Brotherly Lab Love

Of course, Mr.4444 and I were thrilled to have both kids home from college for Thanksgiving, but the one most happy to have them home, it seemed, was our yellow lab, Steve. Since pictures can say a thousand words, I have plenty of evidence:

Mr.4444 took the next two photos.

He said that Steve first came over and put his front legs on the chair to randomly give Kendall some kisses, but then he gingerly lifted one leg up at a time until he had cozied right up

and stayed there for 45 minutes.

It made Kendall cry; she wasn't sure he'd missed her that much.

Kendall always did want a baby brother or sister. 

Steve's the closest she's ever gonna get, so I'm glad she appreciates him :)

This morning, shortly before breakfast,
I found Steve like this:

Poor dog; he had to say goodbye to Kyle this morning.

Thankfully, he has two more days with his "sister."

[FYI, Steve is "never" allowed on the furniture and hasn't so much as tried to get up on the couch or chair since he was a puppy.]

Friday Fragments: Episode #277

Hello! Wondering where everybody went? 

Well, I'm most likely curled up on the couch, enjoying my family, 

kind of like Steve here:

***

P.S. In case you haven't heard, I'm in the final five of the Midlife Collage writing contest, 

and I would very much appreciate your vote, should you feel I've earned it. 

The contest ends on Saturday.

To learn more, click here. Thanks!

***

Feel free to link up your Friday Fragments post, and I'll catch up with you this weekend!

[To learn more about Friday Fragments, click on the tab above.]

Turkey Attack!

My all-time favorite Thanksgiving photo:

Mr.4444 (on the right) and his brother Bob.

Happy Thanksgiving or Hannukkah!

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Macaroni & Cheese (Review)

Since I've been a fan of Pepperidge Farm for basically my whole life,  when I recently received a collection of products in exchange for my honest opinions, I was happy to oblige.

Fun Fact: I think Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies are in a league of their own.

Mr.4444 and I are the only ones home these days, so we have no little ones to feed. Consequently, I felt a little silly making Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Macaroni & Cheese for just us, but it was a sweet little walk back in time.   Mr.4444 and I both really liked the taste of the Butter Parmesan's mildly-cheesy pasta. We both liked the broader, fish-shaped noodles; they reminded us a little of dumplings. I'm certain that little kids would love this mac-n-cheese, too. It was a good thing our kids weren't around, though, because the portions were exactly enough for two adults only.

Fun Fact: Pepperidge Farm was created by Margaret Rudkin, mom of three boys, in the 1930s. She was trying to bake a bread that her son (who had many allergies) could not only tolerate but love. She was obviously successful.

The Cheddar-flavored mac-n-cheese was good, too; I made it for myself one night when Mr.4444 was out of town, and I liked it, though the flavor was mild. The 5.5 oz box says it makes "about 1 cup prepared," but I measured and found it to be 1 3/4 cups (prepared), an adequate amount for two adults.

As for the pizza-flavored mac-n-cheese, Mr.4444 and I decided that kids would like this flavor, but it wasn't our favorite.

Fun Fact: The idea for goldfish-shaped crackers originated in Switzerland, though Pepperidge Farm was the first to bring them to the U.S, in the 1960s.

I also received some Pepperidge Farm crackers and snacks,

 and because I'm an awesome mom,

I sent them in care packages to my college kids for their opinions. They were very much appreciated, and the products traveled well.  Kyle received the Cheddar Bacon Goldfish Puffs and said that he "couldn't put 'em down." Kendall and her friends loved the flavor of the Buffalo Wings Puffs and "basically inhaled" them. They also commented that they wish they could buy goldfish crackers in that flavor.

Fun Fact: I can eat an entire bag of goldfish pretzels in one sitting.

Pepperidge Farm products: I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Family Traditions

Holiday traditions weave threads of love and familiarity throughout out lives.  Long after loved ones have passed, traditions are what give us comfort; they take the edge off of missing those who are no longer with us, and they bind families together.

At our house...

*The tree goes up Thanksgiving weekend, I put the lights on, and the kids (if available) and I put the ornaments on, oohing and ahhing when we find the most special ones, of course.

*We make Norwegian Krumkake, gingerbread men, and sometimes sugar cookies. Last year, Kendall volunteered to make the krumkake this year; and just like that, the baton was handed off.

