What a day. Once again I got started early. But this time I went to the gym and had a great workout. 20 minutes of legs and 30 minutes of cardio. Lots of sweat. I was home by 7:15am and on a conference call by 7:30pm. The call was the last online class of a 6 part series called "Creating Visual Messages with PowerPoint" It was all about creating better slide presentations and I took it as part of my "careeer development" plan for work. This was a class offered at Nortel and my homework assignment was to do a before and after slide and then present it to the class online. The instructor and the class provides feedback. Lots of good ideas. And I think mine came out pretty good.
Claire met with her math tutor after school today and Heather said she is really improving and everything is starting to really click for her. The Making Math Real program that Heather teaches has really helped both of my girls get more confident and sharpen their math skills. It has been worth every penny ($60/hour) to see them go from being frustrated with math to thinking its fun.
After homework and a quick snack we were off to Claire's All Star scrimmage. She did a great job as catcher. I had never seen her play that position before -- she was terrific. But honestly when it comes to softball, she's pretty terrific at all of it. She had a great hit off the pitcher. Line drive right down the third base line. Then IT happened....One out, Claire's on 1st, another kid is on 2nd. Pop fly between 1st and 2nd and the 1st base coach (not Geoff, somebody's Grandfather who is apparently senile) sends the runner on 1st (Claire). Duh. The ball is caught. Go Back!!!!! Both girls freeze and then Claire gets out at 1st. Needless to say. She was upset. Partly because she doesn't like to make mistakes, but mostly because she HATES to get out. She started to cry in her mitt on the sidelines so Mom went over to talk to her. At first I tried to console her and tell her that its OK and it wasn't a big deal. It happens to everyone. But that just made her mad. So then I tried to get tough and said things like "Hey, there's no crying in softball!" and the gem of all gems, "Your a great granddaughter of a Marine. They don't cry." (Bob Jacobs quote). She looked up and rolled her eyes at me and we both tried not to laugh.
I had to leave the game a little early because tonight was my first night of school at the University of Phoenix. If all goes as planned I will finish my BS in Business Administration in Sept 2009 (5 months before my 40th Birthday). Wow. There is so much to tell about the four hours I spent in class tonight. But at this point it's 11pm and I'm tired. So in a nutshell my teacher is very nice and the class of 8 is a mixture of folks from different industries, races and ages. I will be attending class once a week for 4 hours and meeting with my learning team (Marco, Rene, and Ildi) once a week for approx 4 hours. Somehow I will have to work that all in around my family life and 50+ hr/week job. No problem. Piece - O - Cake.
Well I better get to bed now. I leave tomorrow for downtown Sacramento and my annual girls trip with my friends Julie, Debbie, Cindy and Leann. But first I need to workout, weigh in at weight watchers, pack, get gas and prepare my liver for hours and hours of drinking and peeing my pants.
Peace out. ;-)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Just Wednesday
Up at 5:30am.
Meetings all day.
Worked 10 hours.
Didn't make it to the gym. Bummer.
Ate lunch at my desk. Soup.
Grandma picked up kids.
Yelled at kids for fighting.
Fed kids dinner. Baths.
Made smores with girls outside on our fire pit.
Girls played softball in the house while I read.
Watched "So you think you can dance" with the girls.
Talked to hubby about All Star Game.
Kiss good night.
Set alarm for 5:30am.
I start school tomorrow. Oh boy. Scary.
Meetings all day.
Worked 10 hours.
Didn't make it to the gym. Bummer.
Ate lunch at my desk. Soup.
Grandma picked up kids.
Yelled at kids for fighting.
Fed kids dinner. Baths.
Made smores with girls outside on our fire pit.
Girls played softball in the house while I read.
Watched "So you think you can dance" with the girls.
Talked to hubby about All Star Game.
Kiss good night.
Set alarm for 5:30am.
I start school tomorrow. Oh boy. Scary.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Say hi to Buddy
After my last post I figured I'd better write something "light." So I had to share a picture of Buddy, my Dad and Fran's new dog. This is by far one of the cutest dogs I have seen (Sshh. Don't tell Ben and Hogan!).
And he's talented too! Earlier this week he sent Camryn and Claire an email with his picture attached. He is a Havanese breed. I just call him Hecka CUTE!!!
Be Real, Stay Real
Yes, I think I might even change the name of my blog. Maybe something like 'Keepin It Real'. Because for me being real and staying real is one of the hardest things to do. Really. Not that being real is hard. But being OK with being real is the hard part. Does that make sense?
