A common phrase tossed around social media, teacher's lounges and the pool is helicopter parenting. Sometimes the phrase becomes lawnmower parents or bulldozer parents. We have all heard the phrase, the reference to parenting styles today. We are often quick to say, "When I was a kid, my mom just had me drink from a hose and gave me a bologna sandwich on white bread". Right... who hasn't heard the tales of how parents in the 70's or 80's parented? Like it is a golden elixir to what ails the parenting world today. If we could just turn back time, today's parents would see the amazing parenting styles of the parents of yesteryear (insert sarcastic eye roll here!).
I am a child born in the 70's and I did drink from a hose and ate LOTS of bologna on white bread with Hellman's mayonnaise. I stayed out until the streetlights came on, got dirty, went on adventures and rode my bike a million miles a day. It was a great childhood! Was my mom doing anything different than any other mom? No, everyone in my small town did the same thing.
I have children of the new Millenium who have not had the same childhood experiences that I have had. They don't stay out until the streetlights come on or the fire station blows the whistle. Why not? Mainly because it is a different time and place. We live in an era where kids have easy access to electronics that were not around when I was their age. They are presented with a million different options for everything. I mean Saturday morning cartoons are not a big thing for kids today, they have cartoons 24/7. They will never know the excitement I felt to get up on Saturday and watch the cartoons with my dad.
Did my mom let me learn somethings for myself? Absolutely! Did she help with school work? Absolutely... she was an elementary school teacher and her projects were always better than mine! She struck a balance between doing everything for me and allowing me to figure it out. I have tried to do that with my kids... help when needed but allow them to fail. Without failure, they will not learn anything. I think that is the hardest concept for parents to not only understand but to follow through on. We all want what is best for our kids, we want them to have a great life.. better than ours. When they cry or are angry it feels like a direct hit to the heart, we want to scoop them up and make it better. At some point we have to allow them to feel things, to experience what it is like to fail, to learn a lesson, and to pick yourself back up and move on. Bulldozing, helicoptering or lawnmowing... whatever you want to call it.... will not help the kids in the long run. Will it be easier in the moment? Absolutely! When they go to college and can't write a paper? Not so much! Can we offer our kids help? Absolutely! Should we do the work for them, or micromanage their every word? Not so much!
I have a sign hanging above my kitchen door, it is a quote attributed to many professional athletes so I can't give credit to who said it, but it says, "You miss 100% of the shots you never take". Without trying something on your own, without failing and learning from your mistakes, you can not grow into the person you are destined to be. As my mom said (at least four billion times!), "Chrissy, can't never did anything."
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The Parenting Boat
Parenting is like being in a small boat amidst a powerful storm. You have to be a strong seaman to navigate the parenting waters. The waters are always choppy, seldom calm and shark-infested. At times, the life vest is deflated or missing from your proverbial boat. The winds whip and the rain falls in one breath and in another it is a beautiful, sunny day. It takes all of your effort to keep the boat afloat and all the members in your small boat alive. As the captain or co-captain, you realize that with each passing storm another storm will soon be on the horizon. Such a tough job.... the constant change, the constant struggle, the days of calm seas followed by the hurricane-force winds.
It is a relentless pursuit of ensuring the well being of the members of your boat, who often question your every move. Should we be doing that? Wouldn't it be better if we did this? Why are we doing this? Or present their facts and ideas on the best course of action for your small vessel, acting as if your years of being a captain and seaman are irrelevant. I think we should do this because....., or the current facts are....... or my personal favorite.... when I am in charge we will do it this way (Don't you really want to say...go ahead get your own boat and see how you do?).
The people in your boat have emotions that rival the storms your boat encounters. One minute they are as calm as the sea, the next their emotions rival the storm around you. (Maybe they are the cause of the storms?? ) Just when you believe that your boat has passed the worst of the storm, the clouds grow and a new storm approaches... just like the emotions of the people in your boat. You, as captain, can never quite get a handle on the storms as they change with the wind, come from all directions and threaten to sink your boat at any time.
Being captain is a tough job. You do not receive any formal training for navigating these waters, you learn as you go. Some days, you are a great captain. Others, your boat barely stays afloat. The rewards, like sunshine after a storm, are breathtaking and leave you with a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of the sea. Likewise, when the storm is bad, you bail water out of your boat as quickly as you can with your eyes on the storm and you hope that it is a small squall and not a hurricane.
Eventually, your boat will be smaller with less responsibility. We all know that. We know the storms will pass, the waters will calm and the sharks will move on to greater pursuits. But while navigating the waters with a full boat, it is hard to see past the storm, to look for the sun amidst the clouds. So, my fellow captains... hold tight to your life vest, keep rowing towards the sun, there are brighter days ahead.
It is a relentless pursuit of ensuring the well being of the members of your boat, who often question your every move. Should we be doing that? Wouldn't it be better if we did this? Why are we doing this? Or present their facts and ideas on the best course of action for your small vessel, acting as if your years of being a captain and seaman are irrelevant. I think we should do this because....., or the current facts are....... or my personal favorite.... when I am in charge we will do it this way (Don't you really want to say...go ahead get your own boat and see how you do?).
