TV ... the Yin and Yang of It

Right now Xfinity is having a watch-a-thon. I'm a bit late to this gift. (It's hard to consider it a free perk, considering the overpriced bill I get each month for this service.) It's apparently been happening all week, but of course, when you only watch TV after your kids go to bed, and you have to catch up on your regular programming, you miss out on the fine perks of extra TV. 

So, I'm now spending my Saturday evening trying to watch the series Girls. I've heard and read everyone rave about the show, so if felt only right to try to understand the buzz. I'm four episodes in (and yes, it's midnight, I told you I was late to the game, right?) and I will say this ... I'm glad I am no longer in my early 20s. The insecurity, the lack of direction, the superficiality. 

Here's to graceful aging.

Snow, Snow, Go Away

I love the cold weather ... because it equates to wearing sweaters and being cozy, sipping hot chocolate, warming up by the fireplace and snuggling up and reading a good book.

But ...

I am ready for winter to go away. Technically, it's been spring for a week. But you really wouldn't guess that based on the external environment. The snows still waist high outside. Yes, there's definitely been some melting (which makes for a great, slushy, messy run.) But ... it's ... still ... here. 

I could go for some warmer weather where I can start to plant in my garden. Sure, I'm not looking forward to the yard work that comes with warmer weather, but I am looking forward to the sunshine ... and just maybe D and I will finally agree on a patio set and we can sit outside on our deck while the boys chase each other around the yard. 

Yes, I just want some more potent Vitamin D. This Minnesota gal needs the sun and warmth after all the months in the cold dark winter. I know I'm not alone. And autumn is still my favorite season, but it's time for everything to thaw. 

How to Make an Introvert Quiver; or What I've Been Up to Since January

Today I spent my day at a high school surrounded by hundreds of children. Children who had the reigns, complete control, and as adults all we could do was watch.

Today was K's Destination Imagination tournament. Since January, I've been coaching/managing his team. A team of first and second graders who got to create their performance from the ground up with no real guidance from me other than providing supplies and facilitating brainstorming techniques to help them come up with ideas.

In the end, the kids did well ... but it was exhausting. Hard for this uber control freak to relinquish it all and be at the mercy of their decisions. It was also cute to see how the kids were nervous today. My team was able to have both of our competition times before noon. That meant K and I watched a few other teams and different challenges before watching one of his best buds. (D and O returned in time to watch these friends, too.)

It's a great program, and I am glad I participated, but I definitely learned I do not have the patience to commit to something like that again. It was almost like having a second job. So, I have to hope there are enough other parents dedicated enough to doing it next year so K can participate ... but I don't have to coach. If not ... well, we may have to find something else for K to do.

It was a lot of energy for me, too - talking to the other parents, managing the kids and holding my breath and hoping that they did okay. The kind of event that makes me long to get home and just relax by the fireplace with a book, magazine or my computer. (D is also clearly exhausted, because he ended up taking a two-hour nap while I chilled with the boys.)

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In other news, hard to believe it's officially spring. Especially with all the snow that is still outside. Can't believe there could still be snow around for my birthday ... and D and my next 5K ... both are only two weeks away!

Spring is Almost Here

It's hard to believe March is almost half-way over. (That may partially be due to the massive mounds of snow I see every time I look out the window.) With two 5Ks down for the year, and the next one in just a couple weeks (not to mention the two others I've already registered for) this year is turning into a busy one.

It's also hard to believe K will be 7 in a few weeks (oh, and I guess that I'll be 35 in a few weeks, too). We're doing our first "not-at-home" birthday for him, since it's his golden birthday and all. The place is reserved and now we just have to get out the invitations. (And then hope there is a good turnout ... we have to pay for a minimum of 10 kids regardless of how many show up.)

And this week is K's spring break. It's been a fun, low-key week. Monday I took the day off and we went and saw Escape from Planet Earth. I can't remember the last time I saw a non-animated movie in the theater ... but I'm okay with that for now. I enjoy watching my boys watch the movie and see them giggle at parts they think are funny. Today we also had a pretty low-key day, just hanging out in the morning, then going to the library and then making the trek to have my sister cut all of our hair. (I said good-bye to at least six inches ... it's been a while since I've had my hair only shoulder-length.)

Tomorrow, not sure what the day will bring, but I'm vowing not to look at work email ... which will be hard, but my boys deserve it.

Well, that's enough for my ramblings. March has definitely come in like a lion ... hoping it goes out like a lamb for sure.

A Few of My Favorite Things

So, my ultimate favorite things are things like snuggles with my boys (which I got extra in today thanks to a "snow day" which required me to work from home; lounging in "lounge clothes"; going out to dinner with my husband; and experiences. But I thought I'd share a few of my more tangible favorites ... 'cuz when you love something, you should share it. (And then brace yourself for repercussions of it no longer being available because of higher than expected demand.)

