Summer 2010...Our four children entered the summer all as teens! Tyler broke the teen barrier by turning 20 in July. Shea graduated from high school in June at age 18! Kelli at 16 just left this morning for her second cross country trip to the northeast to visit new friends she met during a summer camp she attended in Vermont right after school was let out! And Justin, who turned 14 in July, has well surpassed the 5'10" mark this summer which also means he is now taller than his mom!
Even with the individual directions that summer can take teens, Duffy and I arranged to take the family for a one week vacation to Hawaii. We were so grateful to have all four children "on board" for the trip. A vacation that Justin was begging for so we didn't tell him until the night before our early morning flight that took place on his actual birthday! I even got the pilot to make the surprise birthday announcement while in the air over the Pacific Ocean which led to the passengers singing Happy Birthday. Oh, to embarass a 14 year old!!!
To say it was an amazing vacation would be an understatement. Yes, we looked like your typical family going through the airport with backpacks, little pillows, magazine, and iPods in tow. On the flight, the Waldorf's have traveling partners. Duffy and Kelli always pair off, Tyler and Justin are good seat buddies, and Shea is my dream airline companion for as soon as he plops into his seat, he hits the snooze button (he's been this way since he was a baby!) The pair offs always takes place for a few reasons...but the primary one is the shoulders of a Waldorf! Duffy has traveled for years dealing with airline seats that are not as wide as his football shoulders. Tyler and Shea now have the same issue and Justin is only a few years behind. Therefore, one set of Waldorf shoulders for each pair of seats.
We arrived at our hotel destination, and everyone was instantly ready to hit the beach. Each day, we played in the sun...but I don't mean this figuratively, I mean it literally. The three boys surfed together, Kelli and Duffy floated together, we swam together, we all took turns throwing the football together, better yet playing keep away, (and a few of us even took time to do a little shopping together). The six of us climbed Diamond Head together and have a family photo to prove we all made it to the top! We paired off into our airplane partners to kayak race...please note that Shea and I are the undefeated champions! And...Justin and I even spent quality time together as we found the local doctor to address his ear infection.
Yet, as the beautiful sun set each evening, this may have been my favorite time as a family. A few nights we got all dressed up and went out for some lovely dinners. But a couple of the evenings, we actually "stayed home", brought dinner back to the room and had a family dinner and movie night. No phones, no text messages, no computers, and no outside distractions. The six of us ate dinner, laughed, enjoyed each others company, and then as a family...picked the movie that all six of us could agree upon. Sometimes it took watching several trailers to make our "group" decision...but we did it...together!
They are growing up way too fast. But this summer for seven straight days, this family took a vacation together...and the entire time, including dinner and a movie...was priceless!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Rube Goldberg and Motherhood
Rube Goldberg and Motherhood...that may just say it all...a mother of four children whose fourth child just completed his Rube Goldberg Project. Please tell me that you all know about the Rube Goldberg phenomenon. And if you don't, then you have never created (or helped) create a simple task with way too many steps involved. Well, perhaps you have (I know I have) but back to our dear family friend Rube Goldberg.
In our household, it has been more than an honor, in fact, I feel almost like royalty with how many times Rube Goldberg has approached our doorstep!
Under our very own roof, I have witnessed how a 6" putt can be made everytime with no hands involved...nine or more steps including tubes, swinging pendulums, rolling marbles and the final step of a golf ball rolling systematically on line each and every time. "It's in the hole!" was repeated each and every time!
(Duffy...you should take notes from Mr. Goldberg and the simple results that were achieved and done with precision...or from Tyler when he did his project way back when)!
Our second visit from Sir Goldberg was when Shea and his classmate showed everyone how to pour milk on a bowl of cereal hands free. I know our cat Spot would like to sign up for this magical class of free pouring milk. Yet, Duffy has the cat covered each and every morning with a side of breakfast bacon leftovers...to be our cat would be one of royalty!
Our third visitation from Prince Goldberg was when he shared his more feminine side. Kelli and I figured out how to place colorful sprinkles on a cupcake with more than nine steps! A very popular scenario with fans watching and reaping it's successful results time and time again. Please note...Prince Goldberg does not count calories, that many steps to sprinkle cupcakes cancels them all out!
And for our families final visit by King Goldberg, our dining room was the spot he chose for his finale...
Here we go... a heavy marble slides down a paper towel tube, that causes a pitched hammer to tip over to hit a pair of scissors, that snaps shut and cuts a thin string, that is attached to a one sided weighted bowl that falls off a table three feet to the floor to barely tip an awaiting scale that moves itself over (filled with dominoes and old skateboard wheels for weights), that then touches a prewound car to move forward with precision and enough speed, that runs full throttle in to another pair of scissors that snap shut and cut a taught paper ribbon, that is attached to a handmade catapult that has been held back by stretched to the max rubberbands, that is finally released with a basketball that has been sitting in a tilted bowl on one end of the held back device, that then shoots through the air into a strategically placed basketball hoop to score one for the team...
