Friday, December 19, 2014

Lost in a Field

It's the Christmas holiday season, and the airwaves are filled with one commercial after another. After hearing the dialog for Amazon's Kindle Fire, BW piped up "Yup, he's married."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. It sounds like he has a wife who can tell him what to do."

"How can you tell?"

"Because without one, he'd be in a field, wandering around lost."






Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Thanksgivings

Looking down at the metrics screen for the Adaptive Motion Trainer or AMT, the frustration I’ve been fighting over my injured heel and lack of weight loss vaporized, only to be replaced by happiness.

The first time Michelle showed me the AMT I was only able to make it through 3 or 4 minutes on the lowest setting. Begging for mercy, as I stepped down and tried to walk, my legs literally collapsed under me and it took several moments before I was able to steady myself and move with ease again.

My happiness now was in recognizing that even though my weight loss has plateaued and that I have had to relax the intensity of my workouts and the type of exercising that I can do (really, I shouldn’t do ANY time on the AMT so that my heel can heal) I am now able to work out longer, harder and faster than I hoped for when Project Purpose started.

It takes several minutes for my heart to reach the target heart rate and it drops almost immediately when I back off the intensity of my workout. It can be a challenge to remind myself that my project purpose was to gain health, and fitness, and be able to sleep well again. Weight loss was never a consideration – just an added bonus.

Otto, our snuffle-puff hedgehog.
We are 19 weeks into P2 with only six or seven remaining. My Achilles heel is doing a lot better, and I have come to terms with my body’s need to slow down a bit so that it can ‘catch up’ with where I want to be.

The holiday season is definitely underway, and with it an even busier schedule. I’ve been spending more hours listening to music for ‘The Nutcracker’ as my daughter rehearses for Canyon Concert Ballet’s performances at the Rialto and Lincoln Center than I have spent at the gym. Yet, the semester is winding down and we are all looking forward to having a bit more free time when winter break arrives.

I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Project Purpose. Thankful that I’ve been able to set aside time to move. Thankful to regain all that has been put on hold while my little ones grew old enough to have independence and the ability to care for themselves. Thankful that my little family encourages me to keep going on the days after a session with Michelle and every muscle aches. I am thankful for having such a fabulous team at The Coloradoan’s Mind + Body, at Miramont, at home, in work, and in life.

So we, Karl, Caleb, Meghan and I - along with big dog, little dog, and hedgehog wish you, Kind Reader, a very Happy Thanksgiving from our “House of Chaos” to yours.





Friday, November 14, 2014

It's HERE! Part III

This issue held a really cool surprise - I LOVE Jackie's coffee - so to find that the main story was about her and how she created a successful company was inspiring.


M+B Holiday 2014 Cover



Alicia's Intro's all around. Love this Gal!



Team Reality Bites


Team House of Chaos

One little bit of info that not many know or are aware of...

When P2 first started they told us we needed to have our photos taken in work out gear. I ran out and purchased this pair of work out/yoga pants and found that I was not able to fit in them.

Proof is in the picture - Hard work does pay off!


Words from the Experts - our team of Coaches! Thank you Kim, Brooke and Michelle!!!





Sunday, November 9, 2014

Cat Lady

Well, the cricket died thankfully. I believe he may have been a victim of an equally persistent Beans. (In case you missed it - here's the story.)

Normally I'd be rejoicing at the prospect of a good nights sleep - but the same day that "chirps" as the kids so named him died, a relatively young cat in the neighborhood has decided that she likes our house, thank you very much, and she is now very vocal in her demands of food and shelter.

I first saw her as a streak in my vision - and wasn't entirely certain that I wasn't seeing things. When I saw the bag of dog food that had been dug into with teeth and claws, I was nearly certain that the black streak was indeed feline. Once you've been owned by a cat, you never forget what that sort of claw carnage looks like.

Charles saw her next confirming that I was not, in fact, seeing things.

She's taken to perching on the ledge of a window by our front door. At first she's not noticeable, but then as the house quiets and people fall asleep you can hear her faint Siamese-esk yowling. It's intensity deepens as the night grows darker or until the dogs wake from their food slumber and jar the house wake the entire house with their racket.

By the sound of our greyhound Squirt's barking, you'd think the poor cat was trying to heist gold or dog treats. Beans' sharp barks bring to mind the memory of an old 'Bugs Bunny' cartoon in which the house dog yaps at the highly anxious Sylvester - only I'm the poor 'Puddy Tat' this time around.

Somehow theb'Oy and Dot manage to sleep through the entire racket, and while Charles rustles a bit, he too sleeps through the racket.

It's no wonder why I coffee and I are fast friends.


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Quiet Moments

Here at the House of Chaos, it’s not all about workouts, eating right, and taming the schedule.

Tucked in between the running and dashing, the constant clock watching, loud conversations, and laughter there are precious moments where time seems to slow and conversations drop to occasional whispers.

This past weekend had all the trademarks of a typical one; we tore out a deck to make room for a new patio, cleaned up leaves, turned over the garden in preparation for the spring, and everyone got to where they needed to go with time to spare.

But then the boy pulled out a puzzle that hadn’t been opened, commencing the start of a much-needed ‘pause’.
Squirt looks on the current puzzle we are working on.
It takes us longer to build puzzles nowadays - but that’s ok because it means that our bonding time lasts just a bit longer. It’s a tradition I grew up with, and one that my children enjoy so much so that they refer to sharing it with their own families some day.

With colder weather and holiday madness on the horizon, the soft moments are all the more important - and knowing that Caleb and Meghan are growing more independent and will soon prefer the company of friends over family - I’ll take every moment I can get.

On this transitional fall morning, I hope that you Kind Reader, are able to have a moment to breath just a bit deeper, play in the leaves and spend time with those you love.





Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Sag Wagon

I’ve known for a long time that I’ve needed to exercise. (Insert creepy 50’s fitness reel-to-reel of school children doing jumping jacks in unison here, with the voice narration of the deep authoritarian voice: “It is necessary to exercise at an appropriate heart rate for a minimum of 20 minutes each and every morning.”)

Doctors have told me, health instructors have told me, friends have told me, heck - even my conscious told me that I needed to get up and move. It’s not for a lack of awareness that I didn’t back away from my computer to begin the path to fitness.

In my mind I was doing all right. In working on campus at CSU, I had to race from one end of campus to the other and up or down flights of stairs on a daily basis. Through the end of last spring’s semester I’d tell myself “I haven’t passed out yet - so I must be doing fine.”

What started me on the path to fitness was a deep awareness that I could no longer participate with my kids in appreciating our great outdoors. I’d lost the confidence in my physical being, and no longer felt comfortable going on hikes, riding bikes or any of the other countless opportunities that Northern Colorado has to offer.

