Why is it that this time of year we all seem so stressed out...all the time? Why are so many of my friends posting about bad weeks and diving into the Christmas chocolate in a frenzy of stress eating? Why do I feel so overwhelmed by the whole season?
I decided today to do something about it...so here is my list of all the things that matter to me this year.
1) I have an amazing life partner who makes my world better every day.
2) I have a daughter who feels like sunshine to me.
3) I got to go on many adventures this year with people who are fun and wacky and interesting. You all make my life better.
4) I got to wake up this morning...and today I remembered what a gift that is.
5) I spent the year healing from a wide variety of ailments...but I had amazing help, tons of encouragement, and doctors, nurses and PTs who made me better every time I worked with them.
6) I have some really good friends...from some totally unexpected places. I love you guys!
7) I have an extended family that I don't just tolerate. My life is richer because each one of you is in it!
8) I built a little business. Maybe it's not much...but I built it and I'm proud of it...and my daughter sees me as an Entrepreneur because of it. How cool is that?
9) I have enough. Enough money, enough work, enough love in my life...what else could I possibly ask for?
10) Today I do not have a headache. And every day that I do not have a headache is a good day!
Maybe your list is different. Maybe your list includes some things I forgot or is longer or shorter...but I know you have one...and I hope that your list brings you peace this season. I know mine has.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
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Wednesday, October 23, 2013
I've missed my blog over the last few months so I've decided to start writing it again. I don't have anything profound to say today so I think I'll just go off about whatever is on my mind and hopefully you'll all have patience with me while I get back into the swing :)
OK so I am the world's worst surfer. Seriously I can barely stand up on the sidewalk forget about the tippy board rushing toward the beach at a million miles an hour. But I absolutely love it every time I do it. I love the ocean. I love getting all geared up in the wetsuit. I love that I feel like I am just playing in the waves and I come home bone weary like I've just spent 4 hours in the gym. I especially love that the first time I tried it I was 46 years old... OK I wish I'd done it sooner...but I'm proud to be the nutty old lady who is willing to get out there with the kids and give it a try.
Surfing is my kind of sport. The people who do it are a little odd (and I fit right in with that crowd!), there is absolutely nothing competitive about it...at least on the baby beaches I can surf, and you get to do it in the ocean. It's up there with my all time favorite ways to spend an afternoon...except for one tiny problem.
I have this condition called Reynaud's Phenomenon. It's nothing serious but it means I get colder than most people faster than most people and once I get cold I stay cold. My hands turn white, my lips turn blue, and I can't feel my feet...at all. I look like I have all the symptoms of hypothermia and every surfing instructor I've ever had immediately wants to haul me out of the water and pour hot tea down my throat.
I don't have hypothermia!!! I don't!! Yes I'm cold (and somewhat pathetic looking with my bright blue lips and white fingers). But if I paid attention to my Reynaud's I'd never get to ski or scuba dive or any of a hundred other pastimes that I really enjoy. So please don't make me get out of the water! I want to surf! Because someday I swear to you I'll be able to stand up on that stinking (or should I say sinking) board!
OK so I am the world's worst surfer. Seriously I can barely stand up on the sidewalk forget about the tippy board rushing toward the beach at a million miles an hour. But I absolutely love it every time I do it. I love the ocean. I love getting all geared up in the wetsuit. I love that I feel like I am just playing in the waves and I come home bone weary like I've just spent 4 hours in the gym. I especially love that the first time I tried it I was 46 years old... OK I wish I'd done it sooner...but I'm proud to be the nutty old lady who is willing to get out there with the kids and give it a try.
Surfing is my kind of sport. The people who do it are a little odd (and I fit right in with that crowd!), there is absolutely nothing competitive about it...at least on the baby beaches I can surf, and you get to do it in the ocean. It's up there with my all time favorite ways to spend an afternoon...except for one tiny problem.
I have this condition called Reynaud's Phenomenon. It's nothing serious but it means I get colder than most people faster than most people and once I get cold I stay cold. My hands turn white, my lips turn blue, and I can't feel my feet...at all. I look like I have all the symptoms of hypothermia and every surfing instructor I've ever had immediately wants to haul me out of the water and pour hot tea down my throat.
