Live from Tormville!

Happy Friday!

This past month has been a whirlwind with Easter company, school, sports, quarantines, Mark's daily swim goal, archery, meetings, learning M-STEP organization, etc....

I like whirlwinds. 

BUT - I don't like falling behind here. So - a quick bullet point rundown: 

• Wendy and Kirk came home for Easter. 
• No. They are not engaged. 
• They've been very patient, know that I've been busy, and haven't even asked about these Easter afternoon pictures. 
• Kirk introduced me to a new fun gadget that I think I'm going to order this weekend and hope to implement some playtime into my photography stuff.
• Both boys are currently quarantined.
• Quarantines skyrocketed after spring break. 
• The sentencing time changed again yesterday, so both boys will be back to school sooner rather than later. 
• Mark is still keeping up with his daily swimming goal, despite the fact that being quarantined won't allow him use of the pool. 
• Yesterday morning we woke up to snow. Yesterday afternoon he was in the lake. 
• I had my meeting at the Sheriff's office this week, and after a prolonged wait due to the pandemic, I will be officially on call beginning 6/4.
• (more details coming, as one of my roles is recruiting and building the unit) 
• The timeline is perfect. My last day of school is May 28, and my last day of work for the school year is 6/11. 
• I'm still out taking pictures nearly six days a week.  
• Last night had all games canceled due to quarantines, and I was pacing.....not knowing what to do with all my free time. 
• (I did laundry) 
• Wendy got a new job!  She's passed her written scuba diving test, and now just needs to pass the swim portion.  She's going to be cleaning the muck out of the lakes of the well to do.  As many people have told her, uh...that's where Prince lived!  
• I can't wait to hear her stories. 
• Wendy tells great stories.
• Barring any quarantines, Brian will compete in archery nationals a week from tomorrow. 
• We've been driving more, again.  Our Secretary of State is closed, again. 
• I'm scheduling him for the summer. 
• Allan is still at home, and working more.  He was on the waitlist for an apartment, but it fell through when the current renter changed their mind and renewed their lease. 
• Any leads on affordable rentals of any sort - appreciated.  
• Greg is still working from home a couple days a week, and in the office a couple days a week. It's sporadic and not predictable. 

Time for me to put my stuff together and get to work. 

Happy Friday!!

District Champs!

My photo isn't the best quality. 
I was struggling with timing and a lens change, and - as things happen- the moment was over before I had everything in place. 
It happens. 

We'd lost to Hartland twice this season, and Saturday's game had all the elements. The score was tight, the three pointers were sinking, there was at least one technical foul, and at one point I almost couldn't watch anymore as the Hartland team was gaining momentum and we were losing our lead in the 4th quarter.  My stomach was in knots, and I lost a few key photographs for it. 

But this one is my favorite, out of focus and all. 

Why? 

For a few reasons I suppose.  I'll look at it and always remember the energy that that game held. 
I'm grateful that, despite all the politics and all that goes with it, that winter sports were able to finish their season this year. 
And I love their smiles. 

I had to sit on my fingers Saturday night when the paper posted their article, and the lead picture was a picture of just the Howell team on the sidelines and two of the six pictures players with their masks slipping. Not off. Not all the way to their chin. Just slipping.

Within minutes there was a snide mask comment made. 

Not a way to go team comment. Not a congratulations on defeating the team that you lost to twice this season.  Only an impolite comment on the masks. 

I typed out at least three responses, deleted them all and crawled into bed. 

But it's weighing on me. Because I'm at those games.  I have seen those boys put on a fresh mask before they hit the court, only to come off a few minutes later and have to wring the sweat out of them into a garbage can. 

I have seen them, repeatedly, pulling them up during and after a play.  I've seen them pulling them away, not down or off,  from their face as they try and catch their breath

I've been witness to masks so drenched, they lay on their faces like a soaked sweaty sock. They. Are. Doing. Their. Best. They should be commended for their efforts and how well they've adapted.  

Now we are requiring them to get tested several times a week, and some of them are already getting tested twice a week if their job requires it. This is a fact. We have teenagers that are getting tested four times or more a week, so they can play. And work!  Give them some grace.

As for this picture - I love their smiles. They spend more time with each other this time of year than they do with their families. Their team IS their family. The eat pre-game meals together, play together, go out to restaurants together to celebrate their wins, have classes together, get tested together and hang out together during their off time.  

Let them enjoy the game. 

Tonight they take on Walled Lake Northern in the Regional Semifinal. 

Go get 'em Boys!  

 

 

Fifty-One

My husband is fifty-one today. 

