I'm in the Homestretch!

Whew! It's been a month and my poor body is a hurtin' - been thinking about all I have gotten accomplished since the end of September and givin' myself a big pat on the back - yeah!!!!

I have:

• Painted over 1200 sq ft of walls, ceilings & trim
• Put up 6 Rolls of Insulation in Garage (course had to move all stuff)
  
• Moved, Cleaned and Toss a ton of crap from the garage
• Installed new refrigerator, moved coke machine and old refrigerator to garage
• Got new furniture delivered
• Cleaned all the house carpets
• Cleaned the house (mommy is coming on Friday)
• Did an unusal amount of laundry due to curtains, bedspreads, etc needing to be cleaned
• Kept up with lawn
• Attended 16 Soccer games - 4 out of town
• Attended 6 High School 3 hour task force meetings
• Attended 3 picnics/bonfires and prepared side dishes
• (4) Ortho, Dr, Eye Appts
• Created (5) New mini-websites for National Convention
• Attended Student conferences for kids
• Ran all the usual shopping, grocery and project errands
  

YEAH!! Again. Still have some minor stuff to do, but I am ready to sit and get fat this winter after going up/down stairs and ladder I now have buns of steel, well at least wood - ;)

I leave on Friday to begin the 1.5 week journey beginning with traveling to Las Vegas on Friday, returning on Tuesday midnight and then headed for the rest of the week to stay downtown Indy at the Marriott while working our convention. My kids will get to attend the Carrie Underwood concert with me on Wednesday, but that will be about the only time I see them the rest of the week.

I failed on getting 'mother of the year' award with Kelsey this month. As in previous post, she has had a cold and ear pain - nowadays - Dr's say wait a week and see if the ears clear up - I did and she was still having problems, so off to the Dr she went (by herself - that was great) - she was informed that she had a massive ear infection and the Dr asked how she could stand the pain - oh great, make me feel guilty for not taking care of my child. She is now on antibiodics and hopefully will be feeling better soon. Of course, her High School soccer team is in full swing playing in the sectionals, regionals and hopefully state - we will find out tonight after the Regional game. They won sectionals on Saturday and celebrated with a huge bonfire that evening - our old recliner was scarificed and burned - it was scary how fast it went up and thinking it was in my house! Kelsey arrived Sunday morning at Alex's soccer game (8am) with black paint still under her eyes from where they had TP'd coaches house - she was tired, still had homework to do and work to go to - I hope she survives this soccer season.

School conferences are this week, I am pleased to report that once again, both girls have glowing reports from their teachers. I met with one of Alex's teacher, Alex and Kelsey joined us. Alex reviewed all her classwork with me and led the conference starting by introducing me to her teacher - it's kinda nice to have the kids take control of their conference. I got GREAT Kids!!!

October came and went so quickly, I counted only by tasks accomplished and hours slept (not many). I did manage to get out a few times for some cards, got a little tipsy one night to forget all my 'lists' for a bit - now I am ready to get a lot 'tipsy' on Friday and Saturday -

Watch out Vegas, Here I come!

I think I have a case of the Mondays.........

It started off with all of us getting up late, okay well Alex and I overslept, Kelsey is always up and out the door sometimes before we are even awake....the child is dedicated. The day proceeded down from there, got into work late - didn't feel like I got a dang thing accomplished at work. The house is torn to pieces, laundry is overflowing, dishes need to be done and my bedroom, my sanctuary is torn to pieces with the painting - now not sure how I am to get it all done in the next couple weeks and my mom is coming to stay with the girls while I am in Vegas attending the conference- UGH!

Off from work I was heading to Kelsey's team first sectional game - dang it's hot today, running late forgot to grab clothes to wear to the game,I was wearing a sweater and pants -and was dying of heat - ahhh, don't 'ya just love Fall in Indiana 80 today - snow showers for this week on Wed - so I jumped over to the nearest department store to grab a pair of jeans since from where I work, where I live and where the soccer game was it was to far to go home and get back plus I had tossed 6 pairs Sunday so I felt it was justified - great - doing the famous change in the car routine - thought I had gotten all the tags - not - forgot that lovely one that shows the size going down the back of the leg, fortunately, one of the other soccer parents noticed it before i got to far - busted!

The game went well, okay, I personally felt sorry for the other team they were out matched and from what I understand one of their best players was benched with ACL tear - we took the game 6-0, after awhile you were just wishing they would run the clock faster - I have been on that other side, it's not a fun feeling. Kelsey played but noticed she just wasn't there, one-step off and not running really to hard - as a mom who has watched her play many years, this truly wasn't a very good game for her - but as she has gotten older she will berate herself for her bad games more than I ever could. As she walked over to the parents side of the field she was by herself and headed directly to me, unusal, first because she is almost always the last kid off the field and 'ya know it's not altogether cool to be around your parents - by the time she got to me, she was bawling, something I have not seen this child do for many, many years - even after she got cleated in the eye last year - it was a doosy.

I took her in my arms and just held her, it is her ear and it was hurting really bad - I asked coach if I could take her with me vs her riding the bus home this evening, stopped by the drugstore and picked up some sweet oil (pharmicist recommended for ear pain, stated all the other stuff was garbage) - got the drops in and home we went. Called her girlfriend to meet me at the house so we could get her car from school - Kelsey went straight upstairs, laid down and we put hot compresses on her ear - after drugging her up with other items I had picked up that day - she is now asleep course it could be the benadryl?!

Kelsey is stubborn (just like her momma) when it comes to being sick - I had thought, like Alex, she was suffering from allergies which have been bad this fall season - with her coming/going so much it really is hard to know - Course I really didn't catch on how sick until last night - So at lunch today, after calling the Dr. to find out how best to treat (she had been self-medicating, don't you just love em) - I came home with a plethora of drugs for her to ingest - some for the evening, the others for the day. Hopefully we can get her feeling better - she so much wants to be playing some in sectionals and Thursday is the next game.

Alex has lost her cell phone, course you call the company and they want to charge you arm/leg for a new since our 'contract' won't be up until next Sept, already gave those away for her braces that will be put on in the next few weeks, kinda need the others, and then tonight - I was informed someone again stole her mouthpiece from her case in the band room, this happened last year as well - band director offered her no assistance, and she had to sit the entire class - so here I am ordering a new one.

Other lovely items that graced this day - um, found out our cell phones are over thier minutes ($250 dollars worth), called, upped my cell plan and they graciously reduced that to $35 - whew - got Alex's phone reported as lost so I wont' be charged in case it is found by someone who decides calling Japan is a good thing - Alex swears it is in my car or the car ate it since the last time she saw it was on a way to a soccer game (a week ago) after I picked her up from a friends house. Course if she kept it fully charged (she thinks 2 bars is enough) we might be able to call and find it! Got my furniture delivery rescheduled to Tuesday next week instead of Saturday which is the day they selected after they couldn't deliver it last week while I was off - as it is - I have someone coming to pick up the old stuff Saturday, Alex has 2 games for tournament and Kelsey, if they win Thursday will be playing the final sectional game to move over to regionals - now when am I supposed to get laundry, dishes, animals, lawn and my room finished this week?

Still working......

