Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma Eva!

Dear Grandma Eva,

Mommy told me that it's your 80th birthday today, and I asked her if I could blog you a birthday wish. Mommy told me that an 80th birthday is a very special milestone. She told me that you have lived through a lot of historic events in your life and done and seen many things. I know that you are a great mom to my mommy and you are also a great Grandma to me. I wish I could be there with you on your special day. I know how to give kisses now and I would give you at least three or four. I would also like to eat some of your birthday cake!

Love, ADAM

P.S.

If any of you would like to wish my Grandma a "Happy Birthday",

just leave a comment here.

Chef Boyardee with a Punch

Simply put, my son isn't much into eating. At least when he's at home with us. At daycare he seems to do well. The "ate everything" or "ate most" box is checked beside breakfast and lunch on his report sheet every day. But, I'd have to give him a "ate next to nothing" for his dinner score. "Threw most on floor" would also cover it. I've tried a variety of tricks, tactics and techniques. I've made things from scratch thinking "fresh is best". I've tried frozen, canned, and boxed. I've showcased fruit, veggies and nearly every toddler-appropriate entree I can think of. I've offered it in bowls and straight onto the high chair tray. I've made up songs about eating and choreographed an eating dance. These did garner a laugh and even a clap once, but did not make the child eat.

Finally, in desperation one day, I picked up some Chef Boyardee pasta meals at the grocery. I'm honestly not sure what moved me to do so, but it could have been the faint childhood memory of my brother pining for The Chef and proclaiming he could eat it every day. And my mom taking him up on it and serving it for a month straight. Wonder if he still likes it?

Anyway...I hit the jackpot. Adam LOVES the stuff. He gets excited just looking at the container. I can barely keep him in the cart when we go down the Canned Pasta with a Shelf Life aisle at the store. He revels in the sloppiness of the sauce. He licks his fingers and his wrists to get every last drop. It is an eating experience for him that lasts at least 30 minutes. This allows me to, at times, mix a pre-dinner vodka tonic (with crushed ice, salt on the rim and extra lemon) in a non-frenzied state. Are you reading win-win here?

About the same time I struck mommy gold with the pasta, I also discovered Adam's love of corn. This has tempered my guilt a little over the whole Chef thing. At least I can add a couple spoons of corn to raise the quality of Adam's fine dining experience from one star to at least two.

In other Adam events, since I know you are now compelled, on Monday he officially graduated from the Infant class to Young Toddler. I was so proud! The handbook says a child graduates when they are beginning to be weaned off their bottles, can eat table food, can follow simple directions, and can actively play with children their age and older. The reality is he was "graduated" because he was hitting and pulling hair of kids much younger who could not defend themselves. Humph. So much for genius.

I can see it now. In a few years someone will ask Adam what his favorite food is. He will say "Chef Boyardee ravioli" and then give them a punch in the nose and a pull of the hair just for emphasis.

Until next time (wiping up pasta sauce)

Applesauce Free-for-All and Other Fun Stuff

Sunday was rainy and cold here in Atlanta. Hubby was a bit under the weather, so I wanted him to get rested up for the week. This left Mommy and 1-year old Adam to entertain each other for the day. A mom has reached desperation when she allows the toddler a free-for-all trying to feed himself applesauce. The spoon-to-mouth coordination just isn't quite there, which then lead to hand-to-mouth eating, which lead to applesauce on face, clothes, in ears and in hair. Oh, and also on Mommy, but I will spare you the photo. You may also notice the two cuts on Adam's face. He bumped the corner of a table whilst throwing a tantrum. After this photo, while he was having a much-needed bath, he also hit his head on the faucet because he has now discovered the thrill of standing up and swinging a sopping washcloth while bathing.

In other events, Mommy became a pull-along toy for the boy.

Adam thought it was great fun. I thought it really hurt my knees.

In other exciting news..... A few days ago we got something in this box. Adam rushed over to investigate before I could throw it away. I expected a virtual blizzard of packing p'nuts

to erupt at any moment.

Instead, he sprinkled a few on the floor.....

Then proceeded to throw them away one by one. He's inherited a little of the OCD organizing gene from his mother. Oh yes he has!

Until next time (keeping it clean and orderly)

For the Love of a Teacher

I received the latest edition of my Alumni Magazine from Iowa State last week, and the cover story was about teaching. Inside, there was an article about a day in the life of an Assistant Professor, followed by several blurbs from former ISU students talking about professors that inspired them in their career path and life in general. This got me thinking about my elementary years, because I loved all of my teachers then, and they all made a difference in my life in some big or small way.

My kindergarten teacher was Miss Greer. We were her first class ever, so she was probably 22 years old and fresh out of college. I thought she was pretty, and one day Sonya Ott and I decided we would open a "hair salon" during in-class playtime. We sheepishly asked Miss Greer if we could apply some "make-up" and she said yes! I also fashioned a beautiful necklace for her out of the yarn and beads kept in the play area. She wore it all day long. I was so proud. Over Christmas break Miss Greer got married and became Mrs. Shook. We practiced saying "Good Morning, Mrs. Shook" around the sharing circle the first morning we came back from break. I said "Miss Greer" by mistake (as did lots of others). I was crushed that I got her name wrong. Years later I babysat for her children, Allison and Robin.

