February 1 - Must You Go Audiobook Review

A memoir based on Antonia Fraser's diary entries over more than 30 years, this book both charmed and bothered me. I picked it up at random from the local library, not really knowing anything about the extensive professional lives of the two protagonists. I still cannot say I know much of their combined mass of published work, but apparently she is a famous author of both historical biographies and fiction, and Harold Pinter was a playwright superstar. Beyond this, I found them both to be interesting, personable characters, and their love story is touching and bittersweet. The journey of their joined lives is worth appreciating for that value alone.

What niggled at me a bit was that they both left spouses and families to continue life together. Not due to particularly trying or unusual circumstances, just, you know, drift and new attraction. Everything inside me rails at this idea that one can just change your mind about the commitments made (she had 6 children with her first husband) and live happily every after. Even if it is true. But that's probably just my personal hangup that keeps sending me back to therapy. (rueful grin)

January 31 - Kid Events

Off to a roaring start in 2011, we've had Family Reading Night, play dates, served communion at church, school programs, and the Scout's Pinewood Derby. How any parent can work full time and supports multiple extracurricular activities is beyond me.

The Edwardsburg Primary First Graders entertained us with a musical program celebrating friendship. They did an excellent job of expressing the ups and downs that face any relationship, with the bottom line being that friends are important and worth it. Great job, Naomi!

Saturday we all gathered in the local church basement for the annual Pinewood Derby race. Skyler had worked on his car and design for several weeks, so he was all geared up for "Gentlemen, start your engines!". He won the first round with gusto, but was eliminated in the next two runs.

Is it wrong if this Mama is proud to participate, but glad we didn't have to hang around for finals and go on to the district race? Anyway, we are already researching design ideas for next year's race, with dragons and hot dog mobiles high on the potential list. Great job, boys!

January 27 - Just Don't Fall Audiobook Review

You know those compelling stories that you just can't put down, so you carry the book with you to lunch, to read at stop lights, into the bathroom? Josh Sundquist's Just Don't Fall: How I Grew Up, Conquered Illness, and Made It Down the Mountain was that kind of experience. Except I experienced it via audiobook CD, which kinda limits the portability a bit.

However, it was read by the author, with his dry wit sometimes seeming incredibly sincere, other times purely sarcastic. This definitely enhanced the journey, from his cancer diagnosis at age 9 through skiing on the 2006 US Paralympic team at age 22. His paperback title sums it up well: The Hilariously True Story of Childhood Cancer, Amputation, Truth, and Olympic Greatness.

Highly recommend! And just 'cause I think it's cool, here's a link to his YouTube rap Phantom Pain.

January 18 - Wheeee!

In the midst of frigid temperatures and record-breaking snowfall, our family relentlessly continues to check things off our Fall & Winter list. I think we're about 80% finished, with "raking leaves" being a lost cause and "poem-writing" not particularly interesting.

One of my favorite items is "snow tubing". We lucked out with a Living Social 50% off deal to Five Pines, of my middle-school youth church days. Ah, the memories of warming up in the lodge, wishing that cute boy would hold my hand...

Anyway, I brought my own cute boy this time, and our whole gang of smiley kids. We had perfect timing, with all the teeny-boppers crowded into the warm lodge, and the hill free for die-hard pre-teen boys and a few late families like ours.

Everyone trooped up the steps, whooped down the hill, and trudged back up together, while the snow continued to fall.

So fun! Next up: snow forts!

January something-or-other - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Grand retrospective postings and celebratory things to share were kind of derailed in the last couple weeks by normal busy-ness, fun time with friends, & 2 of the worst migraines ever. So here's a summary: last year was full & many great things happened that I'm thankful for (Dale & Paige, new house, nephew Jack, a household with perfect eyesight, etc) and this year is already slated to be even more awesome.

We celebrated the transition with a family dance party at Chris & Sarah's lovely (for safe if you're interested!) manse. Memorable activities included Twister (never-ending), Wii Just Dance (Dawn rules!), homemade cotton candy (sour watermelon? really?), Apples to Apples (Charles Manson is "delicate"? Really?!) and about 2 hours straight of hip-hop gyrations in the 3rd floor ball room.

Cupid Shuffle anyone?

Happy 2011 to all & may you have many fabulous fiestas!