I could not believe the weather forecast for the week ahead when I saw it on TV last evening. It seems the tide has turned on the bitterly cold weather--at least for a bit.
While there still is a lot of snow remaining to melt, it should be gone by this time next week.
The weather is predicted to even provide us a 60 degree day on Friday. A sure sign that Spring is not so far off and that outside activities may once again resume.
Bring on the pool floaties. Well, maybe it is a bit premature for that kind of activity.
But 60 degrees--that is warm enough to lower the top on Cat and cruise the neighborhood--with the heat blasting of course.
I will not be sad to see the snow melt. There is a lot of yard work already piling up to restore the lawns and yard to their pre-winter condition. The season has not been kind. We have at least one tree which will be taking up residence at the recycling center very soon as the snow and ice broke its back, so to speak.
But the thought of 60 degrees is almost as exciting as actually achieving the day. I may have to play hookie from work during the afternoon to enjoy the day to its fullest. I think the medical condition is termed, spring fever.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Eyes Closed Tight and Full Speed Ahead
The wreck that happened was obvious to everyone.
Full speed ahead and totally oblivious to the consequences. Not seeing the warning signs.
It can be almost as bad as the head-in-the-sand approach to life.
I know people who seem to attack life in a hair-of-fire approach and seem to get slapped down at every turn.
They don't pause to consider dodging the oncoming mess until they are mired deeply in it.
What are the warning signs of an impending crisis? It could be financial when the outlays at the end of the month exceed income and those extra expenses start making their way to the credit cards. It could be health related--when those aches and pains that used to be present when we roll out of bed now stay with us all day. Or the cough that has hung around for months. Or in school when the homework becomes and afterthought and the grades begin a gradual slide down the rating scale.
The signs are there. Open your eyes. Take corrective action before life collides with you like and oncoming train.
The light at the end of the tunnel may be the oncoming train of life and with a bit of recognition, the siding may be the best place to go..
Full speed ahead and totally oblivious to the consequences. Not seeing the warning signs.
It can be almost as bad as the head-in-the-sand approach to life.
I know people who seem to attack life in a hair-of-fire approach and seem to get slapped down at every turn.
They don't pause to consider dodging the oncoming mess until they are mired deeply in it.
What are the warning signs of an impending crisis? It could be financial when the outlays at the end of the month exceed income and those extra expenses start making their way to the credit cards. It could be health related--when those aches and pains that used to be present when we roll out of bed now stay with us all day. Or the cough that has hung around for months. Or in school when the homework becomes and afterthought and the grades begin a gradual slide down the rating scale.
The signs are there. Open your eyes. Take corrective action before life collides with you like and oncoming train.
The light at the end of the tunnel may be the oncoming train of life and with a bit of recognition, the siding may be the best place to go..
Friday, February 11, 2011
Walking Backward
So, kind of as a corollary to yesterday's post, I spent some time thinking about some of the people I know who seem to be walking backward through life.
Their entire focus is on what happened in the past--without ever really turning around to see what is in front of them.
These are some of the saddest people I know.
Why?
Because their focus on the past is usually recounting and reliving something bad that happened to them that they cannot get over. Some transgression caused by someone they loved, or some failure of their own.
They become consumed with their anguish and cannot turn around to see that tomorrow is where the possibilities are and that yesterday is hostory--and try as we might, we cannot rewrite what has happened. We can, however, change the future!
I've been to that place, I admit. And I can pity party with the best of them. Ask Chris.
But it is so much better to turn around and face forward to deal with things you can affect rather than lamenting history.
Their entire focus is on what happened in the past--without ever really turning around to see what is in front of them.
These are some of the saddest people I know.
Why?
Because their focus on the past is usually recounting and reliving something bad that happened to them that they cannot get over. Some transgression caused by someone they loved, or some failure of their own.
They become consumed with their anguish and cannot turn around to see that tomorrow is where the possibilities are and that yesterday is hostory--and try as we might, we cannot rewrite what has happened. We can, however, change the future!
I've been to that place, I admit. And I can pity party with the best of them. Ask Chris.
But it is so much better to turn around and face forward to deal with things you can affect rather than lamenting history.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Looking Forward
Sometimes I sit around looking backwards at the cool stuff that has happened. It is nice to have memories and pictures and trinkets of things I've done or places I've been.
But remembering the good times doesn't make them return.
I took a survey the other day--questions about what I like and what I like to do--those kinds of things and one question that I really enjoyed was: "What is your favorite day of the year?"
I could have answered in many different ways--Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Independence Day, the First Day of Summer and so on.
But I wrote: the first day of vacation. I love the start of the adventure. The beginning of something really different. The feeling that there is a lot ahead that I am about to do.
I want to look forward in expectation of something really cool and special. To an event unbounded by what I have done in the past. A change.
Of course the survey never asked what is the saddest day of the year? It is of course the day I go back to work after vacation. I spend all day thinking about what happened in the past and I get no enjoyment from today or what is going to happen in the future.
I like looking forward in anticipation.
