Generation Gap

When did I get this way and how in the world did it happen? I can remember what my mother looked like at my age. When I was a child, I can remember what it was like to meet a "grown up." When I was in college, I believed that anyone who was not of college age was out of date. I am now 32 years old and can already notice the attitudinal and behavioral progress creeping towards old. As a teacher, I fall in generation gaps all of the time. Here are some differences I've noticed in myself. 

• I try my best to save money for "a rainy day" (i.e. the furnace breaks) as opposed to "going out"
• Kids walking through my yard annoy the crap out of me. (and yes, I do yell at them)
• I will use anything to get that glowing youthful skin. 
• My work clothes are modest and don't require me to flaunt to get a tip. 
• "Going out after work" means I am running to Target
• My handbag is not a fashion statement it is a status symbol
• I have new hobbies! Gardening, cleaning, interior decorating, and dog walking. 
• "Things" bother me - the bad driver, the kid who walks in front of my car, the coupon that is not accepted because of some restriction, people/services arriving late
• I pay for the things I read at Borders. (and I skip the overpriced coffee)
• I have not willingly seen 2am in a long time....(exclude insomnia and caffeine overdose) 
• I bought new hangers for fun...really..I did. 
• I don't walk because I have to, I do it for exercise.
• I can tell my favorite bands/tv shows/commercials to my students and they have no idea what I am talking about. 
• Clothing I wore when I was younger is "coming back" (aka flannel & stirrups) 
• I talk to my dr. about "family history" and things I might be "at risk"
• I am more than 2xs as old as my youngest student.
• My students don't remember 9-11
• I now believe manners and good work ethic are more important than a fancy degree.
• I buy quality clothes because they last longer.
• I am ok with me being me. 

Overall, change is a good thing. Every once in a while, when you are caught up on life's journey, it is good to stick your head out the window and scream, no matter how old you are. And, for the record, although I don't feel like I am aging gracefully, I would never want to be any younger than what I am now. 

Poor Michelle's Almanac

So suddenly summer sprung upon me, half unprepared and yet, more than willing to be thrown into the arms of the sunshine. I find myself staring at the calendar knowing that this time will go by all too fast. My year-round employed friends and family simply roll their eyes, and sigh, "You poor thing." Seriously, take away the sarcasm, and I am going to have to completely agree. Poor, poor me, with an unrestricted amount of time, no children to be pining over, and over a million items on my task list. I think the only other people that can fully understand (and appreciate) my situation, are those in the blue-haired club that spend their days fitting in a game of golf or bridge, a trip to the salon, and bounce grandchildren on their knee. You laugh, but I have something strangely in common with these folk: what do I do with all of my time? Unlike the retired crowd, I have not quite reached the pay-scale of "afternoons at Mohegan," or "country club crowd." My luxurious gym membership consists of walking around Lake Scranton. My garden is less than lush as I try to grow plants from seed instead of picking out the freshest in blooms from the local nursery. 


In an attempt to make the most of my time, I devised a schedule, in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin. 


Morning question: What good shall I do this day?
7:00  am Wake, wash, eat breakfast
7:30  am Exercise 
9:00  am Wash
10:00 am Work on camp
1:00  pm lunch
1:30  pm Work in art studio (to be preceded with "create an art studio") or garden
4:30  pm Break 
5:00  pm Dinner
6:00  pm Summer reading/develop school lessons
8:00  pm Put things in their places, music, diversion, conversation. 
11:00 pm sleep 
Evening question: What good have I done today? 


Summer goals:

• Prepare an amazing week at camp
• Create an art studio
• Take an accounting class
• Read 10 novels
• Create lesson plans for next year
• Create storage space in my house
• Develop a good tan without burning
• Spend more time at the lake
• Trip to Texas
• Trip to Maine
• Go to the beach
• Work on flower beds 
• Install a fence (well, hire someone anyway)

And this is just the start! Be sure to check back to see how well I am progressing! 

Eat this and call me in the morning.

Nearly 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with pre-cancer in my uterus. This rare condition for someone of my age, has had me on the offence. My goal: I will not give cancer an excuse to enter my body. I had surgery to remove the cells and take monthly hormone treatments to balance off my estrogen dominance. I have changed my diet and lifestyle. The following is my recipe for good health, concocted by my mystery-doctor chef. 

