Happy 16th Birthday Cameron!

Today’s posting requires two photos. The first photo was taken of Cameron and our friends’ dog, Roxanne, in 1997 when Cameron was three and Roxanne was their newly acquired puppy. The second photo was taken 12 years later at the end of last summer. Look at how much they have grown and changed. Poor Rox, she’s about 84 in dog years, and her sweet brown face has gone white with age. Unfortunately, for Roxanne, she got off to a rough start when one of her owners (Mike Meyer!) accidentally ran over her while backing out of the driveway. Luckily, as you can see, she survived the incident.

Fortunately, for Cam, he got off to a much better start. We only allowed him to lick chlorine tablets and swing a golf club in the house, which caused shattered glass from a broken picture frame to fall down and slice his toe open (requiring stitches). Not bad, really, considering that Cameron has always been our little “envelope pusher” and dare devil.

At four he was riding a two-wheeler. At five he was playing organized roller hockey, and at seven he mastered down hill skiing, without the use of poles, because who needs poles when your center of gravity is only two and a half feet off the ground? At nine he gave surfing a go when we went to Hawaii on a family vacation. That’s probably why he switched to snowboarding. At 10, he took up the violin and is still going strong in the high school orchestra, after having completed three years at the middle school level. At 15 he started playing organized football for the first time ever in his life. What he lacked in physical stature, he more than made up for with hard work, determination, and commitment.

While I’m watching him play the violin in concert with those long, lean fingers, I think to myself “Who is this boy that can read music and play so beautifully, but can’t clean his room or remember to put the toilet seat down? How does that work?”

Oh Cameron, you are a funny, funny boy. You’ve got a wicked sense of humor, however some times it gets you into trouble. Remember when you hid behind dad’s easy chair and scared the bejesus out of him. He was so mad. But, we got more of a laugh out of him trying to be mad than scared. Dad doesn’t do mad nearly as well as mom, right? Remember when you put baloney in my CD drawer and I started to smell something funny and wondered what it was? Remember when Alex was trying to be a hard-ass by smashing the bedroom door up against the wall (and you just happened to be in between the two) and you accidentally popped him in the nose? That was funny, mainly because you thought you were going to be in trouble, and instead we yelled at Alex for being a bully. Remember when you told our new neighbors that you had a baby brother that lived in the basement? Remember in fifth grade when out of the blue you said you were running for student council president and I thought "sure you are" and then you won! Shame on me. Remember when I made that bet with you last week that Bode Miller would win the gold and unbeknownst to you, the race had happened hours earlier and the results were already reported? Shame on you! That was a good one, until dad told Alex to text you that it was a set up.

I can’t believe you are already 16 years old. So grown up, and so....not. The time has absolutely flown by and yet it seems like an eternity since you were born. I'm thrilled that you have matured into a wonderful young man, and yet not ready for my baby to be a young man, mainly because that makes me an old woman. Don't forget, Cameron, everything I expect from you is because I love you. If I didn't think you could do it, I wouldn't expect it. Continue to strive for excellence and don't settle for average. Keep working hard at school and sports like you have been doing this year, and don't look for the easy way out. This doesn't mean life has to be difficult, just challenging, so at the end of the day you can feel proud about what you have accomplished. Today, you should feel proud. I know I do. Now go clean your room!

Olympic Inspirations

Nothing like the Olympics to make you feel like an underachieving, overeating, couch potato slug. I continue to be astounded at what some of these athletes can do with their bodies, at high rates of speed and, in some cases, altitude.

First off, the mogul skiers. Last week we watched in awe as men and women were just ripping down a steep mountain hitting gigantic moguls one after the other. Along the way, they paused enough to ski off a ramp (twice), to leap into the air and perform some ridiculous somersault. They would hit the ground running and continue down some more moguls. It was outrageous how fast they traveled down the hill, all the while keeping their heads level while their knees bounced up and down faster than you can say “arthroscopic surgery.” I was so sore from just watching that event, I had to take some sympathy Tylenol and break the heating pad back out. Seriously, how do these people have any hip and knee joints left?

