected news? 

Let me rephrase that, how do you cope with unexpected bad news? I've had three friends in the past few weeks each receive news that was not expected and not pleasant. One has learned that her young daughter has a lifelong illness that required a stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, a trip to Madison, and constant monitoring. This news will forever impact their wonderful family and require daily medication and monitoring. My friend reached out for help, and gratefully accepted when it was given. They are arming themselves with information, so they can prepare for what the future holds. She is facing this situation head on, and with an upbeat attitude. I admire that, as I know that it would not be easy to do. 

Another friend called to say that their beloved dog of 12 years had just curled up next to the fireplace, and never woke up. Her kids were at school, and she faced the dreaded task of having to tell them and explain why, how, and when he died. She was so sad, as it was completely unexpected. The positive side to this is he didn't suffer with a lingering illness, and the whole family was able to say their goodbyes. It's one of the hardest life lessons we have to learn, but it is a lesson and a very important one. They are still sad, but already talking about adding a new four-legged brother or sister soon! She's in for a shock, as she hasn't had a puppy in 12 years! 

The last unexpected bit of news was from a childhood friend who had learned that her husband of 10 years was coping with a "mid-life" crisis and wanted to move out of their new house, leaving their three beautiful daughters, so he could "work" on things. This bit of news came completely out of the blue and shocked her. They had a wonderful marriage, or so she thought, but apparently he had not been happy for quite a few months. I had a conversation with her today, and she is one of the strongest people I know. On top of this news, she had to have her gall bladder removed! She comes from a family of very strong-willed women, and she said she will not be someone who uses this as an excuse to quit. She is facing it as a chance to create an opportunity for herself and her girls. She is giving into some "poor me" time, and then moving on with her life. It's such an admirable way to handle it, and I know she will do just that. 

However you choose to handle bad news, hiding out, reaching out, or striking out, know that there are so many resources and people who are usually willing to listen and pitch in. I hope the news you hear today is positive, but if it isn't, don't feel like you are alone, seek comfort in friends and family, and maybe try to turn those lemons into lemonade, and add a shot or two if it helps! 

Dealing with Bad News

Feelings are one of the seven dimensions of wellness explored on the Balance Your 7 website. Click here for links to a variety of articles that may help when you're dealing with bad news.

Birkie Recap

Well I survived the darn ski race. It was quite the experience, not all of it wonderful, but overall very worth it! 

Just before departing for the weekend, I read one of Eleanor Roosevelt's famous quotes "Do something everyday that scares you." Well, this certainly captured that feeling the morning of the race. After receiving a dumping of about nine inches of fresh snow, the thermometer read three degrees above zero as we set out to ski! 

As a general rule, I won't venture out when it's below ten, but looks like I didn't have a choice on this day. So along with about 10,000 fellow racers, we donned our ski clothes and prepared to set off. I was at the very back of the pack, as I chose (one of the only WISE things I did) to ski the 12k race, the "Baby Birkie."

Many of the other racers started a couple of hours before. After stepping into skis and shedding our warm top layer, we waited for our time to depart. Our first kilometer was across an open field, with a direct head wind! Did I mention it was three degrees out? I had some serious second thoughts, but the choice to turn around wasn't much of an option, forward it was. Once we passed the field, the woods blocked most of the wind, the sun was shining, and I decided to try to enjoy the experience as a whole. I can easily say that I did!  

It was difficult terrain, mostly uphill and down, very little flat space to glide. But because of the snow conditions from the night before, and the fact I was skiing over snow that thousands before me had skied, it was like slogging through mashed potatoes! But the ski community as a whole is a smiling, friendly bunch, so I kept on slogging! I was so happy to have the finish line in my sights, and join up with other fellow finishers! And it gave me such a great sense of accomplishment that I completed something that really did scare me! That Eleanor was one smart lady. A friend asked me shortly after the race ended if I would do it again. At this point, with well over a year to prepare, I say sure, bring it on! And to borrow another great quote from Mrs. Roosevelt "I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on." 

I'll just sit by the fireside after I finish the race!

