Diving Helmet

I loved the quiet of it. I loved how the thoughts in my head were all mine and that I could think – really think – without the outside world or any other thoughts or sounds peeping in. Being underwater was this peaceful place that I owned.

When I was around 10 or 11, my family built a pool in our backyard. We’d swim all day long when it was warm enough, though no one had the stamina of my sister who would do laps until someone made her stop for dinner or bedtime.

So speaking of quiet and being underwater, my dad bought this diving helmet. It was just like the one pictured here. I looked it up:

This helmet was produced in the USA in the 1970′s. In those days it was sold for $49. It was used together with a 12 Volt or 110 Volt air compressor.People used it for fun in their pools or to inspect their boats. It is in fact a modern shallow water helmet that needed extra weights.

We would take turns putting on the heavy helmet and walking into the deep end and hanging out there. My father did it best; he’d take a folding chair with him and set it up the deep and and sit in the quiet. The only sound was the air coming in through the tube at the top.

We were talking about this the other day and he told my boys about the time that my brother wanted to get his attention and pulled on the cord – ala Jacques Cousteau – and disconnected the air cord. It’s funny to laugh about today, but imagine sitting there minding your own business at the bottom of the pool when the water starts to pour in. Scary! And that thing was heavy. (Obviously, my dad was okay and he laughs like crazy when he recounts the story.)

Next week, I start a swim class. It’s been 25 years or more since I really swam. (I used to swim laps back in my advertising agency days before work.) So this class is a stroke improvement and endurance class and I figure, I have no place to go but up. Thinking of the days when I could swim miles without even blinking, I wonder if I can make 10 laps without major effort. But we’ll see.

I am looking forward to the quiet.

I am here today with another theory. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting the Squeaky Wheel Theory (SWT) is not proven time and time again. It is. It is reality. My theory is ancillary and co-exists just fine.

The Squeaky Wheel Becomes Part of the Background Noise (SWBPBN).

So you know how you go to visit someone who lives right by the train tracks? The train goes by and you think, “who could live here?” and come to realize your friend truly does not hear the train. Or, you’re on the phone with your sister-in-law and her children are making a racket to beat all rackets in the background and she keeps talking as if nothing is going on and she’s totally not distracted. But you can’t hear anything except, “I had it first!”

We all have our own realities and everything cannot be a priority. We have to push some of it down. Ignore it. Learn to live with it. Just deal.

And so it goes.

We don’t know we’re suffering, but we are. It’s still there, but we don’t notice really. Until we do.

And then, it’s unbearable.

Our hall closet shelving and rod collapsed a month or so ago. It had that wire rack kind of set-up. No one should have been surprised about the crash, as we had about 5 times more weight hanging than any reasonable person would suggest. There ARE five of us and Andrew does have motorcycle riding gear (heavy!) and I have all sorts of other excuses why this was not a priority. But it wasn’t. And it collapsed.

I sprang into action. Everyone had to get their own coats and put them in their own closets. Then, we’d fix the hall closet.

And then, Reed’s closet shelving/rod collapsed due to the extra weight from his coats. (Can you say, “What were you thinking, Wendy?”)

While trying to help Reed solve this newly created problem, it became apparent that his closet was just not working. It’s small and a weird shape with lots of wasted space. So we decided to make some changes and get some shelving and make it better. We got a recommendation from Angie’s List for ClosetAmerica and they came out to see it. The designer had a great concept, the price was fair (nice Angie’s List coupon!!) and service was perfect. All set now. Except…

The closet doors are so difficult to slide. They’re HEAVY and make noise. They’ve been like that since the day we moved in. We’d have to shave off a little from the bottom or get new doors. Right?

Or I could try a little WD-40.

Which I did. And which solved the problem completely. The doors glide effortlessly.

And then, I took my trusty WD-40 to the hall closet (which is now fixed) but that also has heavy, impossible sliding doors. Except all it needed was some spray. Repeat for the closet in the mud room where we keep school backpacks, wrapping paper, and cat supplies. Opens and closes like the breeze. And no more squeaking.

We put up with those squeaky doors that were impossible to open without a heave-ho for 3 years.

3 years.

It took less than 5 minutes total to solve the problem. And with a product I already had sitting in the garage.

