This is a line from the movie "Splash." This whole week has been baaaaaaaddddd!! First it started last week with me going to ER because of severe stomach pains. I was layed up for about the whole week not knowing what to eat, etc. I'm still not over this bout of whatever it is I have, but thankfully I've got an appointment with my doctor and maybe I'll start to feel better someday and keep some food down. It's just a matter of what kind of food works and what kind does my digestive system hates.
Today, we went to Hutchinson to work on my mom's mailbox which had been down for a month. Someone rounded her corner and bent it all up. She couldn't get mail at her house and has to get it collected at the post office. So since Hutch does not have an option of curbside vs. porchside, she has to have a post out there in order to get mail service. Since there was no basketball tournament we went to Hutch to fix the mailbox. We got the post at Home Depot and I also had an appointment with my hairdresser. I hadn't cut or done anything with my hair for over 4 months.
I thought that L could work on the box while I went to the mall to get my hair done. At first he offered that I should drive the van to the mall. Looking back on this, I probably should have. But instead I insisted he should drive me. So he drives me to the mall and assures me that he will pick me up in an hour or so.
I finish with my hair appointment and no one is at the mall to pick me up. I am thinking this is odd. So I called my mom on the cell and asked, "Are they still there?" She assured me that they had left 5 minutes ago to pick me up. I waited and waited and waited! I was getting angry waiting and texted S wishing that "someone" (L) had a cell phone to let me know what's going on." A few minutes later my cell rings, it's my mom.
"L has been in accident."
"WHAT?? What happened?"
She explained that he was on 11th and the highway when someone plowed into him. She said that no one was hurt. Just the van was. She explained that he was going to walk over to her house (not far from that area) and pick her car up. Then we had to decide on where to get a rental car since the normal rental car agency was closed.
I paced back and forth in the mall letting S know and my hairdresser too on what had happened and ask for people to pray for us.
The tow truck had our van and J took a picture of the damage. Then we picked up the rental car (Ford Focus) at another place in Hutch. It's a cool little car, but I still want my van back.
So hopefully this string of unfortunate events will stop beginning tonight.
I'm not even sure how long it will take to repair the van, ugh!! I hate problems like this. But the bottom line no one was injured and we are very thankful for that!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
A Short Season
J had just started his last year of Biddy Ball this month. I was turning in articles to the local ink pad newspaper for 3 weeks and this week was to be the tournament. Until J told me yesterday that the tournament at Arlington was canceled and the season had ended. No end of the year medals. No end of the year pictures. Nothing. But a 5 game biddy basketball season. Unreal.
S had participated in two years of Biddy Ball, one year she didn't play, and the season was a lot longer than this. The people who ran biddy ball for our town even had a concession stand. Then they left the school district a couple of years ago and their kids left this year. J had three different coaches the three years he played. M (the family who ran the biddy ball league), S (who left to coach the HS girls BB team), and the new M, who moved in from Carrie Nation's city. S still supplied the team with uniforms.
This has been one disappointing year when it comes to basketball in this area, yet, the school district wants us to promote youth sports. How can you when last year they held basketball camp for all but the incoming 6th grade? But then, I did hear later that it WAS held. Only if J was in baseball would we have heard this news. It wasn't in the papers; there was no flyer sent home from school; it was only by word of mouth. J didn't have basketball camp last summer for the first time in a long time! We were all disappointed. We told him that he should go to Tennis camp. He was reluctant at first but after a week really enjoyed learning a new sport.
I'm not sure if he'll be doing Tennis Camp this year, but I think that he should since basketball has been such a let down for him. The other problem is that J can shoot, but he is always a bench starter. He doesn't score a lot of points. Not quite sure what defense he should be playing, but I've noticed this year he has done much better. Maybe the reason is the new coach or the old coach helping out. But things were looking better this year for him.
For the last two years our team had been undefeated. Until this year with both losses coming from the Carrie Nation team. I know that next year Anthony and Harper will be combining. Anthony has a lot of good scrappy players on their team. It makes me wonder if J will go out for basketball at all when he's a seventh grade student. I can only hope and that he's not just a bench sitter.
S had participated in two years of Biddy Ball, one year she didn't play, and the season was a lot longer than this. The people who ran biddy ball for our town even had a concession stand. Then they left the school district a couple of years ago and their kids left this year. J had three different coaches the three years he played. M (the family who ran the biddy ball league), S (who left to coach the HS girls BB team), and the new M, who moved in from Carrie Nation's city. S still supplied the team with uniforms.
This has been one disappointing year when it comes to basketball in this area, yet, the school district wants us to promote youth sports. How can you when last year they held basketball camp for all but the incoming 6th grade? But then, I did hear later that it WAS held. Only if J was in baseball would we have heard this news. It wasn't in the papers; there was no flyer sent home from school; it was only by word of mouth. J didn't have basketball camp last summer for the first time in a long time! We were all disappointed. We told him that he should go to Tennis camp. He was reluctant at first but after a week really enjoyed learning a new sport.
I'm not sure if he'll be doing Tennis Camp this year, but I think that he should since basketball has been such a let down for him. The other problem is that J can shoot, but he is always a bench starter. He doesn't score a lot of points. Not quite sure what defense he should be playing, but I've noticed this year he has done much better. Maybe the reason is the new coach or the old coach helping out. But things were looking better this year for him.
For the last two years our team had been undefeated. Until this year with both losses coming from the Carrie Nation team. I know that next year Anthony and Harper will be combining. Anthony has a lot of good scrappy players on their team. It makes me wonder if J will go out for basketball at all when he's a seventh grade student. I can only hope and that he's not just a bench sitter.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Yes, I am still here.
What an awful Saturday I had this past week! I am just now feeling well enough to give a shout out to my dog to be quiet. Apparently there is a dog visiting the neighborhood without his master making the dog go crazy.
After spending 3 hours in the ER and trying to figure out what kind of digestive problems set me off in pain that I've never experienced before in my life, I am back among the living.
