Hall of Fame Tour 2013 - day two

Today was a pretty laid back day, good considering we had 12 hours on the road yesterday. Leisurely breakfast, then the morning at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While the HOF was very cool, I was shocked at the lack of reference to the Packers. I know I am biased - but in a section on Super Bowls, there was very little reference to them - while I expected something - at least on the ice bowl?

My favorite part was the oldest part - the beginning of the AFL and NFL. Old uniforms, tickets, etc. The old names (some cities were changing names all the time!) And the bronze casts were beautiful. It was so cool to look over all of the names...

But the museum didn't take nearly as long as expected. So we drove around a bit, found a Steak n Shake for lunch, and then came back to the hotel, napped, watched movies, and ended the night with some amazing college hoops. Good to relax. Need to relax. On to more tomorrow!

Hall of Fame Tour 2013 day one

Well, our trip has finally arrived. Our Hall of Fame Tour 2013 has officially begun.

I am typing this from a 3rd floor room at the Hall of Fame Comfort Inn in Canton, OH. It sits on top of a beautiful hill overlooking the city, and I cannot wait for the sunrise view.

Up at 4:30 am to finish packing, by the time the guys were up at 6, I was on my second pot of coffee. We stopped for breakfast at a beautiful cafe in New Lisbon, WI. Situated on the main intersection, it is in the ground level of an amazing stone building... and for sale. mmmm. (just kidding).

Then we were off. Sidelined by a few extra bathroom stops (did I say i had TWO pots of coffee?), we still made great time. Of course the tolls in Illinois were annoying (those in Indiana and Ohio slightly less annoying with only one stop per state).

Our final stop before our arrival here was at a travel center - so I could get my contacts out, and we could use the bathroom. What a WONDERFUL surprise to find a Popeye's inside. Who knew we'd get Louisiana cooking in Ohio? Had we made a wrong turn? So we decided to have dinner there, before heading to Canton and our hotel. A poboy and red beans makes for a very happy me.

We were pleasantly surprised by the hotel - it's a beautiful location, and seems quite new. I would call day one a success. But a 12 hour driving day is enough to make us ready for bed.

Best part of the day was our son saying he's looking forward to the vacation. That's a pretty big deal coming from an almost year old. That makes me smile.

Sweet dreams. Tomorrow - the Football Hall of Fame!

God's day....

While I know every day is God's day, today was one of those day that makes you stop and SAY, "this is God's day".

I had a wonderful day at school today - only a half day because of end of term. Got done just in time to walk over to church for our Good Friday service. My son met me there, also walking, and being early, we hung out in the sun of the parking lot soaking in the beautiful day until the deacons arrived to open the doors.

It's been SUCH a long winter, than being outside with the birds singing, and the snow melting...soaking up the vitamin d...oh, it felt so good. Not to mention, it's always great to get face time with the 15 yr old.

I helped Pastor's wife set the altar for the Tennebrae service - draping the black, and lighting the candles. Had a wonderful church service - that literally brought me to tears. Thinking about the sacrifice given for us on this day, well, it's overwhelming to say the least.

After church, I walked home alone, as my son headed to the baseball field. The creek was running, and the sound of the running water with the birds in the background was good for the soul. It's been SO long. I headed up the hill, and came across an older lady walking an ADORABLE new puppy. After asking permission, I got down to play with him, and loved him up. As I crossed the main road in town, I saw four of our high school students approaching, and they joked with me as they passed. I wished them all a wonderful spring break and headed on. As I crossed the final road before my house, I saw the neighbor kids playing in their yard. As I got closer, I heard them chime "Hello Mrs. Darr" and wave. I chatted with the kids (elementary age), wished them a wonderful spring break, and continued home.

I am not exaggerating or making this up. I  had that good of a walk home from church on Good Friday afternoon in my little town of 800 people. I am so Blessed with my life, and where God has taken me. I never would have guessed ten years ago that this would be my life. I was living such a high-stress, type-A lifestyle. I was constantly rushing from point A to point B. Very rarely did I take time to enjoy the little things in between.

I cherished every step of my walk home today. From the gurgling creek, to the waves from the little kids, it was a beautiful chance to see all of the Blessings God has given me.

I truly feel that we would all be in a much better place if we didn't overlook these every day Blessings. Just knowing that all of this is God's gift, part of his plan for us. It just makes life so much better.

On this day of rememberance, a day to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us, I saw so much of God in my day. He is always there, we just have to look. To listen. To pay attention.

Be thankful for the everyday Blessings..