Blueberry Green tea from Harney & Sons. First, let's start with the beautiful tin. The packaging alone elevates the tea drinking experience. The tea itself is divine. Yes, divine. It's sweet enough I could almost make myself think I am drinking my dessert. (That is, if I had more self-discipline.) The only severe issue I've run across is that I love it so much, that sometimes I drink two cups before bed ... which thanks to the caffeine in green tea ... creates a somewhat sleepless endeavor. But let's be honest, so worth it. 

Experience Life. My replacement for Whole Living. Yes, I had my own private mourning ceremony when I found out that Whole Living was folding. It was the second time Martha Stewart Living had termed a magazine I loved. (So, I guess I don't have a lot of sympathy for her in her current legal dealings, even though I still sort of think she's awesome.) Experience Life fell into my lap with a free issue thanks to a 5K I ran in January. And, in full disclosure, my sis works for the company that produced the pub. But, I gotta say, it's a pretty awesome magazine and the hole left by Whole Living has been more than filled with this balanced mag. Lots of good stuff. A little spendier, but with their subscription deals, it's pretty comparable. Of course, I'm a magazine fanatic, so my other big go-tos: Mpls./St.Paul, Eating Well and Clean Eating.

Grimm. Returning this week after a short hiatus, this is D and my favorite show to watch together. Okay, the lead actor is nice on the eyes, but the creativity in the story line, the eery ... "maybe this could be reality" vibe makes this compelling TV. And it's a nice break from all the reality schlopp that's out there. Granted we don't watch a lot of reality/competition shows ... oh, but wait we do. So, yeah, it's nice to escape and watch a show that is purely fictional/fantastical. Of course, I love TV, and I probably should have actually said my DVR is one of my favorite things, because it is only because of my DVR that I can actually watch TV. (And thankfully, we have two ... because my backlog easily has both DVRs half full and it takes a weekend night marathon session to even make a dent. 

My local library. I love reading ... my goodreads account has more than 1000 books in my "to-read" shelf. I also like how the library system makes it really easy for me to request any books in the system and then I just pick them up. What I love even more ... that my boys love the library. Whenever they know I have to go and pick up books, they ask if they can come along and pick out books. It's so satisfying to see K devour books. (O likes to be read to, so I am taking that as a good sign.) It helps that D and I both read a lot, so I think we've set ourselves up as strong role models in this area. 

My running shoes (Brooks Ghost 5 currently). Even though I still focus primarily on interval running/training, I love the commitment I've made this year with D to run 10 5Ks. Sometimes, I have to give myself a pep talk to get my arse out there to run, but I'm always grateful afterward. I still have a ways to go to get in top shape, but it's liberating to think I can rightfully call myself a runner. (Definition: anyone who thinks they are a runner is a runner.) I just signed up for a mud obstacle course at the end of the summer with my sister. I don't know why I enjoy running a 5K (because let's be honest, the finish line never appears soon enough) but it makes me proud, and it's fun to run with my husband (even though he's at the finish line ten minutes faster than I am). It's something we can share and encourage our kids to do. In fact, K has gone out on a few runs with me (we do much shorter intervals) and even wrote that "running with my mom" was one of his favorite things to do. 

So, that's five things I love. Again, they fall far below my ultimate favorite things which are my family and friends. I'd love to hear about five of your favorite things - so please share!

Spring Fever

Officially, spring is just a few weeks away. K's spring break is next week ... and spring fever is very much in my bones. I don't know if it's the desire to be able to run during the week because of the light ... wanting to plant my garden ... cheer on my boys with spring/summer activities ... or maybe just relax with lazy days of summer. I am not a fan of the humid heat ... if you know me, you know I long for the crisp cool air of fall ... but as we enter March, I cannot wait for the snow to melt away and for me to pack away the winter wear.

Today was definitely a case of spring fever in the house. The boys were bursting with energy and the foreshadowing of what will be a busy summer was definitely told. We have to see if we can find any sports activities or camps for three-year-old's. O just so badly wants to do what K is doing, so I need to do a little bit of research and get organized, so that we can have happy boys this summer who are active, enjoying the fresh air and having a good time.

The Power of an Idea

If you aren't familiar with TED, stop reading and click here now.

Okay, now that you are acquainted, perhaps you can understand my affection for this gathering of brilliant, passionate people. (Let's also be fair and add elite and wealthy. You have to apply to attend the conference, and at $7,500 ... well, you could say it's a bit of an investment.)

However, they do make the main stage events available to the masses via video. My mighty employer, happened to be sponsoring a special area of the TED conference, and as part of this sponsorship, they were able to host TED live events and share the experience with all of the employees who chose to register for one of the sections. I signed up (because there was no way I was passing on this opportunity) for today's session called Ripple Effect. Three compelling speakers who made you like at philanthropy a little differently. The speaker that stayed with me though was Orly Wahba and her presentation on the magic of kindness.

I'll be candid, there were moments I was close to getting emotional during Orly's presentation. You must check out her short film about how one act of kindness can start a movement. There's something beautiful about the simplicity of just doing the right thing ... the good thing ... the kind thing.

My commitment going forward, is to always choose the kind option when I can. I hope you choose the same path.