I am feeling smothered by responsibility from all directions. 3 jobs can do that to you at times. I am a fairly organised person, Lord help me if I wasn't. I have been neglecting the important things lately. Lost in a sea of phone calls and paperwork. Lost in the chaos of deadlines and idiots. Missing just hangin out on the couch watching a movie with my family. They watch the movie, laughing together. Trying to include me in the family time. Oh I am still present in body, but not in mind. I sit here at my desk plucking away at the mound of papers, hoping to one day soon see the color of my desk below it. They are understanding and try to help, yet I still feel guilty at times.
It was Sunday night, after a hellacious week of this endless work. I think I was to the point of being so overwhelmed with "to-dos" that I couldn't figure out where to start.
Bri and I are sharing a quiet moment of chit chat while the kids are at the pool. We start discussing the layout of our living space. When we moved in, my desk was in a small corner of the living room. It has since turned into 2 desks, 2 file cabinets, briefcases, a humongus fax/phone/scan printer monster and the list goes on. The living room is now my make shift office. The living room has been scrunched into the TV room area (that was designed to be a dining room) We are both feeling cramped and decide we need to regain control of our space.
We work together to form a plan. Making sure that we won't be doing a bunch of work to achieve the same cramped result and that the tv cable and computer cords will all reach new destinations
Every afternoon this summer, I have driven 22 miles to my childrens old elementary school. It is my job to clean up and close up after the 2 summer camp programs going on. PIA but keeps me a little income until I am back in the bus come August 15th.
Shortly after starting, I made a discovery one evening in a classroom I happened to walk into to tinkle. A fish tank with a slow gurgling air supply. I flip on the overheads and what do I find...An abandoned fish. As I was checkin her out, she seemed to be even more curious about me. I found what was left of a jar of fishy food and proceeded to feed Ms. Fish. Poor thing acted half starved. Being the animal lover I am, I made note of the room number to be sure to come visit every night and feed Ms. Fish in case no one else was.
This routine lasted for a couple weeks. It didn't seem that anyone had been in the room, and knowing that all the staff outside of camp have the summer off...poor Ms. Fish.
I was off work the end of last week for our Clearwater adventure, so Monday I was anxious to check up on Ms. Fish. What I discovered is that the daytime custodial staff had been into the room and stripped it in preperation for deep cleaning. In doing so, they had unplugged Ms. Fish's air supply. OMG how could they NOT see this 6" fish swimming around and think she could survive without freshly oxygenated water?? So after much contemplation, I found paper and left a very bold note. It read: DO NOT shut off my air. I will die!!! signed The Fish I return on Tuesday to find that someone can't read!! Or maybe just can't read Fish! and had once again unplugged the air. By now I am pissed. I know I know, it is only a fish. But what an inhumane way to treat an animal that has done nothing to harm anyone except be born into captivity.
After much ranting and raving, I am now a woman on a mission. I plot my course of action and go to work. I found an old igloo cooler stashed in the custodial kitchen and a plastic bin. I sneak back into Ms. Fish's room and proceed to fishnap her. Yep, I'm a criminal. Sue me!!
I slide Ms. Fish in her igloo home into the backseat and head for Wally World. An hour later and $50.oo poorer, I arrive home and set up the works.
I am now the proud RESPONSIBLE tender of a ___________ fish, I have named Kissylips. I decided on the name after leaning near the tank and having her come to the glass and *smooch* me with her big lips. She is cool as hell. She follows me when I am in the kitchen and near her tank. She swims to the surface when I open her lid. She looks at me with those big fishy eyes that say "Thank You for saving my scaley life"
I have no clue what kind of fish she is. Or if she is a she at all lol Here are some picks of Ms. Kissylips. If you happen to be able to identify her, I would appreciate a heads up so I can care for her properly.
I believe her to be a Cichlid. But not really for sure.
Isn't it beautiful? We had such a wonderful time. Next year we will be doing both the Daytona AND Clearwater Socceronthebeach Tournies.
Dispite never having played on the beach, our athletes adjusted well. Due to our reputation in the higher ranks of youth soccer, we were placed into the pool of top teams for this format.
