Thanksgiving to Remember

Waking up the morning of Thanksgiving changed over the years. As a child, the anticipation of turkey with all of the fixings at my Grandparents house was overwhelming. We drove the 5 miles on the country roads to their farm often singing out of key, “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmothers house we go!” The Thanksgiving of my memory has my cousins, aunts and uncles standing in the white and red kitchen waiting for food. I don’t know how many were there but the house always felt full. Maybe that was the love I felt. I am not sure everyone always got along, it might have been good, but if not they faked it well. I am glad for that.

Now as the Grandma I understand the excitement my Grandmother must have felt when the kids were coming over. This has become my favorite holiday, mostly stress free and the food has always remained consistent, comfortable.  No matter the situation I found myself in, I was always grateful for Thanksgiving. Sometimes the times were quite dire, but the turkey and mashed potatoes never disappointed.

Today I take a few minutes early in the morning to be grateful for the memories, and the new ones we will make. We will share our Thanksgiving Day with some of grandkids, kids and Mark’s Mom. The turkey will be good, the yams superb, (because they just are) the lefse bountiful; I hope our grands will reflect on the holiday in 40 years as a good one, a safe and warm place to be, feeling the love of family.

I wish you all a Thanksgiving to remember.

The Apple of my Eye

There are a few places from my childhood that stand out as constants. My grandparents apple orchard is one of those places. Let me clarify first, it wasn’t so much an apple orchard as a row of apple trees on each side of my grandparents’ house on the prairie of South Dakota. So many of my memories take place at that farm. Each spring the trees would bear beautiful white flowers that gave promise to the crop that would come in the fall. Each tree a different type of apple, a different size and certainly a different tasting fruit. The birds and worms loved these trees as much as the grandchildren did.

My grandfather was a large man, well in the eyes of a young girl he felt massive. His voice always loud, heard from anywhere in the house. I recall my grandmother shushing him when babies were sleeping or if you was overstating his opinion, often not the opinion of others in the conversation.

Grandpa was very proud of his apple trees. He took good care of them, watering the young trees, trimming the branches of those overtaken by deadly worm invasions. The webs of these insects were unsightly and spread from tree to tree if not taken care of.

In the fall the crab apples were the first to be ready to eat, we couldn’t wait for the treat when we drove up to the house, grandpa would call to tell us they were ready.

The big green apples were perfect for grandma’s apple pie, the tart red apples went into the apple crisp. We helped her peel and cut up apples for freezing, mushing into applesauce and apple butter. By far my favorite apple treat grandma made was apple bars. They had just the right flaky crust, the perfect blend of apples, sugar and of course the drizzle of frosting on the top. I like to think they were the best, but maybe it was the loving hands that grew the trees, picked the apples and prepared the bars that made them so special. My grandparents were such an important part of who I am today.

Today I am grateful for these two rows of apple trees, the rows probably didn’t qualify as an orchard, but this little slice of apple heaven is a place that my heart and mind can safely wonder to for a respite of the crazy busy life we now lead.

Today’s adventure is to the grocery store, to pick out the perfect apple, just the right amount of crunch and juiciness. A little reminder of the simple days of my childhood.

Top Ten Weather Day

It has not been a lovely fall, typically my favorite time of the year; this year has been a cold and soggy mess. The trees even seem confused on turning colors or just dropping to the ground in defeat.

Our farming families are struggling to get the crops out of the fields, the rain taking away their livelihood late in the season.

Today however, the weather sign on the local TV station is flashing gold, we don’t see this often. It will be a top 10 weather day in Minnesota. Early in the morning, before the sun comes up over downtown Minneapolis I plot my day. Early to the office, a walk at noon, an early exit from work to get one last bicycle ride in. This means I have to log in later to finish my work. It could very well be our last opportunity to get outside before the gales of November come whipping in.

In Minnesota we don’t just talk about the weather, we plan our adventures around it. We worry about planned travel and an impending snowstorm. We relish in shorts as late into October as possible.  We willingly sit in the outdoor seating at the cafes in April to breath in the fresh brisk air of 45 degrees. Many of us complain about the inaccuracies of the weather teams, unable to really let us know how many inches of snow are headed our way. We are a fickle group, but we all know full well the importance of a top 10 weather day in mid-October. Time to get outside to enjoy it! 

