Something for the Road

Sick Day

We all need a little “down” day.  Nora rarely has a day when she is down.  I know life is normal, because there are constant words, sentences, questions, and thoughts streaming from her.  I love that.  To be honest, it sometimes makes me tired.  So, when my little chatterbox crawled into my bed this morning, wanting her Daddy, with a fever and glazed eyes, I knew that today would not be the same.

She ate very little – juiceboxes and licorice – and spoke very little.  It gave us some good cuddle time and a chance for me to clear my mind a little –after all, doesn’t everyone need a sick day once in a while?  I miss you, Nora.  I hope you’re back to old self tomorrow.

     

Summer Boredom Buster #7– Paper Crafts

My kids have had a blast with paper crafts.  Maybe you’ve already heard of it.  You can download patterns for folding paper and creating cute little animals, vehicles, plants, or video game characters.  The kids love to “shop” for their favorites and then the best part is, depending on how complicated the design, the folding and assembling keeps them busy for sometimes hours, and they have a neat little collection when they’re finished.  Paper Craft Museum is one of their favorites and has a huge selection that you can view in galleries or museums.  You then just make your choice, put some paper or cardstock in the printer, and print.  Easy!  Toy-A-Day also has some great designs, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for at these sites, just Google “papercrafts” and see what you come up with!

Taeya, this one’s for you . . .

My friend, Taeya is amazing.  She was my first real running partner when we started running in 2007.  She started later than our group, but quickly got in great shape and caught up to our mileage.  Ever since then we have trained together (until little Aliza arrived a few months ago).  We have had similar goals, similar paces, and similar personalities.  We have spent more hours than I can count, running together, pounding the pavement, and talking about our dreams.

Today she rode off into the sunset for Austin, Texas where she will get her PhD.  Sad, for me . . . great for her.

Taeya, you are amazing.  I have never heard you complain about anything.  On the other hand, you have always had a listening ear for my complaints.  I admire your thirst for knowledge.  I admire your ability to balance everything – work, church, and family, so well.  Thanks for always taking an interest in what I do.  You have helped me to feel loved, and you have encouraged me to pursue my own goals.

I’m convinced that life is all about the relationships we develop and nurture.  I feel so fortunate to have family and friends who love me and help contribute to who I am.  Taeya, you have truly made a difference.  You will be missed in this part of the country.  When I grow up, I want to be just like you.

A-Camping We Will Go

Me: “Nora, take a good nap today, because tomorrow we’re going camping and you won’t be taking naps.”
Nora:  “I won’t?  Where are we sleeping, at the Corbridge’s?”
Me:  “No, we’re going camping so we’ll sleep in a tent.”
Nora (with very big eyes) “In a tent?!  I’ve never been camping in a tent my whole life!”

Hmmm, yes it is true – we have not gone camping with the kids since Nora was born.  Ooops.  Are we bad parents?  Or, just lazy?

When I was growing up we had a few families that we met at Lake Chelan every summer.  We would book early, camp by the lake, and dad would bring the boat.  We did that every year for about 10 years, I think.  My mom’s amazing.  We would camp for a full week and every night would be a gourmet meal.  I seem to remember that she was pregnant quite often, too. (Totally against my rules).

Now, in Sandpoint we are blessed with very good friends, and a few years ago they started a tradition of camping at Lionhead at Priest Lake every summer.  We haven’t been able to camp the last couple of years, but we always visited one day.

There is a lot of peer pressure in this group, so I knew that coming up with an excuse again this year was totally out of the question.  I like to appear tough, but, well . . . .  I don’t mind the camping part – it’s the organizing, packing, lack of sleep, and clean-up that I’m wimpy about.

We had a fabulous time and we even slept pretty well.  We had a little rain, a little sun, and a lot of fun.

      

S’mores are a must on a campout, but did you know that you can substitute Reses Peanut Butter Cups for the chocolate, or  use Keebler Fudge-Striped Cookies or Mrs. Fields’ Chocolate Covered Grahams instead of graham crackers and chocolate?  I tend to like the old-fashioned way, but I have to admit I was a mess from assembling dozens of S’mores.

  

Home Improvement - Stairway

This stairway area used to be a little dreary.  The stairs were overwhelming  and there was very little light in this area.  We put in a new, vinyl window and for privacy, I etched a design in the glass.  I painted the base of the stairs white which brightened everything up quite a bit and bought new treads and finished them with polyurethane.

I think the most transformed part of it is the upstairs part where we got rid of a full wall and a pony wall and replaced it with iron railings. . . now you don’t feel like you’re running down a chute when you come down the stairs.  Everything is open and light in that area.  Goal accomplished.

Before:   After: 

Before:      After:

Before:  After:   

It’s a Goal you Need

I have been thinking a lot about goals.  I have to admit that since running my marathon, I have been a little depressed – feeling like maybe I lost that wild drive I had when I was training for it.  When I express this to most people, they say something like, “it is probably time for you to take it easy – take a little break.”  For some reason, that just doesn’t sit well with me.  I am not content to take a break right now, so what do I do?  I officially register for the Chelan Marathon, and continue through the training schedule, hoping my oomph kicks in soon.

Incentives are a good thing, and I think they can help you reach your goals, but whatever it is you want to achieve, setting a goal that is challenging but reachable is the key.  I was thinking about this concept on my ride this morning.  A couple of my friends, Kristin and Erin, and I made a goal that by the end of the summer, we would be able to bike to the top of Schweitzer, our local ski resort.  For some, this may seem pretty attainable, but for us, it has been challenging.  We meet every Monday that we can, and add just a little more to our trek up the mountain.

