Come on in... sit down, and have a cup of dare!

Come on in... sit down, and have a cup of dare!
The Dare Chair... scroll down the page to find out what this chair is all about!

Quote of the Week

"Happiness is like a kiss. You must share it to enjoy it." ~Bernard Meltzer

Get Your Groove On! Choose any song you wish, and start dancing in the kitchen!


Sunday, August 17, 2008

Reentry


Last week I traveled to Chicago. I absolutely love Chicago. Now I must admit that I had to drag my husband and teenage son there, but my 16 year-old daughter was as excited as I was to go. You see, my husband is a truck driver, and the only thing he knew of Chicago was traffic and loading docks; his view was tainted. We went with just our oldest kids, and left our 4 & 5 year-old kids with Grandma Bunny and "Auntie" Rachel. Prior to our trip I would sit and imagine what it was going to be like to have uninterrupted dinner conversations. Ahhhh...


I must say it was wonderful. Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, Medieval Times dinner theater, shopping and peaceful dinners. It was quite a treat. My personal favorite was the Art Institute. If you ever get a chance to go, please do not pass up the opportunity. The artwork I saw took my breath away, and I must admit brought tears to my eyes. It was so amazing. I fully expected to find a treasure to take home at the gift shop, but after seeing Monet and Renoir originals, what could possibly compare? I walked out with nothing; just seeing the works of beauty was gift enough.


The day we got home, I picked up Jack and Brynn and headed to Pizza Hut. The kids took a shot at winning a stuffed animal from the Claw Machine, and to no surprise to me, they didn't win. I tried to warn them ahead of time, but it was to no avail. Brynn, who was extremely tired, had an absolute meltdown. The dear manager felt sorry for her, so he gave them each 50 cents to try again. Great. It's not that I didn't appreciate his generosity, it's just that she was finally starting to calm down, and I'm sure all you mothers can predict the outcome. Yep, you're right... no animal... total meltdown once again.


As I was standing waiting for service, I looked at the lady standing next to me. "Yesterday," I said, "I was at the Art Institute in Chicago looking at original paintings by Van Gough, Renoir.... Monet and Degas,"(whom by the way painted the ballerinas at the Paris Opera House... you know... the Phantom of the Opera setting... my favorite movie of all time!!!). As I am telling her this, Brynn is still wailing on the bench behind me. "I'll take a martini to go," I said.


She laughed.

I decided that reentry is tough.
I've started to readjust to reality. When things get hectic, I just close my eyes and picture the breathtaking artwork I saw... it is truly a feast for the eyes, and music to the soul.

As hard as reentry sometime is, I must say that it is good to be home. Nothing can compare to big hugs, lots of kisses, and a ton of "I love yous."

Monday, August 11, 2008

Trying to Take My Own Advice


Yesterday I wrote about ignoring the things that bug you, and paying attention to the things that truly matter.


I am trying to do just that.


I am really, truly trying to pay attention... through clenched teeth.


What happens when the things that bug you are so loud that you cannot hear the quiet little voices of beauty? You know, when the annoying inconveniences are yelling, screaming, grabbing your attention. How can you concentrate on the beautiful symphonies of life?
You are probably wondering what is going on. Oh, just the simple frustrations of motherhood. You know... repeating commands to no avail, sticky floors, revolving messes, kids taking 2 hours to eat a perfectly good meal, whining, tattling, and so on. Let me share...


Has anyone ever told you that kids are gross? Especially boys. I don't know... I think those girls are onto something with the whole "boys have cooties" thing. My 5 1/2 year-old son has decided lately that wiping, flushing, and the washing of grubby hands after using the toilet, are no longer necessary duties in his daily routine. GROSS! This is the same kid who will change his clothes if they get a bit dirty! What's with that?! After picking at his food at the kitchen table for about AN HOUR, Jack needed to use the bathroom. He came back, and started to eat. Wait a minute... no flushing sound, no water. GROSS! I marched him back to the bathroom while giving him the, "You can make everyone in this family very, very sick...." speech. He shrugged it off, washed his hands, then started picking at his cold, sorry dinner. As I was putting away clean towels, I noticed Brynn's toothbrush and toothpaste in the sink... not on the counter top, but IN the sink.(Why on earth should it be put back in the medicine cabinet? It's just going to be needed tomorrow, anyway.) Then it dawned on me... "JAAAACCKK! Was Brynn's toothbrush in the sink when you washed your hands????!!!" Okay ladies, you've all witnessed the look. The, "Yeah... so... what's the big deal?" look. GROSS!!!!


That's it.

Kids are gross.

The toothbrush is in the garbage.

I'm trying to pay attention.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Pay Attention!




If I'm not


happy


in this time,


in this place...




I'm not paying attention.


~Jodi Hills




This rings true for me. If I'm not happy right where I am at, I am not paying attention to the things that truly matter. I find that I pay too much attention to the things that annoy me, such as dirty dishes in the sink, messy kids' rooms, dirty toilets AGAIN, and my thunder thighs. I need to pay more attention to giggles, hugs, teenage humor, sunshine, great wine, good food, and fantastic conversation. I must admit that I usually do cherish these gifts, but still, I do give too much attention to the things that bug me. So ladies and gentlemen, lets put our rose colored glasses on and enjoy the moment and the beauty that surrounds us.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Are We There Yet?


I am quite amazed at the rate of speed time travels. Where did June and July go? Summers seemed so long when I was a kid, but now... YIKES! They go way too fast!


I have had some great adventures this summer. One of them included traveling across the U.S. to Washington state with two teenagers, and a 4 & 5 year old! I made it home with most of my mind. I may have lost a few marbles along the way, but they weren't the prettiest marbles anyways.


