Rule #1

[Waiting for photos of recent group adventures to Alaska...]

Hearing Gen. Powell last week was truly inspirational.  I think everyone has such a "list" - a set of rules that has gotten them where they are today.  Some of us clearly have a more thoughtful, consistent approach to formulating these rules, but nonetheless, I took a moment to consider my list.  I was going to just read off a few from under the glass on my desk (okay - those of you who know me know that there is a lot of...basically crap...on my desk and no glass and no list but a girl can dream, can't she?).

So what if I don't have a wonderfully neat and organized desk from which to draw these pearls of wisdom?  I got me a BLOG!!!!

So here goes!  And since I haven't an original thought of my own, I will try to give credit where credit is due (if I can remember that far back)!  Please keep in mind that like me, these are random thoughts and in no particular order of importance.

Terri's Rule #1: Breakfast really IS the most important meal of the day!

[learned from your mother]

Well it had to be YOUR mother...it wouldn't have been MY mother.  Eleanor was not especially knowledgeable about nutrition.  That I imagine comes from having six brothers who, along with their father and even the girls, worked a produce farm in eastern Montana.  My grandfather was from the old country (Ireland) and from all accounts the clear head of the McDonagh tribe raising ten kids in post-Depression fashion.  Meals, though simple, were noisy, necessary events where there would be some kind of meat (often game and always over-cooked), vegetables (those came directly from the farm) and bread - white bread, homemade (until the store could do it cheaper).

Meals growing up in my mom's house were similarly constructed, though no particular emphasis was given to breakfast (unless it was Sunday - that always involved breakfast out, usually at a buffet).  During the week, we (my younger sister and I) were on our own.

Once I married, breakfast with the hubby just became how we started our day.  Initially, in the honeymoon phase, it usually quite the fare.  Kids come, kids now gone, and Gerry and I still start our day each morning with breakfast together.  Most days it's just a bowl of oatmeal (Gerry has his with cranberry sauce...yeah, the stuff you have at Thanksgiving...while I like mine with a bit of brown sugar and golden raisins, thank you very much!)  In the summer, oatmeal will give way to a bowl of Cheerios with some granola (I do make a mean granola!) and on weekends, we work together in the kitchen to whip up something a bit more special like eggs or scones.  It's how we start each day and surprisingly, or maybe not so much, just that simple meal, grounds me.  It gets my day off to it's orderly start and quite literally fuels me for whatever the day is going to throw at me.

My other sister (Dona - I hate calling her my older sister because as the years pass we seem to be getting closer in age.  I don't know if that's good for her....or bad for me?), is a librarian at an elementary school.  Her husband (Roger) was also an educator.  Even I did a brief stint at an elementary school (I highly recommend it!).  Without much trouble, you'd be able to identify those kids who came to school without breakfast.  Surprisingly (to me anyway) these kids are not always the "free & reduced lunch" kids - the ones who qualify for assistance but most schools only have lunch programs available.  In our area, our school was filled with kids from the "MOR" (Middle-of-the-Road income-wise) families - often with mom at home.  And still they come to school, not having a thing since last night's dinner.

Ah, Terri, (I hear you say)...no time.  Really? Have you tried making oatmeal (even the instant kind - though it's not really as good for you as you might think and regular old fashioned oatmeal takes only 5 minutes and is incredibly cheap!)  Or even just cereal (though your kids' teachers would probably prefer them to be sluggish from no breakfast as opposed to bouncing off the walls from chocolatey-sugary-pop cereal)?

But Terri, I try (you say) and they won't eat.  I bet they would if you sit down for 5 minutes with them (funny how kids say they don't want to be like their parents and yet they will definitely "do as you do").

Stop making excuses!  Give it a try - for a month.

And that's Terri's Rule #1 - simple and yet so effective.  Now go make some oatmeal!

~later, tw

Generally Speaking

Last week I was privileged to attend an incredible event - an hour with General Colin Powell.

Ostensibly, he was there to promote his new book "It Worked For Me - In Life and Leadership" but of course it was so much more than that.  HE is so much more than that.  And as soon as he speaks I couldn't help but think THIS is a man I would have liked to have a conversation with, someone I would have enjoyed working with or for, a leader who would have, could have had any job he desired - including President of the United States.

He is a very rare combination of a quiet, thoughtful, charming man with a true passion to do what he feels best-suited to do - lead others and give them the necessary tools to be successful at their jobs.  He is at once confident in his abilities and calm in his actions while exhibiting just the right touch of self-deprecation (so as not to appear falsely modest or insincere).  He listens - really listens - when someone speaks to or with him.  He is dismissive of the notion of surrounding himself with pychophants who would merely reflect what they thought he wanted to hear and instead tries to engage with everyone: a private in the army, the lowest paid employee working the parking garage of the State Department, the President of the United States.

