Random Thoughts and First World Problems

We had absolutely nowhere to go yesterday.  That NEVER HAPPENS, especially during AAU basketball season.  We had a rare weekend off because of Spring Break. 

Here is my first random thought:  Who thought it was a good idea to have spring break be the last week of March, in OHIO.  For those of us that don't go somewhere for vacation, it is still WINTER here.  In fact, as I look out my window, there is snow on the ground.  The one time I did go somewhere, it was still cold in Alabama and I had to wear a heavy coat to the beach.  My Father-In-Law got very sick and had to be hospitalized, and we had to drive for 18 hours. 

Because we had nowhere to go, I decided it was time to clean my bedroom.  Really clean it.  I emptied my closet, and only things that bring me joy made it back in.  I did seven loads of laundry.  (I had been putting it off for weeks, and only doing emergency laundry.  Seasonal Affect Disorder is real, people.) Here is my first First World Problem:  when I carried a laundry basket, my Fitbit did not register that as a flight of steps.  I WAS ROBBED OF AT LEAST 14 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS.  That would have earned me a Fitbit badge. 

My second First World Problem happened when I used the spare bathroom on one of those trips to the laundry room.  Somehow in one of my budget conscience trips to BJ's Wholesale Club, I decided that I didn't need Cottonelle and I could live with Charmin Basic.  It was cheaper to start with and I had a $3 coupon.  I thought we had used all of it, but there must be one roll left.  I am here to tell you, I NEED COTTONELLE.  I have decided that I have earned the right to have luxury toilet paper when in my own home. 

I also decided that I would cook ahead for the week like efficient people do, and also give Dave something better than PB&J for his lunch.  I have been working with a personal trainer, and he has finally convinced me that I need protein in my diet.  I decided to make a whole bunch of chicken with olive oil and salt and pepper to season it, along with Jasmine Rice (we are getting fancy here with the rice).  Here comes my second random thought for the day.  If you cut your chicken into strips instead of leaving it whole, it cooks faster.  Much faster.  I am now going to put my protein in the handy chopper with some bacon and add some blue cheese or ranch dressing and put it on a Triscuit.  I'm quite sure that is not what Steve had in mind, but he did say I could season to taste. 

With that, I leave you with the hopes that you have a wonderful week.  Rumor has it that our weather roller coaster will get us into the high 60's by the weekend, just in time for me to spend my days in random gyms throughout the Akron area. 

My Life, An Update

So life has gotten in the way the last few years.  I was working at a job that discouraged political views being expressed, and the kids are older and don't love me talking about them.  I have been content to sit on the sidelines and let life go by undocumented.

All is well at our house.  I have a new job that doesn't care about my political views. Dave is still the same.  Colin has graduated high school and has joined the National Guard while completing the ROTC split program.  I never thought I would be a military mom, but I could not be prouder of the man he is working so hard to become.  Ryan is proud that he is officially taller than me, and loves playing basketball.  His life goal is to be in the NBA or to become an orthodontist.  I am glad that he has big dreams, and I know he can do whatever he wants if he puts his mind to it.  Max is slowing down, and that makes me sad, but I am enjoying him while I have him.  He loves that I work from home, and thinks my lap is his throne. 

Winter continues to kick me when I am down.  Seasonal Affect Disorder is real.  I am trying to combat this by working with a personal trainer with my good friend.  Exercise and a good dose or Lori three times a week have helped, but I am still down in the rabbit hole.  If I can just hang on a few more weeks, I will be okay. 

I can't thank my extended family enough for watching out for me.  My mom keeps a close eye on me even though she has her hands full with her own life.  My sister is looking out as well.  It really means a lot to me. 

My life is currently consumed by 7th grade AAU basketball, and while I complain about it, I really do love watching Ryan play.  He has come so far from when he played Upward basketball and cried on my lap because the boy just wouldn't give him personal space, even when he asked nicely.  He is funny and kind, unless he is on the court, and then he will take no prisoners and has a true "game face" that kind of scares me a bit.  He has fouled out of a game or two, and takes being aggressive to a new level.  He likes knocking people over, but helps them up after pushing them down, so at least he shows some sportsmanship. 

I hope to write once a week.  I miss this blog, and I miss reading it later and remembering the little things about my life.  Life is good, and I want to remember that instead of getting caught in the minutia.  Thanks to my friend Lauri for reminding me of how much I enjoy writing. 

Until next week, be kind to one another. 

Random Thoughts

I don't have a topic for a whole post, but have some random things on my mind.  I should mention that I have had a cold for a week, so some of this might be contributed to disconnected medicine head.  You have been warned.  Here we go:

*I have had my car for two years.  At what point will I figure out that I need to push to open the gas door instead of pull to open my trunk?

* I continue to hate fall.  When the leaves get crispy and the golden rod blooms, it makes me so sad, and makes my nose run.