I finally got myself in gear to call my doctor's office and tell them what happened. I know that they will set me up with a specialist. I'm not looking forward to it by no means, but if they can get me to feel better in all my years dealing with this problem, then it will be worth it.
I discovered this weekend NOT to drink any caffeine, because that's what triggered the episode. One of the ER nurses said that maybe I shouldn't eat out anymore. I tend to agree with that statement. But I can't do this forever. So it's like I am surrendering my fears of going through a test if it would just make me feel better!
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What is it about kids and doors? I swear, J must think we live in a barn where we don't have to close the door. For example, after an hour he left for school, the backdoor was wide open. It's cold out there today, with temps in the lower teens. Yet, there it was open! Kids must think that the doors are like those in the grocery stores, they close automatically. They do not!! I wish that I had that kind of technology on both doors, but we do not.
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Tomorrow is Kansas Day! The state is turning the ripe old age of 148. When I was 5 I was at the capitol building with my uncle and my family. There was a huge cake and a lot of legs (i was short so I couldn't see very well). That was the Centennial Celebration in Topeka. Something that I'll always remember.
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Oh, and one more thing...KU is playing Nebraska tonight in Lincoln. Go Hawks!
After spending 3 hours in the ER and trying to figure out what kind of digestive problems set me off in pain that I've never experienced before in my life, I am back among the living.
I finally got myself in gear to call my doctor's office and tell them what happened. I know that they will set me up with a specialist. I'm not looking forward to it by no means, but if they can get me to feel better in all my years dealing with this problem, then it will be worth it.
I discovered this weekend NOT to drink any caffeine, because that's what triggered the episode. One of the ER nurses said that maybe I shouldn't eat out anymore. I tend to agree with that statement. But I can't do this forever. So it's like I am surrendering my fears of going through a test if it would just make me feel better!
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What is it about kids and doors? I swear, J must think we live in a barn where we don't have to close the door. For example, after an hour he left for school, the backdoor was wide open. It's cold out there today, with temps in the lower teens. Yet, there it was open! Kids must think that the doors are like those in the grocery stores, they close automatically. They do not!! I wish that I had that kind of technology on both doors, but we do not.
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Tomorrow is Kansas Day! The state is turning the ripe old age of 148. When I was 5 I was at the capitol building with my uncle and my family. There was a huge cake and a lot of legs (i was short so I couldn't see very well). That was the Centennial Celebration in Topeka. Something that I'll always remember.
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Oh, and one more thing...KU is playing Nebraska tonight in Lincoln. Go Hawks!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Of the Wii and the Bee
J got his Wii this past weekend and is already wanting another game to play with it. The Wii comes with sports games (tennis, boxing, baseball, golf, and our favorite bowling). You can play a training session with each of theses sports. Like in bowling there are power throws and practice in how to deal with splits; baseball, there is a homerun derby type of game. J gets a tad frustrated when he's playing the sports. Actually it's more than a tad, he REALLY gets upset when things go south. Maybe it's his competitive spirit. It's something we hear this low rumble, "I really need another game!" He says this at least 10 times of playing the Wii when he is really frustrated. Then we say, "Yeah, and you really need at least $45 more to make that happen." The game that he wants, Wii Music, costs $50. I have been told, from several sources that Wii fit is the thing to get. Wii Fit is at least $100. That's the job to have be a Wii salesperson or at least create some games for the Wii, as people really buy into these games.
Tonight we all bowled on the Wii Sports. It is nearly like how I bowl in real life. My bowling scores are never over 200. When I used to play regularly from my early years of learning how to play, through high school; in college (this was what I did for my PE class as a freshman) and when I worked for Bell (we had a bowling team back then) my average would be no better than 150. I remember holding the ball and how tired my arm would get throwing a ball of 13 pounds. Now I wouldn't even attempt to throw that heavy, it would kill me! But with Wii sports everything with this game is done by using your arm. I see myself missing easy spares and also those difficult splits. It is fun to have wii sports, but if you do it too much it can be quite boring.
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Tomorrow, J is in the spelling bee for his 6th grade class. Correction: It is the school spelling bee. J is in it along with B (who was there last year) and E (a girl), and L (a goofball). J said that no one really wanted to try out for it. He knows that since he wasn't going to be in Battle of the Books that I would want him in the Bee.
This is his second year in competition. I have seen the spelling bee go on for over 5 years. S nearly made it to state her final year, getting 2nd in the county. She got 3rd in the county in 6th grade. I will see which words each kid spells and go over with it with J. I just want him to do his best. It gets me nervous watching them spell because I want them to do well. Just getting into the bee to represent his grade is an accomplishment in itself.
I had always wanted to be in a spelling bee growing up, but our school didn't have one. I did pretty well in spelling, getting all A's in that subject. In 4th grade if I missed any words on a test my teacher would make me write them 10-15 or more times. It was more of a penmanship assignment than a "remember how to spell it correctly the next time." I put great effort in writing these out and the teacher probably looked these over and ripped them up after checking them. It was a waste of my time. I had other things to study and here I was pouring my heart out writing these words "pefectly."
I don't hear much of this kind of torture going on in schools now. I guess today's teachers went through the same rigors of schooling as I did!
Tonight we all bowled on the Wii Sports. It is nearly like how I bowl in real life. My bowling scores are never over 200. When I used to play regularly from my early years of learning how to play, through high school; in college (this was what I did for my PE class as a freshman) and when I worked for Bell (we had a bowling team back then) my average would be no better than 150. I remember holding the ball and how tired my arm would get throwing a ball of 13 pounds. Now I wouldn't even attempt to throw that heavy, it would kill me! But with Wii sports everything with this game is done by using your arm. I see myself missing easy spares and also those difficult splits. It is fun to have wii sports, but if you do it too much it can be quite boring.
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Tomorrow, J is in the spelling bee for his 6th grade class. Correction: It is the school spelling bee. J is in it along with B (who was there last year) and E (a girl), and L (a goofball). J said that no one really wanted to try out for it. He knows that since he wasn't going to be in Battle of the Books that I would want him in the Bee.