His philosophy is simple and this new book is not one of military strategy but rather a rather rambling list of those simple rules he has followed through the years, ones that he feels have contributed to his success.  If you are familiar with his "13 Rules" from a Parade piece over 20 years ago, this is really a "fleshing out" and explanation of those rules.  It is a quick read and I can't encourage you enough to get this one for your Kindle, your Nook, your iPad, check it out from the library or find a bookstore (do they still have such things?) and buy a *gasp* hardback honest-to-goodness version immediately!

Lucky me!  I'm chatting with General Powell while he autographs my book.

Much too quickly, the hour he was allotted to spend with us was over and we were left to queue up for autographs of his book.  An amazing hour - an amazing man!!!

~later, tw

C'mon - Get Happy!

[live from my perch upon my soapbox today...]

You might not have noticed (particularly if you're just getting your info from my blog!) that the news of the world today is frankly...not good.  I scan the front section of my newspaper (Seattle Times) daily as I head to the comics and puzzle section.  But even just scanning I can't help but notice that even my local community is not immune from horrible, senseless violence and the number of shooting fatalities to date already surpasses those of the entire last year!

So when something good, actually great happens, you'd think that we'd be allowed some happiness.  My motto is there's always something to celebrate and we should do so with gusto!

Apparently not everyone shares my sense of joy and the debate rages on the appropriate way to demonstrate that elation.

Case in point - Anthony Cornist, a recent graduate of Mt. Healthy High School, was denied his diploma following commencement ceremonies and instead given a letter from the principal informing him that it was being withheld due to "excessive cheering" by his guests.  (High school senior denied diploma because family cheered too loudly at graduation)  The school included language on the graduation ticket order form that parents (or whoever actually ordered the free tickets) would agree to this type of action for any "disruptive behavior" on their part.  I'm not a lawyer - haven't even played one on tv - but it seems that this type of instruction would be rather difficult to assess.  I mean seriously, did the school have monitors in the audience with those gadgets they use at games to judge crowd noise as they try to whip the spectators into a frenzy during a close game?  How do I get that job?  Or better yet, how does my unemployed 27-year-old son get that job????  PS - Anthony will get his diploma ONCE he completes 20 hours of community service.

I suppose Anthony's mom should be just grateful that the school didn't take more drastic action as they did for 18-year-old Iesha Cooper's mom. (Mom locked up for cheering too loudly at her daughter's graduation)  Iesha, a graduate of South Florence High School, had the privilege of watching her mom (BTW NOT the only one cheering that evening) escorted BY POLICE in HANDCUFFS across the floor in front of the entire graduation audience and graduates and placed UNDER ARREST and charged with Disorderly Conduct.  (Police said it was announced that anyone who cheered or screamed would treated this way.  Again, how are the monitoring this?)  PS - Iesha's party was postponed until mom made bail, but Iesha's memory of her graduation day - what should have been the happiest day of her life so far - is that her mama went to jail that day.

Really?  Really people?  There are so many, MANY heartbreaking stories of kids - those kids who are just plain unlucky and find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time; those kids who make really bad choices with the worst results by getting into drugs, alcohol, and gangs; and then are those who either through circumstance or by conscious choice just insist on taking the most stupid, heinous actions resulting often in not only their own death but also pure agony for so many other families. But by all account, Anthony and Iesha weren't those kids.  These are good kids who did, possibly despite the odds, exactly what we want our kids to do: they completed high school with positive goals for their future - quite an accomplishment in this day!  We should ALL be cheering and screaming for these two and all the others like them!  Kids should know that we are proud of them - sometimes embarrassingly proud of them! - but if ever there was a time to stand up and be heard cheering for our kids certainly this is it!

Way to go Anthony! 

Congratulations Iesha!

(I hope you can you hear me cheering!  Best wishes for your amazing futures!)

~later, tw

Farmer Jax

Our daughter (Jenny) is always looking for ways to engage her two-year-old (Jax) "in the process" and so while teaching him where food comes from, they visited with a Master Gardener at their local store.  He explained the best way to "container garden" (since they have absolutely no yard and were going to be using their deck for this project) and the best crops for a 2-year-old (ones that sprout quickly and could be harvested soonest).

She didn't hold out any unrealistic expectations - as good a little guy as he is, it was difficult to explain "little bit of water" and that maybe "the field" didn't need to be raked every day.

But it appears that the efforts have been "fruitful" (so far) as Jax harvested (and ate!) his first radishes recently (they're a bit "spicy" when eaten alone, he reports, but good when sliced up in a salad) and yesterday he even had a salad of his own lettuce and radishes!

From the photo, you can see he's doing quite a good job with his "apartment garden"! 

~later, tw

In Like a Lion

[again, I know, a late post!  But I am trying to get caught up!!!]

