Spring?

I heard more snow is arriving soon...

8 inches of cold, white SNOW! How can that be? It is SPRING, isn't it?

Here's a little bit of summer to help.

Let your eyes soak up the sunshine in the beautiful flowers painted by Susanne Bach. I can almost smell and taste summer just by looking at them.

Summer is coming... believe it, or not!

Now That I'm 40...

Now that I am officially 40, many friends have had the need to share some "inspiring" quotes, mostly that deal with things drying up, hanging low, or can't remember. The following quote made me smile; my mom sent it. I've always believed in being proud of your age, of acknowledging that every wrinkle was earned, mostly through laughter, hopefully, and of finding the beauty in every age under the sun. Here is the quote...

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me! I want people to know
"why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the
roads weren't paved.

Be Happy

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.

~Guillaume Apollinaire, French Novelist, 1880-1918

I say, be sure to pause every day!

My Friend, Lisa

Here is my dear friend, Lisa. She is the one who gave me a gift I will never forget. Read on...

Who is Your Hero?

If you had the chance to meet one person, a person you wanted to meet more than anyone else in the whole world, whom would you choose? Oprah, perhaps? A musician, actor, composer, or a favorite author? What about a Nobel Peace Prize winner, or Billy Graham? Maybe it would be Bret Farve... there are so many influential people to choose from.

Let me tell you who I would choose to meet. Without a shadow of a doubt, my choice would most definitely be Greg Mortenson. Those of you who have been loyal readers of my blog will recognize his name; I post his quotes, or stories about his work, often. I call him the Three Cups of Tea Guy; you know, the former mountaineer/military veteran/builder of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan... The Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time, guy. The man who instantly became my hero as soon as I started reading the book. This is the book that I begged, pleaded, and challenged all of you to read.

Last Wednesday night, I had my breath taken away. I got to meet my hero. Greg was speaking in Duluth, and I was there, front and center. You see, this is what I chose to do to celebrate my 40th birthday. I had planned on going to Las Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera (a true favorite of mine), but as soon as I found out that Greg was going to be in Duluth, there wasn't a doubt in my mind as to what I would choose. My husband was thankful; I saved him a lot of money by going to Duluth for one night vs. Vegas for a few nights and a show!!!

Over 800 people gave a standing ovation to Greg Mortenson when he came onto the stage; obviously, there are many people who admire this man. He received another standing ovation when he was done speaking. I enjoyed every minute, and did not want the night to end. I kept trying to take everything in... every detail, every picture, every word.

An announcement was made that there would be no book signing following the speech due to the large number of people who showed up. The event planners had planned for a much smaller audience; the event had to be moved to the DECC to accommodate everybody! Needless to say, I was a bit sad that I wouldn't be able to thank Greg Mortenson for all that he has done, and to get him to sign my book. When everything was over, my friends and I hung out for a while. We saw Greg talking to some people on the stage. Oh, how I wanted to meet him! My friends started walking out. Too bad. Oh well, I was so incredibly thankful that I was able to see him, and hear his speech; that would be enough.

I was following my friend, Lisa, out the side door. She started walking up the steps to the stage. "You're going up there?!" Did I dare follow her? She looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I'm taking you to him." My heart started pounding. You've got to remember... this is my hero. This is the ONE person in the WHOLE WORLD I would choose to meet. This was my chance. I don't remember breathing. You see, my friend Suzee is the one who reminds me to breathe when I get anxious, and she wasn't with me. Well, we went up on stage, walked up to Greg, Lisa pulled me in front of her as she stepped back. That act of friendship alone, brings tears to my eyes as I type this. Lisa knows me so well... well enough to know that this was the greatest gift I could possibly ask for. She gave me the opportunity to meet my hero.

I'm not sure if I can even tell you what I said to Greg. How does one even convey, or speak adequate feelings and words when meeting one's hero? I felt like Charlie Brown's teacher... "BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH." I am sadly aware of my lack of profound things to say to this man. Oh well. I had the honor of shaking his hand, asking him to sign the cover of my book, and getting my picture taken with him. I look terrified in the picture; I was. Remember.... Suzee was not there to tell me to breathe.

I will never forget that day. As I have reflected on that special moment, there is something that overwhelms me. As much as I absolutely, 100% LOVED meeting a man I respect, honor, and admire, the thing that makes my heart overflow, is actually the act of my dear friend, Lisa. I have tears running down my cheeks as I am writing this. You see, I know she would have wanted to meet him. She read, and enjoyed his book as well. She gave up the chance of meeting him... she sacrificed that chance for me, and my dream came true.

Thank you , Lisa. This was my Cairo.

I feel very loved.

A Moment in Time

I went indoor rock climbing last Sunday with a couple of friends. It was an early 40th birthday celebration; it was wonderful. We climbed the walls until our forearms screamed for mercy. (Okay... I know that I just made it sound like we must have been climbing for hours. Quite the contrary. We are a bit out of shape compared to the last time we went!) After a while, we decided to take a break from climbing and play some video games.

