Day 365, Dec. 31: Thanks

10 People I Know

Who Viewed My Blog

I made it. There were definitely some times when I wasn't sure if I would. But it's a nice challenge - I suggest it to anyone. Now, it will be in cyberspace, perhaps forever. Anyway, thanks to the following people whom I know followed me at least once in a while.
Kris
Al
Julie
Shawn
Jay
Ann
Joan
Rachel
Tom
Kirsten
If I forgot somebody, I apologize. But you probably never told me you checked it out.
Have a happy 2012 and good luck to all.

Day 364, Dec. 30: Resolutions

10 Things I Want to Do

In 2012

I usually don't make resolutions, and I never write them down, but this is a natural post to do near the end of a year-long blog.

1. Listen to Kris more often. Many times she will give me good advice, only for me to hesitate or resist. 

2. Be less judgmental. I want to look at people without immediately concluding something about them.

3. Write some fictional short stories.

4. Be more patient when something initially goes wrong.

5. Drink less Mountain Dew.

6. Be a good mentor to the boy I end up with in the Big Brother program.

7. Hug Kris more often.

8. Help the boys as much - or as little - as a father should at this stage in their lives.

9. Continue to run, do sit-ups, lift weights and keep in shape.

10. Strengthen my faith in God by trusting his will more than my own.

Day 363, Dec. 29: Lowlights of 2011

Things That Didn't Go

Well or Were Challenges

Everyone has ups and downs during a given year. Some years are worse than others. As I mentioned in the previous post, this year was about medium.

* I was sicker than a dog almost all of January.

* The housing market didn't improve enough for us 

to even put ours up for sale again.

* Shawn failed to get a position as a student trainer 

 for the Iowa basketball team.

* Our 17-year-old cat Tabby disappeared, never to be found.

* Jay's job in Maquoketa paid much lower than he expected, 

fueling a disappointing start.

* More old house problems with chimneys, 

boiler and gutters - among others.

* The Badgers football team lost 2 games in a row 

on Hail Mary passes.

* My brother's business was so bad, 

he's had to take drastic measures.

* My book printing was delayed, contributing to a lower than hoped for turnout for my book signing.

* My mom's health deteriorated to its worst ever, her future not rosy.

Day 362, Dec. 28: 2011 Highlights

10 Highlights I Can Remember

From the Year 2011

I'll probably forget something, but these are things that come to my mind, not in any particular order. Overall, it was an above average year. Tomorrow, I'll do lowlights.

Watched the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl.

Made another trip to Indianapolis with the boys to watch the Big Ten basketball tournament.

Got a couple of cute little kittens named Leah and Woody.

Went on a wonderful trip South with Kris.

Led my Little League baseball team to a third-place finish in the tournament.

Spent a nice day and night in Madison with Kris.

Managed to do a daily blog, with only 1-2 misses, throughout the year.

Had a great trip to Omaha to see Kris' family at Thanksgiving.

Finished writing my book "A Driving Passion."

Went to a Packers game in Kansas City with the boys and a friend.

Dec. 361, Day 27: Family Christmas

10 Things I Like

About Family Christmas

I've been fortunate enough to be part of three extended families. Each family gathering at Christmas is different. But each, in its own way, is special. We were at the Richard family Christmas today and, as usual, there wree some loving things that occurred. Here are some of favorite things of all three.

1. The kids: Whether it was Jay and Shawn when they were young or my nieces and nephews now, watching the little kids get excited over presents is precious.

2. My in-laws: I love Kris' parents Chuck and Hazel and hope to get to know them more for many years. Today, my first wife's parents were very nice to be with, as well.

3. The food: At the Swenson gatherings, I automatically like almost everything. At the other two, I get a chance to try some different things, even tho I'm not too experimental.

4. The drink: I must say, there have been some doozy punches at some of the most recent family holiday gatherings. Tasty with a kick can get to you as you get older!

5. The gifts: I really enjoy watching other people open their gifts. Our two sons have added a new dimension the past 3-4 years by also buying "gag" gifts for everyone. They get their creativity from me, I believe.

6. Small talk: Since I don't see ANY of my relatives very often, it gives me a chance to catch up, share some laughs and perhaps comisserate over sad tidings.