Is it the destination, or the journey that matters most?

Are you more about the journey you take or reaching your final destination? 

Do you take more pleasure in the accomplishments along the way, or maybe you revel in reaching the summit? 

After watching this past weekend's Superbowl game I couldn't help but reflect on this question. These football players just spent an entire season battling game after game, some overcoming injuries, to make it to the final game to see who is crowned world champs. Then it ended in a way that most would not have predicted, with an utter sweep and crushing, one-sided, defeat.

I can't help but think what a let down that game was to all of the Denver Bronco players and fans. But maybe they held onto the joy that the journey was along the way, throughout the season. They made it to the final game, one of the two best teams in the league. Despite the ultimate outcome, wasn't it worth it? As other teams and fans could only sit on the sidelines to watch, they participated in the pinnacle of well-fought journey. 

It's funny how this can be compared to life. Maybe we need to realize that the trip is as much about the journey and the lessons learned along the way, as it is about reaching our goals. Yes, to achieve a feat or goal you set for yourself is fantastic, but so are the pitfalls and achievements reached along the way. 

Life is filled with our own "superbowls." Just making it to the arena is an accomplishment, and not everyone walks away with the trophy, but remember the journey that helped you get there in the first place. Keep striving for the win, but don't forget to enjoy the ride.

Searching for the spirit of the season...

I'm making a confession here. 

 I am so NOT in the holiday spirit. 

I have zero excuse as to why either, and it's starting to make me sad! I have every reason to be thankful, happy and excited for Christmas, but just cannot seem to get into it. 

My kids are at perfect ages, so excited about the lights, and the tree, decorations and of course Santa. There is snow on the ground and it helps totally set the scene. My house is decorated, stocking were hung with care, St. Nick has already visited. We've been to our first holiday party already, celebrating with friends and drinking good cheer, and yet, nothing. Maybe it's because I've left too much to do for the past few weeks. Maybe it's because I haven't wrapped a single gift, or addressed one single Christmas card. 

I'm hoping a magic Christmas "whammo" will strike and I'll find myself humming along to carols and anxious for December 24th. But in the event that does not occur, I'll still follow the holiday routine. I'm baking four dozen cookies for a cookie exchange. I'll probably wrap a few presents during the next few chilly days. My Christmas cards are stuffed and waiting, so they will find their way to friends and family. I'm going to dedicate my radio to the holiday station and practice Christmas songs on the guitar. I hope my kids' enthusiasm will rub off and I'll be as jolly as old St. Nick himself come tomorrow. At least, that's the gift I want most this year! 

How about you? Are you ready, festive and loving December? If so, please feel free to share what makes you so into the spirit of Christmas. I went and revisited the spirit dimension from the Balanceyour7.com website and here's what it said:

Spiritual wellness: Search for meaning and purpose, actions match your values and morals, find peace and harmony.
• Explore your individual spirituality
• Spend time alone
• Meditate
• Be tolerant of different beliefs
• Keep a clear sense of right and wrong

Maybe I'm missing the true meaning and purpose. I guess I'll have to keep searching!

The Happiness Project

What are things that make you happy? 

I'm talking toe curling, shout-out-loud, giddy kind of happy. We recently managed a few-day getaway, no kids allowed. 

 While this is something that can make a busy momma happy, it's the coming home to three smiling children who hug with open abandon that will elicit the type of happy I mean. How can you resist the feel and smell of your kids after being away from their hugs and smiles? It makes the getaway well worth it! 

 Maybe it's accomplishing a goal you set for yourself? Completing a run or race in new record time. Maybe you went on a fabulous first date and know that he/she is THE one! Whatever it is that can bring about a smile and a flutter in our bellies, isn't it wonderful? 

I wish there was a way to bottle this feeling and uncork it when we need it! Or maybe we can find ways to experience this happiness more often. How can we make our lives filled with happiness and lighter days? I have recently started reading a book called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. She embarks on a one-year journey to create a happier life for herself. She sets monthly goals, and strives to reach these. As a busy wife, mother of two and full-time author, this is no easy task. Yet by setting small goals and and adhering rather strictly to these, she manages to see her happiness meter slowly rise. She states at the beginning of this project that everyone's happiness goals, and ways to achieve them, varies greatly. 