Greg doesn't show up on here very much. He doesn't have social media, he's not a game chaser like I am, and he can most often be found out in his garage working with his hands. He still carves, he's built his own forge and likes to experiment now with metal by making knives and plant hangers,  he plays with his lathe now and then and he can still fix pretty much any problem we have with our home or vehicles.  And he cooks! 

While he's never been interested in my plus one ticket to the games, he's always been supportive of my going. In fact, he's been supportive of every single thing I've tossed out over our 33 years together, 29 of those married. 

Me at 23: Hey - I have an opportunity to live in Finland for a year
Him: That sounds like an amazing experience
Me, newly married: I joined a woman's hockey team. 
Him: That sounds like a blast. 
Me: I always planned to stay home, even after the kids went to school - but I there's an opportunity available. 
Him: Go for it.
Me, in the past: I may apply for a new job, but it would mean more days/hours. 
Him: It sounds well suited to you. 
Me: I changed my mind about that job, the cons outweigh the pros. 
Him: I trust your decision. As long as you're happy. 
Me: I've applied for a volunteer position that I feel very strongly about, but it's going to put me in high risk situations, and I'll be on call - so it will be a change of lifestyle. 
Him: That sounds very rewarding. 
Me: I want to go to a game tonight (and the next night, and the next night, and the night after that) 
Him: Have fun!
Me: We could use your robotics knowledge, do you think you could coach Brian's (and then Mark's) robotics teams? 
Him: What days and times? 
Me: They are looking for more coaches for archery, would you be interested? 
Him: How do I begin? 
Me: I want to paint the living room. 
Him: Tell me when and I can help move the furniture. 
Me: I want to replace your La-Z-Boy
Him:  NO

Grin. 

I am  blessed. 

Pandemic Banquets

Pandemic banquets are weird. 

Both boys had events last night.  Brian had an archery award ceremony last night - zoom style. They had to be present to win. Or not. 
As the slide show began, I was wondering if we were in the right zoom, as I didn't recognize any of the archers. I hadn't picked up on that it was a slide show and award ceremony for one particular hosted tournament and not specific to our team.
What I did pick up on is that when you have a lot of teens in a zoom meeting, at 4:30 before many parents are at home, there is a lot of chatter, scribbling on the presentation and attendees posting messages to please stop scribbling on the presentation. 

From his event, it was a quick dinner and then to Mark's Swim and Dive banquet award ceremony.  No food can be served during pandemic award ceremonies. Nobody beyond the athletes and coaches can attend - so it was a quick drop off, then back home to watch the live feed while guessing if it was going to finish early to send a driver back to pick him up. 

Only during pandemic banquets ceremonies does someone get awarded with "Most Likely to Get Quarantined" 

My husband: There is a lot of talking at this banquet. It's loud. 
Me: It's a middle school event with no parents. 
My husband: AAAAaaaaah! 

Best Team Player was the award given to Mark. 

Food in the form of pre-packaged treats were passed out at the door as they exited, an approved way of providing food at a banquet. Short and sweet and clean up was a breeze. 

On Yearbook, Plans, Markisms and Other Stuff

Yearbook

I've lost track of how many years I've put together our elementary yearbook, my favorite and my most anticipated (by me) project of the year. It's a project that brings together all my favorite things: photography, design and tedious organization.  

I had to let it go this year.  I had to let it go, or the frustration of a multitude of changes combined with not having the access to begin on my normal timeline - well, letting it go was the only choice I had if I wanted to maintain my sanity during a school year that has had double the normal work load. 

The only contribution that I put into this year's yearbook was proofreading, and I had less than a full day to do that in. So. It's going to look different. It's not bad. It's just different. 

I have high hopes of taking it back next year. Fingers crossed. 

What I HAVE enjoyed, is being accepted by the high school as a  photographer for their yearbook. While I don't have a hand in the design, that I've been able to contribute by attending events and taking photos has been my lifeline. I'm grateful. The work on the spring supplement begins soon, and my April calendar is delightfully loaded with new sports to photograph. I hope I can continue to contribute in some capacity in the years ahead. 

Plans

• Two more days of school until spring break! We are not going anywhere this year - but will enjoy Wendy and her favorite sidekick coming to town as well as hosting our guest minister - Greg's childhood friend who was best man in our wedding.  Greg has shared many memories with the boys over the past couple weeks in anticipation. 
• Forty-one more days of kids in the school. My days go by quickly, and as always, there are not enough hours. 
• More biking. The weather has been beautiful. I plan to pull my bike out of storage soon, and we've got one on order for Mark. Bikes are hard to find in the store, and ordering is a two month wait. Fingers crossed we like what we've ordered.  
• On walking. My step count is way down this year. I need to get on that. I've signed up for an IN PERSON 5K, so I really need to get my butt moving.  I wasn't at all motivated by virtual 5Ks. 
• I need to plan something fun for summer besides bringing Mark swimming 200 days in a row.

