Dream Jobs

I had a conversation with Jeff yesterday, and I literally can't stop thinking about it, even today on my day off.  He was showing me pictures of his basement that he's had to redo because of water damage a few weeks ago.  It is unbelievable what he has accomplished, and I simply told him he's in the wrong business and that he should be in remodeling for a living, not just because he's good, but because he loves it.

He admitted, it would be his dream job.

And then he asked me what my dream job would be....

And I didn't have an answer, because the things I love to do, simply don't pay right now.  So for me, the words dream and job simply don't mix.

But if they did, I think the only thing I would change is my job.  The one thing I do actually get money for would be gone.  Adios, nada, zip. And then I would have all the time I wanted to write to you, and finish stories, and not worry about numbers, revenues, and budgets.

In the past eight years, my job has changed me, some good, and some not so good.  I find that while I have learned a lot, it has also taken away a lot of my creativity and (for lack of a better word) happiness.  I simply don't love it anymore and that makes me sad.

So what's a girl to do?

Well, I have to believe that I'm here for more than the betterment of skating in the Lansing area, so I will keep plugging along on the real dream job.  I have to find myself at Biggby more and work less.

I want to write.
I want to create something that changes people's lives for the better.
And I want to travel.

A girl can dream can't she?  What would your dream job be?

Touchpoints

Teens are an interesting breed.  And by breed, I mean species.  Because, to say they are human would be an outright lie to you.  Oh, somedays they are human, even moments in every day sometimes, but then they go back to their 'teendom' and regress back to five years old.

Did any of you ever read Touchpoints by T Berry Brazelton when you were a new mom?  I remember getting it and thinking 'this guy's a whack-job'... until that moment when it all began to make sense and then it was my baby bible.

I don't have the book any longer, but this is taken from the website...

"Part One is a chronological account of the touchpoints of development—the predictable spurts that are often preceded 
by distressing regressions."

A blurry pic of his certificate!

Today was a chronological account of predictable spurts, (passing a driver's test!), preceded by distressing regressions (arguing with me at the dinner table for the second night in a row).

WE STILL HAVE TOUCHPOINTS!

My pediatrician always told me when they were little that they would be the most challenging right before a growth spurt (physically and mentally).  Life is a roller coaster with kids, one moment up and another down.  Boy was she right, and I can't tell you how often I've told other mom's that same advice.  Little did I know that I would still need to hear this advice sixteen years later.

Sigh...

So tonight I drink wine and remember.

I remember the younger years that I miss so dearly.

I miss snuggling on the couch and watching Little Bear.

I remember when it was a bumper car or antique cars he would drive at Cedar Point.  Now his bumper car is an antique car :)

I remember when believed everything I said.

I remember tantrums, long nights, and crocodile tears.

I remember feeling like being a mom was what I did best.... sometimes.

Brazelton doesn't have a book on teens.  I imagine there is a box somewhere with many drafts of a book for teens, and he just never figured it out.  And that makes me smile just a bit.  

Because if we don't keep our sense of humor, we will end up in jail.  For that I am sure.

I hope you're somewhere drinking wine too...Enjoy the rest of your week.

Recipe Intervention

I know that most of you out there in my little blog world will agree that most of us need a recipe intervention.  What's that, you might ask?

Well, it's when you give up the recipes you've been making for the past year, that literally make you want to cry from boredom every time you make them.  I mean, seriously, if I have to find another way to make pizza I. Am. Going. To. Scream.

Don't get me wrong... I love pizza, but it seems that all my recipes revolve around it.

Bubble Pizza
Pizza Muffins
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Biscuit Pizza

I mean, who has this many pizza recipes, and makes them consistently?  Last night I tried to make a mexican chicken recipe (yes, even after dumping a crockpot of chicken tacos in my back seat), and didn't exactly wow the crowd here.  Evan politely had about a quarter of a piece, Toby choked his down and about licked the plate, and Blake wouldn't try it at all.  Goldie loved it.

Now it wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either.  I'm just so tired of trying to find something that everyone will like AND ISN'T PIZZA.

I think I need a Pintervention and start pinning recipes again.

By all means, if you have a kid friendly recipe that doesn't revolve around pizza, please send it my way!

Have a great day!

Crack Pretzels

I don't usually like to promote snacking of this proportions, but I feel I must share this recipe... only because if you ever had them you'd be mad I didn't share this recipe.

So I'm sparing you this anger.  Because these are good.

Like crack they're so addictive, and everyone will love them and think they're really hard to make.  I'd take a picture of them, but Toby might think I've lost my marbles if I open up the cupboard and start snapping away.  You'll just have to use your imagination and trust me.