Whatever and however we may make our lives lighter, happier, it is worth every ounce of effort. I know my toes curled and my happiness meter overflowed when I hugged my kiddos after some time away. I highly recommend this book, even as a casual read. Any tips and insight to help us achieve happiness is worth looking at!

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

It's back-to-school shopping season!

Are you all set for the kids to go back to school? 

Have you purchased their supplies, double checking the list and making sure all of their number two pencils are sharp? 

 This year I am sending all three of my children off to school, the youngest for the first time! She will only attend three mornings a week, but it's a big step for all of us! I'll suddenly find I have a few extra quiet hours in my day, some extra time to devote to errands or other chores. I can hopefully volunteer a bit more in my kid's classrooms, or run an extra mile! The possibilities seem endless at this point, however I know the time will fill fast and furiously. 

 It is scary to shop for school supplies for three kids. I read that the average family spends over $600 getting kids set for this milestone! That is A LOT of number two pencils and crayons! We had a tradition growing up that my mom took my sister and I up to Minneapolis and we shopped for a day for a few special back-to-school outfits. We had a blast doing it, at least my sister and I did. I remember how excited I was to shop for brand new things, then carefully selecting what I would wear for the first day of school! 

 My son could really care less about what he wears, but my daughters are starting to form very strong opinions already! Jeans? No way! Buttons, forget it! So while this is a bit frustrating, it poses a challenge and one I am up to facing. So I'm almost done packing up the folders and markers, washing and organizing all of the clothes so the kids are all set. Now there is just enough time to savor the last few weeks of summer vacation before our new school year journey begins.

Paying it forward

I read a post on my Facebook page from a fellow mom blogger who took her three young sons to a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game. In front of her sat a young twenty-something man and his girlfriend. The lady told of how her sons were so excited, but did not exactly sit still. 

She said the man turned around and engaged her son during the game, running him down between innings to see the field, trying to snag a ball. He was delightful to her kids, and the mom was super grateful! 

At one point he promised that he would get her child a baseball. At the end of the game he took him down to the side to try to get a ball from the players and coaches, but they returned empty handed. She said her son started to look sad, when the man pulled a baseball out from behind his back and handed it to the little boy! He then whispered "I promised you a baseball, and I always keep my promises!" 

At some point during the game he had gone and purchased a baseball for her child! The mom went on to say that this was the highlight of the entire day for her young son. He talked about it non stop on the way home and even went to sleep hugging his baseball! 

 She sent this story out because she wanted to properly thank this young man, and to remind all of us that even a small act of kindness can make all the difference. He touched this family and through the story she told, it seems like he has brightened the lives of so many others! I loved reading this, and will try to remember that it doesn't take a big gesture, sometimes holding a door open for a stranger, or maybe plugging a meter that has run out for someone, can really say you care. And when we pay it forward, we all win in the end.

A post-reunion post

I wrote recently about attending my high school class reunion.

 It was such a wonderful night and so very much fun to reconnect with long-lost friends! There were people in my life who were fantastic classmates and even better friends, even if it was a couple of decades ago.

Facebook is a wonderful tool to help keep in touch with those who we may not otherwise see. But there is no replacing a good hug and an animated conversation face to face. 

 It was great to see how we have all aged and come into our own. We shared stories, some of which I had completely forgotten about! I graduated with a rather large class, almost five hundred kids. And we had a pretty poor turnout for all three days of the reunion. For the people who did make the effort, it was such an uplifting time. The same sense of humor was found in the group of guys who always caused a bit of trouble in the lunchroom. The same gaggle of girls who always dressed to the nines, were still doing it today. It is nice to see that some things never change, I took great comfort in that. It was also great to see who has become parents, and hear them brag about their kid's achievements. We have also lost a few classmates, and stories were shared about these special people. 

