“You may fear the disapproval of others. Take that risk and you’ll discover that you receive more approval when you don’t seek it than when you do. You may fear the unknown. Take that risk as well. Wander in there, asking yourself, “What is the worst thing that can happen if this doesn’t work out?” The truth is that you will just move beyond it. You’re not going to starve to death or be tortured if it doesn’t work out.”
- Wayne Dyer
[DISCLAIMER: this post was taken directly from http://gradnessmadness.tumblr.com/post/43145014563/take-that-risk]
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
"Most people know what is good for them, know what will make them feel better: exercise, hobbies, time with those they care about. They do not avoid these things because of ignorance of their value, but because they are no longer 'motivated' to do them. They are waiting until they feel better. Frequently, it's a long wait."
- Gordon Livingston
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
My Personal Soap Box
I was going through my normal routine this morning. Took a shower. Shaved. Got dressed. Had my one cup of coffee. Sat with my son to look at how our fantasy basketball team was doing. Turned on Mike & Mike.
Then I started scanning my twitter timeline. Wow. Found quite the discussion-starter (or soap box material, as the case may be).
http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/02/13/watch-a-high-school-goalie-tuck-the-puck-in-his-own-net-flip-off-his-coaches-then-peace-out/
Then I started scanning my twitter timeline. Wow. Found quite the discussion-starter (or soap box material, as the case may be).
http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2013/02/13/watch-a-high-school-goalie-tuck-the-puck-in-his-own-net-flip-off-his-coaches-then-peace-out/
Check out link above. It may help as you continue to read my rant, er, blog.
See, I'm a huge high school sports fan, but I'm starting to get fed up with selfish youth and high school 'athletes' and their parents. Since when is it okay to take out your frustrations on your teammates? Since when is it cool to sabotage a team's opportunity to play on a level field (or court, or sheet of ice)? I really don't care how much you (or your child) think you (or your child) should be playing. If it's really such an injustice, then so be it, but that's life. Someone's in charge. They make decisions based on what they see. If you think it's wrong, then don't take it out on everyone. Either deal with it and keep trying to help the team ... or quit before it affects the team.
It is not your right to play. If you want to play more, find a rec league, find a park, find open courts, find open ice, find some friends to play pick-up games. Or ... work harder and put in the time. And, even if you do that ... respect that a coach makes the decisions on what he or she thinks will be best for the team. This is called life. You will be dealing with it for the forseeable future. Personal justice is not always served. You will get laid off even though you think you are better suited for the job. You will be taxed more (percentage) even though you earn less. You will get pulled over for speeding even though others who speed do not get a ticket. It is not your right to make your problem (or injustice, as you see it) be everyone else's.
Find a way to respectfully deal with! First, change your behavior. Second, if you feel the system is wrong, then use the system to change the system. Third, realize that you can be happy with or without your current situation/problem; you don't have to bring others down; you are a part of something bigger than yourself; and it's not all about you!
In my own athletic career, I definitely felt like there was some injustice. I thought that I was better than at least one other player with whom I shared time. I believed that I had put in the work and that results showed that I should play more. I didn't play more. Tried to change my behavior: worked harder. Respected the coaches' decisions: did whatever I could to help the team. Realized that I could be happy with or without my situation/problem: lived my life, found ways to keep sports as a central part, didn't make my problem everyone else's.
Looking back, I still think I should've played more, but I also see how my coaches made their decisions. I know that I could've (and should've) done more to improve my chances of playing more. No injustices, though. It has been my life and I appreciate all that I've dealt with. More than anything I think it has shaped some thoughts I keep having ...
Work hard. Get better. Have fun.
Take responsibility. Help others.
Pass it on.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
"Success"
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
'To laugh often and much
To win the affection of intelligent people
And the affection of childrne;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics,
And endure the false betrayal of friends,
To appreciate beauty,
To find the best in others,
To leave the world a bit better,
Whether by a healthy child, a garden patch
Or a redeemed social condition,
To know even one life has breathed easier
Because you have lived,
This is to have succeeded.'
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Just coincidence ...
Full disclosure: this is NOT a picture of where I live. However, driving home from the grocery store today I noticed this type of thing TWICE in my town.
First: MedShape Weight Loss Clinic happens to be right next to Papa John's Pizza.
Second: Weight Watchers is set up directly adjacent to Domino's Pizza
Coincidence? You tell me. But ... Do they HELP or HURT each other's business?
