We have been organizing here at home, and Chris had moved around our book shelves. For the fun of it I took my high school year books off the shelf, brought them upstairs to look over and walk down memory lane. It has been interesting, eye and mind opening travel through time. I looked back and got to thinking about what life was like 18 years ago when I was graduating high school. Looking back only to look ahead.
My sister is seven years older than me, so by the time she was leaving home I was still only 11 or 12. What I remember of my sister when I was little and she was in high school is that she was always busy, she either seemed to work or be with friends. On the weekends she would sleep forever in the morning, I just wanted to her to get up. I remember always asking my mom if Tricia was going to get up soon. I liked having her around. I also recall she had the best hair, so perfect and I thought (well still do) she is absolutely beautiful. I always wished I could be as pretty as her. Seemed like boys really liked her and she had a date, often. But she really didn't like high school at all. She wasn't involved in extra curricular activities, like cheer leading however she was in the band for much of high school. I kinda think her goal was to just make it through and get out to live life.
My brother is two years older than me, so we were in high school together for exactly one year before he went off to college. My brother was good at school. He could absorb any concept and retain it with little thought, didn't really need to do homework and was involved in extra curricular activities and was part of the most awesome drum line. He was kind and generous, and he was liked a lot by pretty much everyone. Teachers loved him. I was lucky enough his senior year to ride to school and walk in with him, he wasn't afraid to be seen with his little sister. We would walk in past the cafeteria over the cat walk and then we went our separate ways, not seeing either again until band or later in the day. He liked school, or at least seemed to as it was so darn easy for him.
Then there was me. I didn't like school, I didn't hate school. And after looking through my year books I realized something, I tried to hide at school. My favorite parts of school were my friends and band. I avoided eye contact with most teachers and always hoped that I would not be called on. My first year of high school I was still that chubby yucky girl that I prefer not to remember. I didn't like myself very much but felt better about myself by my junior year. I was 'Tony's' sister, that is what I remember being, and I always thought people wondered how that was possible. I used to look at my year books and remember all the icky feelings that came with high school, feeling inferior to those who had better clothes, hair, were much prettier, and of course smarter.
I frankly hated those memories, until this time. I think Facebook probably had a bit to do with that. I follow the lives of many that I went to school with. High school is a terrible time of life, trying to find who you are, thinking you are better than others, or less than others. You think you are smart and old and wise. That is far from the truth, 18 years since high school graduation and maybe I am not famous or rich, or even living the fabulous life that I had dreamed but I would guess there are many others that feel the same way. We all do the best we can with what we have.
Remember when I said I hated being that chubby girl in high school, today I would give just about anything to have the chubby body back. When I hear myself say, "I wish I knew then what I know now," I realize I am turning into my parents. To anyone who ever thought or thinks high school is the best time of your life, you will be wrong. Though maybe it was fun and free trust me there are more things ahead than you can ever imagine, some good, some bad but each one of them will be what makes your life. When you can appreciate that, then you can say 'this is the best time of my life'.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
A square peg...
The last two days have been pretty awful. I have had a hard time staying awake or doing anything that requires moving off my rear end. I finally made it back to the treadmill today hoping that would help, so far not so much.
My kidneys are very unhappy with the antibiotics they put me on for the last month. I am waiting for the numbers to drop back down. So far I have not had luck but I am only on day 1.5 of no evil drug.
The hardest thing post transplant, aside from this terrible bump in the road, was not having the daily work/job to define me. Given it isn't like I felt great all the time to have a job but at this point in my life what defines me is or was what I did each day.
I never wanted to be defined as the 'sick one' or the CFer, I didn't want my disease to define me and I didn't want it to rule me, however it did - in every way possible. Now I have moved from CF on to transplant. But I really don't want to be defined by transplant. But don't get me wrong transplant have given me a lot, mostly a bunch of great people and a lot of love and support, but that doesn't take care of me daily. I have been thanked for helping other transplants and being so positive, even through all my ups and downs. And I will continue to be because everyone needs to think positive for a life changing event like this, negativity will get you nowhere.