First game on Friday morning was against the U12 team that won the Daytona tournament in June. You couldn't tell that our kids hadn't been born to play in the sand. The competition was equal across the board. After a hard fought battle the score ended in a 1-1 tie. In beach soccer, ties are declared by who had the most corner kicks. So we went down by a loss of 1 corner kick against us.
Game two on Friday afternoon was a scorcher. But the boys adjusted well and played a splendid game. Winning 3-0 against a nearby Largo team that had also played in Daytona. Who I might add, had the friendliest parents. We enjoyed very nice conversation and adventure sharing experiences with fun loving opposing parents. Not typical in our level of play, and a very nice change.
Saturday morning, we played the 2nd place Daytona winners. At half time the score was tied 2-2, and our kids came out fighting. They dominated the 2nd half and walked away with a 6-2 victory.
Because the first team we challenged had a 3-0 record to our 2-1 record, they advanced to the finals on Sunday.
Coaches adjenda for the weekend was for the boys to have a new experience and learn the game as they played. Hoping for improvement with each game they tackled. In that respect, we walked away champions.
The entire experience was an enjoyable one, and I already have the 2006 tournaments penciled into my planner. I am hoping to share this experience with my colleagues and next year have so many Naples teams entered there will be more sharks on land then in the waters.
A few of my favorite things. Soccer Surf Sand and Sunshine!!
Heading up north to beautiful Clearwater Beach for a tournament. 4 relaxing days with not a care in the world (yes, the cell phone will be turned off) We have a suite on the beach, full kitchen 2 bedrooms and a private balcony overlooking the bayside Marina.
The tournie is actually ON the beach. Playing in the sand. We haven't done this format before, but I expect it will be a hoot. I had to print out the rules so we could all review them before arriving. It is some of the funniest reading and for once I wasn't bored to tears reviewing them.
Here are a couple of my favorites;
THE BALL: We suggest you use one. Make sure it is spherical. Otherwise it won't roll. THE REFEREE: Will be perched in an umpire chair like they do in tennis. LENGTH OF GAME: 2 15 min periods. That sand is tiring stuff. The ref will keep time, so try to find one that can tell time. SCORING A GOAL: Try to score as many as possible or everyone gets bored to tears. A goal is scored when the keeper starts blaming his defenders and the idiot who scored runs around the field jumping up and down making a fool of himself. OFFSIDES: There ain't any. We don't like it and no one understands that stupid rule anyway.
If the tournament turns out to be half as fun as the rules, we are assured an excellent trip. Plenty of photo ops, even more tanning ops and best of all the op to do my favorite thing and just be a soccer mom and enjoy my kiddos and my man!!
...browsing online looking for hotel info. Something catches my eye and I get distracted off my task (as usual) some how I land in the Clearwater/St. Pete newspaper. Not a big deal as that is where I am traveling this weekend.
I see this name that looks familiar, one of those blast from the past moments! I click it and I am taken to the death notices. I start reading about this man who passed away July 7th 2005 in St Pete FL. He is survived by his wife....and then it lists his children. Michael, Harold and Annette. *way to odd to be coincidence*
As I start reading the names, I realise that without a doubt it is the father of some people who at one time meant a great deal to me. One being the boy that at age 15, I would have sworn I was going to marry, the others his brother and sister.
Now over the years I have wondered what became of my first love. I think that is fairly common. Don't we all have those times where we wonder how one altered moment in the past could have drastically changed our present? It has nothing to do with wanting a different present, for me it is just a reminder of how things are destined to be.
I have very fond memories of that time in my life. I was sad for the loss I am certain my long ago friends are enduring. I didn't know their father very well, but even after 20+ years... my feelings for those who I was fortunate enough to have as a part of my life, are still true and intact.
My thoughts are with all the people in the panhandle and Alabama as they got slammed by yet another show of mother natures force.
Interesting fact of the weekend:
The temperature of the Gulf of Mexico on Friday 91 degrees. The temperature this morning 81 degrees. I am in awe at the amount of energy rquired to drop the temperature by 10 degrees in such a huge body of water. Simply amazing!!