This morning I did not want to do this ride.  I hate to admit it, but I don’t love biking as much as running – strange, I know.  I kind of had a poor attitude when we set off, but I was determined to meet the same goal as Kristin.  When we reached a switchback near the end of our goal, a little over 6 miles up, we turned and looked at the view and it was all worth it.  Once again, I felt great about myself and my accomplishment and also a little invincible, I must say.

Goals are wonderful that way.  If they are challenging, you grow and become more fit, and when you reach your goal your feelings about life and yourself and your abilities become very positive.  It is a truly rewarding experience.

So, whatever your physical fitness, age, time restraints, or attitude, set a goal today.  Do something that stretches your body and helps you see life in a totally different way.  If running or biking sounds appealing, you can do a search for an event near you at RunningInTheUSA.com or Runner’s World.  The great thing about an event, is that once you set the date and pay the money, you are committed.  Simple training schedules can also be found when you search the internet. I love this one that takes you from “couch potato to 5k.”  Very doable.

If you are more interested in keeping your goal personal, set a date and what you want to accomplish, and tell at least one person.  You will be amazed at how you progress and feel. 

If I can progress from total non-athlete (I don’t think cheerleader counts), to marathon-runner, can you imagine what you can do?

The Joy of being an Entrepreneur

 

What do pecan bars, coffee cake, one-hundred thousand calorie bars, and Mrs. Field’s’ cookies have in common with garage sales?  I guess nothing unless you have little entrepreneurs like Ally and Gabi.  My friend, Sherry had a garage sale today and invited us to put some of “stuff” in it, so the girls and I made a day out of it.  We arrived, bright and early at 7am and set up our few things with high hopes.

The girls had big plans for a bake sale, and I have to say they were a big hit.  They made $30, total, which is pretty good considering their overhead was $0 (the moms supplied the baked goods).  The ice water was free, and people were really friendly and anxious to help encourage these kids.

Of course, as soon as the cash came rolling in, they were anxious to cruise the neighborhood for other garage sales so they could spend some of their hard-earned money.  It’s kind of like a giant revolving door, isn’t it? 

Everyone Needs an Incentive

I know that incentives and rewards work fairly well with my kids.  There’s nothing like a big carrot at the end of a job or goal, to get them motivated.  But, recently, I found out that it actually works with adults, too.

We love our house – you’ve heard me say that before, but it has sucked the life out of us at certain points because of our never ending list of unfinished projects.  One date night, Mike and I were enjoying dinner out, and the topic of conversation came to home improvement – it always does (politics and computers are the other two subjects).  I was complaining (a little) about how our house is never finished and will never be finished because he’s too busy and who wants to spend their weekends working on the house, anyway?!  But I did say, “So, what would it take for you to finish our half bath?”  He just responded with something like, “More time and money,” but I didn’t give up.  “Isn’t there something you want?  You could set a goal and if you reach the goal, you would get a reward – something you really want.”  Hmmm, the wheels started turning. . .  So, he said, “I’d really like an iPod touch,” but he said it like it wasn’t a possibility.  It just felt like opportunity to me so I said, “Done!  An iPod touch is now part of the bathroom budget.”  He was not convinced, “Really?”  And of course I was serious.

Needless to say, we went straight to Home Depot after dinner, bought all of the supplies, and 3 weekends later, I had a beautiful half-bath.  So, the moral of the story is . . . . if you’re having trouble getting motivated to finish something, a carrot can go a long way. 

Now, what can I do to get that red cabinet I want for my dining room?

Summer Boredom Buster #6 – Nature Rocks

What is it with kids wanting to watch t.v. or play the Wii all day?  I really have to make a conscious effort to give them ideas for activities to do on their own.  I was excited to come across a new resource the other day . . . .check out Nature Rocks.  It’s a fun website for kids that encourages them to be outside and explore nature.

You can type in your zip code and find nature – that’s not a problem around here.  But, there are lots of other ideas.  You can do a search for activities by age group, time available, and where (like your own backyard).  You can also find places to visit, and hikes to do.

This was a good reminder to me that you don’t have to spend money to have fun.  There is an activity that your kids can do right in your backyard.  Last year, my girls spent a whole day with leaves, twigs, and anything else they could find, creating art pieces.  Then, they gave out invitations for their gallery showing and set it up in the backyard.  They served cherries from our tree and ice water as refreshments.  So, they’re not only cute . . .they’re creative.

   

Homemade Hamburger Buns

I know what you’re thinking . . .make hamburger buns?! I must have lost my mind. . . but they’re so yummy, and if you have the time, you really should try it.  I resisted doing it for a long time, and now these are the buns that I prefer.  The steps are simple, you just need a little extra time.  This batch makes 20, so there’s enough leftover to freeze for another meal and after thawing, they taste just as fresh as the day you made them.

C’mon, try it . . . bet your buns you’ll love the result!

 

 

Ingredients:  5 3/4 to 6 3/4 cups white flour, 1/3 cup dry powdered milk, 1/4 sugar or honey, 1 tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons yeast, 1/2 cup butter, and 2 cups very warm tap water.

Mix 2 cups flour, powdered milk, salt and yeast.  

Add melted butter and honey and mix well.  Add water, slowly and mix until smooth.

Add 3/4 cup flour, beating at a higher speed for 2 minutes.  Keep adding flour until dough is stiff.

Knead for 8 –10 minutes.  (This is a good job for the kids)

Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until double.

Punch it down and then let it rise again for 20 minutes more (less than double)

Divide dough in half, and each half in 10 balls  and place on greased cookie sheet.

Press gently to flatten into rounded discs.

The kids really like this part.

Let rise until double.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

Put your favorite hamburger patty in the middle,

And the result is a super, yummalicious burger.