I miss however being defined as a graphic designer. I miss going into a building where I get to spend my day with a variety of people, all their own person with their own life and background. Laughing, sharing, and most importantly creating. And if I may toot my own horn, I was damn good at the job I did. I worked my ass off even when I felt like shit, going to work with a collapsed lung, going with bleeding lung, going with oxygen strapped to me. Because I loved what I did and the people I did it with.
Today I went back into the studio at home and I felt like an 8 year old in art class, except no one told me what to do. What I wanted to create came out as if I didn't know a thing about art. I ended up coloring circles. Maybe tomorrow I can color squares, if I am lucky.
I need something in my life to define me and something that will also help me pay the bills. I guess in life people just feel like they need a purpose outside of themselves. I don't want to be just a wife, I don't want to be just a sister, daughter, or aunt. Even though I love all those things and cherish them they are different than defining the me, that is what I do, or make.
Until then, geometric shapes will have to keep me occupied.
My kidneys are very unhappy with the antibiotics they put me on for the last month. I am waiting for the numbers to drop back down. So far I have not had luck but I am only on day 1.5 of no evil drug.
The hardest thing post transplant, aside from this terrible bump in the road, was not having the daily work/job to define me. Given it isn't like I felt great all the time to have a job but at this point in my life what defines me is or was what I did each day.
I never wanted to be defined as the 'sick one' or the CFer, I didn't want my disease to define me and I didn't want it to rule me, however it did - in every way possible. Now I have moved from CF on to transplant. But I really don't want to be defined by transplant. But don't get me wrong transplant have given me a lot, mostly a bunch of great people and a lot of love and support, but that doesn't take care of me daily. I have been thanked for helping other transplants and being so positive, even through all my ups and downs. And I will continue to be because everyone needs to think positive for a life changing event like this, negativity will get you nowhere.
I miss however being defined as a graphic designer. I miss going into a building where I get to spend my day with a variety of people, all their own person with their own life and background. Laughing, sharing, and most importantly creating. And if I may toot my own horn, I was damn good at the job I did. I worked my ass off even when I felt like shit, going to work with a collapsed lung, going with bleeding lung, going with oxygen strapped to me. Because I loved what I did and the people I did it with.
Today I went back into the studio at home and I felt like an 8 year old in art class, except no one told me what to do. What I wanted to create came out as if I didn't know a thing about art. I ended up coloring circles. Maybe tomorrow I can color squares, if I am lucky.
I need something in my life to define me and something that will also help me pay the bills. I guess in life people just feel like they need a purpose outside of themselves. I don't want to be just a wife, I don't want to be just a sister, daughter, or aunt. Even though I love all those things and cherish them they are different than defining the me, that is what I do, or make.
Until then, geometric shapes will have to keep me occupied.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Rx: Laughing
I was at the clinic today, follow up for my long vacation at the lovely place I call the Spa. Somehow even giving it a fancy name doesn't make the place any more tolerable. Since my transplant I haven't had too much trouble going into the hospital. Sometimes it is actually okay but there is a difference going to stay when you have minor things wrong that require only a couple days versus a thoracotomy that requires a month long visit.
By the time I left I was ready to climb the walls, between that no sleeping and crappy eating and or nausea it was in no way shape or form fun. Add to that a medication that makes my tongue numb, my skin itch and my kidneys do backflips and it gets even worse. So needless to say even though I am still on the evil drug from hell until Friday I am happy to be here.
Today at the clinic I had my CF nurse visiting with me. Since transplant I don't get to see her very often unless I am in the hospital and she makes a point to come visit, which she is good at doing. Or once a year, about, when we deal with my CF stuff that still exists even though the lungs are no longer CF lungs.
So in this room was my CF nurse (of 17 years), the new CF nurse, my Doctor who has not only been my CF doctor for the last 12 + years but also my transplant doctor, and the troublemaker my Dad. When the good Dr. walked in he said I looked better and had more color in my face, but also said the fact that I chose to wear peach was a nice play on my part to give me more color in my cheeks and my dad says well that and she's been tanning. One thing about transplant, the sun is evil and should be avoided as cancer is a very serious risk. So I turned to my dad and told him he should not tell such lies as I will get a serious talking too. Anyway, it was so funny how it went down that all of us were laughing, including me.