Week 2 of 52 Weeks of Adventure #lefse

Thanks to an alignment problem I found my way to south Minneapolis for a chiropractic visit Monday after work. Nearby is the iconic gift and deli/meat all things Norwegian and Swedish and probably Danish store, Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace. It was as if the car knew I needed an adventure for the week. As I pulled into a parking spot I looked down the street to see the Taquaria’s and Supermercados. In this neighborhood full of ethnic diversity sits the establishment of my people. As you step into the gift shop every sense hits you, the smells of the deli, the bright red, blue and yellow colors, the feeling of warmth, or maybe that feeling comes from the big sweaters that will protect the Norske through the coming months.

I head to the deli side of the building, it’s about 15 steps; this is not a large store. I find the lefse and grab two packages. Cash and check only here folks, don’t bring your debit cards to the deli. The place is filled with men and women, clearly from the same place I come from. Some with rosemaling designs on their jean jackets. Two women playfully argue about who is going to get the last peppered salmon and who will get the plain one. The meat counter is filled with Swedish sausage, ham hocks and dried meats, steaks, pork and an assortment of fish.

A women points at the sauerkraut and makes eye contact with me, “I am going home to make sauerkraut this weekend. I am getting the cabbage from Louise; she has the best and biggest cabbage.”
I smile and ask how long it will take, she tells me 12 weeks and goes on about her love for the kraut, reminds her of her mother and grandmother making it.
“Number 42!” the deli counter person yells. That’s me, the sauerkraut lady moves on to the next person in line to tell her of her adventure to come. I pay $15.98 for my two packages of lefse and head out the door.

As I think of my year of 52 weeks of adventure I can’t help but enjoy this little stop at Ingebretsen’s Nordic Marketplace; the wooden floors, the old fashioned butcher case, counter and the feeling of being home. Sometimes an adventure into the past is just what you need to propel you forward, reminding you to step back, relax and enjoy before you move on. Take a moment, smell the sauerkraut, taste the crackers and enjoy the day.

Put it on your list of things to do, you will find it, and my people at 1601 E Lake St. Minneapolis.

By the way, the lefse is good, but not as good as my Mom’s. (That’s tough to beat)

As always, I wish you peace!

Week One of Fifty-two Weeks of Adventure

As I started this week I declared I would find some adventure or discovery, some ah-ha moment each week. This week I expected to find it in Washington DC when I was there for work, somewhere around the beauty of the National monuments or on the National Mall. I did not find it the once again closed Washington Monument, at the Lincoln Monument, or at the National Mall. Instead as I waited for my hotel room to be cleaned I wandered around the neighborhood. As I walked by a protest, and some construction I could see the park in front of the White House, and just across the street on a small corner lot sat a small very old looking Church. The sign out front announced the service that started five minutes ago. I find a seat, not hard considering there were four other people there including the pastor. I learn from the brochure this is St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, known as “The Church of the Presidents” because beginning with James Madison, every person who has held the office of President of the US has attended a service at the church.

As I listened and observed I thought of the men who have “run” our country and their thoughts as they sat in this same room. What did Abraham Lincoln think about? Did Theodore Roosevelt ponder the state of the country here? Were they here because they were told everyone else was or did George H Bush, Clinton, Reagan and the rest come here to worship? Were they humble, open minded? Did they pray for peace for this nation? Democrats and Republicans, some powerful in their position, some weak all sat in this room at one time over the years.

I am sure without a doubt that all of these men were facing trials; some of them with personal hidden demons. I couldn’t help but think of the quiet inside of this old church and the chaos that was boiling throughout the city and country. It was a respite among the storm.

This adventure reminds me of the need for civility and peace. That is my wish.

52 Adventures in 52 Weeks

I am ready for my journey to the end of my 50’s. I am not afraid of 60, but I am going to relish the last of my 50’s for the next fifty-two weeks. I have many goals and dreams, I am excited about the year AND the decade to come. During this year I plan to live with intention, while planning ahead, I want to take advantage of every moment to discover new things, try new things and live life full speed ahead.

My goal over the next fifty-two weeks is to find fun, joy and adventure every week. I intend to go places, meet people and leave fear behind. I have made a list of 52 things to attempt, look for, discover and do. This list may grow and a few things may be removed, but it will give me a blueprint of things to come.

With mindfulness I intend to Bloom. I will grow, explore and certainly love along the way. This is my last year in my 50’s, but it is the first day of the rest of my life!!