I don't have hypothermia!!! I don't!! Yes I'm cold (and somewhat pathetic looking with my bright blue lips and white fingers). But if I paid attention to my Reynaud's I'd never get to ski or scuba dive or any of a hundred other pastimes that I really enjoy. So please don't make me get out of the water! I want to surf! Because someday I swear to you I'll be able to stand up on that stinking (or should I say sinking) board!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Personally I think both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts have a lot to offer our kids...but I also think both organizations have some seriously nutso policies...Here is how I sum up the differences!
"We want to go climb huge rocks!"
Boy Scouts: Have fun!
Girl Scouts: Fill in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We want to earn a badge!"
Girl Scouts: Have fun!
Boy Scouts: Fill in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We want to shoot things!"
Boy Scouts: Have fun!
Girl Scouts: Not until you are 12 and have filled in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We have a non-traditional family!"
Girl Scouts: We'll take them.
Boy Scouts: Do they violate our morality clause?
"We want to let in a child of the opposite sex!"
Boy Scouts: As long as they are straight and at least 14 go for it!
Girl Scouts: As long as they are transgender go for it!
"We want to let in a gay child."
Girl Scouts: Go for it.
Boy Scouts: Are you sure about that...ummmm...OK...but only after January 1, 2014.
"We have a gay Scout leader."
Girl Scouts: Yes...and?
Boy Scouts: No...actually...you don't!
"We want to go climb huge rocks!"
Boy Scouts: Have fun!
Girl Scouts: Fill in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We want to earn a badge!"
Girl Scouts: Have fun!
Boy Scouts: Fill in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We want to shoot things!"
Boy Scouts: Have fun!
Girl Scouts: Not until you are 12 and have filled in this mountain of paperwork first!
"We have a non-traditional family!"
Girl Scouts: We'll take them.
Boy Scouts: Do they violate our morality clause?
"We want to let in a child of the opposite sex!"
Boy Scouts: As long as they are straight and at least 14 go for it!
Girl Scouts: As long as they are transgender go for it!
"We want to let in a gay child."
Girl Scouts: Go for it.
Boy Scouts: Are you sure about that...ummmm...OK...but only after January 1, 2014.
"We have a gay Scout leader."
Girl Scouts: Yes...and?
Boy Scouts: No...actually...you don't!
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
So my troop sponsored a Father Daughter Dance last weekend with a James Bond theme. Needless to say it raised some controversy with my feminist friends. And, while I agree with much of what they think and feel about the portrayal of women in the Bond films, I have to say the whole controversy has made me think about the Bond Girls in a different light.
I grew up in the let-your-armpit-hair-fly-free, body-odor-is-beautiful Republic of Berkeley...in the 70s. Of course I was a proto-feminist and I bought into all the messages I got about being a strong and independent woman. Now, don't get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful to all the women who paved the way for me to see myself as capable of anything and opened the doors for me to be whatever I want to be. But I also bought into some messages that I believe were not so healthy. Strong women, don't like pink, they don't do anything "girly", they can't be interested in fashion or makeup, and, unless you are a lesbian, any expression of your sexuality is all about men exploiting you. I know there are a lot of feminists who don't believe any of that crap but those were messages I took away from the women's movement without even realizing it. Which brings me to the Bond Girls...
The Bond Girls put on slinky dresses and go out into the world feeling beautiful and sexy and powerful. They own their sexuality and stereotypical femininity in a pretty major way. You (and I) may or may not agree with what they do with that power...but they sure own it. And thinking about it now, I envy them that. We women have worked so hard to open so many doors for ourselves in this brave new world. Do we have to shut the door on feeling beautiful and sexy in order to keep those doors open? Doesn't every woman deserve to experience herself as the most desirable creature in the room at least a few times in her life? To me it's not about men, it's about taking back our own sense of ourselves as sexual beings. It's about the thrill of walking into a room with the confidence those Bond Girls have that any man in the room (or woman if that's your preference) would take you home in a minute. Because if you ask me, the slinky dresses and the stereotypically "beautiful" figures are not what make the Bond Girls hot...it's their absolute confidence in their own sexuality.
And, while yes, I agree, that's not a particularly appropriate message for 8 year olds, I also hope when those girls are 20 they can channel their inner Bond Girl if they choose to... and use her to feel great about their bodies and in charge of their sexuality.
On the other hand, at 8 years old (ish), most of the girls had never seen a Bond film and they just liked the idea of getting dressed up in fancy dresses, shooting rubber band guns at bad guy targets and channeling their inner Secret Agents. Which just reminded me that kids are incredibly good at taking what works for them from just about any theme and making it their own!