Monday, February 4, 2013
The week that was ...
It's been almost a week since I last took to this blog thing, so ...
Some updates:
Happy. Happy. Happy.
[I have to keep reminding myself of this when the hoops keep popping up.]
Some updates:
- My son's parent-teacher-conference went well. He's doing well academically and a lot better in general at school. Not sure the whole classroom/teacher/environment is the best fit for the year, but he's definitely working hard to make it a good year anyway.
- My daughter says she is just about ready for her dance competitions - which are still a couple months away. She's still happy with her two hours at the studio on Wednesdays (and again on Saturdays).
- Speaking of Saturdays ... Jimmy didn't see his shadow, so we should have an early spring. Yeah! My son also had a basketball tourney and they went 1-2 again. Not a bad showing for a third grade team in a fourth grade tourney.
- Sunday was fun, too. We all slept in, so we missed church for the first time in a while, but we made up for it (at least in my mind) by spending quite a bit of the day together. The super bowl was ... well, just fine.
- I'm still bored, jumping through hoops, and trying to get to my end-point ... just in case you're wondering :)
Happy. Happy. Happy.
[I have to keep reminding myself of this when the hoops keep popping up.]
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Not my favorite thing in the world to do, but ...
... sometimes you just gotta do it, right? Even though I would technically title the picture above "Diving Through Hoops" it still represents my thoughts on getting through the end of June ... and I'm not talking about spring baseball, by the way. ;)
Monday, January 28, 2013
U of M Women's Gymnastics
Two suggestions:
Number 1: if you haven't been to Rudolph's on Lindale in Minneapolis ... Go. Very enjoyable dinner (although the company may have caused me to be a bit bias - Thanks for going with us, neighbors!). The kids' chicken tenders and cheeseburger were devoured by my children. My son particularly liked the pickles (plural) on his burger. And my BBQ pulled pork sandwich was delicious, too.
Number 1: if you haven't been to Rudolph's on Lindale in Minneapolis ... Go. Very enjoyable dinner (although the company may have caused me to be a bit bias - Thanks for going with us, neighbors!). The kids' chicken tenders and cheeseburger were devoured by my children. My son particularly liked the pickles (plural) on his burger. And my BBQ pulled pork sandwich was delicious, too.
Number 2: if you have a daughter who likes gymnastics, go to a University of Minnesota gymnastics meet. We went on Saturday and saw an awesome display. The Gophers (ranked #12 as of Saturday) faced off against the University of Michigan (#1), Central Michigan (#20), and Iowa State (yah, not ranked). Junior, Kayla Slechta (Shakopee, MN) and freshman, Lindsay Mable really outdid themselves, winning the vault (Slechta), floor (Mable), beam (Mable), and overall (Mable) competition. The Gophers put together a 196.8 point total, besting the top-ranked Wolverines (196.775) by 1/40 of a point. Check out the gophersports.com coverage: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-gym/recaps/012613aaa.html
... and lest anyone be convinced that any of the sky-u-mah bologna found it's way into my heart ...
ON WISCONSIN!
After all, that WAS a good (but ugly) victory over the gophers earlier on Saturday!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Do I go pick up my son from school?
Seriously.
I mean, it's a full eight to ten degrees warmer that it was the past two days, and twenty degrees warmer than Monday at 4pm - which makes it 15 degrees above zero right now. But, the wind is a bit brisk at times (17 mph gusts). And I've heard they've been canceling school for this temperature in states not quite as tough as ours ... *cough* - Ohio - *cough*
It's my turn to pick up the boys - both my son and his friend who lives around the corner. But to pick them up, I have to drive a full mile to school. (I know. THAT isn't the big deal.) The real trouble is getting my daughter all bundled up to go. (Which isn't REALLY that big a deal either, I guess.)
I'm just waivering because it's Friday and I'm being lazy - I know. Plus my garage door opener finally went kapoot. "Real Feel" tells me it's one below zero, so I better go get them. I'm not really complaining, mind you. Just sat at the computer and didn't have much to blog about.
That is all. God bless :)
I mean, it's a full eight to ten degrees warmer that it was the past two days, and twenty degrees warmer than Monday at 4pm - which makes it 15 degrees above zero right now. But, the wind is a bit brisk at times (17 mph gusts). And I've heard they've been canceling school for this temperature in states not quite as tough as ours ... *cough* - Ohio - *cough*
It's my turn to pick up the boys - both my son and his friend who lives around the corner. But to pick them up, I have to drive a full mile to school. (I know. THAT isn't the big deal.) The real trouble is getting my daughter all bundled up to go. (Which isn't REALLY that big a deal either, I guess.)