Markisms: 

• Mark, who rarely even turns his phone on: Mom, I don't even ever use Snapchat, and I got a friend request. 
  Me: Well, let me see who it is - maybe it's someone from church or school. 
  Me, not recognizing the name, I use my PowerSchool skills to confirm it is not a classmate. Delete. 
  Mark: Can I just delete Snapchat? 
  Me: Well, you could - but it's how your peer group communicates, and you might want it so you know what's going on at some point. You know, for social stuff. 
  Mark: Doesn't anyone just write letters and mail them anymore? 
  Me: Well. No. 
  Mark: Well. That's disappointing. 
  
  
• Mark: My age (14) is the perfect age. I'm old enough that adults take me seriously, but still young enough that I have freedoms. 
• Mark, on high school: They don't have a debate team OR a club for people who like board games?!?! 

Deep Thoughts

• Can someone be both good with change and not like change at the same time?
• If every decision made is right in the moment, how can the accumulation of those decisions feel and/or be wrong? 

 

 

A New Day / A New Year

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. —Robert Louis Stevenson

On March 13, 2020 - I began counting days. That was the day that in-person learning at school came to a screeching halt. 

Tomorrow, March 15, 2021 - we start our fourth quarter of face to face education. I'm proud to be a part of a district that pushed forward with in person learning along with a virtual option. 

Are we back to normal?  No. 
Are there things I wish I could change?  Yes. 
Have I changed the way I do things?  Yes.  And No. 

While the year has held trials, it has also held blessings. 
While the future is still uncertain, there is hope. 

I choose hope. 

 

Staring Down The Barrel / Day 361

I remember when my mom was raising kids and working, she'd often remark that she wished that Sunday and Saturday were reversed. Her wish was that as the day of rest, Sunday came first. 

I reflect on that comment a lot, and definitely felt it yesterday. 

Last week was a long week. The work week was filled with activity, some within the norm and some out of the norm. It was a week that kept us on our toes. 

The boy's activities are in full swing, so every evening we are running. Mark's first two swim meets of the season took place this week. He learned a tough, but memorable, lesson when he rushed his getting into the pool before Thursday's event and didn't take the time to properly put on his goggles.  His goggles slipped off during his entry, filled with water and blinded him. He smacked chin first into the wall. Right in front of me, as I was cheering him on and taking photos. 

He ice packed for the rest of the meet, but did do his other events. I told him that I witnessed the coaches scrambling. They'd seen the impact and were sure they'd have to find a replacement for his relay. His response, "Even if they did try and replace me, I still would have done them"  He's bruised, but he still has all his teeth and he won't make that mistake again. 

Yesterday I crashed. 

I walked to the bowling alley to photograph that team's senior event at 8am, but afterwards - nothing.  I'm blaming it on the tough week, cold temperatures, the daunting week ahead and a poor night's sleep. 

Today I'll putter on a few things, make a plan of attack for the coming week and hope to make a meal plan. I also need to get outside and get some exercise and Vitamin D. 

This coming week are two more swim meets - both away. 
I'm working 8 hours a day this week, subbing. 
More archery. 
I had hoped to make the girl's game in Brighton this week - but there was a time change on Mark's swim meet, so I have to scratch that one off my list. 
Brian gets a haircut. You know it's getting long when he agrees to an appointment. 

We have a few rounds of out of town company coming the end of this month/beginning of April - so I'll be squeezing in some extra spring cleaning in between the cracks. 

Spring is coming. But I am hoping for one more good snowfall. Sorry, not sorry. 

------

Fun(ny) note: It was realized yesterday that Allan, our oldest, is now the shortest of our three boys. It was one of those moments that had the walls shaking and the lamps nearly breaking as chaos erupted. 

*Sploosh* / Day 357

The first swim meet of the season is in the books. 

It's a weird feeling as we're coming around to where we left off last year. Last year we had a few swim meets in when the world suddenly stopped. This year, it's masks on deck, one spectator per swimmer/diver, no transfer bus to meets and limited locker room time. 

It's hard to wrap my head around at times. 

Yesterday was the type of day that had me strategically planning from the minute I woke up. 
Work is cold = layers. 
Leave work on time to feed swimmer and get him to his meet. 
Deck is warm = change into something more comfortable. 
Have quick light dinner prepared for when the boys get home from school. 
Make it portable, as eating is done on the way to the meet.
Pick up more dinner after swim. 
Get other kid to archery in time. 