The people in your boat have emotions that rival the storms your boat encounters. One minute they are as calm as the sea, the next their emotions rival the storm around you. (Maybe they are the cause of the storms?? ) Just when you believe that your boat has passed the worst of the storm, the clouds grow and a new storm approaches... just like the emotions of the people in your boat. You, as captain, can never quite get a handle on the storms as they change with the wind, come from all directions and threaten to sink your boat at any time.
Being captain is a tough job. You do not receive any formal training for navigating these waters, you learn as you go. Some days, you are a great captain. Others, your boat barely stays afloat. The rewards, like sunshine after a storm, are breathtaking and leave you with a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of the sea. Likewise, when the storm is bad, you bail water out of your boat as quickly as you can with your eyes on the storm and you hope that it is a small squall and not a hurricane.
Eventually, your boat will be smaller with less responsibility. We all know that. We know the storms will pass, the waters will calm and the sharks will move on to greater pursuits. But while navigating the waters with a full boat, it is hard to see past the storm, to look for the sun amidst the clouds. So, my fellow captains... hold tight to your life vest, keep rowing towards the sun, there are brighter days ahead.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
I Told You So....
As a small recap to an ongoing saga of home gym assembly, my youngest son's gym closed in late March due to Covid -19. We had an unassembled home gym hidden in a storage closet in the basement. My husband, being the good father he is (insert eye roll here!), told my youngest about the gym and said we could put it together. Two weekends later, a gazillion trips to Ace Hardware and the machine was not finished. We were all exhausted, agitated and at a loss.... the machine was winning the battle.
I pointed to one point in the pulley system and repeatedly....seriously like a million times.... told "the boys" that this was our issue. I just could not understand the logic of the design and could see that it visually did not go there. I showed them pictures, I backtracked on the directions, I hypothesized that the missing inches we needed to connect the last piece were lost in that one section. Well... no one believed me or to be fair, no one cared enough at this point to listen. So, we threw in the towel and walked away.
Fast forward two days... I am upstairs meeting virtually with my fourth-grade team and hear sounds coming from the front room where the gym is located. Sorta like the clang of metal together, what could that be I wonder. The sounds are faint but I can just make out the noises of exertion, of murmured voices and then what sounds like something going up and down. All of this is happening while I am behind closed doors, trying desperately to concentrate on my team all while trying to determine what the sounds are. Stupid teacher ears.... we hear everything! Now I am so distracted by these new noises and miss parts of what is being said. I force myself to focus on the team, figuring that the call will end quicker if I actually pay attention!
Finally, the call is over. I close my laptop with vigor, make a mental note of the things that I still need to accomplish today and open my bedroom door. Sure enough, the sounds are louder. It is definitely coming from the front room and it is definitely the sound of something being pulled up and down. I quickly descend the first half of the staircase, make the turn towards the second half of the stairs and get a clear view of the front room. Sure enough, they have finished the machine and it works!
I pause about halfway down the second set of stairs and survey the situation. The boys pause and await my reaction. I ask them what the issue was and how did they fix it. They sheepishly reply that it was the pulley area I said didn't work... not in those exact words but it was my idea after all. Being the fantastic mom I am, I broke out in an I was right dance that lasted a few minutes. The dance was complete with song, lots of shaking, and lots of I was right. My boys just looked at each other and said, "I told you she would do this!" Momma is always right!!
Seriously, the gym has been a great solace for my teenagers. My husband has joined in the workouts too and the gym has provided another layer of bonding. The whole experience was long, painful at times but well worth it. After all.... I was right!! 😜
I pointed to one point in the pulley system and repeatedly....seriously like a million times.... told "the boys" that this was our issue. I just could not understand the logic of the design and could see that it visually did not go there. I showed them pictures, I backtracked on the directions, I hypothesized that the missing inches we needed to connect the last piece were lost in that one section. Well... no one believed me or to be fair, no one cared enough at this point to listen. So, we threw in the towel and walked away.
Fast forward two days... I am upstairs meeting virtually with my fourth-grade team and hear sounds coming from the front room where the gym is located. Sorta like the clang of metal together, what could that be I wonder. The sounds are faint but I can just make out the noises of exertion, of murmured voices and then what sounds like something going up and down. All of this is happening while I am behind closed doors, trying desperately to concentrate on my team all while trying to determine what the sounds are. Stupid teacher ears.... we hear everything! Now I am so distracted by these new noises and miss parts of what is being said. I force myself to focus on the team, figuring that the call will end quicker if I actually pay attention!
Finally, the call is over. I close my laptop with vigor, make a mental note of the things that I still need to accomplish today and open my bedroom door. Sure enough, the sounds are louder. It is definitely coming from the front room and it is definitely the sound of something being pulled up and down. I quickly descend the first half of the staircase, make the turn towards the second half of the stairs and get a clear view of the front room. Sure enough, they have finished the machine and it works!
I pause about halfway down the second set of stairs and survey the situation. The boys pause and await my reaction. I ask them what the issue was and how did they fix it. They sheepishly reply that it was the pulley area I said didn't work... not in those exact words but it was my idea after all. Being the fantastic mom I am, I broke out in an I was right dance that lasted a few minutes. The dance was complete with song, lots of shaking, and lots of I was right. My boys just looked at each other and said, "I told you she would do this!" Momma is always right!!
