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Holes with Eyes
Grandchildren offer so many interesting and fun stories.Picture this. It is a cold and dreary late October evening. It is just starting to get dark. The wind was blowing and was whistling through the trees. There was an almost full moon. It was a typical late fall evening.
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Child Eating Centipedes
If I had been called a nickname that fit me well, it would have been gullible. My sister, Sandy, and I would spend hours playing in the basement. She had set up an area like a little house and we had our dolls in baby beds, eating places and a pretend kitchen. -
My Children are Innocent!!
We were up at our family cabin, enjoying our vacation together when Lisa came flying into the cabin and yelled, “Fire!”Prior to this hysteria, we were all doing our own thing. Lisa was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and the rest of the family was milling around or watching TV.
Part of the kitchen cleanup involved taking the garbage to the shed. When she went to the shed and opened the door, she was confronted with a garbage can spewing flames! She immediately ran into the cabin and didn’t know where to turn first. It was like stuttering but with her body instead of her voice. Suddenly her voice returned and she yelled “FIRE”!
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Public Speaking Sucks
From the beginning of time, I have been told it is necessary to be able to present yourself in public. What this means is to get up in front of a group, or even just a few people, and give a book report, a speech, or just present an opinion. (But this entails being a single spokesperson and speaking in front of people). -
I Am Who I Am
It has taken many years to get me to where I am. In the past, I let myself be dictated by what others thought of me (or what I thought they thought of me), I focused on the wants and needs of everyone around me instead of what I wanted or needed, and I let others decide how I should think and feel. -
Giving Myself Permission
It was really hard when I was trying to get pregnant and was unsuccessful. It seemed like everyone was having babies… except me.Looking back on this time from the distance of 20 years is illuminating. I currently have three adopted children who are 20, 19, and 14. But back in the day, it wasn’t easy.
We decided to start trying to have kids when I was 27. But it didn’t “just happen.” Infertility and adoption work followed.
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Red Flags
My early lifetime consisted of a series of rocky relationships. I credit the fact that I didn’t trust and act on my true feelings and needs. I went along with what other people wanted and considered to be the “right” thing for me to do. I had red flags in each situation that I needed to pay attention to. -
Surviving Wisconsin Summers
We live in Wisconsin. You might ask what this has to do with Porches and Patios? In the summer we have mosquitoes the size of crows and other flying creatures that make being outdoors difficult except if you have a screened-in space to spend your time in. -
Patio Time With Grandma
I planned and built a screened porch on my house. I grew up in a house with a screened porch. It was so important to my mom that our house had a fireplace and a screened porch.
My grandma had a screened porch built onto the back of her home. Now my mom wasn’t living there anymore, but I spent my summers there. Grandma Isabel (Grandma Is) took care of me after school and during the summers.
During the school year, I would walk to her house from Washington Elementary just two blocks away. I would rest against the cream naugahyde ottoman and watch Room 222, Gilligan’s Island, and MASH.
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The Sleeping Porch
School is out and summer is here which, when I was a kid, meant it was time for Lisa and I to sleep out in the patio every night! This was one of the best parts of the summer. -
Summer Luxury
I am lucky actually to have a large porch and two patios. I have the porch and a patio at my home, and a patio at my cottage. My love of screened-in porches (a patio) started many years ago. My mom and dad had a patio installed on the back of their house. This offered wonderful cozy summer nights and days bug-free. This patio became the center of living during the warmer days of spring and summer.
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Birthdays Come and Go
Our birthdays come and go and have some strange properties depending on where you are in this game of life. When we are young it seems like our birthdays take forever to come. Second only to the wait for Christmas is the wait for our next birthday. I would ask for something I wanted and mom would tell me to put it on my birthday list. It seemed that was the death of the want because it seemed like my next birthday was eons away. -
A Birthday Makeover
In my family, birthdays aren’t just a celebration—they’re an event. Each one is marked by a special cake and an array of thoughtfully chosen presents. The anticipation and planning begin weeks in advance, making every birthday a memorable and unique experience.Mom loves Shaum Tortes with sweetened, crushed strawberries and whipped cream. Kadon experiments with new flavors—last year, he created a matcha-strawberry cake with frosting and vanilla ice cream. My sister and husband have a love-hate relationship with their joint birthday celebrations. Luka and Grandma Blu share a birthday and enjoy an annual private dinner date.