* I do not like things with Pumpkin Spice.  Pumpkin Spice makes me angry.

* I am not sad that Ryan is in the last few years of needing a costume.  I am somewhat confused as to why being a banana is still socially acceptable, but being The Flash will now cause ridicule.

* The only good thing about Halloween is that you can get fun sized candy bars in so many options.  I do enjoy a really fresh Clark Bar.

* I have a cold.  I am blaming it on Fall. or maybe Dave since it started with him.  It is making me really crabby.

*If you have a cold, is there really a better feeling than when one of your nasal passages clears enough to give you a deep breath of fresh air unimpeded with mucus?  It is as if the sun is coming out after a long storm, only to be covered up with storm clouds again.

*I really like this Pope.  I like his humility and humanity.  I like that he is looking out for everyone and is not about pomp and circumstance.  He is what the world needs now.

*I get to take 1 niece and two nephews to lunch today, and I am so very excited.  Now that they are 23, 21, and 18, they are so interesting and fun to be with.  I am just glad that they let me hang out with them.

That wraps it up for this edition of Random Thoughts.  Stay tuned for future episodes of my stream of conscience.

Political Post - Consider This Fair Warning

 I have always been a "live and let live" kind of person.  I don't try to push my beliefs on others, and I don't appreciate having others push theirs on me.  I like to think that I have an open mind, so if you want to have a calm, rational discussion on a touchy topic, lets discuss, and perhaps I just might change my mind.  Even if that doesn't happen, at least I will have learned from the experience.

With that being said, I just can't understand why people think that it is okay for that crazy woman to deny a marriage license to same sex couples.  It is not a question of who is right or wrong, it is a question on whether or not this woman is doing her job.

First, if your beliefs don't allow you to perform your job duties as outlined by the law, then you should not be doing that job.

Second, if you are going to pick and choose which aspects of the Bible you are going to agree with, that is not very Christian of you.   Just like statistics, you can bend the Bible to say just about whatever you like.  I may be wrong here, and if I am, please let me know, but I think God wants us to live our lives as an example of kindness and compassion.  If you are a criminal element that causes harm to others, and I am on jury duty, then it is my duty to pass judgement. Even though I have been called for jury duty three times, I have never been on a jury, so my opinions should never have legal consequences to anyone.

Finally, I believe that this woman is going to end up as a sad footnote in history.  Her actions will be seen as being as ridiculous as people that tried to stop women from voting.  I believe that people that are in a committed relationship with another person should be given the same rights and consequences as this woman who has been married four times.  I believe my friends who have three children together should be able to visit one another in the hospital if one falls ill.  I believe that they should not lose their house to others when one of them passes away.  I believe that medical benefits should be provided to their whole family.

I am sad that a presidential candidate had a rally when she was released from jail; that he even shed a tear.  I want God to bless America, but I want him to bless all of us, not just ones deemed "normal" to those that stand in judgement of anyone that might be different.

Yes, I am still alive, and no, I have not emotionally abandoned this blog

I know it has been almost a year since I have written on this blog.  I have a million excuses why I haven't, most of them because I have been busy, and some because I haven't had the emotional energy, but mostly because I haven't taken the time to feed my own likes and hobbies since I am supporting those around me.

Colin is 15 and has completed his first year of  the wonderful world of High School.  I feel that he deserves his privacy and the opportunity to create his own online life.  He is amazing and talented and funny.  All of the things I was dreaming of for him are coming to fruition.  His wise-beyond-his-years personality has finally caught up with his chronological age, and it is so fun to watch him grow into himself.

Ryan is 10.  He is still a bundle of energy and joy and light.  He still makes me laugh every day, and he still makes me crazy.  His smile could light up the sun itself, but he also has the dead-eye stare that will one day strike fear in his children's hearts.  I think he got it from my dad.

In the last year, we have survived and actually enjoyed a season and a half of marching band, winter and summer swim, travel baseball and travel basketball.  We lived through Freshman Year in high school, and third grade.  All of this alone is a good excuse for why I haven't been writing.  I can thank Ryan's guardian angel for getting him through third grade math.  Thanks Sara!

This year we are living the high life as a member of safety patrol.  That has single-handedly made fourth grade the Best Year Ever.  I am a bit worried what is going to happen when the florescent sash has to be passed to the next guard as this is only a one month position.  Only one person gets to be the safety patrol captain who gets to be in charge all year, and there is some fierce competition.

As for me, I will continue to drive the kids to and fro from hither to yon in a quest to give them the same experiences that Dave and I had when we were growing up.  The chance to be a part of a team, and feel like they are involved in something bigger than  them.  For us, it is the chance to watch how far they have come, and dream about how far they can go.  After all, isn't that our job?  If not, tell me because this is a lot of work if I am doing it wrong.

Where I have been...

I have been considering abandoning this blog.  I know it looks as if I already have since I haven't posted for a while, but summer was crazy and it doesn't look like it is going to slow down for about 10 years.