Team Justin and his teammate Anthony or should I say one for Coach Goldberg!
Our adventures through the Kingdom of Rube Goldberg are complete, at least the ones that are required. Yet, how many times each and every day do we look back and always feel that simple tasks often take too many steps?!
Enjoy the simple things in life...and if it takes a few extra steps to get there...take it in stride and laugh alongside our dear friend Mr Rube Goldberg.
Til he and I meet again...farewell!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the go!
In our household, it has been more than an honor, in fact, I feel almost like royalty with how many times Rube Goldberg has approached our doorstep!
Under our very own roof, I have witnessed how a 6" putt can be made everytime with no hands involved...nine or more steps including tubes, swinging pendulums, rolling marbles and the final step of a golf ball rolling systematically on line each and every time. "It's in the hole!" was repeated each and every time!
(Duffy...you should take notes from Mr. Goldberg and the simple results that were achieved and done with precision...or from Tyler when he did his project way back when)!
Our second visit from Sir Goldberg was when Shea and his classmate showed everyone how to pour milk on a bowl of cereal hands free. I know our cat Spot would like to sign up for this magical class of free pouring milk. Yet, Duffy has the cat covered each and every morning with a side of breakfast bacon leftovers...to be our cat would be one of royalty!
Our third visitation from Prince Goldberg was when he shared his more feminine side. Kelli and I figured out how to place colorful sprinkles on a cupcake with more than nine steps! A very popular scenario with fans watching and reaping it's successful results time and time again. Please note...Prince Goldberg does not count calories, that many steps to sprinkle cupcakes cancels them all out!
And for our families final visit by King Goldberg, our dining room was the spot he chose for his finale...
Here we go... a heavy marble slides down a paper towel tube, that causes a pitched hammer to tip over to hit a pair of scissors, that snaps shut and cuts a thin string, that is attached to a one sided weighted bowl that falls off a table three feet to the floor to barely tip an awaiting scale that moves itself over (filled with dominoes and old skateboard wheels for weights), that then touches a prewound car to move forward with precision and enough speed, that runs full throttle in to another pair of scissors that snap shut and cut a taught paper ribbon, that is attached to a handmade catapult that has been held back by stretched to the max rubberbands, that is finally released with a basketball that has been sitting in a tilted bowl on one end of the held back device, that then shoots through the air into a strategically placed basketball hoop to score one for the team...
Team Justin and his teammate Anthony or should I say one for Coach Goldberg!
Our adventures through the Kingdom of Rube Goldberg are complete, at least the ones that are required. Yet, how many times each and every day do we look back and always feel that simple tasks often take too many steps?!
Enjoy the simple things in life...and if it takes a few extra steps to get there...take it in stride and laugh alongside our dear friend Mr Rube Goldberg.
Til he and I meet again...farewell!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the go!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Can't Cook But I'm a Mean Cleaner
Two times within the last seven days, I have had two family members (who live under the same roof as me) ask me about our crockpot. Actually, one family member asked me quite seriously (as if it was a new vocabulary word), "What is a crockpot and do we have one?". The second family member just today asked me, "Where is the crock pot?" In this ambitious household that includes my dear husband, three sons and one daughter, can you guess who asked which question?
Well, the first one was asked by Kelli our 16 year old daughter. I guess I haven't pulled the glorious crockpot out enough during her 16 years of life to realize that the slow cooker is actually quite useful. Guess I have some "splainin" to do as Ricky Ricardo used to say to Lucy! While growing up in my household with my sister Cindy who is almost 9 years older than me, she was given an allowance to cook our family meals. And my job...was to do the dishes! I am still great at cleaning and still can't cook very well, so the good ol' crock pot (for this very not great cook) does come in handy when I remember that we own one.
And can you guess who in our household would ask where something might be let alone the crock pot as if it was hiding like everything else? Anyone who has been married over 20 years (or even 10 years for that matter) already guessed it! This morning, my husband Duffy, who is still home from the golf tour rehabilitating a knee injury decided to celebrate April 15th by putting a roast in the good ol' crockpot. Needless to say, 10 seconds later, I had the "hiding" appliance in the kitchen right before his eyes as if it was a magic trick. I got it all set up for him with no further questions asked.
Guess who gets to clean it!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the Go.
(You can also find her designing woman's hats at www.gogiegirl.com)
Well, the first one was asked by Kelli our 16 year old daughter. I guess I haven't pulled the glorious crockpot out enough during her 16 years of life to realize that the slow cooker is actually quite useful. Guess I have some "splainin" to do as Ricky Ricardo used to say to Lucy! While growing up in my household with my sister Cindy who is almost 9 years older than me, she was given an allowance to cook our family meals. And my job...was to do the dishes! I am still great at cleaning and still can't cook very well, so the good ol' crock pot (for this very not great cook) does come in handy when I remember that we own one.
