Not much new to report- except that the weekend is almost here. That is pretty exciting. Even more exciting? Dave and I are going on a date. Oh yeah, don't be jealous! We haven't decided what we are going to do, except that we want to try out the Midtown Filling Station- which is a new place to eat. He also mentioned that he might like to see Unknown (Liam Neeson's new movie). I think this is a pretty good idea, because I liked this movie the last time I saw it when it was called Taken. No seriously- can you ever go wrong with Liam Neeson? No, I don't beleive you can... unlike Nicholas Cage. Seriously, I think I am going to have to explain to Nico when gets old enough that he is not named for Nic Cage and that if I could go back and undo something in this life, it would be most of the movies he has made since National Treasure 2 (I do cut him a little slack because I actually liked the National Treasure movies). But seriously? Ghost Rider? Really? Drive Angry? He needs his a$$ kicked.
We got our state cup schedule this week. There were only four women's teams who registered for the tournament, so we go straight to the semifinals (whoot?). The tournament (as it were) is supposed to happen May 14-15 in Auburndale, Florida (about an hour southwest of Orlando- or as my friend Jen insists on referring to it as, "Whorelando.")That is pretty exciting.
That is about it... been trying to push and get a paper done. Its supposed to be a chapter in a book that is going to be published later this year. They want it March 10. Plus then, I have to turn around and put together a poster for PAA, which is in D.C. Am thinking about taking my new camera gear and take a day to have a walk about in D.C. I mean, it's basically my hood.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Just want to bite him...
So I went to TOC today. They did a bunch of xrays and long story short- my left ankle is pretty jacked up. The degree of movement in a "normal" ankle is about 8 degrees. My right ankle which is my "good" ankle has 12 degrees. Not good- but it might just be that I am loose jointed. The degree of movement in my left ankle? 31 degrees- which I suspected given my propensity to not just kinda roll/sprain my ankle, but to REALLY do it.
The ankle guy says that at this point, its pretty much beyond repair with rehab and physical therapy. The surgical option is to go in and stitch the ligaments back together-tighten them up and to scope the ankle. If I manage to do this AGAIN after correcting it this time, they would surgically fix it by taking part of a hamstring tendon. Isn't that cool?
So I have to decide whether/when to have the surgery. Whether isn't really a decision, because I would like to stop falling on my face any time I step sorta crooked on some uneven sidewalk. I am also pretty afraid that I am going to be carrying Nico when it happens next- and that isn't probably a good thing. So at this point, I am trying to think of a good time. I am thinking maybe early/mid may- after the session and after women's state cup (hopefully?).
On an unrelated matter, video of Nico telling Granny You thanks for the valentines!! Isn't he precious? Seriously- last week he was bitten twice at school. I wonder if its because he was so precious and the other kid couldn't help but bite him... I can barely stand it!!
The ankle guy says that at this point, its pretty much beyond repair with rehab and physical therapy. The surgical option is to go in and stitch the ligaments back together-tighten them up and to scope the ankle. If I manage to do this AGAIN after correcting it this time, they would surgically fix it by taking part of a hamstring tendon. Isn't that cool?
So I have to decide whether/when to have the surgery. Whether isn't really a decision, because I would like to stop falling on my face any time I step sorta crooked on some uneven sidewalk. I am also pretty afraid that I am going to be carrying Nico when it happens next- and that isn't probably a good thing. So at this point, I am trying to think of a good time. I am thinking maybe early/mid may- after the session and after women's state cup (hopefully?).
On an unrelated matter, video of Nico telling Granny You thanks for the valentines!! Isn't he precious? Seriously- last week he was bitten twice at school. I wonder if its because he was so precious and the other kid couldn't help but bite him... I can barely stand it!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Trick Ankle
Not much new to report. I was in a writing workshop for most of yesterday at work. During the lunch break one of my coworkers commented that I ought to teach writing classes (because I had a few good suggestions on improving writing). To which I commented, "You're right, I am pretty awesome." Like I said, with the Aspergers already.
Nico went to the doctor. The section of the city where the doctor is located was without power when we got there. So they had to do it old school for a lot of the visit-like one of the nurses held him and got on the scale. He was not a fan. He was also not a fan of the the 5 shots he got. Sadface. But he was okay like 2 minutes later.
He did have an ear infection, which was sort of surprising. Not really though, because he has been messing with his ears. But I thought he had ear infections earlier, but he didnt.... so what do you do? He also has dropped in percentile's for weight- which isn't really surprising. I had been contemplating a revolution in our meal time process... but think that I will delay the revolution for a while (till after our weight check in 2 months). Before the doctor's appointment, I had been a little concerned that the kid will only eat fruit... and that we were going to have a come to Jesus meeting about it. But since his weight is a little bit of a situation- I guess we'll just wait to have that battle.
I am pretty worried about childhood obesity for Nico- since it is linked with a LOT of other health conditions, including early onset of Type II diabetes, hypertension, etc. I didn't want to make a big deal about Nico eating, because I didn't want it to be a battle- I think that that can set up problems with food for later. So I had been kinda letting him lead his diet- figuring that he would eat when he is hungry and not eat when he isn't. Turns out he is doing a terrible job of being in charge of his own self eating. :) So we will see.
I am going to the orthopedist on Wednesday. We are going to talk about my trick ankle- see if there is any rehab or anything I can do to it to keep from falling on my face every other day. Will keep you all posted about how that goes.
Nico went to the doctor. The section of the city where the doctor is located was without power when we got there. So they had to do it old school for a lot of the visit-like one of the nurses held him and got on the scale. He was not a fan. He was also not a fan of the the 5 shots he got. Sadface. But he was okay like 2 minutes later.
He did have an ear infection, which was sort of surprising. Not really though, because he has been messing with his ears. But I thought he had ear infections earlier, but he didnt.... so what do you do? He also has dropped in percentile's for weight- which isn't really surprising. I had been contemplating a revolution in our meal time process... but think that I will delay the revolution for a while (till after our weight check in 2 months). Before the doctor's appointment, I had been a little concerned that the kid will only eat fruit... and that we were going to have a come to Jesus meeting about it. But since his weight is a little bit of a situation- I guess we'll just wait to have that battle.
I am pretty worried about childhood obesity for Nico- since it is linked with a LOT of other health conditions, including early onset of Type II diabetes, hypertension, etc. I didn't want to make a big deal about Nico eating, because I didn't want it to be a battle- I think that that can set up problems with food for later. So I had been kinda letting him lead his diet- figuring that he would eat when he is hungry and not eat when he isn't. Turns out he is doing a terrible job of being in charge of his own self eating. :) So we will see.
I am going to the orthopedist on Wednesday. We are going to talk about my trick ankle- see if there is any rehab or anything I can do to it to keep from falling on my face every other day. Will keep you all posted about how that goes.
Monday, February 21, 2011
We had some funs!!
So this weekend was fun. Dave's parents came to town on Thursday night. They stayed with Nico while we attended and coached the Senior game. Saturday night we went to see Ira Glass, host of This American Life. Dave got me tickets for my birthday. Ira Glass is here as part of 7 Days of Opening nights. If you havent heard this American Life, I strongly recomend it. Its a pretty cool show. Ira Glass has this great nerdy/snarky voice and the show is about all kinds of people.
Sunday was pretty much a day of soccer. It was awesome. I was asked to play on the Tallahassee Women's State Cup team a few weeks ago. What this means, is that I will be playing on this team all around the state. Our scrimmage on Sunday was against the FSU Club team. You may remember the last time this happened... when I gave up 43498045 goals to them on a day when we didnt have many subs and some of the high school girls played. Note: this was so long ago I dont remember when it was. Yesterday was actually pretty fun- we had a baller team. We only lost 2-0 and I didn't seem to have my head up my own a$$- so that is a plus.
For some reason, I am always a little surpised when I play with the Tallahassee women. I don't get invited to do so often anymore... whether this is because everyone knows I am pretty busy and therefore on lockdown most of the time, or I have lost it (which is more likely the case), I am always surprised when I show up and I dont get hammered- because I have a decent team in front of me. Yesterday was a great game because there wasn't much I couldn't handle. Shots were largely at me, I had strong capable defenders who knew enough to know that if they got beat, all they had to do was keep the pressure up and basically run forwards into the goal area, where I relieved them of the ball. The two goals that happened, while a shame, were not the end of the world. It was fun.
What was not fun was that I managed to stick my foot in my mouth, all the way up, past my sock and shingaurd. Let me just start by saying that I think I am autistic. I have taken a couple of AQ tests and have gotten scores ranging from 28-35 (Aspergers is usually diagnosed at score of 32). It's not that I am meaning to be mean- its just that things don't come out the way I think they are going to. Several years ago, I told Kelly the Baller she didn't have any skill (which is apparently what I say to fast forwards because this is what I said to Madi- who thankfully thought I was joking.) I probably need to stop doing that since its not really true, nor is it funny (at least in the HA-HA sense... I mean, it is kind of funny that a goalkeeper would be saying that- given that the only reason why no one can say that about me is that passing and trapping aren't substantial portions of my game... but whatev.)
In any case, I think at halftime yesterday, I said, "Kelly, I forgot that you don't have any skill." Which is a terrible thing to say. What I meant was, "Kelly, I had forgotten how ridiculously fast you are." Case in point: Most coaches, whilst coaching defenders will often direct defenders to use the sideline appropriately. So a defender will basically position themselves to take away the inside and offer the line to the attacking player. Basically the gesture says, "Look, I see what you are doing here. But I am not going to let you inside. So if you insist on continuing on with this thing that you are doing... I suggest you go down the line." To which most forwards are like, "Yeah, cool. You got me. Since I can't take this into the middle, and there is no way I can take it down the line since you have only given me about 2 feet to do so and I am not very fast, I think that I will probably just stop this run and play the ball backwards. Thanks." And it's all nice and tidy. And predictable. Yesterday in the second half, there was a time when Kelly had to make that decision. And rather than choosing the easy way that most "skilled" players would have chosen, she took the girl down the line. That is how fast she is. She beat a defender down the line and kept the ball. That should not happen. As a defender, you give the forward the line because they aren't supposed to be able to beat you on the line. Kelly did it yesterday. Twice. It was awesome. And fun to watch. (Side note: Kelly does races. She wins. She is fast. She is basically Madi in about 14-15 years).
