The Trophy

Friday night Cameron competed in his 4th Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts.  This is an event that, before I had boys, never even knew existed.  Color me clueless.  The first year Cameron did fairly well but the last two he's been somewhat disappointed.  Like a lot of things in our modern lives, competition seems to win out over participating in the experience.  But such is life, so we put our best car forward.  It's fun when our family can collaborate on a project like this.  

This year we came up with the idea of a snow hill since Cameron enjoys skiing.  We talked about how we would build the car, the materials we would use and got to work.  Cameron and Jim did most of the work with Brandon and I contributing with creative content and moral support.  After the car was cut, sanded, painted, and the weights inserted just right, we topped it off with the final touches.  Finding small skiers to fit on a 5 oz car without going overweight was a good challenge.  We ended up using small Christmas ornaments that were originally angels.  We clipped off their wings, ripped the string of their head and even cut one head off (sorry little guy, but Cameron wanted on skier with his head in the snow - perhaps to represent his mom on the ski slope).  Cameron named the car Downhill Racer.  A week before the race we checked in the car and were pleased with the perfect 5 oz weigh in.  

On race night we headed to the school and I felt obligated to remind Cameron that he had a really cool car and that more people will not win a trophy than will and to just enjoy the night.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous when his car was up.  Not that I needed him to win but wanted him to do well and feel good about his entry and, quite honestly, himself.  Each car races three times and they average the times to determine the places.  In his heat he placed either 1st or 2nd each time.  As the other heats went on I kept thinking that would surely earn him a place of some sort.  At the end of the heats they announced the winners and listed each name on the screen.  Cameron's name appeared for 2nd place in his age group and also won for Most Creative.  He was very proud and will collect his trophy at the next scout meeting.  He proudly displayed his car in the commemorative box he received for placing 2nd.  It now sits on his bookshelf in his room.  It was a fun night and it's always great to see all of the creativity that goes into these cars.  This year there was a shark and a replica of The Titanic.  No two cars are the same although they all start from the same size and shape block of wood.  

And while it would have been fine if he hadn't placed, the truth is everyone feels good getting the trophy now and then.  I don't believe that kids need to get a trophy every single time and the "everyone is a winner" concept makes me crazy.  The truth is, you won't always get the trophy which is ok.  This will continue in life and honestly, makes for a more well rounded individual.  We want to instill a strong work ethic and a reasonable view of the world in our kids.  It is important that they feel good about the projects and work they complete, but it's also ok when someone else wins.  It's a hard lesson when you're 9.  Heck some people have a hard time with it at 40.  A continued work in progress for all of us. 

Team Matejka

Has it really been 100 days?

One of my guilty pleasures is celebrating the 100th day of school.  This wasn't a big deal when I was growing up, but seems to be one of the hallmarks of grade school for the next generation.  It's a big deal for the younger grades, especially Kindergarten, and also an opportunity for me to do something crafty (another guilty pleasure).

Last week we received the 1/2 sheet of paper sent home in Brandon's folder alerting us that the 100th day is fast approaching and we need to get to work on our poster.  It's always a bit of a perfect storm in that the 100 day celebration coincides with Valentine prep - but I'm up for the challenge.  I put together my proposal for our poster and presented it to my 5 year old client this evening.  He is taking some time to think about it, not sure if he's using a consultant or not, and will get back to me.  I really hope he accepts it - really has great potential.

For now, as I await any follow up questions on my proposal, I am left to think about how quickly 100 days passes.  For 100 days my youngest has established his morning routine, mastered the school bus, learned the ins and outs of Miss Fallos' class (my favorite is the one way traffic sign around their cubbies so kids don't slam into each other when they get their coats on or pack their backpacks - genius), formed new friendships, started doing real math, reading, spelling and learning general classroom functionality.  He's 100 days older, 100 days wiser and 100 days happier.  I love seeing his progress and the look in his eyes when he tells us about his day.  If I could figure out how to bottle his 100 days I'm sure I could make millions.

Stay tuned for our final poster.  And here's hoping we can all find something to celebrate!

20 Year Flashback

This week I have been reading a lot of articles on an event that occurred in 1993 when I was a senior at Iowa.  http://bigten.xofan.com/Iowa/remembering-chris-street/  Chris Street, a star on Iowa's basketball team, was killed in a car accident when his car collided with a snowplow as he left a local hotel after a team meeting.  Not only was it very sad that a talented life was cut short but, being that it was Iowa, it truly affected the whole state.  Everyone felt a connection to this kid who grew up in Indianola and committed to playing basketball for the Hawkeyes at the age of 15.  He was full of life and someone the whole state felt proud to know, even from a distance.

