Angels on the Field

Last night our HS Football team (Center Grove) played for the state championship.

I have never really been much a fan of HS football, but Kelsey's boyfriend Devon was a senior offensive lineman, so I attended the games this season with her and for him. Pretty much all season the games were boring due to the fact Center Grove dominated most of their opponents, barring one our rivals to the north Carmel.

(Devon & Kelsey after a regular season game)

This saga started last year when we took an overtime game away from Carmel for an amazing, exciting win. Fast forward to this year, Sept. 3rd with 6,000 fans in attendance, unheard of for a H.S. game, Carmel came back in the last 45 seconds to win the game against us, it was the only lost the CG football team had for the season, setting the stage for last night's state championship against Carmel.

(Kelsey & Alex in the Suite)

We headed down to Lucas Oil Stadium (the Colts) for the game, Devon's dad had gotten us his company's suite, we came early to watch the other division games but come game-time we headed over to the regular seats, managing to secure 45 yard line lower seats for the game we were all ready. The stadium was 3/4 full of Center Grove kids, parents and community members having sold 6,600 pre-game tickets, we pride ourselves that we may not be a city, but we are a strong community.

The game started and Carmel pulled ahead, going into the 1/2 we scored but were still down, it wasn't looking good - it wasn't the CG team we had watched all season, there were mistakes and as with the Sept. 3rd game it didn't look like we could close down the Carmel quarterback. The Carmel fans were taunting us with their 'championship' signs and going into the 4th quarter it really didn't look good, I must admit I was praying for a miracle, I wanted this group of boys, especially the seniors and Devon to have this win.

And that's when those angels appeared, with 6 minutes left, our student's shouting 'We Believe' and the boys never giving up, though many of the fans had, they managed to overcome a 19 point deficit in the remaining 6 minutes of the game to win the State Championship and put Carmel in their place, we were overwhelmed. They are truly Champions.

(Picture of Devon that appeared on the front page of the Indy Star Sports Section)

It was a lot of firsts, first HS state championship to be played at Lucas Oil, largest crowd to attend a HS state game and the first football championship for Center Grove....I was so excited for the seniors, for Devon and for the community!

I called mom to tell her the news not knowing she had been watching the scores online, she had last checked with 8 minutes remaining and had conceded we had lost the game. She thought I was joking when I told her we had won, it took some convincing to get her to realize it. As they say, it ain't over until the fat lady sings....


We all went back to the HS to celebrate the win, at 12 midnight the school gymnasium was packed with kids & parents, the emotions were overwhelming. Here is Kelsey, Alex and Devon with his state medal around his neck and a wonderful close to his football career!

November

This month has pretty much been about the same as October, quiet, reflective and enjoying the peace. I enjoyed dinner with a mysterious antique buyer at the beginning of the month and we are both looking forward to the next time we will be able to converse again. Friday's have been taken over by the High School football team when Kelsey comes home to see Devon play. They are ranked in the top 50 for HS teams on ESPN, just look for Center Grove. Games are usually followed by all the football parents going to a local restaurant to relish victories (until the wee hours), Devon's parents invite me along, I have enjoyed myself and getting to know more of the other parents.

I am getting out a bit more during the week reconnecting with friends, but still laying low, kinda feel like I am re-charging for something, just not sure what yet. Or it just maybe work has left me worn from trying to get so much done before the 'code freeze' which is when we lock down to any changes going into the holiday sales.

The girls have been busy with their activities both doing well in their respective schools. Kelsey's roommate had a breakdown and returned to her home, leaving Kelsey relaxed as not to have to deal with her anymore, she is enjoying school more and stressing less. Alex and I took in the Twilight movie this past weekend after both of us read the book, were hooked - well she is, I have always loved vampire stories and we are looking forward to the next movie. A friend of mine at work just introduced me to a series of Anne Rice trilogy I didn't know existed called Sleeping Beauty which came with a warning that I will probably feel the need to smoke after every chapter if you get my drift.

This maybe difficult now since I gave up smoking on November 20th *the great smoke-out day*, 7 days and counting. I have faltered a few times, its not so much the physical need to smoke, it is more mental but I still feel one or two in this time frame is doing better than my almost 2 pack a day, and to just think of all the money I have saved so far - yeah!