That awareness began with two closely timed events; the email invitation to apply to Project Purpose, and the planning of our family vaca to Mesa Verde.

When I first read the application for P2 - it was intriguing, and required a bit of introspection. Unlike most of the writing that I do, the mini-essays that I completed for the application were spontaneous, unedited, and truthfully raw. When I hit the ‘send’ button I realized just how much I hated my state of flab and decided it was time to do something differently. I never, ever expected to be selected - and it is a little known fact that when we got the email inviting us to participate I was in a state of disbelief for several weeks.

Project Purpose came on the heels of finalizing our plans for our trip to Durango and Mesa Verde. Planning that required that Karl and I ask very matter of fact questions about my fitness so that we could determine what we were going to see and visit.

Looking at the pictures of the cliff dwellings and reading about the physicality required to hike up and down the trails gave me serious pause. While I am honestly terrified of heights, it was the idea of the often-drastic elevation gains on the hikes that made me hesitate, as was the narrowed spaces that the tours require you be able to pass through. I didn’t believe that I could do any of it.

Not the hikes, the cliff dwellings, or the kivas. I’d simply fallen into a physical state of fat and unfit - and the result of that meant that I was left behind.

After being in a state of Mama for the past decade, I was not able to see my kids celebrate life in the first person. I was only able to hear about it as the excitement peaked and each tale ended with “You should have been there Mama, it was so cool!”

That was not going to happen on this trip. I pushed myself, and hard. I overcame my fear of heights by using the mantra “If they can do it, I can do it” as I climbed each and every rung of the ladders. (And yes, I did look down - how can you not!?)

We all had fun on the trip, and even I had to admit that I needed to move a heck of a lot more than I’d been saying all these years, but I wasn’t as far gone as I’d feared. 

Had we not been selected for P2 - I would still be going to the gym, but it would be a lot more of a challenge - overwhelming even and I wouldn’t have the confidence that has given me the freedom to go further than I believed I could. I’d already decided that I wanted better health and fitness so that I could choose to be the sag wagon, not have that choice made for me.

Son and Dot are both excitedly planning for a hike that we can all participate in. They’ve said that I’m doing so well, they want to see how far they can push me (“and not in a wagon, thank you very much!” says Dot.) While I’m apprehensive about what their plans entail, I know that I’m at least able to entertain their plans.

It is often a challenge to share these peeks into my world, to expose my innermost thoughts, observations and doubts. I know that I’m not alone in feeling as I do or in the struggle to make time to work-it-out.

So let our House of Chaos know kind reader - give me a shout out, a thumbs up/like or a favorite quip or quote on the topic of coffee. It is the elixir of my mornings, and a day is not complete without at least one cuppa joe. And, I know I’m not alone in that!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

By Any Other Name

Had Project Purpose (P2) started at any other time of the year, I’m confident that team “House of Chaos” would have made very much progress. When we started this project in July, our schedules were less busy and the flexibility allowed me to be able to figure out what did and didn’t work for me. Over several weeks I began to regain my fitness and work through the initial aches and pains of moving again.

I’ve now developed a reliable routine that allows me to be efficient in my time at the gym. Instead of anxiously looking at the clock and fretting about all the remaining items on my ToDo list, I now focus on moving and let my mind free of the worries.

Kickin'it at the gym.
Our team couldn’t be more appropriately named. Each of our separate worlds collided last week - and we spent more time on the go than we did at home on any one-day - which was a test to our resolve, endurance, and the skills that we’ve been practicing for the last several months.

Son made it to all of his practices on time, Dot made it to all of her classes and activities, my troop of Girl Scouts successfully and excitedly ‘Flew Up’ from Brownies to Juniors, I was caught up on all of my transcribing for the students I work with, various meetings were prepared for and successfully undertaken, Karl’s deftness at juggling the proverbial ‘fires’ came into play, homework was attempted (and in many cases completed), and we made it to the gym nearly every day we were supposed to. All in all, it was a typical week, save for the Girl Scouts ceremony.

The challenge though was in the eating aspect. We fell of that wagon and with a great flourish. In celebration of her bridging, Dot picked a restaurant to celebrate, as is our tradition, and her choice did not allow for ‘healthy choices’ - even the lettuce had given up in protest. We talked about healthy alternatives, but also recognized that it was her turn to celebrate a two-year accomplishment, so we dove in and did our best to navigate the options.

By the end of the week we were out of time and energy; eating out was our survival mode. Arriving home at 8:30 pm after a series of long days with few breaks, neither Karl nor I were up to making dinner on Thursday or Friday thus making it three dinners in a row of eating out.

We regained our momentum on the weekend - and spent hours on Saturday and Sunday working in the yard preparing flower beds, the vegetable garden, and other parts of the yard for the winter. In addition to all of the yard work and eating healthily, we also made it to the gym once, and in doing so felt satisfaction in being able to emerge from old die-hard survival habits and regain our healthy ones without guilt.

This week was a true test of the skills that we’ve learned through P2.

=> When you slip and fall (and you will), don’t beat yourself up - start where you are and move on.

=> Healthy is a way of life, not a phase - take the moments you need to celebrate and do just that - but don’t make the moments a lifestyle.

=> Only YOU can do it - no one else can work-it-out, no one else can choose the healthy over the not so.

=> Health is earned only through hard work - there are no easy ways out - no five minute fixes or miracles ‘as seen on TV’.

=> The more you practice, the easier it becomes - both in mind and body.

When it came to fitness, I used to say, “I should” a lot - and truthfully I still do on occasion. But if you, kind reader, happen to find yourself in that place - then do what I’ve done. One thing at a time. One step, one skipped dessert, one healthier choice at meals. They all add up, they all make a difference.


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Good Fortune

Here at Camp Chaos, aka the House of Chaos, we have a new member to add to the occupancy list.

It was there, last night after everyone was tucked in and the sound of light snoring was heard coming from each bedroom... softly at first, and then with each passing minute it grew louder...

T'was the sound of a  lone cricket singing his little fool heart out.

And, true to cricket form - the bugger refused to come out of hiding.

At 11:00pm it was cute, kind of quaint, and charming even. One of the season's last hold-outs reminding us of the summer that passed us by.

At 1:00am it was tedious. I haven't had more than 5 hours of sleep in the last 4 days and would really like to dish into bed and get some sleeps.

When 4:30 rolled around, I was ready to peel up the tile - and squish that bug. But alas, I was unable to find it.  Little dog was no help either even though he was the one that brought it in to play with and thebOy joined in gleefully - both were deep into their dreamlands and refused to wake.

As the sun came up cricket went to sleeps, and with it my last ounce of 'giveadangd'.

Boy said that he was happy. "Crickets are a sign of good luck, Mama!" ("Who's?" I can't help but wonder, now on day 5 of little sleep.)