*For weeks, I talk about getting a fake Christmas tree for the first time, and Mr.4444 says, "Over my dead body!" We go back and forth, and in the end, he wins. This tradition follows that of Mr.4444's parents. Some day, if tradition holds, I will win (but probably not this year).

On Christmas Eve....

*We go to mass in the late afternoon.

*We ask Grandma 4444 to come for dinner, and she declines, insisting that this night is for us and she is too busy preparing for Christmas Day to spend the evening with us.

*A candle is lit in remembrance of those who have passed before us.

*A single gift is opened by each of the kids (but I get to choose them)

*Christmas pjs are opened, and we put them on before eating a special meal by candlelight.

On Christmas morning...

*We all wait for each other to wake up and open presents, and we appreciate each one as it's opened.

*Mr.4444 shakes every gift, announces that he's guessed what it is, and proves it (around 85% of the time--It's maddening.)

*Santa has left "surprise" candy canes on the tree.

*We eat Blueberry French Toast for breakfast.

*Then we go to the grandmas' houses for more presents and too much food.

As difficult as it might be to carry on without those we miss during the holidays, traditions gently remind us that we're family, that loved ones are not forgotten, and that we can be happy again.

How about you? Are there important holiday traditions in your family? (If you've written a post about this, feel free to share the link in the comments.)

My Big Break?

I have exciting news! Just for fun, I entered a weekly online writing contest at Midlife Collage, and my entry made it to the top five!  Voting opens today. My story (one of my favorite blog posts; a holiday post, as well as just a favorite teaching experience) is called Making a Difference. If you wouldn't mind considering a vote for me, I would really appreciate your checking out the contest.

Voting is quite simple. Each positive comment and Facebook Like on the entries themselves equal one vote. If you're really ambitious : "Readers also send the Judges their opinions of the best story on our Closing Arguments page."  However, that's not necessary; I'd be thrilled if you'd be kind enough to simply Like my entry and/or leave a supportive comment, should you feel inspired. Of course, if you feel like spreading the word about the contest, too, that would be amazing.  Thanks.

Contest ends on Sunday. The prize is fame and fortune ($50).

Something to Smile About

Just look at these two lovebirds, married for 81 years this month.

That's no typo, either--eighty-one years! 

John (age 102) and Ann (age 98) are apparently the longest-married couple in the United States.  

I want to look that good when I'm 100! 

photo credit

To learn more about their story, visit this link (but don't bother watching the video; they're not in it).

Missing Holidays?

It seems to me that there are more than enough holidays these days, but just for grins, indulge me and consider this question: What holiday is the world missing? SoulPancake asked this question of people on the street and got some great ideas.

I would love to simply have a Take Your Dog to Work Day. I'm sure they exist somewhere. Or maybe just give every pet owner one day to choose when they take their dogs to work. I think that people smile more when pets are around (assuming they're well-behaved pets), and I know with 100% certainty that my students would respond well to Milo and Steve.

How about you? Any ideas?

Friday Fragments Episode #276

I can't remember a time I needed a weekend more.

Releasing the tidbits fluttering around in my head should also help usher me into sanity.

Thanks for joining our fragmented little group.

Time to frag!

***I'm not gonna lie; I don't really "get" Instagram. If people share photos on blogs, Facebook, etc. why do we also need to share them via Instagram? I have an account, and I started to use it a little last week, but I still don't get it.

***I'm really proud of my Difference Makers, and it was great to be recognized this week by a local TV station in their Making a Difference feature. I would post the video here, but it has our real names in it, and I don't want students Googling my real name and landing here, so if you haven't seen the video yet but would like to, shoot me an email and I'll share it with you (unless you're a stalker, of course).

***Kyle shared a Facebook app (called Take This Lollipop) that is extremely creepy and will make you think twice about giving apps too many permissions. Speaking of permissions, I noticed last night that somehow my FB posts had defaulted back to Public--Not cool. Good thing I watch myself on FB, but still.

***I fear that should I ever be widowed (heaven forbid), I shall either starve to death or gain 100 pounds eating desserts, casseroles, and fast food. We grill all year-round (even with tons of snow on the deck), and I'm spoiled, because Mr.4444 is the grillmeister. When he's gone, I miss eating "real" food.

