Car in The Garage

Way back when I was a second grade teacher and my stomach was flat, I taught my students to create goals for themselves. Learning goals, sports goals, family goals...whatever they wanted to become more proficient in. Successful people like Michael Jordan have become successful by constantly setting goals. Why couldn't second graders set goals?

Do as I say, not as I do.

Personally, I am seriously stinky at following through with goals.

Take the goal I set back in December. "Cut back on sugar." (feel free to snicker)

Lunch today consisted of peanut butter pretzels coated in milk chocolate. For dessert, the kids and I had frozen yogurt. Bye, bye goal.

In honor of Earth Day and in response to my new found hatred for the Mass Pike and driving in general, I have made a five-day goal.

No driving.

"For the five days during the work week I solemnly swear to keep my car in the garage."

Today has been good. Two round trips to the school. One trip downtown for frozen yogurt and a stroll by the river.

Healthier earth. Healthier pocketbook. Healthier Gruppie.
Leg cramp Gruppie...Sunburned Gruppie...

(Let's hope this goal sticks)

These Boots Are Made For Walking

My family is lucky enough to live near a small village center. Elementary school, health food store, dentist, dance studio, pharmacy....you get the idea.

We enjoy leaving the car in the garage and walking downtown when we can. Free exercise, uninterrupted family time and no carbon footprint. In the warmer weather we even walk to and from school on most days. It is rare, with the exception of the parades, festival and fireworks, that we ever see anyone else walking. Strange.

Today was my day to be the library helper at the school library. I also needed a few things at the health food store. So I walked.

Now comes the rant.

First, if you live on main Street and have a sidewalk in front of your house, shovel it! I do not want to take my life in my hands by walking on the main road. I don't want to arrive at school with cold and wet pant legs.

I am now the cranky old lady in the village and called the police on the two offending home owners. They promised citations. I just want the sidewalks cleared.

Next, if you see someone standing in a crosswalk stop! I can count on one hand how many people have stopped for myself and my family over the past two years when we have been standing in the crosswalks. A police officer once blew by my family as we were walking to school. Now that s sad.

I had the town install a sidewalk coming out of my neighborhood across the main road. The first of only three cars to stop at this crosswalk had a North Carolina plate. That made me laugh.

Does the state of Connecticut not include the "must stop for pedestrians in sidewalks" lesson in drivers ed? Even when my son was in the stroller I couldn't get anyone to stop. I have taken to screaming at passing cars and jumping out in front of them to give them a scare. Girlie absolutely freaks when I leap out into the road.

The entire family, including the grandparents from both sides, will be walking downtown again for the carol sing and tour of the museum. It will be dark. Wish me luck.

Rant over.