Mike's Birthday Book

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Marko's Birthday Book

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Happy Holidays!

Stationery card

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Color Walk

Every year our family makes the arduous drive to Oak Openings for our annual fall color walk.  OK, well it only really takes a few minutes to get there, but I've never used the word arduous in a sentence, so I couldn't resist!

It was lovely!  Everyone came - even Scout (no one is too cool or too busy for it yet - phew!).  No electronic distractions, just family and nature.  We missed the cacophony of colors from a few weeks ago, but loved the carpet of brown and yellow leaves crunching under foot.  We always wander off into the woods a bit and traverse the corner of pond.  Everyone took a turn with the camera.  Here a few of the pictures . . .

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Neale Donald Walsch

It is easy to hide behind your fears. To settle for the easy and comfortable life. And often, that is exactly what I do. But when I listen to the yearnings of my soul, when I face my fears, and dare to be more - that is when I am really living. You are extraordinary too – let loose that fabulous beast within – follow whims, chase dreams, and above all . . . enjoy the ride!

My First CSA

Sadly, I did not get a picture of my first CSA take – it was a crazy day and I had a party to throw. Here, however, are a few highlights . . .

The Party

 The Cousins

The Kale (I was so worried about the kale, but everyone seemed to like it!)

The popcorn – so fun to pop on the cob and the cousins declared it the best popcorn ever.

The Radishes (in a mango salsa)

The Eggs (can you guess which is store bought and which is CSA?)

The End!

Matt's Birthday Book

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Mike's Birthday Book

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Marko's Birthday Book

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Spring Break

Ah, spring break! Sunshine, Beaches, Mai-Tai's . . . Oh, wait , we don't go south for break. We go north, where it is colder. But I'm not complaining! We had a lovely time visiting the fams in northern Wisconsin. A road trip does, however, throw a few kinks into the training plan and there are only 191 days till the Chicago Marathon. On Friday, I traded in a workout for the organized chaos of packing. And rather than a Saturday long run, I went for a butt atrophying snack infused car ride for seven hours. Running up north presents it's own problems. The road side slant makes me feel like a peg legged pirate running on a fun-house floor. I am, however, pretty speedy up there (darn if those chipmunks don't sound like bears when you are running alone!). But no runs this time. And to make matters worse, I was presented with (gasp!) Oreos. And I did cave. It wasn't pretty.

I did, however, get in a couple of lovely bike rides with my darling sister Bert. I love biking up north! Compared to here, it is like biking the Himalayas (they are actually just rolling hills, but lets stick with the Himalayas story). And of course it is gorgeous up there!  On the first ride, we were joined by my sisters lovely friend Kristen. Kristen has changed my life. OK, that is a little dramatic, but she did change the way I make pizza. She sent me a pizza crust recipe with an amazing secret ingredient: cauliflower - no lie! I made it tonight. No one even noticed the secret ingredient (and I'm for sure not telling them – thankfully they are among the millions that don't read my blog). This will be Bert's first year doing a CSA too, so on our second ride, we biked out to the farm to check things out.  In addition to veggies and eggs, they had chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, wool, a cafe, and soon they will have some hydro-fisho-thing-a-ma-bob that will allow them to grow veggies in the winter.  AND, this summer, they will have a creamery and will be serving goat milk gelato (a summer must try me thinks)!

But the best thing about a trip up north is family. Here are some pictures from our adventures (albeit not very good ones – you will just have to trust me that we had a lot of fun).

Shockingly, this is not the worst picture I took.

Not sure what is going on here . . .

The flamingo sisters.

The happiest fighters ever.

Teague and his cheese stick.

What is with these people? (no nonsense Mike)

Uh . . . No idea about this one.

Scout and Kuzzy

Kuzzy and Daria

Dog Butts!

MANual Entries: Agreeable Disagreements

Whenever I'm tempted to lecture the boys, I start a new "MANual" section.  They don't want to be lectured anyway.   

“The MANual” is a guidebook, written with love, to help my boys become the fabulous men that they are destined to be.   It is a work in progress.  My boys roll their eyes at me, but if they didn't, it would mean I'm not doing my job right.

