Optimizing the Situation

Optimizing the Situation-Belize 2007

Tony and I spent an evening at Scott and Carol's cabin with a few other couples. We had a scrumptious dinner and for dessert, there were a couple of frozen pies. The woman who had brought the pies started thawing them five hours previous to dinner but at 8:00 they were still not completely thawed. I noticed my husband in the kitchen moving the pies around and feeling the kitchen counter tops. I thought it was a little strange until he told me he was optimizing the situation. As the pie sat on the counter, the warmth in the counter sucked out the cold but held the cold in the spot; by moving the pies around he was optimizing the warmth and cutting down the length of defrost time. He also taught me that optimizing is something that computer scientists do all the time.

One thing I love about the contrast between my husband and me: he thinks completely different. I would never think of a pie defrost exercise--or optimizing the situation--but I plan to.

Birthday Booty

When my soon-to-be-fifty-year-old sister asked how old I was going to be, I answered "48." Her response changed my whole perspective of one year older, "Lucky you," she said without sarcasm. Lucky me! My day was perfect! Not because of the gifts, though they are beautiful and appreciated but the people behind the gifts. Lucky Me!








Tony and I went on our birthday annual bike ride to Sundance for lunch. The first time I had turned forty five. We were coming down the Sundance Canyon at Tony-speed and I was scared to death, but then a miracle happened--I let go of my fear--an appropriate 45 year old moment. Today as we came barreling down the mountain again at Tony-speed I was laughing on the back of the tandem. Yes, I was still scared, a feeling that I think is unavoidable given that I cannot see or control my destiny--it is in the hands of my husband--but nonetheless there is a difference between being scared and holding on to fear.

The day started when Pj came into wake me as she does every morning. "Happy Birthday mom."

First thing this morning we received a call from Holly Max and Annika. Max couldn't believe that grandpa Tony was still in bed!!! He asked me to go and scare him. And then we spent part of the morning just being there. "Grandma Pat are you still there?" "Still here Max." I imagine he goes off and does something. "Max are you still there?" "Yes, I am still here. I have to hug Anni" (crying in the distance).

And then my dear and cherished parents called.

And then Mandi.

And Jillian, though still downstairs. There were emails from Marni and a pre-birthday call from Dwan dwan.

Lucky Me! I'm 48!