October is a hectic month for me, soccer is winds up to wind down for fall season, our National Convention is this month, Fall break for the kids that includes teacher conferences and my own 'geek' conference is always held this month and then let's not forget Halloween.

I for some reason, the leaves turning colors, the slight breeze in the air, the ability to open the windows - not sure what always get into the mood to do 'projects' around the house - now I start great guns, but time gets away from me and I leave things un-done. This fall, I am vowing not to do that - I am working feverishly to get all done around the house so that by the end of this month (well okay, 1st week of November) I have completed all painting, have my new furniture delivered, have old furniture picked up and the garage is back into some semblance of order.

I started my bedroom yesterday, taking it in sections working up to a big piece of furniture, getting it moved and continuing on - I am done with 3 of the walls and it is looking good - now you say, only 3? Well I failed to mention my room is 16 x20, with 16ft high ceilings that go to a peak, so yea, only 3 - I should get it finished this week - have to get the trim done in areas so I can move the furniture around as well - especially my big roll-top desk, it's going to be a bear to move which is why I have painted up to it at this time! ;)

Did manage to get my mums planted, I love mums in the fall, they look so pretty against the changing trees which are now beginning to look brilliant in their reds, golds and oranges - hopefully we will be able to escape next Sunday and get down to the apple orchard - nothing better than going into the big refrigerators where they store all the apples and just take a big breath in - ahhhhh - of course, then there is cider, cider donuts and pumpkins to find!

Kelsey is doing pretty good in school, she has come to learn she LOVES chemistry and is re-thinking her career ideas at this time, it is Sectional/Regionals time for the high school soccer teams starting tommorrow, hopefully we will get down to state again this year. The girls have several dinners, breakfasts and the alike scheduled for the week to go along with the sectional - it's a fun time for the girls and they work hard. Last years team made it to the Elite 8.

Alex is doing good in school as well, her soccer team won today, a much needed win after we had a very bad tournament weekend last weekend (though she did score a goal). Her team is heading into tournament this weekend at her old club - we'll see how that does.

So on Saturday, I am supposed to have my furniture delivered, the old furniture picked up, Alex has 2 games at 9am & 2pm - Kelsey has the final Sectional game at 10am - I am still trying to figure out how I am supposed to take care of all of it - ugh!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Monk has left this world............

In college, I met up with a person that has turned out to be a life-long friend. While in college, her family embraced me as one of their own - to the point of when I walked in the door for one of our weekend visits - they would bypass Anner and come welcome me. The family always knew that when I was in town biscuits and gravy would be served for Sunday breakfast by Granny (no one has ever topped hers or Viola's gravy) - Monk, was Anner's dad and he gently passed away last night, the world has lost a genuine nice person. A sweet, ornery, stubborn cuss who I loved the minute I met him. He drank Black Label beer (yuck), made jewelry as a hobby and LOVED to give me trouble.


He never knew Anner taught me to drive a stick in his Ford pick-up truck, taking me on Missouri back-roads that if I made a wrong move I could easily plunge off the side of the road - he always threaten when we went to the bars he would be sittin' on the porch with a shot-gun to ensure No-One came home with us - he nevered followed through and the best was when had spent the weekend at the 'cabins' and were returning home, Anner and I worn out and hung over from a weekend of soaking in the sun, float trips, cards and of course beer were sleeping in the back of his pick-up truck on the way home - it had a cab over it, but the tail gate was down. We think he forgot we were back there, when we came out of our sleep haze we realized our feet were hanging off the back end of the truck's tailgate moving close to sliding out the back and driving through town -

He was a a wonderful soul, I will miss him! Take good care of him Lord.

Didn't get to my bedroom

Alas, it is always the way - the one thing you want to get accomplished, 100 other things get in line before it. I did managed to get all the downstairs done and finished now awaiting the arrival of my new furniture - painted the upstairs hallway & trim last night - ugh, it really needed it - again damn kids and thier dirt! - lol.

Lawn is mowed so neighbors won't complain, cleaned up the gardens and the back yard a bit, big dog tends to have some fun with old soccer balls - there are dead carcasses laying all over with bits and pieces - since the homeowners association president lives behind me I have to be good - managed to get my #'s on my mailbox - another homeowner assoc. thing, we all received notices from the neighborhood nazi that we were not 'up to code'. Course they want us to spend $80 to purchase a new mailbox from this authorized company that has 'special letters' on it that you can't get anywhere else - and you can't buy just the letters it is the whole thing - screw that, we all bought various letters from the store and put them on ourselves -

Got my garage back to some order so I can get my car in, now waiting to get rid of old furniture, I am donating it to the St. Vincent organization course they are scheduled to come on the 14th, along with my new furniture. I feel good about all I accomplished, but sadden by the fact I have to wait a little bit longer to get my own room done - lived in this house for 6 years now - all the rooms have been painted once or twice, sadly mine still has the cheap white that was on it when it was built......

Halloween is just around the corner, and for once I have my decorations out a little early - for some reason this holiday has become as big as Christmas around here when it comes to outside decorations. Mine are not all that elaborate, the neighbors have those big blow-up things, lights for the gutters, etc. - course, it also takes them another 2 weeks after halloween to get them taken down. I am truly trying to get a jump on things here before winter sets in, the air is cooler so it is not to far off.

Off to get the regular chores of laundry, dishes, bills and packing done. Alex and I are off to lovely Champaign, Il for a soccer tournament. Tonight I hope to go out a bit and play some poker, the cards have not been good to me of late, and when they were - someone always had just a tad better - course, folded a 3/4 un-suited last week, the flop came down 3,3,K - that would of given me 3 of a kind, then with the turn card came a 4 - damn, full house and I would of raked in a pretty penny - it's sometimes about the choices you make - just like in life! But my table buddies all said they would of folded that hand on the raise as well - great, thanks for the comforting thoughts - I wanted all your chippies!

~ Have a great weekend all! ~

Update > Pictures from Alex's Soccer Camp

Alex went to Chicago in August for an International soccer camp and to visit grandma/grandpa - here are a few pictures from her visit. She had a blast with her camp and going to the zoo.

She made a new friend to visit now when go to Chicago.

Received the best camper/player award from the coaches who were from Scotland and Liverpool.

Progress.....

Tuesday was a wash with getting my hair done in the morning, picking up all the supplies I had run out of and Alex's ortho appointment and then the school task force meeting until 9pm, I managed to get the walls in the family room trimmed out, but that was about it. I figured since the evening was a wash with the meeting and such - well I went out and played some poker with the gang, didn't make top 20 or the final table - but was close (22) - just couldn't get the cards - but the jaegar bombs were going down well!

Alex will be getting braces within the coming weeks, I am so excited that I now get to resume that $100/mth for the rest of her life - not that bad, but geez, just got Kelsey's braces off in July. The girls are going to talk to the Drs. see if they can get me a little more of a break on record and installation fees since I am a return client AND I choose to come back to them versus going to the ortho that my dentist recommend. That would be a nice break., but they are very good orthodontists and their prices are competitive with what I hear others having to fork over. The poor girl is missing 2 teeth below (they just ain't there) so they will have to allow for spaces on both sides for a bridge to be put in and she has 2 extra teeth above that will need to be pulled so her eye teeth can come down - she is all messed up! This too shall pass!

