Polly

Yesterday I needed someone to pose for pictures.  I borrowed a friend’s daughter, Polly.

Everyone needs a Polly in their life.

Polly isn’t afraid to try new things.

 Polly tells things like she sees them.

Polly is never at a loss for words.

Polly is funny!

You never have to wonder what Polly is thinking.

Polly is full of life and energy.

I remember a watching the movie Pollyanna with my girls.  Pollyanna always had a good outlook on life.  She played the “Glad Game” -where you have to fine something about your situation to be glad about.  It’s amazing how this can change your attitude.  So many things in life are out of our control and if we can just give it a positive spin it becomes more bearable.  What a wonderful world it would be if we would all take on a Pollyanna attitude …

 or even a “Polly” attitude.

Spring Break Ski Trip Day 4

Several of our skiers, wanting to end their ski experience on a good note, decided to not ski the last day.  This meant that skis and lift tickets were just lying around our condo waiting to be used.  Having never skied before, I decided that this was something that I would like to try – just once. (Bucket List)  Everyone that knows I have had three back surgeries strongly discouraged me from doing this.  But after watching children who were no higher than my kneecap speeding around with ease, I asked myself “How hard can it be?”  (I know you are laughing at me by now.)  Listed below are some lessons learned from this experience.

-Trim your toe nails before putting on ski boots.

-My husband is very patient. (“Wedge, Lisa!  Make a wedge!”)

-I am not patient.  (If I hear him say “wedge” again I may hit him.)

-Getting on a ski lift is easy.  Getting off a ski lift is another story.

-The older you are the harder you fall.

-The harder you fall, the more you hurt the next day… and the day after that… and …

-Those aged 3-5 learn much faster than those aged 45-50.

-Avoid speed of all kinds – it’s bad for you.

-White and fluffy does not always mean soft and cuddly.

-Skiing can be fun even after 3 back surgeries.  (My back is fine.  My knees?????) 

-There are no rabbits on the bunny slopes.

-Slow and steady wins the race.

-Naps aren’t just for babies.

Followers

I’m so excited!  I have two followers.

Today while skiing, Ricky followed Mike.  That proved to be not so good an idea for Ricky.  They ended up on a slope that was above Ricky’s skiing expertise.  While Mike, the leader and a more experienced skier, was slowed down waiting, Ricky, the follower, struggled to the end.     Later in the day Mike ended up as the follower when younger boys convinced him that the black diamond was the better way to go.  Afterwards he stated that he now has a greater understanding of how Ricky felt today.

We tell our children to be strong leaders and stronger followers.  It is so easy to let others take the lead.  The outcome for those following can become a life changing experience but not always a good one.  Following even the best of leaders can get us in over our head.  1. Be sure that the one you choose to follow is creditable. 2. Be sure you want to go where you are being lead.   3. Know when it’s time to stop following and become a leader … even if that means going in the opposite direction.

Following my blog will not lead you into danger, I promise!  Although, you could be like Ricky following Mike – exhausted and ready to quit.  I hope not.

The thought of blogging scares me.  To think that my thoughts are just randomly placed out there for all to see.  But blogging is a wonderful way for one to express their thoughts and to share with friends all the moments that make up our day.  Well, maybe not all… but seriously. 

 Two of my three girls have left home and there is so much that I failed to tell them about life.  Now they’ll just have to experience it on their own.  (That could be dangerous.)  Blogging is a way that I can keep on telling them what not to do based on the fact that the experience or life lesson didn’t work so great for me.  “This is what you should not do.  Now let this be a lesson to you.”

While I’ve never really cared what others thought about me, spelling has never been my strong area and now everyone will know that.  The things we consider as horrible traits in our lives are really just small, insignificant matters to others.  Do you care that I can’t spell??? So today’s lesson is- Don’t be so hard on yourself.  Maybe through this experience I will become a better speller or at least become more dependent on spell-check.  Either way I’ve stepped out there and tried it.  Without a ruler it is hard to know how much you’ve grown.  But you don’t need a yard stick to measure an inch worm.  So strive to learn and grow each day and if today’s life lesson happens to knock you on your back side, get up, learn from it and move on.