And what I came to realize is that its not that players like Kelly and Madi don't have skill... because they do. Its just that skilled, controlled play is such a minor part of their game. As it should be. When you are the fastest person on the field, why in the hell would you abdicate the best thing about you in favor of a type of play that EVERYONE can do? Not every team has a Madi or a Kelly- a fast, physical, aggressive player who can make defenses look ridiculous. Maybe asking those kinds of players to slow it down and play more controlled, passing and trapping and not forcing it kind of ball is like refusing to play a good hand that is dealt to you...
So- now that we have that figured out- that I have Asbergers and that Kelly has skill... check this out:
http://fl.milesplit.com/rankings/2011/outdoor/hs/f
Scroll down to "Mattie Harris". In her second track meet (EVER) she set the state record in the 800. As a freshman. Wha-what?
Sunday was pretty much a day of soccer. It was awesome. I was asked to play on the Tallahassee Women's State Cup team a few weeks ago. What this means, is that I will be playing on this team all around the state. Our scrimmage on Sunday was against the FSU Club team. You may remember the last time this happened... when I gave up 43498045 goals to them on a day when we didnt have many subs and some of the high school girls played. Note: this was so long ago I dont remember when it was. Yesterday was actually pretty fun- we had a baller team. We only lost 2-0 and I didn't seem to have my head up my own a$$- so that is a plus.
For some reason, I am always a little surpised when I play with the Tallahassee women. I don't get invited to do so often anymore... whether this is because everyone knows I am pretty busy and therefore on lockdown most of the time, or I have lost it (which is more likely the case), I am always surprised when I show up and I dont get hammered- because I have a decent team in front of me. Yesterday was a great game because there wasn't much I couldn't handle. Shots were largely at me, I had strong capable defenders who knew enough to know that if they got beat, all they had to do was keep the pressure up and basically run forwards into the goal area, where I relieved them of the ball. The two goals that happened, while a shame, were not the end of the world. It was fun.
What was not fun was that I managed to stick my foot in my mouth, all the way up, past my sock and shingaurd. Let me just start by saying that I think I am autistic. I have taken a couple of AQ tests and have gotten scores ranging from 28-35 (Aspergers is usually diagnosed at score of 32). It's not that I am meaning to be mean- its just that things don't come out the way I think they are going to. Several years ago, I told Kelly the Baller she didn't have any skill (which is apparently what I say to fast forwards because this is what I said to Madi- who thankfully thought I was joking.) I probably need to stop doing that since its not really true, nor is it funny (at least in the HA-HA sense... I mean, it is kind of funny that a goalkeeper would be saying that- given that the only reason why no one can say that about me is that passing and trapping aren't substantial portions of my game... but whatev.)
In any case, I think at halftime yesterday, I said, "Kelly, I forgot that you don't have any skill." Which is a terrible thing to say. What I meant was, "Kelly, I had forgotten how ridiculously fast you are." Case in point: Most coaches, whilst coaching defenders will often direct defenders to use the sideline appropriately. So a defender will basically position themselves to take away the inside and offer the line to the attacking player. Basically the gesture says, "Look, I see what you are doing here. But I am not going to let you inside. So if you insist on continuing on with this thing that you are doing... I suggest you go down the line." To which most forwards are like, "Yeah, cool. You got me. Since I can't take this into the middle, and there is no way I can take it down the line since you have only given me about 2 feet to do so and I am not very fast, I think that I will probably just stop this run and play the ball backwards. Thanks." And it's all nice and tidy. And predictable. Yesterday in the second half, there was a time when Kelly had to make that decision. And rather than choosing the easy way that most "skilled" players would have chosen, she took the girl down the line. That is how fast she is. She beat a defender down the line and kept the ball. That should not happen. As a defender, you give the forward the line because they aren't supposed to be able to beat you on the line. Kelly did it yesterday. Twice. It was awesome. And fun to watch. (Side note: Kelly does races. She wins. She is fast. She is basically Madi in about 14-15 years).
And what I came to realize is that its not that players like Kelly and Madi don't have skill... because they do. Its just that skilled, controlled play is such a minor part of their game. As it should be. When you are the fastest person on the field, why in the hell would you abdicate the best thing about you in favor of a type of play that EVERYONE can do? Not every team has a Madi or a Kelly- a fast, physical, aggressive player who can make defenses look ridiculous. Maybe asking those kinds of players to slow it down and play more controlled, passing and trapping and not forcing it kind of ball is like refusing to play a good hand that is dealt to you...
So- now that we have that figured out- that I have Asbergers and that Kelly has skill... check this out:
http://fl.milesplit.com/rankings/2011/outdoor/hs/f
Scroll down to "Mattie Harris". In her second track meet (EVER) she set the state record in the 800. As a freshman. Wha-what?
Friday, February 18, 2011
That washes out...
So I am back from the land of the dead. In an unprecedented move, I took three sick days this week. Last week I had been planning to take one day to just decompress- I have been under the gun at work and needed a day to just relax. Turns out that the one day ended up being three because I was sick. At first it was just coughing/congestion/sore throat sick. But Wednesday it turned into puking into my kid's blanket sick. No worries, it does wash out. :(
We did manage to get the house clean. The Royses and Aunt Rosie came up for the weekend... its nice having family in town because it sort of forces us to get serious about getting the house clean. Otherwise other things take precedent (like watching 2 seasons of Grey's Anatomy... which is actually saying a lot, because the second season is sooooooooo looooooooooooooong).
We coached in the senior game last night. Its an exhibition game at FSU (on the soccer field) that takes place every year. Seniors from all around are invited to participate, although the game is usually watered down a bit because a lot of the seniors have moved on to something else (e.g. two of our four seniors are playing other sports and the fourth is in band). But it was still a good time to be had by most.
Dave and I are set to go see Ira Glass on Saturday night. Which is pretty awesome. I have no idea what he is going to talk about, but I am sure it will be entertaining. I have a scrimmage on Sunday. I somehow managed to get myself talked into playing on the Tallahassee women's State Cup team. Our first game is March 6, which just seems like a bad idea. In any case, we go from my scrimmage to practice in Wakulla to Dave's TSA game on Sunday (if he can play. He actually hurt himself at the last BBUSC practice when he slid trying to keep Madi from getting a cross off. Which is unfortunate). Speaking of Madi- one of the soccer program people (edit: AT FSU) has been emailing Dave and me about her. He's heard through the grapevine that she is a decent player. That is good to know that people are talking about her, but it makes me sad because we have other really good players, but no one notices them :(
That is all for now, I guess I should work. Here is some cute:
Nico is eating some french toast for breakfast!!
We did manage to get the house clean. The Royses and Aunt Rosie came up for the weekend... its nice having family in town because it sort of forces us to get serious about getting the house clean. Otherwise other things take precedent (like watching 2 seasons of Grey's Anatomy... which is actually saying a lot, because the second season is sooooooooo looooooooooooooong).
We coached in the senior game last night. Its an exhibition game at FSU (on the soccer field) that takes place every year. Seniors from all around are invited to participate, although the game is usually watered down a bit because a lot of the seniors have moved on to something else (e.g. two of our four seniors are playing other sports and the fourth is in band). But it was still a good time to be had by most.
Dave and I are set to go see Ira Glass on Saturday night. Which is pretty awesome. I have no idea what he is going to talk about, but I am sure it will be entertaining. I have a scrimmage on Sunday. I somehow managed to get myself talked into playing on the Tallahassee women's State Cup team. Our first game is March 6, which just seems like a bad idea. In any case, we go from my scrimmage to practice in Wakulla to Dave's TSA game on Sunday (if he can play. He actually hurt himself at the last BBUSC practice when he slid trying to keep Madi from getting a cross off. Which is unfortunate). Speaking of Madi- one of the soccer program people (edit: AT FSU) has been emailing Dave and me about her. He's heard through the grapevine that she is a decent player. That is good to know that people are talking about her, but it makes me sad because we have other really good players, but no one notices them :(
That is all for now, I guess I should work. Here is some cute:
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weekend Galore!
Me: Hello?
Voice on the phone: Jessi? It's Jen (from Nico's daycare).
Me (alarmed): Hey. Is everything okay? (his daycare is in Alumni Village which is in a sketchy part of town. Not like crack dealers and hookers getting shot in the playground sketchy, just poor people (black and white) loitering about sketchy-like. Also, usually when they kick Nico out because he is sick, I am pretty surprised by this... so I assume that there was a shooting or a bomb threat or something. Makes the news that Nico had diarhea three times before noon seem less urgent...)
Jen: Yeah- everything is okay. Nico's sick.
Me: Do you need me to come get him?
Jen: Yeah, he has a fever/just threw up all over himself/has had 8479343 diarheal diapers this morning.
Me: Yes! I love sick days!! AKA, staying home from work days!!
So this is the conversation that is likely going down later today. Why? Bcause Nico is sick. I think. Coughing and runny nose. I am probably a bad mom for sending him to school today... but I asked his doctor what I could do about the runny nose and the cough situation. He was like, "Dude, he goes to daycare. The only thing you could do is stay at home with him. Oh, and the best part? Little homey passed that mess to me. So where I was thinking about taking a sick day or two this week (I call them mental health days) it looks like I might actually need to take sick days (sadface). We'll see. I might be able to walk it off. But, I got this wicked headache, plus a runny nose and a sore throat. So we will see.
I went to Baby Poppy Hite's baby shower this weekend. I dont think I mentioned it, but I had been working on a simple patchwork quilt for the baby (they dont know the gender yet). Lauren is due in March- and I have been trying to be better about getting baby gifts to people before the baby goes off to college. The quilt turned out nice. The corners aren't all exactly on point, which is a shame (its also really hard to do). I also did this thing where I ran a seam 1/4 inch around the inside of a couple of blocks- all random like. Its pretty cool. I am not going to lie- I think its awesome. Will try to post pictures tonight. Even better, is that I put Grey's Anatomy on Netflix in the background while I worked, so I got through the first season (and part of the second during most of the sewing process). While I am starting to understand the appeal to Grey's, I do have to say this: 1). That the show grossly over estimates the proprotion of extremely good looking medical professionals there are. 2). Does that much sexual activity happen at hospitals? Seriously, why don't we all just concentrate on saving lives? Just an idea.... 3). Granted, I am only a PhD, not an MD... but my initial guess is that it's never a good idea to sleep with your boss. Just sayin....