Seriously, the gym has been a great solace for my teenagers. My husband has joined in the workouts too and the gym has provided another layer of bonding. The whole experience was long, painful at times but well worth it. After all.... I was right!! 😜
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Phantom Pain
Phantom pain is a phrase that came to me during my early morning workout. Phantom pain the kind you get from missing something that should be there. You hear of people who have lost a limb remark that they still feel pain in the missing limb. This pain is the mind getting used to the absence of something that should be there. The pain is real, not imagined. This pain is felt in the soul of the person experiencing it.
Websters defines the word phantom as a ghost or something that is imagined. Phantom pain is defined as pain, that was once believed to be imagined, generating from a missing limb or organ. Science has since proven that this pain is generated by the brain and/or spinal cord as a result of rewiring the neurons.
Phantom pain.... missing something that is not there. A rewiring of the brain so that the brain grows accustomed to its new normal. To me, this sounds like what educators and students are feeling now. A pain, a soul-deep pain, over a loss of what should be. We are all struggling to find the source of the pain, to force the brain to grow accustomed to its new normal. Many of us, educators, parents, and students, are struggling to ease the pain, to work through our new normal. To find normalcy in the unnormal.
A phantom pain.... a rewiring of the brain......an acceptance of what is now normal. Events are moving so quickly, our brains.... our hearts.... our souls can not keep up. We are left with unease, worry, pain. Our minds are in overdrive trying to reconcile all the images, the feelings, and all the information.... trying to find the source of the pain and determining our new normal. The magical thing is our brains will accept the new normal, our souls will recover and our hearts will expand. We will find joy in simplicity, find the silver lining in our storm clouds. We will adapt and grow stronger.
*** I feel as if I need a disclaimer... in no way was I trivializing the loss of a limb. That is far worse than the temporary loss we are all experiencing. I was just borrowing the phrase!
Websters defines the word phantom as a ghost or something that is imagined. Phantom pain is defined as pain, that was once believed to be imagined, generating from a missing limb or organ. Science has since proven that this pain is generated by the brain and/or spinal cord as a result of rewiring the neurons.
Phantom pain.... missing something that is not there. A rewiring of the brain so that the brain grows accustomed to its new normal. To me, this sounds like what educators and students are feeling now. A pain, a soul-deep pain, over a loss of what should be. We are all struggling to find the source of the pain, to force the brain to grow accustomed to its new normal. Many of us, educators, parents, and students, are struggling to ease the pain, to work through our new normal. To find normalcy in the unnormal.
A phantom pain.... a rewiring of the brain......an acceptance of what is now normal. Events are moving so quickly, our brains.... our hearts.... our souls can not keep up. We are left with unease, worry, pain. Our minds are in overdrive trying to reconcile all the images, the feelings, and all the information.... trying to find the source of the pain and determining our new normal. The magical thing is our brains will accept the new normal, our souls will recover and our hearts will expand. We will find joy in simplicity, find the silver lining in our storm clouds. We will adapt and grow stronger.
*** I feel as if I need a disclaimer... in no way was I trivializing the loss of a limb. That is far worse than the temporary loss we are all experiencing. I was just borrowing the phrase!
Thursday, April 2, 2020
The Empty Classroom
Yesterday, we got the news that school would be closed for the remainder of this year. Closed for the remainder of the year.... I had a feeling that those words were coming, yet when they were said I was still shocked. Flabbergasted, heartbroken, devastated, lost.... all emotions that I experienced in a span of minutes. It is one thing to think something is going to happen and another for it to happen.
I had to take the night to process the depth of my emotions and how to move forward with purpose and positivity. See, that is what I do... I am a one foot in front of the other kind of person. I have experienced great loss, both my parents and last year my sister in law, and I put one foot in front of the other and came out the other side with lessons learned. I just needed a minute to get my bearings, to allow myself to feel the loss, to have a good old fashioned cry.
I have taken my minute and I am putting one for in front of the other. I believe the loss is so profound this time because it involved 51 nine and ten-year-olds who I love dearly. These kids make me smile, laugh until I have tears rolling down my face and give the best hugs. They always seem to know when I needed a break, or a joke or a riddle...they love riddles. They are silly and smart and at times drove me CRAZY. But I would love to be back together again. We had so many things that we were going to do, so many things that we still needed to learn. Just so many things....
Although I won't see their smiling faces in my classroom anymore or hear their giggles or see them choosing kindness, their legacy will be felt in years to come. I will look out into my classroom and remember the good times that we had, the silly times and of course, the times that were not so great and I will find comfort in it. I will tell stories to the next group of fourth graders and reminisce with this group when I see them in the hall. We will forever be tied together by this shared experience and I can not think of a more perfect group to be associated with.
I had to take the night to process the depth of my emotions and how to move forward with purpose and positivity. See, that is what I do... I am a one foot in front of the other kind of person. I have experienced great loss, both my parents and last year my sister in law, and I put one foot in front of the other and came out the other side with lessons learned. I just needed a minute to get my bearings, to allow myself to feel the loss, to have a good old fashioned cry.
