Our house is on a main highway into town, meaning our driveway is off the highway. The speed limit in front of our house is 45 mph. A while ago, probably within the past year, the girls and I were talking about kitties and that the reason we didn't have one was because I thought we needed indoor kitties with the traffic in front of the house, but that DH didn't want indoor kitties because he thought that indoor kitties were schizophrenic.
So, last night DH was asking if our friend's DD was going to get a new kitty. There kitty was killed earlier in the week. I said that I thought they were, but not for a few weeks. Sydney looked at DH and said "I think we should get an indoor kitty."
It doesn't matter how long ago I said something, Sydney files it away for later use. Note, she didn't just ask for a kitty, but the indoor one!
Last night Sarah had baseball. Wednesday night they were playing in the playoffs and after a little over an inning, a nice bolt of lightning flashed ending the game for the night. Last night we were to finish. At starting time, it was raining pretty good but since this was the playoffs, they decided we should play. Thankfully, the rain stopped just as the game began and didn't start again until the game ended. Unfortunately, almost all of the other team showed up and only 5 of our team. So, it was 5 players - 8 players for a while. As a result, we didn't have as much of the field covered. They only batted as many players as we had, but had better field coverage. Eventually, a 6th player showed for us, which helped, but the damage was already done. They had 2 innings of batting right at the grass line and without outfield players, the infield just couldn't manage to stop them.
So, for the playoffs we've pulled bad luck and will be playing this morning for last place honors!
The first game, they had the bad luck to draw the best team (purple) in the league. They will win the title today as one of the three strongest teams. The three strongest teams in the league were the purple team, the red team, and the light blue team. The light blue team played us last night in the loser bracket, and the purple and red played last night, so the "championship" game will be played by the best team and one of the other five teams. We are a pretty good team, but we still lost the first round to the purple team 23 - 6. For reasons that escape me, they didn't call the game on the mercy rule.
If I sound bitter, it's because I am. The coach of the purple team is also the board president. His team was made up of older 8 y.o. to older 7 y.o. (In this league, you have to be 7 or 8 on May 1st to play). He didn't have a single younger player. I wondered how he managed to pull a team of older players, but then I found out that he claimed 5 assistants meaning that of the 9 players on the team, he pre-selected 6 kids (his plus 5 assistants' kids). So, in the 'general' draft, he only had to select 3 kids. Many of the coaches only pre-selected their own kid because they didn't manage to find an assistant.
I'm seriously thinking about contacting the district to review our rules. There were many other things that occurred, but this is the one I can actually manage to change. I can see "freezing" two kids - coach and one assistant - but MOST of the team? Just unfair.
On the other hand, we've been able to help Sarah with playing our best even when things aren't fair.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
And I actually had a camera with me
This has been a bad week. I'm tired, I'm stressed, I'm frustrated. The house is a mess and I don't have the energy to clean it. In fact, as soon as I post this I'm going to sleep.
Last night, the girls were waking a bit and at times I couldn't get back to sleep as my brain engaged. At one point I wished I could have rolled over and turned on the light like my friend Merrit does, but instead I popped on the wireless headphones and listened to Murphy Brown while I tried to stop thinking.
Tonight was Sydney's last t-ball game and Sarah's first playoff game in the loser bracket as they lost the opening game Monday (but that is a rant for a different day - I'm almost calm enough to write about it). So, I was sticking around Sarah's game tonight to see how things would go. There was a rain storm rolling in and we could hear rumbles of thunder. All of a sudden, we saw a large crack of lightning immediately followed by a LOUD crack of thunder and all kids were pulled from the field. The parents and kids stood around a bit while the coaches chatted. And then the rain came. It wasn't just rain, it was down pour as we all ran to cars. It was a short and intense rain. The girls ended up with DH because his car was closer which left me driving alone.
All of a sudden, I looked up and saw a rainbow through the rain. I pulled into a parking lot and took some pictures. Then I drove on to see if I could find a shot that didn't include the telephone wire through it. It was almost gone, but there, so I took it too. Then I kept on driving and low and behold, down along the lake was a full end to end rainbow. I couldn't fit it in either of my lenses, but it should be pretty nice.