I grew up in the let-your-armpit-hair-fly-free, body-odor-is-beautiful Republic of Berkeley...in the 70s. Of course I was a proto-feminist and I bought into all the messages I got about being a strong and independent woman. Now, don't get me wrong, I am incredibly grateful to all the women who paved the way for me to see myself as capable of anything and opened the doors for me to be whatever I want to be. But I also bought into some messages that I believe were not so healthy. Strong women, don't like pink, they don't do anything "girly", they can't be interested in fashion or makeup, and, unless you are a lesbian, any expression of your sexuality is all about men exploiting you. I know there are a lot of feminists who don't believe any of that crap but those were messages I took away from the women's movement without even realizing it. Which brings me to the Bond Girls...
The Bond Girls put on slinky dresses and go out into the world feeling beautiful and sexy and powerful. They own their sexuality and stereotypical femininity in a pretty major way. You (and I) may or may not agree with what they do with that power...but they sure own it. And thinking about it now, I envy them that. We women have worked so hard to open so many doors for ourselves in this brave new world. Do we have to shut the door on feeling beautiful and sexy in order to keep those doors open? Doesn't every woman deserve to experience herself as the most desirable creature in the room at least a few times in her life? To me it's not about men, it's about taking back our own sense of ourselves as sexual beings. It's about the thrill of walking into a room with the confidence those Bond Girls have that any man in the room (or woman if that's your preference) would take you home in a minute. Because if you ask me, the slinky dresses and the stereotypically "beautiful" figures are not what make the Bond Girls hot...it's their absolute confidence in their own sexuality.
And, while yes, I agree, that's not a particularly appropriate message for 8 year olds, I also hope when those girls are 20 they can channel their inner Bond Girl if they choose to... and use her to feel great about their bodies and in charge of their sexuality.
On the other hand, at 8 years old (ish), most of the girls had never seen a Bond film and they just liked the idea of getting dressed up in fancy dresses, shooting rubber band guns at bad guy targets and channeling their inner Secret Agents. Which just reminded me that kids are incredibly good at taking what works for them from just about any theme and making it their own!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
I got inspired a few months ago by seeing a friend's before and after photos for the Warrior Dash Mud Run. (For those of you who have never seen a Mud Run, it's an obstacle course for adults (and sometimes for kids)...you run a bit, go over a fence, run a bit, climb through a pit of mud, run a bit, slide down a big slide into a mud pit, run a bit...you get the idea.) Wait, goofy fun with your buddies sliming around in the mud!!!! I was totally riveted by the photos and psyched to give it a try. (Thank you Sabine for the inspiration!)Now don't get me wrong, I have total respect for hard core mud racers (the hard core races can be 10 miles and involve things like barbed wire mazes and fields of live electric wires (what the bleep are they thinking???)) but those of you who know me know that I struggle with my sense of myself as an athlete. So for me the right place to start was with the entry level races which are 5k and not even timed. I don't know why but for some reason, my buddies who are actually athletic were psyched to try it with me. So we got some goofy socks, a team t-shirt and some Duck Tape (to help keep our shoes on...don't be thinking those nasty thoughts...sheesh) and off we went to the Dirty Girl Mud Run. To be honest, I was pretty spooked because I am very SLOOOOOOWWWW when I run and I HATE to be the one who holds everyone up. (Now I know you are about to say "oh I'm slow too" but everyone I've ever run with who says that is either lying to me or lying to themselves because I can't keep up with ANY of them for more than a few blocks!!!) But if my buddies were willing to go with me, I was going to swallow my fear of being the fat slow girl (again) and try it as a team.
The Dirty Girl is a 5K run for breast cancer and has about 8 or 10 obstacles (mud pits, water pits, giant slides, cargo nets, a wall to climb over, the usual). Turned out the Dirty Girl was a great starter race because the obstacles were pretty tame but big enough to be fun. The run was in the Candlestick Park parking lot with the final few obstacles actually inside the stadium which meant that we played in Candlestick Park the day before the 49ers played the Stuporbowl! (I admit it...I'm not a football fan...that's just one more sport I got humiliated by in Junior High. But I understand there are those among you who actually like watching a bunch of guys in different colored shirts running up and down some green grassy field chasing a ball that is too small to be seen on your average TV screen over and over in exactly the same manner as they did last week, and the week before, and last year, and the year before that...and I know, the StuporBowl is supposed to have "cool commercials" that are supposed to appeal to me... but really...the Bud Bowl? OK points to Budweiser's advertising team because I remember the campaign but not because it inspired me in any way...I only remember it because it was on enough and annoying enough to stick with me. But I digress...)