But remembering the good times doesn't make them return.
I took a survey the other day--questions about what I like and what I like to do--those kinds of things and one question that I really enjoyed was: "What is your favorite day of the year?"
I could have answered in many different ways--Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Independence Day, the First Day of Summer and so on.
But I wrote: the first day of vacation. I love the start of the adventure. The beginning of something really different. The feeling that there is a lot ahead that I am about to do.
I want to look forward in expectation of something really cool and special. To an event unbounded by what I have done in the past. A change.
Of course the survey never asked what is the saddest day of the year? It is of course the day I go back to work after vacation. I spend all day thinking about what happened in the past and I get no enjoyment from today or what is going to happen in the future.
I like looking forward in anticipation.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Time, Toast, and Toes
It is funny--when I get to spend a week bacheloring it with my dog around the house; time seems to fly right by. I wish I could just sit and relax--but there seems to be laundry to do, cats to feed and litter boxes to freshen.
I noticed it yesterday morning as I was eating my toast. Makayla was there ,as usual, waiting for that last corner from each piece that I faithfully give her every day. I was writing a blog entry about my family and how we all rock. And then, I realized that counters needed cleaning, dishes needed washing, and OMG, the laundry that I started three days ago was still in the dryer--fortunately it was mostly undergarments and towels. Chris will never notice the other items. Maybe. Not.
And as I began to get later for work--the dog food was low, her water was out, and Makalya needed her second walk of the morning. Sadly, she decided not to "give it up" very easily and so we were outside for what seemed like forever and the clock was ticking in what seemed like double time until she finally found the exactly perfect spot for her business. Which I speedily scooped up and deposited in the trash.
Normally, I play racquetball on Tuesday mornings--but not this week, thankfully. It gives me a bit more time.
And then I thought about my toes--yes--toes. I normally love going barefoot around the house, but this winter we have been keeping the house so cold that the thought of going barefoot begins involuntary shivers throughout my body.
How I would love to have my toes dug into hot sand on a beach somewhere with the hot sun beating down on my bare lotion-covered back and the gentle sea breeze washing over me with the sweet, clean, smells of the ocean.
Daydreaming--not allowed!
Time to rush off to the office and forget about time, toast, and toes and get back to the grind of life and living in the medium-fast lane.
I noticed it yesterday morning as I was eating my toast. Makayla was there ,as usual, waiting for that last corner from each piece that I faithfully give her every day. I was writing a blog entry about my family and how we all rock. And then, I realized that counters needed cleaning, dishes needed washing, and OMG, the laundry that I started three days ago was still in the dryer--fortunately it was mostly undergarments and towels. Chris will never notice the other items. Maybe. Not.
And as I began to get later for work--the dog food was low, her water was out, and Makalya needed her second walk of the morning. Sadly, she decided not to "give it up" very easily and so we were outside for what seemed like forever and the clock was ticking in what seemed like double time until she finally found the exactly perfect spot for her business. Which I speedily scooped up and deposited in the trash.
Normally, I play racquetball on Tuesday mornings--but not this week, thankfully. It gives me a bit more time.
And then I thought about my toes--yes--toes. I normally love going barefoot around the house, but this winter we have been keeping the house so cold that the thought of going barefoot begins involuntary shivers throughout my body.
How I would love to have my toes dug into hot sand on a beach somewhere with the hot sun beating down on my bare lotion-covered back and the gentle sea breeze washing over me with the sweet, clean, smells of the ocean.
Daydreaming--not allowed!
Time to rush off to the office and forget about time, toast, and toes and get back to the grind of life and living in the medium-fast lane.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
That's How We Roll: Family Dynamics
My family is very resilient. I often forget this, but this past weekend I was reminded how quickly we can mobilize to respond to a crisis.
The scenario: Chris is already "deployed" to Buffalo, NY (yes, I know it is the middle of the winter and she is reporting the ever increasing snow fall being dumped on her). She is assisting family embroiled in a long-term health battle by providing assistance and comic relief. And then, Sunday--with no warning, we developed another crisis right here in Maryland. Somehow, I wound up in the role of first responder--but by the end of the day, when the situation had calmed, everyone had played a part in helping the situation. The immediate crisis has passed, but the long-term implications are still being explored.
And so--to my family.
Independent--yet connected.
Ready to help out at a moments notice--but also willing to allow everyone to have space.
Most important--caring.
And that is how we roll.
The scenario: Chris is already "deployed" to Buffalo, NY (yes, I know it is the middle of the winter and she is reporting the ever increasing snow fall being dumped on her). She is assisting family embroiled in a long-term health battle by providing assistance and comic relief. And then, Sunday--with no warning, we developed another crisis right here in Maryland. Somehow, I wound up in the role of first responder--but by the end of the day, when the situation had calmed, everyone had played a part in helping the situation. The immediate crisis has passed, but the long-term implications are still being explored.
And so--to my family.
Independent--yet connected.
Ready to help out at a moments notice--but also willing to allow everyone to have space.
Most important--caring.
And that is how we roll.
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