One of them kind of days. 

Tomorrow is pretty much the same schedule, but with a little more time before swim and little less time between swim and archery.  

Greg, meanwhile, is going to the office today for the 8th day in a row. He still considers himself as working from home. 
I'm curious how many days in a row he'll go to the office before he realizes that he can't say that anymore. 

Dear Wendy / Day 354

Dear Wendy, 

Like last week, this is (obviously) for everyone to read. Letter writing has always been my favorite way to write - so this is what comes easiest when things are really busy and my writing side is bursting to get things down. 

So. 

-----

Dear Wendy, 

I miss you! 

I'm sorry that I've been so busy this past few weeks, and so poor at responding to texts. Dad did a good job filling the gap I think. I really do agree with his logo choice. I'm so glad you are coming home soon so we can have some real catch up time. 

Yesterday marked the last day of the three week 'gather as much winter sport content as you can get' stretch. Yearbook is being submitted tomorrow so what we got is what we got.  It would have been convenient if the yearbook deadline had been extended as the winter sports begin time was delayed, but unfortunately - that's not how that works. Between that, and so many restrictions on who can attend games - I'm just grateful that Dan and I were able to help out in our own little way. You would have gotten a kick out of us yesterday as we were chatting at the boy's basketball game, both of us getting a little emotional about what we do. It's so fun to have someone else so similarly like-minded to shoot the games with and share tips and tricks. 

But. Now it's break time and time for a little self care, home care, and a little refocusing before spring sports begin playing. 

Middle school swim meets start this week - two meets a week for the next three weeks. Covid precautions will rear their head here too in that the kids from Highlander Way are not able to take a bus over to Parker, like they traditionally do, for their meets - so all the HWMS parents are scrambling, trying to figure out how to accomplish this task. I think you're pretty well aware how much I dread and avoid parent pick up even on a normal year. We'll play it meet by meet and see how it goes. Some days I work until four and that happens to be the time the meets start.  I have to continue to think about it day by day, instead of too far forward, or it'll stress me out.  I think we can manage this Tuesday. I'll worry about Thursday after that.  

Each swimmer/diver is only allowed one guest, as per Covid rules - but if you're a helper on deck, you don't count.  Thanks to my camera, I can get in that way, and we can get grandma in on Mark's guest list. Aubrey is diving this year, so grandma has two grandkids to watch and she's always attended Mark's meets. The meets are too early in the day for dad to be able to attend, but I am hoping he can make it to next week's away meets near the office (side note: last week marked the first week all year that he went into the office every day) because.....nevermind. I'm not supposed to be thinking too far forward. 

I do have to think about next Saturday. Next Saturday is a Virtual 3D State Tournament.  Archery, like every other sport and activity under the sun, is also facing some challenges. Typically, we have multiple teams competing, and it's always other teams that score your own team. For integrity. This year, well - where to begin.  Some teams aren't competing yet, most teams are competing on their own ranges and submitting their scores virtually - BUT - we have to maintain the element of integrity or our scores won't count.  What that means is that we need volunteers that are not relatives or in any way associated (we'll get the exact definition of that tomorrow) with any of our archers, to help out. This should be interesting. Right now we're reaching out to first responders and community leaders to see if we can get their support.

In good news - Brian scored a new personal best at yesterday's 3D tournament. We enjoyed a Dunkin Donut prize on the way home and laughed at all our own stupid jokes while waiting in the ridiculously long drive through. I love spending time with him. I'll have to take him out today for some drive time. He'll be sixteen in a couple weeks, but he's not in any hurry to get his license. We agreed to just go ahead and schedule it for this summer when I'm off work. I know appointments are ridiculously far out - so I should probably get on that now. 

Anyway. Again - can't wait to see you! I sent you a text of when we're off school. I did commit one of those days to the Sheriff's Office as it sounds like, after a long three years in the making, my position there may finally start up sometime late spring/early summer. I'll know more details after we get together. 

And now it's time for church, so I should close a few tabs and listen. I did make it to night church last week. Donny made me laugh.  As he was walking by, he tapped me on the shoulder and says "Hey Part-Timer!"  Afterwards he says that he wouldn't have said that to anyone but me, cuz he knows me, and knows I can take a little teasing. He's right. We've written, so he knows where my head is at, the obstacles I face and the hope in my heart. He reminds me of his dad, your great uncle Richard, who so often tugged my ear as he walked by.  

