Goal Setting for 4th Grade

Early last week I asked Sam to come up with a list of goals for 4th grade. Goals that, in doing them, would make his 4th grade year a good one. Later in the day he told me that he came up with three, and I said that I looked forward to hearing them.

Sunday night when we were walking home from the skateboard park I asked him what his goals were. The first one was, "Listening to the teacher." I asked what that looked like. He answered, "Not picking dirt out of your shoe while the teacher is talking."

The Naturist

I have to admit, I like Teva's short films entitled The Naturist. And, this is my most favorite episode.

Slug Bug

We play Slug Bug in the car. The game has evolved since I was young. When I was young we only did the slug when we saw the Volkswagen Bug. Today, all Volkswagens count. Sam also learned from a friend that PT Cruisers are worth two punches. WHAAAT!?!?!

We sometimes play for points. Newer Volkswagens are worth 1 point. Old Skool Bugs are worth 5, and Old Skool Vans are worth 10 points. Volkswagen "Things" and the Volkswagen "Karmann Ghia" are worth 100 ––basically they make you the winner for the entire day. The other day at Central Market I saw what I thought was the mother of all Old Skool Volkswagens. It looked to be the earliest Volkswagen Bug ever made! I began snapping photos with my phone. I noticed "Citroën" stickers on the car, and a funny logo. Hmmm?

As it turns out, Citroën has nothing to do with Volkswagen. Citroën is French automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1919. The innovative company even mass produced the world's first front-wheel drive car in 1934. But, as unique as the car was it didn't earn me any points.

Funny Things from the Mouths of Sam and Alina

Last week we were school shopping. We saw a woman with really, really long braided blond hair. Alina said loudly, "I like her hair! I think it's a wig!"

When we were visiting John and Valerie, there were plans to do a hike after church. I was explaining those plans to Sam. He said, "And then we have to come back and have lunch!" I clarified that we were going to have lunch, and then go hiking. Then I said that it made me laugh that he was always so mindful of his stomach. I told him it wasn't a bad thing at all, but it just made me smile how much he thinks about eating. Sam replied, "I think about other things, too. Like . . . Hey! You're right! That is all I think about!"

Comparing the Numbers

Today Alina wanted to take the bikes to Green Lake to celebrate her learning to ride her bike. We rode around the 3 mile lake, had lunch there, and even rode from there to church to visit Jean. At the end of the ride I noticed my odometer had 21.2 miles on it. Not my "tripometer," my "odometer." This year I have ridden a grand total of 21.2 miles! In comparison, two years ago I was pushing 1,000 miles by the middle of July. And those were trail miles, not road miles.

Yes, I miss riding. I miss it incredibly. I miss the healing that it brings. This season of hasn't allowed for it. School and being a dad have needed my time. I am hoping that this fall will allow for riding, at least once per week. Mountain biking is great self-care, something that I have learned both intellectually and practically is very important. Good Bal(l)ance is everything!

She Rides a Two-Wheeler

Alina has never been really interested in riding her bike. She rode her bike a little in Grand Rapids when we had a very long driveway––when her bike had training wheels. Our first house in Seattle really didn't have a place to ride. The road was busy, and the driveway was short and steep. The road around the loop is very quiet where we now reside, but Alina was more interested in running to the neighbor girl's house than riding her bike.

One Saturday in winter, when it felt like spring in Seattle, I worked with Alina a little on riding her bike without its training wheels. Alina wasn't really into it. It was all we could do to make it to the end of the street where the loop reconnects.

Living here, Sam was more into his Razor scooter than his bike. The neighbor girl also had one. It was time for Alina to have one. She quickly learned how to balance and ride fast. Lots of riding after Sam, and lots of trips to the Skateboard park with the scooters. The pink bike was ignored. But, late last week I was feeling it was time to revisit riding the bike, so yesterday we tried again. Saying Alina lacked enthusiasm is an understatement. Though we were outside for over an hour, she probably gave it six tries. Just before going in for lunch she rode the length of the street. In the afternoon, though, she climbed on and was immediately on her way. Now, she can't stop riding or talking about riding. Last night when I was talking to her before she fell asleep she was making plans for riding around Green Lake Tuesday, as well as making sure that her tires were dirt tires so that she can come to the mountain biking trails with Sam and me. She is such a princess!