Next up was speed skating. My dear, sweet Apolo Anton Ohno. He is so adorable, I just want to scoop him up and put him in my pocket for luck. Watching him skate makes me so nervous, though. The velocity at which these short track skaters travel around that teeny tiny oval ice rink is crazy. The racers start off all spread out, and Apollo likes to hang back in the beginning so he can check out the competition. Then, with only a few laps to go, he makes his move. Zipping, scooting, and cutting people off like a New York taxi driver. I start screaming at the TV set “he’s not gonna make it, he’s not gonna make it!”, because he’s all the way in the back with so little time left in the race, and then boom! Next thing I know, he’s in front and I’m thinking “how’d he do that?”

Moving on to lugers, I have come to the conclusion that they are not even of this earth. Can you imagine someone explaining to you how this sport actually works? Ok...first you need to put on this skin tight unflattering outfit which might protect you from serious ice-burn, however, we can’t guarantee that. Besides, your skin getting ripped off your body will be the least of your worries. Next you sit on this flimsy-ass sled, and try to push yourself as hard as you can down the track. As you begin your journey to hell, you’ll want to lay down on your sled (which, by the way, only has room to support your back) and put your legs on either side of the runners for support and steering capability (as if there’s a snowball’s chance in hell you’ll actually be able to control anything). Since there is no support for your head, you’ll need to keep it at a 17-1/2 degree tilt so you can see what you're going to crash into. Because the track is made out pure ice, you may find yourself travelling at speeds upwards of 80 to 90 miles per hour, so for sure you'll want to wear a helmet.

A couple of weeks ago, leading up to the Olympics, I caught part of the women’s figure skating competition that would determine who was going to be on the United States’ team. I distinctly remember sitting in my comfy, cozy bed seeing skater after skater do incredible things with their bodies that made my toes cramp. One incredible move I witnessed time after time was them twirling (very, very fast, I might add) on one foot all while grabbing the blade of their other skate (behind their back, I might add) and then they pulled their leg up and back until their hands were held high over their heads....spinning faster....balancing on one leg...perfectly balanced. Did I mention they did this on one leg, with the other leg pulled up behind them over their head? I mean, it’s one thing to be balanced on one leg with your other leg in front of you (like when you're shaving your legs), but behind you? That totally makes you want to lean forward. But they were upright, straight as an arrow. As I watched this move unfold, I remember thinking “what is she doing?....where is she going to put that leg?....oh, no she didn’t!.... get out!” The crowd rewarded them each time with a thundering roar of applause and cheers. At some point, I began to feel so incredibly motivated and inspired, I found the energy to jump up with enthusiasm and headed all the way downstairs into the kitchen to make some popcorn. Normally, I would ask Ed to do it, while twirling my hair and looking so Perils-of-Pauline helpless-like, but I felt truly inspired to do it all on my own.

Over the weekend we watched downhill, slalom, Super G (which stands for Super Good) and combo racers. Since Ed and I are skiers....well, let me rephrase that....since Ed and I HAVE skied over the years (using our skis we bought for ourselves as Christmas gifts to each other in 1989, which are now considered obsolete antiques), and have been to the giant slopes of Boyne Mountain (which, granted, is not quite as giant as Whistler in Vancouver, mind you), we do know a thing or two about skiing. And one thing we know for sure is that we could never even come close to doing what these people do. I said to him while watching one race "Could you imagine doing that?" to which he replied a pure and simple, yet emphatic, "No." There was absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in his response. We would most likely become the poster children for the "agony of defeat" video clip that would go viral on YouTube for all the world to see.

The physical strength and fortitude of these athletes is truly incredible. The adversities they have faced in the way of accidents and injuries, some of them life threatening, requires a special determination. The sacrifices they and their families have made over a lifetime, the hours of practice put in day after day, and the physical pain they endure for an opportunity to represent their country truly makes me want to "go for the gold" and walk an extra mile on the treadmill. However, let's not get all crazy. After all, there is no shame in getting a bronze medal, you know.