Reading these articles also made me think back to my life 20 years ago, where I was, who I was and all that has happened in my life since then.  20 years.  At the same time it feels like a lifetime ago, it also seems like last week.

I was living in the Tri Delta house with 60 roommates - still amazing that worked as well as it did - but I loved it.  As seniors, we were preparing for graduation, some interviewing for jobs, some taking entrance exams for grad school and all of us a little scared about what would happen next.  It was the beginning of the end and, personally, I wasn't sure what was next.  I loved my routine - going to class (usually), working at the Field House, participating in sorority events, going to Pint Night at the Airliner, coming home to the excitement and drama 522 N Clinton.  And while there was plenty, as I think back, it really was the best of times.  And I can't hear These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs without thinking about singing with my friends at Mickey's.

1993 was a true turning point for me.  I graduated from college in 4 years (even after that unfortunate first day absence freshman year - yes I missed my first day of college) and was forced to become a grown up.  My only regret, that I didn't study abroad for at least a semester, or plan a trip the summer following graduation.  Such is life - hopefully I can encourage my sons to embrace that opportunity and allow me to stow away in their suitcase.  

After spending the summer at home I decided Chicago was my next step and, for the most part, I've been here ever since.  After a couple of temp jobs I ended up being hired at Caremark and never thought 20 years would pass and I'd be working at the same company.  But, somehow this career that found me has matured along with me over the years.  

In the following years I would meet my husband, get married, see a lot of the world I hadn't seen previously, buy a house, and have two sons, all while trying to remember what's important in life.  I am very fortunate and feel blessed for everything I have.  

I think I will continue to have these flashbacks given what a turning point 1993 was for me.  I can certainly say, with confidence, that I'm very glad hairstyles have changed.  Maintaining that perm was killer.  

Hear no Evil

This afternoon I took Brandon to his regular appointment at the ENT.  Our little guy is just 5 years old but it's amazing how much his little brain can process.  This morning he overhead me telling Jim that I would be taking him to his appointment this afternoon and immediately I could see his blood pressure rising.  He even went as far as to tell me I should have told him about the appointment AFTER school instead of BEFORE because now it's in his head all day.  I reminded him that I was telling Dad and not him, but responded with, "Well, I heard you so..."  And the day begins.

As background, the reason Brandon even has a regular ENT appointment is because two years ago, right before Christmas he failed his hearing test at school.  This lead to appointments and the realization that as a 3 year old he wasn't just ignoring us and wasn't trying to be funny (although it kind of was in retrospect) when he's answer Huh? to every question we asked.  The kid couldn't hear and it was because his ears were full of goop (pardon the clinical term).  We quickly learned he'd have to have tubes put in both ears.  Not a big deal, happens to lots of kids, but we felt bad we hadn't realized it earlier.  My impression of kids who need tubes are those that constantly get ear infections and have perma-boog on their noses all the time.  That wasn't Brandon.  I could count on one hand the number of ear infections he'd had in his short life.  He really wasn't ever sick.  The poor kid just had the hearing of a 90 year old.  Huh?

He got his tubes, quick little outpatient procedure, and on the way home his little 3 year old voice said from the back seat, "Mom, I'm hearing."  That was the best news and how quickly the surgery seemed to work.  He then proceeded to throw up from the anesthesia which wasn't quite the best news.  Quick recovery and immediately his hearing and speech seemed to progress.

Fast forward to the next Christmas.  Take him to the ENT and get the news that one tube is clogged and the recommendation is to replace both.  Not only was it the 2nd Christmas, well Advent really, that he would have to go to the hospital.  This time, he remembered and knew he wasn't interested in attending this event.  The day of the surgery he even told me point blank donning his little hospital gown that he was NOT going to do it.  "Nope, I'm not doing it" as he turned and flushed the toilet with authority.  Well, he did do it, and it did work, and he did throw up that day from the anesthesia.

So now any time we mention Dr. Desai, who is the sweetest little man with a fabulous accent and a gentle way with children and even wears one of those big magnifying lights on his head which I find quite entertaining - Brandon immediately associates a trip to see Dr. Desai with another possible trip to the hospital, post anesthesia stress, poking in his ears and sometimes up his nose.  He hates it and it makes him quite anxious.  It made me think about how much we all take in over time and how our past experiences enter into the present.  While I'm sure Brandon would rather think about the lollipop he gets after his appointment or how nice everyone is to him there - his mind goes toward the not so fun memories.  I think the same can be said for many experiences for a lot of us.  We get anxious about things because we remember how it made us feel at some point and we remember it, vividly.  

So, we survived and while he may have a future adenoid surgery to look forward to, nothing was decided today.  Brandon collected his well deserved green lollipop and bid farewell to the office staff for another 4 months.  I'm proud of my brave little guy and think that his continued composure in facing his ENT nemesis serves as a great example of confidence for all of us.

