I get annoyed with people who can't commit.
Can't commit to one thing or the other.
Where do you want to go to dinner? I don't know? Where do you want to go.
I want to go to the Sushi Den.
That's not where I want to go.
THEN WHY DID YOU ASK ME?
Life is short. Life is simple. Life can be complicated. BUT, if you are going to ask me, "WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR DINNER?"
Then, I tell you what I want for dinner.
PLEASE, do not ask me any more questions. Someone else, PLEASE, make a decision.
I will be happy with HOWEVER you make dinner. The other alternative is, well, I'll make dinner myself.
Tonight, I get a text:
"What do you think?"
My first thought? What do I think of WHAT?"
But to respond to Peter Pan with that answer would give him hope. Would give me hope. Would give us all hope.
I should just respond: Of what?
Nah.
Wait on that answer.
"What do I think?"
I finally respond: "We should bomb the shit out of Syria. What do you think?"
"Absolutely."
Then there is nothing but silence.
We bombed the answer to this question years ago.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Recruiting
I guess it is in my blood.
I recruit.
No matter what I'm doing to make money, I recruit people.
I recruit people to:
I recruit.
No matter what I'm doing to make money, I recruit people.
I recruit people to:
- run marathons
- turn their lives inside out
- take chances
- try
- travel
- try something new.
There are other people like me in this world too. We are the "pied pipers". Come. Follow us. It will be fun.
The woman whom got me involved with CCI (the puppy organization) was a recruiter in a different lifetime too. She recruited nurses and doctors. (I also found out recently she had been a camp counselor in a previous life - I knew we were really living our lives in parallel universes).
She "recruited" me into this organization. We know each other from working out at the same club.
Brodie has been with us a month today.
Another lady from the club (whom I actually also know from Hawaii) texted me today. She and her husband signed up for a puppy today.
My neighbors down the street just called the organization about doing this to have their son make this decision for his senior project next year.
Two other families on the hockey team are seriously considering signing up.
Hope CCI knew what they were doing when they signed us up.
Recruiting for good causes every day......
Saturday, October 31, 2015
SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder - basically, you get sad at the same time every year. (Click on the link for the real definition)
This term bothers me.
First of all: Affective - I think they just wanted to come up with an acronym that worked.
Why would it be Affective? It's A MADE UP WORD!
Of course, it is a made up word. Made up by people whom need to tell us something is wrong with us.
Nolan is taking a Psychology class. He was reviewing different disorders: alcoholism, addiction, depression, SAD, etc
We were reviewing them for his test.
We got to SAD and he said: you have SAD.
I replied, "what makes you think that."
"You get sad during the winter."
"Explain", I say.
"You aren't the mom you usually are."
"Do you think this from your whole life, or did it start after Hawaii?"
"Oh, it was definitely Hawaii." "You love your life here, but you can tell, you love it there."
"Still?", I reply
He just smiles at me. Tilts his head and nods.
Hmm, I think. I thought I was better at hiding things.....
This term bothers me.
First of all: Affective - I think they just wanted to come up with an acronym that worked.
Why would it be Affective? It's A MADE UP WORD!
Of course, it is a made up word. Made up by people whom need to tell us something is wrong with us.
Nolan is taking a Psychology class. He was reviewing different disorders: alcoholism, addiction, depression, SAD, etc
We were reviewing them for his test.
We got to SAD and he said: you have SAD.
I replied, "what makes you think that."
"You get sad during the winter."
"Explain", I say.
"You aren't the mom you usually are."
"Do you think this from your whole life, or did it start after Hawaii?"
"Oh, it was definitely Hawaii." "You love your life here, but you can tell, you love it there."
"Still?", I reply
He just smiles at me. Tilts his head and nods.
Hmm, I think. I thought I was better at hiding things.....
Friday, October 30, 2015
Set your eyes on a goal
On Tuesday, I was invited to a luncheon.
Lunch with a bunch of people I would have not normally had lunch with. It was a "Women's Event".
Where did all these women come from? was all I could think. Society women. Women from family money. Women from a nice background. Women with husbands whom did really well or came from some good money.