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Special Birthdays
Celebrating my birthday has always been important to me. When I had kids, I wanted to make their birthdays as special as I could so maybe they would enjoy them like I used to. In the beginning, I did tend to overdo! -
Laughter on the Road
Laughter plus fun equals happiness…
When have I laughed the most? Kids laugh all the time. As a first-grade teacher, it was hard to rein in their laughter. It bubbled up during reading time, music class, and recess. As a teacher, I had to hold their laughter to a minimum, which was a hard job. Sadly, it wasn’t difficult by the end of my career.
But back to me and happiness… The first thing that comes to mind is my trip to Ireland with my sister Michelle. We purposefully rented a small manual transmission car for our adventure. Both of us wanted to drive on the “wrong” side of the road, so we paid extra insurance to both be able to drive. Laughing all the way, we drove along the highways and byways. Sitting at intersections, we would repeat the mantra “turn left, stay left,” or “turn right, stay left” over and over. Each time, it became funnier. We drove with the windows down and marveled at the beautiful old homes by the road’s edge. We slowed down to talk to roaming cows. When we got lost, we both got out of the car and calmly enjoyed the rural scenery while waiting for someone–anyone–to rescue us. Someone actually drove up the same road and stopped to ask if we needed help. We said we were lost, and they told us how to get to our B&B by a back road. -
Simpler Times
I remember as a kid riding my new bike through the neighborhood. My hair was blowing in the breeze. My thoughts were on the beauty of the day and my mind was free of worry. I remember being in the present moment loving my freedom and enjoying the smells and sounds around me. -
Bullshit!
Have you ever thought about when and where you have been the happiest? For me, the first thought that comes to mind is the time I spent with my kids and mom playing “Bullshit”.If you’ve never played this card game, here is how it goes.
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Pond Paradise
Tossing this question over in my head I would say the most significant time and place that I have been the happiest was during the births of my two children. I don’t think anything can quite top those events. -
Always Looking Forward
In the past, I had so many things to look forward to in the future. When I start reminiscing I go way back to graduating from high school, getting engaged, getting married, buying our first house, and having our children. I loved seeing those children excel in their endeavors and eventually graduating from high school, then college. -
The Best Is Yet To Come
When did I stop looking forward to the future?
I think back to my past…I loved celebrating my birthday. We always had family around to sing “Happy Birthday”, lots of presents, and my favorite angel food cake with Grandma’s slippery frosting. Our family went on yearly epic summer camping trips. My favorite place to visit was Jellystone Park up in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The days were filled with swimming, bike riding, eating onion sandwiches in the afternoon, and singing around the campfire in the evening.
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There’s a Mouse in my House
I am going through a rather precarious time in my life. I am having a difficult time identifying anything that I am excited about or looking forward to. I am finding small joys in the little happenings of life. -
That Was Then. This Is Now.
When I was younger, I eagerly anticipated my birthday each year. Month by month, I impatiently waited for the day of celebration, believing it would never arrive.That was then. This is now.
Now, I still anticipate my special day each year, where everyone should celebrate me, but it seems to come much faster than it used to.
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Sleep Procrastination
There isn’t much that can rouse me in the morning. Not my Alexa blaring music at full volume, nor my Sonic Bomb alarm clock with its bed shaker attachment under my pillow, nor my Pavlok electrocution watch that zaps me. Suffice it to say, I’m NOT a morning person. -
Never a Full Night’s Sleep
Getting up in the morning is probably one of the least favorite things I have to do in a day. It does beat the alternative but still is so hard for me to do. I loved working, but having to get up early in the day was what I hated the most. Once at work, it was fine, but oh that desire to sleep in was so tempting. Today I am forced to get up earlier than I would like to, but having two dogs 1. Want to do their morning routine which includes emptying their bladders and 2. Eating. They are ruthless in expressing their needs to the point that getting up is easier than hearing their constant warning that they want me up. -
A Former Night Owl
I’ve trained myself to be a morning person. But I am naturally a night owl. I was born to a night owl and raised to be a night-loving person. My mom loves to watch t.v. until the wee hours of the morning.