Today I got up early as usual to take Alex to school, took a little time in the morning to enjoy coffee and my paper - I mean I am on 'vacation'. I started today's tasks with finalizing the trim and rolling the family room walls. Onward, I noticed the main hallway wall is all scuffed up and needed trimming - got it done, finished the ceiling where I missed a few spots and the trim in the kitchen, living and part of the dining room (my arm got tired and I had to move things) - With enough painting for a bit I switched over to cleaning up the kitchen (it was a mess) and cleaning the areas of the carpets the cats decided were their own - okay that was nasty - but I managed to get them all cleaned up and the family room has the carpets cleaned as well. So I am now awaiting the carpets to dry so I can clean the windows, put back the stuff that is going stay when the new furniture arrives (did I mention it has been put off 2 weeks) and declare that room done! Woo Hoo. The kitchen needs a few touch ups over some oops and a second coat over the trim and then it waits until my Coke machine and refrigerator get moved out to the garage - probably in 2 weeks.

Next on the list......a shower, damn I stink!

No, have to finish out the trim going up the stairs and re-paint the wall section of the stairs that has received some serious damage by kids - not pets. I am looking at the upstairs hallway walls and wondering if I should just go ahead and paint that before getting into my bedroom - I am thinking I might - we'll see how I feel tonight.

Tomorrow, seriously, I am going to start my bedroom - start something, cleaning the walls - trying to figure out how I am going to paint the middle of my vaulted ceiling - tearing everything away from the walls - something, I will get something done to move my bedroom forward - this was the whole reason I took off - go figure.

Now off to that shower -

Work, Work, Work.........

This time home repairs, I have taken the week off to get some painting done around the house. As with all projects, this one started off finally getting my bedroom painted - if you seen the earlier post, the paint patches have been on my wall for just about a year now, and the project creep has gone from there............

Leeann & I out Friday, just had hair done -

As my plans developed during the month, I happen to have purchased some furniture that was too good a deal, well since I am going to be painting and have the time - might as well put a new coat of paint on the family room and the ceilings haven't been done or the trim finished. But wait there is more, my brother just upgraded his kitchen (which looks fabulous) I am getting his side by side refrigerator, in order to bring this into the house, I need to move the old refrigerator (paint behind it) and since we have a refrigerator dolly what a great time to move my coke machine (paint behind it) to the garage so it may wait to be repaired - but if i am moving those out to the garage, I have to move all my shelves and workbench to the other wall so that the coke machine & refrig will be outside the door. Okay, I am good with this so far. Now, Menards has rolled insulation on sale, hmmmmm, since I am moving all the stuff from the garage walls, now might be a good time to put up that insulation so I don't have to move the coke machine again for awhile (my diet cokes freeze in the garage in the winter). You can see where this is going and notice my bedroom is dropping on the list - I really, really hope to get it all done!

Shopped to get all supplies on Sunday ( well most) - Put up enough of the insulation to cover moving the garage stuff and make room for the refrigerators (still need to get a few more rolls of insulation - shopping again). Today, I moved all the old furniture out into the garage, put pre-treator on the carpets (damn cats), painted all the downstairs ceiling and the family room trim. I now am in need of a trip to lowes to gather more trim paint, wall paint (thought I had more) and two more rolls of insulation - that will be tomorrow, for tonight, I am trimming out the walls in the family room and using the last bit of that paint I have. Stayed Tuned to see if I get finished, Furniture is delivered on Thursday - woo hoo!

A Mother's Soccer Heartbreak....

As a single mom you try to divide your time between the girls activities, household chores and upkeep, work and occasionally some play. This evening, it was the lawn that had been calling my name. After a busy weekend, rain and some just right temperatures it had grown to 10" on some blades - I could no longer hold off mowing, it had to be done and tonight!

Kelsey was scheduled to play Lawrence North this evening, it was an away game on the north side, chatting with her this morning I eluded to possibly not attending to get the lawn done, she was okay with it since they are the #1 team, she felt they would play the starters most the game and she might not see a lot of action tonight.

Well, came home and got the lawn mowed, I can actually see the dog now. Checked my phone and one of the soccer mom's had called - I called her back, and that is when the heartbreak began.

It's just about the end of the 1st 1/2, Kelsey is playing forward - she normally plays mid-field - Megan, the other forward took the ball up and got boxed in, she lofts it over to the middle and up comes Kelsey to finish off for the GOAL! 1/2 buzzer sounds and the score is 1-0 Center Grove - and I wasn't there to see....... it hurts I could of been there, but made the wrong choice - the grass could of waited another day....... Congrats Kelsey - I am so proud for you!

Labor Day - Is No days of Rest

Friday night we were off and running, the girls headed to the HS football game, we were playing Carmel so the helicopters were flying circle over my house, the canons were going off and traffic was awful (they lost to Carmel, 49-7). Knowing my children were safe and happy for the evening I was off to see REO Speedwagon at the Ribfest - we stuffed ourselves full of pulled pork and a wonderful Pina Colada and sang along to many songs of our youth - they still sounded good. The girls being the responsible kids they are were home and in bed by 12:30am....good girls - their mother on the other hand, with all intentions of going home after ribfest, got dragged into the midnight poker game, which led to having breakfast at 4am - Kelsey said to me - 'you got in a 5am didn't you?' - yes, yes I did.

I managed to get a few things done Saturday after I arose for the day - not easily though - the lawn needs to be cut, but I just can't bring myself to it. Kelsey worked until 5pm and by 6:30pm we were all off with some friends to see the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert - it was awesome and reminded me of how the music I grew up with had such powerful messages behind them - there are a few today but none with near the impact. The evening was slightly chilly but we enjoyed it immensely - the older girls like it as well - Alex, she fell asleep on under a blanket - but said she liked it alright, but it all sounded the same - lol! We got to see the downtown fireworks from where we were sitting so we enjoyed several shows for the evening - we got in a 1am, exhausted and an early morning facing us -

5:45am - OMG, I don't really have to get up do I? Please, Please let me sleep in, roll-over and snuggle down....in my dreams, up and off to Bloomington (about an 45 minute drive) for the first of 2 games for the day - 8am start time - UGH......we finally get there, I reload my coffee and sit to watch our first game, we lost - not a good start to the weekend. Alex and I got home, did a few things - again, my intention was the lawn - but that didn't happen - we crashed - up again to go back down to Bloomington for now a 6:15pm game, Kelsey joined us so I had my family for some together time - it's been awhile - they won this game 1-0, much better and a boost to the team, we enjoyed a family dinner at Olive Garden, went home and crashed again with full bellies.

Okay a little better, but not much - up and ready for a 10:30am & 3:30pm games, we head out. Kelsey worked today. These games ended with a 4-0 win and 1-1 tie - both were good games and enjoyed by parents and kids. On our way home, stopped in my sister in law's brother's house for a cook-out, enjoyed good food and good company and we were off again - a living room set caught my eye on Sunday while reading the paper and I decided to take a look, it is being delivered in a week - I am so excited! Catching up on bills, getting ready for the week and the lawn still has not been mowed! ;)

Girls Soccer Schedules - Aug/Sept.

