Hurt So Good

The last weekend in February, we reclaimed the basement gym. The following Monday, we rolled out of bed at 5am and off we went to work out. 

It had been over a year. We always take a break around the peak season at UPS - Paul is working long days and needs the sleep in the morning. I use the space to set up a wrapping station where I can leave the paper, tags, tape, etc. out and easily accessible. 

We normally pick back up in January, but I was having some pretty significant issues with my feet. I spent 5 months in physical therapy in order to get that straightened out and then it was the holidays again.

So - FINALLY - after 14 months we were back on track.

Last Friday was our first "leg day" -- Paul hates leg day, I could do those exercises EVERY DAY. My legs are where all my strength lives -- they may not be the prettiest ones out there -- but they are strong. 

That being said, remember, it had been more than a year. 

At one point, Paul said "You're crazy - that's pretty heavy for week 1"

I shrugged it off and kept at it. 

We finished the workout and went on about our morning routine. As I headed downstairs to get ready to leave for the office after my shower, I immediately felt that little wobble. You know the one, right? Where you can feel your legs shake so you grab onto the railing for leverage (spoiler alert - I use the railing every. single. TIME. I go downstairs)

As Friday progressed, I could feel my muscles getting tighter by the hour. Saturday was hysterical -- Paul and I groaning every time we got up out of a chair or sat down. 

OK - maybe I did lift a little heavy for the first day. 

Today was Week 2, Day 1 - chest and triceps. 

Don't worry - no repeat mistakes here. I grabbed those little baby 5lb and 8lb weights without any hesitation. 

7/100

#WakeUp100 

She Gave Me Soap

 

I work at a small, private liberal arts college. My area employs students to provide level 1 support. Our coordinator hired excellent kids these last 2 years. They have strong technical skills as well as great customer skills. 

One of our new hires this year is from Greece. She is top-notch. She has picked up the job quickly, she is dependable and really kind to our end users -- many who are not strong with technology. 

She spent Fall Break in NYC and when she came back to work was excited to share her many pictures. When she returned to work after traveling home for Christmas, she immediately asked how my holidays were and genuinely listened to my answer. 

Then she shyly said "I brought you something" 

I was shocked ... literally one other time in 8 years have students given me a gift. 

She reached into her bag and produced this adorable little soap -- it is made from donkey milk and is very popular where she lives. First, she had no idea that I enjoy luxurious soap, but I hardly ever treat myself this way. Secondly, she had no idea that while Paul is busy pining over a goat...I am pining over a mini donkey. I told her that on more than one occasion I have come close to building a little barn and paddock for Eeyore (I know, no points for originality.) 

Without skipping a beat, she says "Back home, I have a farm - I could teach you how to take care of it" 

I laughed, and actually considered it for a few seconds, before I realized that would mean I would have to agree to the goats! 

I love connecting with these kids. 

I love that she thought about me while she was home with her parents who miss her terribly when she is with me. 

I love that she gave me a little donkey soap. 

The Last Dance

 

Tonight, Mike Krzyzewski coached his last regular season game as the Duke Men's Basketball.

He's coached for 42 years at the same place, has the most wins in college basketball and he turned 75 in February. Damn!

I’ve loved watching him coach.

I’ve loved watching his teams play. 

Well done, Coach. Well done.

Just Tell Them

Last month, I attended a meeting with a fairly large audience. One of the speakers shared information that was factual and accurate and expressed what many others in that meeting were probably thinking. Another attendee asked a question of that speaker and it came off snarky? Condescending? After considering it for sometime, I think the person who asked the question was really trying to be supportive of the speaker and it just came out wrong. 

This whole exchange has resurfaced a handful of times since that meeting and every one I talk to completely supports what was said. It occurred to me today that I hadn't told the person who made the statement that there were lots of people who agreed and supported what he said. 

So today, I sent a note that went something like this ...

..... I can't think of 1 conversation with a staff member where that has come up and it has been anything but positive around what you said. So many of us can relate (sort of) to the situation you described.

It occurred to me that maybe I should share with you - the one brave enough or maybe sleep deprived enough - to speak his truth. So here I am, sending you a note --- so you know that there's a decent contingent of people on your side.