That's a Wrap on 58 Years

This is the last day of my 58th year. As years go, this was a good one. I feel like they are all good from here on out. I know I will face some sad or what I want to call bad days in the years to come. It is hard for me to imagine it as all bad. Even in the very tough years, the years of my first marriage, my divorce, losing my dad and then Mark’s dad three months later, all very difficult times. But there was also joy. My children were born, raised and became responsible adults. I was even blessed with four bonus kids that are delightful as well.  I have been lucky to have lived in several places. I have had the pleasure of making new friends along the way. I have met many interesting people through the Churches I have attended, the neighborhoods I have lived in. Some of the years were filled with anger, regret, sadness and frankly crappy situations. I have been disappointed when not hired for positions I thought I would be good at, but always been fortunate to have a job. I have struggled with financial woes, but I have never gone hungry. I have been injured from running but never had any serious health issues. I have been lucky enough to travel around the US, to Europe several times and even China this last year.

When I need to find bad, I certainly can dig it up. The crime and homelessness in the city, the hate that seems to seep in everywhere. The struggles of the American farmer. The blaming and overwhelming sense of unhappiness in our political mess. I could go on, but there is no point in that.

My Mom celebrated her 82nd birthday earlier this week. One of our sons will celebrate his 31st birthday in a few days. We are awaiting the arrival of our 17th grandchild in the spring. I am lucky enough to have a partner who snores quietly at night. We don’t always see eye to eye on everything, but he is my rock. He always brings me back to center. I talk to or text with one or more of the 7 kids every day. I might have the cutest bunch of grandkids anywhere. This is the good stuff; this is where I can find the joy in life.

It’s been a pretty good year. I will enjoy today, I will spend my last day at 58 volunteering at a Women Build site for Habitat for Humanity. God willing my 59th year will be another filled with simple joy, some traveling and many adventurous days.

I have been blessed. I wish you joy, peace and love every day!

Do the Hard Things- Make a List

We can do hard things. Today getting out of bed felt like a hard thing to do.

It really wasn’t. My legs worked just fine, my back and arms propelled me right out of bed. The hard part was in my mind. It’s the Tuesday after Labor Day and I would prefer to sleep. But I won’t, I have a day and evening full of meetings, projects that need to be taken care of and life. I have a run that should be done. But my mind would like to take the easy route. Drink coffee, surf the net, play a game of solitaire, yes that is a thing, I play one game every morning as I drink my coffee.

Sometimes I have to trick my mind into getting things done. Get out of bed. Move forward with the day, I have to lay out my running clothes so I will slip into them in the morning. Bargain with myself on a project, if I do the hard thing, I can play, or sit to read.

So many dreams are left undone because we think they are too hard. The list of to do’s are long. It’s easier to tick off the simplest things. Admittedly I even put things on the list that I completed earlier because I need the feeling of accomplishment to move me forward.

I go way back as a list maker, I am not sure if I started it in High School, certainly shortly after. I keep a list to stay on task, so I don’t forget the little things that need to be done. I keep a list because it keeps me moving forward with tasks. I even put the fun stuff on my list. I guess I just like a good list. These days I use my IPad and my Apple pencil to make the list.

I really make the list because I need to do the hard stuff. Within my list I label the to do’s as ABC items. A’s must be done today; B’s should be done today. C’s are just things I would like to get to this week. If I have time to tick one off each day, great.

The A’s are usually the hard stuff. We can do hard things, get them on the A list and get them done. Go make your list. BTW, last thing on the list...make tomorrow’s list.

Labor Free Labor Day

I like to use Labor Day to rest from the usual Monday routine but to spend some time laboring on the things I like to do. I will also use this day to be thankful for all of those that worked so hard to get a day of rest. We deserved a “free” day!

I know this didn’t come easy, so I will remember to be grateful throughout the day, to acknowledge the labor unions that worked for fair wages, reasonable working environments and a working day that makes sense.

I also acknowledge those that work in industries that shun the unions, call them thugs. I feel for those workers that seem to think they don’t need the unions, yet are not paid equitably, are not granted breaks as they should get them and certainly don’t receive the benefits they should be entitled to. YES, entitled. I will not begrudge an owner of business big profits, but I contend if you are not taking care of your people, one day you will pay.

Why someone is not happy that another is doing better than they are is beyond me. Why do we not want to do better?

One of my favorite sayings is from Paul Wellstone. He often said…”when we all do better, we all do better.”

Enjoy this Labor Day.

We can do the hard things.

This isn’t hard, getting up in the morning. Enjoying a cup of coffee and writing down a few thoughts. The hard part is following through with the work that needs to be done for plans and dreams I want to accomplish. The work that needs to be done to create the life I want, because I am sure I have plenty of things to do yet. The hard part for me is getting past the mental roadblocks that tell me I can’t do something. 