Actually, the kids were great. My 16 year-old daughter and I fell in love with Seattle. What a beautiful city. Give me a condo down by the Market, and I will be one happy woman! My daughter has her sights set on that town. Looks like I'll get to visit quite often!


We had a wonderful reunion with my husband's side of the family. It was a fantastic visit, and we were treated like royalty. Thank you Aunt Janet and Uncle Nate! It was a huge treat for me... I got to hang out in Seattle for the day with my daughter, sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law. It was a perfect day, one that I will remember for a very long time. Lunch out on the deck at Fisherman's, and not a cloud in the sky. Mmm Hmmm.... Life is Good!


We got to visit family on the way home as well. That is always a treat. One great memory was the coffee visit at a truck stop in Idaho. I got to meet two of my dear friends, Deb and Roxan, on our way through Idaho. I talk to Deb every week, but haven't been able to see her for 5 years. It was very surreal sitting in a booth, visiting. I want to go back.


We saw some amazing country as we traveled across the great U.S. of A., but as wonderful as it all was, it is always nice to come home.


My next adventure... Chicago!

The Dare Chair

Come on in, and pull up a chair! I'm here to inspire you, encourage you, or just plaine Double Dog Dare you to get out and do something you never thought you could do! Periodically, I'll add a quote, comment, or story which will hopefully give you just enough of a nudge to follow your dreams... to take that class, go rock climbing, run a marathon, start that exercise routine, eat healthy, write a book, or whatever your heart desires. You are the author of your life... live it!

Monday: Sit down, have a cup of dare, and write down your goals. Post them all over the house, if it helps! No matter how crazy the goals seem, don't talk yourself out of them! You are strong, you are invincible, you are WOMAN!

Tuesday:
Find a friend to hold you accountable. Accountability is huge! If you have a network of support, your chances of failing are less. Make sure you choose someone that is not afraid of pushing you! Usually moms, grandmas and husbands are not the best choices; they're either afraid of hurting your feelings, think you are fine just the way you are, or do not want to end up in the dog's house! So, choose that friend that is honest, no matter what the cost... trust me, you'll need her!

Wednesday:
Okay, so now you have someone to hold you accountable; great start. Now, be a blabber-mouth. Tell as many people as you can what your goal is. Knowing that so many people are waiting for you to succeed will be a huge motivator. I know when I skiied the Birkie, there were many times along the trail that I truly wanted to quit. I knew I had a cheering section on Main Street waiting for me to cross that finish line. That was enough to motivate me to keep going, one stride at a time.

Thursday:
If you fully realize nothing else, take a big dose of reality on this one... this is going to be hard, uncomfortable, and many times not enjoyable (depending on what the goal is). So, now that you know that, get over it! Achieving your goal will be worth the sweat and tears. Really... it will. Push yourself beyond your former limits. Get rid of self doubt! Even if it is the hardest thing you've ever done, do it with all you've got! Swallow your insecurities, hide your inhibitions, and show yourself just how strong you really are. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Friday:
Try not to look too far into the future. Break your goal into steps, and focus on one at a time. Now, if your goal is to join a class, by all means bite the bullet and do it now; no need to take baby steps on that one! But, if your goal is for example, a marathon, don't quit after the first week because you can't run ten miles! Give yourself time to reach the larger goals. In the meantime, give it ALL YOU'VE GOT, and be pleased with the little steps towards your goal.

Saturday:
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, GIVE UP!!! (Take it from Winston Churchill... he knew what he was talking about!)


Sunday:
Take one day to rest, or have a special treat. You've worked hard all week, but make sure you don't reward yourself too much... i.e. a whole bag of Hershey's Kisses!!!

SHARE YOUR SUCCESSES WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SHOW THEM YOUR PROGRESS, WHETHER IT IS ART WORK YOU'VE DONE, CLASS WORK, A NEW DANCE YOU'VE LEARNED, OR THE NEW PAIR OF PANTS YOU NOW FIT INTO. CELEBRATE!!

Check out the Blog Archive for writings pertaining to the Dare Chair: April--Uncomfortable, Checking In

INSPIRING QUOTES: If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or Fight Like Hell. ~Lance Armstrong
If human beings are perceived as potentials rather than problems, as possessing strengths instead of weaknesses, as unlimited rather that dull and unresponsive, then they thrive and grow to their capabilities.
Barbara Bush
Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.
John F. Kennedy
He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.
Louisa May Alcott
There's a need for accepting responsibility - for a person's life and making choices that are not just ones for immediate short-term comfort. You need to make an investment, and the investment is in health and education.
Buzz Aldrin

This Chick's Groovy Music... start dancin'!

  • Aretha Franklin
  • Chicago Motion Picture Soundtrack... This one is great to sing along to... especially when cleaning the house!
  • Chris Botti... great trumpet player, his music is just beautiful!
  • Christmas Music, of course! Bing, Frank, Rosemary... all the classics!
  • Diana Krall
  • Ella Fitzgerald
  • Eric Clapton... I can' t seem to hear enough of his music lately!
  • Eva Cassidy... worth finding!
  • Johnny Cash - great for two-stepping around the kitchen island... if a babe is in your arms, all the better! (A tiny babe, or a Hunky Babe... either one will do!)
  • Loggins & Messina.... ahh... "feel good" music
  • Neil Diamond... I've loved his music my whole life.
  • Norah Jones
  • Phantom of the Opera (motion picture soundtrack)
  • Ray Charles... I can't help but to smile when I hear him sing.
  • Renee Olstead
  • The Notebook Motion Picture Soundtrack