Analisa on the other hand was so excited to be on the field at Candlestick that she almost wet herself...but she refrained because she was actually doing a handstand on the field at the time :)
As we were rounding the last curve, muddy and wet and a wee bit chilly, it struck me: I not only kept up with my team, I was actually at the head of my team for a good chunk of the race. I was running down the final stretch thinking THIS is my thing! It was low key. It was fun! (The woman in front of me lost her tutu and was laughing so hard I almost abandoned my team and joined her on her run!) It was great exercise and it was interesting enough that I almost enjoyed the running.
For those of you who are hung up on numbers, we timed ourselves informally and it turned out we did the 5K in somewhere between 40 and 45 minutes. That was about the same time as I ran my last 5K which had no obstacles to slow me down. - Analisa claims that is because this sort of race is an interval run which allows you to run faster between the obstacles than if you just run at a steady pace over the same distance. (Ah yes... interval training which I totally prefer to just straight running in any case!)
All 5 of us got off the field and said..."can we go again?" I have NEVER felt that way about a run before. Normally I can't wait to make it stop! At last I have an inspiration for something I really want to do more of that will keep me training. I would like to move up and do some slightly more hard core races...but I think I'll have to draw the line at live electricity!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Well, it's day 31 of my attempt to lose my sugar addiction. I decided to focus on my addiction to sugary treats and I banned them from my life. I didn't worry about gluten, white flour, fruit, dried fruit, hidden sugar in my breakfast cereal, milk, carrots, celery, or any other thing you are about to bring up that totally ruined my chances of getting rid of weight or my addiction so don't even go there! I decided I could only handle one bad habit at a time and I wasn't willing to eat nothing but Kale for the next 20 years of my life...not to mention, I get hungry and when I'm hungry I want carbs...not another beet greens and spinach "shake." So I just gave up sugary treats.
In the interest of honesty you should know that I did eat 1/2 the dessert at Alex's holiday party, 2 bites of Maia's Pinkberry, and 4 bites of Ikeda's Pie. Yes, I admit, I wasn't perfect so for those of you who bask in the righteousness of your gluten-free, all fiber, no flavor, "I'm so virtuous I must be going to heaven" "lifestyles"...mea culpa...I am not in your league. But to be honest, I didn't do this so I could be holier than thou in my food choices. I did it because I read that balancing your blood sugar better will help with that crazy dip in energy that happens in the late afternoon. And I wanted to see if it was true.
So far I have learned a few things:
1) I miss sugar in my coffee...all day...every day...every time I smell coffee, every time I think about coffee, every time I wonder what I want to drink...I miss sugar in my coffee!!! (Wait...did you just say you think maybe it's the sugar I'm craving and not the coffee...that's just crazy talk!)
2) I lost 4 pounds and I did it without being hungry all the time and without thinking of food day and night.
3) 4 pounds is NOT enough to get you into your skinny pants but it is enough to make your fat pants fall off...which is just plain irritating!
4) I don't crave sugary treats as often as I used to...but the cravings are still pretty strong...I gotta' say I get it why people need a 12-step program!
5) Deciding to ban ALL sugary treats turned out to be easier than trying to "cut down" Apparently I am an all or nothing type of gal. Give me a few sugary treats and it is WAY harder for me to say no to the next few that come by. (Hmmm...I think I heard that somewhere before...oh yeah it was from that AA meeting I should have gone to in #4)
6) I am more willing to give this another 30 days than I thought I would be at this point. And that's saying something.
7) So far I still have the energy slump in the late afternoon...but it seems to be slightly less often and less severe when it does happen.
And that's it so far. I'm thinking I will keep going with this for another little while...and if it ever gets easier (yeah right) then I'll think about another bad habit I want to break.
In the interest of honesty you should know that I did eat 1/2 the dessert at Alex's holiday party, 2 bites of Maia's Pinkberry, and 4 bites of Ikeda's Pie. Yes, I admit, I wasn't perfect so for those of you who bask in the righteousness of your gluten-free, all fiber, no flavor, "I'm so virtuous I must be going to heaven" "lifestyles"...mea culpa...I am not in your league. But to be honest, I didn't do this so I could be holier than thou in my food choices. I did it because I read that balancing your blood sugar better will help with that crazy dip in energy that happens in the late afternoon. And I wanted to see if it was true.