In any case, it got me thinking- after my two current sewing projects are over (baby quilt for a coworker and for Margot and Mike's baby) I am starting a quilt for mine and Dave's bed. It is ridiculous the amount of fabric I have. Seriously... I have cut two baby quilts 100 blocks each (each block is 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches) and I didn't even come close to making a dent in my stash. Clearly, I have a problem.
Julia and Jen came to town for the baby shower... so it was nice seeing them. I even managed to sneak out for dinner with Julia, Lauren, and April (at Ray's Steel City). I had the Black and Blue Rothlesburger (which except for it's unfortunate name being associated with an accused rapist), is quite delicious.
Also, Friday night- the camera came! My camera came!! It is pretty much off the chain. I love it so far. I played with it a little bit this weekend. I brought it with me to work today- so that I can run by Rickards High and shoot a track meet going down after work. Its way more camera than I probably deserve. Not a professional camera, but just about the closest thing one could get to a pro camera without spending multiple thousands of dollars. I even have multiple lenses and some filters!! Whoot! Next up: hunting the perfect camera bag!! Whoot!!!
Voice on the phone: Jessi? It's Jen (from Nico's daycare).
Me (alarmed): Hey. Is everything okay? (his daycare is in Alumni Village which is in a sketchy part of town. Not like crack dealers and hookers getting shot in the playground sketchy, just poor people (black and white) loitering about sketchy-like. Also, usually when they kick Nico out because he is sick, I am pretty surprised by this... so I assume that there was a shooting or a bomb threat or something. Makes the news that Nico had diarhea three times before noon seem less urgent...)
Jen: Yeah- everything is okay. Nico's sick.
Me: Do you need me to come get him?
Jen: Yeah, he has a fever/just threw up all over himself/has had 8479343 diarheal diapers this morning.
Me: Yes! I love sick days!! AKA, staying home from work days!!
So this is the conversation that is likely going down later today. Why? Bcause Nico is sick. I think. Coughing and runny nose. I am probably a bad mom for sending him to school today... but I asked his doctor what I could do about the runny nose and the cough situation. He was like, "Dude, he goes to daycare. The only thing you could do is stay at home with him. Oh, and the best part? Little homey passed that mess to me. So where I was thinking about taking a sick day or two this week (I call them mental health days) it looks like I might actually need to take sick days (sadface). We'll see. I might be able to walk it off. But, I got this wicked headache, plus a runny nose and a sore throat. So we will see.
I went to Baby Poppy Hite's baby shower this weekend. I dont think I mentioned it, but I had been working on a simple patchwork quilt for the baby (they dont know the gender yet). Lauren is due in March- and I have been trying to be better about getting baby gifts to people before the baby goes off to college. The quilt turned out nice. The corners aren't all exactly on point, which is a shame (its also really hard to do). I also did this thing where I ran a seam 1/4 inch around the inside of a couple of blocks- all random like. Its pretty cool. I am not going to lie- I think its awesome. Will try to post pictures tonight. Even better, is that I put Grey's Anatomy on Netflix in the background while I worked, so I got through the first season (and part of the second during most of the sewing process). While I am starting to understand the appeal to Grey's, I do have to say this: 1). That the show grossly over estimates the proprotion of extremely good looking medical professionals there are. 2). Does that much sexual activity happen at hospitals? Seriously, why don't we all just concentrate on saving lives? Just an idea.... 3). Granted, I am only a PhD, not an MD... but my initial guess is that it's never a good idea to sleep with your boss. Just sayin....
In any case, it got me thinking- after my two current sewing projects are over (baby quilt for a coworker and for Margot and Mike's baby) I am starting a quilt for mine and Dave's bed. It is ridiculous the amount of fabric I have. Seriously... I have cut two baby quilts 100 blocks each (each block is 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches) and I didn't even come close to making a dent in my stash. Clearly, I have a problem.
Julia and Jen came to town for the baby shower... so it was nice seeing them. I even managed to sneak out for dinner with Julia, Lauren, and April (at Ray's Steel City). I had the Black and Blue Rothlesburger (which except for it's unfortunate name being associated with an accused rapist), is quite delicious.
Also, Friday night- the camera came! My camera came!! It is pretty much off the chain. I love it so far. I played with it a little bit this weekend. I brought it with me to work today- so that I can run by Rickards High and shoot a track meet going down after work. Its way more camera than I probably deserve. Not a professional camera, but just about the closest thing one could get to a pro camera without spending multiple thousands of dollars. I even have multiple lenses and some filters!! Whoot! Next up: hunting the perfect camera bag!! Whoot!!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Boy likes him some strawberries.
Quick post today. Nico is cute.
He is eating strawberries faster than I can cut the tops off them.
The end.
He is eating strawberries faster than I can cut the tops off them.
The end.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Picture it: Tallahassee 2011....
The Weekend- is never long enough. Seriously.
I went to campus on Saturday morning to do some analyses and work on some data. Ike and I have a poster at PAA in D.C. at the end of next month? Yikes, it seems really close when one puts it that way. I didnt get to get to all the stuff I wanted to on account of the fact that Nico wouldn't take a nap for Dave. I get home and start to work my magic, but the boy doesn't get to sleep till nearly 3pm. For real, he is usually awake from nap by 230 pm. Off the chain!
We went over to Mike and Margot Bender's house for dinner. They are pretty much a couple living our life in an alternate plain- he is in the press corps, she is working on a PhD at FSU (in communications). They have been married maybe a couple of years, but lived together for several before making it official. They are currently pregnant (with a girl). Good people. Nico was pretty okay- got into EVERYTHING. But was overall pretty well behaved. Since Nico doesn't often have blowouts, I have gotten OUT of the habit of carrying a change of clothes for him everywhere. Well, he was in a cloth diaper, and managed to soak through to his pants, so he spent most of the evening in just a shirt and a diaper. Seriously, how redneck is that?
We also started BBUSC this week. Sundays are basically just pickup sessions. We had a pretty good turnout. We are in the process of putting together a tournament team for a Tallahassee tournament in March, which means that I don't really get much of a break from the highschool and club seasons. But, it is what it is, I guess. So after soccer on Sunday, we rode back into town, grabbed some noms for the ball game and settled in to watch commercials. I really could have cared less for the actual outcome of the game. I know that I should cheer for the Steelers because Uncle Rock has been a lifelong fan. But, I am ideologically opposed to rapists, so I was left to cheer for the Packers.
In other news, I bought a camera this weekend.
So that is that. I ordered the camera from Amazon the other day. In one sense, I am pretty excited. I can finally get Ma Bishop off my back :) Now, all I have to do to win Daughter of the Year is to take Dave and Nico on the Amazing Race and WIN (while beating Cheerleaders). Take that, Nicole!!
I went to campus on Saturday morning to do some analyses and work on some data. Ike and I have a poster at PAA in D.C. at the end of next month? Yikes, it seems really close when one puts it that way. I didnt get to get to all the stuff I wanted to on account of the fact that Nico wouldn't take a nap for Dave. I get home and start to work my magic, but the boy doesn't get to sleep till nearly 3pm. For real, he is usually awake from nap by 230 pm. Off the chain!
We went over to Mike and Margot Bender's house for dinner. They are pretty much a couple living our life in an alternate plain- he is in the press corps, she is working on a PhD at FSU (in communications). They have been married maybe a couple of years, but lived together for several before making it official. They are currently pregnant (with a girl). Good people. Nico was pretty okay- got into EVERYTHING. But was overall pretty well behaved. Since Nico doesn't often have blowouts, I have gotten OUT of the habit of carrying a change of clothes for him everywhere. Well, he was in a cloth diaper, and managed to soak through to his pants, so he spent most of the evening in just a shirt and a diaper. Seriously, how redneck is that?
We also started BBUSC this week. Sundays are basically just pickup sessions. We had a pretty good turnout. We are in the process of putting together a tournament team for a Tallahassee tournament in March, which means that I don't really get much of a break from the highschool and club seasons. But, it is what it is, I guess. So after soccer on Sunday, we rode back into town, grabbed some noms for the ball game and settled in to watch commercials. I really could have cared less for the actual outcome of the game. I know that I should cheer for the Steelers because Uncle Rock has been a lifelong fan. But, I am ideologically opposed to rapists, so I was left to cheer for the Packers.
In other news, I bought a camera this weekend.
So that is that. I ordered the camera from Amazon the other day. In one sense, I am pretty excited. I can finally get Ma Bishop off my back :) Now, all I have to do to win Daughter of the Year is to take Dave and Nico on the Amazing Race and WIN (while beating Cheerleaders). Take that, Nicole!!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Life after the season...
Not much going on around here. Trying to adjust to life post soccer season. You would think that with all this "time" on my hands that the house would be clean all the time. Yeah... not so much. I have three baby quilts in the works right now. I started a wonky log cabin for my work friend. I had plans to do WLC for Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender- but then I realized that they take so LONG. Really they do. It takes forever and a day just to make the blocks... then you have to put them together and yada yada yada. I mean, I havent even finished the wonky log cabin that I started for Nico last summer (keep your shirt on, I just have to finish the binding). Plus, I want to use up some of my scraps- and its hard to do with WLC because the pieces that you use are are smaller.
I could never intellectually understand how my mother could amass such a huge stash. Literally, my brother's closet in the house we grew up in was full of her fabric. Just fabric. Last summer she gifted me a bunch of it- so I started off with a pretty sizable base. But since I will admit it: I have serious problem with fabric- its just so pretty now. So many cool designs. So consequently, I have yards and yards and yards of beautiful fabric with without enough time in the day to make all the projects I want to make. Sadface.
In any case, I was putting Nico to bed over the weekend and had the patchwork quilt I made while I was pregnant with him wrapped around him. Its one of my favorite baby items- because it has squares of fabric from other baby blankets I made, including for Emme and Savy. Plus it's really thin, so its very snuggly. So I decided to make Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender patchwork quilts. Both have been cut and I have started piecing.