When I was a child, a favorite memory is laying on the sofa with my mom, nestled behind her legs, head on her butt watching “Love American Style” on Friday nights and “Soap” on Saturdays. I’ve read until the birds began singing more than once a few times in my life. I’ve worked hard to make myself get up in the morning–to be a morning lark. It is pretty simple. You just have to go to bed earlier. That sounds easy. But really, it is HARD. But here are three steps that I use to get myself to bed at a reasonable time…
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To Sleep or Not to Sleep
As of this writing, there is only one thing that gets me up in the morning and that is my alarm clock. What keeps me up at night is my greatest challenge right now. My bed is comfortable, my room is cool and inviting, and I love having my dog on the bed with me. So what’s the problem you might ask?
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Afraid of the Unseen
I can’t watch scary movies. It doesn’t matter how unrealistic or far-fetched the premise—they freak me out.
The Origin of My Fear
It all started when I was a small child. I heard the story called “People Can Lick Too.” The story goes like this: One night, a woman heard a constant dripping noise. She got up to check the faucet—no drips. When she got back into bed, she hung her hand over the side. Her faithful dog licked her hand reassuringly. The next morning, she woke to find her dog dead, dripping blood in the shower. A small note beside the bed read, “people can lick too.”
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My Five Fears
As a child, I experienced the typical fears: fear of the dark, fear of talking to people, and fear induced by watching scary movies. These fears would often provoke anxiety and lead me to do irrational things, such as running through dark areas of the house to stay in well-lit areas or hiding under Grandma Is’s skirt if someone tried to talk to me. While my current fears don’t paralyze me or cause anxiety, they are thoughts that trouble me. -
5 Years Old & Frantic
Being afraid is a total-body experience for me. I sometimes feel like the mother duck who always wants to know that all of her ducklings are ok and safe. This feeling dates back to my first memory of being frightened. I was five years old. Dad was a salesman for a meat packing company. He would be on the road all day long and made it a point to always be home at night. -
React, Don’t Run
When you are scared, do you run or react?
Just the other night, I ascended the stairs from our family room to retrieve a pair of glasses. Walking through our dark dining room towards the front door, I encountered a dark figure standing in front of me. With a can of fruit in hand, I screamed bloody murder and prepared to throw the can at this person, then push the figure against the wall, hopefully out the door. Luckily, I realized it was my sister. Unable to reach me by phone, she grew worried and came over to check on us. Wow, she almost got a can of fruit between her eyes.
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The Good, the Bad, and the Honest
Since I was young, people have called me different names. Some were based on my real name, others on how they saw me. I don’t know why I got each one, but here are a few I remember. -
Surviving Sixth Grade
It was Johnathan Stecker who made my life as a sixth grader miserable. Tallish and cool, he rode a BMX bicycle, a Mongoose that he was very proud of. Before Thanksgiving, Mrs. Heimerl, our teacher, assigned us a prompt to write the story behind Norman Rockwell’s picture “Thanksgiving”. His narrative depicted a BMX bike crashing through the room, glass shattering, and guests screaming, captivating everyone with the vivid sound effects in his writing. -
Nicknames from the Heart
As a child, nicknames seem to run rampant. Kids like to pick apart anyone and everyone’s names to either tease or torment them.My name is Sandra, Sandy for short. The only time I ever heard or hear the name Sandra is if I am in trouble or someone is upset with me.
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Why Do They Call You That?
As the screen door closed behind my date and me, we heard Dad say “Remember Bumpy, your curfew is 11:00”. I hollered back “Yes Dad”. As we walked down the driveway, John asked me why Dad called me that.
I smiled and said that it was a long story. He said he wanted to hear it so I explained.
When I was a kid, the neighbor kids and my sister Sandy and I loved to play outdoor games. Often it
was starting to get dark and our visibility wasn’t what it should have been. On one particular occasion, I was running through the yard to get to the safe place where I couldn’t be tagged and didn’t see our metal clothesline pole. When I came to, I found myself with my arms and legs wrapped around the pole and all of the kids were trying to wake me up. The next thing I knew my head began to throb and I was moaning.
