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Letting Go
March 20006 It’s been over a month since I’ve talked to my oldest son. Texts, messages, and chats go unanswered. His dad’s birthday has come and gone. Crickets.
Life has rarely been easy parenting Luka. We adopted him from an orphanage in Russia when he was 32 months old. The only thing we knew about his birth mother was that she was a registered alcoholic. He was a loving and sweet boy.
One of his elementary teachers noted about him, that although school was hard for him, he was the most determined and hard-working kid in her class. She was sure that that tenacity would pay off for him in the future.
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Home at Last
My son Matt and I pulled away from the house we had called home for the past fifteen years. It was the only home Matt remembered and a home that I loved. We had come back over spring break to finish emptying out the house and to complete our move to Colorado. -
Growing Pains
The day and year that I really grew up was definitely an important experience. One that I would have forgone forever. This was the day that my dad passed away. He was only sixty-two years old, died of a heart attack, and left his family reeling in shock and dismay. -
My #1 #2
Looking back at some real changes in my life would certainly include the birth of my two daughters. I am going to focus on the birth of my second child, who I teasingly call my #1 #2. (Get it – she’s my favorite 2nd child) See I try to make everything even outlining the importance of their being. -
First Communion Nightmare
My mom was raised Catholic and she agreed to raise her children as Catholics. The only caveat was that she did not want us to go to parochial school. In order for us to fulfill her agreement, we were required to attend Saturday Catechism classes until we were through the eighth grade. -
Lucy the Labradoodle
It was 2013 and I had been living as a single person for almost 5 years. Sam, our beautiful family black lab, had recently passed due to a horrible but thankfully quick struggle with throat cancer. I decided it was time to get another dog and this time, she was going to be mine. It was the first time I had been able to make a decision like this on my own. -
Tween Makeover
me, 7th Grade, 1977 I’ve written before about how I had many worries and thoughts about the future when I was young. But I was also a planner. One of the biggest “plans” I had was for my transition from elementary school to Jr. High.
In elementary school, I was a pretty typical kid. Braces, headgear, and rubber bands worked to fix my smile. I took tap dance lessons. In the band, I played the flute.
But I wanted to be different. So I came up with a plan. I was going to have a life makeover! But, of course, “makeover” wasn’t yet a concept.
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Teasing Teenagers
Picture this… I’m 14 years old. It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m having a date night with my boyfriend, Sam. Lisa and Tom are in the next room chaperoning us (as much as you can chaperone from the other room). Sam and I are kissing and before I know it, his hand is creeping under my shirt… -
To Know Me is to Love Me
Anyone who says being a kid or much less a teenager is fun has never been one. Well, my remembrance of being a teenager sort of makes me shudder. I was one of those kids that most parents would, at times, never want. I was rebellious, didn’t like the word “no”, hated restrictions, and liked to do anything at least once to see if it was worth doing again. -
Shy and Unhappy Teenager
I remember being very excited about becoming a teenager but for the life of me, I didn’t know why.My first memory of my teenage years was standing on the front steps of the Junior High waiting for the doors to open. It was the first day of 7th grade. I had grown four inches over the summer. I towered over most of my classmates that I remembered from 6th grade.
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Not Yet a Grown-Up
This is the worst topic. Why? Because it exposes how scary this time is in anyone’s life. And right now, my daughter Aubrey is in the middle of her thirteenth year. There are six more years of her teenagehood ahead of us. I remember the struggle of that age and how confused I was about my place in the world. For me, it was a time of questioning, trying out different personas, and worrying about the future. -
Nature or Nurture?
As an adoptive parent, I only occasionally think about how my kids are like and unlike me. I do see stories frequently about adoptees getting together with birth parents. They recognize all kinds of connections that they’ve never had before. Now they see someone else who loves golf as they do. Or they see where they got their long legs with knobby knees. Or they finally found someone else in the world who pukes at the taste of dark chocolate.