After breakfast was served we all went about our ways. Now that it's nearly time for a quick nap before chaos returns home after school, my little field cricket friend is back at work and singing for his soul-mate.

If you need me, I'll be outside in the hammock alongside the other crickets who are still sleeping in the warmth of the sun.

I'm sure little dog will be looking for them, of course.




Bioescence, hyperdrives and magnets.


I have no idea what the hell those words have to do with each other, or why the boy was yelling them at the top of his lungs in quick succession, but that was my afternoon in a nutshell.

I just know the boy was engrossed in his video game, and thusly left his sister alone.

Sister alone may sound like a good thing, and not having the bickering soundtrack take a rest for the day was very much welcomed... but not having her brother to occupy her time...

Sister came looking for me.


"Ma-Maaaaaaaaa!"



"Ma-Maaaaaaaaa!"



"Where are you Ma-Maaaa?!"

So she found me working in the garden, eeking out the last bit of produce from the garden before the final killing frost set it to bed for the season.

"Mama, can I pick this? Mama, can I pick THIS?  Wait - Can I pick THAT?!"

So it went for 15 or 20 minutes before a spider made its presence known and the girl ran screaming the entire way back to the house with dogs in tow.

Thusly, the garden is mama's playground. The spiders and I, we have a working agreement and it's all about safety in numbers.





Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Junior Mints

As our Brownies bridge to Juniors it seems appropriate to share a few thoughts.

Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be leading a troop of Girl Scouts. Not only did I never imagine doing it, I can’t believe that we are still going strong after two years!

“Troop Leader” sounds like a daunting task - and I can honestly say that the first year we were together, it was at times. But together we’ve found our way, we’ve grown, we’ve figured out how to come together and support each other and we’ve had some pretty incredible experiences.

As I was putting the badges on JB's vest, I couldn’t help but have a sort of trip down memory lane and think back to how much you’ve grown over these last two years and I’m pretty sure each mom did the same thing.

At our first meeting - every single one of you girls said that of all that Girl Scouts had to offer - you wanted to sell cookies. And we have. Some days were warmer than others, some days we sold more than others - but we did it. And we did it as a team. And we have the memories of not only that experience, but also of accomplishing the goals you set - we bunked with the beasts and we went horseback riding, we danced, we hiked, we geo-cashed, we learned about our family stories, we gave back - thru care packages to the FFH and donating cookies to the Harmony House, and that’s just a small part of all the cool things we’ve shared.

Each of you look at each of your vests - the ones that document all that we have done together. Notice that they all have the same badges - representing the skills that we learned, or the adventures that we had, but each vest has it’s badges organized differently. That’s what makes this troop so unique, so special. We each have our own talents, skills, and interests, but when we meet as a Troop, we work together to have the best possible experience and we help each other whenever one of us is having a hard day, or needs some encouragement.

I think back to the little girls that eagerly came to our first meetings, and sought to do every thing ‘just so’ and I look at these Brownies now ready to fly up to the Junior level, and I am excited to see where the future takes us. I’m also excited to … and there I go again. I’m talking too much! So, without any further delays… Let's begin!

Oh! But first! I must have the mom’s stand and be recognized for their hard work and dedication. You mom’s see to it that your daughters make it to the troop on time, you’ve stepped up to the plate to do your part to help your daughters oversee their meetings and prepare their topics, and you’ve become the most amazing people that I can rely on if ever there is a need.

I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t do it without you.

And now before these girls burst at the seams… let's get the show on the road!









Brushing Teeth

It’s been one of those chaotic weeks… well, series of weeks. Colorado State has been in session for only six of them - yet it feels as though we should be nearing the home stretch it’s been so busy.

After blogging about my first episode of dreading going to the gym, I realized why I had that sensation - and spent the next three days RICEing my heel and missing my routine at the gym.

Without realizing it I’d developed an acute case of bursitis on my right heel, making it difficult to workout or even walk. It seems that my achilles tendon was not in the mood to ‘play nice’, and I was forced to take some time off to let it heal.

It was also a good opportunity to realize how much my gym time has come to mean to me. I look forward to the opportunity to release the stress built up during the day and be able to venture home ready and able to enjoy parenting.

As a rule, for every three days that I go to the gym, I have a ‘free’ day to allow my body to recover and regrow. After one such day off, thebOy asked sweetly “Mama, are you going to the gym today?”  And he expressed happiness at the news that I was indeed going to ‘work-IT-out’.

Without my workout, my ability to overlook the natural bickering and loudness of our elementary school aged kids is greatly reduced and the mood of our home reflects it.

After three days of rest, ice & ibuprofen, compressing and elevating my heel I was finally able to return the gym and start  again - only in a lower capacity so that I didn’t extend the time needed to recover.

I’m about 90% healed now, but I’m back to my schedule and routines - and I’m loving every moment of it. For real. (It surprises me too!)

It’s hard to believe that we are half-way thru this journey. In eleven weeks we have accomplished so much - I’m stronger and more nimble. I’m able to move without pain (save for my heel), and I feel healthier than I have in many years. Karl has surpassed his goal of running a half-marathon and is now setting his sights on a full one.

The addition of the time needed to visit the gym and work out or meet with Michelle forced me to realize and admit that I cannot fit everything into my daily or even my overall schedule. For many years now, I’ve squeezed in so many opportunities and obligations that I am overextended. I’ve had to inventory and assess each one and decide how well it now works within the boundaries of my P2.

I’ve given up some of the activities that I’ve found joy and satisfaction in, and there are more to be left behind - so that I am able to continue going to the gym, to continue moving, and to force semi-retired muscles back into shape, allowing me to join in with Karl, Caleb & Meghan when they want to go for a hike, a bike ride or a rafting trip. (I’m putting my foot down at zip lining - Mama doesn’t do heights!)

Finding time to regain my health has been among the greatest of challenges I’ve had to face, but as Karl commented “It’s like brushing your teeth; it’s just one of those things that you have to do.”

Yes, indeed.



Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Cheeseatarian

Its a typical evening in which we are at the table eating dinner between activities. It's Taco Tuesday and the Baseball game is on TV quietly adding to the ambiance of a hasty and lively dinner.

In between bits, Son asks Dot "So, what exactly did you put on your burrito?"

"I had meat, lettuce, tomato, peppers, and mango on the side. It was well balanced, now leave me alone!"

"What about the cheese? You do need your calcium, that's what Mama says."

"I'm a cheeseatarian - well, except for cheddar - I'll eat that but nothing else. Ewww gross. Cheese. Bleck."


Monday, September 29, 2014

Flab to Fit

The first time I met up with her, my heart pounded from sheer anxiety. I’d never had a trainer before, and even though I’ve known people who’ve worked with and loved theirs - I had absolutely no idea what to expect - and that anticipation left me panicked.