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The Labor Day Hunt
Some of my more memorable vacations were those spent on Labor Day Weekends. It was always a huge project for me since I was the one who seemed to instigate this event. During the earlier weeks of summer, my family would go camping. I could have stayed in my tent for the duration of the summer. I just loved our camping experiences. I loved having people around me to enjoy, and I loved being outdoors no matter the weather. To me this was summer. -
Coming Home to Camp
Our family has a wonderful tradition of taking a 2-week family vacation every summer. It first started when we would go camping at Spikehorn Campgrounds near Bailey’s Harbor in Door County. We would arrange for campsites that were next to each other. Each year on New Year’s Eve, I would call the fellow who made the arrangements. We spoke so often, that he would send me an annual Christmas card. -
Camping On My Own
When our family went camping, it always turned into a massive production. We had a 22-foot screened tent that served as our family meal area, and each family member had their own tent or camper setup. It was reminiscent of a family commune. I didn’t truly appreciate the contributions that each family member made to our camping adventures until I found myself setting up a campsite entirely on my own. -
A Wallflower’s Tale
I couldn’t wait for the next Jr High Dance. I loved going into the dimly lit gym and feeling the anticipation of dancing with a really cool guy. This is pretty funny because I was the biggest wallflower you could imagine. -
Prom Fashion Failure
When I was in school dances were a big thing. We used to have a dance after every football game, basketball games, and at miscellaneous other times. But, the biggest event was always the Junior Prom. -
Everything Except the Dance
My boys attended Prom only during their Junior year in High School, which differed from my own experience. Back in the 80s, I attended prom as a Sophomore, a Junior, and a Senior. What made the Junior prom so special was the opportunity to plan and take part in creating the event.
For me, the most exciting part of prom each year wasn’t the event itself—it was the shopping for the dress that brought the most joy.
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Mortified at the Dance
I was a sophomore and starting my first year of senior high. We were having a dance at the beginning of the school year. I was very interested in a senior guy that I had met, but we weren’t going out. He and I both decided to meet at the dance and I was very excited. -
Another Day Another Lickin’
As I remember I was always getting into trouble. I was curious, mischievous, and just plain naughty. I had a knack for bending the rules. I was the middle child and perhaps seeking out attention. I was not one to sit idly and be bored. I always seemed to make bad choices in the process of being a kid. -
Overworked and Underpaid?
Imagine a young child spending hours sweating under the midday summer sun, digging a hole in the field next to her family’s yard. She sought treasure – anything from dinosaur bones or ancient relics to interesting rocks or even a snake hole. What did she find? Just clumps of dirt and wriggling worms.
Observing her dad mow their yard, their home situated in a newly developed area bordered by fields, the girl couldn’t help but envision herself taking on the task. Each week, her dad diligently mowed the whole field on the south side of their property, transforming it into what resembled a park. It took about two hours to maintain the yard and field, a responsibility the girl eagerly awaited.
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Gimmie the Pennies
Picture this. I’m 5 years old and it’s Mother’s Day. We are all getting ready to go out to eat and I’m ready before everyone else. I’m bored and asked Mom if I could go outside. She told me that was fine as long as I didn’t get dirty. Apparently, I took that message to heart, because I was found just sitting at the side of the road in my little lawnchair. Lisa called mom and said “You have got to check this out!” In my defense, I was just doing what I was told. -
Please Be Happy
I worked hard to find my place in our family. I was the youngest of three girls. My oldest sister was 9 years older. My middle sister was 5 years older. As the youngest, I often felt like I wasn’t allowed to do the things that the older girls could do. I wanted to help. My mom said I had a hernia so she wouldn’t let me shovel snow or vacuum or do anything that would exert extra effort. I wanted to be more of a player even though I was younger. My sister thought it was silly and somehow it was my excuse not to get involved. -
Streamline and Simplify
“The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life.” –Marie Kondo
I love vacationing and spending time at our cottage. It is so “me” to drink good coffee, go adventuring, look for fun earrings to buy, read while the family is watching TV, and write in my journal.Now I can do all these things at home too, of course. But the kicker is that a couple of other things always seem to block me. If I could just let go of them or figure out how to minimize the space they take up in my world…I would be a super happy camper.
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Letting Go of Overthinking
Sometimes when something is troubling me or I don’t understand why people do the things they do, I have a hard time not overthinking the issue. Thinking about a problem or situation can keep me awake at night and cause me to fill my mind with nothing else. -
Get Your Ass in Gear
Something to let go of?Procrastination. This is what I am best at. Pretty sad, but true.
I don’t remember when this became a trait that I became a master of.
