Posted on

Arrow is one

Our little puppy, okay not so little, Arrow is one. we celebrated yesterday with birthday ice cream for all three puppies and a special gift for Arrow. As you can imagine, all three dogs loved their ice cream treats. Anakin enjoyed his in the comfort of his crate as he gets a food aggressive towards the other dogs. That and he’ll try to take their ice cream too.

Arrow loved his little Lamp Chop stuffed toy. I, on the other hand, did not. Apparently, I missed the fact that it had a squeaker in it. Needless to say, Arrow and his toy were squeaking away all night. Anakin loves to hoard toys and not play with them. He was eying Arrow’s toy as soon as Arrow got it. Consequently, I distracted him with another toy. Nevertheless, his focus continued to return to Arrow’s toy.

While the puppies enjoyed the birthday festivities, the rest of us watched the Hurricanes take on the Devils. This was a must win for the Devils, but ultimately the Canes sent them packing with an overtime goal. The Panthers play tonight and have the chance to end the Maple Leafs season. We went to game four Wednesday and they looked terrible. Here’s hoping our Cardiac Cats show up and get er’ done.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of Weezer’s Blue Album (yesterday,) here’s Buddy Holly.

Posted on

Superstitious

Yesterday’s prompt asked if I’m superstitious, but I didn’t notice the prompt until after I had already finished my blog about our torturous allergy season here. The answer is that I am absolutely superstitious. It comes along with the hockey mom and hockey culture. Show me a hockey mom that’s not superstitious and I’ll show you snow in Miami (real meteorological snow, not the stuff referenced in Miami Vice.)

Are you superstitious?

So let me recount some of the superstitious ridiculousness that comes with being a hockey mom and/or player

  • Thou shall not utter the word shutout until the final buzzer has sounded. If you utter it before, it will be your fault when the goalie gives up a goal. This is one of the cardinal rules of being a goalie parent.
  • I wore this jacket and they won; ergo, I must wear this jacket to all future games, so the trend can continue. God forbid we wear another jacket and they lose, oh the regret that would spark.
  • Pregame rituals: for me, it was always grabbing a coffee before game time. Each player and parent has their own pregame routine.
  • Always tell my player or goalie good luck and have fun before they hit the ice
  • The goalie hits the goalposts in a certain order before every face-off.
  • The playoff beard. No shaving for the guys until they’ve won or been knocked out of the playoffs
  • Favorite shirt or piece of equipment. This item will be repaired until it can’t be repaired anymore because the player has to wear it.
  • Not washing equipment during the season. This one is a killer. You’d only have to walk near my garage during the season to know why.
  • The taping of the stick. Every player has a ritual for when and how they tape their stick before a game.
  • Pregame meal or drink (i.e Celsius.). We’ve definitely hit some gas stations before games to make sure they had their Celsius in hand.

What are some of your superstitions? Hockey folks, did I miss any?


Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: I finished Marcel Proust’s Finding Lost Time last time. Five years and seven volumes later, I’ve completed his masterpiece. Tonight I’m starting Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir.
  • Word of the day is chiton. A chiton is a mollusk often found in tide pools.
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Outta Our Heads by Dropkick Murphy’s
Posted on

Allergy Season

Allergy season is in full effect here in South Florida. It’s particularly bad for me right now as the mango tree is in bloom. High pollen levels always cause problems for me, but it’s worse when it’s pollen from the mango tree. There’s just so much pollen outside right now as everything is in bloom. In fact, our Mazda is caked in it. The car is black, so the pollen is super noticeable. Goalielocks is going to wash it later today to get the coating of fresh pollen off the car.

The boys and I are taking Zyrtec daily to stave off the worst of the allergies. Nevertheless, I couldn’t stop sneezing after I came back from walking the dogs. Usually, I have sneezing fits when I eat too much. Well, not today. Today’s sneezing attack was sponsored in whole by pollen. Meanwhile, the Mayor has been coughing incessantly all week. I’m hoping the Zyrtec will help minimize the coughing fits. Fortunately, I haven’t had any trouble breathing due to the increased pollen count. Sometimes it will trigger my allergy-induced asthma, but that hasn’t happened yet. I’m crossing my fingers that it won’t happen.