And can you guess who in our household would ask where something might be let alone the crock pot as if it was hiding like everything else? Anyone who has been married over 20 years (or even 10 years for that matter) already guessed it! This morning, my husband Duffy, who is still home from the golf tour rehabilitating a knee injury decided to celebrate April 15th by putting a roast in the good ol' crockpot. Needless to say, 10 seconds later, I had the "hiding" appliance in the kitchen right before his eyes as if it was a magic trick. I got it all set up for him with no further questions asked.
Guess who gets to clean it!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the Go.
(You can also find her designing woman's hats at www.gogiegirl.com)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Many Hats We Wear
Everyday, we wear many hats!
And when you co-own a headwear company, you are surrounded daily by a lot of hats that come in many colors and various styles! But as a Mom, spouse, friend, daughter, business owner, parent volunteer at school, NCL Mom and Board member...the hats are always in motion. As a Mom of four teenagers, this entails another style of hat geared with a mental component of staying sane and also being a teen counselor!. And...another hat with four teens all under one roof is one of patience, trust, and a lot of prayer for their safety.
Our third child and our only daughter, Kelli, recently just turned 16 and just got her driver's license this past St. Patrick's Day. Lucky us...I mean her!!! And everyday since this great achievement, I have noticed my car backing out of the driveway with me not in it! Oooooh, to have three teens driving... and did I mention that the car insurance company LOVES Duffy and I?! Well, Justin still has a few more years before he can drive a car, so until then, he can continue to drive his parents insane with bouncing the basketball throughout the house and not following through with his chores!
With the many hats I own (and wear), and a nice wine cellar...I will survive!!!
(FYI...I am grateful to have so many hats to wear)!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the go!
And when you co-own a headwear company, you are surrounded daily by a lot of hats that come in many colors and various styles! But as a Mom, spouse, friend, daughter, business owner, parent volunteer at school, NCL Mom and Board member...the hats are always in motion. As a Mom of four teenagers, this entails another style of hat geared with a mental component of staying sane and also being a teen counselor!. And...another hat with four teens all under one roof is one of patience, trust, and a lot of prayer for their safety.
Our third child and our only daughter, Kelli, recently just turned 16 and just got her driver's license this past St. Patrick's Day. Lucky us...I mean her!!! And everyday since this great achievement, I have noticed my car backing out of the driveway with me not in it! Oooooh, to have three teens driving... and did I mention that the car insurance company LOVES Duffy and I?! Well, Justin still has a few more years before he can drive a car, so until then, he can continue to drive his parents insane with bouncing the basketball throughout the house and not following through with his chores!
With the many hats I own (and wear), and a nice wine cellar...I will survive!!!
(FYI...I am grateful to have so many hats to wear)!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the go!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Gogie Girl Has Two Ears and One Mouth...in that order!!!
As a child, my Mom used to lovingly refer to me as a motormouth! (I never took it personal). Someone needed to talk for the silence of everyone reading a book/newspaper in our family while growing up or no one talking during car rides was "too" quiet for me. It was someones job in the family to cure the silence and I always took it upon myself to take care of it being "too" quiet!
How I love peace and quiet moments now, not all the time though. I have a busy household with my husband and four teenage children, and I wouldn't trade the organized chaos for anything! I love a busy household and the sounds that come from it!
Recently, our dear friend Johnnie (also one my husband's former caddies) was staying with us while the PGA tour was visiting the west coast. He offered our youngest son who is 13 years old some "loving" words of advice, "You were given two ears and one mouth, use them in that order." Justin is one who often has more than his share to say and an answer for everything, sounds like a 13 year, doesn't it? He is our youngest of four, so we have been on this road a few times. What I love is when our oldest son Tyler stops Justin in his tracks when he is running at the mouth (or the note comes home from school saying the same)...deja vu Tyler!!! Oh how six years difference between our oldest and our youngest is so much fun to observe and be a part of!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the Go!
How I love peace and quiet moments now, not all the time though. I have a busy household with my husband and four teenage children, and I wouldn't trade the organized chaos for anything! I love a busy household and the sounds that come from it!
Recently, our dear friend Johnnie (also one my husband's former caddies) was staying with us while the PGA tour was visiting the west coast. He offered our youngest son who is 13 years old some "loving" words of advice, "You were given two ears and one mouth, use them in that order." Justin is one who often has more than his share to say and an answer for everything, sounds like a 13 year, doesn't it? He is our youngest of four, so we have been on this road a few times. What I love is when our oldest son Tyler stops Justin in his tracks when he is running at the mouth (or the note comes home from school saying the same)...deja vu Tyler!!! Oh how six years difference between our oldest and our youngest is so much fun to observe and be a part of!
Til next time...this Gogie Girl is on the Go!
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