March 5^th: WIN-WIN

4th of July 2011

I don't mind arguing with myself. It's when I lose that it bothers me.
-Richard Powers

WAYS TO END AN ARGUEMENT

• Losing sucks!
• Winning is good! But at what cost? What if the relationship with your opponent is important to you.
• Sometimes there is a solution that is better than winning. Look for a way that both parties can leave the argument happy. Maybe it will be a compromise. Maybe you will agree to disagree. Or maybe you will find a solution that is better than you ever imagined.

March 6^th: LISTEN IF YOU WANT TO BE HEARD

Halloween 2011

When I'm getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say -- and two-thirds thinking about him and what he is going to say. -Abraham Lincoln Make an effort to understand your opponent. Really listen and try to understand their point of view. Find some common ground. Find a way to validate something he or she said. If they feel like they have been heard, they are more likely to hear your side.

March 7^th: TREAT YOUR OPPONENT WITH RESPECT 

Crazy Folks!

If you want to win an argument, treat your opponent with respect . . .

• Do you like to be interrupted? Then don't interrupt.
• Do you listen to crazy hysterical people? Then try not to sound (or look ←) like a crazy hysterical person.
• Do you like it when people insult you or your opinions? Then don't them or theirs.

March 8^th: DESPITE YOUR FABULOUSNESS, 

THERE MAY YET BE MORE TO LEARN

A deep thinker

Truth springs from argument amongst friends. David Hume Now, this section might not be necessary for a regular boy, but you are no regular boy. You are an incredibly intelligent boy and you know it. That is the problem! You do not realize that you can continue to grow in your fabulousness and knowledge. Keep an open mind, and you may learn from your opponent and come to an even deeper understanding of the issue.

March 9^th: WHY ARGUE?

It's “affect” not “effect” you idiot! (Scout and Cuzzy)	Arguments over grammar and style are often as fierce as those over IBM versus Mac, and as fruitless as Coke versus Pepsi and boxers versus briefs. -Jack Lynch
	Whenever two good people argue over principles, they are both right. -Marie Ebner von Eschenbach
	It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. -William G. McAdoo
	I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. -Dave Barry

The MANual: Blissful Sleep Entries

The following are entries from “The MANual.” “The MANual” is a guidebook, written with love, to help my boys become the fabulous men that they are destined to be. Please note that it is a work in progress. This is because I am a work in progress too. By writing the manual I am gathering my thoughts and working towards becoming a better mom and a better person. I'm hoping the boys will consider my advice as well. They may roll their eyes now, but long after I am gone, I hope that these words will remind them of how much I love them, how proud I am of them, and what a privelidge it has been to have them in my life. 

March 1^st: Good Morning: Can You Guess What We Will Be Talking About Tonight?

The Land of Nod by Robert Louis Stevenson From Breakfast on through all the day At home among my friends I stay, But every night I go abroad Afar into the land of Nod. All by myself I have to go, With none to tell me what to do-- All alone beside the streams And up the mountain-sides of dreams. The strangest things are there for me, Both things to eat and things to see, And many frightening sights abroad Till morning in the land of Nod. Try as I like to find the way, I never can get back by day, Nor can remember plain and clear The curious music that I hear.

March 1^st: Good Evening: Lets talk about Sweet Fabulous Blissful Sleep

I have the great honor of helping care for one of the world's most fabulous assets: YOU! Let's face it, you are truly and legitimately awesome. My goals is for you to be as happy and healthy as possible so that all of your dreams can come true. So . . . how to keep you happy and healthy? There are actually tons of different ways, but lets just focus on one at a time. For the next few days, lets talk SLEEP! Tonight, just realize that you are worth it. Set the intention. You deserve a good night's sleep. Plan on giving yourself this gift. Sweet dreams and HUGE hugs!

