I love football. I have always loved football. It all started as a young girl in the early 70's, watching the not-so-good Green Bay Packers on the black and white television in the basement of my parents' home. (Dad wouldn't watch them - and he got the color tv upstairs).
Then I started school - and a dear friend (a football player) - took the time in Junior High to EXPLAIN the game to me. He taught me what to watch - in various positions - that showed me what the players were going to be doing.
Throughout High School, I never missed a game. Same with College. While neither team was very good, I loved watching "my boys" play. Had very close friends on the team throughout my schooling, which only made me love it more.
I joked when my son was born in 1997, that I couldn't wait to have a son who played football. And THEN, when he started playing, I finally got my wish. I'd waited my whole life for a son to play football. Watching throughout those early years, I loved watching him change. Now, as a sophomore, he plays JV, and is doing great. Small school means he plays offense and defense, and this week, had a great first game of the season with a solo sack!
Tonight was a Varsity game, and while my son doesn't play Varsity yet, I just LOVE watching the games. The drive those boys have, the heart.... and it didn't hurt to have a 50-21 victory, either....
Tonight we watched the boys under a beautiful sky, a Blue Moon none-the-less, and as the chill came through the air, I breathed it in.
I love this time of year.
I love the game of football.
I love my boys of fall....
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
simple pleasures
I've been working about 30 hours a week, and am trying to get back to the "working mom" mentality, still providing for my family but not going crazy. Yesterday was a 10 hour day, grueling, on my feet, and bustling all day. I walk to and from work, so the walk home was the last thing I wanted after that long on my legs... but I walked.
Not knowing what to make for dinner (I'd be arriving home at 6:30), I was frustrated before even walking in the door, knowing that I'd been slacking in planning meals, having worked my fifth day in a row...
I opened the door to the kitchen to find my darling husband at the stove, making mashed potatoes and boiled sweet corn.
understand what this meant to me.
The sweet corn was a gift from my in-laws, who had purchased some from a local Amish farm. The corn in general this year has not been good. Due to drought, it's been dimpled, touch, and really not that sweet.
BUT THIS SWEET CORN...
IT was another story.
It was the true, tender, ultra sweet treat that we normally enjoy here in central Wisconsin. The first truly sweet sweet corn we've had this year. Tender, beautiful sweet corn that made all the troubles of the day melt away.
For those of you who have never eaten fresh picked sweet corn, you will not understand. But it is truly heaven-sent.
And it was those little things - not having to make dinner, and enjoying the amazing taste of summer, that made a not-so-wonderful day turn into a wonderful evening.
Not knowing what to make for dinner (I'd be arriving home at 6:30), I was frustrated before even walking in the door, knowing that I'd been slacking in planning meals, having worked my fifth day in a row...
I opened the door to the kitchen to find my darling husband at the stove, making mashed potatoes and boiled sweet corn.
understand what this meant to me.
- my husband understood that i'd be tired and not want to cook
- i didn't have to cook dinner
- we had surprise sweet corn that i didn't know about
The sweet corn was a gift from my in-laws, who had purchased some from a local Amish farm. The corn in general this year has not been good. Due to drought, it's been dimpled, touch, and really not that sweet.
BUT THIS SWEET CORN...
IT was another story.
It was the true, tender, ultra sweet treat that we normally enjoy here in central Wisconsin. The first truly sweet sweet corn we've had this year. Tender, beautiful sweet corn that made all the troubles of the day melt away.
For those of you who have never eaten fresh picked sweet corn, you will not understand. But it is truly heaven-sent.
And it was those little things - not having to make dinner, and enjoying the amazing taste of summer, that made a not-so-wonderful day turn into a wonderful evening.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
providing for the family....as a working mom on a budget!
The new school year is right around the corner, and with a growing 15 year old boy, having enough good food in the house is always a challenge. And now that I'm back to working 30 hours a week, managing that, while working, AND keeping with our budget has me being creative.
