Working Out is such a work out.

I am no stranger to exercise.  I have had a love/hate relationship with it for years.  I am not a runner so you won't see me at the trendy "run-a-thons" for all the good causes.  They always say it's cool to walk but I just don't quite believe it.  It reminds me of the only time I ever signed up for a run/walk in a 5k while still living in Topeka.  THIS GOES WAY BACK.  I had to be in my early 30's which means a couple of things; I still smoked; exercised sporadically,  and while I could dress the part of a runner and look authentic.... that was about all.

The day of the race dawned clear and I showed up with about 400 other people.  Looking around I felt very confident because I saw people of all shapes and sizes.  Certainly I could beat some of these people.  I am always so darn competitive (even when I have no business).  I started strong and that lasted around the first bend, until we were out of sight.  Soon the run/walk was more walk/walk fast and the large throng of people that started with me were thinning out quickly.  I wish we had been talking in miles rather than metrics because. obviously I had no idea just how far in distance (and humiliation) I would be going that Saturday.  I cannot tell you how many times I considered slinking off the course and trying to find my way back to the parking lot unnoticed.  Had it not been for my total lack of ability to punch my way out of a paper bag when it came to directions, I would have made a break for it.  Time felt like it was standing still as I was now limping along solo.  I saw a bend up ahead and realized with nothing less than sheer horror that the race would NOT END until I crossed the finish line.  When the crowd spotted me, the cheering and encouragement began.  "You can do it, Don't give up, You're almost there"  were all slogans shouted (as if I were a 5 year old).  Hoping that the tears of embarrassment would pass as sweat, I gathered what little strength I had left to gamely shuffle the remaining length of the course.  By the sounds that the crowd made when I finished, you would have thought I won the Olympics...or they were just glad to call it a day.

Needless to say, I have never participated in any type of run again.  In fact, if you see me running now, you should probably run, too.  Someone is either chasing me with a deadly weapon, there has been a bomb threat, or a mouse has been spotted in my near proximity. Ok, maybe I have picked up the pace if an ice cream truck was trolling down the street with a head start but that's about it.

With all that said - I am no slug.  I attend boot camp regularly which is not for beginners or crybaby's (already tried that).  I work out with the best of them and could take you.....unless you get a head start by running.

Until next time,

who likes ice cream?

your pal,

Kari

Homesickness for those left at Home - Absence made my heart grow fonder

Back in Austin

Madi just returned from her first mission trip.  She was gone for eight days in Honduras, truly excited to be chosen to serve.  There was some trepidation; this was the first time away from home without any contact whatsoever....no cell phone, Instagram, Facebook.  NOTHING.  We have been apart many times in her life. My past life called for much travel but we always enjoyed the modern conveniences and instant gratification of cell phones, Facetime and texting.  This would be a true testament of our maturity levels.

Let me preface my remarks with just a few comments.  This mission trip (sponsored by her school) has been in the works for the entire school year.  Both her dad and I signed off on this back in the fall when she first expressed an interest.  We love her servant heart and sense of adventure.  She participated in fund raisers and had some strong support from loved ones (special shout outs here to Mary Jo, Grampcrackers and Marissa).

Fast forward to 10 days before the mission trip.  Did you know that coffee bean disease is impacting Central America particularly hard this year?  What this means here in America is that our Starbucks prices may increase.  What that means in Honduras is local drug wars and crime is on the rise.  This caused me to google Honduras to learn a little more about what was going on.  Did you know that Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world?  Sigh.  Just reading about the precautions advised when traveling in this country made me neurotic(er).  A little late in the game some may say.....

Time to leave.  We drove her to the airport at 3:30 a.m. and both Madi and I managed a strangled hug with just a slight watering of the eyes before I dashed to the car (AVOIDANCE.....we have talked about this!!!!!!).

Let the clock begin.  I did okay until maybe Sunday.  I kept busy with odds and ends around the house, quite a bit of knitting, reading, walking and more knitting.  Actually, before she returned I finished a baby afghan, two headbands and started a new project.  One might conclude I find knitting therapeutic.

Today FINALLY arrived and I was up at 5:00 a.m. to get ready for that 6:34 PM flight pick-up.  The day couldn't go by fast enough.  I waited anxiously at the airport and truly felt like a returning veteran being reunited with their child (a bit overkill - I know).