March 2^nd: Good Morning: Laugh Every Day

Everyone has stress in their lives – the right level of stress can even be good for you. A little bit of nervous energy before an exam or athletic event can help keep you be on your toes and motivated to do a good job. Too much stress, however, can result in a plethora of negative physical and mental difficulties – including sleep problems. One of my favorite stress-busters is laughter. It feels good, it reduces stress, and its fun. So take a few moments today for silliness and laughter. Maybe watch a silly video or spend some time laughing with friends. You have your marching orders – off with you – have a great laughter filled day!

March 2^nd: Good Evening: Conventional Sleep Wisdom

Life doesn't always stay on schedule – it would probably be pretty boring if it did. Nonetheless, try to keep to a fairly consistent sleep schedule and build yourself a nourishing evening routine. It might include some consideration for the state of your stomach (too hungry, too full, just right) or perhaps even thoughts on how your next dentist appointment will go (what! I'm a mom! I can't help myself). If you do the same few things each night before bed, eventually, your body will take the cue and start getting sleepy as soon as you start. So, tonight, think about how you would like to design your evening routine – maybe even take a test run. Sweet dreams!

March 3^rd: Good Morning: Hugs and Snuggles

“We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.” - Virginia Satir Grab a loved one, a pet, a stuffed animal. Enjoy a few hugs today. I am always happily available for this – even if I'm not right with you – just picture me in your mind – I love you so much that I can give you hugs through time and space whenever you need it – I'm magic like that.

March 3^rd: Good Evening: Squirrel Brain Remedy

Let's talk about one of the most dangerous and formidable challenges of our time (cue horror movie music here): SQUIRREL BRAIN! I also sometimes refer to it as Monkey-Brain. It is what happens when there are so many thoughts and ideas and worries swirling around in your head that you just can not fall asleep. Somehow, you need to figure out how to put those thoughts away. Take them right out of your brain and set them aside for the night so you can sleep. I recommend journaling or a worry doll (What? You're too manly for a doll – fine – we'll call it a worry dude – or whatever). Before you go to bed, put your thoughts into your journal (or your worry-dude's ear )and then LET THEM GO. Release the monkeys and squirrels out of your brain. The journal or worry-dude will hold onto those ideas for you – they will be waiting for you in the morning if you wish to retrieve them. For now, it is time to sleep. Sweet, fabulous, wonderful sleep!

March 4^th: Good Morning: Treat Yourself Right

There are lots of things you can do during the day that will prepare you for a good night's sleep in the evening. For Your Brain: Be Proactive Consider the things that keep you up at night. What can you do during the day, so that these thoughts don't haunt you at night. For Your Body: Hydrate. Nourish. Exercise I know you do not need to hear a lecture. You know what your body needs, so I'll leave it at that. Hydrate. Nourish. Exercise The End.

March 4^th: Good Evening: Burrow In and Surrender to Sleep

Look, I'm not suggesting that you get a pink four poster bed filled with stuffed animals, but I am suggesting that you consider your comfort when it comes time to your bed. Sleep is a time for your mind and body to restore itself. Where you sleep is worth a few extra splurges. So grab an extra pillow (or three) and your favorite blanket and spoil yourself with a seriously comfortable bed. You might also consider some relaxing music or meditation or you could even listen to some Louise Hay (“Good night. Sweet Dreams. You are Very Safe. All is Well.” - Louise Hay; what can I say – it works for me – find out what works for you). Good night!

 

Change of Plans

Sometimes, things do not go the way you plan. Sometimes life knocks you down and you just need to roll with the punches. The Plan The Reality Sat 9 Mile Run Took Matt to the Emergency Room with a badly broken arm. Sun Rest 9 Mile Prayer to the beat of my feet on the path - “Dear God, Please Heal Matt's Arm; Guide Me, In the Care of My Family” Mon Speedwork Morning Appointment, Afternoon Surgery, Overnight hospital stay – sleeping in a chair next to Matt's bed. Tues Spinning Supporting Matt's recovery and pain management. Too physically and emotionally exhausted to workout. Wed Tempo Run Still supporting Matt, Still exhausted, did a strength workout at 10pm – better than nothing. There is nothing like a longer than expected surgery on your child to make you realize how very blessed you are, how very precious life is, and how much your family means to you. Nothing else really matters.