I have taken my minute and I am putting one for in front of the other. I believe the loss is so profound this time because it involved 51 nine and ten-year-olds who I love dearly. These kids make me smile, laugh until I have tears rolling down my face and give the best hugs. They always seem to know when I needed a break, or a joke or a riddle...they love riddles. They are silly and smart and at times drove me CRAZY. But I would love to be back together again. We had so many things that we were going to do, so many things that we still needed to learn. Just so many things....
Although I won't see their smiling faces in my classroom anymore or hear their giggles or see them choosing kindness, their legacy will be felt in years to come. I will look out into my classroom and remember the good times that we had, the silly times and of course, the times that were not so great and I will find comfort in it. I will tell stories to the next group of fourth graders and reminisce with this group when I see them in the hall. We will forever be tied together by this shared experience and I can not think of a more perfect group to be associated with.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The End!
Wow! About a month and a half ago, I stumbled across the Two Writing Teachers site while researching ways to improve my teaching of writing. Little did I know that my research would lead to the growth of my writing, the building of a community of writers that I am proud to be a part of, and the empathy I have for my students. I could have never predicted or even imagined the change in our world in the last 31 days. March has been a bear, a beast, a month to be reckoned with.
So, to end my slice challenge I have decided to reflect on lessons learned, experiences I have had and plans for my writing.
I Have Learned....
What I start out writing, often takes a turn and takes me in a different way
Writing is hard but so rewarding
Patience and Grace in times of struggle or change is paramount
A kind word from a stranger can brighten your day
Sometimes, just putting pen to paper (fingers to computer) is all it takes to break writer's block
Having someone "get" what you are writing about and agreeing with you validates you
21 days makes a habit
The world is really small
People all over the world can share in one experience and benefit from their sharing
Washing your hands is very important
After washing your hands a million times, lotion is your friend
Never take for granted shaking someone's hand or giving a hug
People really like toilet paper
In times of crisis, people band together to help others
I am not cut out for a sit behind a computer kind of job
School is not just the books or curriculum, school is the people in it
School is about relationships more than it is about education
I miss my 51 fourth graders a lot
Family is a blessing
We should not take our health for granted or our family
Life is all about your attitude, you choose how your day is going to do
Be happy, choose to be positive, make the best of a crazy situation
You can not make everyone happy, accept that
Finally, above all choose kindness.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a wonderful writing experience. My plan is to keep on blogging, either every day or a few times a week. I have benefited from the outlet and the release. My ability to empathize and help my kids grow as writers has changed in unimaginable ways. Till next March....
So, to end my slice challenge I have decided to reflect on lessons learned, experiences I have had and plans for my writing.
I Have Learned....
What I start out writing, often takes a turn and takes me in a different way
Writing is hard but so rewarding
Patience and Grace in times of struggle or change is paramount
A kind word from a stranger can brighten your day
Sometimes, just putting pen to paper (fingers to computer) is all it takes to break writer's block
Having someone "get" what you are writing about and agreeing with you validates you
21 days makes a habit
The world is really small
People all over the world can share in one experience and benefit from their sharing
Washing your hands is very important
After washing your hands a million times, lotion is your friend
Never take for granted shaking someone's hand or giving a hug
People really like toilet paper
In times of crisis, people band together to help others
I am not cut out for a sit behind a computer kind of job
School is not just the books or curriculum, school is the people in it
School is about relationships more than it is about education
I miss my 51 fourth graders a lot
Family is a blessing
We should not take our health for granted or our family
Life is all about your attitude, you choose how your day is going to do
Be happy, choose to be positive, make the best of a crazy situation
You can not make everyone happy, accept that
Finally, above all choose kindness.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of a wonderful writing experience. My plan is to keep on blogging, either every day or a few times a week. I have benefited from the outlet and the release. My ability to empathize and help my kids grow as writers has changed in unimaginable ways. Till next March....
Monday, March 30, 2020
And....the Machine Won!
It was day three in my family's journey to assemble a home gym. Friday was the first day and we got a majority of the way through the assembly until we didn't have all the parts. After many trips to Ace Hardware on Saturday, we had the gym assembled and began to deal with the pulley system. Saturday ended with everyone frustrated and in need of a break and the promise of picking it back up on Sunday.
My first clue things were not going to go well should have been the dark, large clouds that loomed in the sky. The outside atmosphere seemed to mirror that of the inside. As I came down the stairs, I stared down that pulley system and gave a quick glance at the mechanisms. I am still convinced that we have assembled it correctly. Anyway, I go about my morning waiting eagerly for the men in the house to wake up and tackle this beast of a gym.
When my husband finally wakes up, we begin to discuss the gym and where we could have gone wrong and what the possibilities for quick fixes are. We head into the gym armed with caffeine and can do attitudes. My oldest is up and has agreed to put his young mind to the task. Step one for us is to go back and look at the stupid directions. Now, I know it is not nice to call something stupid but at this point I have them memorized and I can not figure out what the pictures signify. I mean if you are going to put all of the technical words and then put the pictures to help people, at least make the pictures decipherable!