Crafting Tuesdays - trying out something new!

On the last Tuesday of the month, a group of ladies meet at our church for crafting day. Started by our former Pastor's wife, it's become something we ALL look forward to every month. Some quilt/sew, some scrapbook/paper craft, others work with yarn, and everything in between. We each bring a dish to pass, and we spend the entire day drinking coffee, chatting, and crafting.

Today I had to teach for the morning, so I wasn't able to get there until 11. Because I didn't have a lot of time there, I didn't want to haul a large project, so I threw some yarn and my hooks into a bag and headed out. I had found a pattern on the internet, and was ready to try it.

The pattern was for a braided crocheted cowl. I've been wanting to wear more scarves, but haven't known how - or wanted to invest. So I figured if I can MAKE something fun, it was worth a try. I'd never done anything like it before, so I was heading into unknown territory. But what a great place to try it - cheerleaders on every turn of the yarn, asking how it was going.

I almost finished it there (not bad for only being there for a few hours!), so I quickly finished it once I arrived home. And I LOVE it. This isn't a great picture, and it is better to see it on (but I'm the only person home - too hard to get a shot), but it's a start. And I'm already thinking of another softer yarn, maybe with a larger hook, for a totally different look!

I think it's pretty good for my first try!

Fresh Air.....

It's been a long winter.

Understand, I am one of those people who really, truly enjoys the seasons. I love living in Wisconsin, so that I get to have a full four season year.

But it's been a LONG winter.

The snow started to stick in early December, and it hasn't stopped since. For months, we had snow every week. Now, almost April, and we still have a DEEP layer of snow to melt. Multiple FEET of snow in places.

Last Thursday was the first day when it was truly warming up. Temperatures started getting to the upper twenties, and you could tell. People were out walking, chipping ice off driveways as it softened, and just on the move. It was good to get out of the house.

I stepped out onto the deck that day, and realized that in the protected area behind the house, with the sun shining, it was BEAUTIFUL out there. Granted, there was about a foot of snow on most of the deck, shoveled only in the path to the wood pile. But I just stood there. breathing.

It was amazing how the fresh air  felt in my lungs. After ten minutes breathing in the fresh cold (25 degree) air, I went back inside. Almost immediately, I felt like I was suffocating. I wasn't, obviously, but I craved that fresh air. I didn't realize until that moment, just how long we'd been sequestered in our homes.

We don't stay inside ALL winter. But for four months, it's limited time outside. And it's been a cold, blustery winter this year.

That day I must have gone outside a dozen times. I long for the first day when I can open the windows in the house to air it out. (I wait until it's in the 40s for that.) Today, I'm heading out (in the 30s today) to clean up the wood pile, and just breathe.

Spring means a lot for everyone. Green grass, budding trees, flowers, and sunshine. For me it means fresh air, hanging laundry out, and getting dirty.

Bring on the spring.

Putting it off no more!

Last night at Bible study, one of the questions was "are you more of a thinker than a doer, or a doer than a thinker"?

While the lesser of two evils, I am definitely more of a thinker than a doer, and it irritates me. I have SO many great intentions, but so much is left undone. Even so, I'd rather do that, then start acting without thinking first.

So today I have been inspired to tie up some loose ends. On January 22, I wrote a three page letter to my longest and dearest friend. I'd been teaching that day, and on my lunch hour, decided to write an old fashioned letter. She had sent me one a while back, and I loved it. We used to write in college (her more than I - imagine that!), and it was fun to revisit getting a hand-penned note. (Five pages long if I remember correctly.)

This letter has been sitting on my desk, waiting to be mailed, since then. One day short of two months. And why? No reason. I got caught up in other projects, and it left my mind. Well, today it was mailed.

For over a month, I've been wanting to send a gift to a friend who has had a rough few months. A fun box, of fun things, just to make her smile. The pile of things I'd collected to send her sat for an entire month. Then last Saturday I got them boxed and ready to go, but missed the deadline at the local post office, and it has sat in my living room for five days. But today, it got mailed!

So while I'm not making any resolutions, I realize that I am bothered by my lack of follow-thru. Maybe it will start to get better? Hoping to bring smiles to TWO fine ladies this week. They will know that I love them!

Pinterest...a part of our lives!

If you don't know what Pinterest is, you've been living pretty isolated.

I still remember when I was introduced to it. It was October, 2011. I had 5 friends up from Nebraska for a scrapbooking weekend. A couple of those friends were shocked that I'd not heard of this amazing new thing. Of course, after a quick tutorial, I was hooked. As someone who crafts, and is a self-professed foodie, Pinterest was built for me.