So that has been taking up most of my evenings. That and the fact that I am getting a new computer. When I came to my present job, I started working for the first time with a laptop docked in a docking station with a monitor (23 inches). When a coworker left I ganked her monitor, so I currently work with a docked laptop and TWO 23 inch monitors. Which is absolutely spacious. I feel like I ought to be gaming or something. Well, I have decided that I need to change up my rig at home. Ever since we moved into the new house, my desktop computer hasn't been hooked up to the interwebz (the connection isnt in the office). So henceforth, when I am "working" on data and school stuff, I typically need to use two computers (an old hand me down work computer of Dave's) and the desktop. I am also trying to minimalize the amount of stuff in my life, so there is no need for me to have two computers (neither of which does all the stuff I need it to do and one of them ISNT an ipad).
Since the price on laptops has come down so much, I decided it was time for a new computer. Given my spoiledness with having two monitors, I need also to have two monitors. One thing led to another, and that is what is going on. I am picking up my new station tonight from Best Buy. WHOOOO HOOOOO.
Speaking of spoiled- have you ever been to Martha Stewart's blog? http://www.themarthablog.com/. Whenever I read it, I find myself simultaneously caught between being very jealous of her and wanting to slap her in the face. What can I say? Haters gonna hate.
I could never intellectually understand how my mother could amass such a huge stash. Literally, my brother's closet in the house we grew up in was full of her fabric. Just fabric. Last summer she gifted me a bunch of it- so I started off with a pretty sizable base. But since I will admit it: I have serious problem with fabric- its just so pretty now. So many cool designs. So consequently, I have yards and yards and yards of beautiful fabric with without enough time in the day to make all the projects I want to make. Sadface.
In any case, I was putting Nico to bed over the weekend and had the patchwork quilt I made while I was pregnant with him wrapped around him. Its one of my favorite baby items- because it has squares of fabric from other baby blankets I made, including for Emme and Savy. Plus it's really thin, so its very snuggly. So I decided to make Baby Hite and Baby Girl Bender patchwork quilts. Both have been cut and I have started piecing.
So that has been taking up most of my evenings. That and the fact that I am getting a new computer. When I came to my present job, I started working for the first time with a laptop docked in a docking station with a monitor (23 inches). When a coworker left I ganked her monitor, so I currently work with a docked laptop and TWO 23 inch monitors. Which is absolutely spacious. I feel like I ought to be gaming or something. Well, I have decided that I need to change up my rig at home. Ever since we moved into the new house, my desktop computer hasn't been hooked up to the interwebz (the connection isnt in the office). So henceforth, when I am "working" on data and school stuff, I typically need to use two computers (an old hand me down work computer of Dave's) and the desktop. I am also trying to minimalize the amount of stuff in my life, so there is no need for me to have two computers (neither of which does all the stuff I need it to do and one of them ISNT an ipad).
Since the price on laptops has come down so much, I decided it was time for a new computer. Given my spoiledness with having two monitors, I need also to have two monitors. One thing led to another, and that is what is going on. I am picking up my new station tonight from Best Buy. WHOOOO HOOOOO.
Speaking of spoiled- have you ever been to Martha Stewart's blog? http://www.themarthablog.com/. Whenever I read it, I find myself simultaneously caught between being very jealous of her and wanting to slap her in the face. What can I say? Haters gonna hate.
Not much new on the Nico front, except that he is saying Thank you now. Unprompted. Anytime you hand him something, "Thank you." At first I didnt know what he was saying (it sounds like "tissue"). But I figured it out- and its adorable. I am trying to expand his food selection beyond just blueberries. He seems to like carambolas (starfruit), kiwis, apricots. Wont touch cantelope (cant say I blame him). But does like honeydew and grapes (who doesn't?) He will also eat a whole bag of craisins, if you let him. Not real big on meat that isn't chicken nuggets/fingers. Doesnt like eggs or spaghetti. Will sometimes eat peanut butter. Has no problem helping himself to a package of tortillas. Am wondering what in the hell it is that he eats at daycare- since all of his little daily notes say he eats most or all of lunch.
When I was getting him out of the car yesterday he said, "Something something something, pee." And pointed. He seems to be somewhat interested in what goes on in the bathroom- that its not just "Getting into the vanity and tearing toliet paper off the roll time." I know that 18 months is probably too early to be talking about potty training (especially with boys). But maybe this is a sign that I wont be dealing with a 3 year old in pullups (which I am fundamentally opposed to- but will deal with if I have to).
Monday, January 31, 2011
Where is Nico?
Pretty good weekend around here. Although not nearly long enough. There is a club tournament being hosted in Tallahassee in March, and the registration is due on the 12th, so even though the highschool season just got over, we're already starting preparations for the club season. I can't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing. In one sense, I am glad because there are people who care and are trying to establish the soccer infrastructure in Wakulla county. In another sense, I am annoyed because the highschool soccer season JUST got over and I'd like to have more than a week where soccer wasn't absorbing all of my time and extra mental energy. I'll let you know what I decide.
Nico is incredibly adorable lately. When he first started being able to recognized himself in the mirror, I'd stand in the bathroom holding him and point to him and say Nico and point to me and say Mama. Sometimes I go fast like, "Nico, Mama, Nico, Mama, Nico, Mama." Somehow, he got confused about who Mama is (he thinks its him sometimes). Which is pretty cute. So I ask, "where is Drake?" and he points. "Where is Gor-Gor?"and he points. When it gets to "Where is Nico?" He leans forward so that you can "see him". Its like, "Oh, you couldn't see me before. Here is my face. Here I am!!" Its pretty adorable.
Nico is incredibly adorable lately. When he first started being able to recognized himself in the mirror, I'd stand in the bathroom holding him and point to him and say Nico and point to me and say Mama. Sometimes I go fast like, "Nico, Mama, Nico, Mama, Nico, Mama." Somehow, he got confused about who Mama is (he thinks its him sometimes). Which is pretty cute. So I ask, "where is Drake?" and he points. "Where is Gor-Gor?"and he points. When it gets to "Where is Nico?" He leans forward so that you can "see him". Its like, "Oh, you couldn't see me before. Here is my face. Here I am!!" Its pretty adorable.
Friday, January 28, 2011
We lost last night 3-1.
I have mentioned it before- but one of the toughest things we do is the pregame talk. We never know- pump them up? Or chill them out? Get them pissed off? Or schmoopy because they are BBF forever. Last night we did it all. We explained that the game was special... because they were playing at home on a team full of girls that they all liked. And they should play for the seniors. We explained that no one (except for the coaches) expected them to win, so the pressure was off. We explained that Gulf Breeze was expecting that we'd be an easy opponent and the night would be full of lots of GB goals. We explained that Dave and I had done everything we could do to get them to this point and that it was up to them now. Only they could answer the question: Are we "there" yet (meaning, can we compete with the good teams?)
The answer? Yes. Hell yes!!
It was awesome. We came out with the idea of being a lot more conservative and a lot defensive than we would normally. The girls hate it- but its a pretty effective strategy. There was no easing into the attack: from the first whistle,Gulf Breeze was BRINGING IT. I definitely had several "Ohhhhhhhh shiiiiiiittttt!!" moments. It looked a bit dodgy early on- our GK had 8 LEGITIMATE saves in the first 10 minutes. One of our wingbacks made TWO different tackles (from behind) on two different breakaways. It was live. It was sort of like the "Chinese" in this video:
But we hung with them. Kept making saves. Kept getting lucky. The great thing, I thought. Was that while we were totally under attack for most of the game, we still found space to play our game... several times we put 8-9 passes together. Inside, outside, down the line. Up the line, inside, outside, drop pass. It was really nice. We kept our composure- nobody lost their cool. Nobody freaked out. I am not going to lie, I was ready for some of them to wig out from the pressure. But we didn't. We just played. Hustled our butts off. Made strong tackles. Defended a BUNCH of corner kicks (which is to be expected). And just kept playing. Our backline played all 80 minutes. For real. Its one thing to play 80 minutes against Godby. Its a totally different ordeal to play 80 minutes where you are basically defending the entire time.
Our little big gun (LBG) Madi scored AGAINST the run of play. It was pretty much awesome. She is going to be a great player one day. She is THE FASTEST player with the ball that I have ever seen on the soccer field. That says a lot, because in highschool, my center back and wing defenders were three members of our highschool's 4X100 team. I think the following two pictures pretty give you a sense of the kind of player she is:
Stepping over lunging players and charging GKs? Its what she does. We scored about 25 minutes in and held them until almost the half- when GB equalized. In the second half, Gulf Breeze kept the pressure up and we couldnt keep them out of the net.
It's not a terrible way to end the season. The last game of the season is always difficult for me- because I am sad that our run as ended. But today, I have been walking around with a combination of tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, because they played their asses off last night. And they are so tight. After the game, all the girls were bawling because it was our last game for seniors...
But I feel like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I am not worrying about anything today (except for this sudden influx of gray hair that I have noticed on my head. WHA-WHAT?) If I could choose an ending for our seniors, I obviously would have chosen the ending the included a state championship. But I'll take this.
I have mentioned it before- but one of the toughest things we do is the pregame talk. We never know- pump them up? Or chill them out? Get them pissed off? Or schmoopy because they are BBF forever. Last night we did it all. We explained that the game was special... because they were playing at home on a team full of girls that they all liked. And they should play for the seniors. We explained that no one (except for the coaches) expected them to win, so the pressure was off. We explained that Gulf Breeze was expecting that we'd be an easy opponent and the night would be full of lots of GB goals. We explained that Dave and I had done everything we could do to get them to this point and that it was up to them now. Only they could answer the question: Are we "there" yet (meaning, can we compete with the good teams?)
The answer? Yes. Hell yes!!
