Swimming Update

I know I send those cryptic texts to your cell phones.

I know I "twitter" and that I haven't even explained it to you.

I know I keep bragging about Aidan's swim accomplishments, but it comes out in fits and starts and you probably don't have enough information to tie the whole picture together.

Here's where we're at.

Today was day #2 of a Very Big Swim Meet. One more day to go, but it's a "gimme."

Friday, he swam one event only - the 100 free. He has an "A" time in this event (and at this Very Big Swim Meet, you ONLY swim those events in which you have an A time, instead of the normal A-level format in which THREE A times qualify you to swim any ol' event you want to). He had an A time, but was 6 100ths from the time required to swim it in state champs. He got it. Woohoo!

Today, there were two events. 4x50 (that's 200) free relay and the 100 back. He already has the A time AND the state qualifying time in the 100 back, so no pressure there. But he doesn't have an A time in the 50 free, so the coach had him swim the first leg of this relay, as whatever individual split is attained by the first swimmer only counts for their individual records. See, since he didn't have an A time, he couldn't even swim it individually in this meet. Aidan LOVES relays, loves that everyone always swims faster as part of a relay, and today was no exception. He lopped a full second off his time (that is a LOT in just 50 yards) and achieved both the A time and the state champs time.

Tomorrow is smooth sailin'. The 50-back leg of the 200 medly relay and a 50 back individual. Already has all is qualifying times. I expect him to place well in the 50 back and since it's Sunday and there are so many kids from out of state (Utah! Nebraska! Missouri!), whatever time he swims will stand, there will be no returning for gruelling finals in the evening. He can give it 110% and not have to save anything.

There. Does that make more sense than those cryptic Twitters?

Happy Birthday, Bridie!

Ten years ago today......

Giddy with anticipation, Daddy and I checked into the hospital. We were inducing labor because you were on your way to being a very big baby. I was so excited, because I knew by dinnertime, I'd be holding you in my arms.

There you were. 9.5 pounds of pink perfection. You were a very pretty newborn, which is not very common!

The last 10 years with you have been a joy and you are growing into the most amazing person. While you seem soft and shy, you have such a strong core, and really know how to use it to get something you really want.

Your imagination and writing talent are true gifts, and it gives me such joy to see you put them to use. To exercise your brain, stretch your creative abilities. Keep it up!

You also have physical gifts. Your connection with horses is innate and you have a natural seat and sensitive hands. I've watch with such pride as you've overcome many fears and obstacles in this very challenging sport.

You are such a loving daughter. A good friend to your friends, and a good sister to Aidan. You have a heart of gold.

Keep being you, Baby Bridie, and you will have a wonderful life!

That boy can shoot!

Check out what my boy can do!

We took his new gun to the range for a little practice. See now not a single bullet went outside the black? Cool, huh?

Besides shooting the rifle at targets, we also shot a little skeet. Or, I should said we missed a lot and hit a little skeet.

This is Ray, trying out a gun a friend wants to sell

Bridgie didn't like it so much. Too much kick, but she said she'd try the .22 next time!

Snow Day

AGAIN.

Sigh.

Today, I can understand. It sleeted all night, with temps below 20. I bet my driveway is a solid sheet of ice. Yesterday was just sort of a gimme, I guess the school district was being hyper-conservative after the fiasco last March. It really wasn't all that bad out there.

So. The kids say home, lazing in front of the TV while I nag at them to work on the Very Big Project for English class or finish the (boring!) Lincoln biography for the book report. And they glare at me as if I am The Meanest Mother In The World.

So... today will include a little more nagging, mixed in with a little bit of cleaning, and maybe a little sledding on the rock-hard driveway. Best get the first-aid kid out.

Addicted

My awesome friend Lori gave me a yogurt making machine. She knows I like "less messed with foods" whenever I can eat them. Yes, processed foods get plenty of use in my house, but I am trying to simplify and cook more REAL food for my family.

I finally made a batch.

OK - I confess..... I experimented RIGHT AWAY instead of actually following the directions. I just love goat cheese, so thought I'd try making it 25% goat milk (canned - I still can't find it fresh, despite the high population of goats around here). I tossed in some vanilla and the base was the World's Cheapest Stuff: powdered milk (non-fat).

Oh.

My.

Gawd.

The first bite was a little disconcerting, what with the tangy goatiness of it and all. But enough to encourage a second bite. After that, I was gobbling it out of the jars like I hadn't eaten in weeks. It has the most velvty, creamy texture and is even slightly reminiscent of creme brulee.