Alina Learns to Ride Her Bike from Ed Ballance on Vimeo.

Ready for Some Football

Sam went to to the orthodontist on Saturday. Besides having his braces adjusted, he got new colors. His last color scheme was all purple in order to to cheer the Los Angeles Lakers to a world championship. This time around, the colors he chose are Honolulu Blue and Silver––GO LIONS!
(The barbecue sauce stains on his face have no team affiliation.)

Van Maintenance Saturday

Saturday I went to the Auto Parts store and procured all of the necessary parts to get both vehicles ready for fall: oil, oil filters, air filters, coolant, and wiper blades. Because of all of the miles that were put on the van in the last six weeks, Saturday was the van's turn.

I was unloading the supplies out of the van and my neighbor Butch came over to see what I was up to. In the conversation he said, "I'm glad to see you use Castrol. That's the only oil I use." I love Butch to death, but I wondered secretly if what kind of oil I used determined my worth as a neighbor or as a man. What if I used Penzoil? Heaven forbid! I was glad, though, that he didn't come up and hit me behind the legs and say, "That's thinkin' with your dipstick, Jimmy!" (See video below.)

The van must have had more than a few coolant changes in its lifetime. The radiator drain plug was stripped out and would not and could not be placed back into the radiator. I went to twelve different auto parts stores, and none of them had one. Just FYI, if someone asks if your 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan is a Flex Fuel model, they should not work at an auto parts store. NAPA was closed last night, but this morning they opened at 9am. I was there before the lights went on and I purchased the only one they had. I took it home and installed it, poured in a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, took the used antifreeze to the Aurora Household Hazardous Waste Center (open Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 9:30am to 4:30pm), came home and showered and dressed, and made it to church for the 11am service! And, I drove the van! Jean's rig is again road ready.

Found

Several important things have come up missing in our house over the last six months or so. Sam is missing eight or more sweatshirts, Jean is missing a vegetable peeler, and my full-finger mountain biking gloves and my compass had vanished. I wondered if one of the neighbor kids was a kleptomaniac. I had also heard a sermon around Christmas time once where a family that was struggling financially began noticing special items were coming up missing. A family friend was "taking them," and then at Christmas wrapped the items he had taken as gifts for the family. It provided the family with joy and laughter. To me, NOT FUNNY. I asked Jean if she was doing this. She promised she wasn't.

Sam's sweatshirts were probably left at school in the spring when the mornings were cold and the afternoons were warm. All of the lost and found items at school had been donated by the third week of June when I realized that Sam could have forgotten his sweatshirts on the playground. Though I do the laundry, I didn't realize that there were no sweatshirts coming through the laundry. I didn't notice them missing until we were starting to pack for our backpacking trip to Rachel Lake.

Jean's vegetable peeler is still a mystery, as are my gloves. But, losing my compass really made me sad. As an only child I take pride in never losing ANYTHING, and keeping everything perfectly and meticulously maintained. How could I lose my compass? I am a self-proclaimed cartographer for crying out loud! My friends call me "EdVenture." When it was time to pack for Rachel Lake, I noticed it wasn't in its normal place. I was frantic in searching for it. The last time I remembered using it was when the Sherpa was here and we did the orienteering course at St. Edwards State park. I looked through one of my gear boxes where I keep my several map cases. I also looked in the few other spots that I could have placed it for safe keeping. Nothing. Nothing but sadness, that is. My Suunto M-2 compass had been my guide on all of my adventure races, several backpacking trips, and for our orienteering group. It was reliable, and present for great memory making.

On vacation I packed all of our towels in what is lovingly referred to as "the big green bag." The big green bag is both green and big. You could easily fit a body in it. After vacation I was going through all of the pockets of all of the suitcases and duffle bags we took. There, in one of the side pockets of the big green bag, were four rechargeable batteries AND MY COMPASS! I had forgotten that I had taken the big green bag to the cabin over reading week in February, and had put all of my outdoor gear in it. It was now found! SWEET!