This is his second year in competition. I have seen the spelling bee go on for over 5 years. S nearly made it to state her final year, getting 2nd in the county. She got 3rd in the county in 6th grade. I will see which words each kid spells and go over with it with J. I just want him to do his best. It gets me nervous watching them spell because I want them to do well. Just getting into the bee to represent his grade is an accomplishment in itself.
I had always wanted to be in a spelling bee growing up, but our school didn't have one. I did pretty well in spelling, getting all A's in that subject. In 4th grade if I missed any words on a test my teacher would make me write them 10-15 or more times. It was more of a penmanship assignment than a "remember how to spell it correctly the next time." I put great effort in writing these out and the teacher probably looked these over and ripped them up after checking them. It was a waste of my time. I had other things to study and here I was pouring my heart out writing these words "pefectly."
I don't hear much of this kind of torture going on in schools now. I guess today's teachers went through the same rigors of schooling as I did!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Historic Day/Short Season
It was wonderful to see History being made when Barack Obama became our 44th President! It was high time to see someone bring back some pride to being an American. It was high time that Barack is that man. Born of a Kenyan father and a mom who grew up in Kansas. It gave me such pride to see him take the oath of office, a little bit after 11 AM today. A young President facing many tough problems from the war to the economy, yet here he was delivering the Presidential speech. The pomp and the parade. Walking down Pennslyvania Avenue and the parade lasting till well after sundown. My hope for President Obama is to do well so we all can reflect in later years how historic the Inauguration was.
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The Biddy Basketball season started on Jan. 10th and now the tournament will be Jan. 31st. A very short season compared to years past. We have two games to play this Saturday and then the tournament. I'm sorry to see it end. It will be exciting to see our boys play in junior high competition next year.
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The Biddy Basketball season started on Jan. 10th and now the tournament will be Jan. 31st. A very short season compared to years past. We have two games to play this Saturday and then the tournament. I'm sorry to see it end. It will be exciting to see our boys play in junior high competition next year.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rambling thoughts
It's pretty nice outdoors today. The sun is shinning and according to one of my outside temperature probe it's 73 degrees. Of course the sun is shinning on that particular probe. Now the other one we have (we bought one for the inlaws thinking that theirs was broke) and it gives a more true, temperature of 68. You factor in the wind and you'll want to have more than just a t-shirt and short sleeved shirt on. But really, for Kansas in January, this is pretty good. Just wait until Friday they are predicting snow.
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Ever see those bathroom commercials on TV where it shows what a public restroom looks like? They are not too far from the truth. Some places that I've been to don't restock on their toliet paper and you are left to look in your purse and be creative or not. Other places have paper on the floor and still other places the toliet is unflushed. I think that most public restrooms should have automatic toliets, automatic soap dispensers, and automatic hand dryers (or automatic paper dispensers). This way everything remains relatively sanitary.
When I see these messes in the public restrooms, I feel sorry for my fellow janitors and thankful that I don't have to have their job!
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I have so many books to read and so little time. I should have that imprinted on my forehead everytime I'm in a bookstore. I sometimes find what I want to read, then read two or three chapters and give up. There's too many other distractions pulling me away, TV reruns, computer, and just spending some time looking at other commitments. There's not enough time in a day is another accurate phrase that describes my life. Maybe things will lighten up when its the summer time and I can spend my time reading...ha!
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Currently I am having trouble with my washing machine. I start the motor and then it quits working during a cycle. It's either a timer on the washer or my washer lid. Sometimes I forget to check on the laundry and there it is soaking and not working. So if I remember it I have to hit the lid in a certain way and the washer will continue to work. It's a great way to take out my frustrations, but I am pretty frustrated the way this thing isn't working. It's probably about that time that I should get a new machine...but who wants to spend out the money to purchase one?
I guess I'll keep my old appliances until they all die. Thinking upon this reasoning, I wonder if it would be MORE expensive to do this. Take for instance my televisions. The one upstairs stopped working and we bought a new one. Then a week later the other one stopped. UGH! Two TV purchases within a few weeks of each other. Appliances last long but, around here not so much. Fridge is like 12 years old. Dishwasher, even older at 13 years, Washer and Dryer probably at least 10 years old. When is a good time to replace these items?? When I have the money??
Ha! Where's that huge bailout plan going to start?
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I am hearing from my Wii boy that he is wanting a new game. The cost for a new game run $50! Does anyone want to hire out my 12 year old for a job??
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Ever see those bathroom commercials on TV where it shows what a public restroom looks like? They are not too far from the truth. Some places that I've been to don't restock on their toliet paper and you are left to look in your purse and be creative or not. Other places have paper on the floor and still other places the toliet is unflushed. I think that most public restrooms should have automatic toliets, automatic soap dispensers, and automatic hand dryers (or automatic paper dispensers). This way everything remains relatively sanitary.
When I see these messes in the public restrooms, I feel sorry for my fellow janitors and thankful that I don't have to have their job!
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I have so many books to read and so little time. I should have that imprinted on my forehead everytime I'm in a bookstore. I sometimes find what I want to read, then read two or three chapters and give up. There's too many other distractions pulling me away, TV reruns, computer, and just spending some time looking at other commitments. There's not enough time in a day is another accurate phrase that describes my life. Maybe things will lighten up when its the summer time and I can spend my time reading...ha!
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Currently I am having trouble with my washing machine. I start the motor and then it quits working during a cycle. It's either a timer on the washer or my washer lid. Sometimes I forget to check on the laundry and there it is soaking and not working. So if I remember it I have to hit the lid in a certain way and the washer will continue to work. It's a great way to take out my frustrations, but I am pretty frustrated the way this thing isn't working. It's probably about that time that I should get a new machine...but who wants to spend out the money to purchase one?
I guess I'll keep my old appliances until they all die. Thinking upon this reasoning, I wonder if it would be MORE expensive to do this. Take for instance my televisions. The one upstairs stopped working and we bought a new one. Then a week later the other one stopped. UGH! Two TV purchases within a few weeks of each other. Appliances last long but, around here not so much. Fridge is like 12 years old. Dishwasher, even older at 13 years, Washer and Dryer probably at least 10 years old. When is a good time to replace these items?? When I have the money??