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I Am My Mother After All
I was 18 years old and sitting at Mom’s vanity doing my makeup. Mom came up behind me and put her hands on my shoulders. I looked from my face to hers and back to mine again and I started to cry a little. I said, “Oh My God… I DO look like you!” Boy, I sure know how to make someone feel like a million bucks! That’s just one way that I’m like my mom. -
Mom + Dad = Me
If I had to choose which parent I am most like I would say a very little of either, but am a lot like my paternal uncle. My dad was very social, loved speaking before groups, and was just really outgoing. I cannot identify with most of these traits as I am more reserved in large groups, hate public speaking, and am sort of outgoing. Now, on the other hand, my mother was definitely an introvert. She depended a lot on my dad for his social support. When he passed she had to work very hard to become more social and outgoing. I would say I sort of fit in the middle of these two parents. The most drastic difference between my dad and I was speaking in front of groups. I always say I would rather give birth than do any kind of public speaking.
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The Professional Worrier
My parents shared many of their characteristics with me. Some were learned and some were in my genes.Dad was a procrastinator. He would finish dinner, sit down to watch something on TV, and often would fall asleep. He’d wake up when it was time to go to bed and then he’d start working.
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No Laughing at the Dinner Table
Mom and Dad had some interesting phrases that they repeated on numerous occasions.
Dad #1
One of our favorite parts of the day was when the family got together in the dining room for dinner Something would hit one of our funny bones and we would start laughing. Next, the whole table was laughing and joking. Dad would seriously interject “Cut it out or someone is going to be crying soon”. The sad part was that he was often right. He would get impatient with the frivolity and one of us would get in trouble. Then the tears would start.Dad #2
I used to love to debate with Dad. I didn’t consider it arguing but apparently, he did. When he felt backed into a corner, his next phrase was “Don’t talk back to me young lady”. At that point, I had to stop debating and quietly leave the discussion.
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If Your Dad Knew About This…
When my kids get into trouble, I am so glad that I’m not a single parent, Craig and I both are involved in the ups and downs of parenting.
When I was a child and got into trouble, my mom was the primary caregiver, the default parent, and the dealer of discipline. But the secret of her power was found in one little phrase…”If your father found out/knew about this, he would be so disappointed.”
That little phrase had the power to shape me because she was right. AND his disappointment was like a sledgehammer. Here is one example…
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Someday When I’m Dead and Gone…
“Some day when I’m dead and gone… then you’ll appreciate me”. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve heard that phrase from Mom’s mouth when I’m doing or saying something to her that she doesn’t like. -
Selling Pencils and Shoe Laces
A phrase often heard in our household when I was a kid was directed at the whole family, I guess. I had two sisters and we were given tasks to do. Anyway, my younger sister and I were given tasks to do. My older sister for some reason was exempt from this activity. It seems when responsibilities are given to children in households there are a lot of arguments and reasons not to participate. Well, my dad thought he had the answer to solve this problem. You see he would threaten all of us that “he was going to sell our house, we would have to live in an apartment, and he would have to stand on a corner selling pencils and shoe laces. This also came in handy to complain when he didn’t make a sale, as he was a salesman, and we would feel sorry for him. -
Small Gestures
Being thought of is a small gesture to make someone feel loved. A simple hello, preferably with a smile, can put a warm spot in my heart. -
Words Matter
I have been going through unusual trials recently. My husband, Michael is very ill. There have been several people that have sent notes either by text, email, or snail mail, that have warmed my heart and have caused me to feel cared about and yes, loved.
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All the Feels
What makes you feel a connection with another person? Some people make you feel cared for and seen. Others, not so much.Let me give you a couple of examples of what I mean.
A while ago, Michelle and I were talking about our parents and we found out that we have completely different takes on a common occurrence.
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Show Me The Love
Candlelight dinner from Nathan – Valentine’s Day 2011 When trying to think about what makes me feel loved or what gives me warm fuzzies, the first thought that comes to mind is when my kids remember to thank me for something I’ve done for them.
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Nicolet Forest After Dark
Some of my greatest adventures in life have been traveling with my sister, Sandy. She hates to be bothered by maps, instructions, or directions.We had rented a cabin in Eagle River, Wi. The “girls” were taking too long to get ready, so Art and Michael said they would go on ahead and open up the cabin. They said they might do a little fly fishing to get warmed up. We promised we would be close behind them.