***I would like to own a diffuser for my essential oils, but I can't justify the expense. One of these days...

Your turn! Link up your Friday Fragments post below. [To learn the ins and outs of FF, please click the tab above.]

How Thankful Am I, Really? (When Gratitude Becomes a Platitude)

I've read a lot of gratitude posts recently; they're all over Facebook and blogland. Of course we're thankful; it's that time of year here in the U.S. (last month in Canada and I'm sure there are other places with similar holidays). I thought about writing something about what I'm grateful for, but it just didn't feel sincere to me; while I truly am thankful for the many blessings in my life, I know that I don't often often show it. For me, it's getting to be kind of like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance* (which we do at my school daily, incidentally), or asking someone "How are you?" out of sheer politeness, or saying I'll keep someone in my prayers (whether I actually do or not); there's a danger of coming to the point in which "I'm thankful for..." is just words.

Saying you're thankful should not be a platitude, something that's said so often it's lost meaning. If we truly are thankful, shouldn't we act like it? Walk the walk, so-to-speak?  If I truly am thankful; thankful to the universe, to people in my life, grateful for my opportunities, etc. I think I should do more than just talk about it.

Here are some of my ideas, so far:

*Hand-write notes expressing my gratitude to specific people for their support, love, kindness, whatever. Or maybe say it in person, with eye contact, even :)

*Make a donation to someone less fortunate, either directly or anonymously, with a note saying why, maybe? or via a donation site

*Give the gift of time--Ring bells, take someone's dog for a walk, shovel snow/rake leaves just as a random act of kindness.

I'm not trying to be santimonious (Yes, I had to look that up; it's a great word.); I hope you don't take it that way. I just know that if I write this, I'll be held accountable for actually doing something, you know?  I've often said that I want to make a difference in the world; what difference does it make if I rattle off everything I'm grateful for but don't go out of my way to show it?

Just something to think about...Feel free to share your own ideas or suggestions in the comments.


*To tell you the honest-to-God truth, I am usually distracted during the Pledge during homeroom; it always interrupts a conversation, there's the day to plan, I'm in the middle of stuff, etc. but I make a very conscious effort to recite it sincerely, at least connecting to a part of it; I don't ever want to lose sight of it's importance. 

P.S.The JFK quote was born in his speech proclaiming Thanksgiving a national holiday, in November 1963.

Taking the Cake

My family helped my nephew celebrate a big birthday last weekend.

(Mom's always has the right attitude for a birthday party!)

At the party, I wondered if my kids realize that I've been kind of a lame mom when it comes to birthday cakes. I may have made one or two from scratch....Yes, I do remember a Barbie cake (the kind with the doll standing in a dress made of cake, like this:

            photo credit

(And trust me; mine did not look anything as nice as this one, but Kendall was maybe three years old, so she didn't notice.) And I might have done something creative for Kyle's cakes once or twice (?) but I can't remember. I'm just more of a last-minute, day-before-the-party type planner, most of the time. (Though I redeemed myself with Kendall's Sweet 16 Cupcake Wars surprise party.) Most of the cakes my kids have had for their birthdays were store-bought. (Oh, the horror; I know.)

My sister, Michelle, though, does a great job making sure her kids know they are special on their birthdays.  For example, when her son Logan turned 13, she decorated his cake with an iPhone complete with carefully-crafted little app icons!

I think this year's cake, for Caden's 13th surprise party, took the cake (pardon the pun). Can you tell what Caden's major interest is?

 That's right; Caden loves to play the drums, so much so that he he even tried to play us a little tune!

Inspired by Pinterest, Michelle made the drum set with bar straws, marshmallows, colored sugar, tiny silver beads, carefully-carved graham crackers, mini Nilla Wafers, and a Hostess Ding Dong (the leftovers of which she tried desperately to get rid of before everyone left the party). The base of the cake was a delicious pumpkin cheesecake from Costco.

The cake was a big hit, of course, and Caden clearly appreciated his mom's efforts.

I don't remember a single cake from my own childhood though I'm certain my mom made each one from scratch and most likely went out of her way to make them look special (Sorry, Mom.). Actually, I take that back; I remember the store-bought cakes my "second" mom, Ellen, always bought from Sentry Food Store and how delicious they were. Okay, that does it; I just realized I don't need to feel guilty about it.

