All about me day

Today we woke relaxed. It's day two of a family stay at home type of vacation, or stay-cation, as some might call it. 

I had grand plans, we would go to the water park, we might go to a twins game. We had to do a few practical things like groceries, back to school shopping (hallelujah), but I was resolved to be the FUN mom. 

Rose, freshly back from Character Camp was determined to be extra 13 and extremely arugumenttive. Really, it seemed she wanted alone time in her room and all my grand plans have shrunk. Fun mom faded into grumpy mom.

So I'm concentrating on me today. I ran four, four glorious consecutive miles for the first time since August 2012. The fourth mile was a struggle but no foot drop during or after. I even sprinted up a steep hill at mile three and did a little celebratory dance at the top as I heard the Rocky theme music in my head. The construction workers passing by didn't as they gave quizzical looks.

I can't express how torturous the last two years of gimpy running have been for me. Today felt almost spiritual as I slowed at mile four.

Now I relax in a mom's holy sanctity--a hot bath--where I am letting my muscles and mind unwind. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to better ignore 13-year-old defiance and arguing to continue our fun plans.

Yesterday we did eek out a nice outing to Minehaha Falls. Though upon arriving home returned to the other side of Rose. So we shall see.

Persistence

Today, Rose and I went out for a mile-long run. What a difference just a few weeks make!

Half a block in, she said she found out she likes running more if she can go her own, faster pace. Off she went.

See that pink blob? That's Rose!

Here she is zoomed in.

No whining. Minimal walking. She even commented with pride that she was faster than me!

We have to keep talking about pace though and build beyond a mile, but I think she is starting to get it. I'm so proud of Rose for being amazing and of myself for not backing down.

Browned butter

My newest addiction is browned butter. I'm addicted to the nutty goodness. It smells so amazing cooking, and it makes anything it's added to rich and deep.

Best yet, it starts off looking so innocent, so tame. It's just unsalted butter melting peacefully in my favorite pan. A pan that has literally been used only for special deliciousness like browned butter.

As you smell the butter melt, it starts to froth. The key to delicious melted butter is patience. The temp has to be low, and you have to watch it constantly. (See the correlation to Rose...?)

After a little patience, the shallow blond gets deeper and darker...and you'll be drooling as you stir, non-stop. 

Then, just when you feel success in your bones, the dang butter decides to with draw and hide all of its best qualities.

Stirring feverishly as you worry, your sense of smell amps up. The entire success of this cookie relies on your ability to sense when the butter had had just enough heat to be amazing, not burnt. This is no time for panic.

Cause all of a sudden, the most tantalizing smell teases the taste buds,ore importantly you feel it's time . You can see past butter's protective layer  to a rich, beautiful layer.

It has to cool and settle for what feels like eons before this highly nurturerd butter can blend into a recipe to create cookies suitable for President Obama. There is no rushing greatness. 

Character points

There are some days when we all hit our strides. Being all Scandanavian and German, I hesitate to blog about them for fear of bragging. 

Also, this lady has a pretty intense and healthy respect for superstition. If I post the positive, two days later I'll likely have something to the contrary to write.

Well, that's silly. When Rose grows up, if she reads this, she'll only get stories of angst. And really, there have been so many positive times, and really we are very proud of our Rose 

Like in recent weeks, we've been kind of killing it. As parents we are learning letting go and saying yes to things can make life a lot easier. We implemented a character points system allowing Rose allowance and privilege.

How's it work? Well, it's rather brilliant so be prepared to be awed. 

If Rose is caught in a lie and owns up, she gets 100 points. If she fesses up on a second attempt, 75 and so on. Four attempts to come clean whole earning points. 

Depending on the issue, a consequences  might still be warranted, but she will still be rewarded for owning up. In addition, she earns points for not arguing, for apologizing without being asked, for helping out with a good attitude. Basically, for being a person who shows good character.

And...drum roll please... I have noticed a change. She's arguing less. We haven't had any issues with behavior at the Y. Best of all, she is proud to be handed character money to spend on Y field trips, which is what her character points earn her: spending money and freedom.

As a result, everyone seems a little less tired and grumpy--allowing us to enjoy thinks like fireworks! Yay!