I would rather be anywhere but here...

Year of the Purge - the fight against my inner hoarder

I realize that some traits you are just born with.  It happens, you can't help it, just the way it is.  Also these traits are what makes you who you are and, for the most part, I like who I am.  

Something I have always struggled with is managing the clutter - both material (more visible) and immaterial (not quite as noticeable).  As a kid it was torture for me to clean my room but once I did I felt fabulous.  My family and I joke about the petrified peanut butter sandwich that was once pulled from an old back pack in my closet - perhaps I could have debuted on the original episode of "Hoarders" had it aired in the early 80s.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have rats in my closet or anything, nor did my room on Corning Street, but that sandwich in my backpack does serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenge I have to keep things tidy.  

Over the past few years I have tried to streamline various areas of my life.  I consciously make an effort to keep things in order.  Not always successful, but I do try.  A good, albeit small, example is my wallet.  I have this thing in good working order.  Need some cash, it's always in the same place.  That is, if I actually have cash which usually I don't, but that's a separate issue.  Need your dental ID card - there it is in the ID card section.  Wallet can't close because of too much change, empty out the change pocket.  It works.  My wallet and I have a great relationship.  Another good example is the file I have of all of the Christmas letters and pictures of our family dating back to 1997.  I give Jim credit for suggesting we originally create a file and add to it every year.  I just added our 2012 version and had a great time looking back at our family history.  So I love my wallet and I love that file.  

So how can I take what I have done with my wallet and card file and apply it to other areas?  My office tends to be the command center for a lot of professional and personal things I manage.  I have worked for the same company for almost 20 years and I have the clutter to prove it.  No corporate record retention policy has anything on me.  That said, I think I can probably toss the client presentation on overhead slides and the UR Pharmacy management report from 1998.  No one will miss it.  No one paid attention to those reports when they were printed, they won't miss them now.  And once I do, I will have two full sized file cabinets to put necessary files in that currently are piled up on my desk.  

Next on the list, my closets.  I have tried very hard to rid myself of clothes I don't wear regularly.  And while I have tried, I admit I have a long way to go.  Our master closet/bathroom rebuild project is a fine time to do this.  We had to remove all of our clothes from our closet and now have them in an area of our bedroom on a clothes rack Jim purchased for $30 from the Mark Shale going out of business sale.  The completion of our closet will be an excellent opportunity to only move back in to our new closet what I truly need.  Toss out that single pink pump from 15 years ago that doesn't have a mate and the flannel shirt that I have kept for years because I might wear it when I'm sick.  The truth is, I have done a fairly good job recently of purchasing smart clothing items.  Items that can be used in multiple ways and make many outfits out of a few items.  So that closet will hopefully solve itself.  The others in the house need some help.  And I'm on a quest to conquer these projects in the coming months.  

Any large project needs realistic expectations.  (And I'm not calling this a new year's resolution as those are too easy to quit.)  That's why I'm scoping this out to include my office and my closets.  The project is large enough and will likely take me all year given I can't take a sabbatical from the rest of my life and spend 24 hours a day cleaning closets.  I will try to track my progress and give myself a few pats on the back along the way.  I am hopeful that decreasing the material clutter will also free up some space in my mind that spends time worrying about the day when our house is full and you can't see any of us.  (exaggeration for dramatic effect).  

Cheers to purging!

A little birdhouse in your soul

Last week Jim said, "I will be gone next Monday for work so you need to do scouts.  Oh, and you and Cameron will be building a birdhouse."  Ok I thought, why not?

The project was part of a lesson about completing a project from start to finish - understanding the materials needed, the different kinds of tools to use, going to the store to select and purchase the materials, observing and learning throughout the experience, measuring and cutting the pieces and then, finally, putting it together.  Thankfully the entire pre work was completed by Jim and Cameron with a little help from John our contractor who happens to have a very handy saw at our house.  Perhaps not completely within the scope of our bathroom project, but thankfully he is a kind dad who was willing to help out a scout.

So off we went with our pieces of wood, our hammer and nails in a cardboard box.  (queue peter, paul and mary) ...

Cameron worked very hard to line up the pieces and hammer in each nail.  We quickly realized that the wood we were using was high quality and tough as anything to nail into.  Some seriously hard, thick wood.  But, he stuck with it.  A few bent nails, a few split areas in the house, and a whole lot of patience.  Some of the other dads who brought drills and other tools helped us out a bit along the way which allowed us to complete the basic house at the end of the hour.  I was glad to watch Cameron focus on hitting each nail and see that he was proud of his 'close to completed' project.

