We did it! Auburn, Trey and I took an impulsive leap for warmer weather and flew to Florida for a 5 day getaway. We returned refreshed, rejuvenated, and thankful for great memories with my parents.
Ron remained in Wisconsin and undertook an unexpected home improvement project; expanding our daughter's bedroom closet. He primarily financed the project and our friend Dave Fountain, an independent contractor, did the labor. It was a terrific surprise for Auburn upon her return. Even more surprising, Ron undertook a self-improvement project; a session with a personal trainer, Doug Held. Ron called us from speaker phone to share the good news since he was too weak to bring the phone to his ear after the kick butt session! Ron said Doug had him exercise on the exact equipment he steps over and around at our house...BOSU's, physio balls, medicine balls, weights...hello! Doug and Ron have been friends for years. When we moved to Ron's hometown in Wisconsin, Doug and his wife Kris were one of the first couples I met. Friends are quite revealing about our character, if you want to know someone get to know their friends. It pleased me to know Ron was friends with a guy like Doug; fit, athletic, and wholesome. Only later I learned Ron went to school with Kris, not Doug. This actually makes a lot more sense as Kris, an athlete in her own right, is also a renown, gregarious, sociable party queen!
Ron remained in Wisconsin and undertook an unexpected home improvement project; expanding our daughter's bedroom closet. He primarily financed the project and our friend Dave Fountain, an independent contractor, did the labor. It was a terrific surprise for Auburn upon her return. Even more surprising, Ron undertook a self-improvement project; a session with a personal trainer, Doug Held. Ron called us from speaker phone to share the good news since he was too weak to bring the phone to his ear after the kick butt session! Ron said Doug had him exercise on the exact equipment he steps over and around at our house...BOSU's, physio balls, medicine balls, weights...hello! Doug and Ron have been friends for years. When we moved to Ron's hometown in Wisconsin, Doug and his wife Kris were one of the first couples I met. Friends are quite revealing about our character, if you want to know someone get to know their friends. It pleased me to know Ron was friends with a guy like Doug; fit, athletic, and wholesome. Only later I learned Ron went to school with Kris, not Doug. This actually makes a lot more sense as Kris, an athlete in her own right, is also a renown, gregarious, sociable party queen!
Half-time/Intermission...change of topic briefly from friends to football.......
After a scoreless first quarter, Wisconsin kicked a 20 yard field goal in the second quarter to go up 3-0. Auburn running back Ronnie Brown scored on a 1 yard touchdown run, to give Auburn a 7-3 lead. Wisconsin kicked another field goal before halftime, and ended up trailing only 7-6. In the third quarter, Carnell Williams scored on a 1 yard touchdown run, to give the Tigers a 14-6 lead over Wisconsin. With 8:14 left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Jim Sorgi fired a 12 yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans. The 2 point conversion attempt to Owen Daniels was successful, and the score was tied at 14. Ronnie Brown scored on a 2 yard touchdown run, and Carnell Williams scored on a 1 yard touchdown run, as Auburn pulled away for a 28-14 win.
Although we choose friends that have similar interests and values, I can't say we choose mates according to these preferences. Ron and I are more the opposites attract couple. Our marriage is likely based more on differences than similarities. Some differences are obvious... male versus female; north versus south; Big 10 versus SEC; collector versus minimalist; beer versus water. Our pastor in Atlanta was very clear during our premarital counseling that we were polar opposites--the kind of couple that has red flags galore on their spread-sheet. The kind of couple that only by firm commitment, communication, and wine will stand the test of time. There have been times over the years that I would refer back to this Minnesota Personality Assessment and shake my head and say, "Yep, Tommy Willingham was right... marriage is work and ours isn't working!" Graphic evidence marked our personality differences and nearly every basic decision seemed to require dramatic communication and compromise...even disagreements as to whether kids should clean toilets. From attending church, to household chores and responsibilities for the kids, the priority and investments of athletic pursuits, budget and spending, social preferences...we debate and drive ourselves in crazy circles of frustration. Just the same we have friends that care about us and I can say our differences have at least drawn me closer to God; even if with a bottle in one hand (not really....just vitamin water!). A few years ago I threw away the carefully prepared graph sheet that identified us as opposites...aggressive vs passive, extroverted vs introverted, free-spirited vs disciplined, demanding vs content...it really doesn't matter anymore what the graph points indicate...after 15 years of marriage I know we are very different and only love connects those dots. This knowledge is why I was not particularly surprised when Ron came home last week with a deep fat fryer.
This "Cool Daddy" fryer can be yours for only $30 at Shopko. Ron tested everything from vegetables to meat to seafood for his frying bonanza--he again was voted, "Most Popular Parent."
A few other commonly purchased items when Ron does the shopping; good deals on sugar ball cereal; potatoes are vegetables; and Sunny D looks just like fresh squeezed OJ--it must be good for you!
So essentially we are a work in progress. Our childhood experiences, values, cultures, personalities and beliefs are different. Ron saw me recently taking my morning vitamins and minerals...supplements like D3, Spirulina, Chlorella, Biotin, Acai, Selenium, Super B Complex, ...you know, the usual stuff and he asked why don't I set them out for him as well? I did, after coating them in white flour and deep frying them in vegetable oil. So although he has a desire to be healthier there is still a need for him to take the independent steps to make his desire a reality. And he has been very successful in the past having completed multiple half marathons and even a full marathon with our mayor Kraig!
Sadly, I never met Ron's dad as he passed away from a heart attack prior to our connection in Atlanta. His first cardiac event was in his early 40's--where Ron is now. I am thankful Ron has contacted Doug and reaffirmed his commitment to healthy living, not only for his own well-being but as a positive example for our children too. In addition it is not as easy as people might think for me to make healthy eating a priority for our family. I need support and encouragement. As my personality assessment indicated years ago I am a people pleaser and have difficulty dealing with rebuttals and arguments. I would rather walk away than sometimes make the tough decisions. It becomes a battle for me to always be the parent that says no to the sugar while Ron is more permissible. Everytime he encourages the kids to eat healthy; when he cooks with nutritious ingredients (and he is a super cook); when he purchases healthy groceries, he affirms me. Affirmation is a healthy ingredient to any marriage.
Ron is an amazing father and incredibly generous, hard working husband. God has blessed our marriage through the years and for this I am grateful. I look forward to the years ahead, not deep fried, but sprinkled with love, flax, and chia seeds!
Sadly, I never met Ron's dad as he passed away from a heart attack prior to our connection in Atlanta. His first cardiac event was in his early 40's--where Ron is now. I am thankful Ron has contacted Doug and reaffirmed his commitment to healthy living, not only for his own well-being but as a positive example for our children too. In addition it is not as easy as people might think for me to make healthy eating a priority for our family. I need support and encouragement. As my personality assessment indicated years ago I am a people pleaser and have difficulty dealing with rebuttals and arguments. I would rather walk away than sometimes make the tough decisions. It becomes a battle for me to always be the parent that says no to the sugar while Ron is more permissible. Everytime he encourages the kids to eat healthy; when he cooks with nutritious ingredients (and he is a super cook); when he purchases healthy groceries, he affirms me. Affirmation is a healthy ingredient to any marriage.
Ron is an amazing father and incredibly generous, hard working husband. God has blessed our marriage through the years and for this I am grateful. I look forward to the years ahead, not deep fried, but sprinkled with love, flax, and chia seeds!
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