When she came down that escalator, I realized she was not the same child I had sent off.  We both had tears in our eyes - mine in thanksgiving that she had returned safely and hers (as she shared with me later) with a little remorse for what she had to leave behind.  The homesickness I felt FOR her, she never suffered, because she knew where her home was. 

The lessons learned here - this won't be the last time she leaves home.
And there is still so much to be done.

Until next time.
May your heart grow ever fonder,

Kari

Support Group Needed - For a Friend.......

Let me just come right to the point.  I am discussing the needs of a friend (of course) who needs help. He started small but is now "running with the BIG DOGS"!  While there is no drain financially on his family yet, his needs are starting to become evident as his "fix" becomes more and more pervasive.  While his family is obviously aware of his problem - perhaps they have even enjoyed the fruits of his "trade" in the beginning, now that he has hit the BIG TIME, they no longer have explanations for the appurtenances found throughout their home.

Haven't we have all been there at one time in our life?  Aren't we all veterans of some type of problem - maybe even an addiction, that got the better of us?  Necessarily, one must first recognize the problem before accepting the challenge of correcting it.

Examples?  This is so easy for me.  I remember when I became addicted to watching "Breaking Bad". Already in the final season, I had a lot of catching up to do.  Unfortunately, I drew my daughter into this addiction with me.  (we can talk about poor parenting choices another time).  Bedtime rules were ignored when a tense moment called for ONE MORE EPISODE!!!  Like I said, we have all been there.  (of yeah, and I used to smoke, too).

No judging but "this friend" began small, (already mentioned) and justified his "fix" by saying "It's for charity."  After all, silent actions were all held at those fund raising dinners and his first purchases made were clearly targeted with gift giving intent.  How quickly this all escalated.

Soon it became a "winner take all" venture and may I remind everyone that the only winner in this game is the charity (an argument that I lose .....I mean my friend's family will lose, every time).

God Bless America

Who knows what SUBASTA means?  Let me enlighten you....AUCTION in espanol.  Yes, this guy has graduated to the big time (as mentioned earlier) and evidence is in abundance.  No charities involved as many times auctions are held at personal residences.  WHAT A RUSH!

As you reflect on different solutions, remember "All gave some, Some gave All" but who knows how much was given for this reminder of those who served!

Until next time,

Leave your saddle at the door,
your pal,
Kari

Giddy-Up!

Listen to me....I don't want to talk about it.

My mom and I talk often (almost daily) and today's topic was about the transparency we (generally speaking) allow, maybe even encourage, in today's society.  Don't we invite people in to criticize and review personal details of our own life and then take offense if we don't like the comments.  Things that used to be "opinion" "personal business" "family business" or even considered "airing of dirty laundry" is now Facebook friendly and tweet worthy.  It can be very subtle or it can be painfully extreme.  It's user's choice - user's remorse.

My parents had five children in six years. 

I was the oldest

 I believe at one point my Grammy (maternal) sent my mom unsolicited information on birth control after Katy was born (middle child).  Obviously it wasn't something they talked about, but something that could be dropped in the mail. People were much more respectful of boundaries. My parents divorced when I was around seven years old.  I remember the day they told me that Dad was not going to be living with us anymore.  I ran outside to be by myself and digest this information.  (I am famous for running from uncomfortable news, sad movies, anything with endings I don't like...even today).  What I don't remember is that this wasn't the first separation.  Divorce was not common in the sixties but the problem my mom had to face was alcohol - and it was not going away.  And drink had a hold on my dad.  As small children, we were not aware of this issue.  As we talked about this, I commented that sometimes love isn't enough and she replied sometimes love ends up being wishful thinking.  There is a lot of truth to that.

The excuses people hear today are the same ones my mom heard back in the sixties.  The only difference is my mom shouldered this burden alone.  Well, as alone as you can be with five small children to take care of.  She didn't talk about it with her parents, she didn't share my dad's shortcomings with her siblings and she certainly didn't publish the problems on any type of social media.  And while she now acknowledges they certainly must have known (the examples are painful), they didn't bring them up with her either.  It was not that kind of world.  She dwelt with it as best she could until she could find a solution.  I am a lot like my mom in "dealing with things" so I believe I understood why.  Part of that "why" is because "anything said aloud causes problems with the perception of the person struggling going forward FOREVER"  There can be no chance of reconciliation without recriminations from family.  And.....why air your dirty laundry...family business, etc.  It takes me back to my baggage blog.  IF (and sometimes this is a big IF - that person ever is going to want to change, the stigma of the past is covered ALL OVER THEM.

