Reflecting

 At the end of January, I became co-moderator of my church. I actually kind of chuckle when I say that because a few months before, I had made a conscious decision to step away from another board that I chaired. I had decided to focus on some things that were important to me personally and to be "around" the house more - minding the store if you will.

Then not 1 but 2 people asked me if I would take this on. At first, I immediately declined, but then I found myself randomly considering it. So, the Reader's Digest version is that I'm co-moderator with another parishioner for the year.

I don't really keep my faith a secret, I am pretty open that I attend church regularly, that I pray, and that I believe in a higher power. In my case, God. My faith and belief in Him have gotten me through some incredibly painful and trying times. However, I swear a little, ok, a lot. I even have a mug that says "I love Jesus, but I cuss a little" 

I sometimes gossip, I am sometimes selfish, and I am sometimes jealous. 

All of those imperfections did make me think that maybe I wasn't the right person for the job. I reflected on this for some time, not really sure I was good enough to be in that position. Then I had a little nudge, maybe those imperfections make me the absolute right person for the job.

One of my responsibilities is to write a letter for our monthly newsletter. I'm sharing my April letter below. If you're observing Lent and even if you aren't, I hope you find the power of reflection.

Dear Friends,

Lent has arrived and Easter is fast approaching. I’m looking forward to seeing the sanctuary filled with lilies, daffodils and tulips. The warmer weather and the longer days bring a smile to my face. I’m delighted that we will be able to host a Sonrise bake sale this year and that we will soon revive our legendary coffee hours.

I’ve been sort of torturing myself trying to figure out what to say in this month's letter - I wanted to quote scripture and speak philosophically about Lent. I even Googled “What is Lent?” Spoiler alert - this is not my superpower. Personally, I rely on my friends - Margo and May - to have the most perfect reference to scripture or words of encouragement when I need it. It is their superpower for sure.

I will tell you what I have been doing during Lent - reflecting. Especially when I am sitting in my pew on a Sunday. While I wait for our service to start - I am reflecting. What have I done that week to serve? Were there moments when I was not my best self? Was I kind? Was I generous when I had an opportunity? Was I grateful? Sometimes that reflection makes me smile - I have been a good and faithful servant. Sometimes that reflection reminds me that God is Good and I get another chance to do better.

I hope that you are finding a meaningful way to mark this time leading to a joyous Easter Sunday.

Keep the Faith, see you in church!

In Service,

Heather Romanski

#WakeUp100 

22/100

Ice Ice, Baby

 

About 3 weeks ago, I pulled open the freezer to make our pre-workout drinks at 5 am to find the ice maker drawer noticeably lacking. There was some, but it was evident that it hadn't been making ice since sometime the day before. 

I flipped the bar to the "off" position and added that to my list of things to figure out. 

I was surprised how many times in a day I was looking for ice cubes. I was about to send Paul to the grocery store to buy a bag of ice when he reminded me that we had a countertop ice maker in the basement. Brilliant!! He dragged it up for me and I was back in business -- sort of. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to have it, but that machine requires more attention than the one in freezer. Filtering our well water to protect the inside components, having to empty the cube hopper when it was full, and remembering to turn it off when we were gone all day - all things not required by the one in the freezer.

Paul and I spent the better part of a Saturday googling and trying to figure out where the filter was - I was sure we hadn't changed that in way too long and that seemed like the easiest and cheapest thing to try first. We pulled that sucker out from the wall and started looking. We danced around if for a few hours when we decided to walk away for a bit and run to the grocery store. 

We returned and tried for another 45 minutes, uttering a handful of 4 letter words before we decided that we were quitting for that day and pushed it back into place. At least we ran the vacuum when we had it out from the wall, so all was not lost. 

About a week later, my parents came for dinner. They were getting ready to head out when, in passing, I mentioned that our ice maker wasn't working. I shared my theory on the filter. My dad put his coat down and my mom took her seat at the peninsula again. He and Paul pulled the fridge out from the wall and Dad went to work. 

If you don't know my dad - he is the quintessential handy man. He is a skilled carpenter and electrician. He understands how so many things work and he always has a trick up his sleeve for when you encounter a hiccup. He also does things "the right way" - not necessarily the fastest or cheapest - but quality work. 

