It was a foggy Friday as I drove to work this morning. It was nothing short of miraculous that I saw no accidents during my drive. Fortunately, by the time I made it to Boca the sun had burnt off most of the fog. The remainder of my drive was fog free and relatively painless.
Fog forms when there is less than 4 degrees Fahrenheit between the dew point and air temperature. Given that the temperature was 68 when I left my house this morning, I’d say it was a fairly humid morning. According this is due to an injection of humidity comes courtesy of winds coming off the Gulf.
Admittedly, I’m not a super fan of humidity, but it does keep your skin moist. I used to hate how dry and cracked my hands and feet would get during the Minnesota winter. Here in Florida that’s just not a problem we have!
It’s the winter solstice today, well at least it was at 11:28 am this morning. The shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere is also the harbinger of longer days to come. Unequivocally, I hated the short days of a Minnesota winter. There’s nothing more depressing than a sunset at 4:30 pm.
Here in Florida, the sunset was around 5:30 pm tonight and was gorgeous. If it weren’t for the horribly short days, you would hardly know it is winter here. Piggie and I were out on our run enjoying the beautiful weather. As we pushed to mile 3, Piggie recoiled with fright into my left knee. My left leg is a veritable disaster with hip flexors and a IT band so tight if it snapped, it would poke your eye out. What was the monster that frightened her so? Perhaps another animal or a loud car? Oh no, my Piggie was afraid of the orange cone. If I wasn’t so out of breath, I would have ended up on the ground in a laughing fit.
As you’ve probably gathered from reading my recent blog posts, things have been a bit stressful in our household. It’s not always amazing to own your own business, but that’s the price you pay for autonomy. In addition, we had a health scare with one of our boys, so we ended up at a specialists office this afternoon. Fortunately, his bladder and kidney looked good on the ultrasounds. This gave him quick relief as he was worried they’d find something in his organs.
Nevertheless, he will have to undergo an outpatient surgery in early 2018. This should be quite simple and result in minimal downtime. However, if anything is discovered during the procedure it could result in a more protracted and complicated recovery. Here’s hoping for an uneventful procedure and a miraculous (quick and uncomplicated) recovery.
Speaking of miracles, I’ll need to start and finish my Christmas shopping (food included) in the span of 72 hours. Unfortunately, this means online shopping isn’t going to work. Well, unless I want to spend $250 for Saturday shipping, which I don’t as that’s ridiculous. Wish me luck as I hit the stores with the snow birds and all the glorious people South Florida has to offer.
Tonight’s song, performed by one of our hockey sister’s Julia and her classmate, is “The Prayer.”
I’m sure we can all relate to the pressures of holiday stress. At this time in the year, the stress level is maxed out as we hurriedly try to finish our holiday preparations. When you’re a small business owner, you can amp that stress level up 100X as you wait for contractors to act on invoices sent over a month ago. While they’re are definitely benefits to owning your own business, the added stress is not one of them.
I’ve written about missing home before, but some times in the course of doing business I really, truly miss the Northland. It would be unthinkable up north for a reputable contractor to sit on invoices for over a month. Whereas, here in S. Florida it is completely normal for a contractor to pay invoices on island time. Admittedly, I’m new to this business and my hubby assures me this is normal, but I want to fucking throat punch this guy right now.
Anyway, rant over because that’s not what this post is about. Believe it or not this post is about ways you can reduce your holiday stress. Here are some of my favorite coping mechanisms:
Run – Runner’s high is real and it is amazing. The world is a better place after a good long run.
Meet me at the mat! There’s nothing like a good Vinyasa class to remove your from life’s craziness and put you in the moment.
Come fly with me…. If you’re not inclined to hop on a mat and namaste, then come fly with me at Aerial yoga.
Bake some holiday treats with your loved ones or friends. If your family is anything like my boys, make sure they don’t steal any cookies from the cookie sheet.
Spend time with good friends
Enjoy a nice drink (i.e. Ciroc and vodka.) See 5.
Pay it forward. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping those that are less fortunate.
Hang out with your four legged friends. I love chilling with my puppies!
Spend time doing the things you love with the people you love. There’s nothing I love more than watching my boys (even the big one) play hockey. I was in hog heaven last night as three of the four took to the ice.