"If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." - Fred Rogers

xoxo

Mom 

Dear Wendy / Day 347

My family has been on me about my lack of blogging lately.  

Wendy is claiming that her refresh finger is wearing out.  So, I'm writing this in letter writing format as it's a style of writing I've always enjoyed, but it's for anyone to read. I tend to use this type of writing when I'm trying to jumpstart myself again.  :)  

 

Dear Wendy, 

Surprise!  A blog post! 

The boys, all four of them, went for a sunny Sunday afternoon snowy hike through the woods (they coin flipped to make a decision between Bishop or Kensington - and Kensington won) - but I was really just in the mood for some peace and quiet, such a rarity during pandemics, that I chose to skip this one and stay home.  aaaaaaah  It's blissful, it really is. I've learned that when dad and all three of your brothers go hiking, it turns out more like a fast paced trek with flying snowballs and words. Not exactly relaxing. Or blissful. 

So. Here I am. 

We had a snow day this week! Monday we had off school for Presidents' Day and Tuesday we woke up to over 7 inches of new, fluffy snow. Rocket took one step out the door and gave me a look like, "You've got to be kidding me" and then bounded off to play.  Yesterday, by the way, was National Love Your Pet day. We got Mark another one of those National Day calendars again, so he always keeps us updated on the days. To love on Rocket yesterday, he made sure that there were play things and peanut butter filled kongs lying around. I have no doubt that Rocket could tell the day was extra special.  Mark is good like that. 

Mark has one more week of swim practice before his first swim meet of the season. They've been busy doing time trials, and it's been fun to see how much his time has improved. He's definitely stretching out, finding humor in looking down on me now, and those long limbs are pulling him quicker through the water. That, and I'm sure swimming laps in the lake every chance he could, right through October, is paying off. 

I came home from basketball the other day and told him that I had a chat with the football coach, telling him that I wouldn't be opposed if he somehow managed to talk that big since the day he was born kid into trying football. Mark's response was funny: I'm way too polite for football. I'd be like, here....you can have it.  True that. One of the times that I wished I'd shot video rather than taking pictures is during one of the several soccer games where he could be heard apologizing to all the players he mowed down.  Sorry. sorry. I'm so sorry. Are you okay?  
I did mention that part to the coach too, so he probably won't be working too hard to recruit him.  

Between sports being back in action, running Mark to swim four days a week, and Brian to archery two/three times a week - it's gotten busy around here again. It's funny too - even with dad still working from home most days, I feel like he's busier than ever. He bowed out of coaching archery this year, and hasn't even been able to help with getting  Brian to and from archery very often. I try not to work when I have to bring him, but it is nice that it's conveniently located at Three Fires so that I can work if I want  to. So, sometimes I work, and sometimes I just walk laps.  

And sometimes I have Allan help with shuttling so I can get to the sport of the night. 

Get this! I was at a hockey game a couple weeks ago - one of the first events that I shot when contact sports were allowed to play again - and Lori Pennala says Hey Sharyn, that's so nice that they put you on the roster.  And I was all - HUH?  I'm so rarely caught off guard and I was NOT expecting that. So there I am, on all the winter sports rosters, along with Dan Zeppa, the other photographer. Since so few people can attend the games currently, they said it just makes it easier. It was a nice warm fuzzy for me.  I feel like I struggle sometimes with finding my place, and just having my name there gave me a feeling of belonging somewhere. My eyes get a little fuzzy thinking about it (and I wonder where you get that from??) 

Speaking of belonging, it's the 3rd Sunday - so I'll get to church tonight. I missed the last 3rd Sunday (I no longer remember why) so now it feels like it's been ages since I've been in person.  I'll go to morning church again in the summer, but for now - this is where I'm at. 

Someone asked me the other day if I'm scared of Covid. I laughed inside, but I could see where the question was coming from - and I appreciated being asked, so I answered honestly. No. I then went on to share things from my perspective, and I could see that it made sense then.  That's one of the nice things about being able to go to the games is that I get to see people and enjoy some quick visits between periods. There have been a few games where I'm wandering up and down the bleachers on both sides, when we play Hartland or Brighton.  I feel blessed in friendships and faith. 

Anyway. With that, I think I'll go dig up that information that you just called me wanting, and then take a few moments to really revel in the quiet before the boys get back home.  Oh! And I need to remember to pull that pan of bakery out of its hiding spot in the oven before someone decides to preheat it for dinner.  With Allan still home, I admit that we've gotten savvy at hiding the good stuff now and then if we want to make sure he doesn't eat it all. He swears that he is moving out before the sucky things begin falling off the cottonwood trees. 

I love you! 

xoxo 

Mom