Saturday, February 26, 2011

Successful Surprise

11. We pulled off a long-distance surprise this week! We have been making plans for several weeks to surprise Micah in Colorado for her birthday. We left Thursday at 3:30 p.m. (30 minutes ahead of schedule!) and drove the 15+ hours to Col. Springs. Had a delay right away from a wreck on the interstate, ran into some ice and icy fog in Kansas, but made it to Micah's house at 6:45 a.m. her time. She was still asleep and just came downstairs later to find her parents AND her grandparents sitting in her den. She was very surprised and very excited. My only disappointment was that she didn't cry! :) (I did have to wipe my eyes.)

We are having SO much fun seeing Ben in action! He is hilarious! Granddad (Brian) accidentally taught him a new trick- when someone tells him to call Nana he yells "Dawne!" We went to the Focus on the Family HQ today, as well as Garden of the Gods. And, of course, the "free pet store"- Petco!

Micah suggested that I take advantage of the climbing wall at the REI store as one of my firsts, but I have just let that one slide, hoping she doesn't bring it up again...

Happy Birthday, Micah! When you only have a real birthday every 4 years, you should have something special for an in-between one every now and then!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Technological Communication

I've had 2 new firsts involving long-distance communication:

#9- This actually happened on my birthday, but I have been awaiting the "all clear" to share this wonderful, exciting news! I took a "mental health" day on my birthday and skyped with Micah at some point during the day (she is our #2 child & lives in Colorado Springs, for any of my multitude of readers that might not know that). After several minutes of general conversation, she said "Do you want to see the cute shirt I got for Ben at the Carter's Outlet?" She often shows us his cute clothes, as well as his cute-ness, so I was not suspicious. She held him up & his shirt said "Big Brother"!!! Yea, yea, yea!!! The other fun tidbit is that on my birthday 2 years ago, she mailed me a cute little onesie that said "I Love Nana" as an announcement of Ben's existence. Can't think of a better present! Baby Wiginton #2 is due in late September, just after Big Brother Ben turns 2.
(For the record, I am showing great restraint in not reporting on the brilliance that is Ben. He is the biggest-talking little 18-month old I've ever seen! I'll just tell you this: he actually uses words like "hydrant, stretch, octagon, tornado, plenty, ...")

#10- Brian has been on a mission trip to Haiti this month. He & a team of 12 went for a week and built 8 "houses" (12x12 little one-room houses with a 6-ft. front porch). They had a really good trip and Brian is chomping at the bit to go back as soon as possible. The communication "first" is that he called me several times from Haiti. I'm still amazed that communication from that far away sounds like you are next door. I'm very thankful for getting to keep in touch in such a situation.

Grateful, too, for the e-communication that is the blog :)

Friday, February 11, 2011

Lessons Learned from Friends

(No "firsts" chronicled here)

I've learned lots of great lessons from friends, co-workers, and relatives. Here are some of my favorites:

*Embrace your inner nerd. (Thank you, Lauren W.)
I think this is so funny- and so freeing! It's great to realize that EVERYone is a little weird. I think we all have some degree of OCD and strange little habits and thoughts. My daughter, Micah, once confessed in her blog (see "I'm Just Saying" in my blog list) that she associates certain numbers with certain colors (or something like that- she's weird- haha :). Myself: I have to always put on my left sock first; I'm VERY picky about how my dishwasher is loaded (don't touch it!); when I see the Washington Monument I am compelled to say "obelisk" out loud; need I continue???

*Bring unexpected "party favors" to gatherings of friends. (Cousin Cheryl)
I've received several fun "happies" from Cheryl over the years. It can be a little notepad, a novel reusable shopping bag (in its own lemon-shaped bag :), and various personalized items. As a recipient, this is SO fun! And the few times I've been the donor, that's equally fun! Start your stash now.

*Something is better than nothing, and always strive for more. (Christy P.)
Christy taught me this when she was my Sunday School teacher at Central Baptist. At her urging, I have read at least a few verses from the Bible or a page or 2 in a devotional book almost every morning for the past few years. I think this lesson applies to other areas of life, too. I need to try it in housecleaning, exercising, dieting, keeping in touch with family & friends, ...

*Risk being cheesy & tell people how much they mean to you. (A. Smith)
This friend is so great about writing sweet notes or leaving great voicemails about how she was just thinking about you & prayed a specific prayer for you. I've heard her say to people in the office (not at church!) "you came to my mind today & I prayed for ______ for you." Great example to follow.

I'm open to more lessons- share your favorites~~~

Cooking and Sledding

First #7- New experience in cooking.
I tried a new recipe last week, one that you've probably seen in many magazines in recent months (well, it could've been from a 2009 magazine- I've been catching up on my magazine reading lately...). It was for Southwest White Chicken Chili. It called for 2 ingredients I have never used, purchased, or even looked for on a Tuesday at Kroger! Cumin and cannellini (white kidney) beans. I borrowed cumin from my more culinary DIL, and we loved the new recipe.

#8- Sledding.
Of course, I have been on a sled before in my life, but this is my game, so I can make up the rules. This was my first sledding in probably 20+ years. During the "Blizzard of 2011" this week, I plopped down on a sled before I could lose my nerve and asked Ted for a shove. "Not over the ramp," I said, "just beside it." I know he heard me, and he claims he intended to honor my request, but something came over him and he pushed me toward the ramp. I cleared the 1st hump and landed on the 2nd one. Luckily, (for Ted as well as me) it was powdery snow and no injuries occurred. Take 2: a good shove down the path beside the ramp, and I went down our yard, across the street, and down the neighbor's steep yard. Lots of squealing took place, but I actually did enjoy it!

This is fun :)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Senior Savings

You know, many people have a difficult, depressing time turning 30. And society gives you nothing to show for it. Similar situation when you turn 40. But here's something to look forward to- when you turn 55 you get some automatic discounts! Tonight we took advantage of 2 of these---

First #5- Tonight we went to Dixie Cafe to take advantage of a special they have this month. Then, when we looked at the menu- surprise! Tuesday is Senior Discount Night! Brian & I each got a dollar off our meal :) (True to form, however, Brian sees saving money at a restaurant as a mandate to get an extra appetizer or dessert- tonight the cobbler was calling him...)

And #6- This one we did on purpose. Tuesday is also Senior Discount Day at Kroger. I'm told that you can walk in there during the day and notice that by the clientele. Since we are "young seniors" though, we went after dark :) I went to Customer Service to have my discount info loaded onto my card. Apparently, the computer immediately assesses your perceived needs- when I checked out & got my automatic coupons, for the first time ever I had one for Poise Light Bladder Control Pads! Really??? I guess I have lots of things to look forward to...

Hooray for maturity!!! I'll be looking for all my friends next Tuesday~