Life is good, but short

The past year has been an exercise in human emotional elasticity. From elation to devastation, if there is an emotion left to sample, I’ve not seen it. It’s left me pondering where I am, and how I can leave this world a better place.

Recently a high school acquaintance died unexpectedly. He was one of those young, healthy, and positive people that death snatches away with a snarl, leaving friends and family awash in disbelief and sadness.

In the wake of his passing, I’ve been re-evaluating my place in this world. I’m a mother, wife, daughter, and friend, but am I really doing my best at any of those? Am I doing my part to bring joy to those around me, or am I the one griping because gas is expensive, I’m unemployed, and my jeans don’t fit like they used to?

So, I re-drew my game plan. I took stock of my blessings and realized that yes, I'm doing okay, but could amp up my efforts. I owe it to those I love, and the world overall, to be a better person. But how do I do that?

My lifelong philosophy has been that at every opportunity, it's my duty to make someone's day better. Less fuss, more happiness. I'm not talking sappy, fake compliments or overcompensating by being extra super-duper helpful. But to be genuine. A compliment here, a helping hand there. Not because I HAVE to, but because I WANT to. Hold a door open, let someone merge in on the highway, say please and thank you.

I've tried to cultivate the ability to see good in most things. For example, we all encounter people who are crabby or unpleasant for what seems like no reason. Like the meme says, we never know what challenges each of us is facing on the inside. What may be easy to manage for me, may be overwhelming to another.  

The opposite is also true. I know I've been unintentionally beastly because something went wrong in my world: my car wouldn't start, the kids were out of control, someone I know was hurting and I couldn't help them, et al. I'm now more self-aware and do my best to maintain the vision that everyone is fighting a battle that we can't see (thank you again, Facebook inspirational quote posters). 

Here’s to a better me and hopefully, more joy to share with those I love.

It's the Last Day of October...holy cow

And now we begin that frighteningly, sickeningly fast slide into the holidays. I don't think I'm ready for this. I just found my Halloween decorations!  Think we're all set to go for tonight, though:

1 HALO 3 Master Chief Costume with matching super-cool helmet (CHECK)


1 Masked Banana Costume with an appropriately masked stuffed sidekick (CHECK)


1 Large Bowl of Assorted Candy that is not my favorite kind (CHECK)


Since my kids are preteens, this year may be my last chance to accompany them on their annual fall candy begging spree. I'm squelching my need for action pics this year. Just going to soak it all in. 

And, of course, sneak their candy when they're not looking.

Happy Halloween! May the goblins be few and the Snickers be plenty!

Do's & Don'ts of Love In a Social Networking World

Social Media is a boon and an albatross. Here are some tips on navigating the uncharted waters of relationships from one of my fave mags, Glamour (see the latest issue for the complete list):

1. DON'T change your Facebook relationship status without discussing it first: Make sure your man is on the same page. Along those same lines, change your status back to single only if you've discussed breaking up -- not in response to arguments or as a one-sided breakup strategy.


2. DON'T post your make-out photos: Do everyone a favor and upload them to a private album on a photo-sharing website like Flickr. You'll be glad you did when potential employers go poking around on your MySpace page.


3. DON'T leave a virtual paper trail: Some websites allow you to see who's been checking out your profile. Before you click through his Google search results, make sure you're not leaving any cyber footprints.


4. DON'T drink and text: iPhones and Gmail have programs that disable your texting/e-mailing during peak drinking hours unless you can pass a sobriety test.


5. DON'T use status updates to publicize every stage of your relationship: Dating expert David Wygant adds, "We all know that you are telling your friends everything, but we really don't want the world to know."


6. DON'T Twitter stalk each other: Keep the news about your parking tickets and bad hair days to your loyal Twitter followers -- not your new date. You need to talk about something over those candlelight dinners.

My Favorite Tradition

We have a Magic Truck. It's a rusty '68 Chevy Camper Special, though nothing special to look at with it's faded calico yellow and rust paint, and dents and dings (compliments of my daughter's ongoing battle with the low stone wall at the end of our driveway), but it is truly magical. It can turn a dull summer night into a party at the drive-in. It has a horn with it's own agenda. It's engine rumble can set off car alarms, even at idle. It garners instant respect from those trying to cut into your lane and it's 2x60 AC system is the envy of the neighborhood. And it never fails to fire up, no matter what the temp.
But the most magical part? It's uncanny ability to select the perfect Christmas tree. For fifteen years, our truck has transported our family to tree lots and farms across the Midwest in search of the perfect Christmas accompaniment. No strapping a tree to the top of the Volvo for us! Each year on the day after Thanksgiving, rain, snow or shine, we tie a bright red Christmas bow on the grill, bundle the crew snugly, crowd into the drafty cab, and off we go. No matter what tree catches our eye on the lot, it is transformed while laying in the bed of the truck, snuggled between the wheel humps and the big spare tire. Big trees, squatty trees, trees with holes that weren't there before, trees with nests (uninhabited, much to our relief), Charlie Brown trees, and even fancy-schmancy Frazier Firs. No matter the tree, it was always perfect by the time we got home. Even this year's "maybe too short" tree looked at least a foot taller by the time we reached our driveway!

Our Magic Truck is very forgiving, too. It cringed the year we splurged on an $85 "designer tree", but never made a peep when the tree dried up and dropped it needles weeks before Christmas. Once it transformed a scrawny little grocery store tree into a full and lush conifer splayed against the truck bed.

Maybe it's the brisk November air, the bumpy ride home, or the giggling little heads that keep turning to take a peek from the cab. Or maybe it's just magic. We love our truck and can't imagine Christmas without it.What makes your Christmas magical?

My Guy Rocks

You know, one of the best parts about being married is seeing your other half do what they love. My Guy Ron races motorcycles and he's really good at it. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, it's dangerous (as my mother keeps reminding me), but he loves it and I love that he loves it. Plus, watching him race is really exciting! The race bike, the leathers, the boots, gloves, helmet...something about all the gear is just kind of, well, manly. The training it involves is fairly time-consuming, but he works hard at it. (I've even polished my pit crew skills a bit.) This past weekend in Omaha he clinched the top spot in one division, and snagged second in two others. He's pretty stoked and I'm so proud!! It's so cool to know he's getting to do what he loves to do, and I get to be there, too. :) Married life is good.