Here is where we will be for soccer in case 'ya want to stop by - and people wonder where I am in the fall. Course this year will be tough on some weekends since Alex has a bunch of tournaments schedule - woohoo!

For Kelsey, most weeknight HS games for Varsity start at 7pm - but check with me occasionally they change the start time , for Alex's game - send me an e-mail and I will let you know times!

August 23 - Kelsey, Home against North Central
August 25- 26 - Alex, PikeFest Tournament
August 25 - Kelsey, Away, Lake Central/Penn (Northern Ind)
August 30 - Kelsey, Home against Roncalli
Sept 2-4 - Alex, Bloomington Tournament
Sept 6 - Kelsey, Away, Lawrence North
Sept 9 - Alex, Away, Seymour, IN
Sept 11 - Kelsey, Home, Hamiltion SE
Sept 16 - Kelsey, Away, Terre Haute, IN
Sept 16 - Alex, Away, Tipton, IN
Sept 17 - Alex, Away, Seymour, IN
Sept 17 - Alex Home Game
Sept 20 - Kelsey, Away, Warren Central
Sept 23 - Kelsey, Home against Brebuf
Sept 24 - Alex, Home Game
Sept 27 - Kelsey, Away, Carmel
Sept 29 - Kelsey, Home - East Central
Sept 29 - Oct. 1 - Alex, Champaign, ILL Tournament

Ahhh, the fall, sun and soccer fields!

School has Started!!!

Summer is Over-It's back to Studies!

This week started with the kiddies returning to school! Which for me means being 'on-time' getting out the house in the morning, making sure both girls are up and moving - have money, supplies, signed whatever and dealing with the traffic around the schools. Kelsey drives to school now, so she isn't much a worry. I take Alex which does cause for headaches. There are 3 schools in the same vicinitity that use 1 main intersection with stop signs. If I don't time my departure just right, I can be caught behind the busses leaving the HS and going over to the MS to drop off the kids there, if I am running real late, I catch them all returning to the bus garage. This wouldn't be a problem but there are a lot of busses and the school district has people stopping traffic on both ends to ensure they arrive on-time, it can be frustrating. When you do finally arrive at the MS, your first challenge is to make the left-hand turn into the parking lot, with the HS on your right and TONS of new teen drivers trying to make left-hand turns onto the road - it gets quite hairy, I have survived many near misses when they attempt to turn left after I have made my left - almost catching the butt end of my car. Finally I make my way to the 'drop-off' lane at the MS where we have been instructed to patiently await until we get close to the door and drop our children off. The outside lane is for people 'just driving through' as we have been told. As in all places, there are those that think they are special and must not follow the rules, they pull up in the outside lane, their child jumps into traffic from the 'drop-off' lane and proceeds to unload the entire contents of their house from the back causing all the rest of us in both lanes to wait - I am awaiting the day someone gets all over these people - I will let ya know. And after all this joyous start to the day, I get to battle construction and traffic for 32 miles up the road to my job. Don't 'ya all wish you started your day this way, I know 'ya do.

Alex so far likes all her classes, she for one of the first times has 2 of Kelsey's old teachers (who loved Kelsey) and when they past out books in Social Studies class she discovered she had gotten Kelsey's old book - maybe Kelsey made good notes for her. Kelsey doesn't like many of her classes, not for the subjects she is taking, well a couple, mainly because none of her friends are in her classes this year. I said that should be a good thing to allow her to pay attention better - for which I was told "she learns better when she has friends in the class", with straight A's last year, I couldn't really argue the point so we will see.

Soccer is now in full swing. Alex has practices Tues - Thurs with games on the weekends, Kelsey has practice after school everyday with most games during the week. Of course, the few games Kelsey will have on Saturday I have to be out of town with Alex, doesn't it always work that way. Kelsey played her first HS Varsity game last night, they beat them 1-0, which is always a good start to the season.

Whew! Made it through the summer, let's see what school season brings!

A Hermit Crab joins the Family

Alex spent the week with grandma & grandpa in Chicago, meaning she had them all to herself. We scheduled her to attend a UK International Soccer camp while there as a nice end of summer trip. Kelsey had tryouts, practices and work so was not able to go.

Alex enjoyed the week at camp, loved that she got to go back to school shopping with grandma all by herself - my mother has more patience for Alex's shopping techniques than I, Alex is just like my sister with exception Alex knows every designer label and what the hottest things now. For the un-informed, 8th grade girls are now into Abercrombie and Hollister.

At camp, she was made MVP Camper for the week, her coaches from Liverpool and Scotland both heralded her skills and toughness. She also went to the zoo and made a new friend at camp.

And, a grand thanks to my mother who could not resist bringing my daughter into a pet store. The end result was a new hermit crab named squirt has now joined our family. He is pretty quiet, comes out for a bit and then goes back into his shell. So far Alex is taking responsibility to watch his temperature levels, water supply and feeding -

Knowing how much she missed all of us, Alex promptly returned home for a total of 1 hour and was off to a 'end of summer' party sleep-over. Kelsey was working and also had an 'end of summer' party to attend - which left me with nothing to do since I had worked so diligently getting all my 'fall house cleaning' done, so I too went out for the evening. We finally got together Sunday for dinner and a flurry of making sure EVERYTHING was ready for first day of school the next day.

For today, my world is organized and that is all good.

Quote on the World

I watch all that is going on overseas, worry about the world as a whole and try to understand all the issues.
But when this came through my e-mail from a friend, I thought how relevant to today's issues. She was an intelligent woman, to bad we didn't heed these words more closely.

What Israel's Prime Minister said over 20 years ago holds true for today more than even then.

I survived!

By Saturday evening running on 3 hours of sleep, I didn't think I would make it through the day, the 6 hour roundtrip to drop Alex off just about got me (thank goodness for red bull & coffee) - finally got me some sleep and was up Sunday early for the race. It was a hot one, but our tickets were under cover - thank goodness, even walkin' around the track we all got some sun. Found out there were 250 people down at the track for heat - and some people there were really ripe! Since we got to the race early, the girls shopped and finally conceded and bought some Tony stuff - I haven't backed a driver since Dale Sr. passed on, he was my favorite! We consumed lots of liquids which made the coolers easier to carry back to the car. Jimmie Johnson won - Tony made a good effort, Jeff whom my racing partners were cheering for just didn't have it all day. This is a first, me hugging a Gordon fan - lol! A good time was had by all!

Still haven't seen my eldest hardly, well, I did see her when I registered Alex for school - Kelsey had been working the book store, she came home around 10:30 and promptly went to bed. Talked to Alex to give her schedule to her - she has 2 of Kelsey's favorite teachers now she will have the opportunity to experience the 'I really liked your sister syndrome'. She enjoyed her first day of soccer camp but said it was hot, something she should really be used to by now - she had practices all last week in the 90 degree heat.

School starts next week, Kelsey has her first Varsity game this weekend, and somehow I have to get Alex from Chicago! I finally managed to get the house, bills and all that stuff done last night, now I have tonight to try to catch up on the lawn - come on rain - I really don't want to do it yet, would like an evening free for once just to do nuthin!