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It’s a Cluster
For some reason, I seem to be at the basis for all the Sidetracked Sisters’ memories of getting lost. Imagine that? One of my many experiences of getting lost was a complete cluster. -
Driving Adventures
I pride myself on being great with directions. I can’t recall a single time I’ve been lost when I’m driving. (Now if Mom is driving – that’s an entirely different story). Even as a kid, I’ve always paid attention to things as we were traveling from one place to another. -
The Kindness of Strangers
This is a random friendly Irish cow that said “Hello” and made us feel welcome while traveling the beautiful country roads. What is a common fear when traveling?
Getting lost. Yup. Been there done that…
But it wasn’t as big of a problem as I had feared.
It was on our trip to Ireland. Mom and Melanie flew in first and rented a car. They got to our rental house first. Michelle and I rented our own car. We were told to rent a larger car with automatic transmission. The thinking was, if you have to think about driving on the left side of the road, shifting gears would be one more thing to think about.
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What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
I’m gonna be an artist when I grow up.
This is the answer I would have given to that age-old question that adults always ask children. I loved to make things out of paper and paint and wood and clay. I didn’t necessarily like coloring books, but I loved art materials. My first memory of Kindergarten is of making a scribble picture on construction paper and then coloring in the created spaces with crayons. -
Indecisive Decisions
The lack of a clear career path kept me from following through and going to college. At first, I wanted to be a clothing designer but I had none of the natural skills to make this work. I thought about being a veterinarian because I loved animals, but I couldn’t get excited about the necessary years of schooling. -
More Than a Secretary
Would you believe that while growing up I wanted to be a housewife and mother? I lived in a wonderful place with a group of stay-at-home moms and housewives. They made this sound like such a fulfilling, relaxing, and happy life. This was in the fifties and women that I knew didn’t work out of the home. We lived in an Ozzie and Harriet atmosphere. -
Computer Geek at Heart
When I was a little kid, I always wanted to be a teacher. I loved the idea of imparting my wisdom to others and knowing more about things than my students did. I always looked up to my teachers and wanted that admiration as well. As I got older, I decided there was no way I was going to be able to teach little kids. I love little kids, but their goofiness can get tiresome. Middle school kids are too hormone riddled to handle and high school kids are too close to adults and many show teachers no respect. So where did that leave me? -
Newspaper to the Rescue
April 7th, 1980. I was 9 years old and was heading to Grandma Is’s house after school. Grandma’s house was only 2 blocks from school and I made the journey without any challenges. It was a beautiful spring day. Not a cloud in the sky. At least not yet. -
Save the Pets!
I survived the Beaver Dam tornado of 1980. Someone actually printed up a bunch of t-shirts with this brag–back in the day.
I was riding my bike home from the Jr. High (Middle School) on this fateful day. As I was riding down Mary Street hill (the same hill from this post). I thought to myself, “Strange how the faster I ride, the stronger the wind blows.” It was like somehow my actions affected the atmosphere. They were correlated…
The sky was darkening to the west. The daylight took on a greenish cast…and then the tornado sirens went off just as I rode past the last few houses before turning into my own driveway. Was my first response to seek cover and head to the basement? No, of course not. My concern was for all of our pets.
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The Day That Shook Our World
My husband and I were living in Napa, Ca. Our one-year-old son, Matt was in his eight-sided play area. Our dog, Nikki, was asleep on the bed and Michael had just gotten back from a business meeting in San Francisco.We were all set to watch a world series game between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. It was October 17, 1989. Without warning, the TV screen went black and turned to static. The dog stood up on the bed and looked around with wild eyes. Matt started to cry and Michael, who was concentrating on a business report said “Judy, would you get the dog away from my chair? She keeps bumping it and I can’t type.”
Nikki was nowhere near Michael’s chair. I leaned over to lift Matt out of the play area and got so dizzy, I thought I was going to fall over. Simultaneously Michael and I looked at each other and said “earthquake”.
