Bowling and Resolving

I recently read a book called The Happiness Project. I plan to talk a lot more about the book, how it has inspired me and my future plans. But, for now, suffice it to say that the author - while not an unhappy person - set about analyzing and repairing the ways that she was either undermining or failing to enhance her own happiness.

(While this feels like a jump, bear with me.) I wasn't really feeling like bowling today - a little under the weather and tired in that The Man's been gone for a month that's almost over kind of way. But, the kiddos had asked about bowling earlier in the week and I had promised to take them Friday evening after school. And even if they had seemingly forgotten, I figured I'd get a jump start on one of my own Happiness Project resolutions I've been kicking around - FOLLOW THROUGH.

I generally try to follow through on things I've told them. I will admit to begging off and trying to rationalize more often than I should. But, mostly I will admit to silently appreciating when they seem to forget and I feel like I'm off the hook. But, what kind of lesson is that, really? Ok kids, make sure you follow through on things that other people hold your feet to the fire on. Everything else is mellow yellow. No.

So, armed with three pocket packs of kleenex and a nagging sinus headache, off we went. And we had a fantastic time.

Anticipation.

Bowling balls take WAY too long to come back. Also, her mother would like it noted that this outfit was entirely Cheeseball contrived with no input whatsoever from anyone taller.

If I hadn't followed through, we wouldn't have had all that fun and would have instead spent the evening at home where I would have felt guilty and they would have felt put upon and everybody would have been a little grouchy about it. With this little success under my belt, I am now completely resolved to start resolving and get my own Happiness Project underway.

If you could think of one action or resolution you could make that would decrease negativity in your life and increase positivity, what would it be?

A Photo Cliche, a Cliche and A Commandment

Mom has a penchant for photo clichés.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Thou shalt not leave Cheeseball out of pictures.

Failing To Bring Home The Bacon

Ahhhh it’s so nice to be back! I admit that I probably got a lot more done in the real world without any Internet access. But, I can’t wait to get back in touch with everyone and to get back to blogging!

After about a month of rain (welcome home, Pacific Northwesterners!), we’ve had some days of amazingly beautiful weather recently. Cheeseball and I have been having picnics on the terrace, we’ve all been exploring our town and finding new parks, we’ve eaten lots of ice cream, gone to the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart and all kinds of other lovely things.

We’ve also been embracing buying fresh food daily at the butcher, the bakery, the fruit and veggie (obst and gëmuse) man. Last weekend, the butcher was advertising a special on what I swore was bacon.



Looks like bacon, no? I was a little surprised when they handed me the giant slab of meat and not slices, but whatever. I have a big, scary knife.

It might have cut up better with a less big, less scary knife given that mine sliced right through the small bones in the base of the huge hunk of meat and then I had to dig out the shards.



But, as much as it looks like bacon, I guess it wasn’t bacon. Because it cooked up like pork chops! Super fatty pork chops, shaped like bacon.



I guess it wasn’t cured…? None of us were quite up for super fatty pork chops first thing in the morning, so the dog has been enjoying a rather expensive daily feast, shaped like bacon.

So, tell me, what the heck was it? And what was I supposed to do with it? Was I supposed to take it home and cure it myself? Was I supposed to cut it into fatty, short pork chops? Was I supposed to bread it, fry it and serve it with potatoes? Ha ha ha, just a little German food humor on that last one there, folks.

Any ideas?