Besides, disappointment builds character, right? And my kids have plenty of that, so I obviously did them a favor! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Everything Is Beautiful

When tagging this post, I almost used the tag "homelessness," but I quickly vetoed that idea, because this beautiful man's interview (by SoulPancake) has little to do with homelessness and more to do with perspective. As Doreen often reminds us, everyone has a story; here's John's.

I don't know John, of course, but I love him.

Spa Babies

I found this sweet video via The Elephant Journal's Facebook page; they share so many great posts related to yoga, yes, but also many other topics of interest. Take this video, for example; it was first shared by a French nurse who is a proponent of a new infant bathing technique that is marked by gentleness, massage, music (and, incidentally, no soap). The twins in the video remain sweetly intertwined throughout the bath.

If only we could all be ushered into Mondays so gently...

PACK PUP

Milo is ready for Game Day!

Good luck to your team today,

unless, of course, your team is the Lions, Bears, or Giants.
(We're not really worried about the Vikings this year.)

GO PACK!

Yoga Love

I've been practicing yoga for more than a month now 

(That's what they call it; "practicing." I feel a little silly using the term, but why not?! 

I keep taking the classes (often), so I might as well embrace it.)

Anyway, I follow Elephant Yoga on Facebook and find that they post a lot of great resources, including the graphic below, from the Huffington Post, which explains the many benefits of yoga
(I realize the small print is too small to read; the circles should get the point across.

Alternatively, you can click here to view the graphic better.)

I have finally found a fitness activity that I like!

So far, I feel stronger, and I know that my balance has improved.

(I can stay in my back bend for almost six seconds before falling on my head!)

I love that I'm not jumping around, and the sweating feels great

(It releases toxins, you know.)

I finally feel like an athlete, I guess,

and I can now wear yoga pants without feeling like a poser.haha

Friday Fragments: Episode #275

Wow--275 Friday Fragments posts, you guys!!

Can you believe it?

Thanks for being on this journey with me.

Leave a comment today and I will enter you in a drawing for something.

(No, I haven't a clue what it is, yet; I just came up with the idea, but it'll probably be a giftcard,

and I'll probably give away two or three of them.  I'll keep you posted!)

[To learn the ins and outs of Friday Fragments, please click here.]

***

Is Taco Dip something people everywhere eat, or is it a regional thing, I wonder.

It's always a big hit here in Wisconsin.

***

The Difference Makers provided free childcare on Monday and Tuesday during parent-teacher conferences so that siblings could be out of everyone's hair during the meetings. 

Wasn't that a brilliant idea they came up with? 

They entertained more than 50 kids who dropped in and out over the course of six hours. 

Parents seemed to really appreciate it.

***

While looking for a resource for students this week, I found Top 25 Kid Bloggers.

Since I can't keep up with the blogs I already follow, I only looked at one, 

but it looked terrific.

***

"I can't believe how cold it is here" read a text that Kendall sent to me this week 

(from her Minnesota college). 

Heck of a time to realize that!haha

***

I wrote The Buzz About the Common Core State Standards this week. 

If you're a parent, grandparent, or other investor in children, I'd love for you to read it.

Kendall also wrote a really nice guest post about her canoe trip last summer, Pushing Boundaries.

Thank you, Kendall, for taking time out of your busy schedule to oblige me :)

Your turn!

Wisconsin Landscapes

If you've been with me for a while, you know how much I love a particular tree that I pass on my commute; I take photos of her every season. 

She's always breathtaking to me.

Lately, it's dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home, 

but I managed to capture this one on a recent evening.

Isn't she a beauty?

I really do not like the crappy photo editor that Google + switched to; 

it couldn't be less user-friendly, in my opinion, 

but when you upload a photo, it automatically corrects it, and I do appreciate that.

That said, the hues in this next shot are exactly what I saw 

when passing this field during the sunrise last week. 

The greens (whatever they are) were so stunning 

that I actually passed this spot, turned around, and went back to take the shot; 

it was just that gorgeous, a gift.

I don't know what it is that makes me so happy about Wisconsin landscapes,
but I can never get enough.

Do you have a favorite scene in your part of the world?
Something you always take time to appreciate?