We study the directions like we are studying for final exams and come to the conclusion, we have followed all the steps and the pulleys are going in the right direction. Step two is to tighten all the loose bolts, we decide that there may be some play in the pulley system. The boys begin the arduous task of tightening an endless amount of bolts and I go and wake the youngest. I can't decide whose chore is worse! The youngest makes his way downstairs, looks at the machine and groans... even he who wants the gym more than the rest of us, can't believe we are still working on it.
Tightening the bolts does very little, we get maybe 3/4 of an inch closer to connecting the last pieces of the pulley system together. Back to the drawing board, we go! We decide to change out the piece of carpet that is under the gym that does not match the others thinking that maybe the differences in height are affecting the pulley system. Nope! We are all back to staring at the drawings and at the pulley system. We believe that one section is causing the problem, but we can not figure out how to fix it... our set up is exactly like the pictures show (or at least from what we can tell). So, we decide to try and rig the system to work. We had back to Ace Hardware in search of a fix. After what feels like forever, we decide on chains and carabiner clips. The reluctant consensus is that we can connect the chains and clips to the pre-drilled holes in the pulley system and it should work. We find a super helpful employee he cuts the chains, we pay and drive back home. After washing our hands for the millionth time today, we get to testing our idea. Ah... this doesn't work either. The clips are too big and we know that they have to be that size to support the weights. We are out of ideas, out of patience and are just done with this gym. You know how you get to that point where you are so frustrated, everyone is mad at everyone else and it becomes not worth it anymore? That is where we are, we just can't anymore today. Maybe we are done for good!
Today is another day, the birds are chirping and the day looks like it will be a good one. Hopefully, after working at home today, we can look at the directions again and try and tackle the pulley system. If not today, I know we will look at it again this week. We do not give up... maybe we take breaks, maybe we step away, but we are not going to give up. The machine will not win!
My first clue things were not going to go well should have been the dark, large clouds that loomed in the sky. The outside atmosphere seemed to mirror that of the inside. As I came down the stairs, I stared down that pulley system and gave a quick glance at the mechanisms. I am still convinced that we have assembled it correctly. Anyway, I go about my morning waiting eagerly for the men in the house to wake up and tackle this beast of a gym.
When my husband finally wakes up, we begin to discuss the gym and where we could have gone wrong and what the possibilities for quick fixes are. We head into the gym armed with caffeine and can do attitudes. My oldest is up and has agreed to put his young mind to the task. Step one for us is to go back and look at the stupid directions. Now, I know it is not nice to call something stupid but at this point I have them memorized and I can not figure out what the pictures signify. I mean if you are going to put all of the technical words and then put the pictures to help people, at least make the pictures decipherable!
We study the directions like we are studying for final exams and come to the conclusion, we have followed all the steps and the pulleys are going in the right direction. Step two is to tighten all the loose bolts, we decide that there may be some play in the pulley system. The boys begin the arduous task of tightening an endless amount of bolts and I go and wake the youngest. I can't decide whose chore is worse! The youngest makes his way downstairs, looks at the machine and groans... even he who wants the gym more than the rest of us, can't believe we are still working on it.
Tightening the bolts does very little, we get maybe 3/4 of an inch closer to connecting the last pieces of the pulley system together. Back to the drawing board, we go! We decide to change out the piece of carpet that is under the gym that does not match the others thinking that maybe the differences in height are affecting the pulley system. Nope! We are all back to staring at the drawings and at the pulley system. We believe that one section is causing the problem, but we can not figure out how to fix it... our set up is exactly like the pictures show (or at least from what we can tell). So, we decide to try and rig the system to work. We had back to Ace Hardware in search of a fix. After what feels like forever, we decide on chains and carabiner clips. The reluctant consensus is that we can connect the chains and clips to the pre-drilled holes in the pulley system and it should work. We find a super helpful employee he cuts the chains, we pay and drive back home. After washing our hands for the millionth time today, we get to testing our idea. Ah... this doesn't work either. The clips are too big and we know that they have to be that size to support the weights. We are out of ideas, out of patience and are just done with this gym. You know how you get to that point where you are so frustrated, everyone is mad at everyone else and it becomes not worth it anymore? That is where we are, we just can't anymore today. Maybe we are done for good!
Today is another day, the birds are chirping and the day looks like it will be a good one. Hopefully, after working at home today, we can look at the directions again and try and tackle the pulley system. If not today, I know we will look at it again this week. We do not give up... maybe we take breaks, maybe we step away, but we are not going to give up. The machine will not win!
Sunday, March 29, 2020
The Saga Continues....
If you read my post yesterday, you know that my family spent it's Friday night trying to build a long-forgotten home gym. We put a good bit of it together until we discovered that we did not have all the nuts and bolts. So my bright idea on Saturday morning was to order the missing parts from Home Depot. Here is how the saga continues...
After writing my post yesterday, I did a precursory look of Home Depot's website and they seemed to have what I needed. When my husband finally came downstairs after sleeping in late, I presented my idea. He had thought the same thing, so I went back on the website and ordered everything but two carriage bolts. I figured I could ask the people at the store as they are always so helpful.