It's regular 35 mm film because my digital doesn't take action shots so I can't see what I got until I have it developed, but I think I might have some fun pics.
Maybe it's the sign I need that my decisions earlier this week are the right ones. All I can say is that I've never had camera and rainbow occur at the same time.
Last night, the girls were waking a bit and at times I couldn't get back to sleep as my brain engaged. At one point I wished I could have rolled over and turned on the light like my friend Merrit does, but instead I popped on the wireless headphones and listened to Murphy Brown while I tried to stop thinking.
Tonight was Sydney's last t-ball game and Sarah's first playoff game in the loser bracket as they lost the opening game Monday (but that is a rant for a different day - I'm almost calm enough to write about it). So, I was sticking around Sarah's game tonight to see how things would go. There was a rain storm rolling in and we could hear rumbles of thunder. All of a sudden, we saw a large crack of lightning immediately followed by a LOUD crack of thunder and all kids were pulled from the field. The parents and kids stood around a bit while the coaches chatted. And then the rain came. It wasn't just rain, it was down pour as we all ran to cars. It was a short and intense rain. The girls ended up with DH because his car was closer which left me driving alone.
All of a sudden, I looked up and saw a rainbow through the rain. I pulled into a parking lot and took some pictures. Then I drove on to see if I could find a shot that didn't include the telephone wire through it. It was almost gone, but there, so I took it too. Then I kept on driving and low and behold, down along the lake was a full end to end rainbow. I couldn't fit it in either of my lenses, but it should be pretty nice.
It's regular 35 mm film because my digital doesn't take action shots so I can't see what I got until I have it developed, but I think I might have some fun pics.
Maybe it's the sign I need that my decisions earlier this week are the right ones. All I can say is that I've never had camera and rainbow occur at the same time.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The gift, the power, the reminder (oh and the kids)
The gift: The other day, I was commenting about something from work that had frustrated me. My very sweet husband reminded me that I could walk away from this job any time I wanted. I don't have to work, I can do what I want.
The power: It's nice being in a position that I can do what I want. I can just decide to teach my one course a semester, I can work only on the grant that we were just awarded, I can keep working in my current capacity. I have the power to walk away whenever I want!
The reminder: Yesterday I had my first meeting with the faculty members of the new grant. We were going to discuss the database I was setting up for them. I spent about an hour the night before looking over the proposal and setting up fields to collect all the information that was necessary. We only could manage 1/2 meeting, so I knew we needed to start with something to modify rather than from scratch.
We had a lovely meeting where we discussed things that needed to be modified, changed, or deleted. All of them were necessary changes and not just change for change sake. J commented how thrilled she was with the work I had done and how surprised she was that I came in with a solid product. She was expecting that we would talk about what was needed, not modify something that was already started.
What a interesting reminder of how it is be to treated like a professional!
The bonus (I mean the girls): Yesterday was haircut day. Sarah has wanted her hair cut short for MONTHS. We told her that we need to wait until dance show because I wasn't doing a ballet bun with short hair. Then, she was planning to try to grow it long enough to donate. She finally decided she couldn't take it anymore and low and behold she wanted it short enough that we could just eek out 9 inches which one group will accept for donation. I'll post pics after I take them.
(and the weird): When we got the stove, I had cut the box open with a razor blade, which I promptly lost. I was stripping the wax off the floor, so the kitchen was torn apart and I never found it. I finally decided that I must have dropped it into the empty box and didn't think about it until last night when DH walked into the kitchen and called to me (I was in the living room) asking if I wanted to leave the razor blade on the kitchen floor [yea, that was my plan - rolls eyes]. I didn't see it there 1/2 hour earlier! Really weird.
The power: It's nice being in a position that I can do what I want. I can just decide to teach my one course a semester, I can work only on the grant that we were just awarded, I can keep working in my current capacity. I have the power to walk away whenever I want!