Work just keeps piling it on and my side clients suddenly got active and decided during this hectic time to send along a ton of update - I truly think this has gotten ridiculous in my dedication to my job, a friend took this recently am I good or what - lol.



Have a good rest of the week all!

Another Race Weekend!

And I will be racing! ;)

This weekend will be a busy one, Alex is headed to Chicago Saturday evening to spend the week with my parents and attend a UK soccer camp. Kelsey made the H.S. Varsity Soccer team and their season begins Saturday morning with kick-off festivies and a Red/White game between the JV and Varsity teams. Right after this I get to jump in the car and do a nice 5 hour roundtrip up to Merrillville, IN to meet my parents for the kids swap -

Then on to Sunday where I was invited to go to the Brickyard 400 - a first for me - I have been to Bristol & Talladega, but never the 400, even after 6 years of living in Indy. Our seats are in the first turn 20 rows up, close enough to kill my ears and get tire pebbles in my face - I am so looking forward to it.

Kelsey made top seller and top tire polish seller at Mike's for the month of July, earned her a little x-tra cash in her check - Alex has been practicing with her new soccer team this past week in the brutal heat, she was a trooper.

I want to take an opportunity to say!
CONGRATS! To Sam & Jillian in Alaska, after a year of being married they are finally holding their wedding reception and their new home is coming along nicely - click on Alaska Friends to see their progress.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
To my daddy - I won't give away his age, but he is still lookin' good and working full time - dad - when are you going to retire - AGAIN? Love 'ya Daddy

To my uncle - Who was there when I came into this world and continues to call me his calico cat - have a good one Uncle Bud! ;)

Stay Cool and Enjoy! For Summer is coming to a close!

HOT! Soccer

Sports Illustrated 3v3 Tournament - Alex played the 3v3 tourney this weekend with St. Francis team - it was a hot one. Both days we all melted in 98 high humdity weather - the girls were troopers and the parents for this team were well prepared. Plenty of ice, drinks and cold rags were on hand to make sure no one was taken down by the heat. Besides, there were plenty of other things to take the girls out, broken thumb, wretched knee, ankles - you name it. You wouldn't think a small field and only 6 girls playing could cause these injuries, but it did.


After playing 3 games during the day, we closed the fields down this evening with the 4th and final game which was between 2 of our girls teams, White & Blue, the white team (Alex's) lost by 1 so they will not get to go on to Regionals. But, that game I think was the most fun because the girls were tired and playing against their own team-mates they were just laughing - good luck to Blue in Chicago.

It's one more week before all craziness breaks out again with school starting and getting everyone on a schedule. Alex has soccer practice all this up coming week, well the coach said they could take Monday off, that was nice since after this weekend they all ain't got much in them.

Haven't seen much of Kelsey, her team won the Ultimate Frisbee Championship, she was very excited and got a t-shirt - those kids, they love those t-shirts. She has worked all weekend, we dropped by and got my car washed - she looked so cute in her uniform! She was in late, and we were out early - I have not yet seen my eldest today, probably won't until 10pm tonight!

The heat took it out of me on Saturday, with well intentioned plans to get the lawn mowed - (it's just a tad long - oops) I proceeded to lay down on the couch in the cool air-conditioning - when I woke it was 8pm already, really truly to late to mow - so here I am today, thinking I was to only have 1 game this morning and would take care of mowing - 4 games later, it's 7pm and I am just now home and cooling off - the lawn awaits, so I shall go forth and conquer. Course, that only leaves me to clean some house, cat boxes, fill the fish tank, grocery shop pay bills and try to figure out where everyone will be this week! UGH! Can I have a do over on the weekend - please!

Off to mow! Stay Cool..............

Since this was mostly about Alex, thought I would include some of her pics -
she has been playing with my camera again.

Vacations!

We all got to take a break for a moment and enjoy some of this country, the girls took off for St. Augustine Beach with their father for a week traveling by motor home and camping.

I went in the opposite direction and headed for the desert city of Las Vegas for a 3-day weekend. All I can say is it was fabulous, we enjoyed the vibrancy of the city taking in many of the local hotspots, tries to win a car - I did really want the BMW two-seater, some roulette and an awesome comedy show. If you have the chance to see the Amazing Jonathan, I would recommend it, well for those not easily offended - [ view video clip ]. By the time my head hit the pillow the first night there, I had already been up for 24 hours. The weekend went by in a flurry and I was home before I knew it - dammit! Will need to plan a bit more time the next time out!


We are back at it here at home with work schedules, dentist and dr appointments all in the mix. Kelsey already 'lost' her retainer, it was found and we are awaiting its return by mail. Work is slamming me still and even more so now that I have lost a few days by being off - I hope to survive. The rest of the month will continue to get busy with the upcoming Fall school season, Kelsey logged into her school account and got a peek at her classes for next year, fairly heavy schedule. Soccer is beginning to creep back into our life with Alex playing some 3 v 3 tournaments and Kelsey in some pre-school tournaments.


Week of July 31st - Kelsey has soccer try-outs
Week of Aug. 7 - Alex will be in Chicago
August 14th - School Starts

July Update!

Well did you here that big Whoosh? That seemed to me like the holiday rushing by and mid-month already approaching rapidly. With tons of deadlines, I keep a close eye on where I am at in a month - it never ends! The girls and I enjoyed a long 4th of July weekend, I actually got to sleep in and lay around the house one day, a rare occurrence for me.

The pictures enclosed are from friends out in this big world of ours

Tracey & David are in England for the summer with 2 boys ages 4y & 18 months, their exploits of traveling around with two little ones has been entertaining and the pictures Tracey is taking are awesome.





Grace is on a ship with the navy, she has been on board for 6 months and due to home port in August, she recently got a break and did some sight seeing.







Cards Friday evening, no good cards - but the company was and big poker drama, a couple of the girls called out this drunk 80 yo old guy who was mouthing off ( he should of been escorted out), testosterone began to build with a few of the guys standing up - it was all to much fun to watch, knowing no one would really 'take on the old drunk' - but he did have a cane, would he use it? Nope, not this evening he wouldn't.......stay tune for continuing saga of "Evenings of Poker"

Fireworks can now be legally shot off in Indiana, for years, the state has allowed sales of fireworks in Indiana with the stipulation that you signed a release saying you would be taking them out of state. Yeah right, we have enjoyed shooting off some nice displays each year in our court and this year was no exception - we discovered Alex is a little pyro and we needed to watch her closely - "uh Alex how many bottle rockets 'ya got there? - one - Alex - well 3 - Are you sure? - I have 6". Kelsey tried her hand at shooting off one of the mortars, it had a long fuse - but it didn't matter to her, when it got lit and started - she would start running and kinda of screaming to the sidewalk - too funny to watch, but it didn't stop her from shooting off more. A word of caution, be careful of the triple mortars, they are big displays.

A big Happy Birthday to my mother, she celebrated another year on July 3rd. She was traveling in Iowa to visit the my father's homestead and meet up with my Uncle. I am so jealous, she got to eat Maid-Rites, to any of you who have seen Roseanne, these are the 'loose meat' sandwiches and they are so good.