My CF nurse said how great it was that I could sit there and laugh, and how she wished she had a video of me before transplant laughing and now so that I could tell the difference. I proceeded to tell them all that the one things I remember post transplant was laughing and how that was the best feeling ever. I remember all to well how I would avoid laughing and just smile, or say 'that's funny' so that I wouldn't laugh and lose my breath with my old lungs. With Cf lungs the mucus takes over and chokes you, thus causing you to fall in a heave of coughing fits shortly after the first laugh comes out.
Even today with my shortness of breath I love laughing and my husband tells me how much he loves to hear me laugh. It may seem small to some but laughing is such a great reliever and so good for the body and mind.
Have you laughed today? If not go find something that usually does. For me even watching a small child giggle is all I need.
By the time I left I was ready to climb the walls, between that no sleeping and crappy eating and or nausea it was in no way shape or form fun. Add to that a medication that makes my tongue numb, my skin itch and my kidneys do backflips and it gets even worse. So needless to say even though I am still on the evil drug from hell until Friday I am happy to be here.
Today at the clinic I had my CF nurse visiting with me. Since transplant I don't get to see her very often unless I am in the hospital and she makes a point to come visit, which she is good at doing. Or once a year, about, when we deal with my CF stuff that still exists even though the lungs are no longer CF lungs.
So in this room was my CF nurse (of 17 years), the new CF nurse, my Doctor who has not only been my CF doctor for the last 12 + years but also my transplant doctor, and the troublemaker my Dad. When the good Dr. walked in he said I looked better and had more color in my face, but also said the fact that I chose to wear peach was a nice play on my part to give me more color in my cheeks and my dad says well that and she's been tanning. One thing about transplant, the sun is evil and should be avoided as cancer is a very serious risk. So I turned to my dad and told him he should not tell such lies as I will get a serious talking too. Anyway, it was so funny how it went down that all of us were laughing, including me.
My CF nurse said how great it was that I could sit there and laugh, and how she wished she had a video of me before transplant laughing and now so that I could tell the difference. I proceeded to tell them all that the one things I remember post transplant was laughing and how that was the best feeling ever. I remember all to well how I would avoid laughing and just smile, or say 'that's funny' so that I wouldn't laugh and lose my breath with my old lungs. With Cf lungs the mucus takes over and chokes you, thus causing you to fall in a heave of coughing fits shortly after the first laugh comes out.
Even today with my shortness of breath I love laughing and my husband tells me how much he loves to hear me laugh. It may seem small to some but laughing is such a great reliever and so good for the body and mind.
Have you laughed today? If not go find something that usually does. For me even watching a small child giggle is all I need.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Coming Home!
I am sitting at my dining room table watching the red bellied woodpecker decimate the suet hanging on the deck, and it is beautiful.
This has been quite the month, my last post was New Year's resolutions and so far I had about three days where I did my great things each day in a jar before I ended up in the hospital. I have been home less than 24 hours at this point but I am super happy to be here. Not as happy with how I feel but I will continue to hope that things will improve.
There have been times off and on through the last months and especially earlier in January that I wished I had never gone through the transplant. It has been one hellish journey at times and this last month tops it all. I had hoped I would not undergo a surgery anywhere near the caliber of my transplant again and I had all hope that I would never have a chest tube. Well that was not to be. A thoracotomy and two chest tubes, not to forget the drain tube, later it was what I wanted least that I got. Right now my future is unknown and that scares me but as I sat this morning doing my meds I realized something, I really have had some great things since transplant that I wouldn't give back for the world.
First is my time on the vent. An awful experience but it gave me the chance to spend time with my brother who up until that point I saw maybe once a month. I also got to spend every day with my parents. Not all families are as lucky to love and respect, or care for each other like ours does. We are a united group. Not to forget all the great people who have given me hope and courage, and prayed for me.