Aunt Jane's Crack Pretzels

1 Bag of Pretzels (I use the Kroger brand Waffle ones)
2/3 cup of popcorn oil- Orvil is the bomb
1 package of dry ranch
1 tsp. dill
garlic salt (or if you don't have that, look in the spices and see what looks good)
1 Large Ziplock Bag

1.  Pour the pretzels in the ziplock.
2.  In a measuring cup, mix the oil, ranch, dill, and seasoning till blended.
3.  Pour over the pretzels and zip up the bag.
4.  Squish the bag around to get the mixture on all of the pretzels (careful not to break them).  Set them aside and flip them every hour or so... if you can.  If not, no biggie.

After about 4 hours...or over night, they're good to go and can be transferred to a air tight container.

Enjoy!

re-evaluate

Reevaluate:  1. revise or renew one's assessment.

I've had one of those days.  

One of those days when I wonder what the hell kind of life plan is this when I have to miss not one, but two of Blake's games because of work.  I literally had that  thought of 'Is this really what I want people to remember me by... work?

My answer is no.  I have had one of the longest days thinking about life and what it is all supposed to mean, and if I will give one rat's ass what my numbers were for learn to skate in the winter of 2013 when I'm on my death bed.  My answer is no, just in case you're wondering.  But I'm guessing you already knew that by now.  I'm pretty sure you were just waiting patiently for me to figure it out on my own.  

I was sent pictures, texts, tweets, and phone calls today to keep me in the loop (and I am grateful!), but it will never even come close to being there.  This is the second tournament they've won this year that I haven't been to... if you've lost track.  It breaks my heart, even though I know Blakey is just fine without me there.  

Yesterday, they lost their first game 2-1, and was probably their 4th loss all season... if that.  The boys were frustrated, and quite frankly pissed off.  My thought was, even though I would have loved to see them win, a loss is sometimes what you need to make your team stronger.  You have to know what your mistakes are to be able to fix them.

In the game of life, today was a loss for me.  I am frustrated and pissed off, however I can see more clearly what I need to change to make me a better person and mom.  I can see more clearly a picture of what I want my life to be about because I had to go through today.  I know that this day isn't what my life is going to be about and at any point I can change the game plan for more success.

I am seriously hoping you all had a better day than mine :)  Maybe not as good as these guys, but good none the less...

Have a great week!

speed bumps

I have been beating myself up lately because I haven't been the best company.  Work has been insane, death has been living up to its promise of coming in three's, and I haven't been able to shut my brain off long enough to read anything.  I don't think I would classify it as depression yet, but there is definitely a speed bump in the road that I seem to keep running over.

But today, as I was waiting for Evan and going over my day, I realized that throughout all of it, today included, I have had the choice of going around the speed bump.  Avoiding it all together.  So often our first reaction is that quick-tempered, this-isn't-what-I-expected-and-I'm-pissed reaction.

I've perfected that reaction.

And now I think it's time to find a new one.  

Choosing to make the most out of whatever comes our way is what will keep us from going off the deep end wanting to sleep the day away.  It's funny, because I do this automatically at work.  I problem solve and can switch to plan B so easily, it's almost as if there was no plan A to begin with. 

Why I haven't figured out how to apply this to LIFE yet is beyond me.  

I know, I know... baby steps.  And it will be with baby steps that I learn to walk around those damn speed bumps.

Sorry it's been so long... hope you're having a better start to this year than I am :)

Happy Wednesday!

 

Mission

I'm not sure about you, but whenever someone I know dies, it has an impact on me.  I literally go about my day thinking about my own life, my mom's life, and what it all means to me.  I begin to question everything...

what am I doing with my life?
what do I really need to be happy?
does it really matter if I'm on a diet?

Obviously, these are not the happiest questions, and certainly won't be answered by the end of the day. I am pondering the life, and in serious need of an attitude adjustment.  Finding something to focus on is what usually helps me through times like this, and today I have been working on a mission statement.  When I was looking through my 5 book the other day, the second step after naming your top 5 values was to create a mission statement.  Something you want your life to be about;  something to guide you through the good and bad times;  something that will stand through the test of time.

About the same time I found out about my friend's mom, someone posted this video on Facebook.  I haven't seen it in about a year, but I have to believe I was supposed to see this today...

This kid has a mission.
Everybody love everybody.

It's amazing how a simple video with notecards can have such a huge message and impact.

Do I have my mission yet?  I'm not completely sure, but I think it will go something like this:

My mission in life is to help people feel better.
It is in my heart that everyone around me should have a better life when I'm around.

I think that's why I write and play Dr. Phil at work.  It's why I'm addicted to self-help and books that make me feel good.  My life is about making the world a happier place.

Just like my mom.

RIP Mrs. Stornant.  You will be missed...

bachelor

I'm not sure why I watch it.

Correction, I know why I watch it, but every time I vow I'll never watch again.  Then Jess and Debbie start talking about it and I just get sucked in.  Every.  Single.  Time.