I joined my brother and sister-in-law on the 4th and received Big News from them - I going to be an aunt, we are all so excited for them. I have had the running record for having the only grandkids that has held for 16 years, I am happy to relinquish the record and welcome a new baby into the family - just as long as it isn't mine! ;) The girls have already been lined up for babysitting tasks, Kelsey has requested in not be a boy, she does not want to have to deal with 'spray' while changing diapers!

The girls and I had the chance to catch a movie, we choose the 'Devil Wears Prada', our combined opinion was a 'thumbs-up', all enjoyed it! Now have got to get to the new 'Priates' movie!


On July 6th, Kelsey's braces are officially gone and replaced by a beautiful silver glitter retainer - she is so excited! I attempted to take pictures but she was having none off it, this is what i got. Afterwards, she ate for the first time and was ecstatic that bread no longer got caught everywhere. I then drove them to Cincinnati so they could go on a vacation with their dad to the beach - which of course now leaves me alone for the week! Woo-Hoo, got things to do, places to go (Vegas) and enjoy the quiet!

I hope all of you have had a good Holiday and
are enjoying the summer as well!

June Update!

Kelsey played the last tournament for the season over the last weekend, and it was a good one. Playing for the U-19 team, they took the Championship on PKs (Penalty Kicks). As seen, they loved the t-shirts they received, the plaques promptly got handed off to parents. We finished up the day treating our 'kids' to Dairy Queen, they never really do grow up.

Kelsey is middle row, second from left


Next big news for Kelsey - She got her bottom braces off this morning and the remaining top 6 brackets to follow next week. She was so excited, they look great! Will have pics when they are all off.

Alex had cheer camp this past week, those poor girls practiced and learn great new stands, routines and cheers in a sweltering hot gymnasium. We (the parents) got a taste of it Thursday when we got to see all the new stuff the girls had learned. It was nerve wracking and fun to watch Alex be on top (a flyer) and fully extended up (girls arms straight) - she was a little scared, but trusted her bases and all worked out well. She got A+ Flyer award for the 8th grade girls. This camp was followed by doling out $$ for (2) Cheer jackets and personalized sweatshirts - got to have the gear, but why is it so expensive? It just kills me sometimes!

The grass gardens in the back have met thier demise with I expect resounding cheers from my neighbors, though they served as nice protection to the family of bunnies, when the grass got taller than me, well, I thought maybe it was time to chop it down. My new weed-wacker did a great job and I only ended up with 2 nice gouges out of my legs from flying debris, course when you do this in shorts what do you expect....ahh, love my garden war-wounds makes me feel like I put effort into it.

Summer is in full force and the girls are on the go. Kelsey has started her new job at Mikes and I do have to say for an employer they do it right in getting new employees started - she has to wear a 'uniform' that includes a clip-on tie, she has yet to master how to put it on - but so far she has received more working hours than her full 2 months at Krogers, enjoys the work and loves her co-worker (it's Shae - what were they thinking to put those two together).

I am out and about more now that the girls are having more of a social life than me, with Kelsey driving I am now finding more time to do things I haven't been able to before - but on a down-side, going out during the work-week and staying out a wee bit late some mornings doesn't make for a happy camper the next evening - but the girls are dealing with it, as well as me having to listen to Kelsey tell me what time I got in! ;) I have planned my first trip to Vegas July 14th, flying out of Chicago leaving car and dog with mom and dad, know they are so excited about the dog coming to visit - but he is good, I promise! The cats will fend for themselves at home.

Upcoming Events
Girls Gone July 6th-17th Me - Vegas July 14th-16th 3 v 3 Soccer (Alex) July 29th-30th H.S.
Tryouts (Kels) Starts Aug. 1st Alex Chicago Aug 6th-12th School Starts August 14th

Continue to have a Safe Summer All!

Dad's Weekend!

Wishing My Daddy a Happy Father's Day
Love You!

Soccer is Over! Well at least until August! Still have one more tournament for Kelsey this weekend and of course she has training and conditioning all through summer - but no running for me. Now it's time to look forward to a small vacation somewhere for myself - someone put a buzz in my ear to go to Vegas, I'm thinkin' that might be a good thing!

Alex will be playing for St. Francis this coming fall, she is looking forward to working with some new coaches and girls - this will be her last full year in league play before trying out for the HS next fall.

I am finally going to get my butt in gear and get out in the yard. For 'Father's Day' I bought myself a new weed-wacker and have a ton of places to use it with. I will finally get the 'nature areas' of tall grass cut down for which should make my neighbors so happy! The gardens are starting to get full of weeds and I expend more energy trying to get the girls to help me than waiting for a nice afternoon to do it myself.

In addition, I have finally decided the color(s) I will be using in my bedroom, for the un-informed this has been a process of me staring at patches of the colors on painted on the various walls of my bedroom (I have been staring since before Christmas).... To all whom I have solicted opinions, I thank you! (These are shades of blue)Next week Alex has cheer camp for the week, Kelsey will be leaving Kroger's employment and beginning her new job at Mike's Car Wash, for those not in Indiana, Mikes is not your average 'workin' at the carwash' job, several of her friends work there and hey, I am hoping to get a few free washes - I do drive a black car!

Wishing everyone a great weekend - it is supposed to be a hot one here!
Happy Father's Day All!

Summer begins

And soccer is in full force with tournaments, practice, tryouts and more. Since Memorial day I have been at a full run trying to keep with has left me tired and um...sick, so now trying to recover.

The Indy 500 was awesome, my brother's team had some difficulty with the driver and slick track which left him a little frustrated, but I managed to win some money on one of the driver's our team had from the auction. It was of course, an alcohol soaked weekend that left me hung-over and suffering from a nice sunburn - well I guess I did want to get some sun. I fell sick the following week and have been trying to catch up ever since.

Work still has me slammed and work lots of overtime trying to keep up, the girls have been patient and I have taken some time to get out to my regular poker games Wednesday night. Started this week playing some after games of 'Euchre' as they call it 'cause you know no gambling can happen - yeah right. Enjoyed a night downtown having ridden in a limo with some friends to the dance club, though the later evening had some drama that had my friend and myself wishing we had stuck with our original plans, but oh well, what's life with out a little drama.

I haven't seen Kelsey hardly at all between work, practice and her social activities, she is seeking another position after working limited hours one week and recieving a big whopping $0.00 for a paycheck after union fees were taken out - she was hot. Alex has been hangin with friends and at home, she goes to cheer camp in another week and they are both off for vacation at the beginning of July.

I will be back out to the soccer fields, with a game at 8am this morning, another at 2:30 and 7:30 today - it would be fine if it was a beautiful June sunny day, it's not, it's cold, rainy and windy - I froze at the early game. Another couple of games tommorrow and the week will begin again.

I would like to take a moment to send a hearty congratulations to Niki and Sean Lang for thier respective graduations, thier momma and I have known each other since High School, and she is now entering another phase of her life now that the kids are all grown up, as always I wish them all well.

If interested, there are some awesome pictures online here of Kelsey, there will be some posted at the same website next week of Alex's game. Updated - Added a few of Alex from last tournament.

1st Set Kelsey - (that starts - go through next 5-6, they are all her) and
2nd Set Kelsey -(the next thirteen are all her)

1 Picture - Alex
2 Picture - Alex (the next one is her too)

On this Memorial Day.......