I got the chance to take a printmaking class and live with my brother and wife for a week, I got to spend many days with my friends at their pool just gabbing. I went for many many many walks, unaided of which I haven't experienced in a decade or more. I went fishing with my dad, to a play with my Mom, sister, and niece. I went to Duluth and the cities many times with my husband. I have been given the chance to practice my artwork and buy the lino scribe for printmaking at home. I have seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Two Christmases, Two Thanksgivings, and my 35th birthday. Spend time with extended family that I hadn't in years.
As hard as this has been and is I should never again say I regret having the transplant because those things listed above would not be if I hadn't. I realize this time I have is probably not going to be 10 or 20 years, but each day I get whether good or bad is another day here with the ones I love. Even if it is sitting at my dining room table watching birds eat. In my book it's worth this moment.
This has been quite the month, my last post was New Year's resolutions and so far I had about three days where I did my great things each day in a jar before I ended up in the hospital. I have been home less than 24 hours at this point but I am super happy to be here. Not as happy with how I feel but I will continue to hope that things will improve.
There have been times off and on through the last months and especially earlier in January that I wished I had never gone through the transplant. It has been one hellish journey at times and this last month tops it all. I had hoped I would not undergo a surgery anywhere near the caliber of my transplant again and I had all hope that I would never have a chest tube. Well that was not to be. A thoracotomy and two chest tubes, not to forget the drain tube, later it was what I wanted least that I got. Right now my future is unknown and that scares me but as I sat this morning doing my meds I realized something, I really have had some great things since transplant that I wouldn't give back for the world.
First is my time on the vent. An awful experience but it gave me the chance to spend time with my brother who up until that point I saw maybe once a month. I also got to spend every day with my parents. Not all families are as lucky to love and respect, or care for each other like ours does. We are a united group. Not to forget all the great people who have given me hope and courage, and prayed for me.
I got the chance to take a printmaking class and live with my brother and wife for a week, I got to spend many days with my friends at their pool just gabbing. I went for many many many walks, unaided of which I haven't experienced in a decade or more. I went fishing with my dad, to a play with my Mom, sister, and niece. I went to Duluth and the cities many times with my husband. I have been given the chance to practice my artwork and buy the lino scribe for printmaking at home. I have seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Two Christmases, Two Thanksgivings, and my 35th birthday. Spend time with extended family that I hadn't in years.
As hard as this has been and is I should never again say I regret having the transplant because those things listed above would not be if I hadn't. I realize this time I have is probably not going to be 10 or 20 years, but each day I get whether good or bad is another day here with the ones I love. Even if it is sitting at my dining room table watching birds eat. In my book it's worth this moment.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Bring on 2013!
It is that time of year when we once again pull out our list and make those resolutions. Many of which we will forget or just plain not do because, well I can always try again next year.
Defining resolutions takes me to the base of the word, resolve. Thus.
verb (used with object)
Defining resolutions takes me to the base of the word, resolve. Thus.
re·solve
[ri-zolv] Show IPA verb, re·solved, re·solv·ing, noun.
1.
to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
So I tell you here and now my goals and hopes for 2013.
First: There is only so much we are in control of in our lives. We can control who we are and how we react to certain things and thus one of my goals this year is to have a thicker skin. If only that were an easy task, it is not. I have never been one to take criticism well which is a problem when you are an artist, as criticism both good and bad, is essential to becoming better at something.
Objective 2: Organize, pitch, evaluate.
Pitch/Donate items. I am a bad one for holding on to things that have little use or have sentimental value only to myself, but no real use factor. I agree there are certain things that have sentimental value that should be kept, like my grandmas antique watch, but then there are things like the stuffed animal from 9th grade given by a friend that has no value and is just taking up space. There are clothes that have been worn twice in the last three years, maybe that item should be sent away.
Pitch/Donate items. I am a bad one for holding on to things that have little use or have sentimental value only to myself, but no real use factor. I agree there are certain things that have sentimental value that should be kept, like my grandmas antique watch, but then there are things like the stuffed animal from 9th grade given by a friend that has no value and is just taking up space. There are clothes that have been worn twice in the last three years, maybe that item should be sent away.