If you’ve worked with Michelle for any length of time, you may have noticed the pin that she wears on the left lapel of her jacket. If you haven’t or you’ve not met her, it’s a tiny little thing with a big message.

* - No Whining! - *


That’s her motto and the running theme of her workouts. Be it in the ‘Torture room’, as it’s laughingly called, working with the free weights or in the open space of the basketball court - you will leave each and every session sucking wind like there is no tomorrow, desperate for water, barely able to walk, and having discovered muscles you didn’t know existed.

Michelle is fantastically talented at making winners from whiners.

At the age of 42 - my body is a far different creature than it was at 24. It takes longer to heal, it’s easier to break, and when you do hear something “pop” it’s usually not just a little thing that requires a couple of hours off your feet, a bag of ice, and a couple ibuprofen.

I’ve friends who love to run, it is their passion to feel the pavement under their feet, the air in their lungs, and the tiredness in their muscles. But simple injuries to their ankles or knees have left them sidelined; cheering but no longer in the race.

The fear of injury is and remains my number one concern; that I achieve health and fitness safely and properly so that I do not damage myself permanently.

Through this project, I’ve found that there is an incredible peace of mind in having a trainer work along side of you. They make sure you are positioned safely, squatting back far enough (“Butt Out!”) and they aren’t afraid to encourage you by any means necessary to push through the whine for the win.

When I first met Michelle, I expressed my concerns - and the fact that I’d thought that these fears were what held me back in my past non-mom life in attaining true health.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got you covered.”
My 'Ghost' running shoes and bandanna ~
No workout is complete without them.

Indeed she did and does. Each week I meet up with Michelle for 30 minutes of pure unadulterated muscle terror. I’ve achieved far more than I ever thought that I could and when I look back at where I’ve started and where I am today I can say that I’m astounded.

That’s not to say that I know what to expect each week when I meet up with Michelle. More often than not, I can’t help but think - “And what the heck is THAT for?” as she introduces me to one foreign exercise after another.

While I know that many dread their time with their trainer, I will miss mine when this project is over. I enjoy my tortured journey and when I leave each week, it’s with a huge smile, a soaked yellow bandana, a sense of accomplishment, and feeling incredibly alive.

Michelle Stout is the voice of confidence that I needed to be able to reach beyond the physical goals I set for myself when Project Purpose started. And for that, the only words I can say are 'Thank You'.





Friday, September 26, 2014

Equinox by Karl Olson

It's hard to believe that fall is already officially here. Today was the last day of summer before the autumnal equinox, and to celebrate I joined about seven hundred other runners for a half marathon down the Poudre Canyon.

We boarded buses at Poudre High School about 6:00am that took us up to Mishawaka. By race time the weather had turned from cloudy and too-cold-to-stand-around-in-running-gear to partly sunny and absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed every minute of the run with the sounds of the river, the changing foliage, and even the cheers of campers cooking their breakfast over campfires.

It was only three weeks since my last big run, so I was worried about how my legs would hold up. Thankfully a run down the canyon meant about a 1000 foot drop in elevation, and that meant a lot of people, myself included, earned personal records by the time we reached the finish line at Ted's Place. It also means a lot of us will be nursing sore quadriceps in the coming days.

Now that fall is upon us, some of the options for outdoor activities such as biking, running, and hiking begin to dwindle. And of course with the holiday season just around the corner, nutrition challenges will become even greater. So the scenery on this journey will be changing a bit, but it just means it's time to build on the successes of this summer, and perhaps find some new routines and activities for the road ahead.

- Karl





Friday, September 19, 2014

Faith In Training by Karl Olson

Faith In Training

On Labor Day I achieved my biggest fitness goal for the year: I ran a half marathon.


The whole thing.

From start to finish.

13.1 miles.

And it felt great.

Months ago I honestly and secretly thought that this goal was rather unrealistic. I had run maybe five miles on the treadmill long ago, but as I began working on this goal I could barely run even three without slowing down to a brisk walk at times. The thought of running not just that distance, but that amount of time was completely daunting.

My training has been focused on general fitness with an emphasis on stability, core, and muscle groups used in running. Plus plenty of time on the treadmill and stair stepper. My first official organized run (and actually the first time taking the running shoes outdoors) was the "Sharin' o' the Green 5k" here in Fort Collins. Encouraged by my results and with the invitation of a friend who was running the Bolder Boulder again, I went on to finish my first 10k with an even faster pace and even more confidence.

Still, the thought of 13 miles and nearly two hours of running seemed out-of-reach.

Following the sage advice of other running veterans, I followed a specific schedule of runs leading up to the event, but woke up that day honestly not knowing how I would do. I relied on the excitement and energy of the crowds and the pace of other runners (big thanks also for the cheers and encouragement from the event organizers and spectators). The miles went by faster than I expected, and yes the legs and feet were pretty sore the next few days, but I beat my goal time and learned to have faith in myself and my training.

The way I felt months ago is the same way I feel today about my next big target: a full marathon. The challenge sounds enormous. But these milestones have proven that my apprehension is expected but should not be a barrier to setting and working towards big goals.

- Karl




Friday, September 12, 2014

Second Attempt by Karl Olson

A couple of years ago, a co-worker and I decided to take advantage of the unusually warm early-September weather and attempt Greys Peak. We weren't quite ready to say farewell to summer and wanted to say that we climbed at least one 14er that year. I had already hiked this peak once before, but it had been ten years. It still seemed fresh on my mind, however, and I remembered it for two reasons: that ridiculous, terrible road to the trail-head, and that compared to other 14ers, it was a
relatively easy hike.

At 6:00 that morning, my first memory was confirmed as we were navigating enormous potholes, ruts, and rocks, uttering obscenities under our breath, and congratulating ourselves on our wisdom to bring the four-wheel drive truck. When we got to the parking lot, we expressed out amazement at some of the vehicles we saw, wondering how they were successful in making it through that treacherous final stretch of road.

About 6:30 that morning, my second memory came into question as I was gasping for air, my heart was racing, and it was taking all I had to keep up. This wasn't supposed to be so difficult, but the reality quickly set in: I was completely out of shape and not fit enough for this hike. As I pushed myself and ignored the pain and kept telling myself "one more switchback", I realized that one of the things I love most about Colorado was almost beyond my physical capability.

With a slower pace, words of encouragement, and steadfast determination we eventually reached the summit, issued high-fives, snapped celebratory photos, and took in the amazing views. Because of its proximity, most hikers summit both Greys and the adjoining Torreys Peak on the same hike, but not this day. Despite a summit, this day felt like defeat.