After about 30 minutes of checking things out and asking Paul for the vacuum, a good screwdriver, a flashlight and a wet rag... he made an announcement. 

"I do not believe that this model has a water filter" and then recommended that we push it back to its usual location. 

"Have you called Whirlpool?" 

"Not yet dad" 

"I think I will have some time on Monday. Please write the model number down for me." 

Fast forward to Monday...

I receive a text message "Good time to call?"

"Yes, please call my office phone" 

"I called Whirlpool - it only took me about 30 minutes on hold until I could talk to someone. I thought that was pretty good. The tech confirmed you do not have a water filter, so that is not the issue. He said it is 1 of 3 things - frozen water line, ice maker needs a reset, or its shot."

I think you should try resetting the unit first. There is a procedure to do this, and it is very specific. You have to do it in the exact order I tell you. I will text you and Paul so you both have the information" 

"OK, thanks for doing that. I know it's a pain to sit on hold. I will do that and let you know" 

He sent the 2.5 screens of instructions to Paul and I via text, as promised that day. This was a Monday. Tuesday he texted -- had I tried the reset yet? I had not -- but I promised that I would soon. 

Wednesday, we had nothing going on when I got home from work and dinner was already in the crockpot. I pulled up the text and started the process.  Step 1 - check, Step 2 - check. The second step was to kill the power to the fridge and I quote "for a minimum of 7 minutes." I did that, checked my watch and then headed to pick Kristen up from an afterschool program. She was not ready when I got there so the fridge was off for more like 30 minutes, so I was in good shape.

I turned it back on and waited. When we headed to bed, there did not seem to be any new ice in the bucket. Maybe it takes a little time? 

Another day or two - nothing. I let my dad know and said I would google "frozen ice maker water lines" and see if we could handle that. He chuckled and told me to let him know how I made out. 

Then, early last week, I was making those water bottles again. I pulled open the freezer and grabbed a handful of ice. I'd been dumping the counter ice maker cubes into the bin. I immediately noticed that there were 2 different shaped cubes.

"I think the ice maker is working?" I said to Paul

Since there were only a few of that shape in there, we held off celebrating until we could be sure it was not a fluke. 

I'm happy to report that the ice maker is running like a champ and Doc Holliday (my dad) has once again, saved the day in Romanskiville. 

He's a keeper for sure! 

#WakeUp100

21/100

Ebb and Flow

 

It happened today, I stopped at a stop sign, glanced over, saw a mini excavator and without even thinking, I looked to see if it was him. 

Of course, it wasn't him. He's been gone since December 28 and most days I know that, but today - just for a moment - I forgot.

In early December 2021, my uncle took a serious fall off a piece of heavy machinery. He was hospitalized, his condition was up and down, until he was gone. 

I wrote about him in early January in a post entitled Ordinary Joe, it was the first time I had posted since November 2021. It was the only post in January. 

I had been noticing the activity on that piece of property for a week or so. I would immediately think of him and similar work that he had done with Stephen and David's help at my house. Every day I pass the spot there is a little more work done. I don't recall actually seeing anyone there working until today. 

I left work a little after 4 and started the ride home. I always avoid Route 32 by going "the back way." I slowed to stop at the stop sign before making the right and the scoop on the little white excavator moved. As I turned to look, for a split-second, I thought it was him. 

Crazy, I know! 

I don't think he had a white excavator, but the man in the seat was built like him, dressed similarly and then, then my brain caught up with my heart. I looked closer and his face didn't look familiar at all. 

Eyes filled with tears, deep exhale, and reality sets in. 

"Grief is tricky" - that's what I said the entire month of January as people would ask how he was, and I would say he was gone.

Grief is like the ocean, and we keep learning how to swim.

#WakeUp100

20/100

Don't Slash all Four Tires

 

I did not write yesterday. I made it 18 days in a row - writing and posting - but I just did not have it in me yesterday. 

The week had been kind of busy and were out later than usual on a Friday night. My Saturday morning walking partner is in FL, so I took advantage of that and stayed in bed until 8am! Paul had an appointment to get 2 wisdom teeth pulled. We were up and getting ready for the day when the phone rang, and they called to ask him to come early ??? 