Finding Your Comfort Zone

Last October, Ed and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Who da thunk that the quiet chemist and the feisty Filipino who met on a blind date would last this long?

We were set up by his high school friends, Adam and Stacy. I guess they stopped by his house one night, having just got home from working the afternoon shift, and found him sitting on the couch in his underwear eating mac and cheese out of the pan. Immediately they thought...."hmmmmm, you need a life, or a distraction at the very least." So, they put their scheming heads together and Stacy, whom I worked with, thought of me. I’m sure she said something like “I work with a girl who is having a bad month. She recently spun out on a patch of ice and wrecked her car, had her wisdom teeth pulled out and while on her pain medication she freaked out at work, and just got dumped by a guy she was dating. She’s currently pissed off at the world and hates men, and since you're such a nice guy, you would be perfect for her!” And Ed, who loves a good challenge, said “uhhh...ok."

Having moved back from New York City a few months prior, let’s just stay I was still in cynical NYC mode. When you live and work in a city which is teeming with people from all over the world, you aren’t really afforded the opportunity to stop and make eye contact and form friendships with very many of them. You're constantly moving, running, and hustling to catch a train, bus, taxi, or just cross the street. You're basically in competition with lots of people every day to get where you're going as efficiently as possible. These types of daily goals don't allow for friendliness. “Sorry, no time to make eye contact.” Making eye contact might mean you'd have to say "hi" or strike up a conversation. Who has time for that? Besides, for all you know they just might be a Ted Bundy or Son of Sam wannabe, so you adjust your friendly mid western attitude, keep your eyes down low, and just keep moving.

When Stacy asked me in a sing-songy voice what I was doing on an upcoming Friday night, I suspiciously and bluntly asked “why”. When she said she wanted to fix me up with a guy she knew from high school, I immediately asked “what’s wrong with him?” After she some-what assured me that nothing was wrong with him, I stated that I would need to see a photo first. I just wanted to be sure he wasn’t a dorky doofus. What can I say? It’s no surprise that many of us are shallow in our mid-20‘s. Upon seeing the photo and asking a multitude of questions, I agreed. On date night, the first thing I did was check out his shoes and decided he was okay (I have unique standards). We had instant chemistry and felt so comfortable with each other right off the bat. Needless to say, the blind date went way better than I had anticipated

Twenty-three years later we are still together. Like any couple, we have experienced so many of the ups and downs of what life has to offer--my diagnosis of breast cancer at age 25, a year of chemotherapy, the birth of two healthy children, the painful loss of his parents, the aftermath of a tragic car accident involving a son, the loss of a job after 20 years of service, our firstborn’s high school graduation and transition to college, the health woes of my parents, and the all too sudden and too soon loss of good friends. We have been fortunate to have travelled the world together--London, Paris, Australia, Hawaii, California, Florida, and New York City.

Over the years we have laughed about how our lives and priorities have changed. In the beginning, a great Friday night meant heading out to the bar to hook up with friends. After you are married and have kids, a great Friday night could consist of your two-year old, that you are in process of toilet training, “poopin’ on the potty.” You are so ecstatic at the turn of events, you feel the need to call every relative and take a photo for the memory book. Thank goodness, for my friends and family, that Facebook didn’t exist back in the early 90’s when I had toddlers.

As the kids begin to get a little older--elementary and middle school--you reclaim some of your social life. This means you get to play euchre with your friends, have a couple of beers (and then some), stay up late, sleep in late, go on family outings where everyone can participate, like ski trips, Cedar Point, sporting events, and Florida vacations.