We are looking forward a great Thanksgiving and on Saturday the football team will be playing for the State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium complete with pre-game tailgating, we are all looking forward to a victorious win and lots of celebrating afterwards!

Wishing you all a wonderful happy Thanksgiving and stress free holiday and hope this all finds you well! As I say on myspace - I am around!

October

Was a quiet month for us, Kelsey is pretty much settled into Purdue getting into the swing of classes and coming home most weekends when there are home football games to see her boyfriend Devon play, they are having a great season. She is struggling with her roommate but making the best of the situation. Alex and I have gotten into a comfortable routine with school, work and soccer.

Much to the chagrin of my friends who have been wondering where in the world I am, I have been a homebody of late, venturing out only on occasion. It's not that I don't want to be around in all honesty, I have become bored with the whole routine of going out for awhile, so why bother. I have taken in a few poker games but for the most part, been home taking care of the house, reading, running Alex around and enjoying the quiet.

My photographer buddies got me out at the end of the month when they came in for the annual FFA convention. We took in a few nights of drinks. One of the first evenings we landed in the Slippery Noodle, a favorite Jazz/Blues bar of mine that always has someone good playing. This was a Tuesday evening, quiet for downtown but they had a jazz duet playing. The manager encouraged us to come around and sit down to enjoy the second session, after getting our drinks and of course, our shot(s) of bourbon we always enjoy together we obliged. As always, my eyes wandered around to take in the group who were joining us in the bar this evening and sitting directly across from us was Peyton Manning...wow! He was out as well enjoying a couple with some friends, after his lackluster showing in Green Bay I am surprised he was taking a bunch. They stayed through the set and no one bothered them, I came to find out later this is a favorite haunt of the team, many times they come over after the game to review film and drink in a private room downstairs.

Later in the week, the group reconvened again at the Noodle, this time we were in for a special treat...a private tour of the building which is the oldest bar in the state dating back to the 1850's. During our tour we saw some of the old tunnels, now sealed but used for the underground railroad and later moving and storing munitions under the city. Saw bullets Dillinger left in the back brick wall (once the stable area) from some fun target practice and a run through the upstairs which was originally a brothel. All in all a fascinating building to tour and find out about. Above all I was spellbound by the stories of the resident ghosts which are known to haunt the bar, disappointed they didn't visit but have been seen by many of the employees who work there. There is George whose domain is the downstairs basement, a black coal-tender who appears now and then causing no harm but seems to scare the shit out of some of the employees by just standing behind them. Big Boss, who feels he still runs the place and gets a little angry with the current general manager but alas cannot do much about it and word from the local paranormals who have visited, many teenagers and other spirits who have come to rest in the building due to their buildings being torn down, they are known to tease the staff and reek havoc.....just fascinating, but again I was disappointed they didn't choose to visit us.

If you have the opportunity to visit Indianapolis, make sure you stop into the Noodle, have a drink and enjoy the oldest bar in the state!

Heart/Journey/CheapTrick Concert

I had been anticipating this concert for a bit wanting to really see Heart, they did not disappoint. Cheap Trick opened the show, Heart was up next and gave a totally Awesome on fire show which then brought on Journey lead by their new singer found on You tube. I as well as many people felt Heart just stole the show!

As always when I join Cristina and Josh, a good time was had by all. We finished up the night at a local pub and retired home to get a few hours of sleep before work the next day.

I actually made it in on time to work, was in a silly mood and starving about 10am!

Colts Pregame Against Bears

Took the opportunity to join friends for a pregame tailgating party with the Colts Disciples who have been doing this for the past 15 years, lead by Josh's dad and uncle. Fun was had by all even though the game was quite disappointing!

Though didn't have tickets for the game, other friends had an awesome setup complete with 52" tvs!

Kelsey at College

Kelsey spent the last week getting comfortable with school and attending Boiler Gold Rush, a freshman orientation. She came home Friday night to watch Devon's home opener and I brought her back today.