So far I have learned a few things:
1) I miss sugar in my coffee...all day...every day...every time I smell coffee, every time I think about coffee, every time I wonder what I want to drink...I miss sugar in my coffee!!! (Wait...did you just say you think maybe it's the sugar I'm craving and not the coffee...that's just crazy talk!)
2) I lost 4 pounds and I did it without being hungry all the time and without thinking of food day and night.
3) 4 pounds is NOT enough to get you into your skinny pants but it is enough to make your fat pants fall off...which is just plain irritating!
4) I don't crave sugary treats as often as I used to...but the cravings are still pretty strong...I gotta' say I get it why people need a 12-step program!
5) Deciding to ban ALL sugary treats turned out to be easier than trying to "cut down" Apparently I am an all or nothing type of gal. Give me a few sugary treats and it is WAY harder for me to say no to the next few that come by. (Hmmm...I think I heard that somewhere before...oh yeah it was from that AA meeting I should have gone to in #4)
6) I am more willing to give this another 30 days than I thought I would be at this point. And that's saying something.
7) So far I still have the energy slump in the late afternoon...but it seems to be slightly less often and less severe when it does happen.
And that's it so far. I'm thinking I will keep going with this for another little while...and if it ever gets easier (yeah right) then I'll think about another bad habit I want to break.
Monday, January 21, 2013
So I've learned over the years that I totally suck at taking photos of my Girl Scout outings. I never have a camera when I want one or I miss the action shot or...to be honest I get so involved in what I am doing I just plain forget that I own a camera even though it's hanging from it's handy dandy little strap right around my neck.
So this year I decided to take written snaps! And here you go, my top 30 (or so) moments from the trip in no particular order.
As I made this list in my mind I realized that there isn't a single girl on the trip who wasn't involved in one way or another in many of these memories. And those who got left off a specific memory, it's because they were moving so fast that their faces are blurry in every snapshot I have of them in my mind. I went into this trip really exhausted from all the details and how complicated the logistics of this one were...it just didn't feel worth it...and I came out of it loving my Scouts and realizing again that although "it" might not be worth it...They are definitely worth it. And I really can't ask for more than that!
So this year I decided to take written snaps! And here you go, my top 30 (or so) moments from the trip in no particular order.
Waking up at 8:30 on Saturday to find the 6th grade girls had cooked breakfast and were laying it out on a lovely little tray! (now if I could just train them to bring me coffee in bed!)
Emma R overhearing my little dream about coffee in bed and volunteering to learn how to make coffee!
The porcupine, bobcat and mule deer tracks in the fresh snow when we arrived at the cabin.
Telling the girls that we needed to be out of the cabin early and suggesting at the Saturday evening meeting that the girls might want to get their snow stuff together for the next morning. (Seriously I actually said "I suggest you might want to...") Then going around a half hour before bedtime to tell them they might want to start gathering their stuff for the next morning only to have them ALL tell me they already did it hours ago...and they actually had ALL done it!!!
The kickfight on the living room floor with Maia, Holly, Emma M, and a couple of the other girls which I joined in. (setting a bad example I know but totally enjoying a moment of pure goofy fun!)
The look on the girls faces when I joined in!
The fact that I could let my guard down and join in without worrying that it would escalate out of control and I'd have to go back to being the barky leader.
Teaching Madeleine how to do a "pizza turn" and watching her posture change as she started at last to feel she had a little bit of control over her skis! (This was one of those moments that makes it ALL worth it!!!)
Having Daisy and Alexandra talk to me in Spanish while Belle talked to me in French and Katie looked at us all like we'd lost our marbles! (I don't speak either French or much Spanish by the way.)
A lot of laughing girls.
Watching Jayme and Yuval come screaming down the terrain park with these HUGE grins on their faces! (and yes I do mean screaming!)
Skiing with Sarah who once again proved herself to be plucky and resilient!
Watching the joy on Emma M's face as she skied for the first time (and did her 400th faceplant) A new substance to smear on her face!!!! She was one happy camper!
Clara: This hot chocolate is cold (with a totally affronted look on her face)
Me: That's because you put cold water in it...you can't blame me for that.
Me: (peeling an egg really badly) Now look what you did to my egg...This is payback for the chocolate isn't it???