We walked in with a bunch of wood pieces and we walked out with a sturdy birdhouse that will make a lovely home for some feathered friends come springtime.

Thanks Cameron, I enjoyed our time.

Traditions

Yesterday I hosted my "several years running but I can't remember exactly how many" holiday brunch. I love this event mainly because it is a great reminder of how fortunate I am to be surrounded by many fabulous women in my life.  This particular group happens to be women who share some connection through my career at Caremark.  Recently, that expanded to family when Jim's cousin Katie worked with me for a stint at Caremark and now her sister Megan moved to Chicago, so the more the merrier this year!  Also this year marked my first out of state guest with Sonia attending from Boston, MA. Such a gift.

In my almost 20 years working at Caremark I often stop and take note of the amazing relationships I have created over the years. I really do work with an incredible group of of smart, talented, entertaining, inspiring and dynamic people. Life gets so busy and working full time is stressful when you try to balance everything else in life. Each of these gals has touched me in a special way and continue to inspire me. Whether we still work together or have remained connected from our original meeting we all still have so much in common and, if nothing else, gathering for this event every year. We might laugh about something current or a blast from the past or story from 15 years ago.

In the world of Facebook, texting, quick phone calls between activities in a given day we keep up with the major events in our lives: kids growing up, new jobs, new houses, relationships etc. however nothing can replace a few hours of face to face conversation around a table accompanied by a mimosa or two, three, four, a few eggs, and a good cup of coffee.  No distractions, nowhere else to be for a couple of hours.  I love it.  I wish it could happen more often but I am grateful for the annual event and the time these friends take to attend.

Each year as I set the table with my Christmas china I find myself reflecting on the year that has passed. Highs, lows, and all in between.  I think of how the boys have grown and how none of us are the same as we were last year at this time.  The china started as a gift from my dear childhood friend, Carry, with additional pieces given to me as gifts from my mom and Jim. While part of me wishes it was acceptable to use Christmas china year around, there is something special about the personal thoughts and reflections that I enjoy once a year.

So, today I will pack away the china for another year and wonder what I will be thinking when I next set my Christmas table.

Happy Birthday, Bicycle!

Tonight I took my first spin class of 2013 which officially means I am entering my 2nd year of spinning.

Last year after the holidays I felt the need to make some changes in my life and to do something that would deliver improvements both physically and mentally.  I don't recall how I chose the class or the exact date that I went to my first one.  But knowing myself I knew that I needed to find something that was in a group setting, wasn't the same every time, and that I didn't dread doing.

I sort of look at spinning as a dance class on a bike.  What once intimidated me now seems simple.  Each instructor brings his/her personal touch to the class and before I knew it the 45 - 60 minutes were flying by.  Before I knew it I was scheduling my day to include a trip to the gym for a class.  I have also expanded my iPod playlist quite a bit with the music I have found inspiring.

A couple months in I started noticing some improvements.  Now, there was that one time I passed out but I chalk that up to exercising on an empty stomach which I wouldn't recommend.  I noticed my clothes fitting a little better, I had more energy, and my boobs now stick out further than my stomach (not by far, but enough for me to notice anyway).  I also notice after class that my stress level goes down quite considerably.  This has become a great way to get rid of the various stresses of my day and to give myself a bit of perspective.

So, while I will likely always have a bit of a muffin top (a reminder of my two fabulous boys) I am committed to continuing on this journey.  Finding time to exercise isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  The boys like going to the kids area at the health club and tonight we all went as a family which was a great way to spend an evening.  I know I'm still working hard because when I came out tonight Jim and the boys all asked if I was ok because my face was so red.  Cameron even whispered that I kind of looked like a devil.  I took it as a compliment - and it made me chuckle.  And clearly no chance of me becoming a complete health nut.  When we got home I joined the boys in a bowl of ice cream - if nothing else to cool off my red face.

I'd like to think I've ridden around the world by this point, but likely it equals from here to Milwaukee.  Yesterday I took my first yoga class.  Not sure if that will be something I stick with but time will tell.

 

New Year - Let's try blogging!

Welcome to 2013!  Over the years I have dabbled in blogging, mostly centered around vacations and significant family events.  I decided to give this a whirl...

My goal (decided this morning when I dragged my a** back in my office) for 2013 is to Keep it Simple.  With a husband, two boys, a house, a full time job and other things that seem to fill every single minute of my life - this blog will be a place to capture moments and thoughts I don't want to forget.  Given the fact that I often can't remember what I ate for breakfast, it will also be a place to reflect on all that our family has enjoyed and accomplished throughout the year.  It doesn't appear that life is moving any slower these days, so I'm going to embrace each day as a new opportunity to get it right.