What's on my Mind: Just getting through all the end of the school year activities and our sports commitments. Contemplating how different it is dealing with teenage boys than teenage girls (sons vs. daughter). We had an emotional weekend, many tears, surprisingly not from me but from my men. They too have their breaking point emotionally, it just seems to take more to crack them than it does women. Fear not, all is well, life is unfolding as it should.
Thankful for: A wonderful day out with friends this past week. First stop was the Flint Crepe Company for brunch, everything on their menu is organic and locally grown, made right there while you wait and tastes fantastic. Love, love, love this concept - wish there were more establishments like it. Next we popped into the Flint Public Library then over to the Flint Institute of Arts. Unfortunately I can not post photos from the gallery since I signed an agreement but we all enjoyed the eclectic mix of exhibits, met a featured artist [David Maxim] that was on sight that day, and got a private tour of the ceramics area, from classrooms to kilm room, which was very cool.
Creative Endeavors: Zippo.
Latest Project: The pig pen is almost complete, just a few last things to secure. We got a great deal on some used items (feeder, fencing, gate, water nipplers) which means the project will come in well under budget. Working to get some press going for the spring choir concert but not having much success.....sent out press releases but some of the papers did not use them which is a drag. Posters are going up all around town thanks to choir members, hoping we'll have a decent turnout this weekend.
My 3 Sons: Ethan ran the North Branch Area Schools Spring Fitness 5K with me yesterday. He and his buddy came through the shoot together, first in their age group with a time of 28:21 on a very challenging and extremely cross-country route. I finished as well, running the whole squishy course in 39:18. Baseball is going well, opener will be next weekend. He also got out to collect sponsors for the Swine Department again visiting those that gave last year, nearly everyone gave again. It would be cool if he won the incentive for a second year but he expressed he's just happy to help and it's not about winning so much this time. First prize is $100 cash, second is a $50 gift certificate to Tractor Supply Company.
Benjamin is really enjoying being on a soccer team with all his school buddies. At first he was giving me grief about not doing AYSO again but it all worked out for the best. I like that he will have a couple years of rec play with the kids that he will eventually end up on the high school team with, first game will be this week. Coach was very excited to have him and commented that he had some great skills and is a real 'team' player. Cool. Pigs have been saved at the breeders and will be picked up this coming weekend.
Fox is experiencing a definite sophomore slump. Track season has not gone the way he hoped, for all his hard work he is not getting the results he aims for and it has him a bit discouraged. I know it will all click in for him if he doesn't let it mess with him mentally, each meet, each race, is a fresh start and as long as he can not dwell on his 'bad' runs and keep a positive attitude for the next run he'll be fine. Next month he will take the AP Psych and AP World History exam, here's hoping for a 3 or 4 score! We've also been discussing the idea of him going to Cross Country camp at Grand Valley State University this summer to get another campus experience and some new running influences.
The first Born: Car is all better, tires and brake line dealt with. Haven't seen her much lately but we keep in text....miss her!
Employment News: Nothing new to report at this time just doing some substitute teaching when I can. May be helping Rob with some administrative things for his company as they get the machine selling aspect in place. Open House went well and they had a nibble on a machine purchase. A fellow employee is out of the picture due to some personal issues so Rob is going to be doing quadruple duty .... praying all will work out for the best but it may be a bumpy go for a bit.
Hoping to Improve: Food sources. Our brunch at Flint Crepe Company sparked my desire to scale down my grocery purchases at big chain stores and begin to focus again on growing my own and buying locally. We are fortunate to live in a farming area so it is readily available, just have to purpose to buy that way and not just run to Meijer when we need things. In this grabable, eat-on-the-go, world it can be very challenging but it is possible. Planted some spinach and peas this week, looking forward to getting the rest of the garden planted soon.
Food for Thought: Savoring is an art that can enhance your entire life. The practice of slowing down, appreciating small things, and immersing yourself in the present increases your ability to derive satisfaction from every life experience, including the experience of eating. ~Ten Habit of Naturally Slim People
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