I spent yesterday with one eye on the news of an intensifying hurricane, worried for my London friend, while fielding phone calls from mourners of a friend and colleague.
As if life isn't wicked crazy enuff as it is...
Days like this are vivid reminders to me that we must stop and smell the roses every single chance we get. Don't let an opportunity pass us by to express our love and thankfullness to those who are important.
ife is too short and unpredictable to be ugly and nasty to anyone for any reason. (except terrorists)
One of our coaches suffered a critical brain aneurism this morning. He is on life support and his prognosis is poor at best.
His family is in need of any thoughts and prayers you could send their way Please!!!
He is my age with young children about the same age as mine. He is an active passionate&nb sp;man that makes a positive impression on the people who are fortunate to know him. He has been a coach for the club I work with for many years. The kids respect and look up to him. The adults admire his youthful spirit and passion toward everything he touches.
It is these life reality checks that make me slow down and take moments to appreciate what really matters. Waking up in the morning, the sp lendor of my children and the love in my life that I am blessed and thankful for.
Hug someone today and tell them how important they are to you.
To live in such a beautiful place. What a gorgeous day we had. Spent the morning with la abuela at the parade that seems to get bigger each year. We have been attending this parade yearly for about 12 years. Amazing.
Middle of the day provided some lunch time spanish lessons. *yes we are trying to master the language* Followed by a nice mid-day siesta.
We awoke, threw some grilled chicken salad and fruit into the cooler and headed to the beach.
Can I just say that we have the most beautiful beaches in the US right here in Naples. We had no trouble parking about 4 blocks north of the pier. After a nice walk, we took a dip and played some Kadema. Feasted on fresh made chicken and salad. Watched the crowds grow and grow. About 9pm the fireworks started. WOW has technology improved. They have fireworks that now explode into shapes. Stars, hearts and circles, just to name a few. The city did a great job of entertaining us this year. The kids loved the show. We hung out in our chairs while the crowd thinned out, counting stars. Took an after dark dip in the warm "shallow" waters.
We waited about an hour post fireworks before loading up and heading home. The traffic is always crazy but the traffic did nothing to squash our moods after such a great family night.
A few of my favorite pics of the day.
My little Darlins
Silouhette of DK enjoying the fireworks.
Hoping everyone had a safe and thankful Independance Day.
A couple weeks ago, my daughter decided that she was going to try the "veggie only" type lifestyle. I am guessing she had got the wild idea from a friend. We know how the teen fads work.
She stuck to it better than I expected. She had salad and fresh fruits and veggies. I had explained the importance of protein, so she got her protein from nuts and peanut butter. I forwarned her that she would feel the effects if she starved herself of nutrients.
About 10 days into project veggie, she starts feeling yucky. Tummy ache, head ache and weakness. Sleeping all the time to escape the tummy ache. Pissy whiney attitude to boot.
So I encourage her to eat. I am asking her for a run down of what she has eaten. The responses I get are that she has not eaten because she was away with a friend, going out to eat and nothing on the menu fit her eating style so she would have a salad.
We aren't rabbits. We can't survive on rabbit food. Hence her misery. Now that I have been a mom for a few years, I know that insisting she eat will meet with resistance and defiance. So I continue to monitor her and drop suggestions on how she will feel better.
By day 14, I am done with it all. She is miserable. She is struggling to get around. It is obvious that dispite her drama queen manner, this is no act. We had all gone to the park, on returning home it took her forever to get up our 3 flights of stairs. She flops on the couch and I swear she was dilerious. By now I am totally over it. So as she wallows on the couch, I proceed to heat up some left over ham. Knowing ham is her weakness hehe
I force her to eat the pig. It was hard for her because she felt so miserable, but she cooperated before she fell asleep. 2 hours later she awakes and low and behold, the headache is almost gone. The tummy ache has nearly vanished and she has color back in her cheeks.
It took another 2 days of eating a balanced diet for her to feel like herself again.
Amazing how much damage can be done by the food choices one makes. We are what we eat. (more on this to come)