The boys and I leave for the Bahamas Friday for a short spring break getaway. I’m hoping we leave allergy season behind in Florida while we galavant in the islands. According to the weather channel, there will be none of the major pollen types present while we’re there. Coming from Florida where several pollen types are in the high to moderate space will make this destination a real winner for us.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Work Hard Play Hard by Wiz Khalifa

Posted on

March Madness

It’s March madness time in more ways than one. This daylight savings time shift has thrown me for an absolute loop. Thus far, the mornings this week have been sub par 0-10 wouldn’t recommend the experience. I know it’s only an hour, but losing any amount of sleep at this stage in the game is no bueno. It’s also time to complete your March Madness bracket. In fact, I just completed mine and have Purdue winning it all. I’m sure I’ll finish in the bottom five.

I did make it to work on time today, which is good. It will take some time to fully adjust back to the time. I had gone to bed early Saturday not feeling great, but also hoping it would stave off some of that time change ickiness. Spoiler alert, it didn’t work. When I finally managed to climb out of bed Sunday morning it was 9:00 am. I usually wake up between 6:50 and 7:30 like clockwork, but not Sunday morning. Hopefully, by the end of the week, my body will be acclimated to daylight savings time.

My lunch was spent getting our TSA precheck interviews done. Well, it’s not really an interview. They verify your information, take your fingerprints and a photo and that’s about it. Usually, it takes three to five days for the process to be completed. I’m hoping and praying that it’s complete before we head out to the Bahamas Friday morning. Honestly, I’m not concerned about having it for the trip there. I am, however, really hoping we have it for the way back. Last year we spent three hours in security lines at Nassau’s airport. I’m not looking to repeat that nonsense. Otherwise, I’ll be hurling imprecations everywhere.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: insight. After gaining insight into the long waits at the Nassau airport, I decided to get pre-check.
  • Today’s song is Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
Posted on

Ugh

Ugh!!! Ugh was what came to mind as I woke up at 8:07 am realizing I had slept through my alarms. Which as it happens is seven minutes into the start of my shift. Thankfully, I work mere feet for my bed. Nevertheless, I still had to get ready, get coffee and take the dogs out. The puppies start singing as soon as they hear me stir. Unfortunately, they don’t stop singing until I take them out. Goalielocks opted to sleep in the loft last night and was less than impressed with their early morning singing.

I hate waking up late because I feel like you’re playing catch-up all morning. It still takes time to shake the cobwebs off and let the coffee take hold. Fortunately, it was not a busy morning, so I had plenty of time to find my bearings. Once I found my bearings, the wheels decided to call off anyway. In accordance with Murthy’s Law, my VPN started crashing as soon as I got my ish together. Truly, I’m hoping that my VPN is stable this afternoon. Otherwise, it will be a very long day.

Sunset at the Cove Atlantis summer 22

Goalielocks is home for spring break, so I’m able to make some appointments this week. We’re going to get our TSA pre-check down tomorrow. Later in the week, I’m finally going to get my eyebrows down as they are severely overdue. It’s a long shot, but I may even try to get my hair done in a pinch before we leave Friday. The Mayor meanwhile will start his high school spring practices tonight down at Ice Den. Since we’ll be in the Bahamas this weekend, he’s going to skate with Joni Thursday morning.

Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

If you wrote a letter to yourself at 100, what would you say? I’d write that I told you there’d be no flying cars in our lifetime. Moreover, the crazy cyborg Elon Musk is never going to make it to Mars. Do like how I assumed in 60 years he’d be a cyborg? It kind of feels like that may be his character arc as he plays the role of an eccentric billionaire to a tee. Naturally, I’d also write about how blessed I’ve been to live a life full of love and happiness. My family has been and will always be the center of my universe whether I’m 43 or 103.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Free Your Mind by En Vogue
Posted on

Nostalgia

I’ve felt a bit of nostalgia this past day as the Mayor, Hubby and I watch the Minnesota State High School Hockey tournament. There’s nothing like it and the hockey is incredible. It’s been fun to reminisce about the state of hockey when we were in school. For example, we talked bout our school@/ conference and section rivals and the private schools that poached some of our star players. Unsurprisingly, these schools are still major forces in high school hockey. Also, who could forget about the all-tournament hair team? The lettuce at this tournament is legendary.

