So this weekend was met with much excitement. We were headed to the cottage to pull the boat out of the water for the final time this season. Truth be told, any excuse to go north is a good one. We love it up there. So the count down was on. Friday was here and I was watching the clock. This is something that I rarely do. Time always seems to drag on when you watch it. But I couldn't help myself. I was excited to go. Almost like a little kid. I couldn't wait to see the leaves and go for a walk in woods. Swish, swish would be the noise I made as I kicked the fallen leaves. And the smells. The smells of autumn transport me to my happy place each and every time.
It's 1:00 p.m. I get a text. I know this because my pocket vibrates. I can't check it though. We have a strict rule at school that the students may not use their electronics and the same holds true for us, the staff. I use my phone as a timepiece. I don't wear a watch. As I am punching out of work, I check the texts that I have received. The first one reads, "I've sprained my ankle." The next one says," going to the doc at 2:00." And then no more. I make a phone call and find out that indeed there has been a bad sprain. And even worse. A bone chip floating around in the ankle that will require surgery. Really? My first thoughts are for the comfort of my husband. How do you feel? Should we stay home this weekend?
He wants to proceed with the weekend plans. So up north we go. I drive, of course. He's on crutches. Not much that he can do. So we call upon the huge heart of one of our neighbors. A call is made and we feel relieved. He will help us with the boat. He will drive it to the landing and help us trailer it. What a guy. He helped us. We joked. We did a little story swapping. Lots of talk about fishing. Then there were the handshakes and hugs goodbye. The reassurances that if we ever needed anything else...
I'm telling you, this is the stuff of life. I certainly wish that Scott had not been hurt. I would take that away if I could. But if there had to be a silver lining to the story it is this. When you need a friend and they are there for you, your heart is full. Your life is blessed. And times like these make you want to pass it on. And you know what? You will.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
I'm A Cheater
No, not on my taxes. No silly. Definitely not on my husband. Are you kidding me? I love that guy! I'm a cheater in other ways. So have you heard of the trinity of cooking? Yep. It's the combo of carrots, celery and onions. Chop these veggies up and away you go. Make a slab of meat a delectable roast with the trinity. Turn a simple broth into a soup to die for with the almighty three.
So what's so exciting about carrots, celery and onions you may wonder? Well, sit down. I'm always one to share with the masses when I have a life changing moment. These veggies actually come in the deli section, together and all chopped up. Shut the front door! Do you know what a change this has made in my life? It sounds so simple. Chopping up vegetables? Not difficult, right? Wrong. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed these days. I do know that I am not the first woman to return to work full time after staying at home to raise my child. The raising of Gracie is still happening. That will not stop. My house still needs to be maintained, and all the other stuff that goes along with being a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend, they are all still a priority. I love all of these parts of my life. And I love my new job. I really couldn't be happier. This job found me and I truly thank God for this every day.
So back to the chopped trinity. It's the little things in life that can complicate every day happenings. It's also the little things that can make the biggest difference. So now that I can take the fifteen minutes that I used to spend chopping veggies I use them to play cards with my girl. Or I may spend the time walking my dogs. Or having a relaxing cup of coffee with my man. This little cheat is making a huge impact on my life and leaving time open for important times that simply make life worth living. Before I sign off I must give credit where credit is due. This finding of the trinity was made by my sister, Amy Ruth. And yes, she is sitting here right now. And yes, she did mention that it would only be right for me to give thanks to the one who actually made the discovery. Thanks, Amy. You're the best!
So what's so exciting about carrots, celery and onions you may wonder? Well, sit down. I'm always one to share with the masses when I have a life changing moment. These veggies actually come in the deli section, together and all chopped up. Shut the front door! Do you know what a change this has made in my life? It sounds so simple. Chopping up vegetables? Not difficult, right? Wrong. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed these days. I do know that I am not the first woman to return to work full time after staying at home to raise my child. The raising of Gracie is still happening. That will not stop. My house still needs to be maintained, and all the other stuff that goes along with being a wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend, they are all still a priority. I love all of these parts of my life. And I love my new job. I really couldn't be happier. This job found me and I truly thank God for this every day.
So back to the chopped trinity. It's the little things in life that can complicate every day happenings. It's also the little things that can make the biggest difference. So now that I can take the fifteen minutes that I used to spend chopping veggies I use them to play cards with my girl. Or I may spend the time walking my dogs. Or having a relaxing cup of coffee with my man. This little cheat is making a huge impact on my life and leaving time open for important times that simply make life worth living. Before I sign off I must give credit where credit is due. This finding of the trinity was made by my sister, Amy Ruth. And yes, she is sitting here right now. And yes, she did mention that it would only be right for me to give thanks to the one who actually made the discovery. Thanks, Amy. You're the best!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Trifecta Weekend
So if you know me you know that I don't get too excited about what I wear. I like to look nice and certainly appreciate being comfortable. You know that I wear dark colors to hide spills. We've been through all of this before. But this past weekend, I had to wear many colors. Blue for the Brewers, red for the Badgers and green for the Packers.
What a weekend it was! Wins all around. The trifecta of sporting events for Wisconsinites. I love this stuff. Good food. We grilled steaks last night. I whipped up some homemade salad dressing. A great meal was thoroughly enjoyed. Today, little smokies in barbecue sauce, pickles, olives---yum. The best part of today was that we had family visiting and we enjoyed watching the Brew Crew and the Pack with them.
There were a couple of other trifectas in my weekend. In one evening I got a haircut, did the laundry and cleaned the bathrooms. You laugh. Don't worry. I'm laughing, too. These days life is super busy and I do find satisfaction from little things that really are big things if they get out of control. The Saturday trifecta was that I grocery shopped, paid bills and took a long walk. Why am I speaking in threes? Well, I've decided to reinvent the "bad things happen in threes" saying. I want good things to happen in threes from now on.
Really. Why is it so easy to focus on the negative things? Impending doom is all the rage. I don't want to be part of that. I want to find success in little things. I'm ok with filling my half full cup drop by drop. It takes less energy to be positive than it does to be negative. The rewards are so much better, too.
Maybe bad things do happen in threes. The one thing I do know is that good things, even great things are just as likely to happen in triplicate. And here's my proof. I just emptied the dishwasher, tucked my beautiful girl into bed and am posting this blog. I'm celebrating right now.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
What a weekend it was! Wins all around. The trifecta of sporting events for Wisconsinites. I love this stuff. Good food. We grilled steaks last night. I whipped up some homemade salad dressing. A great meal was thoroughly enjoyed. Today, little smokies in barbecue sauce, pickles, olives---yum. The best part of today was that we had family visiting and we enjoyed watching the Brew Crew and the Pack with them.
There were a couple of other trifectas in my weekend. In one evening I got a haircut, did the laundry and cleaned the bathrooms. You laugh. Don't worry. I'm laughing, too. These days life is super busy and I do find satisfaction from little things that really are big things if they get out of control. The Saturday trifecta was that I grocery shopped, paid bills and took a long walk. Why am I speaking in threes? Well, I've decided to reinvent the "bad things happen in threes" saying. I want good things to happen in threes from now on.
Really. Why is it so easy to focus on the negative things? Impending doom is all the rage. I don't want to be part of that. I want to find success in little things. I'm ok with filling my half full cup drop by drop. It takes less energy to be positive than it does to be negative. The rewards are so much better, too.
Maybe bad things do happen in threes. The one thing I do know is that good things, even great things are just as likely to happen in triplicate. And here's my proof. I just emptied the dishwasher, tucked my beautiful girl into bed and am posting this blog. I'm celebrating right now.
©2011 Ann M. De Broux
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