Not to mention the boomerang effect.  If I share an ugly opinion when bad things happen - publish for all to see and then a few days later am BFF's again with the offender, what does that say about my judgement and character?   This is a tough deal because from a biblical perspective, we are called to forgive, and we should.  But we are NOT called to continue to lay down and be a doormat just because someone can't (or won't) wipe their feet before they come inside.

As me and my friend Gomer Pyle always say - Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice - shame on me!

Until next time,

Act in haste -
Repent in leisure.

your pal,
Kari

P.S.  love you, MOM!!!!!!!

Everybody's working for....VACATION!!!!!!

Today was my first day of vacation.  I know, some of you may be confused because you are wondering...how can you take vacation if you aren't gainfully employed?  Well, let's start first with the definition of "gainfully employed".  Granted, I am not drawing a paycheck at regular intervals.  All this means to me is I am working for free because my time seems to be filled on a daily basis with meaningful activity.  My activities are diverse and time consuming.  For example, let's take a look at the first couple of days of this week (prior to vacation).

Monday - I started this day (and week)  by preparing breakfast for my family.  This allowed us to start our day by breaking bread and praying together which is something we have been enjoying regularly since I relocated to this new type of "employment".  Following Terry and Madi's departure, I have kitchen clean-up, bed making, and general straightening up around the house.  On this particular Monday, I had an appointment I needed to be at by 1 p.m. (okay - so it was a massage) followed by picking Madi up at school by 3:00 for a dual immunization appointment for her as she prepares for her mission trip coming up in two weeks (yes, I am counting down the days now-there is much to do).  A quick supper and it's back to school for a meeting at 7:00 p.m. regarding same mission trip.  Not to mention the stop for my Sonic following the massage so that I could stay hydrated!

Tuesday - up at 5:20 a.m. for boot camp with hubby (he still hasn't quite forgiven me for signing him up to participate also).  JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!!.  6:30 and we are through and it's time for me to get those eggs scrambled...breakfast isn't going to fix itself.  Basic clean-up again following meal, but this time it's an appointment downtown at 10:30 a.m. followed by a board meeting from 12:-1:30 p.m.  By the time I get home around 2:30 (Sonic stop....not going to lie)  I have just a short while to prepare for a 3:30 p.m. conference call and then it's time to get supper in the oven - I like to have it on the table by 5:45 p.m.  Daughter Riss is due to arrive later in the evening and I want clean-up done early.

Does this sound like a life of leisure to you?  Where was pool time in all of this?  That's right.  I need to be on vacation to enjoy life without appointments and that started today.  However, just like when I was "working", I can't seem to get this done without interruption.  I managed to reply "yes" to a committee I serve on which will meet tomorrow afternoon from 3:00-4:30 (old habits die hard).  I am trying for Friday without interruption. 



This is the life!

Lessons to be learned from this:
#companyequalvacation!
#Ilovecompany!
#limitedavailabilitybooknow!

Until next time,
#unemploymentdoesnotequalleisure

your pal,
Kari

This baggage is heavy...but I can't seem to leave it behind

Today I was at Sonic (no surprise there) and when I pulled in, I was talking to my mom so I decided to skip the drive through and just order from the stall.  It wasn't busy, it was less intrusive on my conversation and I wasn't in any hurry.  After I ordered, I talked to my step-dad, chatted again with my mom and before long I realized my throat was parched.  Cars were coming and going all over the place and I was still sitting there without my drink.  Now, I could have punched that button and got all ugly but I didn't. This was my choice to be leisure so I pushed the button again, checked in and said, "hey, I think you forgot about me.  I have been here about 15 minutes now and see cars coming and going".  Instantly apologetic, my drink was delivered, not only free of charge but with Sonic coins for free drinks for my next two visits.  Not expected but appreciated.  I didn't hear excuses and no one got defensive with me. 