This summer was different. Well, the road was the same, maybe even worse. But the hike -- that was different. Months of staying active, eating healthy, lifting weights, and running had paid off. I felt strong, I was not winded, my heart rate monitor was encouraging me to do more. Then I heard the distant gasp from one of my friends, "Hey, Karl, don't forget about us fat kids back here!"

We only summited Greys that day. Torreys still remained elusive, but I didn't care. Today was victory.

- Karl




It's HERE! Part II

Cover of the Fall 2014 Issue
It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!  The second issue of our P2! :)   Enjoy! 






















Intro's all around...




Team House of Chaos!




The other team - team Reality Bites







Sunday, September 7, 2014

Should-ing Yourself

This isn’t the blog post that I’d intended to write today, but it’s the one that ended up on paper.

The day finally came. The day that I looked at my gym bag not with a sense of purpose, giddiness, and relief, but with a tinge of dread.

 It’s Labor Day, and like many, I too had the day off. Given that it was a three-day weekend, it was our chance to tackle some of the ‘didn’t-yet-get-to’ summer projects... that we didn't get to over the summer. A match of bumper cars, little dog taking big dog’s meds, a broken lawnmower and a mad dash of hail put a damper on our attempts to be productive on Saturday.

Sunday we spent perfecting the furna-dents of our sofa as we got caught up on AMC’s “Halt and Catch Fire”, one of the better-written series we’ve stumbled upon in a very long time. (Since we are both tech geeks, this particular show appeals to us).

Unlike other weekends, I hadn’t worked out on either Saturday or Sunday and today being Monday was day three of the non-gym streak.

 I didn’t want to go, and I didn’t feel good. I felt lazy...and unable to wake up, to get up, to move. Because I hadn’t been to the gym in too many days, and I wasn’t sleeping well. Again. (A correlation? Perhaps.)

But, as Karl and I say to each other on those days when we don’t want to move, don’t want to ‘hit the gym’... “You’ll feel better after.” It’s true.

We do always feel better after.

Gone now for the most part are the ‘I should go to the gym’ moments – but today was the exception. ‘Shoulding’ is a hard habit to break from and one that is so easy to fall into especially now that the days are growing shorter, the crispness of fall is the air, and the kids are back in school so there is less noise and chaos competing for my attention.

The ‘shoulds’ invoke only feelings of guilt and I spend far more time focusing on the need to work out instead of the actual time I would spend there.

I was able to break the ‘shoulding’ cycle today... to remember where I was 6 weeks ago and all that I’ve accomplished, to get dressed, get to the gym and pound out 500 calories on the AMT.

Then I went home and resumed ‘lazy’, at least for another hour or two.

On this Labor Day, I hope that you were able to take a break from the work-a-day routine. Today, congratulations to Karl, my House of Chaos Teammate. During the long cold days of January he made it his goal to participate in a Half-Marathon and today he did just that. He placed second in his category for the Colorado Run half-marathon, and he beat his personal goal by running an 8-minute mile. I can’t say enough how proud we are of his efforts and accomplishment. If you happen to see him – pass along a ‘Congrats!’





Friday, August 15, 2014

The Scale of things

It was Isaac Newton that said, "What goes up, must come down." To this I add, "Unless, of course, you are talking about my weight."

I can't say that I've lost much, if any, weight, and that would probably frustrate most people by this point of Project Purpose. But how much weight I hold on to or lose is not one of the measures of my success in this journey.

As friends have learned about P2 and what it's about, the most frequently talked about subject is 'The Scale' and the importance of ignoring it or even tossing it out with the trash.

One pal shared that before I'd met her, she'd lost a significant amount of weight. It was her experience that those around her commented more on her lack of progress with comments such as 'you could really stand to lose a few more pounds' rather than celebrating her impressive accomplishment. Over time, the lack of enthusiasm and a sense of defeat led to a loss of the better habits she'd followed and... we all know how that story goes. It's one that I'm familiar with, especially during the college years (Freshman 15 anyone?).

Other friends with similarly chaotic schedules and complex demands both at work and home seem to share the conclusion I've come to - that the reading on the scale is far less important than the benefits of eating right and exercising; a good night's sleep, the energy needed to deal with the standard day-to-day demands, and a greater ability to gracefully accommodate the crisis of the unexpected.

I would not be as secure as I am in my relationship with 'The Scale' if I didn't have my House of Chaos partner by my side on this journey and in life. His faith, love, and genuine acceptance of who I am allows me the comfort and ability to take the reading of the scale in stride. This week we celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary, and this project is one way in which our relationship continues to grow and inspire me.

I'll admit that I weigh myself each morning, as it is one of the measures that the app we are using to track our progress, 'My Fitness Pal', uses to gauge how we are doing. On those days when the scale says that I've lost a bit I'll admit that my step is a little lighter... But it's not by weight alone that our success is determined. Getting up in the morning ready to face the day with vigor is.

I feel better now than I have in a long time and I genuinely enjoy going to the gym and watching the minutes pass and the miles of 'pavement' pounded grow. That to me is a greater definition of success than anything the 'The Scale' can share.



Saturday, August 9, 2014

First Week by Karl Olson

What an exciting and busy first official week for Project Purpose. Now that the initial meetings, emails, photos, and paperwork have been completed, the actual hard work has begun, and with it the realization that this is actually happening.

Earlier this week we had our kick-off party where we enjoyed getting together with all the incredible people behind this journey. The guest speaker at the party was Jaron Tate from Biggest Loser 3 who spoke about his experiences on the show including some fascinating behind-the-scenes details, but more importantly for me, his advice to the teams and to anyone else looking for change. It was good to hear his message of consistency in diet and exercise, about making physical activity a prioritized and regular part of your life, his own personal and familiar struggles, and his unique opportunity to see first-hand the unrealistic expectations and results depicted on "reality" TV.

We also had a chance this week to meet with the nutritionist. Not surprisingly we will be using MyFitnessPal to track our daily nutrition. Since I began using MyFitnessPal back in January I have been impressed with how powerful, easy, and widespread this tool is. For me, tracking food is no longer the laborious process from the pre-smart-phone years and gives me (and the nutritionist) an enormous amount of useful, real-time data.

Our personal trainer for this journey, Michelle, met with both of us this week for our first training sessions. For my session, we spent the half hour using nothing but two gym towels on the slick gym floor where we did various lunges, inchworms, and mountain-climbers. It was a clear demonstration of how to get an effective workout without even a single piece of equipment.

I capped off the week running the Human Race in Old Town, my second 10k this year. It is hard to believe that just six months ago, when I started changing my diet and lifestyle, I was barely able to run more than a few minutes on the treadmill. I'm excited to see what the next six months, under the umbrella of Project Purpose, will bring, not just for me, but for Amy too.

