a sporting life

I had the pleasure of watching my son play football on the weekend. I am slowly learning what is happening on the field. I have to say it is the oddest sensation to watch him receive the ball and then start moving and break free towards the end zone - I am only one voice of many cheering him on and wishing him well.

Here they are prior to the game:


My daughter has some issues with a tendon in her right foot. It runs under the arch and it is inflamed. She needs to not point her foot for a couple of weeks. And no pointe class. She thinks her world is going to end. It could be far worse - I say. Take a break now and rest your foot and it will heal. We need more supportive daily footwear - so fashion must be sacrificed for sport.

An injury to a dancer is not only physical but emotional. Sometimes the emotional overrides the actual injury. Add that to the fact the dancer is a 13 year old girl and you are in for a crazy ride.

meme of sorts

simplyvictoria and bluecanopy did this:

outside my window: It is late. It is dark but a clear night. No fog.

daily rhythm: The parents rise. Mr. W uses the shower first, while I boil the kettle, pull the shots, cook the eggs - Mr. W descends and we wake the son. Who is quick to shower, and put in his contacts. He tags his sister, who definitely is the most HIGH MAINTENANCE of us all. In the middle of all this, I kiss my husband goodbye and get ready myself. I throw some lunches together - remind my son to feed and water the dog and I depart. H and L walk to school.

I am thankful for a work schedule that allows me every second Saturday off.

In the kitchen there remains leftover pizza - Friday is generally pizza night in our household.

Breakfast - 7 minute eggs, or toast with peanut butter and jam, or yogourt with blueberries and almonds

Lunch - we have been making wraps

Supper - see above

I am wearing - flannel pj bottoms crafted by my mum, and a my son's hoodie that no longer fits (yes, I am wearing my 13 year old son's hand me downs)

I am creating - I have just dug out a scarf I started late spring

Bringing beauty to my home - tomorrow we will finish emptying the terracotta pots - and transition to some fall planters

I am reading - the local newspapers; I just received an email that my copy of The Cellist from Sarajevo has arrived

I am hoping that my son will have a good football game tomorrow.

Around the house - complete and utter chaos!

Making plans - need to work on some different meal plans for the next few months, rethinking career choices.

today

• My folks arrive home after their Alaskan cruise
• I take my daughter to the physician to discuss her ankle, which is causing trouble
• My son has a theory test in PE -
  
• My husband attends his first Camera Club meeting with the hopes of meeting someone who has a darkroom that he can share/rent
• It is grey
• I do more research on ganglions

a moment

The sun is shining and there is a lawn full of dew. I have opened the windows and it is breezy and cool. I was slightly overwhelmed by the chaos of my home. Every room is a disaster and I am not overstating this. I had words with my daughter - about something so ridiculous - I hate starting the morning this way.

I stepped outside and realized the sun was shining and just how beautiful the day promised to be. I took a deep breath and prayed "Glory to God, who has shown us the light." I asked my children to be more attentive to their world and we move forward.

Maybe I need to help them be more organized. Maybe they need things written down. Maybe I expect too much from my 13 year olds.

I will do as much as I am able, I will slow down and breathe. I will go to my pilates class.

As it goes.

I hear the rain, I hear the rain

The rain has arrived.
Football game at noon.
We will be under the blue and white golf umbrellas cheering on my son.

prioritizing

I attended a panel discussion on making the writer in you a priority. It was interesting to see the characters who showed up. It was a free talk; you just had to register in advance. There were two students who were actively in a writing program and two instructors/ mentors.

I left with some good advice. I love to read and I love to write. I am always making choices - do I read or do I write? I will block off my time to combine the two activities...so an hour for reading and then an hour for writing. I will try this and get back to you.

Make the effort to write down "small noticings". Use a book or index cards, or whatever works but write down the ideas as they come.

If I don't write my story or use my voice, it won't be written as it is uniquely mine.

Timing is everything. I am struggling with where I am headed -what the heck am I doing with my time hear on this planet. I was notified of a different position. The commute is longer but the pay is definitely better. But, it would be a completely different world and a different corporate culture and do I really want to chase my tail and go down that road? Going to this talk tonight made me reconsider applying. I don't want to spend more time commuting. I don't want to learn a new corporate culture. I do want to write more and learn the craft.