Hubby and I went to the state championship games in 2004 when our high school made the final. The Excel was packed to the gills and the energy was electric. There are a lot of people that pride themselves in going to the tournament every year. Who could blame them? The hockey, as I said, is incredible. Last night we watched Hill Murray take number one-seeded Minnetonka into overtime. Ultimately, Minnetonka won on an incredible shot from the point. I’m sure the boys will watch the semi-finals tonight while I’m at the Panther’s game. Meanwhile, both the Mayor and I are watching the Class A semi-finals while we work.

What is the last thing you learned?

The last thing I learned is that timorous means showing or suffering from nervousness. One could say that Anakin is quite timorous when the company comes over. The other thing I learned is ballyhoo is more than a bait fish. In fact, ballyhoo is a noisy attention-getting demonstration. The word made me think of Basil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers. Ah, now I’m feeling nostalgia for one of my favorite shows. And now back to hockey as I watch Warroad take on Orono.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Today’s song is Closing Time by Semisonic
Posted on

Nice Night

I had a nice night celebrating my birthday with the Mayor and Hubby. It’s funny that as we get older we’d rather spend our birthday relaxing at home instead of painting the town red. Of course, it would be hard to paint the town red with the school night bedtime of 10:15. I’m in bed even before the Valencia folks (snowbirds) have left the local restaurants. Nonetheless, it was a nice night made even better when Jake and Goalielocks called to wish me a happy birthday. Of course, the Wild beating the Jets didn’t hurt either.

The Mayor, however, was annoyed that I wanted a disgusting (his words not mine) HelloFresh me instead of going out to dinner. The Hubby cooked up some delicious beef tostadas. The Mayor also spent most of the day trying to convince me that we needed Pub subs for a birthday lunch. As if this now 43-year-old woman can afford to eat that much bread in one sitting. I certainly wish I could, but I’d like to keep off the weight I lost. After all, it only took four years to lose the thyroid weight. I did, however, enjoy some flourless chocolate cake and ice cream.

What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.

So today’s daily prompt made me glad to now be in my forties. Throughout the entirety of my twenties and thirties, people always asked me if we were going to try for the girl. First of all, I have three beautiful sons. Second of all, I feel no need to throw up for another nine months. Also, kids are super expensive. I’m already hockey poor, I don’t need to be hockey poor and dance poor. What annoys me the most is that no matter how many children a woman has or the sex of her children, people always want more. Now that I’m as old as a quill pen, the question would just be silly.

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: festoon. I don’t know why I thought of a spittoon when I first saw this word. Our lanai is festooned with our passion flower vine.
  • Today’s song is Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones

Posted on

Birthday Blessings

Today has been full of beautiful birthday blessings from family and friends around the world. I love hearing from Jake, my niece P, and getting birthday wishes from the Mayor. Honestly, I’m glad they remembered my birthday because I’m usually the one that sends reminder texts to my hubby and kids. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do that today. I do, however, need to follow up and make sure they wished their aunt Mo a happy birthday yesterday.

I remember as a kid thinking forty years old was ancient( (like a museum piece old) and that life would be over at forty. Fortunately, it turns out I was wrong. In a lot of ways, life begins at forty. You’ve outgrown the silliness of your twenties and thirties and have learned plenty of life lessons. You know what’s important and have already cut out the things and relationships that no longer serve you. To be honest, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies in forties town, but it’s pretty good. I mean, You’ll definitely hurt yourself in some humiliating way like sleeping or reading.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?

As to today’s prompt, I was laid off at thirty-nine right before the pandemic. It could be classified as a failure, however, I’d classify it as a gift. As I mentioned before, at forty you’ve learned to cut out the things that no longer serve you. Apparently, at thirty-nine I hadn’t learned that lesson. Well, at least not until I was laid off. I stayed at a job, with amazing people by the way, that stopped being healthy years prior to my layoff. Truly, I should have left earlier. That experience has taught me how to create the work-life balance that I want. Of course, it helps that I make more money at my new job and have no commute.