Clara: Pause...little grin growing into full fledged impish smile!
Standing at the top of the terrain park with Maia and Allison for their very first time attempting it, totally unsure...and getting to be there for the moment they both decided to go for it!
Running into Ashlyn (Holly's Cousin who was with us for parts of the trip) who had given up on her lesson because it wasn't working for her and she wasn't sure if she ever wanted to ski again. Then getting to see the look of triumph on her face when she came back at the end of the day and she had managed (with the help of her dad) to conquer her fear!!
Me: Madeleine is very cerebral.
Seeing Eden, Savannah, Jo, and Emma R head off to ski all by themselves at the top of the mountain! And having them be responsible enough to get back on time for both lunch and the end of the day!! What a long way these girls have come!
Amanda asking me if she could help pretty much every time she saw me.
The girls making up whole other Eskimo lives they were living and making snow bowls, cups, spoons and other utensils....and then ending up making "snow Rubber Duckies for the baths we (Eskimos) don't take" and "snow Heart Shaped Bowls for Valentine's Day which we don't celebrate."
Claire and her crew working so well together.
Lynn telling me she always does something that is a bit scary on my trips and she's always glad she did it!
Holly wandering through the cabin with her penguin feet because the pants I gave her were about a mile too long...and it didn't bother her at all!
Bright jumping out of the car with her carsick bag and running across the parking lot laughing and showing everyone that she threw up in the car...kind of gross, totally funny and VERY Bright! I wanted to suggest she bring it to her classroom for "Show and Tell"...but I restrained myself :)
Realizing how far we all have come together and how much easier all our trips are now that the girls are starting to understand how important they are to making them work!
Emma R overhearing my little dream about coffee in bed and volunteering to learn how to make coffee!
The porcupine, bobcat and mule deer tracks in the fresh snow when we arrived at the cabin.
Telling the girls that we needed to be out of the cabin early and suggesting at the Saturday evening meeting that the girls might want to get their snow stuff together for the next morning. (Seriously I actually said "I suggest you might want to...") Then going around a half hour before bedtime to tell them they might want to start gathering their stuff for the next morning only to have them ALL tell me they already did it hours ago...and they actually had ALL done it!!!
The kickfight on the living room floor with Maia, Holly, Emma M, and a couple of the other girls which I joined in. (setting a bad example I know but totally enjoying a moment of pure goofy fun!)
The look on the girls faces when I joined in!
The fact that I could let my guard down and join in without worrying that it would escalate out of control and I'd have to go back to being the barky leader.
Teaching Madeleine how to do a "pizza turn" and watching her posture change as she started at last to feel she had a little bit of control over her skis! (This was one of those moments that makes it ALL worth it!!!)
Having Daisy and Alexandra talk to me in Spanish while Belle talked to me in French and Katie looked at us all like we'd lost our marbles! (I don't speak either French or much Spanish by the way.)
A lot of laughing girls.
Watching Jayme and Yuval come screaming down the terrain park with these HUGE grins on their faces! (and yes I do mean screaming!)
Skiing with Sarah who once again proved herself to be plucky and resilient!
Watching the joy on Emma M's face as she skied for the first time (and did her 400th faceplant) A new substance to smear on her face!!!! She was one happy camper!
Clara: This hot chocolate is cold (with a totally affronted look on her face)
Me: That's because you put cold water in it...you can't blame me for that.
Me: (peeling an egg really badly) Now look what you did to my egg...This is payback for the chocolate isn't it???
Clara: Pause...little grin growing into full fledged impish smile!
Standing at the top of the terrain park with Maia and Allison for their very first time attempting it, totally unsure...and getting to be there for the moment they both decided to go for it!
Running into Ashlyn (Holly's Cousin who was with us for parts of the trip) who had given up on her lesson because it wasn't working for her and she wasn't sure if she ever wanted to ski again. Then getting to see the look of triumph on her face when she came back at the end of the day and she had managed (with the help of her dad) to conquer her fear!!
Me: Madeleine is very cerebral.
- Kerensa: What is cerebral?
- Me: It means you need to think about things and understand them before you do them.
- Leigh (my co-leader): Kind of like you Kerensa
- (5 minutes and many topics of conversation later)
- Kerensa: Perhaps I am a bit cerebral.
- (Leigh laughed so hard she snorted!!!)
- (Twice!!!)