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The Green-Eyed Monster
I have a bad habit of comparing myself to others and then feeling bad about how things are going in my life. I look at the people around me and see people with more money or bigger houses or people going on fancy vacations and I get jealous. Why isn’t my life like that? -
No One Special
Favorite or least favorite celebrity??Boy, this is a hard one for me. I have never met a real celebrity to classify anyone to be a favorite or not.
As a teenager when everyone was wild about Elvis, Tom Jones, and the Beatles, I was interested in their music, but never actually went all crazy for any of them. I liked to watch Elvis (who didn’t as a teenager), but in movies not so much. Tom Jones starred in a couple of movies that I really liked, and I liked his performances and music, but I didn’t go crazy over him. Now, I am one of the few it seems, but I really didn’t care for the Beatles or their music at all.
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Pat McCurdy
I can’t say that I have a favorite or least favorite well-known celebrity (with the exception that I CAN’T STAND the Kardashians), so I thought of a local celebrity that I really enjoy. Pat McCurdy! -
Why Bother?
I went to Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks on a trip to San Antonio, TX. It is billed as a place to “walk among the stars and snap a few selfies as you come face-to-face with unique, lifelike wax figures of superheroes, characters, and celebrities!” I passed up Brittany Spears, Madonna, Harrison Ford, Prince William, Princess Kate, and various presidents. I did sit with Jimmy Kimmel for a moment to laugh with him about a joke I recently heard, but I soon went on my way. (Yeah, I know he doesn’t look much like Kimmel, but that’s pretty much the problem with these “lifelike figures”. They may look like a famous person, but you have to use your imagination with most of them.)
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Shallow Meetings
I have 3 very nice photos of myself with 3 different celebrities. One is with Barbara Mandrel. Another picture is with Olivia Newton-John. The third picture is with Barry Manilow. One would assume that I knew these folks. We are smiling and looking comfortable with each other. -
My Fab Four
Meet the Fab Four of my life – the four pillars that keep me grounded, inspired, and constantly entertained. They’re not a rock band, but they sure do rock my world in unique ways. So, let’s start with number four, shall we?
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Favorite Things? Too Many to Count
Whenever I think of my favorite things I think of the “Sound of Music”.I have yet to figure out how to put my favorite things to music so they rhyme and become singable. -
A Few of my Favorite Things
<music note> “These are a few of my favorite things…” <music note>Thank you Julie Andrews for putting that song into my head.
We’ve talked about our favorite things before and the first thing that comes to mind are physical things. This time, I thought I’d also incorporate some non-tangibles.
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My Loves
Here goes.
I love my family. They are all different and wonderful in their ways. Each one makes me feel loved (well most of the time). They all seem like caring and nice individuals. All are very different and take on individual roles in my life, and I love them for their differences.
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Lookout Springtime
Purging is a concept that I have a challenge with. I think part of it is the lack of desire to make quick decisions about getting rid of things that I might need later. Setting that aside, it is time to focus on one area at a time and to get things that are no longer needed, distributed and out of the house. -
Where to Start
Spring and fall house cleaning always seemed overwhelming to me. The thought of ripping everything apart twice a year seemed like just too much work. I had an aunt who helped to put my anxiety at ease. She said she would thoroughly clean whatever needed it at the time and did not tear the house apart to accomplish spring and fall cleaning. -
Spring Purge
I love the idea of purging, whether it’s diving into “spring housecleaning” or embarking on a minimalist-inspired throw-out session.
Although my closet isn’t bursting at the seams or cluttered with dated items, I relish the process of regularly sorting through my clothes and decluttering. Enlisting a neutral third party makes this task easier. Sometimes, I turn to my daughter Aubrey for assistance, while other times, I seek help from my son Kadon.
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Spring Organizing
I have never been a big advocate of cleaning in general. It’s not my favorite thing to do. So, when asked what I do for Spring Cleaning – you will see a glazed look on my face. As a child, we always cleaned on Saturday mornings, but I don’t ever remember being subjected to a major Spring Cleaning undertaking. Maybe this is an idea from years ago. Maybe some still abide by that idea. I’m not sure. All I know is that I don’t do it.
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The Notebook
I had a hard time thinking of a movie that I would deem romantic. To figure that out, I had to determine what I find romantic. What gives someone that feeling? Is it having someone do thoughtful things for you? Is it having someone speak sweet nothings to you? Is it having someone who thinks of nothing but you? -
P.S. I Love You
Romantic movies… where do I even begin? The first one that springs to mind is “P.S. I Love You.” It’s not just the love story between the characters that captivate me, but the transformation of Holly, the main character, that truly intrigues me.