The hardest part now will be reserving that last 6 ounces out of each batch to "start" the active culture in the next batch.

Yummy!

Thanks, Lori!

Free Dog

Anybody want a dog? She's FREE!

She's sweet and loyal. And nice looking.

Please. Take her.

She just has this one little quirk. Thunderstorms and gunfire scare her. She completely freaks out.

Freaks out? Yes, like tries to claw her way into the house. Persistently. Non-stop. Doggedly, even.

Oh, sure you say. Just crate her when the storms hit or when the duck hunters are down by the lake.

Given that we live on the prairie and storms come out of nowhere with little to no warning, that is a hit or miss proposition.

Once, she ate her way through the sheetrock of the garage, trying to get into the house. Ray covered that up with a metal plate which she has also ripped to shreds. Sheetrock, sheetmetal - what's the difference?

She's also completely destroyed our beautiful solid mahogany front door. Ripped the moldings to shreds, gouged all the smooth surfaces.

We simply can't go on living with such a ghetto front door, but how to stop the dog?

Simple. A lovely, custom iron gate. It's beautiful. It's installed, paid for, and lovely.

All I can say is THANK GAWD we hadn't installed another new solid mahogany door yet.

The duck hunters were doing their thing yesterday morning and Reba just had to get in.

See - she's smart, resourceful, and creative! Won't you take her?

Mood Swings

We are fortunate. We live in a very beautiful area, a fact that I appreciate every day.

I try to walk 3+ miles several times a week. I don't have to go anywhere but right out my door to have a beautiful, ever-changing place to keep my eyes and thoughts occupied while I walk. There are lots of birds (red cardinals, grey herons, bluejays, etc.) and lots of animals (squirrels, sheep, horses, llamas, chickens, etc.) to see too.

The surroundings change with the seasons. A few months back, I began taking a picture at about the same spot most mornings, to record the many moods of High Road throughout the seasons.

Check the slideshow!

Soccer Mom Diaries, Part Deux

From Wikipedia : The phrase soccer mom generally refers to a white, married middle class woman who lives in the suburbs and has school age children. She is sometimes portrayed in the media as busy or overburdened and driving a minivan. She is also portrayed as putting the interests of her family, and most importantly her children, ahead of her own.

The Logistics Department (aka Mom) is continuously amazed at the complexity of being a Mom sometimes.

Take the Swim Carpool.

Please.

Well, there IS no formal carpool.... none of us can make a firm commitment as we all have multiple kids in multiple activities. "I can drive on Tuesday UNLESS Aidan has a baseball game..." or "I can NEVER drive on Mondays unless it RAINS, then Bridget's riding lesson is CANCELLED....." It's just too hard.

Aidan's coach spends 3 days a week in Keller and 3 days a week in Flower Mound. If at all possible, the kids are supposed to swim where he is. Otherwise, they get "Coach White Board" at their home pool. Not always the best workout. All of us Mommies agreed that we'd send up a flare when we can take extra kids or need someone to take ours, trying to guarantee that we won't have multiple gas-hogging SUVs and mini-vans on the road between Flower Mound and Keller.

This is how it goes. The names (all 15 of them) have been changed to protect the innocent.
__________________________________________
From: Pam
To: Swim Mommies
Subject: Keller carpool

I can take a carload on Tuesday. The caveat being that we need go 30 minutes early so Bridget can practice there (since I would never make it back to Flower Mound for her regular practice). Rendez-vous @ Cristina's Mexican Restaurant about 3:55. Let me know if you're in!

Elyse- I think it is a pep rally schedule on Tuesday - any way Michael can miss the rally and get out early? He'd be able to come w/ us then.
Pam
__________________________________________

From: Elyse
To: Pamela Glynn
Subject: RE: Tuesday

Pam,
Michael does think he can skip the pep rally. IF you have room for Michael, Mallory and Jane, let me know and we will get them to Cristina's.
Thanks,
Elyse

__________________________________________

From: Pam
to: Elyse
Subject: Re: Tuesday

You're first to respond, so that leaves me spaces for two!
Pam
__________________________________________

From: Elyse
To: Pamela Glynn
Subject: RE: Tuesday

Hi Pam,
Should be the last time you hear from me regarding Tuesday swim! Mallory is going to soccer practice after all so it will just be Michael and Jane that will need to hitch a ride!
Thanks again,
Elyse