It was awesome. We came out with the idea of being a lot more conservative and a lot defensive than we would normally. The girls hate it- but its a pretty effective strategy. There was no easing into the attack: from the first whistle,Gulf Breeze was BRINGING IT. I definitely had several "Ohhhhhhhh shiiiiiiittttt!!" moments. It looked a bit dodgy early on- our GK had 8 LEGITIMATE saves in the first 10 minutes. One of our wingbacks made TWO different tackles (from behind) on two different breakaways. It was live. It was sort of like the "Chinese" in this video:
But we hung with them. Kept making saves. Kept getting lucky. The great thing, I thought. Was that while we were totally under attack for most of the game, we still found space to play our game... several times we put 8-9 passes together. Inside, outside, down the line. Up the line, inside, outside, drop pass. It was really nice. We kept our composure- nobody lost their cool. Nobody freaked out. I am not going to lie, I was ready for some of them to wig out from the pressure. But we didn't. We just played. Hustled our butts off. Made strong tackles. Defended a BUNCH of corner kicks (which is to be expected). And just kept playing. Our backline played all 80 minutes. For real. Its one thing to play 80 minutes against Godby. Its a totally different ordeal to play 80 minutes where you are basically defending the entire time.
Our little big gun (LBG) Madi scored AGAINST the run of play. It was pretty much awesome. She is going to be a great player one day. She is THE FASTEST player with the ball that I have ever seen on the soccer field. That says a lot, because in highschool, my center back and wing defenders were three members of our highschool's 4X100 team. I think the following two pictures pretty give you a sense of the kind of player she is:
Stepping over lunging players and charging GKs? Its what she does. We scored about 25 minutes in and held them until almost the half- when GB equalized. In the second half, Gulf Breeze kept the pressure up and we couldnt keep them out of the net.
It's not a terrible way to end the season. The last game of the season is always difficult for me- because I am sad that our run as ended. But today, I have been walking around with a combination of tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, because they played their asses off last night. And they are so tight. After the game, all the girls were bawling because it was our last game for seniors...
But I feel like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I am not worrying about anything today (except for this sudden influx of gray hair that I have noticed on my head. WHA-WHAT?) If I could choose an ending for our seniors, I obviously would have chosen the ending the included a state championship. But I'll take this.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I heart Soccer.
So that is what is up lately. We're in survival mode around the Bishop-Royse house. Inevitably it comes down to this every soccer season. The last couple of weeks, where we basically just work, coach, travel for soccer and sleep. In one sense, its always crazy when we get to this point, because we're like, our season is so close to being over... but really, it feels like it just started. Weird.
We have our Regional Quarterfinal game tonight. We play at home against Gulf Breeze. For all intents and purposes, we aren't supposed to win tonight. Gulf Breeze is a long-time powerhouse in the panhandle. They lost their district final game... so my guess is that they are going to come out gangbusters. I think they are expecting an easy time of it against us. Which would be a mistake, I think.
If there ever was a team to take down the Gulf Breezes of the world: it's us. We are DUE for a game of epic proportions. We haven't put together 80 minutes of good soccer since Leon. We're scrappy. We're willing to play 65-70 minutes of ugly soccer if it means we can sneak a goal. We can play physical. We are willing to designate 2 players to mark their leading goal scorers. We have scored against the run of play. When WE DECIDE we want to, we can dig in and defend all night. So I am really excited for this game tonight- really looking forward to see what team shows up.
Know what I am also excited about? I am helping to organize the old North High Alumni game. We used to have one going back when I played there. It was a boys/mens game and the alumni played the current varsity team. I dont think that is allowed anymore. So we'd likely just get a scrimmage together of all alumni. So that is pretty cool. The trash talk has begun:
Chris Clark (the boys goalkeeper who graduated in 1999?): Guess I gotta dust off the gloves and find my old jersey (dont know if I even fit in it anymore).
Me: You assume Brian Mariea and I are going to let you play in goal (referring to the boys GK who graduated in 1998 with me).
Casey Lissau (field player who graduated in 1998): I'm going for the hat-trick whenever this game goes down. Y'all better start training... Evens are gonna dominate (referring to the team with the even numbered graduation years).
Jessi Bishop-Royse Suddenly I'm glad to be an even...
Chris Clark: u and Brian r both evens so looks like i get my net after all.
Me: yeah, with Casey Lissau scoring a hat trick on you. Good luck with that :)
This is going to be awesometownvilleberg!! Very excited about this. Especially since when I am not playing in goal, guess who is playing in the field? THAT IS RIGHT!! Last time I played in the field, I had a game-winning header in the semifinals of IMs. And I was 4 months pregnant! How do you like them apples?
So that is what is going down lately. On the Nico front, we have a new development: THE BOY LOVES TO READ. NO JOKE. He has become a Readie McReaderson lately. I LOVE IT. I was worried- it took him a long time to get interested in books. I remember when he was 10-11 months old, I'd go to sit down with a book to read him he would sit for one page and basically get up to run around because it was BORING!!! Now? He sat by himself reading Tuesday night... for like 10 minutes while I was making dinner. It was AWESOME. He loves to read in the mornings wit Dave. So I have distributed books all around the house- in our room, his room, the living room, the bathroom (for bathtime). It's awesome, because his game of "Let me see how long it takes to tear this house up" gets really old after a while. Also it means that we can start going to the library and book stores again. WHOOO HOOOOOOO!!
We have our Regional Quarterfinal game tonight. We play at home against Gulf Breeze. For all intents and purposes, we aren't supposed to win tonight. Gulf Breeze is a long-time powerhouse in the panhandle. They lost their district final game... so my guess is that they are going to come out gangbusters. I think they are expecting an easy time of it against us. Which would be a mistake, I think.
If there ever was a team to take down the Gulf Breezes of the world: it's us. We are DUE for a game of epic proportions. We haven't put together 80 minutes of good soccer since Leon. We're scrappy. We're willing to play 65-70 minutes of ugly soccer if it means we can sneak a goal. We can play physical. We are willing to designate 2 players to mark their leading goal scorers. We have scored against the run of play. When WE DECIDE we want to, we can dig in and defend all night. So I am really excited for this game tonight- really looking forward to see what team shows up.
Know what I am also excited about? I am helping to organize the old North High Alumni game. We used to have one going back when I played there. It was a boys/mens game and the alumni played the current varsity team. I dont think that is allowed anymore. So we'd likely just get a scrimmage together of all alumni. So that is pretty cool. The trash talk has begun:
Chris Clark (the boys goalkeeper who graduated in 1999?): Guess I gotta dust off the gloves and find my old jersey (dont know if I even fit in it anymore).
Me: You assume Brian Mariea and I are going to let you play in goal (referring to the boys GK who graduated in 1998 with me).
Casey Lissau (field player who graduated in 1998): I'm going for the hat-trick whenever this game goes down. Y'all better start training... Evens are gonna dominate (referring to the team with the even numbered graduation years).
Jessi Bishop-Royse Suddenly I'm glad to be an even...
Chris Clark: u and Brian r both evens so looks like i get my net after all.
Me: yeah, with Casey Lissau scoring a hat trick on you. Good luck with that :)
This is going to be awesometownvilleberg!! Very excited about this. Especially since when I am not playing in goal, guess who is playing in the field? THAT IS RIGHT!! Last time I played in the field, I had a game-winning header in the semifinals of IMs. And I was 4 months pregnant! How do you like them apples?
So that is what is going down lately. On the Nico front, we have a new development: THE BOY LOVES TO READ. NO JOKE. He has become a Readie McReaderson lately. I LOVE IT. I was worried- it took him a long time to get interested in books. I remember when he was 10-11 months old, I'd go to sit down with a book to read him he would sit for one page and basically get up to run around because it was BORING!!! Now? He sat by himself reading Tuesday night... for like 10 minutes while I was making dinner. It was AWESOME. He loves to read in the mornings wit Dave. So I have distributed books all around the house- in our room, his room, the living room, the bathroom (for bathtime). It's awesome, because his game of "Let me see how long it takes to tear this house up" gets really old after a while. Also it means that we can start going to the library and book stores again. WHOOO HOOOOOOO!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Dave Royse- its your birfday! We gonna party like it's your birfday!
Okay... not really. Because I have class and he has a meeting with his boss. I should probably copy Nicole and talk about the 41 reasons (he's 41) why I love him. But I dont want everyone to throw up on their keyboards. So let's just go with the Top 10 reasons why I love Dave!
1). He's an amazing dad.
2). He has the most patience of anyone I've known. Even when I am crazy. Case in point: in the 7 and a half years we've been together, he has never really gotten angry that I dont match socks up very well. Annoyed yes (although I pretend that he thinks its cute). Me on the other hand? Throwing down because he'd rather do the *rest* of the dishes in the morning rather than at night? Pissed about bacon grease? Oh yes!
3). We make a great coaching team- where I am the bad cop, he is the good cop. And he's a good coach for girls... he gets the fact that its not like coaching boys.
4). He coaches the U of L basketball team when they are on TV. He and his BFF forever Christian often call each other and talk it out during the game.
5). Legs- still has great legs for an old dude (not counting the knees... the between the two of us, we have about half a good set of functioning knees).
6). Still loves to play soccer. I love that.
7). Doesn't tell me no. Ever. When I get ideas like, "I know I just finished the PhD journey of a quajillion years...and I have only been out of school for like a month... how's about I start a MpH? This semester?"
8). His cleaning style is so cute. He is all about arranging the items in the drawer painstakingly. Like, the pens go next to the scissors, which go next to the keys, which go next to the trivet and the bag ties." All nice and neat like. I'm more about stuffing everything into the drawer and moving on. Consequently, he can almost always find the random set of keys we need... where as, I am constantly losing stuff...
9). Nerd alert. Dude... really, he posted on his facebook page a video about the College of Wooster's basketball team... that works rubiks cubes to "chill out." And while he does know the outcome of every major war the US has been involved in, would prefer to watch the Military channel over anything else. Especially if it's "World War II in color" episodes.
10). He does laundry. For real. He even folds it.
1). He's an amazing dad.
2). He has the most patience of anyone I've known. Even when I am crazy. Case in point: in the 7 and a half years we've been together, he has never really gotten angry that I dont match socks up very well. Annoyed yes (although I pretend that he thinks its cute). Me on the other hand? Throwing down because he'd rather do the *rest* of the dishes in the morning rather than at night? Pissed about bacon grease? Oh yes!
3). We make a great coaching team- where I am the bad cop, he is the good cop. And he's a good coach for girls... he gets the fact that its not like coaching boys.
4). He coaches the U of L basketball team when they are on TV. He and his BFF forever Christian often call each other and talk it out during the game.
5). Legs- still has great legs for an old dude (not counting the knees... the between the two of us, we have about half a good set of functioning knees).
6). Still loves to play soccer. I love that.