*****************************************************

On a completely different note - I received some sad news today. My cousin's wife's father passed away on the eve of his other daughter's wedding. They were all going a cruise -56 of them. How quickly life changes? All that anticipation for a joy filled week comes crashing down into ... what? How do you respond to that?

A sobering reminder to be grateful for everyday.

fashion forward

According to the Globe and Mail's Weekend Lifestyle section the top 10 trends for spring are:

• jumpsuits - not me - not ever
• harem pants - you have got to be kidding...
• silver and copper finishes - ok- jewellry - yes - clothing no
• oversized bags - yes. I need a new bag and I like big ones.
• layers - this I can do. I like layers
• dresses - I'd like a new dress or two for the spring
• cigarette pants - I think these would be OK too
• geometric prints - I think I would have to make a decision on a case by case basis
• saturated hues - a bit of colour is a good thing
• architectural shapes - not sure what they are getting at.. there was no photo supplied

I am not usually a trend follower but I like to read about fashion and I will take note of interesting new details. Now, that I work face to face with the public - I do have to take care and dress appropriate for business - but maintain my inner funkiness.

postscript

Back in the saddle again. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. You know who you are and I thank you.

Gosh darn it - parenting is hard work. Exhausting and emotionally taxing.

the battle

How quickly it happens.
The Evil One has been moving swiftly and accurately.
We must fall back and review our game plan.
Brutal.

a day off

Mondays are my day off. I usually try to fit in as many things as possible.

• Finish monthly financials for the parish - done
  

• Pilates - done
  

• Pedicure - gift certificate for job well done Q2- done
  
• Beef Stew- doing
  
• Laundry- doing
  
• Pick up mail; baggies and coin rollers
• Parish council meeting
• Daughter's first intermediate foundation class
• meeting with Fr.L

tv on the radio

This is a terrible photo off my husband's blackberry... I should have had the phone. I was up close and personal at the concert. I could see them sweat. And they were sweating. It was a pretty darn fantastic evening. They didn't play a long time - and we were home and in bed by 1.30 am which was much earlier than we anticipated.

review

The first week is finished. The youth are settling into a routine. We are hearing stories of teachers and personalities. Mr. W is happy it is the weekend. He has large classes this year - too large - some kids will have to be moved. Thankfully he does not make that decision.

Football game this morning.

TV on the Radio Sunday evening.

nothing is static

The first day of school was orientation and really nothing was done. My children left their fees on the fridge so they could not get their lockers. My son neglected to go to the office at lunch yesterday so he again is without a locker and is now a "bag child" - carrying his gym strip around and his binders and his pencil case. He is hoping to get that sorted out today.

They both came home with various documents laying out expectations for the new year. I am going to compile all the emails and contact information in one folder - for my own sanity.

My daughter has decided she would like to participate in a ballet duo with another student. This will be lovely. But,it means we are dropping on jazz class as our pockets are just not that deep.

They brought home their "art supply" list. We have partially filled the list. I am off to purchase masking tape at the dollar store on my lunch hour. Mr. W will fulfill the balance of the list after school today. Sketch books; pastels; fixer; kneaded erasers and tackle boxes to hold all the "stuff".

Football game on Saturday - home field. I cannot get anyone to switch with me so I will not be there. But, for the remainder of the month I will be on the sidelines cheering my son on.

The Traumeel has vanished. How does that happen?

Why are our dishclothes in the cupboard with the bathroom towels?

These are the questions that fill up my mind.

lipstick and laptops - uh no!

Back to school always signifies a barrage of bad advertising encouraging us to buy the craziest things.

We don't need lipstick. A new laptop would be nice but we don't need it just yet. The youth of the house did need new jeans. Part of the cleaning the room process included trying on all jeans and T-shirts currently in their possession. Lots of hand me downs to pass along.

School supplies will be sorted out this week. We have lots of paper left over from last year. We have pencils and pens. We have binders.

Today is the first real day of classes. They will get a good idea if they need any extra supplies and then we will make a trip to the stationary store.