This morning I decided to freeze some breakfast burritos - very inexpensive, and packed with protein, they are a quick and easy breakfast to eat "on the go", that keeps my boys going with a stomach full of protein!
This week I found a pack of 5 sweet Italian sausages on sale for less than 3$. I used 2 for my burritos ($1.20). I browned up the sausage with a chopped green pepper and onion, both from the garden!
Then I added 6 scrambled eggs (.90), cooking until almost set, and then sprinkled with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (.75).
I had enough egg mixture to make 10 burritos but only had 7 tortillas left, so I made 7. If I'd used all 10 tortillas (1.29), and made all 10, the cost would have come to $4.14 for 10 of them, less than .45 each! Even if they eat TWO, that's less than 1$ for a hot breakfast full of protein. To eat them, all you do is microwave them for 45 seconds or so (depends on your microwave).
I do a lot of freezer meals. As a working mom, it's the only way to ensure my family is eating well, even if I'm not home. I've recently found some freezer crockpot recipes I'm going to try also - all of the ingredients frozen together, ready to drop in the crock pot in the morning!
Feeding your family, even if on a budget, or as a working parent, can be done. But it takes some thought and planning. I like to do freezer cooking days - taking a day a month (or more if needed) to just COOK. Make ONE mess, but fill the freezer with meals ready for the oven. It is healthier (fresh ingredients, no preservatives) and cheaper!
This morning I decided to freeze some breakfast burritos - very inexpensive, and packed with protein, they are a quick and easy breakfast to eat "on the go", that keeps my boys going with a stomach full of protein!
This week I found a pack of 5 sweet Italian sausages on sale for less than 3$. I used 2 for my burritos ($1.20). I browned up the sausage with a chopped green pepper and onion, both from the garden!
Then I added 6 scrambled eggs (.90), cooking until almost set, and then sprinkled with 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (.75).
I had enough egg mixture to make 10 burritos but only had 7 tortillas left, so I made 7. If I'd used all 10 tortillas (1.29), and made all 10, the cost would have come to $4.14 for 10 of them, less than .45 each! Even if they eat TWO, that's less than 1$ for a hot breakfast full of protein. To eat them, all you do is microwave them for 45 seconds or so (depends on your microwave).
I do a lot of freezer meals. As a working mom, it's the only way to ensure my family is eating well, even if I'm not home. I've recently found some freezer crockpot recipes I'm going to try also - all of the ingredients frozen together, ready to drop in the crock pot in the morning!
Feeding your family, even if on a budget, or as a working parent, can be done. But it takes some thought and planning. I like to do freezer cooking days - taking a day a month (or more if needed) to just COOK. Make ONE mess, but fill the freezer with meals ready for the oven. It is healthier (fresh ingredients, no preservatives) and cheaper!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
bucket list
I like to think that most people have some type of "bucket list". That list - of things - you want to do before you die. For many, it's just a mental note - of things that you'd like to do some day. For others, like me, it's written down. And it's something that I reference once in awhile - to try to tackle one of the items.
I've been very fortunate. I've been able to do A LOT of amazing things that were on my list - including visiting Africa, traveling route 66, owning my own store, and learning to bake bread from scratch.
These last couple of weeks have found me able to complete one of my items that I thought had no chance after a few years back..
Growing up - I always loved the Oprah Winfrey show. I'm a sap, and I loved her. Always wanted to see the show in person. So I put it on the list. The years flew by, me too busy to even think about going. So when she announced her retirement, I saw the realization that that one item would never get marked off.
sigh
And then last Thursday, I got an email. From Harpo Studios. Asking me to come to a taping...of one of Oprah's Lifeclasses...
Unable to find someone to go with, I made arrangements at work and with a friend, and my plans were set. Sunday night I headed to Monroe to stay with a friend, and Monday morning took off solo to Chicago. After driving around the neighborhood for 20 minutes looking for parking, I settled on a side street about 10 blocks away. Not deterred by the mist, I walked to the studio (only after turning the wrong way TWICE), and arrived. It wasn't long and we were inside, filling out release forms, and sitting in the holding area.