No - I'm not being "stereotypical". I did not know ONE person there at another table. I've lived in Denver for close to 20 years. I should have known ONE person there.
This was not a business event.
This was a "luncheon" to raise money for underprivileged children to attend private schools k - 12. An opportunity for them to at least level the playing field. They organization does not give full scholarships. The family must meet in the middle.
The average income for the scholarship recipient's family is $35,000 - for a family of 4.
A scholarship recipient spoke. She spoke how her mom had the drive to do better and make her kids do better.
I could relate.
At one point in my life I would have qualified for that scholarship.
There are SO many opportunities out there in life. People don't know they are there.
A couple of years ago, I was carpooling to a wedding. One of the women in my car went on and on about how the girls don't know there are resources at their finger tips.
I corrected her - no one knows. My sons have NO idea how to make this college thing happen. It's something that is just "going to happen".
But, nothing is ever going to change if you don't have the "fire in your belly" to keep you going.
Missy Franklin (4 gold medal winner) spoke at the luncheon.
What I came away with from the lunch with Missy:
Lunch with a bunch of people I would have not normally had lunch with. It was a "Women's Event".
Where did all these women come from? was all I could think. Society women. Women from family money. Women from a nice background. Women with husbands whom did really well or came from some good money.
No - I'm not being "stereotypical". I did not know ONE person there at another table. I've lived in Denver for close to 20 years. I should have known ONE person there.
This was not a business event.
This was a "luncheon" to raise money for underprivileged children to attend private schools k - 12. An opportunity for them to at least level the playing field. They organization does not give full scholarships. The family must meet in the middle.
The average income for the scholarship recipient's family is $35,000 - for a family of 4.
A scholarship recipient spoke. She spoke how her mom had the drive to do better and make her kids do better.
I could relate.
At one point in my life I would have qualified for that scholarship.
There are SO many opportunities out there in life. People don't know they are there.
A couple of years ago, I was carpooling to a wedding. One of the women in my car went on and on about how the girls don't know there are resources at their finger tips.
I corrected her - no one knows. My sons have NO idea how to make this college thing happen. It's something that is just "going to happen".
But, nothing is ever going to change if you don't have the "fire in your belly" to keep you going.
Missy Franklin (4 gold medal winner) spoke at the luncheon.
What I came away with from the lunch with Missy:
- She could have cared less if she was the best.
- She loves/loved to swim
- She made the point of telling us how much fun she always had
- She told us about the opportunities that believing had taught her
Her parents couldn't afford her private school education. Her Aunt paid for it. She found her faith in high school (who the hell can say that?)
Her goal?
Can I do what I love and make things better for other people?
I remember a girl I knew who loved to swim. She didn't know it came with swimming and the chance to shine. And I miss a little girl whom should be swimming with you, next year Missy.
Her dreams weren't that big. Mine weren't either.
We are here for you. No matter the goal.
We all need heroes. Hometown heroes will always be the best.
Thanks for being our hero.
See you in Rio. #Gomissygo #misssyfranklin
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The single best decision
We all make decisions on a day to day basis.
Every day. Every moment. Every second of our lives.
Even without realizing we make decisions. Turn left. Turn right. Send an e-mail. Don't send an e-mail. Return a phone call. Stop by for a visit. Don't return a call. Say "thank you" to a random stranger. Pay life forward. Or don't acknowledge anything at all.
Each of our actions, cause another action. Or reaction. Or causes a moment to stop.
I will take full blame/credit on deciding we needed to have a CCI puppy in our lives. Of course, I blame this on my good friend I met at the club whom had raised two.
She caught me in a moment of weakness.
For some reason, at that moment, this sounded like a good idea.
Let's train a puppy until it's a dog, then let it become a service dog.
You are hearing this from a woman whom has a cat. Whom gave her two dogs away when life became too much. I used to love dogs. Now I look at them - not longingly, more like "Oh, you are a lot of work"
This puppy though. This mission we are on. This has been the single most best decision I've made for my sons and I in a LONG time. (In fact, I would rate this up there with the decision to move to Hawaii for the summer).