Ha! Where's that huge bailout plan going to start?
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I am hearing from my Wii boy that he is wanting a new game. The cost for a new game run $50! Does anyone want to hire out my 12 year old for a job??
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wii found it!!
J finally found his Christmas present in Wichita today, the wii. He had been looking forever. The place that he got it from was in New Market Square. He said that there was only one left on the shelf now at this particular game place. I had heard of a radio station who had a contest just last week to win a wii. That would have been nice to actually win one for free, but what were the chances of us winning one. Slim and none, was my thinking. We won our Playstation2 through Oscar Mayer's lunchables. It was cool!! We didn't have to pay for it at all, except buy more games. We have tons of those games. Once in a great while if I'm bored I'll break out and play a Pac-Man, Ms. Pac Man game. But I haven't had the time lately to do even that.
J is enjoying playing the various sports like boxing and tennis. I will have to try out the tennis and the bowling it sounds like fun.
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Over at the Biddy Basketball game today in M.L. we only brought 6 players. One kid didn't show and another had Saturday School. It was a pretty even match up and J got a basket. Boy! I just erupt when he finally gets his chance and he makes the shot go down. Anyway, it was a close one and we lost by only 2 points. It was well-played by both teams, and no yelling parents. Just cheers for the boys to do well. The 6th grade girls team came into watch them play while we were finishing up.
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I have had the worst charley horse ever in my left leg since yesterday. After I finished up at work, shoveling snow (not all that much), moving furniture and poinsettias, wet mopping, vacuuming places and going up and down the stairs, collecting trash; after doing all of that I walked to my car and felt excuriating pain in my left calf traveling up to my hip. You know how it is when you know a cramp is settling in, you just want to grab it and straighten it out. I got the car warmed up and thankful it was not my right leg, or I would have never made it home. After I got home I flexed my foot out and back toward my knee and it was difficult to walk. I don't have any idea what causes these cramps as I get extra calcium. Maybe I am needing more water, more potassium, and a lot less cold weather. After a day and night of hurting it still isn't much better. I am not pain free in that leg. Leg and feet cramps are no fun!
J is enjoying playing the various sports like boxing and tennis. I will have to try out the tennis and the bowling it sounds like fun.
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Over at the Biddy Basketball game today in M.L. we only brought 6 players. One kid didn't show and another had Saturday School. It was a pretty even match up and J got a basket. Boy! I just erupt when he finally gets his chance and he makes the shot go down. Anyway, it was a close one and we lost by only 2 points. It was well-played by both teams, and no yelling parents. Just cheers for the boys to do well. The 6th grade girls team came into watch them play while we were finishing up.
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I have had the worst charley horse ever in my left leg since yesterday. After I finished up at work, shoveling snow (not all that much), moving furniture and poinsettias, wet mopping, vacuuming places and going up and down the stairs, collecting trash; after doing all of that I walked to my car and felt excuriating pain in my left calf traveling up to my hip. You know how it is when you know a cramp is settling in, you just want to grab it and straighten it out. I got the car warmed up and thankful it was not my right leg, or I would have never made it home. After I got home I flexed my foot out and back toward my knee and it was difficult to walk. I don't have any idea what causes these cramps as I get extra calcium. Maybe I am needing more water, more potassium, and a lot less cold weather. After a day and night of hurting it still isn't much better. I am not pain free in that leg. Leg and feet cramps are no fun!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My Dog
I had two complaints that my dog was barking. So we did some behavioral modification tricks on him by letting him out during the day, free to roam in our spacious yard. It worked. He has more freedom and is happy for it.
We were down at our next door neighbors, thinking that they turned us in. They did not turn us in. I apologize to our smoky neighbors. We did however, find out that we weren't the only ones getting complaints about our dogs, we are one in several families getting pinned down. No it was another neighbor that not only turned us in but the rest of the neighbors who owns a dog.
This model citizen who has turned us in has a dog too. This hypocritcal man is now going to face an angry ban of neighbors too if he continues to be the way he is.
And to think I was going to get rid of my dog and it was breaking my heart just thinking about it. I've got news for him. Nobody does that to me and gets away with it.
As a friend used to tell me, "What goes around comes around."
Mario is staying for the long haul. Stay tuned.
We were down at our next door neighbors, thinking that they turned us in. They did not turn us in. I apologize to our smoky neighbors. We did however, find out that we weren't the only ones getting complaints about our dogs, we are one in several families getting pinned down. No it was another neighbor that not only turned us in but the rest of the neighbors who owns a dog.
This model citizen who has turned us in has a dog too. This hypocritcal man is now going to face an angry ban of neighbors too if he continues to be the way he is.
And to think I was going to get rid of my dog and it was breaking my heart just thinking about it. I've got news for him. Nobody does that to me and gets away with it.
As a friend used to tell me, "What goes around comes around."
Mario is staying for the long haul. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Growth spurts and concert
I had thought that J had the right size where it came to his dress pants/khakis. I was wrong. If I would have known that his pants fit that bad I would have gotten something up the road in Wichita. J assured me that the pants still fit. They didn't.
We didn't know this until 15 minutes before we left. J had grown in the last year. We knew that he got a little taller but I really didn't check the size of his khakis until just a minute ago. The khakis looked tight and he was unable to get a belt around them. So now we know the next time that he needs a several new items in clothes.
Khakis that fit and that are bigger than a size 10 and tennis shoes. J is just not into shopping for clothes unlike S. He tells us much later, "oh yeah, I need a bigger size in shoes." We have fitted him for new shoes and he great at least 2 shoe sizes. I also bought a clip on tie for him thinking it would be easier for him. It looked ridiculous. So L found an old tie in his closet and it looked tailor made for J.