The show was about Family Secrets. I was only there to be an audience member, not to share a story - thank goodness! So they started calling the names of special guests, and those willing to tell a secret, when all of a sudden, they called MY NAME. Needless to say, my mind went crazy. "what did I write in my answer to the survey??? i have no secret to tell.. what is going on?"
Found out that they called me because I was solo - most are in pairs - and they needed me to fill in a row. THE FRONT row to be exact. YEP! Just because I was there alone, I got to sit about 20 ft from Oprah. The set was very cool - - very intimate. The "warmer" came out - and got us all excited - and then we got to preview a show airing on OWN this fall with the guest of our show - Lyanla Vanzant.
Then it was TIME. Oprah and Lyanla came out - and there were guests on Skype - and on phone - and in the audience. All very cool. A neat show - about not keeping secrets - but living the truth - owning your actions. VERY cool. Very moving.
And after the show, they kept the discussion going with our audience - and I even spoke. A relaxed, group discussion - so wierd to be there, in the studio, with Oprah and Lyanla, just "talking". She also came over to us after the show (I was seated next to some of her special guests) and talked personally with us.
So all in all, it was a WONDERFUL day, happy to mark that one off my list, and excited to have had the opportunity. My dear friend was watching the live stream on the web, and even snapped this picture of me. I'm front row, third from the right, on the aisle (in the green shirt).
I've been very fortunate. I've been able to do A LOT of amazing things that were on my list - including visiting Africa, traveling route 66, owning my own store, and learning to bake bread from scratch.
These last couple of weeks have found me able to complete one of my items that I thought had no chance after a few years back..
let me explain
Growing up - I always loved the Oprah Winfrey show. I'm a sap, and I loved her. Always wanted to see the show in person. So I put it on the list. The years flew by, me too busy to even think about going. So when she announced her retirement, I saw the realization that that one item would never get marked off.
sigh
And then last Thursday, I got an email. From Harpo Studios. Asking me to come to a taping...of one of Oprah's Lifeclasses...
Unable to find someone to go with, I made arrangements at work and with a friend, and my plans were set. Sunday night I headed to Monroe to stay with a friend, and Monday morning took off solo to Chicago. After driving around the neighborhood for 20 minutes looking for parking, I settled on a side street about 10 blocks away. Not deterred by the mist, I walked to the studio (only after turning the wrong way TWICE), and arrived. It wasn't long and we were inside, filling out release forms, and sitting in the holding area.
The show was about Family Secrets. I was only there to be an audience member, not to share a story - thank goodness! So they started calling the names of special guests, and those willing to tell a secret, when all of a sudden, they called MY NAME. Needless to say, my mind went crazy. "what did I write in my answer to the survey??? i have no secret to tell.. what is going on?"
Found out that they called me because I was solo - most are in pairs - and they needed me to fill in a row. THE FRONT row to be exact. YEP! Just because I was there alone, I got to sit about 20 ft from Oprah. The set was very cool - - very intimate. The "warmer" came out - and got us all excited - and then we got to preview a show airing on OWN this fall with the guest of our show - Lyanla Vanzant.
Then it was TIME. Oprah and Lyanla came out - and there were guests on Skype - and on phone - and in the audience. All very cool. A neat show - about not keeping secrets - but living the truth - owning your actions. VERY cool. Very moving.
And after the show, they kept the discussion going with our audience - and I even spoke. A relaxed, group discussion - so wierd to be there, in the studio, with Oprah and Lyanla, just "talking". She also came over to us after the show (I was seated next to some of her special guests) and talked personally with us.
So all in all, it was a WONDERFUL day, happy to mark that one off my list, and excited to have had the opportunity. My dear friend was watching the live stream on the web, and even snapped this picture of me. I'm front row, third from the right, on the aisle (in the green shirt).
Thursday, August 9, 2012
on coming to a crossroad....