For many years I dreamed about doing a marathon, it seems impossible, I couldn’t even run 3 miles. How would I run 26.2. But that didn’t stop me from dreaming about it. I had people tell me it would be too hard, to much work. I told myself I was too slow, didn’t have enough time. Don’t have the “body” for a runner. So much negative talk, sadly I believed all of the negative. I didn’t allow myself to believe I could do it...until I started to do it. I started walking, then running between telephone poles until I didn’t have to stop. I started running further, a bit faster until I was running 10, 12 and 16 miles. And then I got injured and I stopped. Would I ever be able to finish a marathon? I had the desire but maybe my body was not cut out for it.

And then a voice in my head told me don’t stop! I recovered, starting again; I started by putting one foot in front of the other. I started running again, the mileage started adding up and 5 months later I finished a marathon. The dream had become a reality. I could do it, my body would take me over the 26.2 miles and frankly I don’t give a damn about how long it took me. I did it! And I completed 2 more in the coming years.

I really need to remember this when I am facing tough issues in my life. I need to remember that I just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other, forget about the negative self-talk, the people who question why I would try such a thing. I need to kick the people out of my dreams that can’t help me make them happen.

It really doesn’t matter what it is. We can do the hard things when we put our minds to it, when we work hard to persevere. Go do it!

A Visit to China

My husband and I were invited to the wedding for a student we hosted that attended school at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. The wedding would be in China, sure we'll come.

What a great adventure that was. A few quick notes about the visit.
The wedding was wonderful, a lovely mixture of Chinese tradition with a mixture of the couples personalities and a bit of an American flare, including the music.

They asked Mark to give do American Vows for them. It was very special and touching, I was honored with presenting the rings to the couple.

The food in China is amazing! It is not like your local China buffet. Now I know what the Chinese students meant when they said the buffets were fake Chinese food.

If you need coffee, you might consider bringing some instant or another source of caffeine. We drank hot water at breakfast time. We did manage to find a couple of coffee shops, that was divine!

There are a lot of people in China. Beijing alone is 32 million people.

KFC is very popular.

Be prepared to squat. Google a public restroom in China. That is all on that.

The people work hard, often sweeping the streets with homemade brooms.

The airports take security very seriously. Don't bring a lighter.

The Great Wall...really GREAT.

The Forbidden City, a must see.

Children will point at you, people will ask to take selfies with you. Have fun with it.

The flight is long, but it's a great time to get caught up on some movies and books.

The Customs department in Seattle is the best ever!

Fresh vegetables are delicious for every meal, even breakfast!

Hot Pot, you have to try it.

The high speed train really does go 200 miles an hour.

Thanks Shelly and Michael for the great experience. It was great to see Brian for the weekend too. If you get the opportunity I suggest you take it. China is really a fantastic place to visit!

Missing the Man we lost on Fathers Day.

Some people that come into our lives with a character that is so big their life follows you around long after they are gone. My father in law was one of those people; I shouldn’t say was, because he is still with me. Many of the memories of him are of him lumbering across the front yard at the cabin. The beautiful summer home set back from the waters of Duck Lake in northern Minnesota. I remember the first weekend my husband brought me to the cabin, the one bathroom, sleep where you can find a spot piece of heaven on earth. The place where family gathered, played games, roasted marshmallows and caught fish.  The lake where the kids learned to water ski and how to build a good campfire, the place where the adult beverages could be creative. The place where my father in law found the project of the week. Where he taught my step son to turn a boat house into a guest cabin. Where he taught our nieces and nephews how to fish and my sister in laws and I how put new shingles on the cabin.

When we went to the cabin, we took turns cooking meals, telling stories and sometimes had contests of who could go the longest without showering. We were delightfully isolated. Cell phones didn’t work, we would drive to the top of the hill if we desperately needed to make a call, and typically we didn’t. After a few years my in-laws built on a big addition, we celebrated a cold Christmas there. Friends and extended family visited.  
Memorial Day weekend welcomed the entire family. Our kids would not so patiently await the temp reaching 70 degrees that is when grandma gave them the go-ahead to jump in the freezing lake, sometimes the ice would have been off for a few short weeks. When you go knee deep in a project my father in law would listen intently, wait for other responses, then say, “I am not going to tell you what to do, but if it was me…” We laugh now of his passive aggressive way of giving advice. We learned to wait for it, anticipating his answer. Dave passed away 11 years ago on fathers day. We all miss him. We miss his infectious smile, his playful banter with the grand kids, but mostly we miss him NOT telling us what to do. Happy Fathers day Dave!