The reminder: Yesterday I had my first meeting with the faculty members of the new grant. We were going to discuss the database I was setting up for them. I spent about an hour the night before looking over the proposal and setting up fields to collect all the information that was necessary. We only could manage 1/2 meeting, so I knew we needed to start with something to modify rather than from scratch.
We had a lovely meeting where we discussed things that needed to be modified, changed, or deleted. All of them were necessary changes and not just change for change sake. J commented how thrilled she was with the work I had done and how surprised she was that I came in with a solid product. She was expecting that we would talk about what was needed, not modify something that was already started.
What a interesting reminder of how it is be to treated like a professional!
The bonus (I mean the girls): Yesterday was haircut day. Sarah has wanted her hair cut short for MONTHS. We told her that we need to wait until dance show because I wasn't doing a ballet bun with short hair. Then, she was planning to try to grow it long enough to donate. She finally decided she couldn't take it anymore and low and behold she wanted it short enough that we could just eek out 9 inches which one group will accept for donation. I'll post pics after I take them.
(and the weird): When we got the stove, I had cut the box open with a razor blade, which I promptly lost. I was stripping the wax off the floor, so the kitchen was torn apart and I never found it. I finally decided that I must have dropped it into the empty box and didn't think about it until last night when DH walked into the kitchen and called to me (I was in the living room) asking if I wanted to leave the razor blade on the kitchen floor [yea, that was my plan - rolls eyes]. I didn't see it there 1/2 hour earlier! Really weird.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Tuesday accomplishments
Today, I woke up, made coffee. It was a bit chilly out so I made the flavored kind. I was originally going to grind beans of dunkin donuts brand, but then changed my mind to the already ground Godiva Creme Brulee coffee. Instead of measuring it into my coffee filter, I measured it into the coffee grinder. I guess I really needed the coffee. Then I checked my blogs and . . .
then cleaned the hair out of the bathroom drain. Oh, this consisted of taking the u joint of the drain out and running a ripped tea towel through the drain several times. But, it's done and I didn't have to pour draino down our septic!
Then I did 45 minutes of the Carmen Electra dvd until my muscles were so shakey that I turned it off figuring that if I couldn't stand I didn't need to do my arms.
Now I need to vacuum and clean the bathroom before I take a shower and order lunch.
UPDATE1: I only managed to vacuum the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom and clean the shower (taking one as my reward). The rest will have to wait. Will she complete her list for today?
The after lunch list is washing the floors and cleaning the fridge. Can she do it?
then cleaned the hair out of the bathroom drain. Oh, this consisted of taking the u joint of the drain out and running a ripped tea towel through the drain several times. But, it's done and I didn't have to pour draino down our septic!
Then I did 45 minutes of the Carmen Electra dvd until my muscles were so shakey that I turned it off figuring that if I couldn't stand I didn't need to do my arms.
Now I need to vacuum and clean the bathroom before I take a shower and order lunch.
UPDATE1: I only managed to vacuum the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom and clean the shower (taking one as my reward). The rest will have to wait. Will she complete her list for today?
The after lunch list is washing the floors and cleaning the fridge. Can she do it?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Today
Today I feel accomplished!
I woke up this AM and exercised for 30 minutes. I wanted to sleep, I didn't.
Today, I didn't get anything done that was on my plan. I'm going to get slammed on Wed because it's not done and my boss will ignore that he told me to do this first. But that is ok.
Because after I finished doing the work that couldn't wait to be done in the efficient manner I submitted my resume to both HR and directly to the hiring manager for the job that I can't decide if I want.
I even received a nice note from the hiring manager thanking me for my email and letting me know that they are not going to interview until the end of July when the new Dean arrives. So, it's just as well that I didn't rush my application, but waited until my brain would allow me process this and do the best job I could at drafting my package.
Then I went to Sydney's t-ball practice and walked the field for another 20 minutes.
All in all, it wasn't a bad day.
I woke up this AM and exercised for 30 minutes. I wanted to sleep, I didn't.
Today, I didn't get anything done that was on my plan. I'm going to get slammed on Wed because it's not done and my boss will ignore that he told me to do this first. But that is ok.