In the movie, Hillary Swank portrays Holly, a vibrant and independent woman who meets Gerry, played by Gerard Butler while traveling in Ireland. They fall in love, get married, and move to New York. However, tragedy strikes when Gerry becomes ill with brain cancer and passes away. Over the next 12 months, Holly receives letters from Gerry, each guiding her through life without him and ending with the poignant phrase, “P.S. I Love You.” -
Splendor in the Grass
A romantic movie that made a real impression on me was “Spendor in the Grass”. This was a movie made in the early 1960s and was staged in 1920 in Kansas. I was probably at the most impressionable time of my life being a teenager and it left me feeling very romantic and sad all at the same time. -
An Affair to Remember
When I think of romantic movies, I want to feel weak in the knees and relate to the relationship that I am witnessing on the screen. There have been several movies that I consider to be extremely romantic. Dirty Dancing, The Bodyguard, and Pretty Woman are near the top of my list. The one movie that takes the prize is “An Affair to Remember” with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant. -
Me+Ecology=Meecology
I couldn’t wait for sixth grade. Mrs. Heimerl had a little side room where the “advanced” kids got to work. The way I figured it, I would just make the cut as far as smartness. But when the school year began, the room was a resource room for kids with special needs.
Darn.
I loved special treatment… any way I could get it.
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The Influence of Miss Davidson
It was fall and I was just starting the fifth grade at Washington School. My teacher’s name was Miss Davidson and I thought she was exceptional. She had been a teacher for a good long time and was older than the other grade school teachers I had in earlier grades. That would have made her at least 40 years old. You know, really ancient. -
More Holes in My Head
All my friends were getting their ears pierced and I felt like the odd man out. I swear I was the only girl in my school that still had my earlobes intact. I begged and pleaded with Mom to let me get them pierced, but it did no good. She was a rock. It wasn’t happening. Finally, it was Christmas and Mom and Jackie had conspired together to gift each other’s daughter with a coupon for “Two more holes in your head”. -
The Dreaded Track Meet
I can’t remember very many fun or happy incidents while I was in grade school. But, I do remember hating track metes. First of all, I didn’t like many physical activities. Running was at the top of that list. -
That Would Feel Luxurious
Have you ever thought about what feels luxurious to you or what would it take to make you feel like you were living a luxurious life? At first, I had absolutely no idea what would give me that feeling. Others were talking about having cleaning ladies or cabins on the lake or someone taking care of them, but none of those resonated with me. -
Luxurious Indulgences
In the fall of 1992, Tom and I found ourselves seated in the counselor’s office, seeking guidance for our tumultuous relationship and Tom’s battle with depression. Among the various prescriptions for our struggles, marriage counseling was deemed necessary. It was here that the psychologist posed a question that struck a chord: “Tell me why you don’t have someone come and clean your house?”
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The Luxury of a Stellar Day
My idea of luxury has definitely changed over the years. What I used to think was an idea of luxury would be a big, fancy home, expensive vehicles, a huge bank account, a beautiful wardrobe, and exotic places to travel to. Well now at this age I have recognized that the idea of luxury is far different than it used to be. -
In the Lap of Luxury
Luxury means different things to different people. I have been fortunate in my lifetime to feel luxurious many times. There were big events and small events that gave me the feeling of being complete and satisfied and living in the lap of luxury. -
Antique Secretary
I was offered a part-time job in the school office in the early sixties during my senior year of high school. This job was being a secretary to the Superintendent of Schools. Then when I graduated I was offered this same job full-time. -
My Main Street Experience
In 1993 I left working in the furniture store and wanted something that would reward my time and pique my interest. I applied and was hired to work for the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. Our main focus was the restoration and rebuilding of the downtown Columbus area. This program was a part of the Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Main Street Program. -
A Bill Collector With Charm
During the summer of 1985, I attended a Leadership Training event organized by my church. This event took place just outside of Washington D.C. We participated in classes, events, and evangelism activities in the evenings and weekends. But during the day we all held full-time jobs–I was a bill collector.The minimum wage stood at approximately $3.25/hour, but we were encouraged to seek employment offering $4.00/hour.