Mrs. Hardy was my first grade teacher. She had been a teacher a long time by the time my class arrived. I loved her, too. She was pretty and sweet and laughed a lot. She let me read to the class and taught us how to tell time and tie our shoes.

Mrs. Schmidt was my second grade teacher and, quite frankly, I was a little scared of her. She was a tiny lady that packed a big punch. She was very no-nonsense and by-the-book. The only consolation was that the other choice of second grade teachers was.... (cue horror movie music)..... Miss Murphy. My mom had some issues with her that went way back and, as far as I was concerned, she was the Wicked Witch. She did, after all, own a black cat that she brought to school sometimes.

**As a side note, this is a good time to say that I went to a very small school. I graduated with a class of 36. Most of us were together from Kindergarten through high school. My mom was always very vocal with the school administration about who we wanted for teachers, and our wishes were always granted.**

In third grade I had Mrs. Harken. She played kick ball with us during recess and never made me wear a hat when it was cold outside. She did an activity with us one day during which she tried to convince us that a nickle was bigger in size than a quarter. Most everyone was persuaded. I was not. At the end of the day she taught us about logic and self-confidence. She told us that there would be lots of people in our lives trying to convince us to believe things that were not true and that we needed to believe in ourselves.

Mrs. Holtz was my fourth grade teacher. She read to us after lunch nearly every day. She liked cowboy and Indian stories, and also the Ramona Quimby series. She was really skinny and I learned her first name was Rosina. I thought that name fit her well. Her husband was my band teacher. He was the one that convinced me to play the alto saxophone. Mrs. Holtz let me stay in from recess a lot and grade papers. She bought me a stick-pin (an accessory that was very hot in the late 70's) with a gold heart on it for Valentine's Day. She also taught me that trees in real life to not look like a brown trunk with a green cloud on top. "Draw leaves", she'd say.

In fifth grade I had Mrs. Kittleson. She nurtured my love of reading and writing. She helped me understand long division and told me that it was hard for her, even at her age. She collected dolls, which sort of creeped me out. Years later I babysat her grandchildren sometimes.

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Menken, was great! She was so positive and encouraging that I just loved being around her. She had the neatest (cursive) handwriting I'd ever seen. I made it my goal that year to not miss any questions in my reading workbook. I didn't pull it off. I did win first place in an Iowa poetry contest that year. My poem was entitled "The Future". The last line of the poem was: "The future is like a closed door, waiting to be opened."

I will close by sending this as a special dedication to my brother and sweet sister-in-law in Iowa, who are in their 20th year of teaching. My brother teaches art and my sister-in-law, Remedial Reading. Their jobs are hard, important and often thankless. I am sure they have touched many students in many ways. I am very thankful for them and for the wonderful job they do each and every day.

The Line for Good Teeth

When God was forming the line for Good Teeth, I was not in it. Instead, I was put in the lines for Small Wrists and Becomes Nauseous At The Drop of a Hat.

So, if you want to know anything about a root canal, ask me... 'cause I've had two in two months; the most recent being today.

Thank goodness for the three shots of Novocaine to my gums and five shots to the roof of my mouth. They numbed the whole left side of my face so well (including my nose and the outside corner of my eye) that I didn't feel any pain during the actual procedure. However, I did have to watch Regis and Kelly on the plasma TV mounted on the ceiling above my chair. That is sorta like pain. Then Madonna came on as a guest, and that was really like pain. Watching Madonna and listening to Kelly squeal while having your mouth propped open for nearly 45 minutes with a metal frame contraption is not my idea of fun. Not anywhere close.

My shots are now wearing off. I am feeling some pain. The swelling will begin. I am leaving work early. I would eat something comforting like chocolate or potato chips, but I am on the nutrition plan, so I may have water and some green beans.

However, I did recently learn that both gin & vodka are carb-free. That might be an option, too.

Eat Great & Lose Weight

Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer is sponsoring an "eating well" forum today. Some are submitting recipes. I am submitting my strong opinion about whatI think eating well means and what it can do for us.

First of all, eating well means GET OFF THE SUGAR. Secondly, GET OFF THE PROCESSED FOODS AND CARBS.... chips, white flour, white bread, pastries, etc. Third, GET OFF THE CAFFIENE. Finally, GET OFF THE ALCOHOL. You can do this gradually if you feel you can't handle the pain all at once, but I recommend getting serious and giving it all up. You will see better results faster, and you only have to go through the withdrawl once.

Ladies (and gents if you are reading, too) this is serious business. Our country is in a health crisis like no other country on Earth. If you have a belly, it is because you are eating too much sugar and processed carbs. Think about all of the young girls (14, 15, 16 years old) that you see walking around in their cropped shirts and low rider pants (which is another crisis to speak about in another posting). Do you ever notice how many of them have fat bellies? That's the Grande Mocha Latte, the sodas, the candy, the snacks rearing their ugly heads. Our children are mainstreamed into the processed and fast-food world. This goes along with their expectation of immediate gratification (which is also another crisis for another posting). And we, as parents, are setting the example. How many of you eat at least one meal a week at a fast food joint? How many sodas do you drink in a week? Contrarily, how many servings of fresh, steamed vegetables do you eat? How much water do you drink? How many days do you exercise?