7. Sports: Often, there are games on TV or games in the back yard between the kids - usually it's too cold for that, though. Regardless, I like sports enough to enjoy them as a backdrop to holidays.

8. Playing cards: This doesn't always happen, but when it does, I enjoy it because I never get to play cards anymore.

9. The laughter: Whether it's brother-in-law Mike on one side or sister-in-law Jan on the other or even my brother, Jeff - all who have great laughs - it makes me feel good to hear it.

10. The prayer: Again, it doesn't happen at all of them, but when it does, I'm glad because I appreciate somebody in the family taking charge to thank God for family.

Day 360, Dec. 26: Relaxing

10 Things That Can 

Relax Me

I had a rare massage today from a woman friend who is going through massage school (she's also a high school teacher and teaches yoga - which I tried and it doesn't relax me :-( But here are 10 things that do.

Massage: Since it's on my mind ... I haven't had many in my life, but this one was especially needed with the stress I've had with my mom, book and trip to Kansas City.

Hot tub: I try to always spend some time in one when I'm at a hotel. Unfortunately, some of the older ones I've stayed at recently didn't have one.

Airplane ride: Once I'm past all of the boarding hastles, I love sitting back and relaxing - preferably on a window seat to stare at the clouds.

Kitty on the tummy: Leah is on my lap now as I try to type! The purring and softness makes me content.

Listening to vinyl: It's rare, but I sometimes like to lay on the floor and listen to old-fashioned records.

The beach: As long as I'm beneath an umbrella, I can relax in a recliner on the beach (preferably the ocean).

Back to Kris: I call it laying "my favorite way." It's almost in a fetal position, snuggled up with my back to Kris, who is facing me.

In the movie theater: If my back is right, I thoroughly enjoy the relaxation of a dark theater - popcorn in buttered popcorn in hand, of course.

Two quick wines: Standing, sitting or lying down, two wines will relax me quite well.

Quick snow rest: I seldom do this anymore, but if dressed properly, I have enjoyed moments lying in the snow.

Riding shotgun: Once again, if my back is right, I enjoy reclining in the passenger seat of a car during a long drive - iPod on the car radio, of course!

Day 359, Dec. 25: A Christmas Story

My Top 10 Scenes From

A Christmas Story

This 1983 movie had a very slow start but has become a classic. I didn't see it until the mid 1990s and fell in love with it immediately. Several times that first viewing, I had tears in my eyes laughing. And it's also very sentimental and sweet. Here are my favorite scenes.

1. Randy's mashed potatoes: When Mother tries to get him to eat by using a piggy scheme, it gets him to giggling like I've never heard before. I giggle along every single time.

2. The hidden gift. When Ralphie opens the gift that had been hidden behind the desk and discovers the Red Ryder, it's as touching a family moment as you'll find in film.

3. The leg lamp. When the Old Man gets the "prize" box and finds the lamp, he's so proud it oozes out of him. Mother does her best to put up with it while Ralphie marvels (maybe a little more than a boy his age would).

4. Mother protects Ralphie. Following his fight with Scut Farkus, Ralphie is very fearful of the Old Man's wrath. Mother doesn't tell and Ralphie (and viewers) gains new admiration for the woman.

5. The Chinese restaurant. Perhaps a little racist, it's still done in a loving way when the waiters try to sing Christmas carols as the family sits down to Christmas dinner.

6. Seeing Santa Claus. When Ralphie and Randy finally get up to see the most scary Santa this side of Hades, they freeze up and blow it. Ho, ho, ho!

7. Changing the tire. Ralphie gets to act like a "man" by helping the Old Man change the tire. But the lugnuts go flying and Ralphie doesn't say "Aw nuts" afterward.

8. The Bumpous' dogs. A running gag, they climax by ruining the Christmas turkey, causing the Old Man to let loose with some of his classic colorful language.

9. Stuck tongue. I actually saw a kid get his tongue stuck on a pole in winter. He pried it off and lost a little blood. Double-dog dare ya to try it sometime!

10. Ralphie beats up Scut Farkus. Though it's almost scary to see Ralphie wail away for quite a while, everybody new the Farkus bully had it coming.