I have the boys back that were trying to earn their wings. And they should, they should go on with their lives. They should test their boundaries. They should go on.
But before they go - they need to learn:
Every day. Every moment. Every second of our lives.
Even without realizing we make decisions. Turn left. Turn right. Send an e-mail. Don't send an e-mail. Return a phone call. Stop by for a visit. Don't return a call. Say "thank you" to a random stranger. Pay life forward. Or don't acknowledge anything at all.
Each of our actions, cause another action. Or reaction. Or causes a moment to stop.
I will take full blame/credit on deciding we needed to have a CCI puppy in our lives. Of course, I blame this on my good friend I met at the club whom had raised two.
She caught me in a moment of weakness.
For some reason, at that moment, this sounded like a good idea.
Let's train a puppy until it's a dog, then let it become a service dog.
You are hearing this from a woman whom has a cat. Whom gave her two dogs away when life became too much. I used to love dogs. Now I look at them - not longingly, more like "Oh, you are a lot of work"
This puppy though. This mission we are on. This has been the single most best decision I've made for my sons and I in a LONG time. (In fact, I would rate this up there with the decision to move to Hawaii for the summer).
I have the boys back that were trying to earn their wings. And they should, they should go on with their lives. They should test their boundaries. They should go on.
But before they go - they need to learn:
- Make sure you let the dog out
- Has the dog been fed?
- Has the dog spent anytime training today?
- Did he go to the bathroom?
- Did you pick up the poop?
- Can you imagine if you had a baby right now? This is SO much easier than a baby.
- The dog provided you a look no woman will ever give you (other than the dog and your mom?) PS the dog is boy!
- Are you willing to give something so much love and training and willing to receive NOTHING in return?
- did you have a puppy in your childhood?
- Were you loved?
If you can answer all these questions, then, well, you have learned. Lived. Flown.
You may go now.
You may go now.
They come home after school to see the puppy. The friends are all hanging at the house once again.They are still complaining they don't want to walk/pick up poop/etc again (i.e. meaning ever).
The single best decision we've made in a while.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Really in charge
Please let me know when you are tired of hearing puppy stories! :-)
We have a cat. He's around 13 years old. He's an indoor cat. He weighs probably 15 pounds. He's great. The new puppy is smaller than him.
Cats are easy. In fact, they usually like you better if you ignore them.
I do understand how people "don't get cats". They can be quite odd. In fact, other people's cats seem quite odd to me.
As a pet though, they are easy. You can leave them for a couple of days with food and water. They don't require being let outside or for a walk.
Brodie (the puppy) arrived here last Wednesday. Since that time, Ozzie (the cat) has been hiding in my bedroom.
Ozzie's food had to be moved to my bathroom. Ozzie has been under the bed. He's slowly come out. He has slowly grown tired of the bedroom.
The last couple of days, Ozzie and Brodie have sniffed noses. Then Ozzie runs off to his sanctuary.
Then today happened. I guess Ozzie had enough.
Ozzie was in the kitchen when Nolan brought Brodie upstairs. Brodie ate breakfast, went outside and then was ready to play.
The boys were getting ready for school.
Brodie had followed Ozzie down the hall. The next thing we hear:
"Yelp, Yelp, Yelp" followed by Brodie running down the hall. Through the living room and into his kennel in the family room.
Ozzie poked his head around the corner of the hall.
We told Ozzie "Good job buddy". It was about time you quit hiding in the bedroom. (Ozzie has no front claws). (The only thing we can figure out that happened is that Ozzie hissed and made a swatting motion).
Brodie spent the day hanging out in his kennel - with the door open.
Ozzie laid on the floor in the dining room all day.
It rained all day. It was cloudy. I didn't get out of my sweats.
No one went for a walk.
We know who is really in charge around here.
We have a cat. He's around 13 years old. He's an indoor cat. He weighs probably 15 pounds. He's great. The new puppy is smaller than him.
Cats are easy. In fact, they usually like you better if you ignore them.
I do understand how people "don't get cats". They can be quite odd. In fact, other people's cats seem quite odd to me.