Paul got home from there and then headed out to practice bowling with Kristen. Their new routine on Saturday mornings. 

We had a 1st birthday party, grocery shopping, the Ridgeline needed a new battery, and before we knew it, we were home after 6pm. 

Then you have to put all that stuff away from Aldi and Walmart. Then the people need to eat. We decided to watch Survivor while we ate dinner - which ended up being a bit of a smorgasbord. Then there is the clean-up!

It was about then I realized, there had been NO writing and there was now absolutely no ambition. 

Is this where it ends? I made it 18 out of the 100 and that's all she wrote? [See what I did there] 

Honestly the me of 4 years ago, might have just stopped. Slashing the proverbial remaining 3 tires because the one went flat. However, the me of today - is writing - post #19 on day 20. 

I've learned so much about perspective these last 4 years. A healthy investment in some personal development courses and a global pandemic will do that for you. 

I've spent a lot of time encouraging my girls to try and try and try again. Why wouldn't I take my own advice. It would have been amazing to write every. single. day for 100 days straight but for someone who is doing so many things and responsible for so much, I'm not sure it was practical. 

So here I am, demonstrating perseverance. Writing post 19 on Day 20.

I hope you looked for a post yesterday and were a tiny bit disappointed that you couldn't find one. I promise, it won't happen often. 

I hope you're glad that you found this one today. 

#WakeUp100

19/100

Gimme Back that Filet o Fish

About 12 years ago there was this McDonalds commercial that ran during lent. When you were lucky enough to see it, you were singing that song All. Day. LONG. 

Please enjoy:

We were lucky enough to have our own movie star .....

This will probably be incorporated into her graduation or wedding video someday because I just CANNOT get enough of her little voice. 

You're welcome!

#WakeUp100 

18/100

You're Welcome

 

In the event that you were not aware, Cadbury Mini Eggs are in the stores. Walmart had this convenient supersize bag in stock when I was there a few Saturdays ago.

These are one of my favorites, and, unlike other candies, there does not seem to be a "flavor" for every season. I only ever see them this time of year. 

I was so grateful that when I bought this bag, there were no children accompanying me on my shopping trip. I declined their help to unpack the bags when I got home. 

Nine of these babies are 160 calories (a decent snack or treat) and 9 at once is plenty. OK, who am I kidding? I could eat a couple of handfuls of these things at once, but I'm going to be 50 in May and weight doesn't drop off that easily - so 9 it is. 

I am not sharing. 

The bag is hidden. 

Do NOT tell on me. I will NOT tell on you.

You're welcome.

#WakeUp100

17/100

Just a Little Competitive

 

I've had my Apple watch for a couple of years now and I'm so attached to it and all that it does, when something goes wrong - it is NOT pretty. 

For example, there have been times when I have not charged it correctly overnight. There have been times - like that time I was in a mediation session - that it started warning me there was low power. Since it was unclear to me how much longer we would be "mediating" that I called Paul and made him bring me my charger. 

The thing that gets me are the monthly fitness challenges. When a new month rolls around, I get a new challenge. Last month it was to record a workout of at least 15 minutes - 16 times. That one was easy. 

For March, I have to double my move goal 27 times - TWENTY-SEVEN. There are only 31 days in the month, I don't have a big margin for error. 

I've been doing pretty well, but this week has been a struggle. 

The last 3 mornings we have gotten up to work out, but the dog has vomited or had diarrhea in his create. Today we were able to get to him outside before a huge cleanup was necessary. We've skipped the workouts to clean or baby-sit him for a bit. 

Add in, it is Spring Break at the college and I am the only coverage for the phones and Service Desk. I'm a little low on the ol' step count. 

So as of this moment -- I am at 581 calories burned, I'm short about 59. Do you know what I am going to do? 

I'm grabbing my fleece, 1 air pod, my Noxgear vest and I'm going to walk up a little bit while I listen to a podcast until my watch signals that I have hit the goal. 

I know, it doesn't make sense to me either. For some reason, I am really committed to this little badge on my watch that signifies I accomplished the goal that my watch set for me. 

I gotta jet -- it's 9:17 and we had to bed at 9:30pm -- I'm going to have to walk fast!

#WakeUp100 

16/100