The Fuss About the Common Core State Standards

Okay, listen; you may have heard a little about the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which have been adopted by more than 40 American states and territories. Apparently, there's some controversy about it, but it's not a one-sided issue. I'm going to boil it all down for you from my point of view, because people who have kids or grandkids need to understand it, regardless of how they feel about it.

What was wrong with the old standards?  As you may know, American students do not perform as well as many other industrialized nations on academic tests. A huge reason for that, I want you to know, is that other countries cull out disabled students and don’t bother educating them; it’s not really an apples-to-apples comparison, but that’s another post entirely, so we’ll have to table that topic. The fact remains that American academic standards are lower than those of many of our global competitors, and the CCSS aim to raise the bar.

I don't know everything there is to know about the difference between the old and new standards, but as a teacher who’s worked with both in Wisconsin, I can offer an example. An old 6th grade math standard, for example, might require that kids know how to divide, and a test question might present a division problem all set up to be divided, along with multiple choice answers for students to select the solution they got. The new standard (for the same grade level) could instead give a paragraph to read and expect the reader to decide which math process will get them to the correct answer. It will ask students to share their answers and then write explanations for how they arrived at them. The difference is that the new standards expect students to apply what they’ve learned.

Another really clear example is teaching the alphabet to little kids; if a kid can sing his ABCs, that’s charming, but if he doesn’t know what sounds the letters make, it’s just a cute little trick the child can perform, a little song she knows. Teaching kids how to apply what they know helps them prepare for the real world. The current test that Wisconsin uses (WKCE) is loaded with multiple choice questions that require very little higher-level thought; it doesn’t prepare students to be career and college ready in today's world, where innovation and creativity are valued. There are fewer industrial jobs today; innovation, tech and service fields have grown; kids today need to learn how to think if they want to be competitive in today's job market.

There is a state test coming down the pike, called the Smarter Balance assessment (SBA). So far, 25 states will be taking this test, which is not your Iowa Basics or basic, fill-in-the-bubble test that we all know too well. It is an entirely different animal. The SBA was written with the CCSS in mind; it's extremely rigorous, because so are the new standards. The new test is going to demand much greater rigor than you or I ever faced. It's going to blow our kids' minds when it rolls out, because they have gone through traditional schooling, which doesn't really encourage higher-level thinking, processing, collaboration with others, or computer skills. 

In my district, we actually adopted the Common Core three years ago. We have learned that in order to reach the goals of the CCSS, we need to learn to teach differently; to raise kids comfortable with in-depth questions, kids who can think outside-the-box, make mistakes and learn from them, and take responsibility for their own learning. This means that effective teachers have to be comfortable letting go of old-school, cookie-cutter style teaching and learning.  We have been tasked with preparing students to:

*Explain their thinking, not just circle bubbles

*Be comfortable making choices, thinking things through, and not just putting "I used a calculator" when asked to explain

*Work with others and produce a product over a period of time (weeks) that demonstrates what they know

*Read well and read more than was required in the past, in all subject areas of the test

*Think for themselves and not be “fed” everything they need to know

That, too, is a subject big enough for a whole other post; a book, even. (Yes, I’m working on it.)

The controversy over the CCSS, I’m told, is that people object to schools expecting new materials in order to better develop skills for the CCSS.  Some imply that the CCSS was cooked up by textbook companies and other stakeholders in the business of making money.  Maybe I'm naive; maybe this is all part of big, money-making scheme, but I'm not in the corporate world, and I'm not a politician; I'm in education, and I think having higher standards for American children is a worthwhile endeavor. I’m an idealist; I’m trusting that those in charge are not aiming too high. The “new” standards, from what I’ve seen, aren’t that different than the ones we had before; same subjects, just digging in deeper to require kids to think and process, not memorize and jump through hoops. What can be bad about that?

Here’s a sample question from the Smarter Balanced Assessment:

(I'm not lying when I tell you that it took me at least five minutes to even understand that question. Did I mention the new test is also timed?)

Someone said I’m the first person they’d heard say anything good about the CCSS. One aspect of the Core that really appeals to (yet scares) me is the fact that so many of our country’s students will finally be using the same standards and, in most cases, the same test of those standards. I look forward to seeing how Wisconsin stacks up against other states. That said, I’m also a little nervous, especially as a special ed teacher; today’s test is already hard enough; what are my students going to do when faced with questions so far above their current skill levels? (Again; that's a topic for another post.)

