When is the last time you had a really good laugh at yourself?  When is the last time you did something and looked around for the hidden camera capturing it all on video? 

It was an early Sunday morning and I had a hankering for a quick workout before Church.  So off I went, coffee in hand, down to the gym.  I came upon a man taking an early Sunday morning walk.  

"Chuck???  Is that Chuck Meyer?" I thought.  "Couldn't be.  I'm the only one crazy enough to be out and about right now.  And why is he walking?  He's got a big, cool truck he could be in if he has to go somewhere.  But it's Chuck.  Same glasses, same walk, same hair, same hat to cover the hair.  It's Chuck."  

This inquiring mind had to know what he was doing out.  So I slowed the car and rolled my window in the cool, brisk air.

"Where the heck are you going on an early Sunday morning?"  I asked sarcastically.

"Chuck" turned and looked at me.  

Uh-oh.  Not Chuck.  Close.  But close doesn't count as my face warmed to a fine, firey red.

He replied, walking up to me, "I don't know.  Where are YOU going on an early Sunday morning?"  

I started to laugh so loud.  All I could say is, "You're not Chuck.  You are supposed to be Chuck."

"Who the heck is Chuck?" He was laughing now too.  

"Chuck is my friend.  He lives right here - right up this street.  You have the same hair."

What a thing to say, I thought, considering he was wearing a hat.  Even funnier.  My "inner self" was having a field day with my "outer self," as my mouth just kept rattling.

Of course, this being Incline - home of the nicest people in the world, this guy was great with the whole encounter and we ended up chatting for a bit.  All was well.  

As I drove away, I laughed so hard.  At myself.  Instead of being really embarrassed, I got to meet someone and give him a laugh too.  And I had a good story to start my day off with.  So did he!  It would make other people laugh too.  

I didn't even catch this guy's name.  All I do know is it wasn't Chuck.  But he was super nice and I'd love to know what his immediate thought was when his peaceful morning was abruptly interrupted by someone asking him, "Where the heck are you going on an early Sunday morning?"

By the way Chuck - the real Chuck...it was a great morning for a brisk, cool walk.  And as much as I was thinking it was you and looking forward to chatting with you, I started my day off great anyways.  And if it was you, I would not have had this opportunity to share my really good laugh at myself.  

It’s the “Mommy Thing”

Katie, my 1 year old, is teething.  Big time.  She is getting her molars and canines all at once.  Her nose is drippy.  Her eyes are watery.  She totally soaks her tops within short periods of time due to drooling.  And putting her down has not gone over well at all lately.  Not just to bed, but putting her down out of my arms. 

The gamut of emotions runs through me as exhaustion takes over.  My arms are tired, even though I try to switch and keep the “workout” of holding 20 pounds all day even.  Frustration grows from no matter what I do, the dull, ongoing cry continues.  And what trumps it all but my deep joy of being able to be here to hold her and love her through it.

As she cried in my arms a few nights back, I got a good glimpse at the turmoil going on in that tiny, little mouth.  Big, huge mounds and some tiny white teeth just popping out into this world.  Oh my.  Ouch.  I thought to myself, “There must be a reason why we don’t remember this pain.”

What is with changing our clocks ahead at the beginning of March?  My personal opinion is that it is WAY too early to do this.  Sure, I love the long summer afternoons when it stays light out until well into the evening hours.  But right now for sanity’s sake, keep the standard time! 

I am not out barbecuing or enjoying late nights in the great out of doors just yet.  And I know we live in a small community, but I have this sneaking suspicion that not much of the country is out gallivanting with summertime activities either.

Tell you what I did do this past weekend.  College athletes came from all over California to compete in Lake Tahoe's first Collegiate Climbing competition at High Altitude Fitness.  They literally went up against our own Sierra Nevada College Climbing Team.  Students came from Cal Poly, Fresno State and UC Davis and scaled the wall with some amazing moves. 

We took the kids out to SnowFest's parade in Tahoe City the other day.  It's one of my favorite annual events.  

I love our crazy, zany community of locals and I want my kids to be right there with them...I mean...US!  With Joseph on Dad's shoulders and Katie all packed in the backpack, we staked our claim on a prime slab of sidewalk for optimum viewing.   

The tone was set with the Precision Snow Shovel Drill Team with Linda Willard in her shamrock pants and joker hat.   

Who knew that pushing a snow shovel down the main drag with some of your pals in a parade and then throwing some fine shovel tossing drills into it would be such a draw.  The crowd went nuts. There were fun floats and fire trucks with all their lights and sirens blaring, full of kids who were throwing candy and bead necklaces out the window.

Through the eyes of a child - what a dream!  One float was complete with snow, real trees and a real campfire and Boy Scouts roasting marshmallows.   Watch out Rose Parade - really!  Lake Tahoe School showed some fine representation with the whole Wallpe clan, Bryan, Courtenay, Zachary and Zander.  

Gail Krolick also represented the school well with her amazing huge bubble blowing talent.  

Don Epstein and Steve and Denise Ause proudly waved from the Lion's Club truck to excited parade goers.  The grand finale was so great.  A giant loader was bringing snow out onto...yes onto...the highway so plows could follow and parade what they do best.  Joseph went nuts.

Pockets full of candy, a neckload of beads, a whistle that mom told him he could blow as loud as he wants along with everyone else, and trucks - lots of big trucks.  

But that wasn't all.  Oh - the day had so much more in store.  How could we not hit the ice cream eating contest at the Tahoe City Fire Station?!   Oh - for a 3 year old, this is major.  Seriously major. For a mother, it spells seriously major sugar rush, followed by trouble. Today, I was willing to chance it just to see the look on his face.  
Nicole Paynter met us at the Firehouse and got the kids hats.  Joseph decided he would not compete as Joseph but as our friend and neighbor, Fireman Ken Leijon.  

Tots ages 5 and younger gathered around the table and the rules were spelled out at small cups of ice cream with little wooden spoons were passed around.  "You start only after I say ‘On your marks!  Get set! GO!'" The emcee announced.  And with that, ice cream flew straight from the cup to the mouth, down little chins, onto clothes, the table and eventually the floor.  Some got eaten.  The whistle blew and judging began.

Joseph asked amongst about 15 other kids, "Mommy, did I win?"

Well, he got to keep what was left in his cup to enjoy on the ride on daddy's shoulders back to the car.  I think Bill had more ice cream in his hair than Little Man got into his mouth.  What a mess.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.  We fit in perfectly.  A neck draped in beads, a mouthful of ice cream, Daddy's hair gone awry....yes this is home and we are those crazy, zany locals.