Monday Night Mayhem
Drink more Dunkin’! Just think soon it won’t just be coffee I’m talking about it will be beer too!
I hope my list of tricks and tools to alleviate the holiday stress was helpful to you. Obviously, if you’re not in to running or yoga, you suck.. I’m only kidding. In all seriousness, if they’re not your poison, make time for your favorite workout. It will do you a world of good!
As crazy as our Saturday was, Sunday was divinely low key and full of blissful moments. I spent the better part of my morning cuddling on the couch with my Mayor, which is hands down one of my favorite things. My hubby, who had run out to Home Depot was kind enough to return home with my coffee. Yay!
I worked on the living room getting it ready for the Christmas tree. I’m happy to report that we’ll hit our goal of getting our Christmas tree up before Christmas. It’s the small victories in life. Now that it’s up, we’ll have to actually decorate it before the holiday. Meanwhile, Goalielocks and the Mayor cleaned their animals cages and did their chores. Additionally, I finally got the photos of Maya and Athena from Petco!
Sadly, we missed the Jingle Bell Jog in Delray this year. Our hockey schedule made it impossible for us to make the race. This race is one of my favorite 5ks in South Florida. Its fun to see all of the runners dressed as Santa Claus. Morever, the course is a beautiful run up A1A along the ocean. The view is absolutely incredible. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the mimosas and beer available post-race as it is a definite plus. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until next year’s event.
Since we didn’t make it to the Jingle Bell jog, Goalielocks and I took the girls for a nice run this afternoon. We logged 2.5 miles today and it was a good run. As a fyi, I classify it as a good run when I don’t want to puke the entire run. Nonetheless, nothing beats the bliss of the post run high or running with my boys. I love that its another activity we can share together. Much like hockey, they’re much better runners than me, but that’s okay. Its just another way in which they amaze me.
I’m thankful that I went in for the assisted stretch appointment yesterday. My legs, including my left hip, were much looser than they were Saturday. Additionally, my legs felt great on the run. Where I was experiencing muscle pain or muscle cramps in my legs, I experienced none of that today. After our run, I helped Goalielocks stretch his legs and then stretch mine. I’ll be ready to run again tomorrow!
Tonight I’m going to back up some of our mint cookies for Christmas. After making the dough for the second time, I’m hoping to actually have some cookies to show for the dough I made. If I delay baking these cookies, odds are they’ll never be made. I’ll post some pictures for tomorrow’s blog if my boys don’t eat them!
Enjoy tonight’s song performed by Pentatonix is “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” I love this song!
Today was our annual Breakfast with Santa at work. I know what you may be thinking. We’re far too old to be eating with Santa, but you’d be wrong! Importantly, our annual breakfast is the culmination of our Angel Tree drive. In fact, this year we adopted 363 angels for Christmas!
Our Angels come courtesy of ARC Broward, which is an incredible organization that provides people with disabilities and other life challenges the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Raising children in modern times is incredibly expensive. Unfortunately, for parents of special needs children, the costs can be exponentially higher, which is where we come in.
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This event started over seven years ago when my CRO and his wife adopted their daughter’s classroom having seen the need first hand. Thankfully, my CRO shared this opportunity with our military team and we took up the challenge. Excitedly, this is my second year leading the event with my partner in crime MK. By comparison to years past, our team is bigger, more diverse and incredible this year. We made a concerted effort to expand the team outside of our unit, so it would encompass representation from units across the company.
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First, we started off our morning staging the gifts downstairs. As a result, our employees could get their pictures taken in front of the gifts with Santa. The sight was beyond impressive with gifts for over 300 people including 20 bikes staged in reception! What struck me as I looked at the gifts, was the amazing generosity of my colleagues. In that moment, I felt truly blessed and proud. Blessed and proud to be a part of an organization where community involvement and philanthropy are prized and encouraged.
Importantly, current employee engagement theory has shown that engaged employees happier and more productive. Since I had the pleasure of taking the pictures with Santa, I got to witness our employees reaction to the event first hand. Without fail, our collective generosity blew away my colleagues. Time and after time, people made comments about how awesome it is to work with such great people and at a great place. Undoubtedly, for me, witnessing both their pride and their joy was a profoundly rewarding experience. As a result, I have no doubt that today’s event was an employee engagement win!