We jumped in the car for our outing for the day and headed for Home Depot. Well, much to our surprise the line is out the door and weaves around to the side of the store. We get closer and realize they are restricting who can go in. I suggest that we call the store, surely since I ordered and paid, they have a separate line or can bring it to my car.... nope! I have to stand in that line. We decide we do not want to stand in line with all the pollen that is in the air. I call Ace Hardware which is a smaller store and they are open. We head there, after what felt like FOREVER, we found what we thought were all the nuts, bolts and screws and headed home.
We woke the youngest teenager and got to work. It was probably 12:30. We quickly discovered that one of the carriage bolts was wrong, but we pressed on with what we have thinking that we would wait until we needed more. Soon enough we discovered other things that we need and decided to make another run. This time my oldest and I go off to hunt for these last things. Well, we find what we think is right but once we get home.... still wrong. At this point, it is around 3:30, and we are all over it... but we press on. The teenagers go to the store this time, so much for social distancing., and come back with what they absolutely believe is right...ah, no it's not! Being teenagers, they did not listen to the part about taking the screw with you so that you can be sure the nut fits. So, back to the store they go. Three phone calls later, they come back with the right stuff.
It's about 4:30 in the afternoon, and we have been at this all day. Good news is the gym is assembled bad news is we have the pully system to put together. We stare at the stupid directions again, marvel at how these pictures actually represent anything and press on. My husband takes a break to grill dinner and the boys and I decide we are going to work on one side. I start to see the picture in my mind how it is supposed to go and work backwards from the drawing. FINALLY, after we break for dinner and my husband comes back, we get it to work... we think. Nope, something is wrong and we have to figure that out. We do in pretty short order and have one side that works. Yeah us!
It's probably around 6:30 at this point and we have the hardest side to go. My husband has gotten the bottom portion correct and needs a break... he can't see how the top is going to work and he is DONE. I look at it backwards again... and my oldest and I go to work undoing things and reworking the pully system. After his much-needed break, my husband is back and he can see what I envision and we complete the pully system! Yeah us.... we think until we try and attach the one last piece and it won't reach! Somehow, somewhere something is wrong!
It is around 8PM now, we have been at this almost all day except for a dinner break. Noone can figure this out and we are tired...all our creative juices have been exhausted. We decide we will give it a rest and look at it tomorrow. Hopefully, today we will figure out the last little bit quicker and we will not spend the day wrestling with the last pully. All I know is that everyone better use this machine!
After writing my post yesterday, I did a precursory look of Home Depot's website and they seemed to have what I needed. When my husband finally came downstairs after sleeping in late, I presented my idea. He had thought the same thing, so I went back on the website and ordered everything but two carriage bolts. I figured I could ask the people at the store as they are always so helpful.
We jumped in the car for our outing for the day and headed for Home Depot. Well, much to our surprise the line is out the door and weaves around to the side of the store. We get closer and realize they are restricting who can go in. I suggest that we call the store, surely since I ordered and paid, they have a separate line or can bring it to my car.... nope! I have to stand in that line. We decide we do not want to stand in line with all the pollen that is in the air. I call Ace Hardware which is a smaller store and they are open. We head there, after what felt like FOREVER, we found what we thought were all the nuts, bolts and screws and headed home.
We woke the youngest teenager and got to work. It was probably 12:30. We quickly discovered that one of the carriage bolts was wrong, but we pressed on with what we have thinking that we would wait until we needed more. Soon enough we discovered other things that we need and decided to make another run. This time my oldest and I go off to hunt for these last things. Well, we find what we think is right but once we get home.... still wrong. At this point, it is around 3:30, and we are all over it... but we press on. The teenagers go to the store this time, so much for social distancing., and come back with what they absolutely believe is right...ah, no it's not! Being teenagers, they did not listen to the part about taking the screw with you so that you can be sure the nut fits. So, back to the store they go. Three phone calls later, they come back with the right stuff.
It's about 4:30 in the afternoon, and we have been at this all day. Good news is the gym is assembled bad news is we have the pully system to put together. We stare at the stupid directions again, marvel at how these pictures actually represent anything and press on. My husband takes a break to grill dinner and the boys and I decide we are going to work on one side. I start to see the picture in my mind how it is supposed to go and work backwards from the drawing. FINALLY, after we break for dinner and my husband comes back, we get it to work... we think. Nope, something is wrong and we have to figure that out. We do in pretty short order and have one side that works. Yeah us!
It's probably around 6:30 at this point and we have the hardest side to go. My husband has gotten the bottom portion correct and needs a break... he can't see how the top is going to work and he is DONE. I look at it backwards again... and my oldest and I go to work undoing things and reworking the pully system. After his much-needed break, my husband is back and he can see what I envision and we complete the pully system! Yeah us.... we think until we try and attach the one last piece and it won't reach! Somehow, somewhere something is wrong!
It is around 8PM now, we have been at this almost all day except for a dinner break. Noone can figure this out and we are tired...all our creative juices have been exhausted. We decide we will give it a rest and look at it tomorrow. Hopefully, today we will figure out the last little bit quicker and we will not spend the day wrestling with the last pully. All I know is that everyone better use this machine!
Saturday, March 28, 2020
It Finally Happened....
The majority of my family are big work out buffs. We all have a different "thing" that we like to do....I lean towards more cardio and organized workouts, like Beachbody or my Max Trainer, my husband lifts and runs and my youngest has been hitting the gym hard. My oldest, well he doesn't have the love for working out like the rest of us do...he's an I am gonna start working out soon kinda person. (Who can't relate to that!)