I had Alex's soccer game to attend first, then over to attend my first ever high school game. It's a Friday night event around here, I am just not that big a fan of hs football. Alex scored the only goal for her team, we rushed home and I waited while 3 girls proceed to get ready. We arrived and Alex promptly dumped me off on Kelsey saying 'she's driving me crazy!' - lol. Center Grove won the game easily 41-0, a lot of the players got to see some field time but for me, it was a little boring. Devon got his pic in the paper (to the right of the coach)

I drove her and Gywnne back with a loaded car on Sunday, dropped the off and came back home. She of course came home with 'a list', the box fan being on the top priority, there is no air conditioning in her dorm, and the humidity has crept up with coming of August, it's hot! She starts classes tomorrow.

First Day of School

School started for Alex this week. It was a sad moment when I took the 'first day of school picture' and it was only Alex, it brought in another realization that the days of having 2 children and having full responsibility for both is coming to a close. Of course I always will be feel responsible for Kelsey, but she is now entering the world of adulthood, and as much as I am working on letting go, she is working on taking more and more on her own. We are both doing fairly well with it so far.

But this is about Alex starting school, so here is her picture looing all the teenager she is!
Soccer season has begun, Alex was disappointed she didn't fully make the JV team, but is double rostered between JV and developmental. I do beleieve this will afford her more opportunity to play and be a leader to the younger players, but I know in her heart she wanted to be all JV...she is doing well with all of it, it's one of those moments in life that you make the decision to accept, go on and do your best or quit ~ I am proud of her making the first choice, no matter how hard it maybe for her.

Her first week of school was 'boring' but I think this will change as homework, school activities and reconnections with friends she hasnt seen over the summer will kick in.

Tomorrow, I have another 'mommy moment' for we bring Kelsey to Purdue to move into the dorms for Boiler Gold Rush, a week long freshman orientation program. She will be back home next Friday for the first home football game at the High School, Dev, her boyfriend is a senior and will be playing.

~hope

I am the Worst Daughter.....

I have the most loving parents in the world, they are there to support, encourage and help me still when I stumble and fall. So what leads to this headline, I forgot my dad's birthday on August 5th, sure, I have excuses..,but truly this is in-excusable.

I get so caught up in my little world here, I forget a larger one around me.



I'm sorry daddy, maybe it's my own old age catching up with my brain, but I hope you had a wonderful day!

Friendly Poker

My favorite place to play free poker quit hosting in June. I liked this place, it was close to home, I enjoyed the people I played with (meaning they played poker, not craps) and it was a nice weekly respite that had a 'Cheers' type of atmosphere with a cast of characters to fit.

I tried a couple of the other places still hosting, but they just don't fit and why bother going if I am not fully enjoying myself. So, since I was finished with my house, I decided to host a weekly game. An opportunity to play with the people I enjoy playing with, be really close to home and above all get to play some cards. I just love to play cards, really any card game, I take that back, I just can't 'get' Euchre, and damn if it is not the hottest game in the state of Indiana.

The games have been fun, on average there are 8-9 of us, small enough to enjoy the company, large enough to earn some $$'s. It has taught me more about my game, the approach to the game and the ramifications of each, it's why I enjoy cards and its strategy. Many of the players can spit out the pot odds, number of 'outs', card odds of winnings, etc. Mathematical genius I say! Me, I ain't that good at that, I do 'understand' each hands odds of winnings and the number of outs - pot odds, not so much, but I also 'feel' some hands, you have 'lucky days' where the cards fall in your favor and above all, it comes down to chance, it is gambling.

As true sometimes in cards, is true in life. I am not a genius in my respective field(s), but I have knowledge and understanding of the overall approach of each, the ramifications of decisions and the strategy . What cards has taught me is to make to take that chance more often, when you have run through all the options (chip stack, number of outs, odds of winning,etc.) and to just listen to my 'gut', now I need to work more on employing this strategy into my life.

July 2008

The road to Purdue, I have received SO much paperwork about everything from dorm rooms to student insurance, it is overwhelming. With the incoming class being 'so connected' why do they not offer and outline of required documents and the ability to complete them online, it's hard to keep up.

We had a Day on Campus, Kelsey worked with the advisor and the plan they have outlined establish her to have a choice of pre-pharm, pre-dental, pre-med and biochemistry her junior year without having to take additional classes. Chemistry is currently her major with a Biology & Spanish minors.

