Bad Shots
I know I’m really going to have to explain this one. Today, Steel won a wrestling tournament championship in the 135 lb. weight class on a bad shot…. Not his, but his opponent’s. It was a very stressful finals match against a kid who beat Steel the last time they wrestled. (Reno in May 2008.) It came down the the final period with only about 6 seconds to go, tied 4-4. Steel’s opponent made a bad shot, Steel countered with a takedown of his own and earned 2 back points to win the match in the final seconds. The blessing really could have been “no over-time” because I don’t think my heart or my blood pressure could handle another 2 minute round.
Early Bedtime
It will be a real treat to go to bed early tonight. I used to be in bed around 8:00 pm about 20 years ago, but now I find myself up until usually 10:00 pm. Most of the time we’re home and I’m just finishing up housework, laundry, dishes, paperwork or this blog… But tonight I’m going up early. Steel has a tournament tomorrow in Turlock, so he’ll turn in early and Leroy is in Burlingame for a coaches’ clinic. I’ve already delivered Charlie to the babysitters and my work is done, so I have no excuses. I need to work on doing this more often.
Slumdog Millionaire
I highly recommend the Oscar nominated movie Slumdog Millionaire. It really is quite profound and moving. I watched it today with a friend and about half way through, I thought to myself, “I really don’t want to be here right now” but by the time it was over (and I was pleased with the ending) I was glad I stayed. It was really stressful to watch, and after evaluating it, we realized that we had undergone every emotion imaginable. It didn’t hit me until about two hours later as I sat and watched the dual meet. I was exhausted. The movie and really drained me physically as well as emotionally. The only other movie I remember doing that to me was Shindler’s List. Doesn’t sound much like a blessing now does it? Well… it is in the fact that it forces you to appreciate the simple things in life that we take for granted. I.e. food, shelter, clothing, education, faith, family and hope.
It’s truly a wonderful love story.
iTunes Genius
I’ve recently discovered a new little feature on the iTunes software that comes in quite handy. It’s called Genius. Basically what it does is arrange your songs by similarities and style. Simply, you pick a song from your iTunes library, click the Genius button and Genius automatically goes through your entire library and pick out songs that are similar to the one you chose. I doesn’t have to be the same artist. Way cool. Now you can decide what kind of music you’re in the mood for, click Genius and it comes up with a playlist for you in an instant.
Lemonade
I went to the mall today to the last of the Christmas gift exchanges and I stopped at Hot Dog On A Stick for a sugar free Lemonade. With the sun shining again, it just felt right… and it was delicious. There was a lady behind me who got very excited when she heard me order it. She is a diabetic and gave up lemonade a long time ago because of the sugar. She had no idea they would make a fresh squeezed drink for her without all of the sugar. I was happy to help.
The lemonade also reminds me of shopping trips with my mom. She loved that place. (Especially the cheese-on-a-stick.) So many memories.
Country Music
I haven’t listened to country music for a while and I really didn’t know why until I stopped and thought about it. I really like it, but you have to be in a pretty good mood to listen to country music for a significant amount of time. Most of the songs are about broken hearts, old memories and bad news. With my emotions on the edge (illness included) I need to drive around without choking up over some stupid song.
Anyway… today I gave it another shot and it was great. I think I knew all of the songs they were playing (not much new stuff) and it was fun to sing along. One of the first songs they played was Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Going Down ’till the Sun Comes Up. Great song to sing along with. As for the others… I just need to learn not to take it too personally.
St. Stanislaus Mission Church
Our parish is preparing to celebrate the first mass in the new church we’ve been building for the last 10 years. This is a very exciting time for the parish and I look forward to the new building. It is beautiful, but change is difficult. Even when it seems a change for the better, or a change that we’ve looked forward to for a long time.
Today at mass, Fr. Lindsey touched on a subject that I hadn’t quite considered. The transition into the new church will be uncomfortable as it is not yet “home.” We all have so many cherished memories in the old church and we’ve celebrated so many life moments and milestones within its walls. Baptisms, First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, Weddings, Funerals and even Sierra and Steel’s 8th grade graduations.
I know I will love the new church. I look forward to new memories, new moments and sacraments celebrated there, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for the old church. For me, that’s where it all began… and I’m sure I’ll return once in a while just to center myself and find the peace that it always offers.
Blankets
If you know me at all, you know that I am ALWAYS cold. I used to make fun of my mother for the same thing when I was younger and now I’m receiving the payback. I get especially chilled when I’m sitting in an air-conditioned room (restaurants) for a long period of time. I always keep an extra throw blanket in my car in case of emergencies.
This morning, I forgot to take my jacket to the wrestling tournament. I shot photos all day yesterday so I wasn’t planning on doing much today except watching the matches. Thank goodness I brought my blanket into the auditorium. I was freezing… and I never would have been able to sit that long if I wasn’t able to cover myself up with my blanket and keep warm.
Uncle Glade
I have so many wonderful memories of my Uncle Glade (my Dad’s brother) both old and new. He and his family have been a part of my life through all of the stages and I am so blessed to still have him around. When I was a child, I remember his old car (and an accident) and how much I looked forward to visiting with him, Aunt Pam and my cousins. I remember his voice and his songs… especially “King of the Road.” When Mom and Dad got into the horse business, Uncle Glade was there. It was a lifelong dream for both him and my dad to own, raise and show the beautiful Arabians they had for so long admired. Uncle Glade became a trainer, groom, breeder and we spent a lot more time together.
When we sold the horses… our lives drifted apart. Not on purpose, things just happen that way. I grew up, got married and started raising a family of my own. We would occasionally see Uncle at a family function (mostly funerals) and always cherished that limited time together. Then… one Christmas when Uncle Glade was at our home, I was complaining about sending my beloved dog Daisy to the kennel. She absolutely hates the experience and pouts for days after she’s been there. Uncle told me that he would watch Daisy for me when we traveled and so it began.
Now I get to see him all the time. Whenever we need a sitter for Daisy, he takes her. During wrestling season, she’s there a lot. She just loves him and Aunt Pam. She is happy and content when I pick her up and oh so excited to go the next time. They have a routine and Daisy loves the attention and all of the activity.
This weekend, Uncle Glade is really bailing me out. All of my plans for Charlie’s (Lab puppy) care have fallen through and so I called Uncle Glade to see if he would be willing to take the big guy too. He quickly agreed and asked when we would arrive. It is such a relief to know that my dogs will be loved and cared for while we are away. He has a gift with animals and they respond so well to him.
I’m so excited for Charlie to get to know and love Uncle Glade just like the rest of us do.