With social distancing and the county's suggestion that we shelter in place, we have been anticipating my son's gym will close. This week the gym changed their hours and limited to ten people. If you were the eleventh than you have to wait until someone leaves. The system seemed to be working out well, until yesterday. Yesterday the announcement was made that the gym would close effective today (Saturday) and remain closed until at least April 6th. Who knows if that date will hold true or not?
Drew was very disappointed... the gym has been his outlet, he has made amazing progress and the joy it brings is immeasurable. So my husband in all his infinite wisdom suggested that we get the home gym out of the basement storage space. Now, this gym has been down there since we moved into this house in 2007... yes, you read that right! It has been in a closet since our realtor gave it to us 13 years ago. This gym is a beast... it takes up lots of space and is pretty heavy to carry.
Our relaxing Friday night turned into building this gym. The boys helped their dad carry the pieces upstairs. The previous owners of this gym had taken some pieces apart and others were left together. That in itself is a challenge, it is hard to read the stupid directions anyway but now we have to figure out what has been done and what needs to be done. Needless to say, this is a lesson in patience and reading closely.
We made good progress until about 3/4th of the way through when we began to attach the pull - up bars and the dip bars. We have been working on this for about two hours and it is around 9PM. My husband has been on and off work calls, and my oldest is trying to register for classes all while putting this thing together. Anyway, back to the bars... in all the pieces and all the boxes there are not any screws and bolts for these bars. We look high and low, we crawl through the nasty storage space, try to take out screws that probably don't need to be taken out and we come up empty-handed. The most important pieces are missing! They have vanished and we are stuck with a giant machine that doesn't work.
Everyone is frustrated, so we stop for the night. Being the type A Mom that I am, I immediately look through the directions and the parts list and make a list of the missing parts. I then google the equipment and locate the parts....except they won't get here until April 27th and they cost over one hundred dollars. I head back to my search, and head straight for Amazon...they have everything. Nope, they do not have parts for this. What to do? What to do? The boys head for their rooms, my husband tries to find something to watch and I grab my book. We have decided that tomorrow will bring answers.
Well, its tomorrow... so far I haven't found the parts but I did find an idea. I am pretty sure I can find these parts at Home Depot. Now, I don't know for sure but it is something. It is a glimmer of hope... isn't that we all need? Just a glimmer of hope.....
With social distancing and the county's suggestion that we shelter in place, we have been anticipating my son's gym will close. This week the gym changed their hours and limited to ten people. If you were the eleventh than you have to wait until someone leaves. The system seemed to be working out well, until yesterday. Yesterday the announcement was made that the gym would close effective today (Saturday) and remain closed until at least April 6th. Who knows if that date will hold true or not?
Drew was very disappointed... the gym has been his outlet, he has made amazing progress and the joy it brings is immeasurable. So my husband in all his infinite wisdom suggested that we get the home gym out of the basement storage space. Now, this gym has been down there since we moved into this house in 2007... yes, you read that right! It has been in a closet since our realtor gave it to us 13 years ago. This gym is a beast... it takes up lots of space and is pretty heavy to carry.
Our relaxing Friday night turned into building this gym. The boys helped their dad carry the pieces upstairs. The previous owners of this gym had taken some pieces apart and others were left together. That in itself is a challenge, it is hard to read the stupid directions anyway but now we have to figure out what has been done and what needs to be done. Needless to say, this is a lesson in patience and reading closely.
We made good progress until about 3/4th of the way through when we began to attach the pull - up bars and the dip bars. We have been working on this for about two hours and it is around 9PM. My husband has been on and off work calls, and my oldest is trying to register for classes all while putting this thing together. Anyway, back to the bars... in all the pieces and all the boxes there are not any screws and bolts for these bars. We look high and low, we crawl through the nasty storage space, try to take out screws that probably don't need to be taken out and we come up empty-handed. The most important pieces are missing! They have vanished and we are stuck with a giant machine that doesn't work.
Everyone is frustrated, so we stop for the night. Being the type A Mom that I am, I immediately look through the directions and the parts list and make a list of the missing parts. I then google the equipment and locate the parts....except they won't get here until April 27th and they cost over one hundred dollars. I head back to my search, and head straight for Amazon...they have everything. Nope, they do not have parts for this. What to do? What to do? The boys head for their rooms, my husband tries to find something to watch and I grab my book. We have decided that tomorrow will bring answers.
Well, its tomorrow... so far I haven't found the parts but I did find an idea. I am pretty sure I can find these parts at Home Depot. Now, I don't know for sure but it is something. It is a glimmer of hope... isn't that we all need? Just a glimmer of hope.....
Friday, March 27, 2020
More than Brick and Mortar
Schools are more than the bricks that hold them up. They are more than desks, chairs, and papers. Schools are more than the curriculum, the whiteboards, the technology. Schools are not just brick and mortar. They are so much more.
Schools are the people that move about the halls. They are the energy that is derived from the sheer force of the people that inhabit that space for eight hours a day. Schools are living, breathing entities that are the life-force for so many people, young and old.