By the time the kids reach high school and college age, your energy level and priorities have changed again. You look forward to the end of the week and the nights you can just stay home. You're comfortable with not having to compete for attention, get dressed up, or do things you don't enjoy. Your time becomes more precious and you make wiser choices on how you want to spend it. You also begin to make choices based on function not fashion. At this stage in your life together, you have no problem going out in public being the king and queen of dorky doofuses. Forget that you didn't want to date one. Now you are one. Heading out to watch your kid play football for the third week in a row in the cold, rainy, and windy weather forces you to channel the puffy Michelin man look again and again and again. Your umpteen layers of long johns, a sweatshirt, ultra-warm winter jacket, ear-flapped ski hat located under several layers of hoods, and a rain poncho over the whole package that makes you look like a circus tent sitting in the bleachers is what finding your comfort zone is all about. And, when you run into someone who hasn't seen you in years, you might find yourself initially trying to explain how you don't normally look like this, but then you think better of it and say to yourself "screw it...who cares?"

That’s what being in your comfort zone does for you. It gives you peace of mind. You don’t care how you are perceived on the outside by others. As a couple, being honest and secure with yourself, as well as each other, is a wonderful feeling. Being able to laugh at each other and cry with each other is what finding your comfort zone is all about. Being consistent in your relationship and staying true to your core values while navigating through the good and the bad is what finding your comfort zone is all about.

I recognize, however, that perhaps I can become a little too comfortable and may need to "shake it up" every now and then. One day I picked up Cameron from the school and he asked me "why are you all dressed up". I look at myself (because I guess I forgot what I was wearing) and stated "I'm not dressed up, I'm just wearing stuff." He said "well you have on nice jeans, a jacket and real shoes." In my defense, I had on a black blazer that has been in my closet for years, jeans that I wear all the time, and some black boots. I guess he's used to seeing me in my scruffy Uggs and a ratty-ass sweater that I sometimes grab as I'm heading out the door for such casual occasions as picking my kid up from practice. I realize that finding my comfort zone doesn't mean I have to become complacent. For that reason alone, I'm thinking about shopping for a new poncho for next year. Perhaps one with vertical stripes that would make me look less puffy while sitting in the bleachers. Although, stripes might make me really look like a circus tent. Hmmmm....maybe stripes aren’t the answer. Maybe something in camouflage is more in line.

Oh Happy Day!

ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA, AAAAAAALELUUUUUUIAAAAAAA!!!!!

Today is a snow day....a bonus day....a freebie. An extra Saturday, thrown in after Tuesday. Well, for students and stay-at-home moms it is. Well, maybe I should clarify that...stay-at-home moms with kids over 14. For you moms with younger kids, it might mean more work than rest because those younger kids are higher maintenance. Sorry! After you have survived the terrible-twos, sassy-sevens, and tenacious-twelves then, and only then, will you be able to enjoy a true snow day. The true goal of a high schooler on a snow day is to fly as low under the radar as possible. Sleeping in....staying in their room....being quiet, and not looking or stating "I'm bored." Nothing strikes fear in a teenager more than the thought of their mother giving them something to do on a snow day....like help your dad shovel the snow, do some extra studying or homework, or clean your room.

We found out last night that school was cancelled via Cameron and the Facebook hotline. Of course, due to the source of the information (teenagers with a vested interest), this was going to require further confirmation (at least on my part). So, we logged on to the school website. Then we received an automated call from the school district. Then we saw it scroll across the bottom of the TV screen during the news. Aint technology grand? Ding.....bonus day confirmed.

Of course, then this raises the question of what is a better bonus? Finding out the night before and knowing in advance you don't have to set your alarm, or finding out the morning of and then crawling back under the cozy covers? Hmmmm.....that is a tough one. When I was in high school, we didn't know jack until you got up to your alarm, dialed the rotary phone, and then tried to get through the myriad of busy tones on the school hotline. Nowadays, kids know school is cancelled before the superintendent does. Works for me!