Because after I finished doing the work that couldn't wait to be done in the efficient manner I submitted my resume to both HR and directly to the hiring manager for the job that I can't decide if I want.
I even received a nice note from the hiring manager thanking me for my email and letting me know that they are not going to interview until the end of July when the new Dean arrives. So, it's just as well that I didn't rush my application, but waited until my brain would allow me process this and do the best job I could at drafting my package.
Then I went to Sydney's t-ball practice and walked the field for another 20 minutes.
All in all, it wasn't a bad day.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday morning
Life is unique here up north. This morning, Sydney woke up early. I'd been up late reading so I expected to be tired when Sydney woke up. I looked out the window when she came into my room. The sun was up, the sky was bright blue, I looked at the clock, it was 5:50 AM. Yep, the sun comes up so early in the summer that it's bright really early. It's only 8:17 at the moment and the sun is above tree lines already.
I told her that if she wants to go to the fireworks tonight, she will get back to bed. I managed to convince her to sleep until almost 7:00.
So, I got up with her, put on my exercise clothes, popped in my exercise video, and managed to get 15 minutes of the video done before the girls started clamoring to watch their shows. I gave in. I went into the kitchen and started making a frozen coffee drink I had made yesterday when poultrygeist99 was over yesterday. By the time I finished, they were playing in the other room and informed me that I could finish my exercising if I wanted.
Um, yea.
So, I need to get a quick shower and get kids ready for baseball/t-ball. We all need breakfast and today is snack day for both teams.
But, I have managed to exercise four of the past five days!! Only another couple of weeks to a habit, right? Course, my habit will be interrupted by a two week trip to my parents house.
I told her that if she wants to go to the fireworks tonight, she will get back to bed. I managed to convince her to sleep until almost 7:00.
So, I got up with her, put on my exercise clothes, popped in my exercise video, and managed to get 15 minutes of the video done before the girls started clamoring to watch their shows. I gave in. I went into the kitchen and started making a frozen coffee drink I had made yesterday when poultrygeist99 was over yesterday. By the time I finished, they were playing in the other room and informed me that I could finish my exercising if I wanted.
Um, yea.
So, I need to get a quick shower and get kids ready for baseball/t-ball. We all need breakfast and today is snack day for both teams.
But, I have managed to exercise four of the past five days!! Only another couple of weeks to a habit, right? Course, my habit will be interrupted by a two week trip to my parents house.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Mother's Day Present
I finally got around to taking pictures of my Mother's Day present that DH made. I'm a total dork because I have no idea what to get DH (or have the girls make).
Anyway, it's not the best presentation, but here is the Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear cutting boards:
Application is almost done. I stayed a little bit late last night and typed the application on my co-worker's computer since she has the full version of Adobe so I could actually save the form in case I had a typo. I'll get it out today!
Anyway, it's not the best presentation, but here is the Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear cutting boards:
Application is almost done. I stayed a little bit late last night and typed the application on my co-worker's computer since she has the full version of Adobe so I could actually save the form in case I had a typo. I'll get it out today!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Missing Motivation
My job is driving me crazy. I'm very tired of it. I do feel like I can talk about it here. But, it basically boils down to a lack of respect and constantly doing the same tasks over again if the answer is not what was wanted.
There is a full time job that is right up my alley - and at the level I should be working. For once I would not be under-employed. But, it's full time. I'd have to give up my 20 hours and work full time for an unknown person (new dean has been hired, but not started but people seem to think he's an OK person). I've been staring at my application for two weeks, but can't get motivated to finish it.
So, keep the hours I like but a situation I don't or full time for a job I think I would like.
UGH.
There is a full time job that is right up my alley - and at the level I should be working. For once I would not be under-employed. But, it's full time. I'd have to give up my 20 hours and work full time for an unknown person (new dean has been hired, but not started but people seem to think he's an OK person). I've been staring at my application for two weeks, but can't get motivated to finish it.
So, keep the hours I like but a situation I don't or full time for a job I think I would like.
UGH.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Kid count update
Some nights are just not made for sleepovers.