Hang in there,


A few hours later I got a response, here's part of it

"I am about to walk into a committee meeting where we do the hardest part of our work - ...... And your email literally brought tears to my eyes."

Please know how appreciative I am of you, this email, and your incredible positivity you bring every day."


I'll be honest, I expected a reply.  What I didn't expect was how something that took just a few minutes for me to write had such a profound impact on someone and how I was moved to send it on a day, at a time where he needed to hear it. 

It didn't cost a cent, but its worth immeasurable. If you're wondering if you should say it, wondering if it matters or makes a difference .... just tell them.

We are So Lucky

Last night our accountant sent me a text to let me know our returns were completed. She would let me know when she was leaving the office and would drop them by if it wasn't too late. 

Oh, and we owed some .... 

I immediately started down that road, the one where you have all "those" thoughts"

"Just when we start to get ahead"

"Oh my gosh, where are we going to get all that money???"

"Why do we work so hard???" 

Then I caught myself. The last 2 years have been difficult for so many people. They have lost jobs, property, loved ones. 

Paul and I never stopped working our regular workload since March 2020. In fact, from March - July 2020 we would have been happy for Paul to have his hours cut a bit. He was leaving the house at 8am and getting home between 10-10:30 each night. 

We have from now until April 18 to pinch some pennies here and there to come up with the money we need that we hadn't planned on spending right now. 

We'll re-evaluate our deductions and up the additional amount withheld to try to close the gap some. 

This, too, shall pass. We are so lucky to have such abundant lives. 

#WakeUp100

Ash Wednesday Tradition

Today is Ash Wednesday and I cooked hot dogs for dinner. 

I know, you are confused -- you aren't supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday. 

There's a backstory, you can read it the whole thing in this post from 2011. 

The short version is Paul's Catholic, gives up meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. I'm Protestant and that isn't our practice. When Paul and I were dating he bowled on Wednesday nights. He'd go right from work and I would meet him there. His Dad, Joe, would come watch, faithfully, every week. During the second game, I'd go order us dinner.

That night Paul probably had a fish sandwich, but I, I ordered my usual - "the split." That was a hot dog and french fries.

Joe was obviously bothered by the fact that I was enjoying that hot dog. Months later, when we were telling Paul's mom about that night she said "He wasn't mad that you were eating it, he was mad that he COULDN'T" 

We laughed so hard. 

Then it just sort of became a thing - mostly after he passed. When the kids were little, I would load them up and take them to the snack bar at the bowling alley and we'd order hot dogs and french fries. I'd tell them about that night and other funny stories about him. They never knew him, he died in December of 2005 and Brooke arrived in September of 2006. 

Tonight, I had a meeting at 7 and Kristen stayed after school. There wasn't time to go out, but there was time to have hot dogs and remember Grandpa Joe. 

So tonight is Ash Wednesday and we had hot dogs for dinner and I am smiling for all the happy times I shared with my father in law. 

For the record, Paul had cheese pizza.

Joe Romanski throwing out the first pitch

Are You Kidding Me?

 

Many of you know that Paul has worked for UPS as a driver for over 30 years. He's had a handful of routes in different towns. He's seen some interesting things over the years. 

He's seen deer wandering through yards. He's helped turtles across the road even though some were less than grateful. 

He's delivered to houses with cats, dogs - friendly and unfriendly, and there was the house with the potbellied pig -- that lived inside the house. 

About 3 years ago, Paul took a route in Northeastern CT, almost to the Massachusetts border. The route is rural and full of farms. We enjoyed many weekend rides to Woodstock and back during 2020 when there was nowhere else to go. 

It isn't unusual to get a text from him during the day. Sometimes it is of a sign that caught his eye, sometimes it is a garden, fire pit, or some other landscape feature that he might consider adding to Romanskiville. 

Today, this was the picture I received. Paul met him a few months ago and has named him "Roy" -- that's a story for another post. Roy is super friendly, very intrigued by the big brown truck, and while he has no problem jumping up in it, does seem to be terrified to jump out. Paul regularly has to scoop him up and set him back on the ground. 

Here's Roy! 

#WakeUp100