December 31, 2016

Because some of it was pretty darned great

This year was not one of the best in the history of years. But despite some bumps globally, locally, we had some kind of great things happen. So let's take a look back at the good pieces of what happened so we don't leave it behind believing it was all garbage.

January

I started 2016 with a giant concussion. I hit my head on the ski lift while skiing, and spent the next 3 weeks stupider than usual. While it meant canceling our New Years plans, it also meant staying home with my family and being quiet. And we all know how much I enjoy that.


And, of course, there was wrestling. Something clicked with C-man during this year, and he really started to love the sport. Since it's my least favorite of his 3, I had mixed feelings on this. But even though he was consistently coming up in third place throughout January, he was suddenly so passionate about it. And I was finding myself at the bottom of some painful move he needed to practice more often than I wanted to be. But I had my great new camera to capture it all, which is always a joy.

Then, while the boys spent their time at two tournaments in a weekend, I took a weekend of wrestling off and flew to Texas with my sister to meet up with my other sister and parents. We celebrated our parents' 50th wedding anniversary. While it was chilly, it was still sunny. And, of course, a 50th wedding anniversary is always something to be happy about.

February

February continued into our theme of all wrestling all the time. Honestly, it was every weekend. And when he wasn't at practice, he was practicing on me. Even the weekends the team took off, he insisted on finding a tournament somewhere in the state and wrestling. He set goals. He was working hard. He was jumping rope constantly. And those January thirds turned into February firsts. It was pretty impressive.

March

In March, I had the pleasure of opening my bee hives and finding that both hives survived the winter. It was a fantastic feeling, and I think I actually ran around the old pig shed a few times in celebration.

And then we wrestled some more. Except this time, it was to take 2nd at Regionals. And while second isn't first, when you're at Regionals, it means your ticket is punched to go to State for the very first time. It was beyond delightful.

And then he turned 11. Gosh, he is cute at 11. This age that can be so difficult to live through has been such a joy. He's so smart and creative and focused and passionate. This child, even at 11, has figured out that life is for joy.

Then we took the trip to Madison to compete at the State competition. While he ended up not placing, State was a great experience that he really treasured. Plus, it really proved what setting goals and working hard can do for you and gave him great experience for the future.

The very next morning, we got up early and boarded a plane for Fiji. After our long flight, we adjusted to the time change by lounging, exploring beautiful orchid gardens, swimming, eating great food, and taking a mud bath. C-man was sick - I can only imagine from all the stress and flying. But it was a great place to recoup because everything was great about Fiji.

And then, we boarded a sailboat and sailed around the Fiji islands to snorkel, laugh, and eat. And while we fried our skin like it's never been fried, gosh, it was a glorious trip. Blue skies and blue waters and colorful fish. The best. C-man has always loved fish and marine life, but he was transfixed by it.


April

From Fiji, we moved on to the South Island of New Zealand. (Where I repeated shouted, "6th continent, bitches! Becuase it was my 6th continent, and they only have 5 and 4.) 11 days and 1900 kilometers in an RV roaming wherever we felt like roaming. I saw so, so many honeybee hives, and I think even more sheep. It was a great, great trip that took us from ziplining to my favorite vineyard visiting to glacier helicoptering to whale watching. It's one we'll always remember taking together.

But all trips eventually have to end. So we came home, and it was time to set up new beehives. I was supposed to set up 3, but the bees came and one of the three queens was dead. The supplier was a total jerk and wouldn't replace her, so I had 4 beehives. Which, really, was enough. (Although I'll never say a good word about Honey Bee Ware again.)

And, because we're never one to be without a sport for long, we came home from our trip directly to a wrestling banquet and then moved right into baseball games. This year he was a National, since he moved up a division. It's always a question how things will go when you move up a division, but things turned out well for him, and he ended up being the key team catcher. Beerman, of course, was an assistant coach.

May

May is always a great month. This year, I celebrated my 40th birthday. While I was sick on my actual birthday, and home alone because Beerman was traveling for work, it ended up turning out pretty darned great when we had a party with our closest friends and family. It was cold, and we had to change the venue, but we made the best of it, and had a really great time.

Beerman was away again for our anniversary. But, of course, we played more baseball, so it's not like it would have been a crazy night even if he had been home.

June

June brought us... baseball. And one of my favorite photos of the year.