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Sunny Skies and Tornados
The only real natural event that I have ever been in was the tornado that touched down in Beaver Dam in the year 1980. It was always felt that we would never be subject to a tornado because of the lake effect. In searching for the data on this tornado I note that this evidently is misinformation as there were others mentioned, just not memorable to me. The tornado that I witnessed firsthand happened on April 7th, 1980. -
Rusty But Wonderful
I don’t remember that my first bike was an important item to the rest of the family as it was to me. You see, my older sister was a bookworm, not into physical activities such as bike riding. I, on the other hand, loved to be outside and really loved to ride bikes, scooters, and roller skates. In order for me to accomplish bike riding I actually had to go to a neighbor’s house who had adult children who left an old rusty bike in her garage. She graciously let me ride this bike almost on a daily basis. -
Make Way For A Landing
It was the end of the summer before the second grade and Lisa and I were on our way home from Grandma Is’s house where we spent our summer days while mom was at work. We were riding our bikes and because I was only 7, I usually rode on the sidewalk. -
Broken Vajayjay
When I was growing up, I loved having a bicycle. It offered freedom and adventure. I would ride my bike to friends’ houses and as necessary transportation. Back in the day, we didn’t wear helmets. I was responsible in that my bike was registered with the city and it had a license sticker on the frame.
Generally speaking, I was a careful driver. I rode on the right-hand side of the road (not on the sidewalk) and used hand signals when I was turning.
But there was this one time when I wasn’t as careful as I should have been…and I suffered the consequences.
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Bicycle Built for Two
I think I had three two-wheeled bikes over my childhood. The first one was my least memorable. It was painted a rusty color and had a triangle-shaped kickstand on the back wheel. I disliked this bike from the day it arrived and I begged mom and dad for a new bike. The tires kept going flat and it was very hard to steer. -
Flirting with Rotten Eggs
I was never much of a flirt in grade school. I was the youngest of three girls and I had no experience talking with my male classmates. They made me nervous and scared me to death. -
The Stress of Kindergarten
I remember several childhood grade school memories, so, where to start?The first one I recall was I was in kindergarten, it was Armistice Day, and of course, I had no idea what that meant. I went to Wilson School and had just recently moved to the north end of town. This meant I had to take a bus from school to home.
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Traumatic Events
I had a few traumatic events happen to me during my grade school years. Both events were a result of my teachers and had a significant impact on my feelings about those years. -
She’s In Trouble Now
Thank God I’m a grown-ass woman AND no longer a teacher. Do you know what that means? No. more. recess! I don’t get in trouble (or get others in trouble) anymore.
I’ve always hated recess. I’ve written before about spending a snowy recess with Mary and Mr. Fry in the boiler room here. But that isn’t the only time I purposely skipped out on recess…
I was in First Grade. My First-grade classroom was on the lower level of the building, closest to the boiler room, Mrs. Goetz was my teacher. We had been working on something when the announcement was made that it was almost recess time. But only students that were done with their work would be allowed to go out. I was done with my work, but Sean and Rochelle would need to stay in.
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A Captive Audience
My mom worked when I was growing up. I would walk to my grandma’s house after school. while there, I would lean against the round naugahyde ottoman and watch Room 222, The Brady Bunch, Marcus Welby, MD, and Gilligan’s Island. When it got dark outside, grandma would begin cooking dinner and mom would be there to pick me up. -
Hop Aboard the Wine Train
Hop aboard the Wine Train – We were in Napa, Ca. Mom and her sister Hyacinth were visiting from Wisconsin. They had arrived by way of the Golden Zephyr out of Milwaukee and I had picked them up at the train station in Alameda, Ca. -
My Mom – My Everything
My parents, especially my mom was a very special person in my life. She took care of my kids when I went to work after giving birth to my firstborn and also when number 2 came along. This was at a time when she was also caring for my oldest sister who was suffering with MS. she became a widow at the young age of 55. By that time my sister had passed. She made it possible for me to work enabling my family to acquire and achieve our dreams which would not have been possible without her help. -
Always There To Help
One thing I absolutely love about my parents is that they are ALWAYS there to help me. In any way, shape or form. As long as I can remember… I’ve been spoiled with this fact.I remember in high school, after receiving my own car (see my previous post about the little red hornet), dad would take each car to the filling station on Friday and fill it up for the week. I never had to worry about running out of gas while dad was around.
When I was in college in the dorms, mom and dad came up to Eau Claire and made my dorm rooms into better homes and gardens so that I would enjoy my environment. Dad made bunk beds and carpeted my rooms, while mom decorated every spare inch, from recovering bulletin boards and chairs to painting and hanging curtains. Once I moved off campus, mom and the grandmas would come up and take the weekend to repaint cupboards and bedrooms and again, decorate everything that would stand still so I wouldn’t feel so homesick.