I just need to be reminded my nearly aged teenage boy needs to start dressing like one and wear sizes that fit his age group. It's one of those duh moments. I know what will happen I will make the needed changes and then a year later he will have another growth spurt.
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The concert/singing went pretty good. I really like watching the kids when they are playing band. The 6th grade didn't sound too bad. We had three kids who actually did solos. I really didn't think J would want to do this, so he didn't. All three soloists are on the basketball team. The first chair trombonist did (he's the kid on J's basketball team who gets yelled at a lot), L on the tuba (did pretty good for L), and the new kid (the basketball coach's kid) played trumpet the best! J explained that M had played in band in his other school, that figured.
The 7th and 8th grade bands did really well. I was most impressed with the drum section. This one girl (I am pretty sure she is an 8th grader) had one of the best drum solos ever. She'll be doing great next year at the HS in the drum line.
As for the singing groups...well, I was listening to one song and it was like "are they even singing?" Our band teacher who doubles as the singing teacher in the 7-8th grades did well. I can't wait for J to be in that group next year. I just think the person who teaches singing should just teach it for 5th grade and below.
The next band concert I think will be the annual Band BBQ in May. That will be a treat to see the HS band, as this time I will actually know some people in the band this time.
We didn't know this until 15 minutes before we left. J had grown in the last year. We knew that he got a little taller but I really didn't check the size of his khakis until just a minute ago. The khakis looked tight and he was unable to get a belt around them. So now we know the next time that he needs a several new items in clothes.
Khakis that fit and that are bigger than a size 10 and tennis shoes. J is just not into shopping for clothes unlike S. He tells us much later, "oh yeah, I need a bigger size in shoes." We have fitted him for new shoes and he great at least 2 shoe sizes. I also bought a clip on tie for him thinking it would be easier for him. It looked ridiculous. So L found an old tie in his closet and it looked tailor made for J.
I just need to be reminded my nearly aged teenage boy needs to start dressing like one and wear sizes that fit his age group. It's one of those duh moments. I know what will happen I will make the needed changes and then a year later he will have another growth spurt.
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The concert/singing went pretty good. I really like watching the kids when they are playing band. The 6th grade didn't sound too bad. We had three kids who actually did solos. I really didn't think J would want to do this, so he didn't. All three soloists are on the basketball team. The first chair trombonist did (he's the kid on J's basketball team who gets yelled at a lot), L on the tuba (did pretty good for L), and the new kid (the basketball coach's kid) played trumpet the best! J explained that M had played in band in his other school, that figured.
The 7th and 8th grade bands did really well. I was most impressed with the drum section. This one girl (I am pretty sure she is an 8th grader) had one of the best drum solos ever. She'll be doing great next year at the HS in the drum line.
As for the singing groups...well, I was listening to one song and it was like "are they even singing?" Our band teacher who doubles as the singing teacher in the 7-8th grades did well. I can't wait for J to be in that group next year. I just think the person who teaches singing should just teach it for 5th grade and below.
The next band concert I think will be the annual Band BBQ in May. That will be a treat to see the HS band, as this time I will actually know some people in the band this time.
Rambling up the road then back down
We have several places to be today. We are rambling up the road to Wichita for a scheduled appointment. J is done with his braces (for now) and S will be getting an adjustment on hers. She won't be done for at least a year. But when she is done she will have a terrific smile. She better have a great smile, with all the money we poured into getting first stage braces and now second (final) stage braces. The only smile I see now is her orthodontist. Yep, and I'd be smiling too, if I got paid like that!!
The appointment was scheduled before they rescheduled the music/band concert for yet the second time. So we will ramble on back down the road, hopefully making it in time for J to reach the HS. We will be listening to the middle school do their Christmas songs by singing and by the band. The last two times were a snow-out. Today it's just going to be just plain cold with plummeting temperatures.
I will be excited to see J play his trombone in person. Like always the 6th grade band is going to sound "a little" off. By the time the students are in 7th and 8th grade they will sound a lot better.
Because the band concert is scheduled for today we won't get to see our beloved KU basketball team play against in state rivals the K-State Wildcats! :( I'll DVR it but it won't be the same.
The appointment was scheduled before they rescheduled the music/band concert for yet the second time. So we will ramble on back down the road, hopefully making it in time for J to reach the HS. We will be listening to the middle school do their Christmas songs by singing and by the band. The last two times were a snow-out. Today it's just going to be just plain cold with plummeting temperatures.
I will be excited to see J play his trombone in person. Like always the 6th grade band is going to sound "a little" off. By the time the students are in 7th and 8th grade they will sound a lot better.
Because the band concert is scheduled for today we won't get to see our beloved KU basketball team play against in state rivals the K-State Wildcats! :( I'll DVR it but it won't be the same.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Coaching your son (or daughter)
Both of my kids have played sports through the recreation commision in my town. We have really great coaches who encourage them to be better players and we have had coaches that just play their favorites.
I often comment to L that I wish that he could or would coach J in basketball. L once played junior high sports but that's as far as he went as an athlete.
In the case of Little League Baseball/Softball, our girl S, was mostly a bench sitter. Sure she wanted to play but for the most part the coaches put in their girls. The last year that S played the coach put younger players in the game who had at least 3 more years to be in that league. Instead S sat on the bench. She came to every practice that was ever held and played her best, which wasn't as good as the young players. On her last team the coach played his daughter every game, not one time did she sit on the bench! It wasn't fair. They should have played the bench sitters a little more so they could develop their skill. S had one more year left with the team and we all decided it would be best not to go out for the team if that's how things were. It was politics.
J's career in baseball ended quicker than S's career. J was playing t-ball with his same age peers and the coach from the boys team wanted to move him up. It turned out that that wasn't such a great move. Then when he wanted to play fast pitch baseball, instead of t-ball, the league said that he couldn't. He missed the cut off date by 3 days. A rule is a rule, is what they told us. If he would have stayed in t-ball he would have been with kids really younger than him. We wanted no part of it thereafter.