Organizing is a huge key in any house and some days I just want to scream at all the things that lay around homeless and in my way. And why oh why does there have to be so much paperwork? So, I have plans to tackle the mountains of paperwork that eye me everyday by finding a better sorting system, and filing system. Our filing cabinet overflows and it needs to be purged. I always fear throwing out the wrong thing but I also know there are websites that tell you what is really necessary to keep.
Evaluate is to take a look at my life, see what I have been doing right and what I have been doing wrong. Whether that relates to personal relations or household operations. I know both need to be addressed.
Numero Tres: A friend and I have also decided, thanks to something I saw on Pinterest, that each day we will write down one thing we are thankful for. This must be done everyday whether it was a great day or a bad day. We have decided that in 365 days we will take out our 365 sheets of paper and read through what we was good in 2013, each piece of paper will also be dated. I recommend this idea to each and everyone, there really is good in everyday.
Objective D: As always I will continue to do my best with my health. I will keep up the exercise, keep up with the doctors, and always put my best foot forward.
Resolution cinq: Professional success goals. This last year has been such a roller coaster and I seem to keep losing focus on things. I realize this year might be just as up and down but like trying to write on the school bus and your handwriting is illegible from all the bumping around, practice can help make perfect. How do I plan to do this you may ask? I am starting a new adventure or rather a new blog. I had a great name for it but someone else out there thought of it before me, so back to the drawing board. Which ironically is what my new blog will be all about...creativity, discovery, and artistic expression. I am not exactly sure of the direction but I do believe I would like to document the projects I will be doing and photographing the process. Whether it be a painting, printing, illustration, knitting, or sewing you name it I will try to document it. I think it is a good way of keeping me focused.
Finally: My biggest goal of 2013, sell my art.
What are your goals for the New Year? Whatever they may be, I wish you health and success in the whatever you do.
Evaluate is to take a look at my life, see what I have been doing right and what I have been doing wrong. Whether that relates to personal relations or household operations. I know both need to be addressed.
Numero Tres: A friend and I have also decided, thanks to something I saw on Pinterest, that each day we will write down one thing we are thankful for. This must be done everyday whether it was a great day or a bad day. We have decided that in 365 days we will take out our 365 sheets of paper and read through what we was good in 2013, each piece of paper will also be dated. I recommend this idea to each and everyone, there really is good in everyday.
Objective D: As always I will continue to do my best with my health. I will keep up the exercise, keep up with the doctors, and always put my best foot forward.
Resolution cinq: Professional success goals. This last year has been such a roller coaster and I seem to keep losing focus on things. I realize this year might be just as up and down but like trying to write on the school bus and your handwriting is illegible from all the bumping around, practice can help make perfect. How do I plan to do this you may ask? I am starting a new adventure or rather a new blog. I had a great name for it but someone else out there thought of it before me, so back to the drawing board. Which ironically is what my new blog will be all about...creativity, discovery, and artistic expression. I am not exactly sure of the direction but I do believe I would like to document the projects I will be doing and photographing the process. Whether it be a painting, printing, illustration, knitting, or sewing you name it I will try to document it. I think it is a good way of keeping me focused.
Finally: My biggest goal of 2013, sell my art.
What are your goals for the New Year? Whatever they may be, I wish you health and success in the whatever you do.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Christmas 2012
Christmas 2012 is now a memory. All the planning, prepping, stressing, and wrapping are done. Whew. As I have gotten older the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas has gotten shorter, somehow and I believe Thanksgiving was actually early this year.
There is one word that wraps things up nicely for me, been with me my whole life and my Mom claims she has nothing to do with this word...Procrastination! We, us kids, get it from our father and she would be right. No matter how hard I try at times I never seem to finish anything until the very last minute. It wasn't until Dec. 1 or after that I decided to make many of my Christmas presents. Some of them didn't even get finished and so a gift was purchased but for those who did get something I made it was a pleasure to make them. Now if my computer wasn't being stupid today I would have great pictures to show you of the things I made. So, until my husband can solve my computer issue this will be a photo-less post.