At 10:50 I got the call to come pick up Sarah. She was feeling fine, but she really, really wanted to fall asleep and E and S kept whispering. We tucked her in bed, and I told her how proud I was of her to call to come home if she needed sleep and couldn't get it.
One funny thing about earlier in the night, when I was talking to Sarah earlier about coming home, she exclaimed "why did this horrible thing have to happen tonight." I asked her what horrible thing and she told me that it was "not feeling well."
Oh, my drama queen!
At 10:50 I got the call to come pick up Sarah. She was feeling fine, but she really, really wanted to fall asleep and E and S kept whispering. We tucked her in bed, and I told her how proud I was of her to call to come home if she needed sleep and couldn't get it.
One funny thing about earlier in the night, when I was talking to Sarah earlier about coming home, she exclaimed "why did this horrible thing have to happen tonight." I asked her what horrible thing and she told me that it was "not feeling well."
Oh, my drama queen!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
kid count
Today, while Syd and I were at a birthday party, Sarah was playing at a friends house. I got there to pick her up about 10 minutes too late.
It seems that 10 minutes earlier, Sarah and her friends E and S decided that they should have a sleep over at E's apartment. This included a trip to the bowling alley for dinner and to play video games . . . part of me wanted to tell Sarah "no," after all I finally got her settled back down after the dance recital week.
But, I'm weak. I decided that with my schedule and hers this week, It would be ok.
Unfortunately, I got a call at 9:40 from Sarah telling me that her ear and throat hurt and could I bring her some medicine. I brought her the meds and tried to decide if she was getting sick or just having allergies. I gave her some meds and forced her to sit with me for a while so I could hear if she was stuffy. I also thought that she might unwind some and go to sleep faster.
Her eyes were a little red and puffy, but she didn't sound stuffy at all and her voice was a little rattly, but that could just be from not drinking enough (which she had not).
So, I left her at the sleepover. I hope I didn't make a mistake.
It seems that 10 minutes earlier, Sarah and her friends E and S decided that they should have a sleep over at E's apartment. This included a trip to the bowling alley for dinner and to play video games . . . part of me wanted to tell Sarah "no," after all I finally got her settled back down after the dance recital week.
But, I'm weak. I decided that with my schedule and hers this week, It would be ok.
Unfortunately, I got a call at 9:40 from Sarah telling me that her ear and throat hurt and could I bring her some medicine. I brought her the meds and tried to decide if she was getting sick or just having allergies. I gave her some meds and forced her to sit with me for a while so I could hear if she was stuffy. I also thought that she might unwind some and go to sleep faster.
Her eyes were a little red and puffy, but she didn't sound stuffy at all and her voice was a little rattly, but that could just be from not drinking enough (which she had not).
So, I left her at the sleepover. I hope I didn't make a mistake.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The weekend in review
This weekend was the annual dance recital. Just don't let our owner hear you call it that! LOL. She really does an amazing job. Sarah was in two dances this year - and was a little stressed about it. She did a wonderful job. Here is her ballet number - Belles of the Ball.
Sydney was a Dally Daffodil. The entire audience went "Awwww" when they saw these preschoolers come on stage and climb in their flower pots.
There was alot more that went on this weekend, but I'm wiped out from working so much and I think I can't think. The house needs to be cleaned - so I guess I will do that.
Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, my dance went really well too! I really want to find a better way to take tap classes. I just don't get to move my skills forward because I am always taking lessons with a group who are beginners. But, I don't have time right now. Maybe in another year when things settle down.
So, now to go clean before I have to meet friends for lunch.
Sydney was a Dally Daffodil. The entire audience went "Awwww" when they saw these preschoolers come on stage and climb in their flower pots.
There was alot more that went on this weekend, but I'm wiped out from working so much and I think I can't think. The house needs to be cleaned - so I guess I will do that.
Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, my dance went really well too! I really want to find a better way to take tap classes. I just don't get to move my skills forward because I am always taking lessons with a group who are beginners. But, I don't have time right now. Maybe in another year when things settle down.
So, now to go clean before I have to meet friends for lunch.
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