- Karl

Friday, August 8, 2014

Panic

My heart had been jumping about in my chest all day. My desk, covered with a laundry list of tasks that needed to be completed by weeks end and the bickering, whining, begging for food, and the doing-what-I-can-to-irritate-the-sibling-itis of two bored kids brought me to the edge of frustration and tears. Our first meeting with the Project Purpose Wellness Coach was only a few hours away and I hadn't even begun to look at the introductory paperwork we received at the P2 Kickoff.

Ahhh, the perfect storm of stress - one that I juggle nearly each day, and one that many parents are all too familiar with. Riding the wave of chaos is a tenuous skill, and the mere IDEA of one more obligation or commitment can be the difference between the organized chaos of a smooth running schedule and a massive panic attack and a household train wreck.

With the minutes loudly ticking by and a constant stream of micro-interruptions by one child or the other (even the dogs seemed to be joining in) my anxiety grew. Anxiety about meeting Kim, anxiety about when I was going to go to the gym, my increasingly long list of To Do and the steady stream of texts, phone calls and e-mail that clamored for attention.

Summer is nearly over and unlike the kids; I've not yet had a chance to develop my own boredom.

I love this Project, I love that I am now going to the gym almost 5 days a week and I feel better than I have in years. I love that on days I meet my work out calorie burn I sleep better than I have in years. I love the adrenaline high that I haven't experienced in years, and the renewed energy I'm feeling (I've even had to start cutting my coffee with decaf!).

But (and you knew there would be a but!) I am still looking to the future and wondering how, once classes begin and I add the demands of In-Class Transcribing to the other obligations in my schedule, I'm going to find a balance. That's where Kim, the final member of our team, comes into play. She is an experienced, inspiring, genuine, and passionate individual who has the unique skill of being able to help you to identify your goals, why they are or are not being met, and then problem solving with you to get back on track or re-define what it is that you are really trying to accomplish.

Time management, I've discovered, is not my challenge. Being overcommitted is though. Ironically, it is my success in time management that has resulted in being overcommitted. I've been able to incorporate 'one more thing' so often that I've left myself little room in my schedule for the time I need to exercise. With Kim's help, I'm working on prioritizing more of the activities that I enjoy and to slow my pace a bit so that the idea of going to the gym is one of 'I get to go to the gym' rather than 'I have to go to the gym'.

Project Purpose is now fully underway. We've met all the members of our team, developed a 'rough' workout routine that incorporates strength and cardio as well as training sessions with Michelle. I'm attempting to incorporate breakfasts into my daily habit as Brooke recommended (and that is still "gonna" need some work!).

With Kim as our Wellness Coach, Karl and I are discovering more about ourselves and each other - even after 21 years of marriage and friendship there is still so much yet to learn about one another. I'm excited to see what the remainder of 2014 holds for us, and I hope that you will join us on this incredible journey.



Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Friday Morning, 4am

As has become habit when my daughter was born, I woke this morning at 4am. Typically when this happens it takes only a few minutes of reading and I'll be tired once again and ready to sleep for a few more hours.

This morning though, sleep is not forthcoming. Project Purpose is officially underway, and so many thoughts are racing through my head. Am I going to make it? Have I set realistic goals for myself? How am I going to fit this into my already busy schedule once CSU starts and I'm back at work with a longer and more demanding day? So many questions and only time will provide the answers.

I met with my trainer Michelle yesterday for the first time. I was so nervous! I've never had a trainer so I didn't know what to expect - but I've heard friends talk about one's they've had and all I wanted was to make it through the session alive. And I did. (Yay!)

Granted, after warming up on AMT machine that I'd not used before, I nearly fell over when I got off of it my legs were so weak.

After 30 minutes of tossing and turning without the benefit of sleep, I finally decided to get up and start my day. The strength training I did under Michelle's guidance yesterday is catching up with me and getting out of bed was a challenge - my muscles protesting yesterday’s demands.

In spite of an early morning, a half-caff cuppa coffee (this is a new change for me - usually it's a full caffeinated beverage and plenty of it!), and a long day filled with activities, writing and work, I've made it through the day without the fatigue I've come to expect. Already I've started seeing the benefits of exercise and better eating - and we are only a couple of weeks into the six-months that Project Purpose runs.

It's a gift to have this opportunity and I'm thankful for every moment that I am able to participate in it.

The 'Mommy Years' have been a challenge to leave behind - but with the support Karl, our kids, friends, and the Project Purpose team - House of Chaos will realistically remain an organized chaos, but with greater opportunities for fun and enjoyment of a full and active life.




Thursday, July 24, 2014

Step By Step

Project Purpose had about 35 teams apply for it and of those only two teams were selected. When I submitted our application, I honestly thought that there was not a chance in the world that we would be one of the two teams.

I've known that I've needed to regain a healthier state these last several years. I've had the interest and the motivation but what held me back was a lack of security in knowing what I was doing at the gym and the flexibility in my schedule to allow me to exercise for what is really an hour and a half once a day, five days a week. That lack of confidence, inability to find time in my schedule, and the fear of not having a trainer and the lack of finances for one is what has held me back.

As part of Project Purpose, Karl and I will be working individually with a trainer for 30 minutes a week and a nutritionist once a month for 30 minutes. As a team, we will work with a wellness coach once a month for 30 minutes to work on our goals - once they are set.

All the other hours at the gym, working on diets, and getting the wellness back in addition to any equipment we need to purchase has to be done on our own, by us.

Not everyone has the disposable income for a trainer and not every person needs a trainer. But everyone does need to move.

For me, the single most important piece of equipment is a good heart rate monitor that blue-tooth connects to my phone. It is integral to making sure that when I exercise I'm working hard enough to see results, to feel better and to be able to sleep at night. The free app 'My Fitness Pal' which keeps track of my food diary, work outs and weights completes the bundle allowing me to see those stretches where I'm having success and those where I need to hit the gym.

Before we had kids I used to hit the gym several days a week. I felt good, enjoyed jogging and for the most part, slept soundly. Other than my shoes and my gym membership I had a heart rate monitor - and that was acquired only after I became pregnant with theb'OY and needed to keep my heart rate below a certain number for the baby's health.

That was how I learned the value of the HRM and it was the first tool that I purchased even before I'd heard about P2.

That's my most important tool... And I know that everyone has their own. Lately when I meet people, and the topic of activity comes up, that is my go to question - "What is your most essential piece of work out or exercise equipment?" Some of the answers are a surprise. Which of course, leads to more conversation and even the potential for a coffee buddy.

So, for you gentle reader - I ask, "What is your most essential piece of work out or exercise equipment?"




Wednesday, July 16, 2014

It's HERE!

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

And, wow. It's for real. For the next six months we are revamping our exercise and eating habits, attempting to regain a balance between the expectations and obligations of work and home and making a point of taking time to have fun - both as a couple, and as a family.