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Worrying About the What-Ifs
You know the quote… “A mother’s work is never done”? Well – I think it’s more accurate to say “A mother’s worry is never done”. When thinking about what I worry about, I start to think that it’s easier to ask what I don’t worry about. -
Little Kids Little Problems, Big Kids Big Problems
Summer of 2012 I lay in bed and play the what if…game. Why are the what ifs always the negative possibility? What is the difference between worry and anxiety? Is it a problem that I don’t know the difference?
Maybe the problem with worries is that I am thinking about something (in most cases) that is not in my control. I am overthinking and projecting negative consequences onto someone else’s life.
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Worry – A Wasted Emotion
One of the first self-help books I read in my twenties was written by Dr. Wayne Dyer. He discussed guilt and worry as being the two most wasted emotions. He explained that guilt was about the past and worry was about things to happen in the future. Both of these emotions are out of our control unless we learn from past mistakes, rid ourselves of guilt, and take appropriate action to eliminate worry in the future. -
Constant Worrier
Everyone says that I am a constant worrier. To be honest I think I worry so much that I don’t even realize that I am worrying. It is my way of life. I do have a lot of people that seem to need me to take care of them. (I’m just kidding actually.) I read somewhere that worrying is a total waste of time and energy. I do realize this but just can’t seem to let my worrying go. -
A Grandparent’s Perspective
Having grown up in a household of girls, and having two daughters of my own, I am probably not the best judge of the difference between raising girls versus boys. But, then the unexpected happened!! I became the grandma to two girls and FOUR BOYS. Now we can compare. -
Rambunctious Boys and a Mini Me
Is there a difference between raising girls vs boys? I definitely experienced a significant difference between the two sexes. I wasn’t prepared for the discrepancy I experienced as I only grew up with my older sister and never had to deal with boys in the household. -
Everything Is Up For Grabs
Where did that come from?Why did he do that?
I would have never thought to do it that way…
The phrases parents regularly use to understand their children often have a basis in biology. It is assumed that your children, not only look like you but should act or behave like you do (or did as a child).
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What Do You Do With Little Boys?
When I got pregnant for the one time in my life, I was so excited. It didn’t occur to me to want a girl or boy. I just wanted a healthy baby.Several months later, I had the amniocentesis and we were asked if we wanted to know the sex. We both said YES! I was at work when the hospital called to tell me that 1. We had a healthy baby and 2. The baby was a boy.
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The House That Could Have Been
When we were planning on returning to Wisconsin, we found out that a doctor was selling his practice and his home. I called him that night and after ½ hour of discussion, I made him an offer at his full asking price. I knew this house very well because when I was growing up, my best girlfriend’s family designed and built it. It was built with the Frank Lloyd Wright vibe. There were large windows, vaulted ceilings, and unique features like a second-floor living room, a large backyard with gardens, and an inground swimming pool. -
Work With What You Have
From an early age, I have loved houses. I feel every house has a possibility. I do get sort of frustrated with the HDTV shows where they take a house, tear out fireplaces, knock down walls, and completely change the floor plans. I, myself, like to look at a house, work with for the most part what it has, update it, and make decorating changes to make it functional and beautiful. Not everyone has the money to practically tear up the whole house and begin from scratch. It is a lovely idea, but not probable or practical. -
Family Commune
When asked what my dream house would be, there is 1 thing that comes to mind… It would be to have a family commune. I envision it similar to how we used to go camping. Each family unit has their own private area, but there is also a common area where we would gather for meals and general activity. -
My House is Me
“My house is me and I am
it. My house is where I like
to be and it looks like all my
dreams.” –Mr. Plumbean
I taught First Grade…forever. One of the favorite ways to kick off the school year was with a week of color experiences. On “orange day” I would always read “The Big Orange Splot” by Daniel Pinkwater. In it, Mr. Plumbean has a house and yard that don’t blend in on his “neat street”. Day by day, neighbors come to his house and leave to create their own dream house. Following the reading, we would talk about all the things we would include in the house of OUR dreams. 6-year-olds included lots of slides, pools, TVs, and game rooms. This activity always made me a bit nervous.