As we were walking, Rachel suggested that we go out for Margaritas after we were done rock climbing. What a great idea! I caught myself saying out loud, "Oh shoot! My license is in the car!" As if I needed a license to prove that I was at least 21! What in the world?! I'm going to be 40 next week! I laughed so hard at that one. It just goes to show that you are only as old as you feel!! After all, I was with my girlfriends, childless for the afternoon, climbing rock walls, repelling down with a huge smile on my face, playing video games, AND playing laser tag! (As soon as I get the Charlie's Angels picture of the three of us in our vests, holding laser guns, I'll post it!)

I loved the feeling I had that day. I truly enjoy where I am at in my life right now, but I must admit, it felt really good to escape for a day. I was 21 again, for a moment. Just the right amount of time.

I came home to four beautiful children, a husband who adores me, and a house that wraps its' arms around me... a good life that I did not have when I was 21.

Would I want to be 21 again?

Only for a moment in time, like last Sunday afternoon.

Wise Words from Einstein

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

~Albert Einstein

German Physicist

Today marks the day of his birth, March 14, 1879-April 18, 1955

Educating Girls

"If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls."

~Greg Mortenson, director of the Central Asia Institute, former mountaineer and military veteran, who spends several months each year building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan

(Taken from Three Cups of Tea One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin)

The Best Age for a Woman

But I think it's a little different in Europe, because 40 is really the best age for a woman. That's when we hit our peak and become this ripe fruit.

~Juliette Binoche, French Actress, 1964-

Since I will be turning 40 this month, I tend to like this quote.... a lot.... I think I'll move to Europe.

Help?!... Anyone?!

So, I was making dinner the other night, when I was pulled away from the kitchen due to a clogged toilet. Great. Ugh.

Four kids using one bathroom, and no one fesses up to clogging it. No one offers to help unclog it.

Plunge, plunge, plunge away.

No good. Plunge some more. This clog took some muscle. Who needs to go to the gym when one has clogged toilets to plunge? Gross.

As I was plunging, the timer went off, telling us all that dinner was ready... ready to be taken out of the oven, that is. Beep, beep, beep...

No Calvary.

Beep, beep. beep... (plunge, plunge, plunge...)

Surely, somebody will take the fish and potatoes out of the oven for me.

Beep, beep, beep...

Next came the smoke alarm due to the not-so-spic-and-span oven.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP...

The timer and smoke alarm are now both going off in unison as I plunge away, and NO ONE shows up to help!

I couldn't decide if I was angry that they were oblivious to the situation, or envious! I wish I could ignore life's BEEPS sometimes!

Help?!... Anyone?!

Life Lessons

Looking back can be a good thing...

Last summer, I applied for a teaching job in town. I was fairly confident, and hopeful that I would get it, and life would get a bit easier for my husband.

I cannot quite express the incredible disappointment I had when the principal called to tell me that I did not get the job. I admit it... I called my husband in tears to tell him the news. I had wanted that job with every fiber of my being. I can't think of anything that I have ever wanted more.

The year went on. I continued subbing. I was wounded, but determined. Determined to hold my head high. Determined to be the best substitute teacher that I could be. Determined to keep my dream in sight... my own classroom. Some day.

The first time I was called to sub for the woman that got the job I had applied for, and lost, was heartbreaking. I compare it to pouring lemon juice into a wound. Ouch. It hurt. It was humbling.

I walked into her classroom with my head held high, and congratulated her on her new job. I still do not know if she knew I also, had applied and hoped for the job she was now blessed with. I ended up enjoying the day very much. I have been a substitute in that very class about four times this year, and always arrive and leave with a smile on my face.

Now that March has arrived, I have looked back at the school year, and can honestly say that I am grateful for another year of subbing. Why? Because I have learned so much this year subbing, and have been in so many different classrooms, in many different situations. I will now bring more to the classroom because of the lessons I have learned.

I knew from the start, that I saw life through a tiny window, and God saw the whole picture without any obstructions. He knew what I needed. He knew what was best for me, as well as what will be best for my future students.

Thank you, God, for teaching me a valuable lesson.

Time for a Chick Flick...

Okay ladies, here's a movie you must see:

Chocolat.

You'd see anything involving chocolate, you say? Well, is this movie ever a treat for all of the senses! It is artwork in many ways. From the folk tale, scenery, colors, art direction, music, and characters... true beauty.

Enjoy.

By the way... I know, I know... I'm way behind the times... this movie has been around for awhile.

Explanation: Mother of four... when do I ever get a turn choosing a movie, or using the TV?

Happy Birthday

To

Shannon

and

Sheila...

Happy 40th Birthday!

I've been thinking of you all week.

Despite having a child with the flu on your birthday (Shannon), and having to celebrate without any adults, and having to make your own birthday cake (Sheila), I hope you felt cherished, admired, and loved.

Here's to two beautiful women... cheers.

Open Doors

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the one which has opened for us.

~Alexander Graham Bell, Inventor, March 3, 1887-August 2, 1922