In basketball, the league is more fair. It is played by grade rather than age. So J has gone out for basketball all three years. He enjoys the friendships on the team. Granted most times he isn't a starter. Those spots are reserved for coach's sons. I always wished that L or I could coach him in basketball. But in a way it's okay that we don't.
Four of our boys have dad's who have been or are want-to-be coaches. The new head coach of our team, doesn't yell at his son as much as the other three. Our new coach, so far plays everyone in about every quarter. I'll see how this works out in the next few games, this was how it was at the coach's first game. Our former head coach, yells at his kid, I just think that is his nature. But I can see on this kid's face how much he wants to please his dad. The other son, the assistant coach's kid, is shouted at too, but not too severly. The want-to-be coach ALWAYS yells at his kid and just really gets down at him for not making a play.
It is then I realize that this is probably a good deal that we don't coach our son. We let him play and have fun. The ones who get yelled at play hard and sometimes I've seen them near tears. Is that how to develop tough basketball players? In my opinion, it's good to have a coach who is not your dad, if they yell at you, you don't have to see them at home, etc.
Nothing like sports and dad's. The dad's of the players are living their dreams through their kids. Just let them play the sport and quit yelling at them.
I often comment to L that I wish that he could or would coach J in basketball. L once played junior high sports but that's as far as he went as an athlete.
In the case of Little League Baseball/Softball, our girl S, was mostly a bench sitter. Sure she wanted to play but for the most part the coaches put in their girls. The last year that S played the coach put younger players in the game who had at least 3 more years to be in that league. Instead S sat on the bench. She came to every practice that was ever held and played her best, which wasn't as good as the young players. On her last team the coach played his daughter every game, not one time did she sit on the bench! It wasn't fair. They should have played the bench sitters a little more so they could develop their skill. S had one more year left with the team and we all decided it would be best not to go out for the team if that's how things were. It was politics.
J's career in baseball ended quicker than S's career. J was playing t-ball with his same age peers and the coach from the boys team wanted to move him up. It turned out that that wasn't such a great move. Then when he wanted to play fast pitch baseball, instead of t-ball, the league said that he couldn't. He missed the cut off date by 3 days. A rule is a rule, is what they told us. If he would have stayed in t-ball he would have been with kids really younger than him. We wanted no part of it thereafter.
In basketball, the league is more fair. It is played by grade rather than age. So J has gone out for basketball all three years. He enjoys the friendships on the team. Granted most times he isn't a starter. Those spots are reserved for coach's sons. I always wished that L or I could coach him in basketball. But in a way it's okay that we don't.
Four of our boys have dad's who have been or are want-to-be coaches. The new head coach of our team, doesn't yell at his son as much as the other three. Our new coach, so far plays everyone in about every quarter. I'll see how this works out in the next few games, this was how it was at the coach's first game. Our former head coach, yells at his kid, I just think that is his nature. But I can see on this kid's face how much he wants to please his dad. The other son, the assistant coach's kid, is shouted at too, but not too severly. The want-to-be coach ALWAYS yells at his kid and just really gets down at him for not making a play.
It is then I realize that this is probably a good deal that we don't coach our son. We let him play and have fun. The ones who get yelled at play hard and sometimes I've seen them near tears. Is that how to develop tough basketball players? In my opinion, it's good to have a coach who is not your dad, if they yell at you, you don't have to see them at home, etc.
Nothing like sports and dad's. The dad's of the players are living their dreams through their kids. Just let them play the sport and quit yelling at them.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Biddy Basketball 09
Biddy Basketball started bright and early at 7:30 AM. Our coach wanted the team there at least 30 minutes before the game. We got J there just a little bit late as S had to be at the HS for a debate meet.
When we got there only a handful of players were there: L, K, and then J. Later the rest of the team showed up, but no coach. He was sick. I was all set to watch the game from across the way when our assistant substitute coach said that they didn't even had an official scorer.
I volunteered my services, but I do things a little different than they probably do. I didn't do rebounds, it was enough to catch up with two teams. When I watch KU on TV I usually just do KU, observing fouls and turnovers, and three-point shooting, field goals, (with attempts), and free-throw shooting (noting attempts), and do a running score (something I picked up when I was watching a sportswriter score for the first time). So they went over things and it looked pretty interesting. The recreation director from Anthonyknew me because she was J's pre-school teacher when he was 3 or 4. She gave me encouragement that I could do this. She kept me and the other scoring official (the one who ran the board) loose.
I was impartial (my radio teacher would be happy with me) as I watched J start. He started because one of our players didn't show up. I cheered for both teams. These two teams are going to be our combined Middle School 7th grade team for the 09-10 season. So it was nice to see who might start and play. The Anthony team has a lot of good players and are well coached. Our boys still play that selfish ball, passing to their friends instead of who is wide open for a shot.
Anthony was down by quite a bit in the half but they came back strong in the second half nearly tying Harper. But we won because time was on our side.
I marked down time outs, fouls, substitutions, scored each half and totaled the points for the players.
The recreation director told me junior high they pay people to do this job. It's pretty good for a part time job. I think I would like to apply in Harper, if they are needing people next year. It's pretty fun and I enjoyed it. :)
When I was in high school I wrote a theme about becoming a sportswriter. I interviewed a sportswriter in my hometown and really liked the job. Then I went to Juco to be a play-by-play basketball announcer. I was discouraged because the guys in my class thought I got a little too excited. This was BEFORE the days of Bob Davis calling the KU games. There's a man who gets excited and draws the listening audience into the game as if you were there. Had Bob Davis been at KU then, I could have pointed this out to the teacher and everyone else. Who knows I could have been doing this for a living or at least related to it.
But no, I was discouraged and my radio teacher died so I switched majors. If I only would have kept on being encouraged who knows what would have happened.
So as a hobby, I do score the KU games I watch on TV. Hobbies can turn into part time jobs! ;)
When we got there only a handful of players were there: L, K, and then J. Later the rest of the team showed up, but no coach. He was sick. I was all set to watch the game from across the way when our assistant substitute coach said that they didn't even had an official scorer.