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Matching Not Required
This is me at 4 years old. Yeah, I can still sleep pretty much anywhere, anytime… It seems that lately, I am so tired at the end of the day that I often get into bed–clothes on. I have a new day job that is really intense. when I get home, I shower, do my hair, put on a pinch of makeup, and go take care of dinner. So when I say that I get in bed fully clothed, that means socks and a bra also.
But life has not always been so crazy.
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My Favorite PJs (or Lack Thereof)
I was recently talking with friends at work. We were discussing buying Christmas gifts for their kiddos. They said the latest trend is to buy 4 gifts for each child: #1 something they need, #2 something they want, #3 something to read, and #4 something to wear. -
I Love My Stripper
When I was little a new pair of pajamas was a wonderful treat. We usually got a pair for every Christmas and were always looked for in anticipation. The ones I am referring to are the soft, cuddly, fresh PJs. I never wanted to have them washed because then they would not be so soft and the cuddliness would go away. So, trying to keep them out of the wash was the key. -
Don’t Scare the Kids
I can’t say that I have ever had a favorite pair of PJs. Throughout the years, I’ve worn nightgowns, silk shirts/shorts, “nighties”, sweats, and gone naked. Each one has been comfortable at the time that I wore (or didn’t wear) it. -
No BS Weight Loss
I’ve always had a poor body image about myself. From feelings of being too thin to feelings of being overweight, I have never been happy about how my body looked. -
Red Tray Diet
I have been a yoyo dieter. Throughout my life, my weight has gone up and down and up and down. Not dramatically really. Most people probably would say that I’ve weighed about the same throughout my life. As an adult, my high and low weights have differed by about 35 pounds or so.
But I know when I feel good. I know when my clothes fit and when I feel good in my skin. But that doesn’t mean that I’ve never struggled with body image or dieting.
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Stringbean No More
When I was a kid, I was a string bean. I could eat anything and never gained a pound. The only “diet” I practiced at this time was drinking malts before I went to bed to try to gain a few pounds. -
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
When I was in high school and when I got married I weighed 98 pounds. I was always a skinny kid and the word diet never came flowing off of my lips. Who could ever restrict their eating habits? This was a foreign subject to me. Actually, when I was in middle school I had my mom take me to the doctor to see why I was so thin. He prescribed some pills but assured me that someday I would wish I was this thin. I think the pills were a placebo and didn’t do a thing. So, I continued to be skinny. -
I Blame My Dad
When I was in school my family exercised horrible sleeping patterns and habits. My dad was a salesman and because he came home late we would eat after 7:30 p.m. when his mail had to be sent out. This created the schedule for things such as homework being done after dinner going later into the night. I don’t remember being motivated very often to start homework right after school. Why ruin that wonderful free time? -
A Permanently Exhausted Pigeon
At this point of my life, I don’t think I’m a night owl OR an early bird. I know for sure that I’ve never been an early bird. The idea of waking up early in the morning puts absolute dread in my heart. -
Early Bird Wannabe
Here are the grandmas on a “work weekend”. It’s probably around midnight. See one grandma is snoozing and the other is waiting for the party to begin! In college, my mom and two grandmas would come up to Eau Claire and help decorate my dorm room or apartment. Inevitably, we would chat for a while, go out to eat, and begin working on our 10 pm. I would begin to fade at about 1:00 am, and mom was just hitting her stride.
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Night Owl Style
Early morning is my time to roll over in bed and luxuriate in uninterrupted sleep. Sleeping until noon is not my style but getting up around 9 or 9:30 am is. Getting up slowly and putting on comfy clothes is a great start to my day. By this time, I feel rested and ready to accomplish the goals I have set for myself. -
Did You Know Snow is Cold?
I’ve always assumed that when snow is mentioned, we all understand its characteristics. It’s wet, white, made up of individual flakes, and, of course, very, very cold.
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Big Snow
Snow memories are so different than things are today. First of all, we actually had a lot of snow, not the one to two inches we have lately. Even this closes schools, businesses, you name it, for being bad weather, it is nothing like we used to have. -
The Dreaded Ice Derby
At what point do you decide that your child has to participate in an event or allow them to quit? I’ve often wondered this over the years in relation to various kids’ activities, but especially when I think about my childhood. -
The Snow Police
Kadon and Luka are excited about the snow–2009. When I first started teaching, one of the first purchases I needed was a warm winter coat and snow pants for recess duty. Kids are all running around and warm, but the adults are just standing there–watching, protecting…policing.