7). Doesn't tell me no. Ever. When I get ideas like, "I know I just finished the PhD journey of a quajillion years...and I have only been out of school for like a month... how's about I start a MpH? This semester?"
8). His cleaning style is so cute. He is all about arranging the items in the drawer painstakingly. Like, the pens go next to the scissors, which go next to the keys, which go next to the trivet and the bag ties." All nice and neat like. I'm more about stuffing everything into the drawer and moving on. Consequently, he can almost always find the random set of keys we need... where as, I am constantly losing stuff...
9). Nerd alert. Dude... really, he posted on his facebook page a video about the College of Wooster's basketball team... that works rubiks cubes to "chill out." And while he does know the outcome of every major war the US has been involved in, would prefer to watch the Military channel over anything else. Especially if it's "World War II in color" episodes.
10). He does laundry. For real. He even folds it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Worn out.
With weekends like this one, who needs the work week?
So it started with Friday night. By now, most of you know: we won the district championship game. We left WHS at 4 on Friday night and traveled to Panama City to play Rutherford. We played well. We definitely tried to play our style of ball, which is fast, complete with nice passing. The game was scoreless through regulation (which was odd to us, because we were expecting to score some goals). One thing that may have hurt us (compared to Rutherford) is that we 22 players on the squad (I pulled up some from JV for Districts). They only had about 13 players- so our plan was to run their legs off. The only problem with that, is that its hard to find a rhythm tha tway. Oh well. So we get through 2 10 minute golden goal periods (yeah, I know... who does golden goal anymore?) And got to the PK shootout.
A note: we have been involved in three PK shootouts while Dave and I have been coaching. We lost to Crestview and Taylor our first year of going to the Chiles tournament (where PKs are used to determine a winner after a tied game). We also lost to Rutherford last year at the Chiles tournament. We generally dont do well with PKs (we lost a game against 2-1 Taylor earlier this season when we failed to convert a PK in the last few minutes.)
For those of you who have never seen one, here is a video from Uruguay and Australia.
While I expected PKs to be a moot point against Rutherford (given our propensity to score goals on them), we'd been practicing PKs a lot lately. Dave and I also understand strategy now. I used to think that you put your best shooter at #5- to make it when the pressure is on. That is false- you put your best shooter at #3, because shots 3 and 4 often determine the winner. Most shootouts are over by the fourth kicker. So we put Kristine at #1. On paper, she isnt the best shooter, but mostly because she consistently puts the ball in the same place, every kick. Our GK knows where she is going to go, so she often makes the save.... the #1 spot should be someone who is consistent and who you're pretty sure is going to make it- takes the pressure of #2 kicker.
Kristine makes it (despite the fact that she hit it weird and it didnt go where it usually does). Rutherford shoots and Froddo almost gets a piece of it. But it went in.
CB steps up. Her presence as a shooter was probably a little surprising to her. She's a senior that doesn't play ALOT. But she can strike the ball well- and it's usually one of those difficult strikes that isn't in trouble of going over, but isn't on the ground. She made it. RHS steps up and Froddo makes the save.
Julia steps up. In the #3 spot, she is by far the most consistent shooter. A senior, she often she makes every one in practice. She didn't play particularly well during the game... she had some good moments, but seemed to be a little out of sorts. Was a really frustrated at her self and maybe nervous that we were going to lose. In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have put her up to take a PK. Because she missed. Her little shoulders sunk and I could hear her heart break from 40 yards away. RHS steps up and makes theirs. Tied: 2-2.
BT our senior forward steps up. She had one of the best games of her life on Friday night. She is finally the player that I always thought she could be. She is one of our softball players- and when she steps up to do something- she has swagger. Like, "I know this is going in. You know its going in. Let's get on with it." And it goes in. Awesome. Here is where it gets surreal: Froddo makes another save. She made two saves during the shootout. Which is pretty amazing, because they are just so tough to do. I figured it up once, and a goalkeeper that is about 6 feet takes up approx. 6% of the goal with their own body. Which means that 94% of the goal is open (this doesn't account for diving ability of the gk). The thing with shootouts is that the GKs arent supposed to make saves. Basically, you wait until someone screws up and doesnt make theirs. Froddo made two saves on Friday night. So, we go up 3-2.
Alina, (who missed the PK against Taylor earlier this season) steps up and cool as the other side of the pillow puts hers away. There was this weird moment after she did it where everyone was like, "Did we just win? They can't tie us, right? Oh. Okay! We just won! Whooo hooooo!!" It was pretty much amazing. Here is a link to the wmbb.com story about the game (complete with video).
So after doing all the pictures and the whatnot, and getting dinner and getting home, Dave and I didnt get home till 330-4 in the morning. But guess who was awake after his 8 hour nap? Nico. Guess who didnt want to go back to sleep? Yeah, Mr. Cranky Pants. So after grabbing a couple of hours of sleep we got up on Saturday and got to it. Sunday, Nico was in rare form, tearing everything up. Drake threw up a bunch. I went to take Gordon for a run (because I felt bad because with Drake home, I feel like he isnt getting as much attention). On the run, Gor-Gor bolted in front of me, causing me to step on his foot, roll my ankle and fall pretty much face first on the asphalt. Yes, that makes three times in the last week that I have hit the deck (in case you are counting, LRM). Plus, Nico has a cold, so he kept waking up last night.
We have practice this week-MTW, then our Regional Quarterfinal game against Gulf Breez on Thursday. Gulf Breeze is the team that has the girl that put us out of the tournament last year (she went on to play at UF). I think its a bit ironic that we are playing them- it means that they lost their district game :)
In any case, just trying ot make it through the season. Always just trying to make it through the season.
So it started with Friday night. By now, most of you know: we won the district championship game. We left WHS at 4 on Friday night and traveled to Panama City to play Rutherford. We played well. We definitely tried to play our style of ball, which is fast, complete with nice passing. The game was scoreless through regulation (which was odd to us, because we were expecting to score some goals). One thing that may have hurt us (compared to Rutherford) is that we 22 players on the squad (I pulled up some from JV for Districts). They only had about 13 players- so our plan was to run their legs off. The only problem with that, is that its hard to find a rhythm tha tway. Oh well. So we get through 2 10 minute golden goal periods (yeah, I know... who does golden goal anymore?) And got to the PK shootout.
A note: we have been involved in three PK shootouts while Dave and I have been coaching. We lost to Crestview and Taylor our first year of going to the Chiles tournament (where PKs are used to determine a winner after a tied game). We also lost to Rutherford last year at the Chiles tournament. We generally dont do well with PKs (we lost a game against 2-1 Taylor earlier this season when we failed to convert a PK in the last few minutes.)
For those of you who have never seen one, here is a video from Uruguay and Australia.
While I expected PKs to be a moot point against Rutherford (given our propensity to score goals on them), we'd been practicing PKs a lot lately. Dave and I also understand strategy now. I used to think that you put your best shooter at #5- to make it when the pressure is on. That is false- you put your best shooter at #3, because shots 3 and 4 often determine the winner. Most shootouts are over by the fourth kicker. So we put Kristine at #1. On paper, she isnt the best shooter, but mostly because she consistently puts the ball in the same place, every kick. Our GK knows where she is going to go, so she often makes the save.... the #1 spot should be someone who is consistent and who you're pretty sure is going to make it- takes the pressure of #2 kicker.
Kristine makes it (despite the fact that she hit it weird and it didnt go where it usually does). Rutherford shoots and Froddo almost gets a piece of it. But it went in.
CB steps up. Her presence as a shooter was probably a little surprising to her. She's a senior that doesn't play ALOT. But she can strike the ball well- and it's usually one of those difficult strikes that isn't in trouble of going over, but isn't on the ground. She made it. RHS steps up and Froddo makes the save.
Julia steps up. In the #3 spot, she is by far the most consistent shooter. A senior, she often she makes every one in practice. She didn't play particularly well during the game... she had some good moments, but seemed to be a little out of sorts. Was a really frustrated at her self and maybe nervous that we were going to lose. In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have put her up to take a PK. Because she missed. Her little shoulders sunk and I could hear her heart break from 40 yards away. RHS steps up and makes theirs. Tied: 2-2.
BT our senior forward steps up. She had one of the best games of her life on Friday night. She is finally the player that I always thought she could be. She is one of our softball players- and when she steps up to do something- she has swagger. Like, "I know this is going in. You know its going in. Let's get on with it." And it goes in. Awesome. Here is where it gets surreal: Froddo makes another save. She made two saves during the shootout. Which is pretty amazing, because they are just so tough to do. I figured it up once, and a goalkeeper that is about 6 feet takes up approx. 6% of the goal with their own body. Which means that 94% of the goal is open (this doesn't account for diving ability of the gk). The thing with shootouts is that the GKs arent supposed to make saves. Basically, you wait until someone screws up and doesnt make theirs. Froddo made two saves on Friday night. So, we go up 3-2.
Alina, (who missed the PK against Taylor earlier this season) steps up and cool as the other side of the pillow puts hers away. There was this weird moment after she did it where everyone was like, "Did we just win? They can't tie us, right? Oh. Okay! We just won! Whooo hooooo!!" It was pretty much amazing. Here is a link to the wmbb.com story about the game (complete with video).
So after doing all the pictures and the whatnot, and getting dinner and getting home, Dave and I didnt get home till 330-4 in the morning. But guess who was awake after his 8 hour nap? Nico. Guess who didnt want to go back to sleep? Yeah, Mr. Cranky Pants. So after grabbing a couple of hours of sleep we got up on Saturday and got to it. Sunday, Nico was in rare form, tearing everything up. Drake threw up a bunch. I went to take Gordon for a run (because I felt bad because with Drake home, I feel like he isnt getting as much attention). On the run, Gor-Gor bolted in front of me, causing me to step on his foot, roll my ankle and fall pretty much face first on the asphalt. Yes, that makes three times in the last week that I have hit the deck (in case you are counting, LRM). Plus, Nico has a cold, so he kept waking up last night.
We have practice this week-MTW, then our Regional Quarterfinal game against Gulf Breez on Thursday. Gulf Breeze is the team that has the girl that put us out of the tournament last year (she went on to play at UF). I think its a bit ironic that we are playing them- it means that they lost their district game :)
In any case, just trying ot make it through the season. Always just trying to make it through the season.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
i can haz cute!
