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January 14, 2018

Skol Vikings!!!

Skol Vikings!!! Holy cannoli Batman that was a nail biter of a game between my Vikes and the Saints today. Jen and I were biting our nails as we followed the live updates on the Score. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a time delay on the app. So we were a bit behind.

Fortunately, text messages from my hubby, the family group text and Chuckles and Roman kept us updated timely. Honestly, when C&R texted holy cow, what a catch, touchdown, I thought they were messing with me. (It’s not hard to do.) I was in disbelief until my hubby and the family group text confirmed the good news.

Truly it was a game that entertained the masses while giving Minnesota fans a heart attack. I was commiserating the Vikings impending doom with my hubby via text and Jen as watched Goalielocks’ game. When she said, “maybe there’ll be a miracle.” I replied as any hardened Vikings fan would, “miracles don’t happen to us.” Only this time it did thanks to our Keenum led offense and Diggs’ amazing catch.

Aside from the Vike’s amazing win tonight, my boys had four games at two rinks across town. Consequently, I’m utterly exhausted and not looking forward to a 5:00 am wake up and an early morning drive through the snow. Goalielocks’ Team was 2-0 on the day, but I’ll write more about that in a forthcoming post on instant karma.

Meanwhile, the Mayor’s team went 1-1 on the day. The Mayor notched two goals today scoring one in each of the games. In fact, he scored the only goal for his team in the morning game. Both boys’ teams have moved onto the semis bright and early tomorrow. I’ll likely miss the start of Goalielocks’ game.

Lastly, the boys are really loving the Chicago area. Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be able to make it downtown tomorrow due to games. However, today I introduced Goalielocks to deep dish pizza. After their morning game, we went with friends to Giordano’s. Goalielocks and I shared a pepperoni deep dish pizza that was to die for. In his words, “it was the best pizza he had ever eaten!” Moreover, he wants to go back for more tomorrow.

Of course, the plus side is the pizza really fills you up. You really don’t need to eat too much the rest of the day after having that. Even after we got back to the hotel after Goalielocks’s game, I was still full.

I should also mention that it has started to snow here in Chicago, which makes awesome driving – said nobody ever!!! My boys though are loving the weather. In contrast, I’m praying for an early end to the snow and for the roads to be clear tomorrow morning when we leave. I’m off to bed as we have a very early wake up call tomorrow morning.

January 12, 2018

We Made It

After two flights and a pit stop at MacDonald’s in Detroit, we finally made it to Chicago! This was my first time back in O’Hare since middle school. I remember the terminal walkways looked much bigger and much newer back then. Now it’s not so big and fancy compared to some of the newly remodeled airports.

Admittedly, I don’t eat MacDonald’s often. If I’m eating MacDonald’s, it’s either a desperation play or vodka made me do it. Today it was a desperation play as we didn’t have too much time between flights.

What a freaking mistake that was! I’m still feeling it! I ordered the artisan grilled chicken sandwich because calorie wise it was semi reasonable and it looked more gratifying than a single cheese burger. Wrong!

I was so hungry having totally forgotten to eat breakfast as we rushed to the airport. Despite this crazy level of hungry bordering on hangry, I couldn’t finish the sandwich. It was truly the one of the most vile things I have ever eaten.

Honestly, I would have been better off eating the soles of my shoes because they would have been less rubbery. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure they stole the rubber chicken from Carrot Top’s prop box and made into my sandwich. If I were him, I’d be mad that his prop was sacrificed for a subpar imitation chicken sandwich.

Now here we are in the Marriott seven hours later and my stomach is still angry with that sandwich. This is why I’m not going to be eating at Macdonald’s again sober. My sandwich today evoked memories of the horrific school lunches they served in elementary.

Meanwhile, my boys feel that the current Chicago weather is nice and comfortable. It’s been a battle since we landed to get them to put on jackets, pants, gloves, etc. “It’s not cold mom.” Yeah, my arse it isn’t cold. I’m looking forward to rehashing this argument tomorrow as we leave for the rink bright and early.