 For just a few hours time went a bit backward, and that was a nice feeling, one that I hope will last a bit until our next get together!

Favorite, easy summer meals

What are your favorite, easy, summer meals? When the thermostat rises, we tend to eat less and I tend to crave lighter dishes with fresh ingredients. One of our favorite "go to" meals includes chicken lettuce wraps. They are a simple, no fail meal that always satisfies. I love to take a head of iceberg lettuce or bib, and these become the wrap. In a bowl I toss together some cooked, shredded chicken. I usually buy a rotisserie chicken and only use about half of the bird, reserving the rest for another meal. Then I add whatever produce I have on hand, some examples are shredded carrots, snap peas, green peas, water chestnuts, chopped cilantro or parsley, purple cabbage, diced celery. Just add whatever you like. Then to this I tend to mix in crushed peanuts, and for seasoning some fresh minced garlic, some soy sauce, ginger, either fresh or powdered, and some red chili paste, add this to taste. Mix all up and serve with your lettuce wraps. We dip ours into store bought peanut sauce! Voilà, dinner is served!

 I am also a huge fan of anything salad. Whether it be pasta or green, a great salad is so satisfying and can be made ahead to save time. Sometimes these even taste better the next day. A recent favorite is an orzo pasta salad that can be found on the chef Giadia De Laurentiis's website. It adds dried cherries, feta cheese and fresh arugula and spinach. With the crunch of some toasted pine nuts, this salad has been a crowd pleaser on more than one occasion this summer. I highly recommend checking it out! 

And lastly, a salad I tried last week was the following:

GRILLED CORN, AVOCADO AND TOMATO SALAD
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 ripe avocado
2 ears of fresh sweet corn
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

HONEY LIME DRESSING
Juice of 1 lime
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp honey
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
Dash of cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS
Remove husks from corn and grill over medium heat for 10 minutes. The corn should have some brown spots and be tender and not mushy. Cut the corn off the cob then scrape the cob with the back of your knife to get the juices. Set aside and let cool. Slice the tomatoes in half. Dice the avocado and chop the cilantro.

Add all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.

Combine the sliced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro and grilled corn and honey lime dressing and mix gently so everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to mash the avocados. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to let flavors mingle. Enjoy.

A trip down memory lane...

I am packing up to take a big trip down memory lane. 

I am about to attend my high school class reunion. 

 I won't tell you what year it is, but let's just say it's a big one, a significant number. At least enough years have passed by that the attending guests will probably only vaguely resemble their high school selves, me included! And this isn't necessarily a good thing! 

How did you envision yourself a couple of decades after school? Were you married, were you traveling the world? Had you conquered some of your milestones, or had you just realized you should have goals and milestones to achieve? 

I've thought about this a lot in the months leading up to this weekend. Who am I really? Do I resemble the person I hoped I'd become? I think the answer is yes in so many ways, but I also know that I have oh so far to go. It is a great test to look back at the past years and see the accomplishments or lack thereof and take stock of my life. 

 Or I guess I could go into the reunion as simply a great opportunity to reconnect with some people I haven't seen in far too long and have a fun, wonderful evening. I'll just have to see how the night goes! So I'm dusting off my yearbook, trying to memorize names and faces and forging forward to see a glimmer of my young self and all those others who were so important in helping to shape the person I am today.

Gone fishin'

Well, we are about at the mid point in our journey through summer. 

 Are you getting out and staying active? Have you eaten your fill of farm-fresh strawberries? 

 Or are you like me and wondering where the time has gone and why this season has to fly by in a blink when other, colder seasons seem to drag on forever?

I have checked a few goals off my list, including going fly fishing for the first time in more than ten years! We live in an area blessed with spectacular places to explore and try to catch a beautiful trout or two! Within 30 minutes of leaving our home, we were standing in the middle of stream, surrounded by bluffs and the peace of being in the middle of nature, alone with nothing but our thoughts and a fly rod! It didn't even dampen my spirits to walk away without a fish. I felt fulfilled enough just to have started my day off this way. 

