Full Moon Maddness

Full moon madness has happened in the Brozek home! This was a crazy weekend and it has provided me with a few days worth of stories to share with you. I am not going to lie; with this first story it wouldn’t take much more to freak me out. Read this story and tell me what you think.

Friday I was checking out an area college that houses a wall climb. We were discussing if our children (I work with a population of children with special needs) would enjoy trying to climb this wall. Being in complete favor of the empowerment this experience can bring for a child, I shared that in the summer I volunteer at a camp for children in various stages of their cancer journey. I have seen children who have lost limbs successfully manage the wall. It doesn’t matter how high a child goes – it only matters that they put the helmet and harness on and they take that first step up.

Making that camp comment had me thinking about some of the kids throughout the day but I didn’t say anything to anyone. Yesterday morning Maddy shared with me that she had a dream (Friday night) about camp. She dreamt that it was summer and we were there for the week. Then yesterday, completely independent of each other, six of her camp friends called and texted her throughout the day. They were just checking in, saying hello, and trying to figure out a way to see each other again.

Wow! Does that send chills down your spine or what? If anything else camp newsworthy happens this week I will let you know.

Assignment: These are great kids – who in spite of all they have triumphed over – are still just kids. Lift them up in your thoughts and prayers.

Lent

I have given a lot of thought into what I will be sacrificing for Lent this season. At first I thought I would give up sweets because that would really benefit me but it didn’t feel right. Now I am in prayerful consideration of the following two sacrifices:

1. Give up all extra spending outside of bills, gas, and groceries. There are a few exceptions that I have to encounter: Maddy’s birthday is during Lent and I have a hair appointment that I simply can not miss. No, I can NOT miss this appointment. But all other spending would be eliminated. This would be a good sacrifice because I have all that I really need. Lent will help me remember I have all I need during times when temptation in the form of a new sweater sale springs up.
2. Give up eating out. This would be huge, huge, HUGE for me. In my routine laziness I do not always prepare a lunch because I know I can just go out and get something. Also, there are times when we are tired or it is late during the week so we don’t make a meal – we just order out. This would be a very difficult sacrifice and one, perhaps, that would have me in a constant prayer for strength.

Whatever I end up doing I am thankful that God is full of grace. He will love me regardless of my successfulness (or lack there of). I am also thankful that I have so many blessings in my life from which to choose.

Assignment: Make your faith practice one that extends beyond 40 days and nights.

Gift Risk

I have a confession to make. When it comes to gift giving there have been times when Tom and I have tried to relive our childhoods at the expense of our children. The results have not always been pretty. Underused Matchbox cars, a train set, the Easy Bake Oven, and a Light Bright are just a few examples of good memories gone wrong. We can’t help it. We really can’t. We just get caught up in the nostalgia of the moment.

This last Christmas had all the makings for another underappreciated gift. Back when we were in high school (all those many years ago) the Varsity Jacket was THE THING TO OWN if you were in a sport. The Varsity Jacket was especially THE THING TO OWN if you were a football player. But in 2010, the Varsity Jacket is hard to come by. There are a still a few players who can be seen wearing theirs but the numbers are nothing like they were in 1973 and 1980.

This year Tom had his heart set on getting Andy a Varsity Jacket. Tom knew the risk but he also knew the reward; a time when Andy as a grown man would pull out his jacket to remember his glory days. And so, on Christmas morning as Andy slowly opened the package we held our breath. We knew he would be gracious because he is a kind person but we had no idea how he would truly feel about this gift.






Turns out – he loved it and really why wouldn’t he? Look how handsome he is in this thing! He wears his jacket everywhere and he gets lots of compliments. I know it is just a sport and a high school sport at that but we are super proud of how hard he has worked for that letter. Let the glory days stories begin.

Assignment: Never stop dreaming!

Tradition

The tradition began six years ago when Maddy was sick. Our friends Dave and Nancy offered to entertain the kids so we could rekindle our relationship. We went to Traverse City for a snowshoe and wine tasting get-away. It was just what we needed. The next year, with Maddy in remission and our relationship kindled, we decided to ask our older children to join us.

Over the years our group has grown to include fiancées, spouses, friends, and a few ‘babies on board’. While we don’t always snowshoe or wine taste, we do always manage to have a good time. This past weekend was no exception!

The best part of this tradition is that our children look forward to it each year. Here they are with careers, families, and lives of their own but they still like to get together with the ‘rents”. It is a special time with our older children and one that I hope continues for many, many years to come. As soon as Maddy and Andy graduate they become eligible to join us – it will be a full all family affair.

Assignment: Family Time

Happy Birthday Megan

Megan was born 26 years ago today and that makes this her GOLDEN BIRTHDAY! Have a Happy Birthday Little Girl. You are a beautiful, kind, intelligent, and talented young woman. I am proud of who you are and who you continue to become.

Assignment: Party like a Rock-Star!

HOT DOG!

I like hot dogs. Okay, step back I know what they are made of but they taste good. Hot Dogs taste super-duper good. Thankfully I do not eat a lot of hot dogs but when the craving hits, I gotta fix that hankering. So when it last hit I decided to stop in on an old favorite.

This place used to be THE place to go for fast service, cheap prices, and two dangerously delicious Greek Chili Dogs and a side of fries. It was not uncommon for their lunch time line to be outside the building. The wait was never long and well worth it – because of the dogs. It had been a while since I visited this place. Oh how excited I was to place my order for the special: mustard, onions, and that special Greek Chili sauce. I have to confess; I pulled out of the drive thru and coasted into a parking spot. I just needed a bite to get me through the last part of my drive. A little tease of anticipation for what was soon to come.

I am not sure what happened and obviously I am still trying to figure it out. Does my memory deceive me? Where these dogs really always – just okay – not the best around? Is it because I now work in the “big” city and I have access to more hot dog stands so my standards have changed? Could it be that the business has changed their secret recipe for success?

Hot Dig-it-itty Disappointment!

Assignment: If you know the place of which I write, please stop in get a few dogs and let me you know what you think?

Hello Are you there?

Sometimes when I write this blog I imagine I am on the stage in a large auditorium. The lights are bright but I think I see a few people scattered in the back seats.

I open with a few soft balls stories just to get a feel for the mood.

Silence

(Tap, Tap, Tap) “Hum, hello is my key board working?”

I quickly change the pace with a fast pitch. This story has it all – comedy and controversy. This will raise a few emotions.

(Cricket Sound . . .Cricket Sound)

Maybe I am alone? Would that change the level of enjoyment I get writing this?

Maybe, I don’t know.

Is it because I don’t have cute little children to share with you?

Is it because I don’t live on a ranch?

Perhaps it is because I don’t have a string of men I sex-up then dish about each night?

Maybe my writing just isn’t good? My spelling errors and creative grammar isn’t for everyone I realize.

Maybe blog readers treat the writing like a book. You don’t interact with the author of a book. You just read, form opinions, and then host a book club to talk about it. I don’t think there is a Hard Way to Learn blog club?

I would like a book where the author allowed for feed back after each chapter read. That might be fun. I have a lot of opinions.

Assignment: If you care to comment, I am here. I just wanted you to know that. Don’t feel pressure but if you want to say hello, I am here.