Tomorrow will be a busy day with three games and two team functions. Fortunately, the games are all at the same arena tomorrow. Sunday on the other hand will be a complete disaster. It should be an interesting day as I attempt to make all games in different arenas across town! I’m heading to bed hoping that the nausea caused by that blasted rubber chicken sandwich will be gone tomorrow. Over and out from Chicago!

January 12, 2018

Chicago Bound

We are Chicago bound, via DTW, for a weekend of hockey. For the first time, the Mayor and Goalielocks are playing at the same out of state tournament. Well, at least this month….

Our flight left out of Chicago on an older formerly Northwest 757-200. Consequently, the bird evokes memories of flying on Northwest out of Minneapolis. For several years, Northwest was really the only game in town for us Minnesotans. While Delta now has most of the airport, there are several other options for flying in and out of MSP. Fortunately, they have a number of low costs carriers flying into MSP, which has somewhat helped lower the cost of flying into Minneapolis.

We just flew over the Appalachian mountains minutes ago and are rapidly approaching Ohio. In less than an hour, we should be wheels down in DTW where will catch our connecting flight to Chicago! Unfortunately, we’ll be pulling into gate 66 and will have to head to gate 6. Should be a fun dash!

I packed several snacks for the flight including almonds, gourmet marshmallows, little bites and Twizzlers. At this point, I’m fairly certain the only items left will be the almonds! This is in spite of the fact we all just enjoyed some yummy Biscoff cookies. As an aside, the cinnamon churro marshmallows are ridiculously delicious!

I’ll post a song of the day in a later post as this bird’s WiFi is not super strong!

January 7, 2018January 10, 2018

Back To School

Last week it was back to reality for us adults, but this week it is back to school for the kids in Palm Beach County. It feels like they’ve been off from school forever even though its only been a couple of weeks. With the kids heading back to school, life will truly feel like its back to normal. Well, back to normal or a couple of days until we head to Chicago for a tournament.

As a kid, the harbinger that school was near was always the Minnesota State Fair. If you’re looking for great fried food on a stick of all varieties, this is the place for you. One of our last trips to the fair, we enjoyed a fried candy bar on a stick. Albeit it may have had at least a million calories, it was worth every one of them. Other great eats include the Sweet Martha’s Cookies, cheese curds, funnel cake and Fresh French Fries. They too are worth every calories.

In contrast, for our kids, a return to the rink is the forerunner to school’s imminent return. In fact, it serves as the signal both in August and in January. Nonetheless, it doesn’t make it easier for the kids to get back into their school routines. Who wants to get up early and go to bed earlier? None of the children in my house that’s who.

Speaking of hockey, the Mayor and Hubby headed over to Estero (west coast) for two games today. Since we all went yesterday, I stayed home to finish the grocery shopping and wrap up preparations for our forthcoming Chicago trip. Over the years, we’ve amassed quite of bit of winter wear, however, these pesky kids keep growing. Now I’m trying to figure out what I need to buy for each. Thankfully, Amazon Prime will have them here by Wednesday!

I cannot wait to go to Chicago! We used to go there several times a year when we were still living in Minneapolis. The Hubby’s grandfather used to live in Oaklawn while my Aunt and Uncle lived in Northbrook. Moreover, my bestie from high school now lives in suburban Chicago, which means I get to see her and her family this weekend. Did I mention I can’t wait?

As for the Mayor’s games today… Unfortunately, the highlight of their day was lunch at Twin Peaks which says it all. There’s no doubt my Mayor had to be tired as he had a pretty quick turn around from our Orlando trip. While we got home at 10:45 pm last night, he had to leave again for the west coast at 6:45 am. You’ll be shocked to know he fell asleep on the couch a good fifty minutes ago.

Tonight’s song performed by Dropkick Murphy’s is one of the Mayor’s favorite hockey songs. The song of the evening is “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.”