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Waitressing Summers from Hell
During the summer of 1989, I decided that I needed to keep myself busy. I already had my waitressing job at Larson’s Family Restaurant, but thought “Why not get another job?!” Apparently, I was a glutton for punishment. -
Read to Me…Not
When I was in high school, I loved to read–but not necessarily the books that were assigned in class. Even if I hadn’t read the whole book, I could contribute to the conversation by reading the dust jacket, the first chapter, and the last chapter.I decided that I would change this habit when I got to college. I signed up for an English literature class. One of the first books we were assigned was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. I loved the idea of reading this book. I loved the first line. It is the only first line of any book that I’ve memorized.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
I loved the discussions about family, wealth, reputation, social class, and of course, pride and prejudice. But I didn’t actually read it until years later.
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Atari Love
I can still remember the Christmas that I got my Atari 2600. I think this is where my love of technology began. I received the game system that morning and as soon as the presents were opened, I had it set up on our basement TV. But with my luck – by the time I was ready to play with it – it was time to get over to Grandma Is’s house to celebrate the holiday with the remainder of the family. -
My Broomstick Horse
When I was a kid I don’t remember having many toys. We had the staples such as roller skates, ice skates, a bike, and a doll or two. I also had a metal dollhouse and paper dolls. But, the one thing I had was a good imagination. -
I Am Trixie Belden
Being young in the 50s was a whole different ball game than being young today. I remember 3 different pastimes. First was playing cowboys and indians with the neighborhood boys. Second was getting out our jump ropes, pogo sticks, and stilts and the third was pretending to be Trixie Belden and her sidekick named Honey from the Trixie Belden mystery series. -
Escape Room Adventures
This past weekend, my kids, their significant others and I went to an escape room in Wisconsin Dells. It was a Christmas present from me to all of them and we wanted to do it before a couple of them went back to school. Last year, for my birthday, they treated me to an escape room adventure in Madison and we had so much fun that I knew we had to try it again. -
Five on the Floor
At one time I owned a Honda Accord with a 5-speed transmission. It was a very fun car to drive and Matt would always comment that he wished he knew how to drive a 5-speed car. When he got his driver’s license, I asked him if he still wanted to learn how to drive a standard transmission. He jumped at the chance. -
A Good Climbing Tree
I pulled into the driveway and parked my car. Putting the car in park, I waited for Aubrey to emerge from her friend’s house. While waiting, I glanced around the front yard, noticing a bird feeder hanging from a shepherd’s hook, a shovel leaning against the garage, and a big, old tree.
Upon closer inspection, the tree seemed almost ideal for climbing. If a couple of 1×4 pieces of board were nailed to the trunk, one could reach the lowest branches.
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Pickled Poop
I have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. I have had the wonderful opportunity and experience of living close to all of my grandchildren. This includes being able to spend good quality time and a lot of fun experiences. -
Hockey Puck Chicken
I have never considered myself a fabulous cook. I am one of those people who doesn’t read directions or recipes. I like to cook things that don’t require a lot of preparation. I believe quick and easy and, of course, delicious meals are what I make. I have previously stated that when it comes to preparing a meal out of necessity it is just plainly no fun, or there is no sense of accomplishment. I feel pills are in order on those occasions. Let’s face it, you purchase the items, put the food away, prepare the meal, then when everyone is done within ten minutes, you have to clean up the mess. I do love to go to eat and let someone else do the cooking. -
Root Soup Surprise
As I’ve written, I love eating and making soup. I rarely use a recipe. My soups usually begin with a veggie base of some kind and develop from there. All goes well, usually…except for this one time when I decided to make
“root soup”.Now I have no memory of where this idea came from but it is a creamy soup with a base of leftover mashed potatoes. I added chicken stock, cream, salt, and pepper. Then it was time for the other roots. I cleaned and cut up garlic, onion, carrots, turnips, parsnips, and a beet.
Sounds pretty good, right?
Not so much.