Quick post today... got lots to do. But I give you not one, but TWO videos!!
Back story: Nico was teasing with the cookie. Just before I got up to get my phone, he was offering me the cookie and then taking it back before I could get it. So I think: how rotten is this kid? No one will believe how rotten he is! I gotta get this on video!! So I get up, get my phone, roll camera action.
Some might believe after this video that Nico was sharing. It's a ruse! Dont believe it! He knew the camera was on him and decided to be all cute like! Everyone knows that his genes predispose him to selfishness when it comes to cookies (his Auntie Nic-Nic and myself have the selfish cookie gene. Unfortunately its a dominant gene... so good luck with that!).
This one is from the cruise. Cant remember if I posted it or no... but it's really cute. Nico and Emme dancing on stage during the cruise. I can has cute?
I could just eat him up!!
Back story: Nico was teasing with the cookie. Just before I got up to get my phone, he was offering me the cookie and then taking it back before I could get it. So I think: how rotten is this kid? No one will believe how rotten he is! I gotta get this on video!! So I get up, get my phone, roll camera action.
Some might believe after this video that Nico was sharing. It's a ruse! Dont believe it! He knew the camera was on him and decided to be all cute like! Everyone knows that his genes predispose him to selfishness when it comes to cookies (his Auntie Nic-Nic and myself have the selfish cookie gene. Unfortunately its a dominant gene... so good luck with that!).
This one is from the cruise. Cant remember if I posted it or no... but it's really cute. Nico and Emme dancing on stage during the cruise. I can has cute?
I could just eat him up!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
THE.WORST.DOG.EVER.
So we had a little adventure last week. We lost the dogs.
So we didn't really. They escaped the yard (long story) on Thursday night. Gordon came back that night. Drake, not so much. Long story short, we got him back on Friday, but he was at hospital (btw- I am purposely dropping the "the" from hospital. Of course this doesnt work if you DONT say hospital in a british accent. So do us a favor and just say it with the british accent... that way it doesnt look like I was supremely lazy and didnt type "the"). Apparently Drake hurt his foot pretty bad, so the guy that found him took him to his vet. The vet fixed him up but recommended that Drake stay over the weekend.
I think Gordon is a little stressed out. Not only because he misses his buddy, but because he is having to be the sole object of Nico's affection, which is probably a little much when you're an autistic lab named Gordon who only wants to be left alone in the solace of the People Bed. He upset Nico a bit on Monday when Nico turned suddenly to hug him. Because he is the Original Jumpy McJump- he was trying to get out of the way. Because Nico has gotten pretty strong, he hung onto Gordon as he jumped away. And promptly fell down. And started bawling. Broke my heart. He doesn't understand that Gordon is autistic.
Other than that, not much going on here. Weekend started out pretty rough. I ran the Resolution 5k on Saturday. And promptly ate it face first on the sidewalk on Jefferson mid-race. The good thing about when I fall down: it tends to be falling forward. So at least I can catch myself.... sort of. I finished a minute faster than the 5k I ran last week. And I wasnt last. Suckas!!
We went to Suwannee after the game and did not do well. We got beat all over the field. We were missing two starters, a defender and a forward. Our little big gun put an awful lot of pressure on herself to score (since our other forward wasnt there) and pretty much took her ownself out of the game. Our GK made a bunch of saves (despite giving up three goals), including one, where she made contact with a striker at the top of the box that sounded SICK. I fully expected the striker to stay down dead (she did get up, but did so with a little bit of a limp). That did make me a little proud- it warmed the cockles of my cold, dead, GK heart.
It was pretty not good. My worst fear has come true: the vibe that we were working before Christmas break? Yeah, that is gone. It's just not the same. So I guess we have a new rule: no more Christmas break. I gave them two weeks off during the holidays this year, for them to study for finals, etc. I guess we can't do that anymore... maybe schedule games during Christmas break?
When we got home, I stepped off the sidewalk and rolled my ankle... which probably wouldnt have been so bad, except Leslie was right next to me... wondering what the hell I had done. It was pretty much the perfect end of my fail day.
Dave and I are trying something new with the food budget: having a food budget. Normally, we just buy whatever we want and not being very good with the leftovers. I checked out Foodonthetable.com and Prudence Pennywise to come up with some interesting recipes, including a Chicken Curry that I made last night. Be jealous!!
Nico is pretty much adorable. He is rotten, dont get me wrong. Often when I ask him to put something away, he throws it on the floor. So that's not good. But he does know the various rooms of the house... so when I say, "Nico, let's go put your shoes in your room." And he knows where to go! Very cool!
So we didn't really. They escaped the yard (long story) on Thursday night. Gordon came back that night. Drake, not so much. Long story short, we got him back on Friday, but he was at hospital (btw- I am purposely dropping the "the" from hospital. Of course this doesnt work if you DONT say hospital in a british accent. So do us a favor and just say it with the british accent... that way it doesnt look like I was supremely lazy and didnt type "the"). Apparently Drake hurt his foot pretty bad, so the guy that found him took him to his vet. The vet fixed him up but recommended that Drake stay over the weekend.
I think Gordon is a little stressed out. Not only because he misses his buddy, but because he is having to be the sole object of Nico's affection, which is probably a little much when you're an autistic lab named Gordon who only wants to be left alone in the solace of the People Bed. He upset Nico a bit on Monday when Nico turned suddenly to hug him. Because he is the Original Jumpy McJump- he was trying to get out of the way. Because Nico has gotten pretty strong, he hung onto Gordon as he jumped away. And promptly fell down. And started bawling. Broke my heart. He doesn't understand that Gordon is autistic.
Other than that, not much going on here. Weekend started out pretty rough. I ran the Resolution 5k on Saturday. And promptly ate it face first on the sidewalk on Jefferson mid-race. The good thing about when I fall down: it tends to be falling forward. So at least I can catch myself.... sort of. I finished a minute faster than the 5k I ran last week. And I wasnt last. Suckas!!
We went to Suwannee after the game and did not do well. We got beat all over the field. We were missing two starters, a defender and a forward. Our little big gun put an awful lot of pressure on herself to score (since our other forward wasnt there) and pretty much took her ownself out of the game. Our GK made a bunch of saves (despite giving up three goals), including one, where she made contact with a striker at the top of the box that sounded SICK. I fully expected the striker to stay down dead (she did get up, but did so with a little bit of a limp). That did make me a little proud- it warmed the cockles of my cold, dead, GK heart.
It was pretty not good. My worst fear has come true: the vibe that we were working before Christmas break? Yeah, that is gone. It's just not the same. So I guess we have a new rule: no more Christmas break. I gave them two weeks off during the holidays this year, for them to study for finals, etc. I guess we can't do that anymore... maybe schedule games during Christmas break?
When we got home, I stepped off the sidewalk and rolled my ankle... which probably wouldnt have been so bad, except Leslie was right next to me... wondering what the hell I had done. It was pretty much the perfect end of my fail day.
Dave and I are trying something new with the food budget: having a food budget. Normally, we just buy whatever we want and not being very good with the leftovers. I checked out Foodonthetable.com and Prudence Pennywise to come up with some interesting recipes, including a Chicken Curry that I made last night. Be jealous!!
Nico is pretty much adorable. He is rotten, dont get me wrong. Often when I ask him to put something away, he throws it on the floor. So that's not good. But he does know the various rooms of the house... so when I say, "Nico, let's go put your shoes in your room." And he knows where to go! Very cool!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Post Modern
So I got a new office at work. I was teetering on the edge of not getting it. I had been in a cube, which doesnt usually suck... but I was back in a section with a program administrator in another program. And her way of running business was to sit in her office and boss her subordinates who were across the way and next to her... which drove me crazy. So I was in headphones most of the time...
The office I was going to go into was basically a glorified cube... but had a window (bonus). But it was basically a cube. Long story short, I got an office. With a door. Woo hoo. A coworker also showed me where the HUGE post it notes are (poster size). So I can put those up on my glass and nap at lunch. Or change clothes to go running at lunch. Or do exercises or yoga...whatever. Pretty flipping sweet if you ask me.
EXCEPT that its one of those desks that has the keyboard tray that pulls out... like all ergonomic and $h!t. It was annoying because it forced me to sit WAY away from my TWO wide screen monitors (yes, I am incrediably spoiled- I feel like a gamer). The slide out part was a piece of crap. Someone put it together crappy... so I took it off. And put it ontop of a storage cabinent. Our safely lady is probably going to give me some crap about it. But I am saying its art:
I think it represents the struggle of man against the post-modern technological workplace. Its energy reminds me of the looming revolution whereby man lashes out against the structures that bind him and work. The fight will be fierce. But it is man's free will that will provide the courage necessary to break the chains of work and free his soul.
You say it looks like an ergonomic keyboard tray being stored on top of a storage cabinent? Well... I guess that is one interpretation.
In other news... Nico is pretty fun lately. He is talking a lot. Sometimes it sounds like human language. Like today, when I woke up, I went to start getting dressed. Nico woke up and looked for me for a little then went back to Dave and said something that Dave swears sounded like, "Where is she?" Then other times, he will sit in his high chair and point out the window saying:
adkfhadf a;lkdfj sadf asdlkfjads fdfhaodsif asodfjsad fsadlfkjsa dfldsidfyuwerlkdnflka fasdlfksajd flsakjdf.
He is also really starting to get into books. Just this morning, we were reading an animals book and he knew elephant and lion, which are pretty great, since its not like a dog, that he sees everyday.
The office I was going to go into was basically a glorified cube... but had a window (bonus). But it was basically a cube. Long story short, I got an office. With a door. Woo hoo. A coworker also showed me where the HUGE post it notes are (poster size). So I can put those up on my glass and nap at lunch. Or change clothes to go running at lunch. Or do exercises or yoga...whatever. Pretty flipping sweet if you ask me.
EXCEPT that its one of those desks that has the keyboard tray that pulls out... like all ergonomic and $h!t. It was annoying because it forced me to sit WAY away from my TWO wide screen monitors (yes, I am incrediably spoiled- I feel like a gamer). The slide out part was a piece of crap. Someone put it together crappy... so I took it off. And put it ontop of a storage cabinent. Our safely lady is probably going to give me some crap about it. But I am saying its art:
You say it looks like an ergonomic keyboard tray being stored on top of a storage cabinent? Well... I guess that is one interpretation.