Lady and Gentlemen.....

Start your Engines......and the Indy 500 race (drinking) weekend begins with Carb Day. A busy weekend ahead with no soccer games and all fun for mom (finally). Saturday I head to the annual Calcutta race party to 'buy' our drivers for the race and win some of the great prizes the guys always manage to have, which then leads directly into Sunday - RACE DAY! Race day starts early with arriving at our prime parking spot which includes a great 'peeing' tree and basketball net to start our morning off with a little competition and of course, beer. The timing will be different with Indiana moving to daylight savings, the race will now begin a 1pm, weather is predicted to be a hot one - and for me - great tanning opportunity!


It's been a tough week with me having some health 'issues' on Wednesday, seriously thought I was having some type of heart/lung-attack on Wed morning and being the ummm, stubborn person that I can be, I waited and went to my doctor who after taking some tests decided to send me over to the ER, 5.5 hours later and several tests it was deduce that I had pluerisy (inflamation of the lung covering) which can hurt worse than a heart attack, nothing you can really treat it with except pain medication. But I got to see an ultrasound of my heart and it was lookin' good.

The girls have no games this weekend, we are helping friends move on Friday, Kelsey is going to a Reds game with her boyfriend and back home to stay the night in the friends new house with a gang of the girls - they are brave people. Alex hasn't told me her plans yet but I am assuming it will be getting together with her friends.

I wish everyone a happy, safe memorial day weekend!

It's Friday.....

And a start to another busy weekend. Truly, I should be down in Columbus watching Alex play in the a state cup game, but timing just wasn't with us today. Kelsey is working and it allows me just a little bit of 'me' time before I have to start to run again. Course, I do stupid stuff like grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc....I just haven't learned to sit yet, my day will come.

Pictures from Kelsey's tournament in Kentucky

School is coming to a close with only 5 days left. Alex had her band concert last night, we noticed in the program a poem Alex and one of her classmates wrote, they recorded them reciting it and played the recording just before the band started to play the song .

Monsters Under the Bed
by Alex Smith and Shae Rodriquez-Kinney

Monsters under my bed Monsters in my head They scare me all the time They're always on my mind I wish I could find, the monsters under my bed I see them when I sleep They really are a creep Oh why are those monsters under my bed?

We learned Kelsey will be getting her braces off at the end of June, she is so excited. I saw pictures they took when she first went in, she looked so young and that was just 2.5 years ago - she is growing up quickly.

Still keeping ahead at work but barely, it is stressing me a bit, deadlines seem to be approaching quickly - the latest done: LifeKnowledge
Now back to programming and the other many sites coming active within the next couple of months - i am getting there, but it is pushing me to limits somedays! ;)

Off to another weekend of soccer games on Saturday. The girls and I are hoping to catch the DaVinci code, read the book and enjoyed it. My parents are in town, with all the rain the Qualifications and Bump Day for Indy 500 have been condensed into this weekend. I sadly (tears, tears) do not get to go for I have to many games to be running to and the timing just isn't there to get it all in. But! If you have the opportunity, tune in, it will be a Very interesting qualification day - hopefully the weather will hold!

Happy Mother's Day!

To all my friends and fellow mothers!

I hope you all had a lovely day.

My weekend began playing poker in the Friday night games, was doing well and then began to slide, I still swear it was due to the guy who got sat down next to me when they were combining tables, sucked the luck right out of me!

The weather did not cooperate at all, our intended weekend with my parents to watch Quals was rained out. All weekend, gray, drizzly and cold. Couldn't even play in the gardens (my flowers are blooming). So what better to do than - Sleep! - yep, did almost nothing all day, ahhhh. Well, I did manage to clean out all the old clothes from my closet, then I slept, cool air, rain drops and quiet - Alex was asleep too.


Kelsey was in Kentucky playing in a tournament. I originally couldn't go due to mom/dad coming down, so I decided to drive down on Sunday to watch the game, now that is a mother's love for 'ya. 45 degrees, windy and rainy - and I am driving 2.5 hours to stand in it! On our trip down I stopped in McDonalds to grab some breakfast. They were giving out carnations to all mothers, I didn't get one, Alex was in the car, guess she didn't think I was a mom? - huh!

The game was rough, the refs liked the other team and we lost 3-2, the girls played well and we only had 1 cut/bruised nose and 2 cuts - not bad. But with them losing it meant we didn't have to stay for the 3pm game - a slight yeah! We stopped for dinner at O'Charley's and headed home. It was a good day with the girls and they finished it sweetly by presenting me with a gift certificate for a massage, ahhhh - I love my girls.

Happy mother's day ............

Upcoming Events

• Art Show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 9am - 9m, High School Hall of Achievement
  .Alex has 3 pieces included in the exhibit
• Kentucky Tournament - Kelsey will be in Kentucky playing a tournament.
  

Online Coverage

• Indy 500 Qualifiers - the day I join my parents for what has become a family tradition. Mother's Day at the track - is there anything better?
• Alex's Spring Band Concert, Thursday May 18th, 7pm Middle School
  

Derby!!!

It was a beautiful early Saturday morning, a light chill in the air but the sun promised warmth to come. We boarded a singles bus with our hats in hand. Promptly as the bus left for the hour ride down, our fellow riders began to commence drinking. Jaegar bombs, mismosas, bloody marys, jello shots and beer all being passed around, and we weren't even 10 miles down the road - it set a fun pace for the ride.

We arrived at the track around 10:30, first post was at 11am. Being the princess that I sometimes like to be, we rode the shuttle to the grandstands as our companions choose to walk to the infield. Getting off the bus filled our senses with smells, sounds and wow - the sights - awesome hats everywhere, people were dressed for the occasion. We got to our seats and found 2 seat mates already there, or were they, nope, they were two ladies who had come down to catch some sun, we told them to stay until the other occupants arrived, they had already posted bets on the first race - and they are off, we watched the first race and found they had won some $ - good for them, I hoped their luck rubbed on me.

Photo by Wales Hunter

Interesting Sights

• A Louisville Fire sergeant loosing in the box seats behind us.
  

• A Beer Fairy who walked around, tapped you on the head and announced you were drunk!
• Hats, Hats & More Hats - Check some of the pictures
  
• Some 'kept' ladies with lots of collagen and implants and outfits so tight they can barely navigate the stairs!
• Lots of drunks in fine clothes
• Horses
• Bourbon, mint and beer
  

Getting our racing forms we quickly started to bet the ponies and proceeded with the same throughout the day. Figure out who and what we were betting, get in line and bet, have a smoke, drink(s), potty break, back to our seats, watch the race - cheer or cry and start all over again. By the 9th race, my feet were hurting, the mint juleps dulled the pain, but thankfully I had brought along some flops and quickly changed - ahhhhh. Leeann picked the winner for the derby, I had him boxed in an exact, but managed to pull a few $$ out with Bluegrass Cat.

Back to the bus, we are now running about an hour late from waiting on cash outs and the shuttle. Our trip coordinator is calling every few minutes tracking our movement. It seems our fellow infielders had a long day and many had came back to the bus after the 6th race - we arrived with a mix of cheers and boos - opps! It was a quiet ride home for almost the entire bus was asleep - we stopped off at a Holiday Inn in Columbus to let some passengers off and lost one of our riders. After a 20 minutes search he was located in the bar passed out under the table. We got home about 10:30, we then met up with some friends and finally called it a day at 2:30am. It was all good!