Plus, there's the whole positive spin on how much better I feel about my self and life after watching this show.  These girls are absolutely loco, and somehow the bachelors never see it.

This season is especially promising with Sean Lowe, blonde haired, blue-eyed, all american boy.  He wants a wife and a family... blah, blah, blah.  And he has twenty-five bachelorettes all dying for him.

Let the awkwardness begin...

Will you be watching?

5

A few years ago, I was rushing through Goodrich Shoprite and happened to notice a book as I walked to the deli.  Now, if you've never been there before, they're known for a few things:

An amazing deli and meat department.
A HUGE wine selection.
And a unique gift department.

It's small compared to any Kroger and Meijer, but easy to stop by on my way home from work.  I make it a point to browse the gift area to see what's in there.  As I was saying, a few years ago, I found this book.. and then another... and well, you get the message.

It's not a book you sit and read cover to cover.  You read it in bits and pieces, letting it settle into the open spots of your brain.  The premise is Where will you be 5 years from today?  It makes you stop and think and wonder why you're on this planet, and what you want to achieve.

For whatever reason I needed a moment when I got home today and picked it up.  On days when all hell breaks loose at the rink, I find that I need to remind myself that my life is more that Suburban.

I need to remember that life isn't just about numbers and a bottom line.

In other words, I need to remember that in trying to inspire you, I inspire myself.  It's the ultimate Win-Win for me.

So I write.

When looking through this book again, it has you name your top 5 Values right off the bat.  Values are the reasons we get up in the morning and actually get out of bed.  No, coffee is not a value, but nice try.  Cookies aren't either... I looked.

Family, friends, faith, creativity, and love are my top 5, not necessarily in that order.  Any one of these things would get me out of bed, and inspire me to go that extra mile at the end of the day.  I find it amusing that work isn't on this list, and probably wouldn't make the top ten.

Work is what I do... It's no longer who I am, and for that I am thankful to know the difference.

I think we all need to evaluate our lives from time to time and see what important to us.  It keeps us in check and highlights the almighty perspective.  Decisions and choices are much easier when we are clear of our values.

I don't know what possessed me to pick this book up tonight, but I am extremely grateful that I did, and even more grateful that I walked down that aisle at Goodrich.

Call it Karma or Divine Intervention.... matters not.

I call it happiness.

And the fact that at the moment I wrote this post, my total views was at 4,555 was just another sign.

Have an amazing week!

unmotivated

It is beyond me why, after the most motivating day of the entire year (every year), I am left here feeling a little lost and a LOT unmotivated.

It's almost as if this Christmas break is like the movie Groundhog Day, and it.  will.  never.  end.  The walls are closing in on me, and this morning I opted out of going to work right away, so I can enjoy a moment of peace in my own home.

I know it's selfish.
I know I sound like a brat.
I know 'family time' should be sacred.  And it might be if we could find our Yatzee game.

But all I want is to be left alone.

Evan and I snuggled with Goldie

I have to admit I'm a little jealous of those families that can sit down and watch a movie together, or circle around the Wii and play all night.  We're just not like that and not sure we ever were.  Toby is good at the video games, and I'm better at board games.  Toby likes sports on TV, and I like to read.  The closest thing we've come to family gathering lately is Evan and I watching Prison Break on the laptop.

Not exactly Norman Rockwell.

I know, I know, I'm just looking for things to be wrong instead of living in the moment.  I know I'm just a little anxious because of all the down time with the kids.  I know there is no real normal, and going with the flow is essential at this point in our lives.

And yet... that crazy invisible beast from Lost follows me, reminding me I'm lost.

So, if you came here today looking for inspiration, I simply don't have it.  You're going to have to revel in that 'misery loves company' feeling you'll get from this post, and simply know you're not alone in this crazy-long-Christmas-Break world.

Now go out there and get yourself a Biggby or Starbucks (way cuter employees btw), because you deserve it today.  Actually, we deserve it every day, but who could afford that?

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Les Misérables

I had seen the play about fifteen years ago at the Wharton Center.  Of course I loved the music, have always loved going to any play, and being a part of that kind of energy is something to behold.  Even in the rafters.

And I had also heard all the buzz about this movie.

So, I was intrigued to see this and excited this would be our New Year's Day choice for 2013.

Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see.

The first fifteen or so minutes weren't exactly what I expected, but quickly we are thrown into the thick of it, and we are somehow involved in this story ourselves.  I imagine the 'live singing' throughout the film is what creates this intimate feeling and involves the viewer so much.  It is a story of forgiveness, hope, and dreams.  Dreams that are broken, and those that come true.

It is tragic.
It is beautifully casted.
And it left me sobbing.  Literally.

Just watching the trailer again, I cried.

If you get a chance to see this, do not hesitate.  Even knowing you'll cry like a baby.

It's worth every second of it.

Happy New Year to all my friends.  I hope it brings you everything you have dreamed for.