My youngest nephew is four and a big fan of Star Wars, so in my searching with Google I found these cute little Star Wars finger puppets. Click here to see their cuteness. I also made him a pillow, here, it is a shield, and I found some monkey fabric and some contrasting fabrics for the other two parts. It turned out very cute and I still know how to sew. I needed my mom to set up the sewing machine as I didn't know how to get to zig-zag from straight stitch but I did okay. Considering I had to make my own pattern, it was a little haphazard but in the end I was pleased with the results.
I also knitted a scarf for my niece, who is 12, of which I didn't take a photo nor of my joke of a gift for my older brother. Being a Dr. Who fan and turning me into one I decided since I now own a stash of felt from my Star Wars gift I decided to make him a felt sonic screwdriver. Similar to this one here, but you can't have sonic screwdriver without a TARDIS, so I made that too but in the form of knitted dishcloth, here. If you don't know about Dr. Who I highly recommend watching it, find it on Netflix but start with Season 1, 2005. Trust me you will think I am nuts but after a few episodes you just can't help yourself.
Anyway back to Christmas 2012 it was really great. We celebrated with my family over the weekend and had a great time. Food, fun, gifts, and most importantly sledding! It took all I had not to sit myself down on that red plastic sled and fly down the hill but I thought better of it and so I watched the kids fly down the hill and climb back up, time after time. I got tired just watching them climb the hill especially the littlest, four-year-old Kai. Those little legs got tired but he kept at it. I loved watching him and my older nephew, ten-year-old Cooper, go down in the sled together. Cooper was the pilot sitting up right facing forward with his legs outstretched using his arms as his turning force and Kai, face down stretched out in Coop's lap as they flew down the hill. Apparently he didn't want snow in his face. It was so cute and comical, I only wished I would have snapped a picture.
It was such a joy to watch the kids, and to be able to walk back up the hill myself only having to rest because my thigh muscles felt like they were going to explode but my lungs did just fine.
These are the moments that life is about, watching kids having fun, great conversation and time spent with siblings and loved ones. Even though the gifts are fun to give whether made or purchased. It all comes down to love, family and friends. Those who surround us make our life beautiful and each of those moments spent with them is the greatest gift to receive.
There is one word that wraps things up nicely for me, been with me my whole life and my Mom claims she has nothing to do with this word...Procrastination! We, us kids, get it from our father and she would be right. No matter how hard I try at times I never seem to finish anything until the very last minute. It wasn't until Dec. 1 or after that I decided to make many of my Christmas presents. Some of them didn't even get finished and so a gift was purchased but for those who did get something I made it was a pleasure to make them. Now if my computer wasn't being stupid today I would have great pictures to show you of the things I made. So, until my husband can solve my computer issue this will be a photo-less post.
My youngest nephew is four and a big fan of Star Wars, so in my searching with Google I found these cute little Star Wars finger puppets. Click here to see their cuteness. I also made him a pillow, here, it is a shield, and I found some monkey fabric and some contrasting fabrics for the other two parts. It turned out very cute and I still know how to sew. I needed my mom to set up the sewing machine as I didn't know how to get to zig-zag from straight stitch but I did okay. Considering I had to make my own pattern, it was a little haphazard but in the end I was pleased with the results.
I also knitted a scarf for my niece, who is 12, of which I didn't take a photo nor of my joke of a gift for my older brother. Being a Dr. Who fan and turning me into one I decided since I now own a stash of felt from my Star Wars gift I decided to make him a felt sonic screwdriver. Similar to this one here, but you can't have sonic screwdriver without a TARDIS, so I made that too but in the form of knitted dishcloth, here. If you don't know about Dr. Who I highly recommend watching it, find it on Netflix but start with Season 1, 2005. Trust me you will think I am nuts but after a few episodes you just can't help yourself.