I think it is interesting how snow brings out the joy and excitement in children. One good snowfall and they are all rolling snowmen and trying to throw snowballs (without getting caught).
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Decorating Hiatus
I love Christmas decorations. If I could do nothing else it would be to decorate for Christmas. I love trying to come up with different ideas for decorating from year to year.It’s at this time of the year that I would love an all-white house so that I could experiment with different colors and different themes. Now, I do believe less is more, and can’t stand big artificial plastic guys. I like pretty, sparkly, shiny, decorations placed strategically around to accent those empty spaces.
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Christmas Adulting
One big drawback of being an adult is that I am the one responsible for the setup and clean-up of celebrations and events.
I think this is Luka’s decorated gingerbread house. As a child, I looked forward to Christmas–the music, the sugar cookies, Santa, family gatherings, and presents. But now…I’m the one who makes the cookies, invites the guests, buys the gifts, decorates…
Oh yes, the decorations.
When I was little, I loved having a Christmas tree. I loved the smell of the real thing. Our tree had all sorts of decorations and big colorful lights. Mom would put up the tree about a week before Christmas and then keep it up forever. (We have more recently witnessed the tree make it past “3 Kings Day” to see St. Patrick’s Day!)
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Christmas Until Easter
I always struggle with when to take down my Christmas decorations. I’m not the type of person that puts everything up the day after Thanksgiving.I usually try to wait until at least December has started. I’m also strongly against taking them down on December 26th as so many people do as I’ve just got them all up and the house is looking very festive and cozy.
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Christmas Coziness
In our family, we put up our tree about the 15th of December. It seems that most people put their trees up much earlier. Many trees go up the day after Thanksgiving. Then, I see trees at the curb the day after Christmas.
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Holiday Traditions
Traditions…We have many holiday traditions in our family. It seems that new experiences and activities continue to be added.
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Stranger Danger
Our holidays have always been steeped in tradition. First, Christmas stockings are always hung “by the chimney with care”. One year, when Matt was 5 years old, he called me up to his room. It was close to midnight on Christmas Eve and Matt was still awake. -
Trees from Santa
One of my favorite holiday traditions was when I was probably about ten, which would make my younger sister, Judy, about five years old. -
OCD Christmas
Christmas was always so fun for me as a child, so when I began my family, I wanted to make sure they had as much fun with it as I did. For the first 2 ½ years, when Bradley was an only child and we lived in New Berlin, we would come and stay in Beaver Dam for the holidays. Christmas Eve was always spent with the in-laws and Christmas Day was with my family. -
Once is Enough
Everyone seems to have a favorite Christmas movie that they love to watch over and over during the holiday season. I don’t. First of all, I hate to watch movies more than twice. If I were to sit through a movie that I have seen before I get really bored and just can’t continue watching it. There are a few exceptions like “Because I said so”, The Wedding Date” and a couple more. But they have also reached their expiration date to me at this time. -
White Christmas
My all-time favorite Christmas movie would have to be White Christmas. By the time the season is done, I will have watched it at least a dozen times. The music and dancing make me smile every time. -
Miracle on 34th Street
Christmas is a time for wishes and dreams, fantasy and reality. Miracle on 34th Street brings to life the world of Doris who works for Macy’s and her young daughter who has been taught that reality is black and white and the only experience that holds the truth. That means no Santa Claus, no hopes and wishes, and no room for embracing possibilities. -
It’s a Wonderful Life
“You’ve been given a great gift, George, a chance to see what the world would be like without you.”This is what the guardian angel, Clarence, says after revealing an alternative reality to George.
I love movies that give a glimpse into how our choices (or in the case of this great Christmas movie) and our very existence change the future for ourselves and others who we touch.