I discovered Soules garden, finally after years of searching for this hidden Day lily farm. Day lilies are my favorite garden flower and I hope to hydridize them some day. Jen and I explored the vast assortment and snapped a few of our favs, we would break the bank if we bought all the ones we wanted!

June 2008

Kelsey graduated, the house done and summer beginning, I decided to take a month of rest! And that's what I did - rested and enjoyed my patio.

Alex took driver's ed and passed with an 'A'. Regardless of her flying colors in the class, I am still a nervous wreck riding with her, I am just getting used to Kelsey...it is not going to be easy for me.

Summer didn't stop for the girls, Kelsey working additional hours and Alex getting together with her friends. Alex went to cheer camp and spent a day at the lake with some friends.

Kelsey Graduates High School

Ya Didn't Have my Back

That's right grandma and grandpa, this one is for you! Oh the bad talk about tattoos, piercings and more - Gypsy's, isn't that what I have always heard? Only Gypsy's pierce thier ears and bodies!!! So when it came down to it - I left it to you to say 'no' and you failed me! Where was my support on one of the few things I wanted to hold off on. Gone, out the door!

So This One is For You!

And to my darling brother who egged the situation on (as always with Alex)_, you now owe me $45 bucks since you decided to put your money up for it!

I hope you all love the outcome ~ Alex is thrilled and all her friends are SO jealous of her abs!

Alex also received her driver's permit on this day - it was a growing up day for all of us!

Yard Done....check

Managed to get the yard and house done on Memorial Day, a thanks to my next door neighbor who brought over a big-ass wheelbarrow and a pitchfork, it made my task of mulching the gardens much easier.

Thanks to Devon who showed up just when my arms, back and legs were pure mush to help finish up the job. Kelsey was busy inside mopping and cleaning the floors where I had finished caulking and painting the 1/4 round on the floor.....the downstairs is done ...well except a few spot things here and there....but it's done enough for the graduation open house!

Senior Toga Day

Kelsey was busy all last week with different dress days, on toga day the girls stopped by our house to get their wraps into place.

Peace

May is the 500 in Indy

I didn't get a chance much to enjoy the celebrations leading up to the Indy 500. Kept tabs on my brother's progress through the month like a lot of fans, I read in online and in the paper.

He didn't get to qualify the first day, but his team and driver Townsend Bell were the fastest qualifer's the 2nd day. Here is a shot that was on the front page of the Indy Star. That's Chris on the left.

Alex, Devon and I got over to the track a bit for Community Day, my parents had come down to surprise my brother and allow my dad to get to the track at least once in the month of May.
Here Devon and Alex are posing in front of the Real Borg Warner Trophy. I have no idea what the looks were for, they did everything but smile.

I attended with my race partner, Rick whose wife doesn't really care to go - it works out for all of us and besides, she says I am one of the few who can put up with his ornery ass.

To add to the merriment (drunk fest) Rick's brother Tim and his wife Sandy joins us again for the race. Good time had by all! My brother's team took their car to 10th place! Rick was my DD and delivered me home where I promptly walked straight up to my bed, stripped and passed out!

I am almost done!

Yeah! I am coming into the home stretch. It's been a busy month of soccer games, school celebrations and more.

First there was take your kid to work day, I worked it out so Alex had Shae there whose grandma works at the Finish Line, we went for a great lunch at a chinese buffet! I am not really sure how much work was accomplished, but they both decided they did not want to work their way up from distribution after a tour of the warehouse! That was great news.


The weekend after prom, Alex and I headed down for a 2 day tournament in Louisville, here she is waiting for the game to start, don't you see the intense focus.

We met up with a good friend of mine Toni at the mall, She pointed out Tim Gunn from My Project Runway was in Macy's, so Alex snapped a shot. Next up in-between work, getting the house ready for graduation, soccer practice and errands was my company dinner. Highlight of the evening were one of our developers doing his impressions and the guy from the Under Armour commercials - ladies he is hot!

Here is a nice shot of my coworker Donna, boss Brian and IMother's Day weekend was packed full of household chores, it was the only weekend that I had available to finish up the many projects needed to be done before the graduation open house, I managed to get a jump on a bunch of stuff, but really didn't have a 'relaxing' mother's day, all work...everybody has been wondering where I got off to.