January 1, 2018January 1, 2018

Resolution Time

It’s day one of the new year and that means is resolution time. 2017, as discussed previously, wasn’t the easiest of years, but I learned a lot. We spent our New Year’s eve on a sailboat in Fort Lauderdale. It was a beautiful evening and the perfect place to ruminate on resolutions for 2018. Of course, as the year started to winding down, there was a lot of conversation about resolutions. My goals for 2018 are about making concrete gains in all aspects of my life.

First on my list is my running goals. My goal is to run 8 5ks, 1 10k and a half marathon. I know it sounds ambitious, but it isn’t too far above my achieved 2016 goal of 12 5ks. In addition, I’d like to get my 5k time back down under 30 and eventually under 28 minutes. While I cannot run at present, I’m still working towards my goal be it spin class, circuit burn, yoga or assisted stretch. Hopefully, my tendons will heal quickly allowing me to get back to running soon.

Second on my list, in line with goal one, is to make at least 2 of the 5:30 am weight/circuit classes at Burn. One of the things I’ve done well this fall/winter was making strength training a priority. In 2018, I’m looking to build on this foundation and continue with the weights. Fortunately, the strength training will also help me achieve my running goals.

My third goal is to become more involved with the causes I support be it PanCan’s local chapter, ARC Broward or Feeding South Florida. I love volunteering and I love sharing the experience with my family, friends and colleagues. There’s something about volunteerism that feeds the soul.

Lastly, my goal is to live a wanderlust life and share my love of travel with the kids. Aside from Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and the Bahamas, who knows where 2018 will take us. I can tell you that my boys are begging to go back to Norway, but that’s likely not on the docket for 2018. In any event, the goal is to put more emphasis on shared experiences and travel than material goods.

I started my new year running errands with Goalielocks and the Mayor. Amazingly, I have not been able to find flip flops for the Hubby despite looking at several local stores. Apparently, everyone bought flip flops as presents for all of the males in their lives. While I perused the racks at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Goalielocks and the Mayor engaged in a game of golf on the putting green. Fortunately, they didn’t break anything and they didn’t get in a huge fight.

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I hope you and your family had a happy and prosperous 2017 with an even better 2018 in store. In the interim, I’ll being doing my best to keep my resolutions. Over under on me actually making a 5:30 am class is 10,000,000:1, but hey one can have goals. While it’s not one of my resolutions, I’ll do my best not to morph into psycho hockey mom territory (aka Megaphone Mom,) but I can’t make any promises.

Tonight’s song performed by Regina Spektor is “My Dear Acquaintance (Happy New Year.”)

December 31, 2017January 1, 2018

Finally

Tonight we’ll finally put to rest the year that was 2017. In many respects, 2017 was a brilliantly evolutionary year. While in others it was a devastating year that often brought us to our knees.

2017 started off with the loss of a beloved employee, followed by the loss of a beloved employee’s son. In March, we lost a dear friend, who was family to us. Unequivocally, the loss of our beloved friends and co-workers was tough to stomach. Death is never easy, but losing people young is particularly cruel.

In loss, there was a beauty. We carry forward the many memories and lessons that those beautiful souls imprinted on our hearts. I look forward to running again, so I can see the yellow butterfly that greets me as I make it to Debbie’s neighborhood. This is just before I hit the mile mark. Consequently, I’m struggling find my legs, my will and my strength. Miraculously, the butterfly greets me and encourages me on every run.

To say I learned a lot from Debbie would be an understatement. One lesson I’ll always carry with me is to live fully. In fact, she was a huge inspiration in us going to Norway. It was an expensive trip, but it was worth every penny and more. There is no greater gift we can give our loved ones than the gift of time and experiences together. To this day, if you ask my boys, they’d move to Norway in a heartbeat.

2017 was very much a transition year for our family with Jake graduating high school and the Mayor transitioning to Middle School. We also sent Jake to Italy with school while the Mayor went to DC with safety patrol. There were a lot of big life changes for us last spring. Albeit the boys handled these transitions beautifully. Mamma bear may have struggled a bit, but that’s life and completely normal.