The Table No One Wants to Sit At

It is the table no one ever wants to sit at. This table is a large wooden piece, so Iarge one has to wonder how they even got it in this room. There are 6 of us at the table; it could easily accommodate 8, off to the side 5 others sit, there for support but not to interfere. They are our spouses, the four brother-in-law’s and my sister-in-law. One person missing from the big table, his body is on another table in another part of the huge old house, now a mortuary. The missing person is my dad. He passed this morning and we are sitting at the table no one ever wants to sit at, except maybe the undertaker.

It is obvious many tears are shed at this table, the Kleenex boxes are abundant. The conversation is stoic, led by the man at the head of the table. I look at my mother sitting next to this man and see emptiness, she has lost her soul mate and now she must prepare to bury him.

My sister offers to write the obituary, she is a Teacher by trade, she wants it to be perfect, Charlene reports, “This is the last thing I will do for my dad”.

My older sister says, “There has to be music, lots of music!” My younger sister sobs quietly; she is not capable of sharing right now. This morning her hero took his last breath.

The undertaker leaves after we makes suggestions, says he will be back in a few minutes with the ideas we have shared written up. What we don’t know is that he is preparing an invoice of sorts. This is what it will cost to have the service you want to honor your dad, to lay him in his final resting place.

When he returns he hands out the paperwork. I look at it thinking, really, what am I supposed to do with this. Do we have to think about what this will cost? No one thinks about that until they have to prepare for a funeral.

My brother, the only boy in the family carefully folds up the paper, puts it in his breast pocket, pushes away from the large table and says as he stands, “Thank you very much, we are just getting prices today. We will get back to you soon.”

The intense sadness is replaced with raucous laughter, the tension is cut and we are all reminded with what our dad left us, the ability to laugh. We are filled with gratitude at the table no one ever wants to sit at. 

Side note: This writing came from a prompt to write about a table, many things happen around the table in life, eating, laughing, storytelling, memories are made at tables around the world. This large table came to my head as one of the most difficult moments in life. And no, we were not just getting prices that day.

The Firsts

In life we often mark milestones calling them the first, this is especially true with babies,

the first smile, the first tooth, a baby step. We are watching our son Andrew and his

fiance’ Holli experience this with our youngest Granddaughter

Charlett. Her beautiful smile lights up my snapchat almost daily and I love it.

Our first Granddaughter was born 19 years ago today. She came into the

world succinctly at 5:18 on 5/18. Our beautiful Mariah May. Today on her 19th

birthday we celebrate her. This beautiful, funloving, sweet and sassy girl.

Last year I was lucky enough to take her to the ocean for her first visit. She fell in

love with it, even after learning there was a small shark (5 ft) swimming between

her and the beach. This spunky girl taught us how to be grandparents, all 14

between Mariah and Charlett, have a little piece of their grandparents heart.

Happy Birthday Mariah! We are so excited to see what great things you do in your

life with your spunk! XXXOOO

A Big Reset

Today I feel like I need a big reset button. There are so many areas of my life

that feel as if they are spinning out of control. This morning I went for a 5 mile

run after drinking bullet coffee. Do you know what bullet coffee is? Two cups of coffee,

butter, cream and MCT powder. This was after I had my first cup of coffee.

I should explain, I took the winter off from running, I just got started again three weeks

ago. I do a heart rate based training I learned from the Another Mother Runner. When

you drink three cups of coffee and are not in very good cardio shape, carrying 15-20

extra pounds and are getting closer to 60, it is not easy keeping your heart rate down

under 140 beats per minute. This is just one of many poor decisions I seem to be

making lately, but this is also one of those times that will teach you to slow down and walk.

There is no shame in slowing down in life. If you are a type A like me, you know

that is hard. I equate relaxation with laziness, this is simply a bad idea. All of us

need a reset at times.

My goal for today is to take things as they come and reset, relax and enjoy.

Do what I love and love what I do. Be kind to myself and others.

Today I wish you peace.

#Unpredictable

This year I set some goals to make changes in my life; work on some priorities that I have not

spent anytime focusing on in the last few years. All goals revolved around

working on a focus for a book, a podcast, and upping my game on the blog. I have been

plugging away at the goals, accomplishing a few, moving backwards on the organizational

goals I set, and starting the process to accomplish some long time goals of mine. It has all

been very unpredictable. Which is the name of my new podcast.

This week I went back to running, which got me back to my podcast listening, which

inspired me to dive in a little deeper.