I've often said this area is what you make of it. There is no shortage of actives to try out. We have the beautiful Mississippi right out our doorstep, and the lush streams that feed it just over the bluffs. So go grab a pint of fresh-picked berries, grab a friend and try to hook into a new hobby! Or maybe you are a master fly fisherman or woman? Teach this beautiful sport to someone new. But don't wait too long, summer is halfway over!

Fly Fishing

Fishing Reports

Mindful Meditation

My husband and I have recently tried to begin mindful meditation.

We had a wonderful conversation with a friend who incorporates this practice into her daily routine.

She told us that before meditation she was a yeller, a door slammer. She can feel the transformation she undergoes when meditating. It can be a topic that can sound hokey, or silly until you start to read all the information regarding the benefits of meditating.

I will admit to finding it difficult to find a quiet time in my day to sit and relax for the recommended ten minutes. It is not easy with three children and a dog clamoring for attention the majority of the day. But the times that I have shut the door, relaxed and closed my eyes, my body instantly relaxes, and more importantly so does my mind. We were told to focus on our breathing, feel it in either our nose, chest or stomach. Try to keep your thoughts clear, and when a thought enters your mind, gently push it aside. Eventually we will learn to name the thoughts that enter, making it easier to clear them out of our head. I cannot say that it has become life changing, but it certainly makes me feel calmer when I've sat and relaxed.

We all carry so many layers of stress, if this will help me shed some of that, I'm more than willing to give it a try. There is a very timely article on the BalanceYour7 website on this very topic. Before you doubt it, take a few days and try giving yourself 10 or 20 minutes of total calm, focusing only on your breathing and clearing your mind. If nothing else, you might grab a midday cat nap! Who can argue with that!


Check out this article on the Balance Your 7 website: Mindfulness, meditation can help reduce stress.

Today = 100

That's one more than 99, in case you weren't aware.

Significant? Perhaps to no one else but me. Today marks the day for my one hundredth post. Ten x ten.

I've been boring you with my blogs, and that adds up to a lot of time you could have spent doing other, more productive things! However, for myself, this has turned into a job I've come to thoroughly enjoy.

Job doesn't accurately fit the description, if you find yourself doing something you enjoy, as I've come to discover I do about writing. Some weeks I struggle to conjure up an applicable topic, or would like to inject more humor or wisdom than I otherwise do. Raising three kids, tackling daily family issues and logistics is wonderful. But writing a weekly blog has given me the freedom to express thoughts, explore various topics and tap into that creative self that has been napping too long!

So while 100 maybe just another number, to me it is a bit of a milestone. Maybe more like a stepping stone, but one that has led me on a bit of a journey of self discovery. A journey that I hope to be on for many more 100's to come!

Book club is about more than reading books!

Well, our book club has just celebrated it's one-year anniversary. 

We've read some wonderful, must-read books like The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. They inspired us and ignited some fantastic, lively conversation. We've also read some real duds, like the second book by Anthony Bourdain called Medium Raw. Also a bomb for our group was How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, who was claimed to be the British Tina Fey, a claim I wholeheartedly disagree with! However, as much as we did not enjoy the book itself, the bad reads brought about some great conversation, specifically related to women and women's rights, something us six ladies could relate to!

Our latest read, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, was great for most of us. It is a true story about a woman who loses her mother to cancer, how her world starts to fall apart, so she decides to hike the Pacific Coast Trail, the PCT, alone. Two of my fellow book club members have lost parents to cancer. They had a much harder time getting through the book and could very closely relate to the experience the author wrote about. We had such a good talk, that we may start our next get together still discussing this book! It's been fun to see how each of us interprets each of the reads in our own way. Like for the book Wild, some of us thought of it as a foolish adventure, and others saw it as a cathartic healing journey. It was probably a bit of both, but either way it's worth the read!

We've chosen My Name is Memory, by Ann Brashares, for our next meeting, and after that it's onto Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov. We sometimes choose books with strong feminine characters, and sometimes it's just the opposite. Whether a great page-turning novel, or a dud of a book, I always enjoy the time we spend together. Our discussions aren't always about the books we've read, they are more importantly about each other and what's been happening in each of our lives. This has proved very cathartic, and worth every dull page I may have had to read to get there.