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Sleepover with Grandma
As a child, our Christmas holiday was always made more special because Grandma Is would come and spend the night with us. It always felt like such a special treat to have Grandma sleepover. Each year, Lisa and I would take turns hosting Grandma in our room on our trundle bed. -
Magical First Christmas
Christmas comes just once a year. Thank goodness. Don’t get me wrong. I love the reason for the season. I just get frustrated with the stress level that comes from the unrealistic expectations I place on myself. -
The First Leon (Noel backwards)
When we lived on Cherokee Rd. we were the first house built in the area. Our house was on a curved road surrounded by fields. In December, mom would pick me and Chelle up from Grandma’s in December. We would drive around town looking at the lights and decorations. We would arrive home after dark. She would pull up the driveway and as the garage door slowly opened, it was my job to get the mail.This sounds so easy.
It wasn’t.
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Holiday Hysteria
I have a very special holiday memory. This was a dinner concert that our church sponsored. It was held at the Green Lake Conference Center. The halls were decorated beautifully for the holidays with little twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and poinsettias. There was a guitarist who performed for the evening. He had special effects that accompanied him and our children’s church choir joined in singing the chorus for a favorite Christmas song, “Go Tell It On The Mountain”. This made it so much fun and the music was phenomenal. My youngest daughter, myself, and my youngest granddaughter, Aubrey, attended. My other granddaughter, Jessica, was one of the performers. Aubrey literally danced the night away. She was probably four at the time, loves music, and especially loves to dance. She had a ball. We have the cd of this performance and it is called her “Boom Boom” tape which is often played in full force at Christmas time or whenever the mood strikes us. This was such a fun way to start off the holidays for us. -
Show Me the Money
Chore list from age 5 – Notice no allowance listed! As a child, I remember having some chores, but because I didn’t have to do my work alone, it never seemed to be a big ordeal. Mom had taken the time to type a list for Lisa and me that we were expected to do in order to get a weekly allowance. I don’t actually remember ever getting the allowance, even though there was a spot on the chore list to write down the amount owed.
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The Go-To Kid
When I was young and living at home I was required to do a great number of chores around the house.I have two siblings, one four years older than me and one five years younger than me. It seemed that I was always the right candidate to impose most jobs onto.
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She Can Do It all
This job list is from when I was about 11 years old. Saturday mornings were for cleaning when I was a child. Mom worked in the morning and then went grocery shopping. Michelle and I were left at home to get our chores done.
I remember that my responsibilities not only included making my bed and cleaning my room, scrubbing sinks, and toilets, and vacuuming the house but also motivating my sister to get her jobs done as well.
THAT was the challenge!
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The Guilty One
Being the youngest of three girls had benefits when it came to chores except for the guilt. I often felt guilty because Sandy seemed to be responsible for all the chores. If I wanted to help, I was either too little, too slow or I didn’t know how. My ability to feel guilt got overdeveloped. It never occurred to me that being five years younger than my sister did present challenges. -
Weird Habits
When thinking of habits, I know I have more, but these are the 3 that came to mind…Procrastinating, Creasing and Chickees!
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My Wandering Mind
I have this habit of not focusing. This results in not listening or reading instructions and I would like to correct this habit. Have you ever tried to sew an evening dress or skirt without reading the directions? Well, I have done this and I must say it does work out, but not without a few problems that could have been eliminated had I read the instructions.
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That’s Attractive…NOT
I don’t know how or when I started chewing my fingernails, but I remember when I made myself stop. I was teaching. First Graders are germy, have runny noses, and are not overly concerned with restroom hygiene. I decided that biting my nails was unprofessional, juvenile, and just plain gross.But where do you go with that nervous energy?
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Creating a Sense of Urgency
From the time I was very young, I’ve lacked a sense of urgency. I was often late for school, missed my ride to school, and had to walk home because I would put too many tasks into too short a period of time and I would run out of time before I ran out of tasks. -
Middle Child Syndrome
Sandy and Kathy I was the second born in a family of three girls. This, of course, made me the dreaded “middle child”. From experience and observing other families I can say the problems of the middle child seem to be true.
The first child in our family was my sister, Kathy. She was born four years before me. She was the first child, grandchild, and niece. She seemed to be the favorite of everyone from my standpoint. Then I came along. I was told that since my parents already had a girl it would have been nice to have a boy. Oh well, it didn’t turn out that way, but they adjusted. I remember our home life being normal and pleasant. My dad was in the service and I was two days old when he was deployed. So, having no males around I didn’t like them very much. I have been told that later in life I made up for that! Whatever that means!!! Then it happened, another girl was born into our family five years later. This now made me a middle child.