Seeing Eden, Savannah, Jo, and Emma R head off to ski all by themselves at the top of the mountain! And having them be responsible enough to get back on time for both lunch and the end of the day!! What a long way these girls have come!
Amanda asking me if she could help pretty much every time she saw me.
The girls making up whole other Eskimo lives they were living and making snow bowls, cups, spoons and other utensils....and then ending up making "snow Rubber Duckies for the baths we (Eskimos) don't take" and "snow Heart Shaped Bowls for Valentine's Day which we don't celebrate."
Claire and her crew working so well together.
Lynn telling me she always does something that is a bit scary on my trips and she's always glad she did it!
Holly wandering through the cabin with her penguin feet because the pants I gave her were about a mile too long...and it didn't bother her at all!
Bright jumping out of the car with her carsick bag and running across the parking lot laughing and showing everyone that she threw up in the car...kind of gross, totally funny and VERY Bright! I wanted to suggest she bring it to her classroom for "Show and Tell"...but I restrained myself :)
Realizing how far we all have come together and how much easier all our trips are now that the girls are starting to understand how important they are to making them work!
As I made this list in my mind I realized that there isn't a single girl on the trip who wasn't involved in one way or another in many of these memories. And those who got left off a specific memory, it's because they were moving so fast that their faces are blurry in every snapshot I have of them in my mind. I went into this trip really exhausted from all the details and how complicated the logistics of this one were...it just didn't feel worth it...and I came out of it loving my Scouts and realizing again that although "it" might not be worth it...They are definitely worth it. And I really can't ask for more than that!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
OK everyone looking for a rant, look away now...it's gonna' get mushy in here!
We had our 6th Grade Cadette Girl Scout meeting this week and we were focused on Peer Pressure. One of the questions that we asked the girls was if they thought it was OK to go to a party when the parents of the kids in the house were not there the whole time. I was totally surprised to find that their answer to that question was entirely dependent on which parents knew what. They pretty much said "we think it's fine as long as the adults know what is going on and set some limits to keep us safe." I kid you not. I was floored by that!
I always heard that pre-teens (and teens) want limits but that they would never tell you that...but apparently they not only want limits, they actually know that they want limits and, if you ask them, they'll TELL you they want limits....How cool is that?
I didn't really get it how important those limits are for making our kids feel safe...but the girls sure did!
So here's my thought for the week: giving your kids really clear boundaries gives them freedom. They feel safe and that lets them go out and explore their world. Personally, I think that is something I need to learn in my own life. Maybe if I could give myself some really clear boundaries (particularly when it comes to work) I could give myself more freedom to explore my world! And how cool would that be!
We had our 6th Grade Cadette Girl Scout meeting this week and we were focused on Peer Pressure. One of the questions that we asked the girls was if they thought it was OK to go to a party when the parents of the kids in the house were not there the whole time. I was totally surprised to find that their answer to that question was entirely dependent on which parents knew what. They pretty much said "we think it's fine as long as the adults know what is going on and set some limits to keep us safe." I kid you not. I was floored by that!
I always heard that pre-teens (and teens) want limits but that they would never tell you that...but apparently they not only want limits, they actually know that they want limits and, if you ask them, they'll TELL you they want limits....How cool is that?
I didn't really get it how important those limits are for making our kids feel safe...but the girls sure did!
So here's my thought for the week: giving your kids really clear boundaries gives them freedom. They feel safe and that lets them go out and explore their world. Personally, I think that is something I need to learn in my own life. Maybe if I could give myself some really clear boundaries (particularly when it comes to work) I could give myself more freedom to explore my world! And how cool would that be!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
I am a HUGE Disneyland fan. I think that Disney does families better than anyone else on earth and I love the creativity and whimsy in all their rides.
On the other hand...I hate free fall. Rides with enormous long drops scare the Bejeezus out of me. So for many, many years I avoided Splash Mountain. And the longer I avoided it, the scarier it became in my head. Now normally that's not an issue because I don't give a rat's rear end about the rides in most amusement parks. If I never go on the Loopdy Loop Roller Coaster of DOOM (or whatever it's called) I can live the rest of my life quite happily. But I REALLY wanted to see the ride part of Splash Mountain...I really really wanted to. All the bits before the long drop show the tale of Bre'r Rabbit and I was totally curious about that because I don't know the story very well and I thought it would be a treat to see a lesser known Disney story come to life...