And then, unfortunately, it also brought us a broken wrist. That was the result of a failed 360 off a swing at the biergarten. It happened during the last week of school, so the signatures on the cast were plentiful. The last week of Catholic school, that is, since C-man decided he was moving to the public middle school. So many changes and decisions. But a true sign of his own independence growing, and his need for bigger and different things.

The beehives continued to thrive.

And with baseball out of the picture due to the casted wrist, we moved into full summer swing, and spent lazy days in the backyard.

July

July was, unbelievably, mostly sportless. So we spent our time at the park and the beach and in the backyard. It was pretty great.

It was incredibly sweet, too, especially when the honey started to flow into my belly. All 110 pounds of it this year.


August

To wrap up our summer, C-man and I took a trip around the state to see Great Grandma and the bees, and then to Winter to see Grandma and Grandpa. After some s'mores and fishing, we stopped in Wisconsin Dells on our way home to waterpark our day away. It was a huge hit with C-man, and something I suspect will be an annual trip.

I followed up that trip by taking a week in New England for work. In the middle of working, I saw Maine, Massachussetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Except for Massachussetts, I hadn't been to the other three, so that was pretty nice.

I even made my way to Montreal for a night/day (which was lovely) before heading back to New Hampshire and Maine to spend some time with some great friends. It was a beautiful trip, but one I was ready to come home from after having driven so many miles.

September

Then we moved back into school life. A uniform-less public middle school almost directly behind our house that C-man could walk to. He was thrilled, and took off with a smile and a new short hair cut. September was a huge adjustment for him, but he loved the change and the increased size of the school population.

And, of course, after weeks of football practice, the football games began for both C-man and Beerman.

October

October was all things football for both boys. C-man again played with the 7th graders, even though he was a 6th grader. The team didn't do quite as well as previous years, and C-man's size was definitely noticeable. But his ability was no less than anyone else, and he continued to make an impact. And oh, how he loves this sport.

November

In November, we voted. In what I thought was an historic vote, it ended in a night that made so many of us physically ill. But on the positive side, the election season had come to an end, and I actually got to vote for a woman. The small victories, I suppose.

And, of course, November brought the annual Jingle Bell Run that means so much to me. I was the Adult Champion of the event, although that ended up being a bit of an anticlimactic position when the woman who recruited me left the foundation and the woman left behind didn't really know what to do with me. But the day itself was sunny and great and filled with my closest allies.

December

December started with a really early Fake Christmas #1 in Winter. It was a nice time that ended with an extraordinarily long drive home due to the snow storm we drove through. But we made it home, and all was well with C-man sporting yet two new football jerseys out of the deal.

We ended up canceling Fake Christmas #2 due to the weather, which was disappointing.

But then it was real Christmas. The one where we searched for a pickle. C-man won again. Of course.

The very next day, we packed up and headed north to go on our annual ski trip. This year, it was to Hurley to ski Whitecap. Unfortunately, we left the hill after only two runs because it was an ice skating rink and just not safe. But fortunately, we made up for it with some bowling and tubing, and had a great time with one another anyhow.


As we move from 2016 to 2017, I have mixed feelings. While we had some pretty extraordinary experiences this year - C-man making it to State, having the bees survive the winter to produce so much goodness, visiting a new continent, turning 40, moving to a new school - it is a year that I can put in the memories and move on from. I think as we transition into 2017, my focus is going to be on simplicity more than ever. How do we take the daily grind and remove the clutter and the inane, and distill it into the things that matter most? How do we take those important times make the moments last? How do I keep it on the present and the important and not focus on the unchangeable and inconsequential?

I have much to be grateful for. And in 2017, I'm going to make sure it's those things that get my focus. Cheers to you and yours. And Happiest of New Years.

December 29, 2016

The ski trip that wasn't

Monday, we drove all the way north to go skiing at Whitecap. The temperature went from 38 to 3 overnight, which meant by the time we got on the hill on Tuesday, it was straight ice. By our second run, and after several falls by each of us, even C-man, we called it quits. I had a dream o fBeerman breaking his leg the previous night, and I wasn't about to let it come true. The hill gave us a comp ticket to come back. While I understand they can't control the weather, I was pretty disappointed they didn't tell us this before they sold the tickets in the first place - especially when they were already comping people as they were coming off the hill. I know everyone raves about the place, but I think it'd take a whole lot for me to go back again, especially when I learned the other hills in the area didn't even open because it was too dangerous.