Book club favorites

People watching...

I have a guilty pleasure I'd like to publicly confess here. I LOVE people watching! 

I mean who doesn't like to observe our fellow citizens at their unsuspecting best or worst? There are so many great venues to do this. We just returned from a trip, and the airport is a prime people watching spot. Who hasn't just sat and simply observed those around you?? My husband and I used to make up stories, where were they heading, what were their lives like? The more absurd the better! Childish maybe, but definitely fun and a good way to pass the time.

I just glanced up from writing this in a coffee shop, that shall remain nameless, and saw a man in a neon check kilt, wearing headphones and a shockingly bright neon shirt. Complete with tall checked socks and sandals. If it were permissible I would have taken his picture to post here. He was a bit too old to be rushing for a fraternity, so what was his story? It was a great outfit, and I liked his individual style! I've seen a grown man rollerblading in a leather bikini brief, very brief I might add, shirtless, with a giant blue mohawk, cruising down the middle of road like he'd just won the lottery. Who knows, maybe he had!

It's fun to see how we, the public behave when we think we are not being observed. You know we have all seen the nose pickers in the car who think no one is watching! I hope I didn't just offend any of you! However you choose to dress or behave, be careful, this people watcher just might be watching you! And for heavens sake, please use a Kleenex!

How to begin people watching!

Please? And thank you!

As a committed writer for this blog I made a promise to myself when accepting this job. I would try my hardest not to use it as a platform from where I preach my morals and beliefs onto you, the unsuspecting audience. But I do have something I would like to get off my chest, vent about, blow off some steam. That is specifically what has happened to our manners? 

 Where have all of our pleases and thank yous gone? I know there are some uber polite folks out there, kudos to all of you, keep it up! But the rest of us (yes, I too am guilty of occasionally missing a please or thank you) we have no excuses. 

We all have bad days and don't feel like saying thank you or being polite. But that is not the person behind the counters fault, they don't know that. A simple hello, a quiet thank you or even a nod carries a lot of weight. What kind of example are we showing our children? 

Now, as a family, we are admittedly pretty adamant our kids says please and thank you. But they are kids, and they need almost constant reminders to do so. We have had several proud moments where we have been complimented on how polite our child was (when we weren't even there to remind them!) I think our hard work aka nagging, maybe working! But come on, this isn't a hard thing to insist our youth do. Yes, it may take a bit of prompting, a polite nudge now and again, but we all should do it. 

And yes, I do feel better. Please, and thank you.

P.S After finishing writing this piece, I left the coffee shop and waited in the snow to hold the door open for a woman walking in. She never thanked me! I should have slipped her the link to this blog!

Benefits of good manners
Manners and morals of today's children and teens

Ode to Janis!

In my alternate life, I am a rockstar.

At least that's what I've been telling myself every Tuesday for the past month.

I channel my inner Janis Joplin and try my best to jam with Bill--my guitar teacher. Yes. I am trying, key word trying, to learn how to play guitar.

There is the old saying "the heart is willing" but my fingers are not cooperating the way I would like. So far, I'm on the fourth string, can sometimes play a C chord and can crank out an ok version of Ode to Joy.

Janis Joplin, I so am not. But I'm persisting. My respect for musicians has grown immensely. Then to watch them sing and play at the same time, wow! I do know it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, I just know this old dog doesn't learn as fast as I would have as a kid. I'm not complaining though. It's been extremely exciting to try my hand at something I've always wanted to do. I can feel a part of my brain light up as I attempt to make my fingers play a G chord, without looking. My Yankee Doodle is almost recognizable. At a month in, never having read music before, I'll take it!

If you've ever wanted to try an instrument or new hobby, take it from me, don't wait! It really is a blast. Though my aspirations of playing lead guitar in a famous rock band have dwindled a tad, I'll always have Janis. Or at least her cds!