Make it Stop....

I hit Monday running, with tons of projects at work all due within the next couple of weeks, the kids schedules getting busier with end of school stuff, soccer, track and meetings for next years season it has been a dead run all week.

I managed to get out Monday for Poker after the soccer game and high school soccer meeting, a friend of mine joined me and now will be teaching her the game of holdem, it will be fun having her there. Alex finally got her haircut, no longer do I have to hear about that - there has just been no time and as it was, the hairdressor wanted to reschedule - I ended up flying like the wind to pick her up from her track meet and get her there early, Kelsey caught up with us and we all had a nice Italian dinner, and of course a glass of wine for me.

Finished out the week with Kelsey getting sick, getting a quote for a fence (yeah), Alex playing a friendly game against 14 yo, for which they proceeded to lose 4-0 and bringing home work each evening to complete and keep up.

Current game results

Kelsey April 22 Win 8-2
Kelsey April 23 Win 1-0
Alex April 23 Win 5-2

Off to finish the week, hope I survive - work is going to kill me right now!

Cleaning the Garage!

Okay I admit it, during the year as I clean, sort, toss and otherwise go through crap that accumulates in the house, it gets moved to the garage. By Spring - we have one path to get to the car and even it is a little treacherous.

Soooo, I took the entire weekend to go through and clean, treating myself to some of the new rubbermaid cabinets and getting rid of old stuff. A burst of energy hit me Friday night, I went to Menards and picked up the cabinets - taught a teenager the fine art of squeezing 3 big boxes into a vechile not meant to carry them! While moving all the stuff away from the wall - evidence of the mice was ALL over the place, time to clean and while I was at it - paint the un-finished wallboard at the front of the garage, off to Meijer to get cheap paint and additional supplies to complete the job - I cleaned, swept, painted, constructed, moved, tossed and swept again all through the weekend between 3 soccer games. The garage was 1/2 way there in getting rid of stuff, my youngest still has all her stuff to go through - but it is CLEAN and crap reduced in 1/2. Now working with Kelsey to bring things to resale shops, she can keep the money - pretty good deal so far for her - she made 13. for a bag of books and for me, they are GONE!

After all this - I was left with a huge pile of trash - ugh! Dealing with trash companies anymore has become a headache. No longer can I slide my industrial cans full of trash to the curb, it all has to be bagged and of course, we are limited to 10 bags. So back I was moving all the trash from the cans to bags and came up with 14 bags and 3 heavy items - 12. extra next trash bill, okay I can deal with that - but geezzz -I figure, if I can lift it -so can they- next we will have to have them specifically weighed at 22.5 pounds and in deoderized bags.

It's so nice now to drive into my garage, have a clean doorway with old pictures of mine I hung...it's funny how a little effort to just get things straighten up can go along way in improving your outlook coming home - ahhhh, it's nice to be home.

Quick Update..

Congrats Alex!
Making the Track team
Making the 8th Grade Cheer Squad

Kelsey is Working!
She began the ranks of employed with her first day at Krogers today, she had to watch training videos. Her first check is mine!

Soccer going well, team stats

• April 8: A Soccer, 4pm/Zionsville - win
  
• April 9: A Soccer, 4pm/Franklin - win
  
• April 15: K Soccer U16 12pm/Westfield - tie
  
• April 15: K Soccer U19 4pm/Home - win
  
• April 15: A Soccer 430pm/Home - win
  

Work has me slamming the keyboard -
Here are the first of many new sites & programming coming active within the next month.

• National FFA Convention
• Move to Indy 2006 (updated)

The city of Indianapolis just doesn't know what is coming to town..........

WebGurl Finds....
As I work with the web I always come across useful, silly or just plain stupid websites - I will start to add these little gems from the web as I come across them.

Here are a couple of standards:

When you find yourself the receipient of a forwarded email that exclaims some company is involved or has been bad (name any company, Starbucks, Sears, etc.) or a horrible virus is going to attack at any minute, you know the urban legends....Before you forward this on, check it out here:

Snopes.com (Urban Legends & Myths) This is fun reading with a 'What's Hot' that identifies the current 'urgent' emails you receive as fakes.

Another fun site, especially when you find humor in people's stupidity - The Smoking Gun can provide a wealth of entertainment. A site highlight, the mug shot mania is fun to browse.

Easter Weekend

I returned home late Friday evening after chasing all the tornado laced storms to Indianapolis, missing all of them along the way! Whew! The National Weather Service came on the radio saying, if your in this area and driving I-65, pull over and lay in a ditch - um, no, not right now I am not - I snuck through!

Saturday was soccer games all day starting at 10am and ending at 5:30pm, so there went that day, planning on making Easter eggs with the girls, they abandoned me for a birthday party and movie with friends, I was okay with it - I was so exhausted I layed down and passed out until they came home.

Easter arrived with a baskets full of candy and clothes for the girls. I had to work a bit to catch up on some impending deadlines and the backyard desperately needing mowing, it was covering the dogs belly (that's high). I managed to get a lot done, cook a ham and a side and make it to dinner with my brother, sister in law and her dad. A glass of nice wine, rich filling food and it with my accomplishments for the day - I am sated.

Happy Easter All! I am off to eat the 'leftover' bag of Robin Eggs........

Riding the Trains in Chicago..........

After starting the week getting the kids back in gear for school, I embarked on a 2-day training session in Chicago. For the quick trip I choose to stay with my parents and take the train downtown to the Loop. I have ridden the 'L' before, but these were actual trains.

Parking was a $1, once you figured out that the number above your slot was needed to pay for the spot - it took me a trip back to the car to figure out my slot number. I entered the train station, clean, few people, ticket booth and YEAH! a coffee shop. Purchased my roundtrip ticket for the day (8.60) and off to get a coffee.

The train came and the ride was nice, little slow, but nice. I passed by small communities I ran around in and noted they all had made pretty walks and parks around the train station. I wouldn't mind this too much. I was dropped off at Union Station and walked out with masses into the glaring sunlight, beautiful large buildings and the canal. It was a pleasant walk to my class.

On the way back to catch my train home I was sorta confused as to just which track I needed to be on when behind me came a voice, 'may I help?' - yes, I am looking for the train to Schaumburg....after a couple seconds she pointed it out, then proceeded to ask for money....I got handled, gave her a dollar. I was asked again the next day, but having been up on the scam, I politely declined.

The ride home was an 'express' and the first stop was mine - bonus! It took about 25 minutes off the trip. As people departed, their seatmates wished them a good evening, it was all very pleasant a trip. If I lived in Chicago again and worked downtown I would take serious consideration to take the train downtown, I really enjoyed the time to sit and read.

But, when I thought about my walk to the building and doing this in the rain, snow, wind or whatever Chicago throws your way weather wise - ummmm, not so much.....it was fun to play for a couple of days, but not everyday. If your in Chicago, try the trains.

Happy 40th Anniversary

To my

Mom & Dad


Congratulations!

Love You Both!