New Found Appreciation

So I have been kind of depressed about the whole winter thing for about a month now, but last weekend I decided that I am going to go out and embrace the chilly season. My family decided to celebrate an old fashioned Christmas together. We all met at our family cabin in the woods. The first thing we did was go out and cut down a little Charlie Brown tree. We made a stand and decorated the little tree with our old ornaments. We listened to our favorite christmas music and had so much fun spending time with one another. We stayed at the cabin for three days and during that time we all really enjoyed ourselves and the slow pace. We spent time snowmobiling, snowshoeing, sliding, ice fishing, taking saunas, drinking, making igloos, snowboarding, sitting around the fire, playing games and much more. So no more complaining about winter, I am going to go out and take advantage of all the fun things that winter has to offer. What's the use wishing and hoping for spring to arrive? I might as well enjoy all that Minnesota has to offer right now.

Taking it Slow

We are all moved in and life for the most part is getting back to normal, although, life seems to be buzzing by at lightening speed. Each day goes by faster than the next. I remember being a kid in school, sitting there staring at the clock wishing and hoping that the day would go faster and thinking that the minute hand never moved quite fast enough. Now it seems like each day has turned into more and more of a blur. So, my goal for the rest of the year, is to try to slow down and take it all in. I feel like during this time of year, we all get way too busy to really appreciate the small things in life. So sit back and take the time to soak it all in, because today is the only today you have so make it the best today possible.

Making Memories

I was thinking today about an interview I watched with Jay Leno a few months ago and forgive me, but I don’t remember who the guest was, but her stories were hilarious. She was talking about her dad and how he was a very eccentric and crazy father who would constantly embarrass her and her sister, and when he would do this, he would just shrug and say, “making memories,” and then laugh. For some reason this interview came to mind this evening and I started to think a bit about my own childhood and the embarrassing situations that came about. For instance, take the winter of ’88. That fall my grandmother handed down her barely used winter boots to me, which I took because I felt bad saying no. Well anyway, they were horrible. Big and brown with a weird wedge rubber heal. Actually they would totally be in style now, but anyway, my mom decided that I didn’t need new boots that winter because I had a perfectly good pair from Grandma Pat. I was so upset. I remember crying every time she made we wear those ugly boots to school. I would sneak a different pair of shoes into my backpack and switch on the bus or if I got dropped off I would run as fast as I could into the school, hide behind the drinking fountain, throw them in my bag and change so no one would see them. Now, when I think back to that winter in the fifth grade, I laugh and think to myself “making memories.” So you parents, take my advice when you are embarrassing or making your kid do something they really don’t want to do, just tell them “making memories, sweetie, making memories,” and I am sure that will make it all better ; )

Fall

So time is up, and in about ten seconds.....fall will be gone, over, finished. It makes me so sad. I wait eagerly in anticipation every year for the start of fall. Don't get me wrong, I love the summer, but I know that with the end of summer comes something so special. The beautiful changing leaves, the smells all around us and cozy sweatshirts, are just a few things I look forward to every year. Right now, as I think about this change, it makes me think a bit about my own life. Change. Bittersweet, change. Just like the seasons change, so must we. Soon my family and I will start a new season together. As season full of hot chocolate with marshmallows, toasty warm fires and most of all family. So as much as I am going to miss my favorite season, I look forward in eager anticipation for what lies ahead.