I often spend my early mornings, or after I relax at night, browsing the Pinterest boards, pinning to my virtual boards, and dreaming....

And I also pick times when I tell myself it's time to stop pinning, and actually USE the ideas. This week was one of those weeks! With a dear friend preparing for her daughter's Sweet 16, I was able to FINALLY try one of the first crafts I'd pinned - making a picture frame into a chalk board. It created the most adorable menu board in hot pink for the food table... The same day I made the chalkboard, I made TWO recipes I'd pinned, very happy with both!

But not every Pinterest idea works, and that's to be expected. It's no different than trying a new craft idea from anywhere. Some work, some don't. That's the gamble you take! The fun is in the trying!

Yesterday I had a few girlfriends over, and was able to make a new yummy recipe that I had pinned, a hot onion dip that won everyone over. Deemed "a keeper", it was a fantastic recipe. We had started the second bottle of red wine, when the inevitable happened. A glass slipped from a hand, sending red wine across my light tan carpet.... And the first thing I heard was "There's something on Pinterest on this!" And while I ran for towels to blot, two of the girls had Pinterest up, with chats of "It's on my household tip board!"

And sure enough, the tip - to use a baking soda paste - worked like a charm. This morning I vaccummed up the spots, and it's hardly noticeable. I'll do a little tweeking with my spot cleaner when I do my steam cleaning this week, but in all, the spot (a large one!), is gone. Pinterest saved the day.

We all had a good laugh when we realized how Pinterest has become part of our lives. Like Facebook, and Twitter, and "the cloud", it has changed our normal. And like a superhero it can even save the day!

enough lazy already!

So I only taught one day this week, and yet my house is not in order. I've been a complete bum.

Ok, I've done a little cooking for the family - and some crafts for a friend's daughter's sweet 16 - but for the most part, I've just barely kept up with the house, doing dishes after dinner, enough laundry to keep me unburied, and that's about it.

I've read two books.

I've played on the internet.

I've had a LOT of coffee.

Not sure what the funk was, or where it came from. But I have not been motivated at ALL to do anything. And that frustrates me, because I actually had time this week to do it.

No way to get the week back, so I guess I need to make today count. Logging off the laptop. Turning off the tv, and turning the radio on. It's time to get my groove on!

I tend to beat myself up over weeks like this. Of course when I look at the week, I taught on Monday, and spent Tuesday with a girlfriend getting supplies for the birthday party. So maybe I only wasted Wed and Thur. Ok, I can give myself a couple of days I guess. I'll call that my weekend. :-)

Either way - it's time to get the house clean for the weekend, so I don't have to do it then!

Mother - Son time

As my son nears his 16th birthday, I am finding our relationship changing....for the better. We've always been VERY close. I still get goodbye/goodnight kisses on the cheek, and he still tells me he loves me every day. We've always had a great relationship.

But it seems to be getting better.

In the last few months, so much has started to change. He is learning to drive, so we spend time as he learns to drive. He is digging into his second year at high school, and exploring with new organizations, and interests. He is now looking into colleges, which creates endless conversations.

I am very Blessed by my son. He is a good young man. He doesn't mind hanging out with me. And tonight, he and I had a great night.

We headed into town to meet some of my family for dinner - and he was the only child there. He sat, and enjoyed dinner with my oldest sister, her husband, my niece and her husband, and me. And he was perfectly comfortable having dinner with us. It was wonderful.

All the way home we chatted - about school, kids, sports. Everything imagineable. From a young man who typically has his head in a book while we travel, it was a great treat to have him actively engaged. And even more wonderful was the fact that the conversation continued when we got home! We got home, turned on some college basketball, and started talking about colleges. He brought out all of the information he's received so far, and we made the "long" and "short" lists tonight, researching each of the universities, looking at location, size, affiliation, and cost.

I cannot explain what a night like tonight means to me. To have such honest and open communication. To have him listen to my opinions, and advice. To have him ASK for advice. It was just an amazing end to the day.

A day of nice surprises...

Today I taught in the High School - had a wonderful day teaching chemistry and physical science. The day went really smoothly, and because I'm teaching in the same room on Monday I got to spend some time prepping for that as well. Just a great day to be a sub-teacher.

When I got home, my husband had begun dinner - grilling out porterhouse steaks, with potatoes, frezer corn from last summer, and dessert - vanilla ice cream with strawberries from last summer. It was wonderful. Being a mostly stay-at-home mom, I do the majority of the cooking. And I love it. I love baking, and cooking, and providing for my family. But because I do it most of the time, these nights, when my husband is home, and surprises me with dinner, are SUCH nice treats.