Me @ the Crab Cracker

Travis, Elizabeth & me

March was one busy month around our house.  Of course there were birthdays to celebrate (Elizabeth turned ONE, Travis turned 28 and I...well let's just say I just celebrated another one).  I'm actually one of those who enjoys a party - pretty much any party - and though I seriously can never remember my age without benefit of a calculator, I still enjoy my birthdays each year.  (I mean really - consider the alternative!)  A couple of years ago a young friend asked me which was my favorite - and I really couldn't pick just one favorite birthday memory.  This year was no different.  As my birthday generally falls during Lent and we typically celebrate on a Friday, it's a great excuse to head out for seafood dinner.  This year we went to the Crab Cracker and it was DEE-LICIOUS!  (Though our waitress didn't seem too impressed with our little guys...and in my completely unbiased opinion, Jackson is pretty darn impressive!")

Michael makes them just right!

Since my birthday falls conveniently near St. Paddy's Day it always give the guys a good excuse (like they actually needed one!) to toast me with an Irish Car Bomb.  (I forego this concoction - I like my teeth too much!)  Michael, our "official" Irish bartender carefully poured the drinks.  What the heck?  I see four there and there are only three guys participating this year.  Not too surprising who claimed the "extra" as you can see that Pete & Gerry were fussing around while Michael was showing them how it was supposed to be done.  (I think Michael is in training for our trip to Ireland next year to celebrate his 70th!)



Go!

Showing 'em how it's done...



Slow pokes!  Where's that extra one?



Jax in the truck

Jax on the slide

We also have visits from the grandsons (now that they reside in the same state this is, happily I say, a much more common occurrence) and Jackson got some time outdoors testing all his "vehicles" (and the jungle gym in the backyard) in the snow.  We were the beneficiaries of some great "boy toys" from one of Gerry's co-workers and the two older grandsons have had quite the time trying them all out.  (This not only includes the outdoor toys but also the most extensive Thomas the Train set I've ever seen outside of an actual store!  We're letting Jax take one or two pieces home with him after each visit - relocating the set to Jenny's house.  I hope she & Travis don't catch on until after the entire trainyard goes!!!)

Grandpa Gerry pushing Jax thru the snow

Jax and the "digger"



Jax and Grandpa and Cooper

Finally bedtime means storytime and here grandpa Gerry is reading to Jax from his new books.  These books are from Hallmark and each comes with it's very own stuffed owner - who responds when it "hears" certain phrases.  They are actually kind of fun and I think the adults spent more time trying to coax a response from the critter than the boys did!






 ~later, tw

Greetings from the Emerald City

Recently we were treated to our nephews' performances in The Wizard of Oz.  I know, you're thinking "a grade school play - really?" but it was amazing!  The boys attend St. Alphonsus Parish School in Seattle and these people REALLY know how to stage a production!  Many (MANY!) alumni return annually, not unlike the swallows to Capistrano, just to assist with the play.  I overheard several of them commenting of their fond memories of being Dorothy or one of the winged monkeys when they attended St. Al's years ago!

Nicholas, here as the Cowardly Lion, had the most incredible makeup and costuming job I've ever seen at this level, and did it up proud!  He has a wonderful voice and is quite a "ham" - channeling Bert Lahr at his best!!  And his rendition of "If I Were King of the Forest" was fabulous!










Philip, as one of the Lollipop Guild and then later as the king of the flying monkees, surprised us all!  He really got into both parts - especially the flying monkey.  Apparently, according to his mom, he'd been practicing "monkee chatter" since he was very little and the director was only too happy to have him incorporate that "language" into the part!





It was truly a fun evening and we're already looking forward to next year's production!!

~later, tw

A Quarter of a Century!

[Trying to catch up on some posting!]

In March, Gerry achieved the 25 year milestone at Microsoft!!!  That's a pretty big deal (second only to our marriage in longevity!) because most of the other 'softees that started 1987 or before were smart enough to get out long ago! :)

Actually  Gerry still enjoys his job (lucky for me as I still enjoy spending his paycheck!).  With a little help from his boss, I was able to sneak in that morning before Gerry got to his office and do a little "rearranging"! 


He was able to share this accomplishment with Jenny & her guys too!  Jenny, who by the way is becoming quite the cake baker/decorator!, made an amazing cake - she free-handed the entire design highlighting the cake with the logos of each of the products Gerry was involved with since 1987!






In addition, I ordered personalized M&Ms to celebrate.  M&Ms have their own history at Microsoft.  Each year, on your anniversary, you are supposed to supply one lb./year.  Gerry likes to offer a variety so we collect the entire year in order for him to have 20+ lbs. of M&Ms.  Just for the record - 25 lbs. is A LOT OF M&MS!!!!





The company commemorates each 5 year anniversary with a piece of crystal (I have absolutely no idea who thought this one up!) and Gerry was presented with a large trunk (they couldn't have provided one with a handle?) housing his 35 lb. piece of crystal!  I would have actually hoped that they could have "tetris-ed" the trunk to house his 20th crystal and 15th crystal as well (as I recall they hadn't come up with this "brilliant" plan for his 5th/10th).  He proudly displays these trophies in his office and if "the big one" occurs while he's at this desk, let's just say, it's won't be good for him!

Happy Anniversary, Gerry!!!

~later, tw