Just Enough Cooks in the Kitchen

I came home from my week long business trip on Friday evening feeling a bit run down. Saturday I spent the majority of the day laying low. I napped several times, a clear message from my body that I've been pushing too hard. Chris had been talking all day about a new recipe that she saw on Jamie Oliver's new show on Food Network. Around 5pm I was feeling better so we teamed up and prepared Jamie's "Cheat's Pappardelle with Slow-Braised Leeks and Crispy Porcini Pangrattato" I honestly had never tried Leeks before so I wasn't sure what to expect. We also made the pasta from scratch which is the best way to ensure a killer dish! We spend a fun couple of hours in the kitchen prepping, cooking sipping wine and catching up on each others week. The meal was amazing, one I know we'll make again. It was great way to spend time together and have a delicious meal to share with the family.

Chris has a Cookie Lee show this afternoon. She and Catie will be working there most of the afternoon. My sister Julie and her family will be in Minneapolis for a several hour layover on their way home from Sacramento, CA. I plan on meeting them at the Mall of America to spend some time together. Then tonight, we make some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch to watch the Oscars.

BONUS COVERAGE: Sweetheart Dance 2008

Since I'm going to be out of town the next few days, I didn't want to keep all you fans out there waiting. So, without too much fanfare here is the link to the Family web site where you can access expanded coverage of the photo shoot before the dance. The paparazzi were out in force that night with Allison’s’ Mom, Nik and I all shooting. You would have thought the kids were seasoned celebrities, the way they handled all the flashes. Also I'm including a pix below of both the proud parents and their handsome son.

Sweetheart Dance 2008

For the second year in a row, we have had one of our dear sons attend the Sweetheart Dance at Minnetonka High School. This year Alex was asked by his girlfriend Claire. It was an event full of firsts. First time Alex picked out a tux, First time he bought flowers for someone other than his Mom, First time to a formal event, First time going to a large dinner at a restaurant with only friends and no adults. Alex and Claire went with his good friend Ben and girlfriend Allison. They all met at our house for a photo op. Since Chris was in the hospital recovering from her spinal surgery last year when Nik went to the Sweetheart Dance, she was very excited to be a part of this one. The kids all looked so grown up and sophisticated in their formal wear. Chris and I were both extremely proud. I will be putting up a photo page on the web site soon, but for now here are a few photos.

You Gotta Have Heart

This week we are particularly reminded of what goes in to feelings of the "heart" on every level of our lives. As a parent of a middle age school child, I wanted to share a memo written by an unknown author from a child to a parent – it holds a great deal of wisdom to help us stay focused on how we demonstrate those "heartfelt" feelings toward our kids:

1. Don’t spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for – I’m only testing you.
2. Don’t be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It makes me feel secure.
3. Don’t let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.
4. Don’t make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly "big".
5. Don’t correct me in front of people if you can help it. I’ll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.
6. Don’t make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.
7. Don’t protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.
8. Don’t be too upset when I say " I hate you." Sometimes it isn’t you I hate but your power to thwart me.
9. Don’t take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get me the attention I need.
10. Don’t nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.
11. Don’t forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always accurate.
12. Don’t put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you will find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
13. Don’t be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
14. Don’t tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you can do much to assure me if you try to understand.
15. Don’t ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
16. Don’t ever think that it is beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm toward you.
17. Don’t forget I love experimenting. I couldn’t get along without it, so please put up with it.
18. Don’t forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult for you to keep pace with me, but please try.
19. Don’t forget that I don’t thrive without lots of love and understanding, but I don’t need to tell you, do I?
20. Please keep yourself fit and healthy. I need you!

Giving Thanks

It's pretty humbling to think back to where Chris was a year ago versus where she is today. This anniversary has prompted me to look through old blog entries from the surgery and recovery. Feel free to click on the February 2007 link in the navigation panel to the left and then scroll to the bottom to see the first entries. Catie summed it up best when she overheard Chris and I discussing the anniversary of the operation. She said, “You know Mom, it’s really not an anniversary, it’s more like a re-birthday”. Wow, I couldn’t have said it any better!

The early days after the surgery were not easy; there was a lot of pain and struggle. I have to say I am so proud of Chris for how she has approached the physical and mental challenges of the past year. I can honestly say that she has never once let any of the struggles get to her. She as always remained positive and hopeful, knowing in her heart it was the right thing to do and that in the long run her life would be better with the surgery than without it. Where she is today is living testament to her faith. Thank you to the countless family and friends that sent flowers, prepared meals, offered up prayers, and have called or written with words of encouragement and support. You have also been a critical part of the final success of this journey. We could not have done it without you. God Bless you.

Back to the Future Part II

"Although surgery is a scary step... the agonizing pain, that comes and goes, has clouded out those fears....... I have surgery, tentatively scheduled.........The procedure they will perform is major, and will leave me facing a long road of recovery.... "

Can you believe I shared those words one year ago this week!?! Hello from the anniversary week of my back surgery. I am thrilled to drop you a note and let you know that it feels great to be on the receiving end of a successful surgery! I thank the Lord for the blessing of a full recovery!

I met yesterday with my surgeon, Dr. Holte, and happily shared with him how wonderful I have been feeling these days. I have felt like my old self, since mid November. Although I still have limitations, I can honestly say that it feels great to get around pain free! Dr. Holte gave me the thumbs up to being an exercise routine. I will begin slowly and listen to how my body reacts to activity.

My recovery has been long and I have been surprised at how many months it took me to get around easily but thankfully the worst is in the passed. The doctor looked at my recent x-rays and liked how well the fusion has taken. The fusion is close to being 100% healed. Did I mention that I can bend over and pick things up again!?!






I hope things are great in your corner of the world.

Sending hugs from across the miles!

Chris