In other news... Nico is pretty fun lately. He is talking a lot. Sometimes it sounds like human language. Like today, when I woke up, I went to start getting dressed. Nico woke up and looked for me for a little then went back to Dave and said something that Dave swears sounded like, "Where is she?" Then other times, he will sit in his high chair and point out the window saying:
adkfhadf a;lkdfj sadf asdlkfjads fdfhaodsif asodfjsad fsadlfkjsa dfldsidfyuwerlkdnflka fasdlfksajd flsakjdf.
He is also really starting to get into books. Just this morning, we were reading an animals book and he knew elephant and lion, which are pretty great, since its not like a dog, that he sees everyday.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Regular Season District Champs!
So the big news around here is that we are the regular season distric champs!! Waka waka!!
Yeah, we are pretty much awesome. We beat Rutherford on Saturday, despite getting down by a goal early. Difference between this team and previous teams? Prior to this year if we got down by a goal early on, we'd fold up like a bunch of lawn chairs. We seem to be at a place now, where we're like? Its only one goal! And we have 70 minutes of game ahead of us. Lets see you hold on to that lead!!
So we have two regular season games left Tuesday (senior night) and Saturday (we go on the road to Sewannee). Then next week, we skip the play in game (first time in 5 years that we have gotten to skip the play in game :) We go to Panama City on Friday night to play the District Championship game. Whoot!! That is pretty exciting. I think this photo pretty much sums it up:
On another note- I ran a 5K on Saturday (before the game). Again, with the lack of preparation. I dont know who I think I am- maybe Kelly the Baller? First, who thinks they can just show up to run a 5K? Secondly, who cant do the math to see what that would entail? Seriously- since I started my "Run Every Day of 2011" Resolution, the furthest I have run is 1 mile... which wasnt a big deal when I calculated that a 5K is 2.2 miles (its not). A 5K is 3.1 miles.... so much of the race was Sucktownvilleburg. But I am glad I ran it. I had planned on running the Resolution 5K on FSU's campus this coming Saturday. But Leslie (a friend and the other assistant coach (pictured next to #21) suggested that I run the Billy Bowlegs race this saturday... and she would run the Resolution 5K next week.
On another note- how cute is THIS guy?
Yeah, we are pretty much awesome. We beat Rutherford on Saturday, despite getting down by a goal early. Difference between this team and previous teams? Prior to this year if we got down by a goal early on, we'd fold up like a bunch of lawn chairs. We seem to be at a place now, where we're like? Its only one goal! And we have 70 minutes of game ahead of us. Lets see you hold on to that lead!!
So we have two regular season games left Tuesday (senior night) and Saturday (we go on the road to Sewannee). Then next week, we skip the play in game (first time in 5 years that we have gotten to skip the play in game :) We go to Panama City on Friday night to play the District Championship game. Whoot!! That is pretty exciting. I think this photo pretty much sums it up:
On another note- I ran a 5K on Saturday (before the game). Again, with the lack of preparation. I dont know who I think I am- maybe Kelly the Baller? First, who thinks they can just show up to run a 5K? Secondly, who cant do the math to see what that would entail? Seriously- since I started my "Run Every Day of 2011" Resolution, the furthest I have run is 1 mile... which wasnt a big deal when I calculated that a 5K is 2.2 miles (its not). A 5K is 3.1 miles.... so much of the race was Sucktownvilleburg. But I am glad I ran it. I had planned on running the Resolution 5K on FSU's campus this coming Saturday. But Leslie (a friend and the other assistant coach (pictured next to #21) suggested that I run the Billy Bowlegs race this saturday... and she would run the Resolution 5K next week.
On another note- how cute is THIS guy?
Don't you think he should be selling jeans for Gap? Or hooded fleece sweatshirts for Old Navy? Here is the thing: If this soccer/judo/track/cross country/baseball/academic thing doenst work out for Nico, I think he might have a future career as a model. No seriously. Look at him and his cuteness! Can't you just eat him up?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Suddenly, I am asleep!
So Nico is doing the most DARLING thing lately. Dave actually got it on video yesterday. Hoping he will get it uploaded to youtube, because you HAVE TO SEE IT.
Back story: when I was in college, I was a different person. I was really accomodating and basically just wanted to be liked. Our first road trip with the guys (back in the days before Lee U was good, the women's program was sort of an afterthought. It was like, "The Mens team is traveling to Memphis to play Union. Why dont we bring the women's team too?") was a long one- I think it was either 4 hours to Nashville or 7 to Memphis, whatev. One of the guys on the team had really bad leg cramps from being cooped up for so long and was complaining because the cramps were in his hamstrings.
I offered to massage them out if he would lay on his stomach on the floor of the bus. He did and I did. He probably thought I was weird because who offers that? Plus the hamstring starts to venture into the a$$ area- so that was probably weird. Of course he had this crazy girlfriend from highschool- so it definitely was NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL. Plus, he was the guy who insisted on doing f-ed up things with his hair. In the time that we were at Lee, I saw him shaved bald, with a fro, in corn rows, and for an unfortunate period our junior year with a Julias Ceasar look- which, lets be real, is never good on anyone, including Julias Ceasar. But I digress.
Because I am also strong, I got a little bit of a reputation for being able to help with muscle spasms and muscle cramps and the like (this differs in stark contrast to the "happy ending" masseusses... which are basically hookers. Yeah, I wasnt one of those.) Once when we are at the National Tournament, one of my teammates had a kinda sore back and asked me to massage it out for a bit. I was sitting on the bed and suddenly just fell over and said, "Suddenly, I am asleep."
She basically peed her pants laughing at that. And I have done it a lot since then. Whenever someone asks me to do something I don't want to do, that is my response. Dave asks if I can help him with the dishes? Suddenly I am asleep. But its not complete unless you fall over onto a bed or a couch.
Nico has started doing this. The other day, Dave was trying to get Nico dressed for school. He said, "Nico, let's put your shirt on." And Nico would lay himself down in the crib, as if he were asleep. HILARIOUS!! Really hoping I can get the video up here.
I cant imagine that he got that from me. Maybe this is just his way of protesting going to school? Either way, its funneh!!
Back story: when I was in college, I was a different person. I was really accomodating and basically just wanted to be liked. Our first road trip with the guys (back in the days before Lee U was good, the women's program was sort of an afterthought. It was like, "The Mens team is traveling to Memphis to play Union. Why dont we bring the women's team too?") was a long one- I think it was either 4 hours to Nashville or 7 to Memphis, whatev. One of the guys on the team had really bad leg cramps from being cooped up for so long and was complaining because the cramps were in his hamstrings.
I offered to massage them out if he would lay on his stomach on the floor of the bus. He did and I did. He probably thought I was weird because who offers that? Plus the hamstring starts to venture into the a$$ area- so that was probably weird. Of course he had this crazy girlfriend from highschool- so it definitely was NOT LIKE THAT AT ALL. Plus, he was the guy who insisted on doing f-ed up things with his hair. In the time that we were at Lee, I saw him shaved bald, with a fro, in corn rows, and for an unfortunate period our junior year with a Julias Ceasar look- which, lets be real, is never good on anyone, including Julias Ceasar. But I digress.
Because I am also strong, I got a little bit of a reputation for being able to help with muscle spasms and muscle cramps and the like (this differs in stark contrast to the "happy ending" masseusses... which are basically hookers. Yeah, I wasnt one of those.) Once when we are at the National Tournament, one of my teammates had a kinda sore back and asked me to massage it out for a bit. I was sitting on the bed and suddenly just fell over and said, "Suddenly, I am asleep."
She basically peed her pants laughing at that. And I have done it a lot since then. Whenever someone asks me to do something I don't want to do, that is my response. Dave asks if I can help him with the dishes? Suddenly I am asleep. But its not complete unless you fall over onto a bed or a couch.
Nico has started doing this. The other day, Dave was trying to get Nico dressed for school. He said, "Nico, let's put your shirt on." And Nico would lay himself down in the crib, as if he were asleep. HILARIOUS!! Really hoping I can get the video up here.
I cant imagine that he got that from me. Maybe this is just his way of protesting going to school? Either way, its funneh!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Release the BEAST!
I was off of work yesterday, suckas!! Yeah, Nico's childcare was closed yesterday, so I took the day off. We had a pretty fun little morning- ran a few errands. Came home and made some more dog biscuits. Seriously, the dogs love them and they are fun to make with little guys. We also made Turkey soup with the last of the turkey from the Holidays. So that was pretty fun.
Nico starts back at school today. Guess who is going to be a little Beast? Nico getting to do whatever he wants+change in sleeping routine=BEAST. Good thing I dont have to get him from school today... now the girls can't tell me what a bad mom I am for Nico getting COMPLETELY OFF THE CHAIN. When they confront me, I am just going to point to Nico with a surprised look on my face.
We had our first practice since the break yesterday. Looks like the goodness we had rolling before Christmas hasn't rubbed off or mysteriously disappeared. Seriously- I half expected to show up to practice yesterday and for it to be a HOT MESS all over the place. Even awesomer? EVERYONE is healthy. KG (one of our seniors who has been nursing an (ankle) injury, is back. So is Thig, one of our sophomore midfielders). They weren't squirelly- which is a first for us. And they played well. So that is pretty exciting.
Heart.
Nico starts back at school today. Guess who is going to be a little Beast? Nico getting to do whatever he wants+change in sleeping routine=BEAST. Good thing I dont have to get him from school today... now the girls can't tell me what a bad mom I am for Nico getting COMPLETELY OFF THE CHAIN. When they confront me, I am just going to point to Nico with a surprised look on my face.
We had our first practice since the break yesterday. Looks like the goodness we had rolling before Christmas hasn't rubbed off or mysteriously disappeared. Seriously- I half expected to show up to practice yesterday and for it to be a HOT MESS all over the place. Even awesomer? EVERYONE is healthy. KG (one of our seniors who has been nursing an (ankle) injury, is back. So is Thig, one of our sophomore midfielders). They weren't squirelly- which is a first for us. And they played well. So that is pretty exciting.
Heart.
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