Schools are the sounds of laughter, of play, of excitement. They are the sounds of frustration, anger, and anxiety. Schools are the sounds of acceptance, of accomplishment, of success. Schools are the sounds of kids and adults coming together with one common goal.
Schools do not live within four walls... they have a much greater reach. Schools are places that people remember forever, whether good or bad. Schools influence people for lifetimes.
Today, schools are living rooms, dining room tables and playrooms. They are still filled with learning, frustration, acceptance, and joy. The outside shell may be different but the mission and purpose of school is still the same. Schools are for discovering new things, charting new paths and finding your purpose. Schools are the people inside of them, doing the best that they can at any given moment.
So, ask yourself today...What is my school like?
Schools are the people that move about the halls. They are the energy that is derived from the sheer force of the people that inhabit that space for eight hours a day. Schools are living, breathing entities that are the life-force for so many people, young and old.
Schools are the sounds of laughter, of play, of excitement. They are the sounds of frustration, anger, and anxiety. Schools are the sounds of acceptance, of accomplishment, of success. Schools are the sounds of kids and adults coming together with one common goal.
Schools do not live within four walls... they have a much greater reach. Schools are places that people remember forever, whether good or bad. Schools influence people for lifetimes.
Today, schools are living rooms, dining room tables and playrooms. They are still filled with learning, frustration, acceptance, and joy. The outside shell may be different but the mission and purpose of school is still the same. Schools are for discovering new things, charting new paths and finding your purpose. Schools are the people inside of them, doing the best that they can at any given moment.
So, ask yourself today...What is my school like?
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Random Thoughts on a Thursday Morning
I couldn't quite decide what to write this morning, no great post or small moment came to mind. There was no one thread running through my mind, just a great big bunch of randomness. So, I thought I would follow the lead of some of my other slicers and post my random thoughts.
Peeps, you know those marshmallow treats at Easter, should not come in random flavors. I like the different shapes, I love the ones dipped in chocolate but COTTON CANDY. Totally, gross! I love cotton candy by the way, but not in Peep form. Bleh!
Taking a break, practicing self-care is good for you. I just shut it all down yesterday afternoon and enjoyed reading my book, which is something I haven't been able to do in weeks. Take the break!
Talking on the phone again is kinda cool. I text so much with people because it is easier I guess. I have been talking on the phone with friends and it is great. I remember when that was the only way to communicate... no texts, no snap chats, no tweets or posts. Just good old fashioned conversation!
A good mindless read is magical. I am all for improving my knowledge base, reading for information and blah, blah, blah. BUT there is nothing quite like just being swept away by a story. Beach reads for the win!
Boys are messy....like really messy. When they go away to college, you forget that they are really messy and leave everything behind... you know their trash, their clothes, their shoes, and the list goes on and on. Seriously, I found two empty bags of chips, an empty bag of Cheez-Its, an empty pringle can and about 5 empty water bottles under his bed. GROSS!
Boys also eat a lot of food. One teenager eats a ton but two teenagers...WOWZA! I keep thinking to myself we are only supposed to leave the house for essentials...have they fed teenagers before?
We all adjust to new routines. Things that were so difficult last week are easier this week and the same will happen next week. Humans adapt, adjust and things become the new norm. We will have to adjust to getting back into the real world. I wonder if we will complain about going to work when this is over? Will we hug people more? Appreciate the beauty of the world and those that live in it? I want to say that we will, but we will just adjust, adapt to that normal again. #appreciation
Random thoughts for a Thursday morning....
Peeps, you know those marshmallow treats at Easter, should not come in random flavors. I like the different shapes, I love the ones dipped in chocolate but COTTON CANDY. Totally, gross! I love cotton candy by the way, but not in Peep form. Bleh!
Taking a break, practicing self-care is good for you. I just shut it all down yesterday afternoon and enjoyed reading my book, which is something I haven't been able to do in weeks. Take the break!
Talking on the phone again is kinda cool. I text so much with people because it is easier I guess. I have been talking on the phone with friends and it is great. I remember when that was the only way to communicate... no texts, no snap chats, no tweets or posts. Just good old fashioned conversation!
A good mindless read is magical. I am all for improving my knowledge base, reading for information and blah, blah, blah. BUT there is nothing quite like just being swept away by a story. Beach reads for the win!
Boys are messy....like really messy. When they go away to college, you forget that they are really messy and leave everything behind... you know their trash, their clothes, their shoes, and the list goes on and on. Seriously, I found two empty bags of chips, an empty bag of Cheez-Its, an empty pringle can and about 5 empty water bottles under his bed. GROSS!
Boys also eat a lot of food. One teenager eats a ton but two teenagers...WOWZA! I keep thinking to myself we are only supposed to leave the house for essentials...have they fed teenagers before?
We all adjust to new routines. Things that were so difficult last week are easier this week and the same will happen next week. Humans adapt, adjust and things become the new norm. We will have to adjust to getting back into the real world. I wonder if we will complain about going to work when this is over? Will we hug people more? Appreciate the beauty of the world and those that live in it? I want to say that we will, but we will just adjust, adapt to that normal again. #appreciation
Random thoughts for a Thursday morning....
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