My goals are the same, but with a new sharper focus. Thus the name change of my blog.

This will now sync up with the new podcast. (the first two practice episodes

are up with my nieces Sara and Katie) Unpredictable is the stories of this crazy,

twisting and turning unpredictable life we live.

Follow along and if you have a story you would share I would love to hear from you.

By the way, there is no story to crazy or unbelievable or unpredictable. They may not

be crazy or unbelievable, but they are real. I hope you enjoy the unpredictable ride.

Never Ending Winter in South Dakota

It is the middle of April, typically we would be enjoying semi warm spring days. We would

have enjoyed some outdoor bike rides, walks/runs by now. Instead we are getting yet another

blizzard. This is the winter that won’t go away. This morning I read a post my niece

Katie shared. I cried. Katie was asking for prayers for farmers and ranchers in

South Dakota as they continue the spring calving/lambing season. One farmer

posted they were giving up, it was simply too dangerous to continue looking for new

born calves in the blizzard conditions. Most of these farmers care deeply about the

animals they raise, yes, it is their source of revenue, but there is a real connection

with nature when you are a cattleman/woman.

I was reminded of a particularly difficult winter when I was a young girl. I remember

my dad bundling up to walk to our “Other Place”, another acreage my parents owned

that was 5 miles away by road. As Mom wrapped a scarf around his face to protect

from the stinging wind we all watched, wondering what he would find. I remembered

being worried, but really unsure of the danger of what he was about encounter. Likely

we played a board game to keep our minds off of our dad being out there. I don’t recall

if we had electricity, but probably did not. When we received a phone call from the

Anderson’s we knew he made it there. He and Joe would go to help other neighbors

with their cattle. Several farmers lost countless stock cows and calves when the storm

was finally over.

Several things come to mind with this event. One the selfless act of helping each other

in a time of difficulty, even when it was personally life threatening. The sense of neighbor

helping neighbor was stronger than personal comfort and safety. And of course the love

and of stewardship for the animals. The entire community was saddened by the loss these

farmers felt for their herds. It was never easy.

As we wrap up the never ending winter of 2018, say a prayer for these families. The

work they do is hard, they feed us and help keep us clothed. They should be appreciated.

They are looking forward to the sunshine and joy will warmer temperatures bring them,

this year more than ever.

Wishing you safety and sunshine!

Q1 Done

Today marks the end of the first quarter of 2018. Remember on January 1st and

through the first week of January how you planned your strategy to navigate through

2018. You had goals and dreams. Today as we close out the first quarter of the year

let’s reflect on how you have done.

Did you stick to the goals you set? Did are you disappointed in the results? Does

it really matter? The time is gone, we can’t go back to change it, to achieve our

goals of days past. But you know what you can do, you can move forward. You

can set new goals if that is what you makes you happy. Or maybe today you reflect

on the changes you did make, the days that delighted you, the memories you made,

the lives you touched and those that touched you.
Let’s wrap up the first quarter embracing life as it is. Let’s look back with fondness,

but no regrets. As I often say, “It is what it is” Time to move on. What does quarter 2

look like for you. Take a minute to think about what it will take to have a good quarter

this quarter. How will you feel on June 30th. Sit for a minute and quietly think about

your future. What do you want to change, what CAN you change, what can you

spend 15 minutes a day on that will get you to that goal?

Today, on this last day of the first quarter and on this Easter weekend,

I wish you peace!

Where the weather is warm....

You wake up in another state, another season, realizing all of the things that happen

in your world happen in this world too. The young girls dancing their way down the

hotel hallway, enough makeup on to ensure each feature of their beautiful little faces

can be seen from 100 feet away, ready for their day of competition in cheer-leading.

Side note: This is a sport that did not even exist when you were that age. The workout

room at the hotel with a sparse few that will get their workout in early before the busy day.

The coffee smells wonderful, the sky is blue and the sun will shine brightly today. The

golfers head out early for a day on the links, hoping for that elusive hole in one.

The weary Moms and Dads in Orlando to spend thousands on the theme parks,

hoping the memories will stick for a lifetime.
My room overlooks the pool where the cleaning crew is out early prepping the area

for the day, they have the job of making sure everything balances perfectly.

Conference attendees scramble to their meeting rooms, coffee in hand.

Other than the weather change, this is pretty much the same as Minnesota, the

hustle and bustle of the week continues into the weekend, focus shifts on a

Saturday morning. It’s a different pace.

It’s Saturday and no matter where you laid your head last night, I wish you a

peaceful day!