Friday, December 25, 2009

Grounded

As 2009 draws to a close, I cannot help but become a bit nostalgic, sappy and reverent when looking back on a fabulous year. It's entirely possible to become wrapped in cynicism, skepticism and negativity with challenges that surround us. But I think it's more important to build on what's right than to dwell on what's wrong.

So, once again I'm hitting the reset button and preparing for what lies ahead. Resetting the monotony of daily life seems rather simple but in truth, it's daunting. Today, I was able to reenter my life as a runner by trotting along in on the treadmill for two 30 second intervals. I laugh at the idea of a treadmill because running on it gets me absolutely nowhere. However, because I was unable to go anywhere in running shoes for months, a few seconds on the treadmill feels as though great leaps ahead.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

"You Should Write a Book"

Often, friends and family have suggested, "You should write a book." My reply usually consists of a very reflective, eloquent comment such as, "whatever." What on earth would I write a book on? Green living? Kids' manners? Teaching? Hardly. I am by no means an expert - but am merely a working mom, wife, woman, sister, friend, daughter, baseball fan - who attempts to "do it all" with somewhat limited success. Book? No. Blog? Maybe. For now.

Working Mom
H1N1 has turned me into a germ-o-phobe. Never have I washed my hands or used hand sanitizer more than a surgeon until this year. As a teacher, with 2 boys in 2 different schools, and a husband who travels for work from time to time, I am doomed. Everyone in the house has received the vaccines they are eligible for so far. They take their vitamins, eat the nutritious food that they'd rather not have - because I'm paranoid. Or am I? I'm really trying to rationalize my fear of this flu bug - but the more I do the more I worry that I'm neurotic. I have friends, family and neighbors who have "survived" H1N1 - as though it's on par with nuclear holocaust. It's November and the worst seems to be over. But in the back of my mind, I'm terrified of February. It's always the worst month for influenza. My youngest was seriously ill the year he contracted a strain of influenza. And I am powerless. "Go wash your hands" has become the latest duck and cover drill, or terror alert color change.

Wife
I love my husband. He puts up with my neurosis (see above) and still finds it in him to tell me I'm beautiful in the morning before I've showered. Right now, he's working diligently on a home remodel that I can't live without and doing so knowing that he has no say in what the completed project will look like. I'm crazy about him.

Baseball
It was recently published that pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 21. This is excellent for many reasons. First, the countdown can officially begin in my house because I have a concrete date as a target. Second, the countdown leads to a new season of OUTDOOR baseball. Third, I miss baseball.

Most days on my drive home from school, I see the Twins stadium sign illuminated above Target Field as I drive East on 394. It makes me happy to know that the stadium is real. That it is nearly finished. And that I have 2 seats with my name on them for games in April.