So, a few years ago, I finally plucked up all my courage, waited in the hour long line and got on the ride...to be honest I don't remember much about the inside of the ride because I was so busy being terrified of the long drop coming up at the end of the ride. And let me tell you it was AWFUL. It went on for about 6 years and I thought it would never end...I seriously thought passing out might be a great way to deal with the whole experience. And I SWORE Never again.
But fate has a way of intervening on those things you swear about...so this trip we were walking by Splash Mountain at about 9pm...it was cold so the line was only 10 minutes and Maia (who is even more scared of big drops than I am) said..."I think I want to try it."
"You ratfink!!!! I was counting on you to save me from ever having to go on that ride again...and now I have to act like I am the grown up! I HATE it when you do that to me!!!"
But I plucked up my courage again and off we went. This time though I decided that I needed to just allow myself to die during the big drop. So I rode the ride and actually saw the story and enjoyed the Disney-ish-ness and when the drop came, I closed my eyes and opened my mouth and just let go...and it was over before it even started...what was I so dang scared of???
And as we walked away from the Mountain I realized that the first time I went on that ride, I tried to control the giant drop with the power of my mind...and I know you'll be SHOCKED to hear this, but it turns out I'm not very good at mind control...the second time, I just let it be what it was and it turned out to be fun...
So here's why Splash Mountain is like life:
1) You can't control the ride with the power of your mind.
2) Even though you know the big drop is coming...you might as well enjoy the scenery along the way. The big drop won't be less awful if you spend all your time anticipating it.
3) Bre'r Rabbit is sort of classist and racist and doesn't make much sense...but it sure is colorful when you Disney-fy the heck out of it!
4) If you decide you are going to die and you are going to be OK with that outcome you gain some amazing perspective on all the little stuff.
5) I'm probably not a fun person to go to amusement parks with...I'm at the point where even I wish I would shut up, stop philosophizing and just get on the damn ride!
On the other hand...I hate free fall. Rides with enormous long drops scare the Bejeezus out of me. So for many, many years I avoided Splash Mountain. And the longer I avoided it, the scarier it became in my head. Now normally that's not an issue because I don't give a rat's rear end about the rides in most amusement parks. If I never go on the Loopdy Loop Roller Coaster of DOOM (or whatever it's called) I can live the rest of my life quite happily. But I REALLY wanted to see the ride part of Splash Mountain...I really really wanted to. All the bits before the long drop show the tale of Bre'r Rabbit and I was totally curious about that because I don't know the story very well and I thought it would be a treat to see a lesser known Disney story come to life...
So, a few years ago, I finally plucked up all my courage, waited in the hour long line and got on the ride...to be honest I don't remember much about the inside of the ride because I was so busy being terrified of the long drop coming up at the end of the ride. And let me tell you it was AWFUL. It went on for about 6 years and I thought it would never end...I seriously thought passing out might be a great way to deal with the whole experience. And I SWORE Never again.
But fate has a way of intervening on those things you swear about...so this trip we were walking by Splash Mountain at about 9pm...it was cold so the line was only 10 minutes and Maia (who is even more scared of big drops than I am) said..."I think I want to try it."
"You ratfink!!!! I was counting on you to save me from ever having to go on that ride again...and now I have to act like I am the grown up! I HATE it when you do that to me!!!"
But I plucked up my courage again and off we went. This time though I decided that I needed to just allow myself to die during the big drop. So I rode the ride and actually saw the story and enjoyed the Disney-ish-ness and when the drop came, I closed my eyes and opened my mouth and just let go...and it was over before it even started...what was I so dang scared of???
And as we walked away from the Mountain I realized that the first time I went on that ride, I tried to control the giant drop with the power of my mind...and I know you'll be SHOCKED to hear this, but it turns out I'm not very good at mind control...the second time, I just let it be what it was and it turned out to be fun...
So here's why Splash Mountain is like life:
1) You can't control the ride with the power of your mind.
2) Even though you know the big drop is coming...you might as well enjoy the scenery along the way. The big drop won't be less awful if you spend all your time anticipating it.
3) Bre'r Rabbit is sort of classist and racist and doesn't make much sense...but it sure is colorful when you Disney-fy the heck out of it!
4) If you decide you are going to die and you are going to be OK with that outcome you gain some amazing perspective on all the little stuff.
5) I'm probably not a fun person to go to amusement parks with...I'm at the point where even I wish I would shut up, stop philosophizing and just get on the damn ride!
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