Sqweee! Here it is! You should be able to click on the images and have a larger, readable size image. If not, leave a comment and I'll wrangle with it until it is.

Here's the issue cover introducing Project Purpose...





The intro to Project Purpose... (and Alicia the editor and lead of the team!)



And here it is!
That's Us!


It's nerve racking to share personal stats and hope that all the changes that we will be making will 'pay off'. The vulnerability of sharing such personal information is balanced by the gift of growing stronger and having a team of professionals lead the way.

We are incredibly thankful for this opportunity! It's come along at a perfect time for both K and I, (primarily me) where I'm not working within a rigid schedule so I'm able to include a lot of the changes in our habits and actually create habits before the stress of CSU's and the Kids school and activity schedules come into play.

Keep up with us as we share what we've learned, what worked for us and what didn't and how we are going to keep on truckin' once Project Purpose comes to a close at the end of the year.




Monday, July 14, 2014

Anticipation

After we received the announcement that we'd been awarded one of the two team placements for the Mind + Body / Miramont Lifestyle Project Purpose (or P2) - life took on a new form of chaos.

When we had to pick out names for each kiddo, we thought that was tough. Really, we had no idea. Then we only had to choose a name for either a girl or boy, and we had several months to do it.

For P2, we had only three days we had to pick out one name that met all of our criteria - and there were no do-overs like middle names. We decided that our team name had to
  • Be true to the character of who we are have been, and want to be.
  • Be clever, catchy and descriptive without being embarrassing either personally or professionally.
  • Be timeless both in duration and frequency of use.
  • Be uniquely common.
  • And lastly, it needed to look good in print, on the 'net and in other published formats.
For two and a half days I was driven to come up with a name other than 'Team Olson' and I drove the K nuts asking him if he liked 'this' name or 'that'.

Not only did we have to come up with a team name but we also had to decide what to wear in the team photo, meet with a trainer and find our initial measurements and assessments and also maintain our usually chaotic schedule.

While chatting the night before we were to meet with Alicia, Mind + Body's Editor, I sighed deeply and asked K if our schedule could be any more chaotic.

"Nope. I like that as a name though."

And thusly our team had a name: 'House of Chaos'. It's an organized chaos, but chaos nonetheless.

In January K started working out with a trainer and going to the gym on a regular basis. Add to that two full time jobs, two active kids, Cub Scouts, taekwondo, ballet, Girl Scouts, volunteering and an active social life balanced with a houseful of activities, chores, and pets - well, there isn't a lot of time in my schedule for things like exercise.

But we are by no means unique. There are, in fact, lots of houses of chaos that in their own way make it through the day.

It's one of the commonalities that many of my friends and I share - that the days are marked not by how bored we were, but instead by how much remains on our ToDo lists even as we are collapsing into bed and feeling the rush of being behind in what needs to be accomplished the next day while the release of sleep hasn't even begun.

After that first flurry of activity the waiting began. Anticipation built. Nervous energies and second-guessing about what we were embarking on began to grow.

Unlike any other opportunity I've undertaken I mentioned this one to few people - I was too scared that it wasn't real, that M+B would chose to go with a different team and I didn't want to experience that disappointment or the need to explain why we weren't participating in P2.

It's taking forever for July 11th, the day the publication is to be released to arrive. As the day draws near - I've come to the realization that this is going to HURT if I don't get out and move before we met with the trainer. After a few panic attacks, I gathered what 'gear' I had and booked it to the gym waving 'Later' to K and kids for what was to be the first step towards a new path.

Oh, Baby.

What am I in for?




Wednesday, July 9, 2014

All Kinds of Berries

Our little town had some excitement today. A black bear cub was found wandering about in one of the neighborhoods about one of our schools. Charles, already at work, suggested that 'It wasn't too far away - why not go see what all the fuss was about?'

Needing a break away from the summer doldrums, we took his advice and tooled about looking to see if we could find the source of excitement. But, fortunately or not we didn't. After stopping off at a little deli and picking up something for lunch we began the drive home.

In the back seat JB began prattling along about all sorts of topics and settled on when people talk about berries.

"All they talk about are raspberries, cherries, strawberries, and blackberries. They always forget about two important ones; huckleberries and cranberries."

"And dingle-berries, can't forget about those." BW quietly added.

I belly-laughed, grateful that I hadn't begun drinking from my soda, JB regarded the boy with shock her mouth making a perfect 'O', and he continued to look out the window only smiling now; he'd finally gotten the girl to stop chattering for a moment.

Dingle-berries... Indeed.




Sunday, June 22, 2014

The Invitation

When the email came through, I had two simultaneously competing thoughts "Oh my Dog. This can't be real - SQWEEE!" and "Holy COW - what the hell have I gotten myself into?"

The first I'd heard of Project Purpose was in an email that came through my email on May 30th. The subject line professed

"Change your lifestyle! Apply today for Project Purpose."

Like most people with an active email address, spam arrives on occasion professing that the life changing solution to all of my problems or what ails me lies within - read all about it!

I very nearly marked the email as spam and went about my day. What stopped me was that the sender was the Fort Collins Coloradoan.  What most saw when they opened the email was this:




What I saw was this:




Going against every learned 'rule' about unsolicited emails that offer what seems too good to be true, I clicked on the link to apply and found the survey intriguing and thought provoking. When asked, Husband said that he thought sounded very interesting and to go for it. So, I started filling out the application.

My responses to the survey questions seemed to flow without hesitation and before I had a second thought, I hit the 'Send' button.  (Stay tuned for another post on those.)

And then I read what I'd written. The truth of it all. That while I'd like to think that I'm in relatively good health, I am not. I haven't been in many years.

I am driven, focused, and strive to always do 'better'. Better than I did last time, better than anyone asked for, better than even I thought possible. My interests are vast, my enthusiasm limitless, and my desire for 'one more minute' overwhelming at times.

But all of that has come at a cost to myself. I'm a mama. In the time since earning that title, I've had to chose between sleep and exercise. Sleep won out and over the years and I've lost my fitness. Healthy eating habits were often sacrificed due to financial or time constraints.

Even though it's summer I'm still busy with the kiddos, work, volunteering and living life at a more relaxed pace so I'd forgotten about the application and figured that since we'd not heard from Mind + Body, that we hadn't been selected. But, sixteen days after hitting that button we got the news that Holy COW! The team of Karl and Amy was selected to participate in Project Purpose!

It's been a whirlwind of excitement and activity, and I am still in disbelief that we are embarking on this fabulous journey!  I'm filled with nervous energy and disbelief that this is for real, and downright terrified that I'm sharing so much personal information in print and on the net. I mean, who really wants to share with the world how much they weigh and all other stats. Gack!

I'm looking forward to deciding on a team name, seeing how our team picture turns out and read the first installment of our Project Purpose. I hope that you join us as we move through this adventure and strive to reach our goals!