Now as we wind down the clock on 2017, Jake has a semester of college under his belt. The Mayor has acclimated beautifully to Middle school while Goalielocks is slaying his last year of Middle School. 2017 was a year of transitions, loss, beauty, experience and love.

As I look back on 2017, I remember the moments spent with those I love. The marquis moments of my kids’ lives and our incredible time in Norway. Lastly, we will always carry the the beautiful people we lost in 2017 in our hearts and minds.

To celebrate the New Year, we’re headed back down to Lauderdale to hang out at the marina. My younger two boys will spend their evening fishing with friends as we relax on the boat with our friends. It’s a boy mom life for me and one I wouldn’t change for the world.

Tonight’s song performed by the Beatles is “In My Life.”

December 20, 2017December 20, 2017

Norway is Calling

Norway is calling (so is my bed p.s.) me back. There’s no way around it and the kids feel the same way. As a family, we cannot wait to go back and explore it some more. For my kids, the city of Bergen was particularly memorable. They’ve even started planning how they can study their in college or move their as adults. I’d say the city left quite the impression on them.

The Mayor overlooking Bergen

The most beautiful part of Norway, and there were so many, for me was being able to spend time with my family. There were no distractions of work, school or hockey. It was just us enjoying our time together as we discovered our Scandinavian roots. In addition, it was even more special because my entire family was there together.

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As we approach the holidays and I put out the Christmas decorations I bought in Norway, I long to go back. One of my goals is to spend Christmas in Norway to enjoy the Scandinavian customs and celebrations. It would be nice to enjoy a white, snowy Christmas versus our tropical Christmas. Additionally, I’d like to explore the Christmas markets in Germany some time.

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Oh the serenity of my house was broken as the boys returned from hockey practice. Goalielocks some how managed to knock a grocery bag with my brie baker off the table. Consequently, my nice pampered chef brie pan has seen its last day. Ugh… This is why I can’t have nice things.

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I leave you tonight with some of my favorite pictures from 2017. There were many memorable moments this year, so picking my favorites was quite difficult. Nonetheless, I think you’ll find a theme in my pictures. Hint, hint my favorite moments are all about my family and friends that have become family.

Tonight’s song performed by Offspring is “The Kids Aren’t Alright.” I know, I know it is a departure from the Christmas music. However, I was jamming out on my way to Barre tonight to this song, so I thought I’d share it. Plus, it seems to fit with the brie, football/invisible hand calamity.

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017

Riches of Inheritance

Oh the riches of inheritance! I know that many people get caught up in will, estates and tax planning, but the real gems of inheritance aren’t always subject to estate taxes. As a matter of fact, one of our most prized inherited items is in the featured photo. My hubby received my mother-in-law’s Suomi hockey jersey bearing the number 24 and her maiden name Ketola shortly after her passing. I’ve had the honor of wearing it to games and during parent kid games. It gives me great pride and a feeling of connection when any of us wear it.

As a child, my favorite Christmas memories were making cookies with my mom, brothers and grandma. My mom always made molasses cookies with us, which is a recipe passed down from her dad’s family. Now that I have kids of my own, we make these treasured molasses Christmas every year. Truthfully, I think the kids prefer to bake them with Grandma Dawn, but I’ll gladly take second place to my mom.

Sometimes it’s not a treasured item or recipe that we inherit, sometime’s it’s pride in one’s heritage. Both of my grandfather’s families immigrated to the United States from Norway. Additionally, My grandfathers were very proud of their Norwegian heritage. This pride is definitely my brothers and I inherited from my mom, my dad and my grandparents. Consequently, our trip as a family to Norway where we saw our family farms and land was of monumental importance to all of us. It was a true connection to our heritage, our ancestors and to each other as a family.