Thank you to everyone for the beautiful birthday blessings!

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: risible. Me water skiing behind my dogs as I attempt to walk them is a risible scene.
  • Today’s song is Hell Yeah by Rev Theory

Posted on

Weird

It has been weird seeing all the tryout bulletins for hockey clubs around the state. Since the state championships ended the season Sunday, organizations could send out their tryout schedules Monday. For the last decade or so, we’ve planned our spring around those tryouts. The anxiety tryout season induced is something I will never forget or miss. You never really knew where your kid stood down here because the politics of the game were overarching.

I had hoped the Mayor would opt to play at least a year of u18 because a part of me isn’t ready to move on. Also, I think playing u18 hockey gives players a good path to play hockey while finishing and focusing on high school. Needless to say, the Mayor wanted no part of that idea. So now it’s looking at the myriad of junior options that are out there. It’s like sailing the high seas without military protection during the heyday of pirates. No matter which way you turn someone is going to take all your money. Fortunately, we have plenty of time to figure out where he’ll play next year.

You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence?

Speaking of weird, I found the grossest meme on Twitter. It actually belongs on Reddit’s horrible Facebook meme forum. I mean what in the fresh hell is this nonsense? As if a woman wanting to have equality and their own opportunities are what has destroyed our “country.” As if I go to work to serve my boss. Bitch, I go to work to get paid. Unfortunately, the weird incel that gave provenance to this meme’s belief is rooted in deep-seeded and misguided misogyny. Thankfully, social media has given the town idiot the loudest voice. Additionally, why is it impossible for women to work and love their families? Do you know what the opening sentence of my autobiography would say? It would say, “I chose a path that allowed me to raise a family while carving out a successful professional career.”

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 45-minute spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: apricity. The dogs and I enjoyed the apricity during our lunchtime walk.
  • Today’s song is Going Under by Evanesence
Posted on

Prompt

As I sit here staring at my phone with writer’s block in between phone calls, I decided to give the daily prompt a shot. I had a glorious weekend, but I’m not sure that there’s much to write about there. Unsurprisingly, we spent most of the weekend watching hockey. The state tournament for the Mayor’s division was this weekend and while he wasn’t playing, we all enjoyed watching the games from the convenience of our couch. So on to today’s prompt featured below.

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

The three objects I couldn’t live without are my iPhone, my Apple Watch, and my book. I wish I had a better answer than my phone, but the truth is that I manage my life and family’s schedule from my phone. In fact, without my phone, I’d have to brave the supermarket during the season. That’s not something you want to experience when snow birds surround you.

Like my phone, I use the Apple Watch to manage my life. Specifically, I use it to manage my thyroid function and fitness. Crucially, the watch has alerted me to a high heart rate while I’m sleeping, which is a sign my thyroid is running hot. Moreover, it signifies that I need to stop working out until my thyroid levels are back to normal. It also tracks my sleep, which is another way I monitor my thyroid. Lastly, I use the watch to keep tabs on my fitness level. If deviations from my norm show up, I know I need to check my thyroid levels.

The last object is my book. I read daily as a means to escape and engage my mind. It doesn’t matter what I’m reading because a book like Calgon will “take me away.” I started reading daily again about four years ago after meeting with one of my associate directors on development. One of my recommendations to him was to read daily as this is a habit most prominent business leaders share. Naturally, I realized that I should probably follow my own advice because if I wasn’t doing it, why should he? Sadly, we lost Paul just a couple of months after that conversation. Yet every day when I read and think about this habit, I think of him.

So tell me in the comments, what are the three objects you couldn’t live without?

Today’s accountability tracker:

  • Workout: 35 spin class, plus 15-minute cooldown courtesy of Apple Fitness+
  • Book: Book: Marcel Proust’s  Finding Lost Time. 
  • Blog: done
  • Word of the day: rebuke. I expect a bit of a rebuke for heavily featuring tech items in my three objects.
  • Today’s song is Pocket Full of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield