T
hat’s “Who me?” for those who are not familiar with a Nintendo Wii (pronounced “we”), but we’ll get to that. . .I know you were all anxiously awaiting to see what exercise I would try next after reading my blog from a few days ago, right? Well, on Friday, I decided to invite myself down to Mom K’s house in the afternoon and try the Nintendo Wii that lives at their house. After figuring out a few basics (turn on the TV, turn on the DVD player, turn on the Wii, find the right disc, use a remote with charged batteries, don’t stand too close to the TV, and so on, I was finally ready to start). I powered up the Wii Active Personal Trainer disc, put in my personal information (I chose the body shape somewhere between bean pole and big boned–no, it didn’t really say that!) and, most fun of all, chose my workout clothes for my Mii, which is the virtual version of me–purple of course, with a cool hat and sunglasses. Now that I was feeling fabulous in my workout duds, virtual Mii headed to the track and let me tell you, I really had to put it in gear or it would tell me “too slow”! Before the real me could break much of a sweat, virtual Mii had run around the track. The voice was very encouraging, telling me I was adding good energy to the track and things like that. Next was squats. I had my leg strap on so it could tell whether I was doing them or not, but for some reason, even the tiniest of squats triggered a warning that “you are squatting too low.” The virtual coach was not able to help me and so I decided to go home for the day. Unfortunately, the real world came back into focus a little too quickly when I realized that while I had been inside, my van lights had been shining into the mounting snowstorm and I was now stranded at my mother-in-laws’ with two boys. Fortunately, my mother-in-law is a very kind and patient person and proceeded to keep us comfortable and wisely suggested we call AAA instead of attempting to jump it ourselves. Eventually, a tow truck arrived; it had itself been read-ended on the way to rescue me and had the unfortunate driver’s car on the back of the tow truck. Soon we were on our way and ready to get snowed in at home and not think about heading back to the track until spring!
. . .Nor heat nor gloom of night
Stays these couriers
From the swift completion
Of their appointed rounds.”
Some people may think this is an official motto of the US postal service, but it actually was more likely written by Greek historian Herodotus (484 BCE – 430 BCE) and probably referred to the couriers who dashed through Persia. In any case, it is engraved on a post office building in New York City. Today, we are getting a lot of snow, which may be why the mail was delivered early today. But what I really enjoyed was making “mailboxes” with two of my sons (Neil’s idea). Serious projects are great, but nothing is quite as much fun as cutting, glueing and stickering something with which to collect notes (or store trains, in Simon’s case)!
Today I would like to celebrate the fact that I did my 20 minute “upper body” DVD weight routine, even though I did not particularly feel like it. Why am I telling you? Because I generally avoid exercising, preferring to do something productive like washing the dishes or something fun, like all the projects I’ve been telling you about. But lately, I have found blogging to be a fun way to motivate myself to accomplish things. For example, previously, I would go down to my “office” to relax and, while I love to complete projects, I, more often than not, would find myself simply admiring all the creative potential (e.g. “What pretty markers!”). But if there’s anything that’s more fun than completing projects, it’s blogging (ok, bragging) about them. So, I have decided to use this tool on something I am generally UNmotivated to do (e.g. “What pretty weights!”) So, while I am subjecting my readers to this experience, I will also be motivated to not only do it, but hopefully, make it interesting, just like any good blog (or exercise program) should be.
While one of my nieces was spending half a day at my house today, I had the opportunity to appreciate how every child is special and unique. Here is a sampling of what I enjoyed about her today:
1. Her hearty laugh. Who knew there was so much humor in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when shared with cousins?
2. Her enthusiasm. “Aunt Valerie, come see what the penguins are doing now!”
3. Her curiosity. Upon seeing dried jelly on the tablecloth. “Is that Simon’s nose blood?”
4. Her bravery. Even after turning the clock radio on loudly during “quiet time,” she stayed in the room hiding under the covers.
5. Her kindness. “Simon, it’s ok.” Later: “Aunt Valerie, Simon is having trouble. He needs you.”
6. Her helpfulness. “I want to help you stir something, too!”
7. Her honesty. “I threw it in there because I couldn’t find the trash can in this room.”
8. Her resourcefulness. “I will cut this. I need to fold this like this. I need it to stay like this. I want to glue it. No, I will do it.”
9. Her active lifestyle.“I want you to read another book. I want you to do it while I am dancing.”
10. Her expressiveness. After falling on the floor and bumping her head: “Ouchie!”
Before I went to college, my mom sewed me a lovely quilt for the bed in my dorm room. I chose the fabric (pinks) and the designs (stars). I really loved that blanket and actually still use it to stay warm when watching movies or occasionally taking a nap. Recently, I decided to make a new comforter using some material that Mom K had given me (I think she found it on sale at Wal-Mart and knew I would like it). Then last month, when our local Jo-Ann was going out of business, I picked up a good deal on some green fabric and, laying my perfectionism aside, sewed together a respectable looking top (a.k.a. bird brained blanket). Then Mom K offered to bat (is that a word?), knot, and finish it for me (with help from Grandma B). It turned out to be bigger than the one I had in college, so I will probably still use the pink one for watching movies. Around that time, I found out that our local Wal-Mart fabric department was headed out of town. So, this project is a tribute to the inspiration and support of my two moms and to the memory of the departed fabric stores.
Five years ago (this April), I took this photo at Phoebe’s graduation and last week, I made a card that looked like it was the view out of a window. Fortunately, I managed to get them all glued down in the right order and direction before the boys turned it into a jigsaw puzzle.
Since that is the main point of blog so far and since Ryan is unlikely to start blogging anytime soon, I thought I would toot his horn for him, about, well, a horn, to toot. A friend gave him an old C-melody saxaphone that, while it is not worth much as an actual instrument, looks great hanging on the wall in his office! I thought it was a great idea he had. He also has an electric guitar on the other wall and plans to add to his collection as the opportunities present themselves .
Thanks to a little help from the in-town grandparents (ok, a lot of help!) we got the bunk beds built and the boys moved into them, as well as a newly-painted single bed. They were SO excited!! In reference to the construction of said bunk bed, Dad K said that he now had more faith in the American people than he did earlier, if the average person could assemble such a thing. Ryan noted that the number of bunk beds “new, in box” offered on Craigslist may give a more accurate picture. 
. . .I’m gonna make this paint run low! * Two hours of painting plain white trim can make a person wonder just how far they have come. So, I figured out that once I finish painting 3 coats (primer, and two coats of paint) I will have painted the equivalent of a 3 3/4 inch stripe half way up the side of the Washington Monument (plus 20 feet).
*For those who may not know, that is a horrible maladaption of a Peter, Paul & Mary song about making your garden grow
Or maybe gold carpet–and dust. It is in and it looks beautiful!! Tomorrow: the bunk bed and the closet shelves (courtesy of Ryan).