Sunday, June 15, 2014

Context is Everything

"I was so frustrated, I just wanted to grab their balls and squeeze them until they popped!" 

At work there is a list called 'Things Overheard during Finals Week'. It was started by one of our department counselors who has a most uncanny knack for walking into a room where a single sentence, taken out of context, can mean a something entirely different than what was intended. The list, while easily overlooked is quite funny and has grown to be quite long. 

The first line of this entry is one such example of something that could be found on the 'overheard' list. I was talking about the kids playing in the house with those irritating bouncy balls that nearly every grocery or discount store has in those giant cages that inexplicably draws your kid to them resulting in an ear piercing and insanity inducing 'BbbbuuuuT ma-MAAAAA PLEEEEEeeeeeeeeezzzzzeeeee....' as they beg for the one in the VERY MIDDLE until you are finally worn down or no longer want to be subjected to the piercingly judgmental glares of passing strangers as they respond to your 'precious' offspring howling for the millionth time.

Their bouncy ball games have resulted in overturned glasses of water, knocked over plants, swinging chandeliers, and one very sentimental and expensive rice paper watercolor being very nearly shucked from the wall. The one that I bartered for and then carried in my lap all over China, stored in here-and-there living situations for 20 years and finally was able to collect enough pennies to have it framed.

And then the kids began playing sports in the house. 

I was not (and am not) impressed by their athletic abilities in this situation.

Whenever I post an entry, it takes me forever to edit, update, and ensure that the entirety of the story's context can be found within the post to alleviate confusion or possible misunderstandings.

There have been many occasions on FaceBook or other 'on the fly' social media where my posts have resulted in harsh responses by those who don't know me well, or read an entry thru the filter of their own lives and don't see the subtle wry humor that I'm prone to. I'm trying to break that habit of over writing my blog posts and adopt more of a well written, but in-the-moment form. I need to write, I need to create, and over-editing stifles that.

Please gentle reader - if you happen to read something that gives you pause or causes you to 'see red' and drives you to respond - I invite you to compose and post a comment. Lets start a conversation - but I also ask that you 'step back' for a moment and see if it's there is context that might be missing - maybe you don't know me well, we don't share the same type of humor, or your life's story brings an entirely different context to the one you are reading.

As for the kids' balls, time solved my problem. 

That and a firm "I really Love that you are having so much fun with your balls, but those need to be played with OUTSIDE, please do so."

One popped when it was thrown against the sharp edge of a cottonwood trunk, the other when a child jumped on it in a demonstration of how 'look mom, it won't pop!'

And when it did, I comforted said child. Kissed his boo-boos and wiped away tears as we chatted about the poor ball.

Inside though, I did a virtual arm-pump and silently mouthed 'YES!'





Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Understanding one another.

It's your typical Tuesday evening. We are heading home in an unusually quiet fashion after having attended a school function of one sort or another as well as various afternoon activities.

Sharply without warning, JB burst out to BW.

 "I just DON'T Understand you."

Then she returned to her silent state leaving BW in a state of silent confusion.

And still, to this day, neither we nor BW know what prompted such passion in JB.






Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Expressions of nerdgasms

The boy discovered Minecraft.

While there are times that he drives us nearly to the edge of sanity with his detailed soliloquies, explanations and show-n-tells about what is going on in the game, there are times that he excitedly utters phrases that keep us in stitches and render it a challenge to remain 'incognito'.

These are a few that we were able to 'capture' during one extended session this spring break.



        "Why would you find an ocelot in the woods?!"

        "You're only on version 1.53?!"

        "I guess when you have quantum armor, horses are kind of pointless."

        "I have a space port, but right now it's being invaded by zombies."

        "I wouldn't recommend burning your own house."

        "See if you can defeat that golden zombie pig man with the diamond sword."

        "You need a splash potion of weakness then give them a poison apple."




Yes, indeed. The game does bring out the nerd in him.




Saturday, March 8, 2014

Zipper Wars

D'oH!

Seeing JB in my 'most-favorite - had-it-forever - and-will-never-be-able-to-find-one-like-it-again' fleece vest took nearly every fiber of my being and a serious case of self-restraint to calmly approach her and ask her kindly to remove my vest from her not-so-little body and hand it to me.

With a deep sigh of relief I took it from her and kindly explained the following.

'JB. Thank you for giving me my vest. Please, please, please don't wear it. Even as much as I know you love how soft it is, and how it wraps around you like a big hug when you miss me, please. Do. Not. Wear. This. Vest. Ever.'

'But why Mama?' she asked, looking deep into my eyes with her own large hazel pools.

Charles, passing by on his way to the garage, stopped momentarily to clarify 'For generations now JB... well really since the invention of the zipper... children and zippers have been at war with each other. They each push, and pull, and tug, doing their best to see who will outlast the other.

'In the old days when zippers were made with metal, they could cause a child great pain and often won that way. Now most zippers are made out of plastic - so they win by doing things that no zipper should ever do... catching skin, or hair or even clothes in them.

'Really, zippers have evolved to become a torture device of Mamas minds and fingers across the land. No matter who the winner is, no zipper or child will ever be the same again. Though Mama could never love that vest as much as she loves your dear heart, I really, really, really don't want to have to go on another epic search with your Mama for another vest like that one. Does that make sense?'

'Oh. So Mama, is that why BW is always coming to you with his zipper undone at the bottom, but together up at his neck?'

'Yes. And wow. Do you remember that struggle to get that bugger down and the coat in working order again?'

Laughingly she replied 'He looked like the kid on Christmas Story, shaking all over the place - remember the time when BW somehow zipped his SHIRT in his coat!?'

'That I do. I also recall the times that you have battled the zipper yourself - only those usually involved hair getting caught in it.'

'OH! I DON"T want to talk about that! It HURT!'

No matter what the contribution to the wardrobe may be, if it has a zipper at some point there will be a great battle between it and it's child before the zippered wonder is banished from the house with a burst of exasperation and relief by Mama.

My vest will not be one of them. I hide it deep in the corners of my closet when not it's not in use.

Deep in the closet.

And, I have Charles on my side.




Wednesday, February 12, 2014

THAT Day

I'm sitting at the dinner table looking at the boy and he is clearly talking. His lips and hands are moving, and there is a distinctive buzz coming out of his mouth, but for the life of me, I have no idea what the words are.

No Idea. None. I want to look at him and ask "What the hell are you trying to share with me? I don't speak Greek, and I don't speak Alien."

But, alas, I don't. I sit here and ponder the value of a Cuppa-Jo at this later hour.

Is it worth it? Not quite sure.

If THEBOY stops talking in a few more moments, then no... but if the drone continues on into the night, I'm going to need some fortification.

Yeah, it's been THAT day.