• Briskly walk 30-60 min. daily
• Take folic acid, 400 mg. or less daily
• Avoid soy and soy products, high in estrogen
• Meat is good protein, eat organic meat, free from hormones
• Eat Sardines in oil and wild caught salmon, they have Omega-3
• Eat fish 2-3 times a week or take fish oil that is molecularly distilled
• Use organic low fat milk, free from hormones
• Maintain ideal body weight
• Avoid refined sugar
• Avoid fried foods
• Sleep 8 hours a night
• Drink clean water, free from heavy metals, chlorine, and fluoride
• Drink green tea only sweetened with honey (contains ECGC a cancer preventer)
• Eat plenty of fruits and veggies, organic on thin-skinned varieties  

It is plain to see that although my condition has brought me to this diet, all this diet really is, is how we used to eat, drink, and behave. Modern commercial foods and busy lifestyles seem to have dictated the proto-typical American diet, one comprised of convenience foods and pleasure treats. I can't imagine a doctor saying to anyone, "eat hormone-injected meat, an excess of refined sugar products , and lay off the exercise." I am posting this  so you too can get back to basics, enjoy real food, and live a healthy life. Eat this, and call me in the morning. 

Millennium of Debt

Yesterday, I opened my credit card statement only to be completely blown away by their thoughtful projections in regards to my credit. I have a minor balance of $600.00 on a credit card. Since my goal is to be debt free by the end of the year, every month, I make payments that are more than double the minimum payment due.  Thank goodness for that because what my credit card company told me, was earth shattering. They said that if I were to only make the minimum balance each month (on $600!!) it would take me 1,027 years to pay it off. Yes, go back and read that again because that is exactly what I did. Here it is again, 1,027 years. What is that?? Is that even legal? How can they ask me for a minimum balance, knowing full well that it will take me over a millennium to pay it off? No wonder why our banks are in such trouble. I guess they don't really need any of their money right away. Let's see, how would I feel if my great grandmother to the 25th degree charged her plow? I guess it would probably be costing me about 3 million Deutsch marks or 5 solid gold bricks. I guess I really shouldn't be complaining about my student loans. 

Millennium of Debt

One-hundred sixteen-thousand, 
eight hundred five dollar$
One-hundred sixteen-thousand
Minimum payments

One-hundred sixteen-thousand, 

eight hundred five dollar$

How to pay off, pay off your credit cards?

With interest-with advances

With purchases- and balance transfers

With statements-with due dates

With balances - with fees

With One-hundred sixteen-thousand, 

eight hundred five dollar$

How do you pay off your minimum balance

in just one life?? 

How about 1027 years?

How about 1027 years?

How about 1027 years?

Measure in centuries. 

Credit card corruption.

Credit card corruption.

It's time now to sing out

though the interest never ends

Let's cherish our minimum balance now, 

Because for generations it won't end.

Oh, you've got to remember the purchases

because the payments never end

Share the credit, share the wealth, spread the payments

Measure, measure your payments in centuries

UPDATES:
3/31/10 only 831 more years to go until my balance is paid off! 

Psychoanalyze Your Lunch

Brown bag, brown bag, in the fridge..tell me what type of life this is! Everyone says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that dinner is the most important time for a family. Lunch, on the other hand, is a meal which we rarely neglect; partly because we are usually hungry around mid-day, and partly because our employers actually tell us we have to take one. But, what does your meal scream about you? Are we really what we eat? 


Unfortunately, yes, we are. Try out this sample menu:


Monday: Baby green salad, roasted walnuts, cranberries, grilled chicken, and Gorgonzola cheese. Warm balsamic dressing and bottle of 0 calorie flavored water. Snack: little pomegranate seeds and honey glazed almonds.


Interpretation: I love having lunch with my girlfriends!!! In fact, I love showing off my healthy selections while ravishing my mouth with little petite treats. I may have credit card bills out the wazoo but who cares?? Later, I am going to the gym and give my little fluffy dog, Oliver, a walk in the park. Starbucks, anyone? Chi latte, skinny, extra foam, with free market tea only!




Tuesday: Sushi Express Salmon and tuna rolls, miso soup, and organic rice crackers. Snack: Fuji apple and Voss water, and must eat with chopsticks!


Interpretation: Why the hell aren't there any good sushi places around here? I need a job with more culture...these people are so ignorant. In fact, these people didn't even know what sushi was until they saw The Breakfast Club. Ugh... I just can't connect. Later I am going to read Sylvia Plath in the park and hit up some wi-fi from my neighbor, on my Mac, and blog.