Evansville up the next weekend, state cup for Alex's soccer. Why in the world they send all the local Indianapolis teams 3 no god damn good way to get there hours away to play each other for the 'state games' I don't have a clue. But the girls got to play under the lights on a wonderful 77 degree evening. It was a good night.

The Rabbit that came for a Visit

And only a visit. Adamant about 'No More Pets', Alex has wanted a bunny. Her science project for Honors Biology was growth rates in bunnies, guess what on long weekends someone had to take them home.

I remain strong and the lovely bunny went home to another loving family!

PROM 2008

Spring Break 08

Senior Spring Break for Kelsey.

Tons of Center Grove kids and their families descended upon the beautiful white hot sand beaches of Fort Myers Beach Florida. We went with a bunch of the soccer girls and their families. Throughout the week we had many visitors to the house, at one point the basement was full of kids. It was the 15 year olds we had to keep a little more handle on, but allowed them the freedom to go to lunch at the 'pier' and hang.

Alex, Amanda and I took a day and went over to Sanibel Island for some shelling and a little different scenery, we had a fun day out lunch on Captiva and headed back to the house.

A new driving record for me. We left Saturday at 5am in the morning, the Hocks whom I was traveling with were early risers, I adapted but they had to put up with my cranky but until I got enough coffee in me. We traveled well together, me usually forging ahead liking the left hand lane and a cruising speed of 81-82 mph. As the morning wore on and the miles behind us we were having debates of stopping for another overnight or driving through. Kelsey was convinced we were driving through. We didn't stop except for gas and one break past Atlanta and were hard at it steady. Atlanta had some slow to stopped traffic that wore on both myself and Mike Hock's nerves, but we managed and took a break. As we reached Chattanooga, TN, I had been driving for about 12 hours at this time and was getting weary. I decided to let Kelsey drive to Nashville, our overnight or not stop, forgetting the hills to Nashville are twisty, turny and steep grades...the fun begins, poor Kelsey I don't make a very good passenger - I drive myself all the time. As we reached Nashville, rush hour traffic was in full bloom - 7 lanes across, mom in the passenger seat sweaty bullets and two smart-asses in the back seat we again managed - she did very well, I didn't. We stopped just after Nashville, myself wide awake again and a boost from a Red Bull - I was in it for the long haul and so were Hocks. Off we went to complete the final leg of this long journey - according to Google Maps 1122 miles to be exact. But in the end, I was glad to wake up Sunday in my own bed, just don't make me get in that car yet!

Happy 15th Birthday Alex....

We celebrated Alex's birthday with her friends on Friday March 21st, with vacation a week away and cheerleading tryouts on her birthday there was limited time. 4 of Alex's friends, Kelsey and myself went for manicures and pedicures and dinner, she had fun.

As usual when I get around to downloading my pictures there are 'extra' surprises that await me. This time Alex has a co-star in her self-portraits.

Kelsey honors Alex

For Academic Honors Night Kelsey had the opportunity to select and speak about a person who has been a big influence on her life, she choose Alex.


Academic Honors is for students who maintain a 3.75 and above, Kelsey has done this all four years. I received a wave from the podium and a note of being an 'awesome' mom. I was happy and excited to see both my daughters on stage together.

DayLight Savings

After blowing off much of the day yesterday with the garden show, I wanted to get the my bathroom finished with the 2nd coat today. Woke up a little later and started as I normally do with the Sunday paper, coffee and Sunday Morning with CBS...huh, it ended a little early, what's up with that? The morning went on until about what I thought was 10am came around and suddenly realized, it was now 11am....damn better get my ass in gear.

Finished the bathroom painting, hand scrubbed the floors, tub and cabinets and got it back together, still have the trim to do but it can wait, my hand was going numb from so much painting. In another part of the house, Kelsey painted 2 walls of her room bright, bright green in contrast to the dark ocean blue, she was tired of the dolphins and wanted this to finally be her room - she if feeling good and managed to go through everything in her room and sort out. Her version of spring cleaning I guess and this was after working today.

Alex I still have hope for, but not to much - after having 2 friends spend the night, her room is absolutely trashed again and she has laundry piling up everywhere, she better get to it cause mom isn't!

Off to get ready for Monday and the week ahead.
Only 19 more days until Spring Break - We are ALL very excited!