Common Core State Standards; love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re here, and our kids and grandkids need to be prepared for them. I’m actually writing a book on how parents and grandparents can help teachers with this lofty goal. Hopefully, this post helps a little in the meantime.

To learn more about the CCSS, visit Common Core State Standards Initiative

Myths and Facts about the CCSS

More about the Smarter Balanced assessment

To try your hand at some of the sample test questions, visit the SBAS Portal (just log in as a guest and click through to the questions, but can’t say it’s the most user-friendly)

Finding Balance

This is not a sponsored post; I just know that someone reading this will be helped, so here you go.

I have always been skeptical about "essential" oils.  I mean, how essential can they be if I've survived 50 year without them, you know? This summer, though, after having had two especially-emotional breakdowns meltdowns upsets due (I think) to menopause, I became open to natural products that heal. That lead me to my cousin Margaret, who knows about these things and recommended essential oils, which are basically plant extracts that can address a huge number of physical ailments.

Mr.4444 has trouble sleeping, so I decided to try lavender. I kept forgetting to have him try it, but one day at work, I heard a coworker complaining that she "never" sleeps on Sunday nights, because she starts stressing out about the workweek. The next day, I brought the lavender in and suggested that she try it (breathe it in deeply a few times before going to bed).  A week later, I asked her how it was going, expecting her to say that it hadn't worked (She was a little skeptical, too.) but I was pleased to hear that the lavender had worked like a charm; my coworker bought her own lavender and is now sleeping like a baby on Sunday nights.

A couple of weeks later, I heard another coworker complaining that she was having a lot of trouble sleeping at night. My heart went out to her, because she lost her 15-year-old daughter last year to an unknown heart defect; I can only imagine her suffering. I approached her with my bottle of lavender and invited her to try it. Days later, she told me that the lavender is not only helping her, but it's helping her dog, who is anxious sometimes. How cool is that?!  I have another friend who uses essential oils for her neurotic dog all the time, too; she says they really help the week of July 4th, especially. She dabs the oil on the pads of her dog's feet.

Now, the particular brand of lavender that I bought is doTerra. I like doTerra because they don't use artificial ingredients, and I trust Margaret's expertise (She's also a massage therapist and one of the coolest people I know).  I've used doTerra's Balance formula a few times during which I was feeling extremely stressed out and needed to stop freaking out find some calm. I can't tell you whether it was due to a psychosomatic response or not; I can only tell you it worked for me. Thankfully, I think I'm past the worst part of the menopause business, but just in case, I'm not lending that one out!haha

There are many ways to apply/use essential oils, and I don't claim to know them, but I inhale mine or dab some of them on my wrist. I would love to have a diffuser, which is like a humidifier (sort of) that helps to get the essential oil into the air.

Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA, but studies about them suggest that they work. All I know is that the ones I've tried worked for me and people I know, so I will be getting some more when I can afford them; doTerra products are not cheap. If you have a health issue you've been struggling with, though, I think they're worth trying.

Do you use essential oils? I'd be interested to hear about your experience.

Pushing Boundaries

"Campers will paddle and portage the lakes of northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area, one of the most beautiful and pristine wilderness areas in the country. The location is sure to live up to its reputation with outstanding fishing, abundant wildlife, crystal clear nights, and breathtaking scenery."

Sound appealing to you? It sounded like heaven to our daughter Kendall, who worked her tail off to earn enough money to participate in the very special summer wilderness canoeing trip last July. The "Nor'Wester” (run by the Green Bay YMCA's Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya, Kendall’s favorite place in the world), is a rite of passage for fortunate Camp Unie teens. It’s something I would never be interested in doing; the idea of not using a real toilet for nine days and getting eaten alive by mosquitoes the size of hamsters just doesn’t appeal to me. Kendall, though, considers the trip a highlight of her life. I asked if she would mind writing a little about it for a blog post, and she happily obliged.

On the Nor’Wester, I encountered some of the greatest challenges I’ve ever experienced. No matter how difficult any day was, time just flew by. There is no better feeling than tossing a canoe over your shoulders and just owning it. I would crank out a 105-rod* portage and think to myself, “Did I seriously just do that?!” I discovered strength that I never knew I had, and never again will I consider myself weak.