Fat in our food is not the enemy (though too much of anything is not good). You don't even need to really count calories or points or any of that stuff (though, again, eating can't just be a free-for-all). What you eat affects how you feel, how you look and it also affects how quickly you age and how you will feel as you get older. We do so many things "for our children" but we don't eat like we care about anything except the food in front of us at the very moment we are eating it. I know two men in their early fifties, both with school-aged children, who died last year from heart attacks. They were both terribly overweight because they ate too much. That is sad, isn't it?

Can you tell I am on a bit of a crusade here, ladies? I have been guilty of eating not-so-well at some points in my life. Right now in the midst of getting back on what I call my "nutrition plan". You can read about that here. Or, I can summarize it for you: I eat protein + veggies or I eat veggies + a wheat-based carb like bread. I never eat protein with bread. I eat protein and veggies more than I eat anything else. I avoid almost all dairy and if I do eat dairy it's organic. I never drink cow's milk. I am a human, not a baby cow. I eat fruit only in the morning. I drink lots of water, avoid caffiene and I do not eat anything processed. This has been hard. The first couple days on this I had a headache and I felt lethargic. Then, suddenly on the third day, my energy came back, my waist started to slim down, and today....one week to the day later.... I am nearly one pant size smaller. My "treat" at night is a decaf cup of coffee or tea and a handful of almonds or pistachios. I relish it. Sometimes I am hungry, but you're supposed to be hungry before you eat. As the weeks progress I will allow myself one "free day" and perhaps an Oero cookie now and then.

Here are a couple reading suggestions.

Suzanne Somers (don't laugh. This is a smart lady. OK...the thigh master is a little funny but she knows what she is talking about when it comes to eating right)

Dr. Perricone Eating as it relates to aging.

It's never too early or too late to start. Educate yourself about eating as it relates to hormones, menopause, good skin....

Let me hear from you. Have you read either of these authors or others that are good? Have you experienced the benefits of eating healthier? Maybe you think I'm way off in left field. Tell me that, too. This is important!

Until next time,

A New Year at the Norwood House

Doug and I are turning over a new leaf at our house. We don't have resolutions, per se, but we've taken advantage of the fresh start mentality of the New Year to make a few changes, take on some new challenges and generally kick things up a notch:

* We live in a 27-year old house so there are always home improvement project looming. We got several checked off during our Christmas break. We also did a lot of cleaning and purging which resulted in no less than six trips to Goodwill. Someone else can now wear the red reindeer lounge pants; we are done with them.

* We have committed to watching less TV and reading more. We are starting with an hour per evening two or three times a week.

* We have committed to attending church more regularly and becoming active again in our Sunday School class. We dropped out for awhile after Adam was born. Taking him to the nursery at church for yet another two hours of care after he's in daycare all week was hard for me. But now that he's getting older and is in a Sunday School class that involves snacks and play time, I'm more comfortable.

* And the BIGGIE.... a new eating and exercise plan. Last year for Doug and I could have been labeled "Eat whatever we want, when we want." This did nothing to help me shed the last of the 50 pounds I gained during my pregnancy, and it added a little to Doug's middle. We have a treadmill in the basement so we have committed to using it 5 days a week. At 5:00am one or both of us are up and at 'em depending on the schedule for that day. As far as eating, let me tell you about a plan that really works, because I've lost weight on it before:

protein + vegetables (called a "protein meal"). Can also add full fat (not low fat) cheese, mayo, salad dressing (watch the carb content)

OR

whole grains + vegetables (called a "carb meal"). Can also add low fat cheese, may, salad dressing, etc.

You eat one or the other meal choice three times a day. At least 3 hours must pass between a carb meal and a protein meal.

Fruit is eaten only in the morning, and wait one hour before you eat a carb or protein meal.

NO refined sugar, NO alcohol, NO caffiene. Include moderate exercise 5 times a week.

The idea here is that refined sugar and caffiene both cause the body to produce insulin, and insulin causes the cells to store fat. Notice that I've said nothing about LOW FAT. You need a little fat in your diet to burn fat. This really isn't about counting calories, either, though you should watch your portions.

Once you get over the first week of caffiene and sugar withdrawls, you will find that this is a very satisfying plan. I lost 20 pounds in 3 months a few years back. I'd probably have kept it off if I hadn't gotten pregnant. Follow this plan very strictly for two weeks. Then begin giving yourself one free day per week (most people choose a weekend day).

Also, make sure that you don't get too much into the high protein routine. Did you know that lack of good carbs in your diet affects the seratonin levels in your system, which will affect not only sleep but many other functions.

Try it.... you have nothing to lose but those extra pounds. We have been on it since Tuesday, Jan 2nd and I have already lost 5 pounds.

Doug and I will keep you posteD periodically.