My mother-in-law was 100% Finnish whose parents immigrated to the US from Finland. She was, as evidenced by the Suomi jersey, extremely proud of her Finnish heritage. My boys are very proud of their Finnish and Norwegian heritage. We’ve already been to Norway to see my family’s origin. Our plan is to explore Finland to see where my MIL’s family came from. Incidentally, if my kid’s spend a year studying abroad in Norway or Finland, I wouldn’t be surprised.

We’ve been given a lot of inherited gifts. It might be tokens and reminders of those who’ve passed, pride in our heritage, character traits, or even family recipes. Lastly, inheritance isn’t all about money, but rather the intangible gifts passed down from generation to generation.

Tonight’s song is Celine Dion’s amazing rendition of “O Holy Night.”

December 6, 2017December 6, 2017

Saintly Advice

Tonight’s blog is full of saintly advice meant to lift the spirit and encourage the reader. Undoubtedly, it has been a long, arduous week (although the sinus infection has abated) and it’s only Wednesday. I’ve written before about getting caught up in life and forgetting to feed our souls. For me, my yoga practice has been key in re-centering my mindset and my focus. Here are some wise words to inspire your practice or your day.

“Fortitude is the disposition of soul which enables us to despise all inconveniences and the loss of things not in our power.” –St. Augustine

“Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds.” –St. Teresa of Avila

“A scrap of knowledge about sublime things is worth more than any amount about trivialities.” –St. Thomas Aquinas

“Joy is a net of love by which we catch souls.”  -Mother Teresa

“It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” -Saint Augustine

I love these quotes that focus on perseverance, humility, joy, love and knowledge. Mother Teresa’s quote is fantastic and easily incorporated into every day life. Make it a point to make someone smile. It could be through a compliment, a simple smile or a good deed. I guarantee you making someone’s day brighter will fill you with joy.

Beautiful foxglove in Romskog, Norway

Beautiful foxglove

I’ve peppered tonight’s blog with pictures of saintly places both natural and man-made from our Norway trip last summer. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed experiencing the places.

Tonight’s song is “Halleluja” performed by Pentatonix.

December 4, 2017December 19, 2019

Hockey Mom Holiday Goals

I’ve been thinking about the holidays for a couple of weeks now and thought it might be time to make a list of my hockey mom holiday goals. Hockey moms, given our crazy schedule, take a little bit of a different approach to the holidays. As much as I’d love to go crazy decorating the house, I have neither the time nor the money. After all, Goalielocks already needs a new set of leg pads.

Here’s my list:

Put the Christmas tree up before Christmas and take it down before Valentine’s Day. So we’ll definitely get the tree up by Christmas, but Valentine’s Day feels a bit aspirational given our January/February schedule. The oddsmakers have the odds at 25:1 for tree removal before Valentine’s Day. Coincidentally, the Mayor will be taking bets….
Try not to gain the holiday 10 on top of the hockey 5. This one will be tough with holiday parties, hockey games, cookies and drinks galore. But, hey at least I have goals.
I will try to bake Christmas cookies before Christmas and hide them so we have cookies through Christmas. At least, I’ll have some awesome cookies from BG to tide me over until I can bake mine!
Spend less money on things and more on experiences. There isn’t a gift in the world that can compare to the fun we had as a family in Norway. Truly our Norway trip was the best gift we ever gave ourselves and our kids. I’d go back any day to see that beautiful place and the beautiful patina on its statues and metal work. Of course for the cost of Goalielocks’ leg pads, I could buy a ticket to Oslo… (I’m only kidding Goalielocks.)
My goal is to stay in the gym, on the running path and on my mat throughout the holidays, so I can stay sane. Yes dear hubby, this one’s for you. This should also help with goal number 2.
This year my goal is to create a Christmas card on Shutterfly and order it in time for Christmas. However, there is a slight chance here that your Christmas card may be delivered with your Valentine’s day card.
My last goal for this holiday season is to enjoy the time I have with my family and friends. These are the people that make my world go round and I couldn’t imagine life without them.