Fortunately, for little Eddie, he has a wonderful new boss that allows him to work out of the house on occasions such as this. That's the other wonderful part of technology (sometimes). Email, cell phones, conference calls, webcams, etc., all make it possible to do your work from home as opposed to physically spending hours making it into the office and then more hours making it back home. So, being the good little employee he is, he set his alarm and got up hours before the Camster and me. Then, after taking care of some business, the testosterone kicked in and he headed out to the garage to bond with his big-ass snowblower. He really hasn't had much opportunity to spend time with it this winter, so today was a special day. Of course, I had to follow him outside in my robe to witness this manly moment. Suffice it to say, he did not find it amusing when I asked him why he was wearing safety goggles. "Do you think you might get your eye poked out by some flying snowflakes?" At which point, he cranked it up so as to quickly drown out my voice. Being the good neighbor he is (and seizing the opportunity to spend more time with his toy), he continued to clear the neighbor's driveway, sidewalk and mailbox areas after taking care of ours. He has now showered, shave, and has real clothes on and is back at his computer working. Such dedication. I'd for sure be working in my pajamas.

I checked in with Alex, and although they experienced the same snow fall as us, classes go on as regularly scheduled. Snow days at college are very few and far between. I would think that when you are on a campus of only 1,200, they are practically nonexistent due to the superior snow removal skills of the maintenance crew that my tuition dollars pay for.

I plan to spend my snow day hopping on the treadmill and then perhaps catching up on some of my DVR'd shows. A couple of those include Oprah episodes that I taped to watch with Ed and the boys. Today might be a good day for that. One is on texting (and cell phoning in general) while driving and the other is on diabetes and how it is becoming a growing epidemic in our society due to poor eating habits. For me, education is key and these two topics provide a teachable moment. They hate it when I watch Oprah.

As far as I know, Stanley will be spending his snow day like he spends his rain days, sun days, and every other damn day....sleeping, eating, and pooping. Aaaaahhhh...the life of a cat. He rarely smiles, like the cats in the photo above, but I believe he secretly is thrilled with his life, as I am with mine.

Life on the Frozen Tundra

Since the end of the holiday break and the return of the eldest man-child to college, I have fallen into a deep energy and money conserving mode. I have decided to work with what I have and have been keeping a journal of my efforts over the last month.

Day One

Oh, the sadness. In conjunction with the holidays being over, my parents heading off to Florida for the winter, the return of children to school, early morning risings, and short, cold, dark days, I have sunken into despair. I realize that I must overcome this by getting myself back into a productive routine focusing on the future and new goals. With Alex now off to college for the last five months, I realize that it is no longer necessary to keep three refrigerators and a stand-alone freezer stocked to the gills with nourishment for him and his brother (mostly him, however). This causes me to lose my elite status at Kroger and Schwans. It also prompts us to realize that it's time to get rid of the refrigerator in the garage. The fridge in the basement really goes unused and the standalone freezer definitely needs to be defrosted. There's so much ice forming on the top of the shelves, it's starting to look like a cave with some hefty stalactites hanging down.

Day Four

It has been several days now since the arctic blast has settled over the land and I find myself not leaving the house for a week now. Why should I? It's too cold and I realize that in consolidating refrigerators, we really have LOTS of food in this house that needs to be consumed. I realize that I have fallen into the habit of stocking up, but not depleting. Therefore, I have decided to use up what we have in the pantry, refrigerators and freezers before doing any major grocery shopping again. I have informed the men of the house of this decision, and they seem to be on board. This also works out well with me not wanting to leave the house.

The cold, darkness of winter (and that ridiculous December DTE bill) has found me leaving blinds closed to keep the house insulated and lights being used down to a mininum. The husband is getting irritated with me because I keep turning off lights that he is using. Sorry! I have also fallen into a routine of putting on my jammies by 7 p.m. and wanting to spend the evening upstairs in our cozy, cozy room watching TV. Ed has an easy chair and ottoman that he can sit in and read. My mantra for the month has been "I love my bed." Besides, this means we can turn the thermostat down and lights off downstairs, hours earlier!

Day Seven

In an effort to maintain some sanity, we have decided to force ourselves to go out and socialize with friends. We brave the elements and head to the varsity basketball game one night and the hockey game the next. We also visit with friends on their bowling night. I realize that it was fun to interact with real live people and think "we must do this again." However, I can't deny that while out, all I can do is dream of my down comforter calling my name. I have also picked up a bad habit of using the heating pad on my back and shoulders because it feels so good. Initially, Ed dragged it out to help soothe his back, which was on the edge of going out. However, after he offered it to me one day, there was no turning back. Note to self: must break this addiction, the heating pad electricity is offsetting the other attempts at conservation.