Wednesday: Leftovers! Meatloaf slices, mac & cheese, and a pudding cup. Snack: goldfish and a diet coke.


Interpretation: Why am I the designated lunch maker in the house? Do I wear a hair net?? I barely made it out of the house this morning because I had to get everyone ready. Lunch?? What Lunch?? Will I even have time to eat this crap because on my lunch break I have to run to the post office and the dry cleaners. Work is my escape but I have a million things to do once I get home. Joey has football, Sally has swim, then dance.  I don't even remember when I signed Jacob up for karate. Later, I am going to Target to pick up some vacuum cleaner bags and eat a roll of cookie dough by myself. Seriously. 


Thursday: One South Beach frozen meal,  1/4 cup cashews, 1Polly-O string cheese, and plain yogurt. Snack: 30 roasted chick peas, 3 sugar free candies, and black coffee.


Interpretation: I can do this. Really, how hard can it be? Look, I am a successful person, but, I just need to watch what I eat. I am not even overweight!! But, if I want to look great in those skinny jeans, I'll just do this for a few weeks!! Who am I kidding?? Later, I am going to hit the elliptical for 1/2 hour, meet my girlfriends at the new "steam yoga" joint, Tweet my speed-dating updates, and suck on Fudgesicles while I drool over McDreamy. 


Friday: Tuna sandwich on wheat, slightly soggy, wrapped in tin foil, yogurt, side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Snack: sugar-free Jello, carrot sticks, and a Chunk bar.


Interpretation: How the hell did I end up eating a tuna sandwich at my desk by myself?? FML this is just pathetic and embarrassing. No wonder why I am skipping my high school reunion. I guess next I will find myself at a department store buying over-sized sweaters with embroidered animals on it. Whoa...holy wake up call!! Later, I am updating my resume. At this point, I am willing to do just about anything to be eating a grilled chicken salad with my girlfriends. 

All in all, our lunch can scream more about us than a new haircut. The best part is, you can change your lunch tomorrow!! 

Dad's Anthracite

There are some things in my life that I appreciate now, more than when I had them.
My dad's coal stove is one such thing: As a teenager, it used to bother me to go to my father's house in the country on the weekends (RD#3 Dalton, PA--just 1 mile from Lake Winola, 1.5 miles past the Baylor Ice Co., on the corner of Freeman Rd and Purdy Rd, right next door to the one-room-schoolhouse and cornfield).

As much as I loved spending time with my sister and him, it seemed so far removed from everything. I never even told my friends that we had a coal stove. My father, son of Al Leggat from A. Leggat & Co. Heating and Cooling, to this day, knows more about green energy than Al Gore. When my father bought our house in Dalton, he installed a beautiful coal stove in the basement, which he ran every winter using Pennsylvania anthracite coal. Besides heating the house, the coal stove served many useful purposes. I loved it when my father would fill a metal pot with water, and place it on the stove for humidity. Or in the middle of winter, after we would make fresh squeezed orange juice from the ripe oranges from FL, he would put the rinds on the stove and let them dry. The whole house was perfumed with ripe oranges all month long. The stove would force such warm air, that after I took my shower, I stood in front of it for 10 min. and my hair would dry. (My father also had tons of Lubriderm Lotion on hand for my constant dry skin). My father would also deposit the white ash onto the driveway. There was never a need for rock salt. Any excess ash went onto a mound right next to the compost pile. I believe it was the combination of the ash and compost that produced some of the most random vegetables growing in that area. He would let them grow and the woodchucks would eat them. How amusing it was to watch them in the yard.
Speaking of creatures, I will never forget one spring. My father was cleaning the exhaust pipe. He was meticulous in doing this. I watched as he reached his hand into the pipe only to bring out a dried bat. Yes, the bat must have gotten stuck in the pipe and literally dried to death in the pipe. It looked like something from a Hitchcock film. Its poor little wings expanded, like it was gripping onto the sides of the pipe. Yes, I have been scarred for life!

In this day and age, when windmills are popping up faster than daffodils, it is nice to know that over 20 years ago, my father embarked on reducing his carbon footprint as a one-man journey.

Married to England

Jonathan and I went to England for 2 weeks for his brother's wedding. Enjoy the scenery.