Tonight I'm crafting, pricing, tagging, and packing up for a craft sale tomorrow. I opened the fridge to put leftovers away and found some marinara I needed to use up. So I grabbed some frozen chicken stock (from the last chicken I poached) and three Italian chicken sausages from the freezer, along with some frozen veggies. Browned up the sausage, added some onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning, and then added the stock, marinara, frozen veggies, canned garbanzos, orzo, and some fresh Kale. It's been simmering for about an hour, and I just tasted it. AMAZING minestrone. Literally out of a few ingredients I wanted to use up from the fridge and freezer. Tomorrow I'll make some fresh French bread to go along with it - and we will have a wonderful lunch!

The third big surprise was a text from a neice. She, and her family, and my sister and brother-in-law are going to be only 20 miles from me for the weekend. So tomorrow night we are going to meet them for dinner. A WONDERFUL surprise to get to see them!

So today has been a gift - of many surprises. What a great day!

A peek at our future....

Tonight was the annual Learning Fair at our elementary school. Now teaching, I am connected to so many of the kids, and could not wait to see the projects I'd been hearing so much about. And I was NOT disappointed.

It is awesome to look at each project. The passion the children have for the subject. The work they've put into the project. The knowledge they SHARE about the project. It was absolutely awesome.

I learned SO much tonight. I learned how to tell if my lemon juice and olive oil are 100% products. I learned how very little a farmer's share is in the products that we purchase at the grocery store. I learned that Ice Worms feed off of snow algae. I got to taste a wonderful red juice that TASTED like apple, but my mind tried tricking me into thinking diffrerently because of the color.

Tonight I found out that painting rocks is a way of recording a pictorial history. And I learned how electromagnetic energy can be harnassed. I found out how difficult it is to identify an animal from it's skull. And that salt added to water can change the density of the water enough to float an egg.

And I saw so many cool things. Homemade lava lamps (a first for me!), a volcano (what "science" fair is complete without one!), "tie dye" art using sharpies and alcohol, lots of plants and animals... so many great things.

As a mom and now as a sub teacher, it was great to talk to all of the kids. I loved hearing them explain their projects, telling me how they did it, and what they found out. It's that little glimpse at our future - of these children who still get excited about learning new things. And who are excited to SHARE that passion and knowledge. It was a good, good thing.

And the Learning Fair was only the half! The other half was the art show - FULL of amazing talent. From rubber printing, to ceramic glazed leaves, to various self portraits and sketches. It was a myriad of multi-media, and great talent.

It is so neat that the school shares this night with the community. Not having children at this level anymore, I forget about the fun.

Out of touch...

How come life gets SO busy?

I think back to growing up - with older parents - in the 70s. We spent time visiting people. Relatives, friends, and neighbors. We visited - sat, caught up, and often enjoyed coffee and treats. There were days when we drove long distances to visit others, and the same of them. Being the only child still at home during those days, I spent a lot of time visiting.

I miss those days.

Visiting is a lost art.

I hear (and have said myself) "we just don't have time". I hear people talking about their busy schedules. We have lost time to connect. To be. And it's not good!

Today I realized that it's been many weeks since I had any contact with a dear friend. Someone who I used to see every day. And we'd been so good at staying in touch, every couple of weeks, and now it's been over a month. Over a month, and neither one of us with the time to chat. Not even a text! While to me, texting is not the same, it is better than nothing. So I sent her an email - a request to get together - only to get her out of office. Ironic, yes?

How do we let our schedules get over-booked, filled months in advance? Leaving no time for impromptu visits, for afternoon drives, for taking time to reminisce and enjoy the company of those we love? Why has it become the norm that a family is involved in so many activities that there is no place for visiting?

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to have a girlfriend for the weekend. A last minute decision to get together, and with no real agenda, she was able to come for the entire weekend! We relaxed. Stayed up late, talking and drinking wine. Shopped. Scrapbooked. It was the most amazing time with her. A true chance to visit, catch up, and just hang out.

I think that our society would be better if we would redefine the importance of visiting. Of face-to-face contact. Of the importance of those relationships in our lives. We have put such importance on being "busy", that we've lost the art of connecting. And staying connected.

This is something I am very passionate about. I have missed out on opportunities to spend time with some of my elderly relatives because I simply "didn't have time" and now it's too late. I can't continue to let that happen. It's time- to bring back the art of visiting. To bring people back into my life!