Things that have happened since I last posted:

1.  My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  It was an intimate gathering of the family that was there for them when they got married; the family they created in the 4 kids, 4 sons-in-law, and 10 grand kids; and the family they chose in the friends they have made along the way.  There was good food, good company, and I am so happy to be a part of their world.

2.  Laura was home for a whole month.  OK, not necessarily home, but in the area, so it felt like we got to spend time with her family for a whole month.

3.  Ryan has been playing flag football.  I was against this from the beginning as we all know that I am afraid that he is going to get hurt.  Let's face it, 9 year old boys have a very hard time not tackling when they are flinging themselves at each other trying to pull a flag, and I have seen my fair share of underwear when they grab the pants instead of the flag.  There is no safely equipment except for a mouth guard.  I think they should at least have a helmet for crying out loud.  Dave will never hear the end of it if something happens to him.

4.  Colin is in high school now and is in the marching band.  In our school this is a big deal as there are 240 or so kids in the band.  I have so much respect for these kids.  If someone told me that I would have to play an instrument and walk, sometimes backwards, I would tell them they are nuts. Colin plays the mellaphone which is a huge trumpet and he can't even see where he is going as the bell is too big to see around, and he has to march with his head up.  I am ridiculously proud of this kid.    

5.  School has started.  In fact, we are 1/2 way done with the first grading period already.  Once again, third grade math is bringing me to my knees.  I remember this with Colin as well.  Can someone please explain to me why we have to learn how to subtract using FOUR different methods? Is one not bad enough?  There has been a few nights of tear and gnashing of teeth, and it is not always Ryan with the issue.  One night I had to call my friend who teaches 2nd grade and have her translate for me.  I had never heard of a Landmark Number.  If he would have called it estimating, I would have understood.  Thanks Cindy!

It seems like I spend an inordinate amount of time in the car, and we are keeping Moe's Southwest Grill in business.  I had a bit of a panic attack when I realized that there was no more saying, "if we can just get through September things will calm down."  When band ends, swim team begins.  When flag football ends, basketball begins, and so on, and so on.  I have decided to just buckle up and enjoy the ride. People keep telling me it will be over before I know it anyway.

LeBron's Decision Part II

For the past week, it seemed like we had been held hostage by LeBron James as we waited for him to decide where he would take his talents. We have been down this road before when four years ago, he crushed Northeastern Ohio's collective hearts when he took them to South Beach.   I believed that our hometown boy was going to do right by us and stay to bring us the championship that he had promised.  He was hailed as the best basketball player that had ever lived and I bought into the hype.  This time I refused to open myself up again for the rejection.

Cleveland has suffered rejection before.  Let us not forget Carlos Boozer convincing Gordon Gund, the former owner of the Cavs, a blind man no less, to let him out of his contract with only his word that he would sign a new long term contract.  He then went and signed a multi-year contract with Utah. Most people don't even remember that.  It was not that James left, it was the way he did it.   We don't begrudge people the opportunity to take the best path in life.  To see what life is like somewhere else.  Heck, who hasn't wanted to go away for college or live on the beach?  The difference here is that most people don't hold an hour long press conference on prime time television to stick it to the place that has shown so much passion and respect.

I am happy that the decisions that I made when I was 25 didn't effect the economy of an entire region.  When I was 25 I made the biggest decision of my life when I married Dave. Aside from the 198 people that attended the wedding, nobody even cared.  (I assure you that those 198 people enjoyed a spectacular evening.)  LeBron was 25 when he made his decision to go to Miami.  For the previous five years, he and his family had every whim and wish catered to.  In short, he was a spoiled brat.  I am glad that people can't remember what a brat I was when I was at that age.

LeBron has grown up.  He is a father of two with one on the way.  He has had four years (the equivalent of a standard college education) to experience life away from home.  He has had four years to recover from the backlash of the Decision part I.  I am not sure that he was expecting us to react so strongly since he had never been shown anything but love.  Cleveland was justifiably upset by the betrayal and I think it took all of us time to recover.  That time is now.

I don't think people outside of this area fully understand what LeBron brings to us.  Cav's season tickets sold out in eight hours.  That means that all of the home games will be sold out bringing people downtown to eat and shop.  The city of Cleveland is electric.  There is true joy in the air.  In the past week, Cleveland has landed the Republican National Convention and the prodigal son is coming home.  Perhaps this will show people that Cleveland has come a long way from being the "Mistake on the Lake." Just like LeBron should not be judged for his youthful mistakes, Cleveland should be judged on what it is now not 40 years ago.

LeBron is coming home.  He finally understands what this area has to offer, not only for himself,  but for his family as well. I think he finally understands that nobody will love him like we do.  He understands that when he is here, we are all better.  I think he understands that he can make a big difference in the lives of the people that live here.   He understands that this is a great place to raise a family and most importantly, he understands that there really is no place like home.