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Afterwards, I headed back up to meetings. Meanwhile, the team loaded the gifts up for delivery. I simply cannot wait to go hand out the gifts later this week. Last year, it was such an amazing, life affirming experience. Unquestionably, the joy on the children’s face coupled with the gratitude of the teachers and parents is indescribable. Meanwhile I’m filled with the joy and gratitude for today’s experience.
Tonight’s song performed by music legends David Bowie and Bing Crosby is “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth.”
This morning’s cooler than normal temps, led to a sartorial emergency as I struggled to find my black leggings. After all, how could I rock a great flannel shirt dress without leggings in these temps? Admittedly, getting out of bed this morning was tough since it was so cold. For a moment, it brought me back to when we lived in Minny and would have to get out of bed in the sub zero weather. I can’t tell you how happy I am to not have to deal with those temperatures on the regular anymore.
Fortunately, after a hurried and hurricane like search, I found my coveted black leggings. As a Minnesotan, even though I’ve been in Florida 12 years now, I can’t bring myself to wear a jacket when temps are in the 50s. Years ago, although not too many, when I was a kid we’d wear shorts as soon as the temperature hit the 40s and 50s again. Truly, there would be no jacket in sight (sorry mom.) Now, it’s bitter cold. Honestly, a jacket would have wrecked the elegance of the outfit anyway.
In a twist of irony, now that the mercury has dropped into the 50s, the stores here have turned on the heat. Consequently, you no longer need a sweater or jacket to shop at Target. Rather, you’re better off shopping in a tank top and shorts. It was downright balmy in Target tonight. Unfortunately, the forced air heat does nothing for the skin, but I can’t complain too much since we only have like 5 cold days every year.
Tomorrow we will be back in the low 70s (at least for the day), so dressing won’t be so complicated. It’s always a sartorial emergency finding an outfit right for both the indoor and outdoor climates. Excitingly, we’re having our Breakfast with Santa tomorrow where we thank all of our colleagues that participated in our annual Angel Tree Toy drive. This event is by far one of my favorite events of the year. Unquestionably, every year I am blown away by the generosity of my co-workers. They’re truly amazing people. Lastly, I had hope to share the pictures of Santa with you, but for some reason PetCo doesn’t like my email address. Hopefully, I can get them before the end of the week!
Tonight’s song is “Happy Xmas (War if Over)” performed by John Lennon.
When I think of varnish, I think of the stains and varnishes that litter my garage. Fortunately, most are currently closed so the overwhelming odor of varnish isn’t present. When my Hubby is working the garage with varnish or even outside, the scent is omnipresent and overwhelming. A good varnish brings out the grains and uniqueness of each piece of wood without covering it up. The Hubby does an exquisite job picking the right varnish for each project he does. Consequently, the finished product is amazing.
Like a fine piece of wood, the more varnish we put on, the more our true nature is highlighted. I love this quote from Charles Dickens’ Great Expectation, “”No varnish can hide the grain of the wood; and that the more varnish you put on, the more the grain will express itself.” Meaning the you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. In the end, one cannot hide their true nature indefinitely. In the end, one’s true nature always reveals itself.
Usually one’s true nature reveals itself when someone’s back is against the wall. Conversely, other’s are full monty out in the open with their true nature. Ebenezer Scrooge, from Dickens’ great novel A Christmas Carol, was unapologetically mean, inconsiderate, and a scrooge. He pulled no punches and operated without pretense. Of course, in the end Ebenezer Scrooge found his heart and a moral compass, but that’s not always how these things work out. The question is, what would more varnish reveal about you?
As we edge closer to Christmas, I look forward to watching some of my favorite Christmas movies and specials. Who doesn’t love watching Rudolph and Frosty this time of year? Of course, there are several great move versions of A Christmas Carol. One of my favorite versions is A Muppet Christmas Carol. Whether or not you have kids, this move is enjoyable and well done. Plus, the Dickens’ quote provided the perfect opportunity to plug a Muppet’s movie that I’ve loved since childhood. What could be better?
Lastly, I wrote briefly about a mother’s worst nightmare last night. Tonight this family is in need of our support during an imaginably difficult time. If you are able to, please consider helping this family. Here is the link: Youcaring
Tonight’s song is “Christmas Eve/Sarejevo” performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
This year we will celebrate our 13th Christmas in Florida after relocating to the area in 2005. It seems like just yesterday that we moved South with Jake going into 1st grade and Goalielocks as a toe-headed toddler. The Mayor was but a twinkle in our eye when we moved South.