Anyway back to Christmas 2012 it was really great. We celebrated with my family over the weekend and had a great time. Food, fun, gifts, and most importantly sledding! It took all I had not to sit myself down on that red plastic sled and fly down the hill but I thought better of it and so I watched the kids fly down the hill and climb back up, time after time. I got tired just watching them climb the hill especially the littlest, four-year-old Kai. Those little legs got tired but he kept at it. I loved watching him and my older nephew, ten-year-old Cooper, go down in the sled together. Cooper was the pilot sitting up right facing forward with his legs outstretched using his arms as his turning force and Kai, face down stretched out in Coop's lap as they flew down the hill. Apparently he didn't want snow in his face. It was so cute and comical, I only wished I would have snapped a picture.
It was such a joy to watch the kids, and to be able to walk back up the hill myself only having to rest because my thigh muscles felt like they were going to explode but my lungs did just fine.
These are the moments that life is about, watching kids having fun, great conversation and time spent with siblings and loved ones. Even though the gifts are fun to give whether made or purchased. It all comes down to love, family and friends. Those who surround us make our life beautiful and each of those moments spent with them is the greatest gift to receive.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Winter Wonderland
Here in Minnesota the joke is we have two season, winter and road construction! We have officially entered the winter season. Also if you are a Minnesotan you know that today it could snow and tomorrow it could be 50 degrees, or suddenly below zero, take your pick.
Last year, winter was something to laugh at for anyone who has lived here for years or their whole life they know that last winter was, to say the least, unusual. Unless you are an outdoor winter sport enthusiast or just love cold, damp weather then last year was a perfect winter. The only real problem is we, as in, farmers and crop growers, need the moisture. If last year was your first winter experience, wow you were lucky and no that is not typical. After a dry winter and even drier summer the snow yesterday was much appreciated. It also helps to put one in the holiday spirit when they aren't running around in t-shirts.
Yesterday after the first three inches of snow I decided in the beauty of it all I would take a walk. So I bundled in my multiple layers, hat, scarf, and not so appropriate hand attire, strapped on my Yak Track knockoffs and headed out. It was glorious! As I walked there was the scent of wood burning fireplaces in the air, kids were rolling balls of snow for their snow men and chipping away places for nose, eyes, and mouths. I saw the most creative snowman with a tiny bird house for a hat and evergreen branches for the arms. I also saw a group of kids putting up a whole family of snow people, it made me chuckle. I thought of Calvin and Hobbes, for those who are familiar you get my meaning.
I also saw kids jumping on their sleds and traveling down the smallest of hills for the thrill of winter sledding. In my day those hills would have been a bump, but beggars can't be choosers when you live in town.
With the snow clinging to the trees and the still of the day it was like walking around town in the days when there were no digital toys to play with, no two hundred plus channels to watch, and no xbox or Wii U. To see kids playing, and families working together, or going for walks was like days of yesteryear.
Growing up snow was the best part of any winter, when you are under the age of 16, snow is fantastic. Not only is there a chance of a snow day but there is nothing greater than playing in the snow. It always seemed that we had very few snow days when I was a kid even though we had PLENTY of snow. Back then it was like each snow fall was at least six inches, that was on the slim side.
Growing up on acreage there was a million things we could think of to do. I have memories of my brother and I making cockpits out of a snow bank, each in our seat with controls on both sides. Something tells me it was more my brothers idea and quite likely Star Wars inspired, I loved it. We also had some great hills to go down, or when we were less inclined to walk half a mile we would pile the snow off the back deck and create a run, that went off the back deck, under the clothes line, past the apple tree into what was at one time the garden. Each time down we went a little further. Seriously, as a kid, exercise is disguised as fun!
When we got our first set of tubes for sledding it was the most awesome thing. We could glide over snow like we were riding on butter. Occasionally ending in Sarah having some sort of injury, but well worth it. Of course as usual, I blame my brother. He really was the reason for most of my injuries as a youth, he doesn't recall most of my memories but I swear it to be true.