Day Twelve

Met friends for coffee this morning, thanks to a mini warm-up. The challenge of preparing meals with existing foods in the freezer, fridge and pantry is going rather well. I find myself thrilled beyond belief when I get to consolidate and throw out another box. I warned the husband, however, that he may come home one day and discover that we are having Pop Tarts and hot sauce for dinner as the selections dwindle. His reply was "I would love that!" He would make such a great pioneer. Then I realize that I would too, if there was heat, a little bit of electricity (for my heating pad), pillow-top beds, and down comforters.

Day Fifteen

The college boy has returned home for the weekend. Not really to see us, however, he does manage to make time to join us for dinner (free food). He comments on how long my hair has gotten, and I remind him "I just saw you two weeks ago. How much longer could it be?"

This is a holiday weekend, thanks to the great Martin Luther King, Jr. and the U.S. government for wanting to celebrate his birthday on a Monday instead of the actual day. I squeal with delight knowing this means "no alarm clocks." I know, I know. Shame on me for not honoring a special man in a more meaningful way. However, I like to think I was keeping his "I have a dream" speech close at heart and wanted to experience it in the literal sense.

Day Twenty One

Last night we ventured out to our monthly euchre gathering. Growing weary of "creative meals" I was greatly looking forward to some delicious food and drink with friends. Although, I do not find myself growing weary of curling up with a great New York Times crossword puzzle and my DVR, I know it is essential to reconnect with mankind. One of the couples is preparing to leave on a Caribbean cruise. I secretly find myself loathing mankind.

Cameron had a friend over to keep him company. I started running around the house turning on lights and opening a blind or two so his mother wouldn't think we're so morose and weird with our house all closed up and dark.

Being out the previous evening, and with nothing on the calendar (until 6 p.m.), finds us in our pajamas all day. Except for when Chuckles calls to see if we'll be home so he can return our borrowed card table and chairs. I pretend to sound perky and dressed. I mention that there is "no rush in getting them back" however, he doesn't go for it. With Ed off to pick up Cam from baseball conditioning, I am forced to get out from under the covers. Oh, the humanity.

Later on in the evening, we venture out to Ed's company party. It is a long drive, but I am anxious to meet his new friends and coworkers. The younger child has been left at home alone and is in the midst of preparing for mid-term exams. I promise him I will bring him a cannoli. He is thrilled. When I return with two, he is over the moon.

Day Twenty Two

Three weeks into our journey, I decide it's time to venture south to Krogerland to replenish our dwindling food and supplies. Only perishables will be bought--fruits, vegetables, milk, and perhaps SweetTart jelly beans if they are available. However, they are not--only stupid Valentine's Day candy is out along with a small selection of Cadbury Egg crap. I fear I will have to wait at least another few weeks before the arrival of my beloved jelly beans.

Day Twenty Five

Mid-term exams are upon us (well, technically they are upon Cameron, not us). He is busy studying hard. For whatever reason, there are only 1/2 days of school during midterms, and no school on Friday. Apparently, they are too exhausted to complete a full day of school. The morning is spent laboring over exams while the afternoon is devoted to napping and the evening to studying. He is his mother's child.

The sun came out today and I felt it was a special enough occasion to open the blinds for the cat. He thanked me appropriately by begging for some of my ham sandwich and drinking out of my water cup. He is so unclear on the concept of how to express gratitude. We continue to work on those behavioral issues. So far (after seven years), no luck.

I must admit that this cleansing of the pantry is very, well, cleansing! It has really forced me to think about some of the crap that I purchase--like instant maple/brown sugar oatmeal. I tried to eat it, but it was horrible. In all honesty, we really have had some decent meals and it has forced us to try different things. However, the longer we go, the more challenging it becomes. For instance, tomorrow we are having popsicles for breakfast.