But, determined to have fun anyway, we bowled, ate good food, played games, Foosballed, went to a wild animal sanctuary, tubed, and laughed. While it was the ski weekend where we didn't ski, it was still a great time for everyone. And now, we relax and enjoy the last few days before the new year appears.

December 21, 2016

Let's finish strong


  • We have our place all set for skiing next week. It has a Foosball table. We may never get to the hill.Which probably would be okay with me. After all, I most likely couldn't give myself another concussion playing Foosball like I did last year on the ski hill.
  • C-man and a friend are about the same weight. They had a deal that when they had to weigh in, the one who was higher would wrestle up and the lower would drop before 1/8. C-man was higher, so just needs to maintain. But the kid who said he was going to drop 2 pounds to be in the 110 weight class doesn't seem to be making much progress in that direction. That'd put 3 kids in C-man's 117 class, with the other 2 being 8th graders. I have a sneaking suspicion I'm going to be asked to get rid of the house Christmas cookies...
  • I never put out much for Christmas decorations this year. C-man finally noticed last night. I don't like not being totally festive, but after I had to put up the tree by myself, I figured the rest could sit.
  • I binged through the new Medici series on Netflix. I give it a serious love. Robb Stark as Cosimo? Yes, thankyouverymuch.
  • My pain levels have been pretty ridiculous lately. I'm really looking forward to some time off without having to think too hard.
  • Beerman was asked to coach the baseball team this summer. I knew that was going to happen. Damnit.
  • Only one more day of work. As Beerman declared this morning, Finish Strong!

December 20, 2016

A few favorite things


Maybe it's because I'm the age I am, but so many around me seem to be having such a hard time lately. So to try to move past that, here are a few of my favorite things right now:

  • Valentine coffee. I wasn't sure about the switch at work when it happened, but now I'm really loving my morning Guatemala.
  • The Headspace app. It's a basic meditation app, but I'm really enjoying it.
  • My Cuddl Duds. They're fuzzy long underwear, and I'm basically living in them these days.

December 19, 2016

Another week ahead


  • I took over C-man's fantasy football teams. I'm doing pretty well, thankyouverymuch. Although, Kirk Cousins needs to do something good tonight, or I'm going to lose that one.
  • I almost can't take paying attention to the news anymore. Turkey, Berlin, the electoral college... It's destroying me slowly.
  • I made Peanut Blossoms and Scotcharoos this weekend. I shouldn't have done that.
  • I got cheese curds from my work Secret Santa. That may have been the best Secret Santa ever.

December 12, 2016

More Rando Stuff


  • I've taken over C-man's fantasy football teams. I got some guys off waivers to replace his guys who are on IR, and scheduled my team. C-man had me put in two different guys,and both scored zero. So these teams are mine now. All mine. Look out Fantasy Footballers, I'm winning the rest of this year!
  • After we got 7.5 inches of snow, C-man and I decided to go sledding. I'll never understand the parents who go and don't sled, but stand at the bottom of the hill directly in the way of where you're trying to race to. When I muttered something about old people, C-man was sweet enough to point out that most parents aren't crazy like his mom. I took it as a compliment.
  • The new generation of pokemon are coming out tonight. I have to take C-man to wrestling practice. I guess it'll give me something to do while he sweats it out. #catchemall
  • I made the work card that's going to go out from my peers and me. We're mimicking the Brady Bunch. I hope it turns out.
  • I ended up being pretty pleased with this year's Christmas Card. And now to begin thinking about next year's card...
  • I weighed myself this morning. C-man went down 2 pounds. A week of wrestling and 2 straight days of skiing will do that to you. I did not wrestle or ski. Holy balls... I guess it answered if I need to do any holiday baking.
  • Speaking of holidays. I should probably start buying presents. We have a family Fake Christmas #2 this weekend!

December 8, 2016

Hermitood


This is that time of year that always confuses me. It's supposed to be a time of love and happiness and joy, but in reality, is such a contrast to the extra selfishness and lack of effort that seems to happen. I often feel like I'm wandering around without joy in a season that's supposed to be such a blessing. But really, I'd just prefer to get on an airplane and explore someplace new without having to deal with anyone or anything. I know that sounds so Bah Humbug. And maybe it truly is. But at least I'd be able to find joy and experience new happiness instead of feel so disappointed with so many people. Maybe I'll just stay at home for the next 30 days and shut myself off like a hermit. Everything delivers anyway, right?