I volunteered my services, but I do things a little different than they probably do. I didn't do rebounds, it was enough to catch up with two teams. When I watch KU on TV I usually just do KU, observing fouls and turnovers, and three-point shooting, field goals, (with attempts), and free-throw shooting (noting attempts), and do a running score (something I picked up when I was watching a sportswriter score for the first time). So they went over things and it looked pretty interesting. The recreation director from Anthonyknew me because she was J's pre-school teacher when he was 3 or 4. She gave me encouragement that I could do this. She kept me and the other scoring official (the one who ran the board) loose.
I was impartial (my radio teacher would be happy with me) as I watched J start. He started because one of our players didn't show up. I cheered for both teams. These two teams are going to be our combined Middle School 7th grade team for the 09-10 season. So it was nice to see who might start and play. The Anthony team has a lot of good players and are well coached. Our boys still play that selfish ball, passing to their friends instead of who is wide open for a shot.
Anthony was down by quite a bit in the half but they came back strong in the second half nearly tying Harper. But we won because time was on our side.
I marked down time outs, fouls, substitutions, scored each half and totaled the points for the players.
The recreation director told me junior high they pay people to do this job. It's pretty good for a part time job. I think I would like to apply in Harper, if they are needing people next year. It's pretty fun and I enjoyed it. :)
When I was in high school I wrote a theme about becoming a sportswriter. I interviewed a sportswriter in my hometown and really liked the job. Then I went to Juco to be a play-by-play basketball announcer. I was discouraged because the guys in my class thought I got a little too excited. This was BEFORE the days of Bob Davis calling the KU games. There's a man who gets excited and draws the listening audience into the game as if you were there. Had Bob Davis been at KU then, I could have pointed this out to the teacher and everyone else. Who knows I could have been doing this for a living or at least related to it.
But no, I was discouraged and my radio teacher died so I switched majors. If I only would have kept on being encouraged who knows what would have happened.
So as a hobby, I do score the KU games I watch on TV. Hobbies can turn into part time jobs! ;)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Behavioral Modification
I am conducting an animal experiment called "Behavioral Modification," on my dog Mario.
I have let him out of his pen, free to run around and expel his energy. He is quiet during the day only to bark at an occasional passerby or squirrel, siren, or whatever runs around that would make any dog bark. Today he's been out in the yard taking in the sun. He's been a really great dog these past 3 days. The weather has been great too. He goes back into his pen when it is dark. I am hoping that this change in my behavior (trusting him not to play Houdini tricks anymore) will in turn make him a better dog.
He doesn't bark all of the time. Just maybe with this freedom outside of his pen he will become the dog we want to keep.
Perhaps this is a good deal that we are so far down on the list for someone to find him another home.
I do like it when I see him in the yard and wags his tail at us. He likes his home and sometimes I really like him. It's not so much him but the environment in which he has to live in.
To keep peace in the neighborhood, it is sad that we have to give up an animal we love to accomodate others.
I haven't decided to give him up quite yet. Time will tell if we can live with him or he elsewhere.
I have let him out of his pen, free to run around and expel his energy. He is quiet during the day only to bark at an occasional passerby or squirrel, siren, or whatever runs around that would make any dog bark. Today he's been out in the yard taking in the sun. He's been a really great dog these past 3 days. The weather has been great too. He goes back into his pen when it is dark. I am hoping that this change in my behavior (trusting him not to play Houdini tricks anymore) will in turn make him a better dog.
He doesn't bark all of the time. Just maybe with this freedom outside of his pen he will become the dog we want to keep.
Perhaps this is a good deal that we are so far down on the list for someone to find him another home.
I do like it when I see him in the yard and wags his tail at us. He likes his home and sometimes I really like him. It's not so much him but the environment in which he has to live in.
To keep peace in the neighborhood, it is sad that we have to give up an animal we love to accomodate others.
I haven't decided to give him up quite yet. Time will tell if we can live with him or he elsewhere.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Wow...Sweetwater Sprouts!
All of the members of our Sunday School class made it to T and F's 25th Wedding Anniversary Dinner.
We came in on the church van/bus and saw a giant giraffe with a Christmas wreath hung around it's neck. It was beautiful seeing this giant animal figure out there! Then, we walked around to the side where there were tables set up and people milling around. Appetizers were yummy with bread. We sat down and was explained the menu that was going to be served. I sat there thinking, "oh no. I'm not going to eat any of this!!"
Throughout the meal we were serenaded by the Sunflower Trio. http://www.sunflowertrio.com/ Wow!! Awesome music by the violinist, singer, and the keyboard player (all related to F). The first course came around. It was some sort of ravioli with pear. I gulped. What was this going to be like? I watched one of our class members eat it. He didn't make a face. So, it couldn't have been too bad, I figured. Scrapbook Granny, gave me a little to try. It was okay. I mean, I didn't spit it out or make a face. So, that was good! Good, for me anyway!
Then the next course was the salad. I was thinking, "count me out I don't do veggies." So thankfully they served it with the best bread ever and I filled up with bread. Then came the prelude to the main course. Broccoli (ick), and cooked carrots (now, if they were uncooked, I probably would have had that, but they were cooked). Again count me out.
Then I smelled the rosemary chicken. Hmmmm!!! That was the best main course ever!! The chicken was cooked just right and the meat tasted so delicious! Definitely a ten, if not an eleven on the meat.
During the meal the servers came in with two dogs walking around the guests. They were cute dogs. One was a little dog and the other a big black dog (a retriever type). I just love animals. So I was making friends with these dogs. Then after the dinner I found their cat and patted the cat. I'm a big animal lover. I miss sitting for Josie.
After the meal was served then D and J (T and F's kids) had put on the clothes that their parents wore when they were married. Then they showed pictures of their mom and dad and later of themselves as young children and now. It was interesting to see how much they had changed in the last 25 years.
The musicians then played/sang several songs for us such as Josh Groban's "You raise me up," and then we all sang "Finiculi, Finicula."