I'm just waivering because it's Friday and I'm being lazy - I know. Plus my garage door opener finally went kapoot. "Real Feel" tells me it's one below zero, so I better go get them. I'm not really complaining, mind you. Just sat at the computer and didn't have much to blog about.
That is all. God bless :)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
How does an elephant get down from a tree?
He sits on a leaf and waits till autumn!
http://www.kidsjokesoftheday.com/htmls/kids-jokes/Animal-Jokes-for-Kids/20130120180732_176.html
http://www.kidsjokesoftheday.com/htmls/kids-jokes/Animal-Jokes-for-Kids/20130120180732_176.html
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Good weekend ... now it's cold
We enjoyed a nice weekend. Went to the MOA. Sent my daughter to dance rehearsal and a couple of birthday parties. Enjoyed church and some good stew on Sunday. Then the wife and kids had Monday off to make it an extended weekend. To top it all off, got to enjoy another night of open gym basketball. Life is good.
By the way ... did I mention that it's cold?! ... -3 right now (feels colder) ... thankfully it's supposed be back up in the 30's by Sunday and Monday (at least for a couple days). Oh well. Better than 100+ in my book. ;)
Kindly upper midwest reminder: JIMMY THE GROUNDHOG PREDICTION IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!
By the way ... did I mention that it's cold?! ... -3 right now (feels colder) ... thankfully it's supposed be back up in the 30's by Sunday and Monday (at least for a couple days). Oh well. Better than 100+ in my book. ;)
Kindly upper midwest reminder: JIMMY THE GROUNDHOG PREDICTION IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AWAY!
Friday, January 18, 2013
My fake girlfriend ...
So, I'm so completely tired of hearing about a fake girlfriend that a college football player may have or may NOT have known was fake. Whether Manti was 'complicit' or not in the hoax, I'm sure he's embarassed because I am completely certain that he embelished the relationship to some extent or another. That's my take. I've never had a fake girlfriend (that I KNOW about anyway), so I have no way of knowing how embarassed he should be - or how he felt about telling other people about said girlfriend. For that matter, I've never been a major college football player, so I have no way of knowing how he should behave moving forward. I just cannot imagine walking into a locker room - or the NFL draft combine - and having to take on the looks, snickers, comments, questions of so many other young men.
And speaking of having to deal with the looks, snickers, comments, and questions ... I have no idea what to say about that other guy. The sinister mister Armstrong, who cheated and bullied to an extent I'll never be able to understand, deserves very little sympathy. Let's all watch the Oprah interviews in a different way. Let's take it all in ... and then NOT question anything. Move on. Let him move on. He is NOT a Tour de France champion. He is NOT a hero for his bicycling exploits. He is NOT a good family man. What he IS? ... a very selfish and competitive person without the individual strength to do the right thing in many circumstances. His Livestrong efforts are to be commended, not his individual self. Period. Done.
Let's move on. From both.
Next news cycle please ... and maybe a POSITIVE one?!?!?!
... how about a compromise in Washington?! (Now wouldn't THAT be a surprise?!?!)
And speaking of having to deal with the looks, snickers, comments, and questions ... I have no idea what to say about that other guy. The sinister mister Armstrong, who cheated and bullied to an extent I'll never be able to understand, deserves very little sympathy. Let's all watch the Oprah interviews in a different way. Let's take it all in ... and then NOT question anything. Move on. Let him move on. He is NOT a Tour de France champion. He is NOT a hero for his bicycling exploits. He is NOT a good family man. What he IS? ... a very selfish and competitive person without the individual strength to do the right thing in many circumstances. His Livestrong efforts are to be commended, not his individual self. Period. Done.
Let's move on. From both.
Next news cycle please ... and maybe a POSITIVE one?!?!?!
... how about a compromise in Washington?! (Now wouldn't THAT be a surprise?!?!)
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
My colorful new book for my next/current masters class ...
It seems to be well-written and could be very useful, based on my limited experience reading through the first twenty pages or so. Ultimately, though, I don't do much K-8 Math Instruction - except with my own kids, I guess. Oh well. First masters class of 2013 officially began tonight. Ready to get my learn-on for the next six months! (and finish this masters program!)