Garden Show 2008- Spring here yet?

Jenny and I were off the flower show with the excitement to find new plants, new ideas and just spend an afternoon without kids. The night before snow fell and we received about 4", I was skeptical about the roads, but they turned out to be fine and most of the snow melted by the time we got home.

We were greated by these fountains, impressive but oh so expensive.


We wandered through it all, not impressed that much this year with the garden displays. To me, it looked like they used the same plants, rocks and hardscape in every single one, no diversity which left it a little boring. We did find a few items we would like to pick up this year.

Now we are awaiting the thaw so we can actually get out in the yard. I managed to wrangle a Tulip Tree seedling from the nutgrowers booth along with a couple of pecan tree seedlings, we'll see how they do in the yard. We both picked up a few plants to try in the gardens this year, I bought some new shrub hydrandeas and hibiscus for the corners of the backyard.....now they are sitting in my dining room waiting for it to get warm enough and the ground workable so I can get them planted. Come on Spring.....

Why don't delivery drivers have GPS systems?

I sit here and ponder this question. I have a Magellean GPS directional finder in my car. (shh a present for myself) I use this all the time to pick up Alex from her friends house. Instead of getting a slur of mis-directions for teenagers, she gives me the address, I plug it in and presto - it tells me how to get there, where to turn - amazing.

So I ask again, as I await the delivery driver from Home Depot, why don't they invest in one of these units for their trucks? I have just gotten off the 2nd call from the delivery driver, he made a wrong turn - road not marked...I live only 10 minutes from Home Depot...so why I ask?

He finally made it here, my shower surround, base and doors are now ready to be installed along with the kitchen counter tops & new sink, I am so excited!

I finished painting the downstairs and stair well to complete that task. I tiled the divider wall between the kitchen and family room - check that done!!!

Last will be the trim and painting the upstairs bathrooms - get that done and its on to outside, I can't wait to get outside in the gardens to play!

Going Faster....

And this month went by even faster - and there was even an extra day this year! Today I am thinking how much I need to yet finish on the house to have it ready for Kelsey's Graduation in May!!!

Took in an eTail (online retailers) conference in Palm Springs, California - It's a unique area and I got to enjoy the town, casino and Valentine's day with a very good friend of mine, it was a nice break.

I stayed at the Marriott Palm Desert Resort, a very nice place this was the view from my balcony. I met lot of individuals from companies we shop all the time, it was a informative conference. It also kept me stuffed full! The food was tasty and plenty, many a night I went home just to lay down and allow the food coma take me over.

Tonight I attended Kelsey's National Honor Society ceremony where they inducted new honorees. Kelsey is a member of the board so got to sit on stage, she is sicker than a dog with this cold/flu going around, she just hoped she made it through okay, pausing to cough when everyone clapped.
Kelsey is 5th from the right.

Still have projects left to do to finish off my project list. Install new bathroom shower, kitchen countertops and sink, 1/4 rounds on the floor, finish painting in spots and then it is off to the gardens to get the patio and yard ready for an open house in May/June. I am hoping the garden show that starts on the 8th will have some nice ideas and plants!!!

Soccer starts with a tournament on the weekend of the 15th - and us celebrating Alex's birthday on the 16th (she has 2 games this day also).

I now truly know what they mean when they say 'time goes so fast', it only seemed like a couple of years ago we moved here, now I am planning for Kelsey's graduation and Alex getting her driver's learning permit.


The mountains of Palm Springs, California

Whooosh......

That was the sound I heard as January flew by. 'Ya always hear it and I find it becomes true, the older you get the faster time goes by, I think it should go slower myself, we are!

January was a quiet month, weather ranged from 71 degrees to below zero, another age thing - I tend to stay in when I hear the winter winds whipping past my window, add rain and there ain't no way I am going out - chills me to the bone. We used the fireplace for the first time in along time, found the rest of the bird feathers, I am assuming part of the ones we found in December.

I started the year as I have for the past few, the Defabis New Years Day Poker Tournament, I didn't fair as well as I did last year, hopefully that isn't a predictor of the future, but enjoyed catching up with a group of friends I don't see very much through the year.

Kelsey was accepted and decided on Purdue University for Chemistry.