There are so many times in life that we come to a crossroad. When we have to decide which path to take. For me there were many obvious ones - where to go to college, what to study, what to do when I found I was pregnant my senior year in college, when to move home after college, etc. Later on in life - what to do when my mom died, leaving my dad, and the most difficult decision I've made - to leave my job after 19 years.
I am sure there are MULTITUDES of small crossroads that we don't even think about - or notice - that have affected where we've ended up, who we've come to know, and how our lives have ended up.
I am at one of those BIG ones right now. After leaving my job - my husband and I decided I would take time off. I got my sub teaching certificate - but really didn't get enough subbing gigs to make the money I would like to contribute to our family. I dabbled with cooking for friends - which gives me some spending money. And I've done a little work on the side for a bakery - but that is almost done.
So a full time job opportunity has presented itself, and I had a great interview today. I am worried (funny) that they will indeed offer me the job, and I will be forced to make a decision about taking it or not. I have no idea what to do.
I have never been happier than since I left the corporate world to stay home. Healthier, and happier. But we are starting to have to make decisions on what we can and can't afford to do - because I'm not contributing to the bottom line. I was in upper management, making a nice income, and left it - to stay home. We are not suffering at all - not by any means - but I feel like I need to go back full time - to help with our retirement funds, to allow us to do all of those things we want to do.
When I think about taking this corporate job, I think "I'd love to buy myself a kindle. And some new shoes. And Ken could buy that new off road bike and take that trip next summer." All completely materialistic, which is unlike me. I'd splurge on getting a new hair cut and color. Really? THAT is reason to go back to 60 hr work weeks?
There are so many things that I do now - cooking for Ken and William - taking care of the house - taking care of the rentals - and all of that would simply start to stress me out, as I try to do it all. Working AND taking care of my family....
I will struggle with making it to William's sporting events if I take this job. It is 50 minutes from my home. I will not be able to make every game. But will he care? In my honest opinion, he'd rather have the vacations that come with me working full time. But I don't know. He's not open enough to tell me.
I am feeling obligated to take the full time job. That I owe it to my family - to provide for them - materialistically.
But deep down, I will be very sad to say goodbye to my domestic side. I've absolutely loved being domestic - cooking, cleaning, gardening, hanging out the laundry, etc. And I've reduced my carbon footprint SO much. We've reduced by one car, I walk to work (sub teaching), I walk to do errands, we buy less processed food, I grow a lot of our food. I feel like I'm a much better citizen of this amazing world by not working out.
But am I just being lazy? Do I owe it to everyone to continue to use my college degree and experience? Is it wrong to be content at home?
I have never had such a disagreement of heart. I think I know what my hubby and son want - and I will do what makes them happy. Now is just a waiting game. To see if an offer comes. Time will tell.
I am sure there are MULTITUDES of small crossroads that we don't even think about - or notice - that have affected where we've ended up, who we've come to know, and how our lives have ended up.
I am at one of those BIG ones right now. After leaving my job - my husband and I decided I would take time off. I got my sub teaching certificate - but really didn't get enough subbing gigs to make the money I would like to contribute to our family. I dabbled with cooking for friends - which gives me some spending money. And I've done a little work on the side for a bakery - but that is almost done.
So a full time job opportunity has presented itself, and I had a great interview today. I am worried (funny) that they will indeed offer me the job, and I will be forced to make a decision about taking it or not. I have no idea what to do.
I have never been happier than since I left the corporate world to stay home. Healthier, and happier. But we are starting to have to make decisions on what we can and can't afford to do - because I'm not contributing to the bottom line. I was in upper management, making a nice income, and left it - to stay home. We are not suffering at all - not by any means - but I feel like I need to go back full time - to help with our retirement funds, to allow us to do all of those things we want to do.
When I think about taking this corporate job, I think "I'd love to buy myself a kindle. And some new shoes. And Ken could buy that new off road bike and take that trip next summer." All completely materialistic, which is unlike me. I'd splurge on getting a new hair cut and color. Really? THAT is reason to go back to 60 hr work weeks?
There are so many things that I do now - cooking for Ken and William - taking care of the house - taking care of the rentals - and all of that would simply start to stress me out, as I try to do it all. Working AND taking care of my family....