Friday, January 11, 2013
Haunted Garage Door
This week I figured out how to get our garage door unstuck ... and then it just keeps sporadically opening or shutting. Go figure.
At first the problem was that I couldn't get the garage door opener to shut the garage door. I had just come home and used the opener to open the door, but the opener seemed to buzz and not do anything when I tried to shut the door. So, I disengaged the carriage and we did it manually for the night. The next day I spoke with a very helpfull garage door technician on the phone who let me in on a tip: sometimes the carriage gets stuck on a head bolt on the track near the opener. Enter a little WD40 and a wrench ... and we're all good. Altered the moving distance a bit and we were golden.
Except ...
Later that day I heard the garage door opening about the time my wife would be coming home. After ten minutes of her not coming into the house, I looked out to see what was going on ... only to find the garage door sitting half open. So, I closed it, thinking maybe she had forgotten to go to the store. However, three more times over the next 24 hours, the door has magically opened. My working theory is that it's haunted ...
Or that someone in our neighborhood now has the same frequency garage door signal.
Stay tuned ;)
At first the problem was that I couldn't get the garage door opener to shut the garage door. I had just come home and used the opener to open the door, but the opener seemed to buzz and not do anything when I tried to shut the door. So, I disengaged the carriage and we did it manually for the night. The next day I spoke with a very helpfull garage door technician on the phone who let me in on a tip: sometimes the carriage gets stuck on a head bolt on the track near the opener. Enter a little WD40 and a wrench ... and we're all good. Altered the moving distance a bit and we were golden.
Except ...
Later that day I heard the garage door opening about the time my wife would be coming home. After ten minutes of her not coming into the house, I looked out to see what was going on ... only to find the garage door sitting half open. So, I closed it, thinking maybe she had forgotten to go to the store. However, three more times over the next 24 hours, the door has magically opened. My working theory is that it's haunted ...
Or that someone in our neighborhood now has the same frequency garage door signal.
Stay tuned ;)
Monday, January 7, 2013
Go Pack Go!
So, the weekend was fun! Everything started on Friday ... well, actually it probably started during the week back in Wisconsin when we figured out I was going to get to go to Lambeau this past Sunday ... however, the weekend itself started with a nice little Friday.
Friday night was a family night on the couch watching "Tangled" with my kiddos and the love of my life. Enjoyed that IMMENSELY!
Got up on Saturday and did a few things around the house with my wife. Put together the new vacuum I got for Christmas - LOVE IT - and the two of us used it throughout the first level. Also got my overnight bag ready.
Then drove a few hours to Wausau to meet up with my dad. Checked into a hotel, then hit the road for the final 90 miles to Green Bay. It was a gorgeous day, to say the least. Couldn't ask for better winter weather.
We parked a few blocks from Lambeau and walked over to meet up with my brother and his friends before the game. Had a few cocktails and then decided to get to the stadium for the game. Pretty sure I knew we had the game in hand the minute I heard Webb would play for Ponder. However, it was nice to see the Packers hold the Vikes to a FG on the first possession and then nothing else for the entire first half. Could've been a bigger blow-out, but I'll take any post-season victory.
That drive across state and back into Minnesota is OH-SO-MUCH-MORE-SPECIAL when it comes with a Packers victory over the dreaded Vikings. On to San Fran (... and then hopefully back to Lambeau in 2 weeks, if both the Pack and Russell can get wins on the road next week!)
Did I mention that former UW quarterback Russell Wilson won handly to set up next week's possible upsets and a return trip for me to Lambeau? Nice. That was Sunday. It was nice to get back and spend the day relaxing and watching football with the family. Even made a nice little pineapple chicken dish for dinner. (Oh, and the Badger men won in Lincoln ... ugly win, but a Big Ten win none-the-leass ... On Wisconsin!)
Good weekend!
Go Pack Go!
Friday night was a family night on the couch watching "Tangled" with my kiddos and the love of my life. Enjoyed that IMMENSELY!
Got up on Saturday and did a few things around the house with my wife. Put together the new vacuum I got for Christmas - LOVE IT - and the two of us used it throughout the first level. Also got my overnight bag ready.
Then drove a few hours to Wausau to meet up with my dad. Checked into a hotel, then hit the road for the final 90 miles to Green Bay. It was a gorgeous day, to say the least. Couldn't ask for better winter weather.