Not to get all deep on you this Saturday morning, but I’m thinking that there are a lot of little things that could make our lives better if we’d just take a minute and pay them some mind. All that background noise – whether we can tolerate it or not – adds up and takes away from the good stuff.

The wheel is turning and you can’t slow down,
You can’t let go and you can’t hold on,
You can’t go back and you can’t stand still,
If the thunder don’t get you then the lightning will.

The wheel is turning. Oh my, the wheels are turning.

Andrew is making dinner. Soft shell crab and shrimp Po’ Boys, if you’re curious. I know, right? Don’t even tell me how lucky I am. I know.

So Andrew is making dinner. We were chatting. Our son took the car and left for the high school senior awards night.

I’m trying to let that sink in.

He took the car.

He’s graduating from high school. Next week.

I could post a picture of him when he was little here, but I’ll save that for a nice juxtaposition with his graduation photo. Hehe.

So the wheel is turning. So fast. So fast. I’m happy. I’m a wreck. I’m happy and a wreck. Reminds me of one of my favorite jokes:

Guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, “Help me! I’m a wigwam, I’m a teepee, I’m a wigwam, I’m a teepee.” And the shrink says, “Relax. You’re two tents.”

I know you already knew that one but I couldn’t resist.

I can’t really explain what it feels like to watch your child drive away. Those of you with older kids? I bet you know. It’s just the first domino. I’m so full of emotion. So full of emotion.

Is the kid ready for this? Ready to be so independent? Ready to move away? To be self-reliant? You bet he his. I’m bursting with pride. But that doesn’t make the tears stop.

source: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mbylow%5B/caption%5D

There are so many things I didn’t know. Like how much it hurts when your child works hard for something and it doesn’t work out. Or how hard it is to actually follow through on consequences when the kid doesn’t make the best decision.
I also didn’t know what it would feel like when the son who barely spoke out of the house as a child stands up in front of a couple hundred people in the community and speaks like a man and shows his heart. Nor did I know how exciting it was to see a kid develop his talent and his dream and have others believe.

I didn’t know how fast the time would go. How having a partner to make decisions with and share a life with would be so amazing and so challenging at the same time.

I didn’t know when I held that first baby with his chunky cheeks what the next 18 years would be. And I still don’t know what the next 18 will be.

But I’m bursting with pride and fear and worry and happiness and love.

When Andrew brought me these beautiful roses this morning, he didn’t say “Happy Mother’s Day.” In fact, he handed them to me with a big smile and I remarked how much I loved surprise no occasion flowers.

Did I forget it was Mother’s Day tomorrow? Kind of. Actually, about an hour later when the thought crossed my mind, I was glad that I hadn’t associated the flowers with the Hallmark holiday. I associated the flowers with the fact that Andrew thought about me when he was out and about. And that he loves me and wanted to see the smile on my face.

I don’t really know what was in his head, but I don’t care. They’re beautiful. And tomorrow, the whole family is doing what I want to do. Spend the day together. We’ll go to a flea market and out to eat. Did I mention that we’d all be together? Woo hoo!

I am grateful for the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and children in my life. I hope I show it all year long.

source: sxc.hu

Ideas for blog posts keep popping into my head. But lately, I’ve just been too slammin’ jammmin’ to write them. Work has been fascinating lately and super busy and I plan to be posting over there soon. I’ve been writing and presenting at conferences and meeting people and all kinds of good stuff.

But still, I’ve been reading a ton, following you all on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn as best as I can (Though I assure you I’ve missed really good stuff you posted – so feel free to tell me again!) In my reading, observations, and thoughts, some things came to mind that I feel compelled to share:

1. Hairclips may not be stylish but they truly hold my hair up the best. I wish I could wear them in public, but I’ve been told I can’t.
2. It’s remarkable how quickly a mob can form online.
3. I often prefer to keep quiet.
4. It’s not possible to make everyone happy. But, I hate when people I love aren’t happy.
5. Laundry is a gift that keeps on giving.
6. I wished for a lap cat and I got the queen of all lap cats. She drives me nuts when I’m working but I love her very, very much.
7. It’s rare that I’m alone.
8. Can you believe that woman swallowed the diamond?
9. I had a horrible nightmare last night and couldn’t get it out of my head all day.
10. I haven’t had a good cry in a long time. Not sure if that is good or bad.
11. My oldest son is going to college in the fall. I know this is true, but it’s hard for me to believe.
12. It’s polite to respond to people online. Would you snub someone who spoke when you saw each other at a party? Particularly if you’ve crossed paths over and over again?
13. I try to assume people have good intentions. It feels a lot better than assuming the opposite.
14. Wine is good.
15. I like peace & happiness.
16. I have been cleaning my closet in stages and getting rid of the stuff “Stacy & Clinton” would want me to dump. I’m getting there.
17. I feel really guilty when I dump on someone. I did that today and I’m sorry. Totally wasn’t fair.
18. Can you believe it’ll be May in a couple days?
19. Did I mention the hairclip? Love the hairclip.
20. I am going to feel this morning’s crunches tomorrow. Mark my words.
21. The church down the street offers free English lessons. Brilliant marketing strategy.
22. The Christmas cactus (care of my fab SIL) is blooming again and is totally gorgeous.
23. Grilling season is really kicking up. This is good news.
24. I saw my old neighbors today. There are days I wish we hadn’t moved. (Don’t tell Andrew.)
25. No one really knows anyone else’s life.
26. Our first shipment of our year’s supply of Seattle’s Best Coffee came today. Woo hoo!
27. I miss baking and need to fit that back into my life. It’s been weeks, people!
28. Big project plans in the works for the summer. Exciting stuff.
29. OMG it’s almost time to plant summer vegetables. Tomatoes, cukes, peppers, arugula, and some herbs. Not sure what else.

So, that’s my brain dump. Now? I’ll sit in the quiet, sip some wine, and chill.

This morning, I hung back with the sick one when the rest of the guys visited Versailles. They loved it. And afterward, I took them to find a pharmacy & to a really nice (and very French/not touristy) lunch.

Now, I’ll look for a pay-per-view movie to watch with the kid – assuming I can bring myself to switch the channel from the curling.

In 3 days, I’m jumping on a plane and headed to Dallas. Yes, to Blissdom! I’m having a tough time deciding what I’m most excited about:

1. Seeing old friends
2. Making new friends
3. Teaching/speaking about Using Data for Creative and Impactful Marketing
4. Hearing Chris Mann sing
5. Seeing C.C. Chapman speak about Living An Amazing Life
6. Sleeping in my own room (Sorry, Andrew. But, it’s just 2 nights!)
7. Offline time with some of my Cabot colleagues

If you see me there, please say hello!

I did know that Easter was a religious holiday. And I knew that it was not our holiday. I also knew that Passover was frequently during the Easter Break, as we called it then. Now, it’s Spring Break of course. Just like Christmas Break is now Winter Break.

Easter. I didn’t really know what it was when I was little. I knew it was a big holiday. Like Christmas is big. And I distinctly remember when I learned the real meaning of it. I thought about it a lot. Truly, a big concept.

I also knew that my non-Jewish friends got new dresses, hats, and shoes for Easter. Kind of like we got new dresses for the High Holidays. Spring dresses are so much cuter. Seriously.

But I don’t remember ever having friends who got Easter baskets. I knew about Easter Egg Hunts. But not the baskets. Why, oh why? For so many years, I missed a big-time candy holiday.

Did I mention that I love candy? If you ever read my blog, you already know that.

So, last year at BlissDom, I went to the Hershey’s exhibit and they offered to send my family an Easter Basket.  I wrote about it here. I told them that we don’t celebrate Easter and turns out they are seriously equal opportunity candy holiday folks. Phew.

You cannot imagine my joy when they asked me if I wanted to be on the Bunny Trail again this year. Did I ever!

In all its glory – York Peppermint Eggs (who knew?), Jolly Rancher Jelly Beans, Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg, Kisses,  Jolly Rancher Sour Gummy Bunnies.

I’m not even worried about finishing all this before Passover. I have no doubt.

In fact, we dug in this weekend. The jelly beans are my favorite, but the kids really jammed on the sour gummies. I might have had a couple of peppermint patties Saturday morning.

Did I mention how great those Jolly Rancher jelly beans are? I did? Well, it bears repeating.

Disclosure: Hershey’s sent me this complementary, lovely assortment of candy in a beautiful basket. All thoughts are my own. Oh, and I received no financial compensation.