I will struggle with making it to William's sporting events if I take this job. It is 50 minutes from my home. I will not be able to make every game. But will he care? In my honest opinion, he'd rather have the vacations that come with me working full time. But I don't know. He's not open enough to tell me.
I am feeling obligated to take the full time job. That I owe it to my family - to provide for them - materialistically.
But deep down, I will be very sad to say goodbye to my domestic side. I've absolutely loved being domestic - cooking, cleaning, gardening, hanging out the laundry, etc. And I've reduced my carbon footprint SO much. We've reduced by one car, I walk to work (sub teaching), I walk to do errands, we buy less processed food, I grow a lot of our food. I feel like I'm a much better citizen of this amazing world by not working out.
But am I just being lazy? Do I owe it to everyone to continue to use my college degree and experience? Is it wrong to be content at home?
I have never had such a disagreement of heart. I think I know what my hubby and son want - and I will do what makes them happy. Now is just a waiting game. To see if an offer comes. Time will tell.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
on raising a woman
I have two children, a beautiful 20 year old daughter and a handsome 15 year old son. I have thought many times about the differences between raising a daughter and a son, but really only looked into how they were different. Not in how our job as parents is different.
It's a little after 8 am on a Wednesday. My husband, on vacation, and son - still on summer break - are both sleeping. So the only sound is the dishwasher running, and there is a cool breeze coming through the window as I sit on the couch, enjoying my coffee and reading my book. Relaxing, yes? Almost sublime? To enjoy the entire essence of the moment, I need to give you a little background.
I got up at 6am, started a batch of bread dough for a meal delivery tonight, loaded the dishwasher and ran it, cleaned out the refrigerator, and emptied the garbages and took them to the curb. All while my lovely boys slept. So while right now I'm enjoying the cool and quiet, it's not the carefree morning it appears to be. And most aren't.
But THAT, my dear friends, is one of the differences between a man and a woman. Women are natural care-givers. We take care of others. More than often, before we take care of ourselves. It's just how we are wired. So we live crazy lives of taking care of husbands and children, with little snipets of calm scattered throughout. I live for these quiet moments, when I can read, or write, enjoy nature and some good coffee. 30 minutes can completely recharge my being. But in between these moments is a chaotic world of taking care of those you love.
And we need to raise our daughters to learn not only how to care for those we love, but to relish in those moments in between. Those times of calm, when we get to sit and enjoy the world around us. Those pauses. Preparing our daughters for the world that awaits is complicated. But if we practice what we preach, taking those moments of quiet for all that they are, they will learn. They will learn...
It's a little after 8 am on a Wednesday. My husband, on vacation, and son - still on summer break - are both sleeping. So the only sound is the dishwasher running, and there is a cool breeze coming through the window as I sit on the couch, enjoying my coffee and reading my book. Relaxing, yes? Almost sublime? To enjoy the entire essence of the moment, I need to give you a little background.
I got up at 6am, started a batch of bread dough for a meal delivery tonight, loaded the dishwasher and ran it, cleaned out the refrigerator, and emptied the garbages and took them to the curb. All while my lovely boys slept. So while right now I'm enjoying the cool and quiet, it's not the carefree morning it appears to be. And most aren't.
But THAT, my dear friends, is one of the differences between a man and a woman. Women are natural care-givers. We take care of others. More than often, before we take care of ourselves. It's just how we are wired. So we live crazy lives of taking care of husbands and children, with little snipets of calm scattered throughout. I live for these quiet moments, when I can read, or write, enjoy nature and some good coffee. 30 minutes can completely recharge my being. But in between these moments is a chaotic world of taking care of those you love.
And we need to raise our daughters to learn not only how to care for those we love, but to relish in those moments in between. Those times of calm, when we get to sit and enjoy the world around us. Those pauses. Preparing our daughters for the world that awaits is complicated. But if we practice what we preach, taking those moments of quiet for all that they are, they will learn. They will learn...
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