We parked a few blocks from Lambeau and walked over to meet up with my brother and his friends before the game. Had a few cocktails and then decided to get to the stadium for the game. Pretty sure I knew we had the game in hand the minute I heard Webb would play for Ponder. However, it was nice to see the Packers hold the Vikes to a FG on the first possession and then nothing else for the entire first half. Could've been a bigger blow-out, but I'll take any post-season victory.
That drive across state and back into Minnesota is OH-SO-MUCH-MORE-SPECIAL when it comes with a Packers victory over the dreaded Vikings. On to San Fran (... and then hopefully back to Lambeau in 2 weeks, if both the Pack and Russell can get wins on the road next week!)
Did I mention that former UW quarterback Russell Wilson won handly to set up next week's possible upsets and a return trip for me to Lambeau? Nice. That was Sunday. It was nice to get back and spend the day relaxing and watching football with the family. Even made a nice little pineapple chicken dish for dinner. (Oh, and the Badger men won in Lincoln ... ugly win, but a Big Ten win none-the-leass ... On Wisconsin!)
Good weekend!
Go Pack Go!
Friday, January 4, 2013
More Christmas (and New Years) in Pictures
Skating ... Thanks Grandma and Grandpa (and Steve)!
Cousins
Grammas, and Jerry
Ooh-la-la! Je t'aime!
Stylin'!
New Years
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Bridge Builders
Proud of the Bridge Builders!
My son and his friend/classmate built a bunch of bridges this fall/winter and tested their ability to hold bricks. They used a variety of different shapes and styles. The one above was the final one that they got to show off today at school.
On a side note: Go Pack Go!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year!
I have a bunch of photos to keep sharing from winter break ... but I wanted to make sure to actually post some happenings before displaying my cute family and distracting you ;)
We enjoyed Christmas at home this year. My wife's parents came out for the week and we really relaxed. My wife even spent a full week away from her computer! Yeah! :) My father-in-law helped me use my new circular saw (Christmas present) to cut a left-over piece of wood from the kitchen to make another coat rack for the mud room. And we all went post-Christmas shopping and got some good deals on stuff for the kids and family. Love the family I married into.
Then, the in-laws headed home safely and our little family of four headed to Wisconsin for a little Christmas with my family and New Year's with the usual gang. Kids got some cool gifts from fam in Wisconsin. I even got a new vacuum. Yeah, again! I'm pretty sure my wife liked her new PJ's - she had them on the night after she opened them. And my son couldn't wait to get back to play his new Skylanders game on the Wii. It was definitely good to spend time with my brother and his fam, and my parents and grandmas as well. Love the family I was born into.
Enjoyed New Year's per the usual - went out for an early dinner at a spot in Madison we hadn't been to before, then headed back to a buddy's house for cards. While at dinner, we realized that we've been doing some form of New Year's together for a full 20 years in a row now. I know I've missed one or two, but not many - and the same can be said for most of the gang. Not sure when it will end, but for now, it's a blast to keep getting together to ring in the new year. Blessed to have such good friends.
Happy New Year, everyone!
We enjoyed Christmas at home this year. My wife's parents came out for the week and we really relaxed. My wife even spent a full week away from her computer! Yeah! :) My father-in-law helped me use my new circular saw (Christmas present) to cut a left-over piece of wood from the kitchen to make another coat rack for the mud room. And we all went post-Christmas shopping and got some good deals on stuff for the kids and family. Love the family I married into.
Then, the in-laws headed home safely and our little family of four headed to Wisconsin for a little Christmas with my family and New Year's with the usual gang. Kids got some cool gifts from fam in Wisconsin. I even got a new vacuum. Yeah, again! I'm pretty sure my wife liked her new PJ's - she had them on the night after she opened them. And my son couldn't wait to get back to play his new Skylanders game on the Wii. It was definitely good to spend time with my brother and his fam, and my parents and grandmas as well. Love the family I was born into.
Enjoyed New Year's per the usual - went out for an early dinner at a spot in Madison we hadn't been to before, then headed back to a buddy's house for cards. While at dinner, we realized that we've been doing some form of New Year's together for a full 20 years in a row now. I know I've missed one or two, but not many - and the same can be said for most of the gang. Not sure when it will end, but for now, it's a blast to keep getting together to ring in the new year. Blessed to have such good friends.
Happy New Year, everyone!
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