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Unexpected Vegetables
I feel lucky that I haven’t had a “worst cooking experience”. That is, of course, in my opinion. My family tells me that one thing my late husband prepared blew everyone’s mind. He had a salad he served between courses that was to serve as a ”palette cleanser”. It consisted of 3 scoops of lime sherbet, garnished with green pepper and salad tomatoes. He would normally serve it between two courses that had very distinct flavors like a strong flavored appetizer followed by a mild flavored beef dish. -
Funky Cheese Enchiladas
Every night was a struggle to find something to make for the kids that everyone would eat and enjoy. Between 2 young boys, my husband, and myself, we all had varying tastes. For example – the boys would only eat vegetables if they came with ketchup, I don’t eat vegetables at all and one boy wouldn’t eat “sweet” meat. -
Dance Motivation
During my childhood, every Saturday was cleaning day. It was the last thing a kid wants to do on the weekend, but it was not an option. Everyone had their certain jobs, like my job was to dust the entire house and Lisa’s job was to vacuum everything. -
Campfire Songs
Picture this: a motley crew of kids, their laughter echoing through the air as they tumble through a day bursting with adventures. After the sun dips below the horizon, they gather around a crackling campfire, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames, sharing stories and marshmallows under the starlit sky. It makes me stop, take a deep breath, and sigh…there’s nothing better. -
Here comes Summer
When I think about my life I think about music. I love music. If I am in a bad mood or feel lazy and must accomplish a task such as cleaning, I turn on the music. I mostly listen to upbeat music of Michael Jackson, JLo, Whitney Houston, and the list goes on and on. But, when I need to feel really good I listen to a good old classic that usually, note usually, lifts me up. That song is “Here Comes Summer” by Jerry Keller. This was written in 1959 and even today when spring is approaching I can actually hear it played on the radio if I am lucky. -
Sometimes I Feel Like a Sad Song
One of the few songs that helps put a smile on my face is “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from the musical “Oklahoma”. Our class performed this musical when I was in high school and I loved the lyrics. I remember that the performance by our high school talent was awesome. If I open the curtains in the morning and the sun is shining and the sky is blue, the words “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” pop into my head. -
No Stress Allowed
So many times in my life, I would wake up and the first thing I would focus on would be all of the things I would need to accomplish for the day or the stress of yesterday, which would negatively influence my day. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that I am in charge of how my day will be and how I handle my stress.
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Believe Everyday
I enjoy quotes. They will often spring me into action and motivate me. Two of my favorite motivational speakers were Dr. Wayne Dyer and Mr. James Rohn. Wayne Dyer wrote a book with the title of the words of one of my favorite quotes. “You’ll see it when you believe it.” Dr. Dyer spoke about the concept that if your mindset is where you can take truths on faith rather than having visual evidence, you will see the results you want in your life.
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Be Bold…Begin
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I first encountered this quote on a trip to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. The small tan spiral-bound notebook we each received at the trip’s start included it, presumably to inspire us during and after the adventure.The book contains famous quotes covering leadership, nature, and education, but this one stood out to me. It struck me as truth, resonating deeply and filling me with hope.
It’s been 30 years since I first read this quote. Reflecting on the years in between, I believe the word “boldness” is the secret sauce.
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Don’t Waste Today
Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life:I like this quote because we can’t go back to yesterday and need inspiration for tomorrow. So, the quote, “Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life” represents to me that we should leave yesterday behind and work on tomorrow, making it the best we can.
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Take Me As I Am
I can’t imagine my life without my family. They can appreciate the good and overlook the bad in me. For example, I asked for a set of kayaks for my birthday. My daughters must have thought this a good idea as they both purchased one for my husband and one for myself. But, being who I am I felt they were too small. So, being the sweet things they are they loaded them up, not without trouble, and purchased the larger ones. Not to mention the cost was more also. They weren’t surprised as they knew me too well. -
To Have a Family–or Not
You are born into a family. You don’t get to pick. Right?
In my case, when I was a young woman, I had to decide if I wanted a family–or not…
I met my first husband, Tom, in college. We were both attending a small fundamentalist, evangelical church. It was a bible study. We dated/courted throughout our four years in school under our church elders’ careful watch and counsel.One of the commitments we were both excited about was building our family. We planned to have as many children as the Lord would bless us with–maybe 13. It sounded like a good number to shoot for. It was fun that this number freaked our parents out. (You may question our taste in humor here.)
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Family is Everything
To some people, the presence of family brings stress, challenges, and dread. They don’t like to be around family because of differing opinions or hard feelings. I have difficulty relating to those people as my family is the exact opposite. I couldn’t imagine life without them.