December 6, 2016

Disappointment


I've mostly found people to be disappointing lately. I hate that. It seems to come with this time of year, unfortunately - the time when people decide to fly their true colors. I hate that. Especially because it's St. Nick's Day. And I always love St. Nick's Day. At least I'm doing dinner and gambling with friends tonight while the boys wrestle. That should be fun.

December 5, 2016

Mondays

This weekend was full. Fake Christmas #1 (as dubbed by C-man) with my family. It's always nice. C-man, of course, had a total blast with his cousins and was sad to leave. Unfortunately, the leaving part took forever since the first real snowfall of the season happened. It turned our five-ish hour drive into over seven. Thankfully, we drove the truck and put it in 4WD and Beerman got us home safely.


So this is this year's family photo, minus a brother in law. Each year, everyone wants a nice photo. But then after I set it up, some hide making it look like I don't know what I'm doing, others complain it's taking too long, and still others think they're funny by being total asses. I gave up trying to get a decent photo, so went with what we had and said it was great. But I think I'm done taking any family photos.

December 1, 2016

3 days ahead


It's my last day of work before a 3-day weekend. I really need this one. I have had a crazy week and haven't slept at night. Tomorrow's breakfast with a friend and then massage are going to be amazing.

November 30, 2016

Sound bytes


This weekend is the first fake Christmas. Man, it's way too early for this. I don't know what I do or don't have for anyone. I have Friday off, at least, and can try to pull myself together then.

The breakfast options served at my work have improved a million-fold since we got a new kitchen. I need to stop doing this, but justify it by having a smaller lunch instead. Because seriously - egg in a hole? Yes!

This week has felt like the longest week where I keep beating my head against the wall. People can't be that dumb, right?

Last night was the first Jr Knights practice for Beerman and C-man. C-man was thrilled to be back at it with this group. I'm glad he enjoys it.

Beerman is slowly improving since the great tumble. He proudly showed me he could lift his arm over his head today. Progress.

At least the Brewers are picking up some new players. Trump may be our president in Spring, but at least there's something hopeful...

November 28, 2016

Guess what time it is...


  • C-man has been in club wrestling for 2 weeks. But this week starts his Jr Knights wrestling, too. That means he's just moved into 4 a week wrestling practices until Easter. Ahhh, can you smell it?
  • Beerman fell two stories off a ladder yesterday while putting up a Christmas wreath. The ladder slipped out from under him. I'm cautiously optimistic that while he really jacked up his back, the knock to his head wasn't incredibly severe. But we're watching things...
  • Coming back to work after 5 days isn't my favorite thing to do. When do I win that lottery?
  • Thanksgiving was lovely this year. A smaller crowd than normal, but it all worked out. And after gorging on blackberry and cherry pie, we came home with the annual box of canned good from Grandma. It's hard to beat that with a stick.
  • We winterized the bees. In other words, they got moisture quilts put on top, and a fence around them to block the wind. I have chosen, on the advice of my instructor, to not wrap them because it retains too much moisture. We'll see how that works out again. It's hard to believe this is my third season and winter.
  • C-man has started meditating with me daily now. Hopefully it helps with some of the anxiety he's been feeling. You couldn't pay me to be a middle schooler again.
  • I could really use a nap. Is it nap time yet?

November 22, 2016

Holiday week


  • The Christmas cards are ordered. Ugh, I hate hitting print on these things. Invariably, I find a million things I want to change after I do, but whatever. It's done now. Maybe someday I'll have a family who does a nice photo for the card.
  • Who am I kidding. We are not the nice family photo card people.
  • The school has lice. Shudder. I already itch.
  • I was without my computer for a day and a half at work. Do you know what you can do without a computer at work? Jack shit.
  • C-man has forgotten to turn in his ski club information for over a week and a half. It's past the deadline. I told him to beg for forgiveness and turn it in today. I'm curious to see if his sad face did its magic.
  • Thanksgiving is this week. So I've got to get my cranberries.
  • But more importantly, I need to make my bee hive quilts so I can winterize the bees. I can't believe it's already time for that. I hope they make it.
  • And now, have a lovely week.

November 17, 2016

2.9013


Researchers on happiness say that you should have 2.9013 happy interactions to unhappy or neutral ones. It's the critical positivity ratio. And I am in such a deficit this week, I can hardly stand it. I'm glad the weekend is almost here, because I can really use it. And because my body can't take much more of the donuts and frozen custard I've been feeding it.