A typical meal on trail is nowhere near glamorous, but we spent a lot of time dreaming about when we could eat next.  I developed a strange love for Spam cooked in brown sugar, yard-o-beef by-the-bite, and “nuggets of gold.” Nuggets of gold were made by covering chunks of spreadable cheese in Bisquick batter and boiling said chunks in a concoction of chicken broth and canned vegetables. (I even brought a can of Spam with me to college. I have yet to break it open, because I have no one to share it with!)  Each breakfast was complemented by instant coffee made with lake water, lunches were spent floating along a lake, and dinners were enjoyed next to a campfire.

My counselor, nicknamed “Schmitty,” is one of the greatest women I’ve ever known. She has taught me things that I carry with me each day. Each day she would have to pry out a “high” and a “low” for the day from each of us. At the start of the trip, it was a pain to have to explain our favorite and least favorite parts of the day; it seemed so silly. However, by the end of the trip we were fighting over who got to share first. It became a very important, therapeutic part of each day. Schmitty was constantly helping us realize our own strengths and weaknesses. She was huge on introspection, so we’d spend a solid amount of time each day discovering ourselves, whether we realized it or not! When the sun started setting we’d gather together, throw our arms over each other’s shoulders, and sing Schmitty’s own version of Taps.

Kendall and Schmitty at the Nor'Wester banquet reception

One moment of the Nor’Wester that I will never forget was the calm before the storm at American Point. The seven of us walked to the opposite side of the island to lie in an open patch between the trees and do a sort of meditation. Lying there with our eyes closed, not one of us noticed the clouds rolling in. Schmitty was asking us questions like, “Who are you?” and “Why are you on this trip?” I became so immersed in thought that I nearly peed my pants when lightning struck the ground nearly 20 feet away from us. We rushed across the island to our campsite and huddled in our tent for the next 36 hours, just napping, eating, and chatting. The lightning had snapped me out of my introspective trance but proceeded to force me into another day’s worth of nothing to do but think. The universe knew I hadn’t quite figured everything out and needed more time. I think that’s why I love storms so much; they’re wake-up calls, reminders that there are things out there bigger than yourself.

I believe that one of the greatest things you can do in life is to go outside your comfort zone. I was nervous about the trip, doubting my competence. Fifty-five canoe miles later, I'm so thankful for my friends, who pushed me to shoot for the moon and go for it, because the BWCA is a place that will forever hold a piece of my heart, and I absolutely cannot wait to go back.

*1 rod=16.5 feet

Sundays in My City: More Party Pics!

Unknown Mami hosts a weekly photo meme that features photos from places near and far. Last weekend, I shared some photos from our Halloween party, 

but what I didn't mention is that a professional photographer friend, 

Casi Lea Photography, also took photos at the party. 

Casi set up a "photo booth" and snapped a number of gems I know you'll appreciate.

My sister laughs at this one of her and her husband, 

"The one time a man is SUPPOSED to stare at my headlights, he looks into my eyes. He must love me."

These two won for Best Makeup.

My favorite shot: me as Anastasia and Mr.4444 as 50 Shades of Gray

Love this shot of the Casi's parents.

The Price Is Right!

Aren't these two fantastic?

They both wore Las Vegas necklaces and carried suitcases

and a lot of money.

Four dead poets (Lois teaches high school English.) are featured in this next one.

Sorry I can't remember all of them: ? , Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath and Edgar Allen Poe.

Two of my dearest friends, Leslie and Lois. 

(Both stood up in our wedding nearly 25 years ago.)

And finally, four high school chums: Ellen, Colleen, me, and Lois.

We always have a costume contest at our party, and with Casi's photo "booth," 

I was able to give winners of the costume contest an 8 x 10 frame 

and the photo of their choice printed for the frame.

How cool is that?! 

The print prices were dirt-cheap, but the photos, to me, are priceless.

I don't know if I'll be able to have another party without Casi's services!

I've also decided to see if she'll do this for our family reunion this summer;

wouldn't that be fun?!

Casi provided this service for free this time (It was her idea!)

and later joined the party, of course.

If you like her work, please be kind enough to like her Facebook page.