As a pet though, they are easy. You can leave them for a couple of days with food and water. They don't require being let outside or for a walk.
Brodie (the puppy) arrived here last Wednesday. Since that time, Ozzie (the cat) has been hiding in my bedroom.
Ozzie's food had to be moved to my bathroom. Ozzie has been under the bed. He's slowly come out. He has slowly grown tired of the bedroom.
The last couple of days, Ozzie and Brodie have sniffed noses. Then Ozzie runs off to his sanctuary.
Then today happened. I guess Ozzie had enough.
Ozzie was in the kitchen when Nolan brought Brodie upstairs. Brodie ate breakfast, went outside and then was ready to play.
The boys were getting ready for school.
Brodie had followed Ozzie down the hall. The next thing we hear:
"Yelp, Yelp, Yelp" followed by Brodie running down the hall. Through the living room and into his kennel in the family room.
Ozzie poked his head around the corner of the hall.
We told Ozzie "Good job buddy". It was about time you quit hiding in the bedroom. (Ozzie has no front claws). (The only thing we can figure out that happened is that Ozzie hissed and made a swatting motion).
Brodie spent the day hanging out in his kennel - with the door open.
Ozzie laid on the floor in the dining room all day.
It rained all day. It was cloudy. I didn't get out of my sweats.
No one went for a walk.
We know who is really in charge around here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Back to the Future Day
In 1985, a movie came out called Back to the Future. They went back 30 years, to 1955. In the sequel, they went forward 30 years.
Forward 30 years from 1985.
The day they went "forward to" was October 21, 2015. Today.
I remember seeing the first movie in the theater. I liked the movie then. I was 16 the summer it came out.
About 8 years ago, the kids and I were at Disneyland in Southern California. We rode the "Back to the Future ride". Our friends from Southern California were at the park with us. We all rode the ride together.
I remember talking about how old the kids would be on the "future date" - how they would all be driving. One would be done with high school. My two almost done with high school.
Around here, we've all seen all THREE movies hundreds of times. They really are good classic movies.
30 years ago seems like yesterday.
My oldest has had this day marked in his calendar for months. He had a reminder set on his phone. A reminder that "this was the day Doc, Marty and Jennifer" (characters from the movies) arrive.
Of course, everyone is talking about today being the day.
Somehow, I think he really thought for some reason - they (being the characters) were really somehow going to appear.
We talked about the fact that "Springfield" was the town. That the crew was PROBABLY NOT going to appear at Denver East High School.
But, the truth is, his "hope" has made me smile for a least a month.
Many times in life, we think we are all grown up. We quit believing in make believe.
Then there are moments, moments like this. Moments that are simple. Simply not real, but give us hope that make believe still lives in our minds and hearts.
Don't ever lose that. Anyone. Especially, you my boys.
See you in the future kid.
Forward 30 years from 1985.
The day they went "forward to" was October 21, 2015. Today.
I remember seeing the first movie in the theater. I liked the movie then. I was 16 the summer it came out.
About 8 years ago, the kids and I were at Disneyland in Southern California. We rode the "Back to the Future ride". Our friends from Southern California were at the park with us. We all rode the ride together.
I remember talking about how old the kids would be on the "future date" - how they would all be driving. One would be done with high school. My two almost done with high school.
Around here, we've all seen all THREE movies hundreds of times. They really are good classic movies.
30 years ago seems like yesterday.
My oldest has had this day marked in his calendar for months. He had a reminder set on his phone. A reminder that "this was the day Doc, Marty and Jennifer" (characters from the movies) arrive.
Of course, everyone is talking about today being the day.
Somehow, I think he really thought for some reason - they (being the characters) were really somehow going to appear.
We talked about the fact that "Springfield" was the town. That the crew was PROBABLY NOT going to appear at Denver East High School.
But, the truth is, his "hope" has made me smile for a least a month.
Many times in life, we think we are all grown up. We quit believing in make believe.
Then there are moments, moments like this. Moments that are simple. Simply not real, but give us hope that make believe still lives in our minds and hearts.
Don't ever lose that. Anyone. Especially, you my boys.
See you in the future kid.
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