Making Modifications.

It’s August 18th.

83 degrees and sunny.

The kids are hot. And we need to use up our prepaid pool pass.

We grab a bite and throw our suits on.

No time for showers or primping. They are only open til 5.

And I’m a sweaty, stinky mess since my workout.



(Little Man sure does know how to capture some stellar moments-- that's sarcasm btw.)

But we are going to the pool. That is already decided. Hopefully I won’t see anyone I know.

Ten minutes later we arrive to an empty parking lot.

And it suddenly dawns on me. They are closed for the winter.

Upon closer inspection I learn they are open for a couple more weekends, but not on weekdays.

Seriously? I paid way too much for this stinking pass to have it already be closed. Come on, school hasn't even started yet.

Well, on the upside, I won't be seeing anyone I know.



Yet another valid reason to add to the already lengthy “reasons to dislike Cedar Rapids” list.

So what do you do in Iowa when the pool is closed?

Well, you do the next best thing.

Which is play in the nearest bean field, of course. (Located right outside the pool.)



I snap a photo and realize this could make for a great photo op.

That is until I realize my card is full.

So I delete a few pics. Problem solved.

And then my battery dies.

Ugh. (Why now? I ALWAYS have a spare, but in my haste to leave I left it behind.)

It isn't long before the kids are hot and ready to leave.

We need a new plan.

So we stop at a friend’s house to see if the kids can swim in their pool.

But they aren't home.

And sprinklers are soooo lame. Get with it.

Now I have 2 grumpy kiddos.

And this is most definitely NOT how I saw this day turning out.

Is it my imagination or does it seem like some days have it out for you?
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Now to my point...

All this has me thinking about my motto for life. I'm thinkin it needs tweaked just a little; modified if you will.

You may remember my Mother's Day post which was the motivation behind my motto.

That being,"If you don’t have TOO high of expectations, then you are pleasantly surprised with just about anything."

Lately I've had many of these "pool moments"... moments that make your face scrunch up all funny leaving lines in all the wrong places. Moments that leave you wanting. Moments that are just downright annoying. Moments that your expectations actually exceed the possibilites...

Even though I was dreading the drive to West Virgina I couldn't help but be stoked about the adventure. The weather was forecasted to be 90 degrees and sunny. Perfect for rafting. Couldn't ask for better weather.

Except when it turns out to be 70 degrees and rainy.

And I was cold. I hadn't dressed adequately and the only thing we could find was a hideous black jacket that smelled like a foot because it'd been worn by who knows who and then stored in a box with other damp nasty jackets. We rented it for $10. Tears welled up as hubs helped me put it over my head. It smelled something horrible.

This wasn't the picture I had in my head. I was perturbed that my teeth were chattering and that we would be rafting in a rain storm in this nasty jacket.

Hubs wanted to take a photo of me with the rain and I'm pretty sure this face says it all.


And as a side note, I did eventually find my smile in spite of the flawed weathermen and fashion faux pas. It turned out to be a blast and we got so drenched that we would have never even known it was raining. The sun even made a debut for a couple brief moments in there.

But it took me a while to get there. And it has become apparent that I need to make modifications to my motto if for no other reason than self preservation.

After much thought and deliberation I have it...

Drum roll please...

My New Motto: Have no expectations.

"Happiness equals reality minus expectations." -Tom Magliozzi

Hopefully that will cover all my bases because there is no time for long faces or disappointments. Life is too short.

I'm on a new crusade. A crusade to find smiles.

Because we can't sit around waiting for our smiles to find us.

Please join me on my quest...