Our neighbor had a small pond that in my early years we would go down to skate on, I don't remember doing it too often but I do remember the time my dad made it seem as though had fallen with one leg through the ice - that joker. To this day he still get's a thrill out trying to scare/shock you, and he usually succeeds. Don't even ask about his April fools jokes!
I have great, absolutely great memories of winter growing up. Even our little dog Poopsie used to lift up her back legs and walk like an acrobat on only her front paws in the snow. Not only did she think she was a cat but a gymnast too.
So, even though the winter weather is awful for driving in, and then the whole cold factor there is great beauty to be seen and had in the winter. So, pull those twenty year old snow pants out of the closet, slip on your Sorels, or moon boots if you're lucky and go have some fun in the snow. There is nothing more beautiful than a snow angel.
Last year, winter was something to laugh at for anyone who has lived here for years or their whole life they know that last winter was, to say the least, unusual. Unless you are an outdoor winter sport enthusiast or just love cold, damp weather then last year was a perfect winter. The only real problem is we, as in, farmers and crop growers, need the moisture. If last year was your first winter experience, wow you were lucky and no that is not typical. After a dry winter and even drier summer the snow yesterday was much appreciated. It also helps to put one in the holiday spirit when they aren't running around in t-shirts.
Yesterday after the first three inches of snow I decided in the beauty of it all I would take a walk. So I bundled in my multiple layers, hat, scarf, and not so appropriate hand attire, strapped on my Yak Track knockoffs and headed out. It was glorious! As I walked there was the scent of wood burning fireplaces in the air, kids were rolling balls of snow for their snow men and chipping away places for nose, eyes, and mouths. I saw the most creative snowman with a tiny bird house for a hat and evergreen branches for the arms. I also saw a group of kids putting up a whole family of snow people, it made me chuckle. I thought of Calvin and Hobbes, for those who are familiar you get my meaning.
I also saw kids jumping on their sleds and traveling down the smallest of hills for the thrill of winter sledding. In my day those hills would have been a bump, but beggars can't be choosers when you live in town.
With the snow clinging to the trees and the still of the day it was like walking around town in the days when there were no digital toys to play with, no two hundred plus channels to watch, and no xbox or Wii U. To see kids playing, and families working together, or going for walks was like days of yesteryear.
Growing up snow was the best part of any winter, when you are under the age of 16, snow is fantastic. Not only is there a chance of a snow day but there is nothing greater than playing in the snow. It always seemed that we had very few snow days when I was a kid even though we had PLENTY of snow. Back then it was like each snow fall was at least six inches, that was on the slim side.
Growing up on acreage there was a million things we could think of to do. I have memories of my brother and I making cockpits out of a snow bank, each in our seat with controls on both sides. Something tells me it was more my brothers idea and quite likely Star Wars inspired, I loved it. We also had some great hills to go down, or when we were less inclined to walk half a mile we would pile the snow off the back deck and create a run, that went off the back deck, under the clothes line, past the apple tree into what was at one time the garden. Each time down we went a little further. Seriously, as a kid, exercise is disguised as fun!
When we got our first set of tubes for sledding it was the most awesome thing. We could glide over snow like we were riding on butter. Occasionally ending in Sarah having some sort of injury, but well worth it. Of course as usual, I blame my brother. He really was the reason for most of my injuries as a youth, he doesn't recall most of my memories but I swear it to be true.
Our neighbor had a small pond that in my early years we would go down to skate on, I don't remember doing it too often but I do remember the time my dad made it seem as though had fallen with one leg through the ice - that joker. To this day he still get's a thrill out trying to scare/shock you, and he usually succeeds. Don't even ask about his April fools jokes!
I have great, absolutely great memories of winter growing up. Even our little dog Poopsie used to lift up her back legs and walk like an acrobat on only her front paws in the snow. Not only did she think she was a cat but a gymnast too.
So, even though the winter weather is awful for driving in, and then the whole cold factor there is great beauty to be seen and had in the winter. So, pull those twenty year old snow pants out of the closet, slip on your Sorels, or moon boots if you're lucky and go have some fun in the snow. There is nothing more beautiful than a snow angel.
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