Our first couple of Christmas’ we headed back North to Minny to celebrate with the family. This only lasted a couple of years because the holiday dinner circuit was exhausting. It was tough only being in Minny for a couple of weeks because it never felt like we got enough time with everyone. Inevitable, someone always ended up mad because we hadn’t spent enough time at their house or with their family. It got old quick.
While we were stressed, the boys loved the snow and being home with family for Christmas. At least until Christmas of 2007. We headed northwards for 2.5 weeks. The weather when we landed was perfect, but that quickly changed. In a mere 72 hours, the balmy mid-20 degree weather was gone and the temperature was well below zero. Damn Alberta clipper! For the remainder of our time in Minny, we were homeward bound. It was far too cold to take our boys out in the subzero weather. Consequently, as we prepared to head back to Florida, I informed my parents that we wouldn’t be heading north for Christmas anymore.
Since 2007, we’ve spent Christmas here in Florida. It’s significantly less stressful for us and more enjoyable. In 2009, we started sending the boys to Minny for the summer, so they got ample time to spend with our entire family. We miss seeing our family and the beautiful snow, but the novelty wears off far too quick now. Plus, we’ve headed Northward for the last 5 years for out of state hockey tournaments. We’ve had no shortage of winter weather.
Several years ago, we started a tradition of a Christmas brunch with my bro, his wife and friends. I bake my caramel rolls, while the Hubby makes an amazing cholesterol bake. Mimosas and presents about and everyone is happy. In addition, we grew our tradition to include paintball. Its amazing how much better you feel about all the caramels roll you eat after playing paintball for hours in the heat. We conclude our Christmas with Chinese food. Its not the most traditional Christmas, but it’s our Christmas.
There are a couple of places I would love to celebrate Christmas.. My list of places includes: Norway, Germany (Christmas markets), France with my French family, Hawaii, Iceland and maybe even another Christmas in Minny. If you could celebrate Christmas anywhere, where would it be?
Tonight’s song is “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen” as performed by The Pentatonix.
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.
Tonight’s song in keeping with the holiday theme is “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey.
Unlike many Americans, we spent our Black Friday morning at the hockey rink at not the mall. Quite frankly, I can’t stand the malls down here in season let alone on Black Friday. Unquestionably, the normal rudeness and ineptitude ramps up a couple of notches when season kicks in. If there is anywhere someone would get shot over a cheap TV, it would be here. Needless to say, I’ll be avoiding Best Buy and the mall for the next month.
I think that’s probably why Cyber Monday is more my thing. No crazy people or horrible drivers to contend with as I surf the web, what could be better? Nonetheless, the younger two and I did venture out to Dick’s and PetSmart. Neither store was incredibly packed and both were well staff to handle all the shoppers. My boys left the stores empty handed much to their chagrin. To stores was all I could handle, however, so it’s back to shopping online.
We started out morning at the rink. If you ask me, a 9:45 am game is way too early for bantams. I thought the scheduling Gods would be smiling on us by bantam and we’d get later games. Honestly, I prefer the later games as I am not a morning person. This morning, Goalielocks was excited and relieved to have been dropped off at the right rink at the right time.
Their first game was against the Florida Bulldogs, who Goalielocks played for 2 seasons ago. Our squad went up handily in the first period notching 3 goals and only allowing one sort of shot on their net. The rest of the game was much more even although we continued to out shoot them 2-1. Moreover, our goalie came up with some clutch saves down the stretch. As the final buzzer rang, the boys rushed the Goalie to celebrate their 4-1 victory. We’ll be heading back to the rink shortly for their second game of the day against the Everblades, which should be a much tighter contest.
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After eating my weight in Thanksgiving goodies yesterday, I was committed to getting in a run. Consequently, the Piggie and I headed out for a 3.25 mile run around the neighborhood. As with my last run, it was a bit laborious and a tough go of it. Certainly, today’s run wasn’t fast! Hopefully, these runs will start to get a little bit easier and a little faster.
Today’s song is “Walk on Water” by Thirty Seconds to Mars. I love this song! Who remembers Jared Leto from MY So Called Life? Leto still acts, but has also found success with his band Thirty Second to Mars.