__________________________________________

From: Pam
To: Elyse
Re: Tuesday

That's fine! No worries - Tuesday is still 48 hours from now, so much can change between now and then, LOL! ;-)
Pam
__________________________________________

From: Marion
To: Pam
Subject: carpool
I got an email from June, Theodore may take tomorrow off. If he does, Sue and Joanie will take your 2 remaining seats. If he doesn’t, I will drive all three, no biggie. Thanks for trying to make this work. Will talk to you in the morning…
__________________________________________

From: Pam
To: Marion
Subject: Re: carpool
Alrighty then! If Theodore takes tomorrow off, please have Sue and Joanie @ Cristina's at 3:55 sharp. Bridget has to be in the water w/ Blue @ 4:30. THANKS!

Pam
__________________________________________

From: Carol
Subject: Keller carpool
I can take 5 kids in addition to Jan on Wednesday but I’ll need someone to drive Cindy to Flower Mound Silver practice.
__________________________________________

From: Pam
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Tuesday

My head hurts. Anyone got some wine?
__________________________________________

From: Jane
To: Swim Mommies
Subject: carpool

I was wondering if anyone would be able to bring Judy home from Keller on Tuesday. I would meet them at Christina's to grab her. I can take her there, but need to be back in Argyle for a gymnastics pick-up.
__________________________________________


From: Pamela
Subject: carpool

Jane-
My care is completely full today.

HOWEVER. My "Blue" swimmer (Bridget) will be out of the water at 5:05 and normally has to hang around until Gold is done at 7. If you were able to bring her back to Flower Mound (on your way to Argyle?), you could drop her at the house, my husband is working from home there, and then I'd have room in my car at 7pm for Judy.

Make sense? ;-)
__________________________________________


From: Coach Jason
To: All Gold Parents
Re: Taper schedule

Parents – The swimmers that are competing in next week’s “A” meet will taper and have abbreviated practices during the last half of the week. They will be getting out of the water an hour early.

The swimmers in the following week’s “BB” meet will taper in 2 weeks, and will also have abbreviated practices.

________________________________________________________

From: Carol
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Taper schedule

ACK!

________________________________________________________

From: Pam
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Taper schedule

ACK! Where’s the wine?

________________________________________________________

From: Jane
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Taper schedule

ACK!
________________________________________________________

From: Marion
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Taper schedule

ACK! OK – I have some “A” swimmers in my car, and some “BB” swimmers. Can we do a swap and send one vehicle back early with the TAPER kids, and another vehicle later with the others?

__________________________________________

From: Jane
To: Swim Mommies
Re: Taper schedule

You know how some people do sudoku and crosswords to keep their brains agile? We just do carpool schedules.

Best Of.....

It's been a busy time, w/ the kids home 24/7, etc. and I've got a few things to post, but haven't collected my thoughts (and photos!) yet.

So.... if you haven't read all my musings over the last several months.... may I point out what you've missed?

I Love This Crazy Tragic, Sometimes Almost Magic, Awful, Beautiful Life - the 2nd place choice for the name of my blog.

Independence. My little boy. Growing up. Sob.

It won't always be bleak. The photos in this post remind me that the color green DOES exist in Texas, I just have to wait for it.

I can't wait to do it again. It was hard, but SO worth it. I'm glad I took a chance and tried. The possibilities are limitless!

Punk Rock Equine. Bridget is growing up too!

The Infamous Treehouse. Ongoing saga, more to come!

Thankful. A great Thanksgiving trip.

Thanks for reading!

Toto, I've a feeling we're not in the SF Bay Area anymore.....

Mostly, I spend my days on the usual treadmill that most mommies do..... 3 meals, unloading the dishwasher, moving laundry from stage to stage, moving children from activity to activity.




But every now and then, I have one of those days where I realize that I am WAY MORE than 1,780 miles from my old home in the San Francisco Bay Area.


Today was one of those days.


I spent the better part of today returning to "the scene of the crime" so that I could pay a visit to Bucky the lazy-eyed deer butcher in his double-wide and pick up Aidan's deer carcass.

This is where the magic happens that transforms an animal into food.

This is where I stopped for lunch.

Yummy BBQ. Location: The Middle Of NoWhere, USA. Seriously - the BBQ joint and the gas station were the only two buildings for miles. I was the only person in there either not wearing flannel, or not wearing an ID tag on a lanyard that said "Prairie Correctional Facility."

And THIS is the smiling face of my boy who was proud and happy about supplying his family with the most delicious food!

How was your day?