Stung

Last night I went outside to talk with two of our neighbors as they were walking by. Cathy and her husband Steve were out for their regular evening stroll around the loop. Cathy had suffered a brain aneurysm two years ago, and had a job interview earlier in the day. I hurried outside to see how it went. As we talked I felt a sharp pain in the back of my left knee. I thought, "That almost felt like a sting." I nonchalantly moved my hand to that area of my leg and looked down long enough to see a yellow jacket drop to the ground.

I casually continued the conversation, while rubbing the back of my leg every few seconds. I had noticed that Steve was wearing a Phish t-shirt. I told him I was reading Aron Ralston's book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place––Aron Ralston is the man who amputated his own arm with a multi-tool after it was lodged against a canyon wall by a boulder. Steve and Cathy are hikers, and I let Steve know that Aron was listening to Phish during his hike and throughout his ordeal. Steve began talking about a book he was reading. It had something to do with cavers who descend blindly into caves. The thought of "I am allergic to yellow jackets and I wonder if I am going to pass out or die," unfortunately began tuning Steve out.

I have passed out multiple times before after being stung by a yellow jacket. And, after each sting the reaction becomes worse. When we lived in Grand Rapids I was getting venom injections in the case I was stung again.

I came inside and got the epinephrine pen ready––just in case. The cold sweats came, just as they had in the past before I would collapse. But, I think that this time it was just the adrenaline of the not knowing what was about to happen. I waited it out to the 20 minute point. Good. Then the 30 minute point. Still good. If nothing had happened by then, I was golden. Was there still enough venom in my system to ward off the sting? Maybe! Just glad I didn't have to go through the scariness of going unconscious this time around.

Vacation Movie

We had a blessed vacation. Blessed is a word that I don't use whimsically. We got to see great friends. We had such good laughs and conversation that it was too hard saying goodbye to them. And, as you will see in the video, Alina has a new BFF. It is amazing to me that two 6 year olds can play for four days straight without conflict, only enjoyment.

The remainder of our vacation was spent traveling home via the Oregon coast. The Oregon coast is amazingly beautiful. And, so is my family. I am truly blessed. The video makes me tear up a lot.

In the video there is some still photos as well as clips from the video camera. In one scene Jean is racing Sam down the dune. Keep your eye on Jean.

Summer Vacation 2010 from Ed Ballance on Vimeo.

Two Years Ago Today

Two years ago today, with the help of close friends and family, we loaded all of our belongings onto a semi-trailer. We shipped everything we owned to Seattle so that I could come to graduate school. If I would have known then what I know now, I doubt that I would have the courage to step into the fray, the mess, and the long process of healing. But, we did it, and looking back I'm glad we did. I love Jean now more than ever because of what we have had to face and work through together over the last twenty four months. Thanks for having the courage my love, even when I didn't and don't.

Boring Certainty vs. The Adventurous Unknown

Boring Certainty vs. The Adventurous Unknown––a great post by my friend Jason.

Vacation

Tomorrow we head out for vacation. First, to California where we get to spend several days with great old young friends. I've known John half my life. We've had a lot of goofy times, backpacking trips, were in a band together, early morning Bible studies, mission trips, and on and on. He was my best man in our wedding. And, I've known his wife Valerie even longer––since second grade. So, it will be awesome to see such great old young friends.

Then we will head home, taking several days to head up the Oregon coast.

Often before a road trip I will add a few new songs to my iTunes Library. For this trip I added The Essential Weird Al Yankovic. I've already laughed until there were tears in my eyes. So, the trip should be light. And, I want to work this Weird Al road trip song into a blog post somehow...

Scooter Etiquette

The last few days Sam and Alina and the other kids in our neighborhood circle have enjoyed taking their scooters to the skateboard park. (Pictured: neighbor girl, Alina, and Sam.) Yesterday while riding up one of the ramps, Alina looked at the neighbor girl and said, "Seriously! The big kids don't watch where they're going!" Where did her scooter etiquette come from? She makes me laugh.