I gave my Sonic friends a break because I didn't know what was going on with them and I knew what was going on with me.  Yet so many times we are more kind to strangers then we are to those we know and love.  (Maybe we don't always love those we know...and that's also part of the problem). 

Why is that?  I believe it's because we can (and do) always refer back to the past.  And not the person's past specifically but our past history shared with that person.  I know I am guilty of this, too.  How does it get started?  If I order a diet coke every time I go to Sonic, should they just start bringing me one?  They could say - but you always order one.  I know you.  It is what we expect.  Of course not.  As a customer, we have the freedom (and right) to change.  Not always so easy in our day to day life.   Relationships are built on patterns that soon become expectations and when expectations aren't met....disappointment, disgust, betrayal?  But with strangers you get a clean slate every time.   Thank goodness we do with someone.

I was talking to someone I love today about how we look at things.  He was involved in a situation where he "knew" this person and it was "just like them" to behave this way.   As we discussed solutions, I asked him, "what would you do if both people were strangers to you"?  He indicated that he would naturally get both sides of the story ....but that wasn't necessary this time. 

If we stop right there and think about it, how can any of us ever leave what we have done behind?  I would categorize this a new form of Stranger Danger....in that our past puts our future in jeopardy if at any time a stranger makes an accusation that SOUNDS like something we may have done in the past, we are instantly guilty.  Will we always be held to a standard that at one time we were embarrassed by?  Or maybe for some of us, that standard is set differently now for what we hope to accomplish. Where can we leave this baggage?

Let's start with each other.
You can leave your baggage here with me. 

Until next time,

your pal,
Kari

The final countdown....this WAS WAR!!!!

Armageddon as defined in the dictionary is “the place where the final battle will be fought between the forces of good and evil”.  Another definition is “the last and completely destructive battle: or finally, any great and crucial conflict”.

I am here today to tell you that Armageddon came a little to close to home.  I know we have been hearing this for decades, and certainly from people with more credibility than me but let me rain some cold hard facts down on you from a house that was under siege in Austin, Texas.

First, let me warn you that the next few paragraphs are graphic in nature and will contain photographic evidence that some of my readers may find disturbing.  With this in mind, read on – perhaps in small groups.  Definitely with the lights on and loud music playing.

Saturday night…much like any other Saturday except Madi and I knew we were not alone in the house.  As we made our way to the kitchen, the lights were off (first mistake) and we decided our best defense was a good offense as we loudly made our way into the room.  Our thought:  giving the intruder the opportunity to leave before we got there.  At first glance it appeared our strategy worked.  NOT SO!!  Let me at this moment give a special shout out to my boot camp trainer, Lisa.  Had it not been for the workouts I have been doing, I would not have been able to jump on that island counter in one giant leap.  After rebounding from my shock at being able to do that, it was back to the task at hand.  Did I mention…..MOUSE!!!!!!!

I manned the kitchen island while Madi called for armed back-up (Terry).  When he came in with his weapon of choice (a shoe, really?)  I pointed out where God’s only mistake was making his way and quickly retreated to the bedroom.  After several long minutes, Terry returned and it was obvious by his expression, he was not victorious.  Since we were aware we were under attack, we had put strategies in place to eliminate this intruder.  When I say “we” I mean Terry because my role in this whole deal is to ask daily….ANYTHING TO REPORT?  This generally resulted in an avoidance of good solid eye contact and a mumbled response.  However, we were now at a point when I needed to review our arsenal.  What I saw was frightening.

Hey look, peanut butter and flour!

Can anyone identify this?

I know you can see the prints

Me neither.  What was supposed to be a “mouse trap” can only be defined as a fully loaded buffet that must be calling mice from all areas to come on over to the French house where all the food is locked down but the traps are fully loaded and its free.  Seriously, we even found little flour paw prints where the rodent retreated after feasting.  When I asked how many of these buffets were out and about in the house, the answer made me weep.  After collecting and disposing of all the original “traps” AND with instructions not to return home until new purchases of same had been made, Terry and Madi left for the store.

Twenty-four hours later and all is well again in the French household.  We are living free and easy and word on the street is peanut-butter/flour laden trays of goodness laying about for mice, lizards and God only knows what  are no longer being served at this address.   

May this never happen again.

(I hate those meeses to pieces)

Until next time,

Your pal,

Kari