Our final part of the meal consisted of flan. Now, I wasn't so sure about flan, because I know that I have an egg allergy and was fearful that I might have a problem with it. I did try it. Even though the man next to me kidded me saying it was made out of vegetables!! Because he knew how much I would pass on those veggies!! ;)
What a way to celebrate 25 years of marriage! I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the music was so wonderful!! I wonder of L could do this for me in 5 years? Guess I'll treasure this experience for a while. It was...wow! :)
We came in on the church van/bus and saw a giant giraffe with a Christmas wreath hung around it's neck. It was beautiful seeing this giant animal figure out there! Then, we walked around to the side where there were tables set up and people milling around. Appetizers were yummy with bread. We sat down and was explained the menu that was going to be served. I sat there thinking, "oh no. I'm not going to eat any of this!!"
Throughout the meal we were serenaded by the Sunflower Trio. http://www.sunflowertrio.com/ Wow!! Awesome music by the violinist, singer, and the keyboard player (all related to F). The first course came around. It was some sort of ravioli with pear. I gulped. What was this going to be like? I watched one of our class members eat it. He didn't make a face. So, it couldn't have been too bad, I figured. Scrapbook Granny, gave me a little to try. It was okay. I mean, I didn't spit it out or make a face. So, that was good! Good, for me anyway!
Then the next course was the salad. I was thinking, "count me out I don't do veggies." So thankfully they served it with the best bread ever and I filled up with bread. Then came the prelude to the main course. Broccoli (ick), and cooked carrots (now, if they were uncooked, I probably would have had that, but they were cooked). Again count me out.
Then I smelled the rosemary chicken. Hmmmm!!! That was the best main course ever!! The chicken was cooked just right and the meat tasted so delicious! Definitely a ten, if not an eleven on the meat.
During the meal the servers came in with two dogs walking around the guests. They were cute dogs. One was a little dog and the other a big black dog (a retriever type). I just love animals. So I was making friends with these dogs. Then after the dinner I found their cat and patted the cat. I'm a big animal lover. I miss sitting for Josie.
After the meal was served then D and J (T and F's kids) had put on the clothes that their parents wore when they were married. Then they showed pictures of their mom and dad and later of themselves as young children and now. It was interesting to see how much they had changed in the last 25 years.
The musicians then played/sang several songs for us such as Josh Groban's "You raise me up," and then we all sang "Finiculi, Finicula."
Our final part of the meal consisted of flan. Now, I wasn't so sure about flan, because I know that I have an egg allergy and was fearful that I might have a problem with it. I did try it. Even though the man next to me kidded me saying it was made out of vegetables!! Because he knew how much I would pass on those veggies!! ;)
What a way to celebrate 25 years of marriage! I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the music was so wonderful!! I wonder of L could do this for me in 5 years? Guess I'll treasure this experience for a while. It was...wow! :)
2009 Ramblings
We celebrated our "lame" new year by playing Scrabble that night and watching the Twilight Zone. Whilst we were playing we got this loud knock on the door. It was a police officer.
Now I knew that S was out with friends, so I wasn't worried it would be about her activity. The thought never crossed my mind. So the police officer told us to get our dog to "be quiet," as he had a couple of complaints regarding the noise.
Excuse me? My dog is the "ring leader," of the dogs in the neighborhood? All of the dogs were barking. Sirens were going off and well after all it was New Years Eve, what do you expect? It was also around 9 pm. Nine. If this was going on like at midnight or one in the morning that would be one thing. But, Nine? So L took care of Mario by placing him in his pen.
I suspect it was my smoke stack neighbors complaining. Their dogs were barking too. Whatever. I know that my dog does have a problem in barking and we have considered to have someone take him off of our hands.
Dogs can't help to bark when sirens go off. Now, Daisy didn't have that problem. She was probably old and a little deaf. It's hard to break in a dog...especially in my neighborhood.
------
Yesterday we went to the big town of Wellington to check out the sales at the Wal-mart there. We also went to their Dillons. I recalled when the kids were little and we would ALWAYS shop there. This Dillons is dinky compared to the ones in Wichita. This Dillons is almost like shopping at our local store.
------
Today we are planning a trip with our Sunday School class for celebration of a 25th wedding anniversary. It sounds like fun traveling together since we are all around the same age. Our kids aren't as old as theirs but no matter. I'm just hoping whatever the dinner is like that I can find something to eat. I may have to stuff my purse with snacks from home. I know I am so picky! I hate veggies mostly and spicy foods.
I'll blog about the party, maybe.
-----
Happy New Year 2009!!
Now I knew that S was out with friends, so I wasn't worried it would be about her activity. The thought never crossed my mind. So the police officer told us to get our dog to "be quiet," as he had a couple of complaints regarding the noise.
Excuse me? My dog is the "ring leader," of the dogs in the neighborhood? All of the dogs were barking. Sirens were going off and well after all it was New Years Eve, what do you expect? It was also around 9 pm. Nine. If this was going on like at midnight or one in the morning that would be one thing. But, Nine? So L took care of Mario by placing him in his pen.
I suspect it was my smoke stack neighbors complaining. Their dogs were barking too. Whatever. I know that my dog does have a problem in barking and we have considered to have someone take him off of our hands.
Dogs can't help to bark when sirens go off. Now, Daisy didn't have that problem. She was probably old and a little deaf. It's hard to break in a dog...especially in my neighborhood.
------
Yesterday we went to the big town of Wellington to check out the sales at the Wal-mart there. We also went to their Dillons. I recalled when the kids were little and we would ALWAYS shop there. This Dillons is dinky compared to the ones in Wichita. This Dillons is almost like shopping at our local store.
------
Today we are planning a trip with our Sunday School class for celebration of a 25th wedding anniversary. It sounds like fun traveling together since we are all around the same age. Our kids aren't as old as theirs but no matter. I'm just hoping whatever the dinner is like that I can find something to eat. I may have to stuff my purse with snacks from home. I know I am so picky! I hate veggies mostly and spicy foods.
I'll blog about the party, maybe.
-----
Happy New Year 2009!!
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