We went to a BBQ over the weekend at some friends house and I was who I always am. Chatty and social and pretty much engaged in "deep" conversation with someone the whole entire time. That is of course, when I wasn't eating or drinking ;-). Sounds pretty normal right? But then I get what I call the morning after "communication shame" which basically means that I critic everything I said during the course of the party and get down on myself for hogging the conversation, or interrupting or not being a good listener or talking too much or whatever.
This doesn't happen after every social event but usually there is one moment or sentence that I will feel guilty or regretful about the next day. At this point your probably thinking, this chick needs therapy. Maybe, but guess what? This is me being real.
Anyway, it's now Tuesday and the BBQ was on Sunday and I found myself in my car thinking "I really wish I hadn't said that...they probably think I'm an idiot...I wish I could just be quiet like so in so." And then I got pissed. Because if I could do something different (talk less) or be someone different (quiet, introverted, etc) then I probably would. But obviously I don't have any control over that. And the reason I got pissed was because I spend so much time wishing I was different or feeling bad about every little thing I say, instead of embracing it. And for what? I finally asked myself the same question I ask my kids all the time...What's the worst thing that could happen? Um, my friends think I'm an ego maniac who never shuts up? I can think of worse things. Anyway, for me going through life not beating myself up over the smallest little thing is a real challenge. But one I am committed to working on becasue I see this same trait in my daughters and I don't what them to be hard on themselves like that.
Stuff like this is hard to write about. And as I get ready to press the "publish" button, of course I'm concerned about being judged or laughed at. But what the heck. ;-)
We went to a BBQ over the weekend at some friends house and I was who I always am. Chatty and social and pretty much engaged in "deep" conversation with someone the whole entire time. That is of course, when I wasn't eating or drinking ;-). Sounds pretty normal right? But then I get what I call the morning after "communication shame" which basically means that I critic everything I said during the course of the party and get down on myself for hogging the conversation, or interrupting or not being a good listener or talking too much or whatever.
This doesn't happen after every social event but usually there is one moment or sentence that I will feel guilty or regretful about the next day. At this point your probably thinking, this chick needs therapy. Maybe, but guess what? This is me being real.
Anyway, it's now Tuesday and the BBQ was on Sunday and I found myself in my car thinking "I really wish I hadn't said that...they probably think I'm an idiot...I wish I could just be quiet like so in so." And then I got pissed. Because if I could do something different (talk less) or be someone different (quiet, introverted, etc) then I probably would. But obviously I don't have any control over that. And the reason I got pissed was because I spend so much time wishing I was different or feeling bad about every little thing I say, instead of embracing it. And for what? I finally asked myself the same question I ask my kids all the time...What's the worst thing that could happen? Um, my friends think I'm an ego maniac who never shuts up? I can think of worse things. Anyway, for me going through life not beating myself up over the smallest little thing is a real challenge. But one I am committed to working on becasue I see this same trait in my daughters and I don't what them to be hard on themselves like that.
Stuff like this is hard to write about. And as I get ready to press the "publish" button, of course I'm concerned about being judged or laughed at. But what the heck. ;-)
Blog by Email
If your getting this blog posting via email it's because I have added you (Geoff, Dad, Fran, Mom, Fritz, Carol and Chuck) to my "preferred" email distribution list. Really what that means is instead of subscribing to my blog (which none of you did. Not because you don't love me of course but probably because you couldn't find the button) I have subscribed for you.
Pretty arrogant of me huh? Actually it's sort of an easy way for the people that know me the best, to keep up with what's going on in my life. Warning the intention of this blog is not to shock or awe you, although you never know ;-) Ideally I'd like to use it to practicing writing and capture life's most memorable events. That said, I'm not Brittney Spears (thank God!) so it could get boring. But if you would rather not get my blog posts via email just let me know. It's OK. However, if you do please feel free to comment on anything and everything. It's pretty easy to use. Just click on the "Comment" link underneath the article. TTYL.
Pretty arrogant of me huh? Actually it's sort of an easy way for the people that know me the best, to keep up with what's going on in my life. Warning the intention of this blog is not to shock or awe you, although you never know ;-) Ideally I'd like to use it to practicing writing and capture life's most memorable events. That said, I'm not Brittney Spears (thank God!) so it could get boring. But if you would rather not get my blog posts via email just let me know. It's OK. However, if you do please feel free to comment on anything and everything. It's pretty easy to use. Just click on the "Comment" link underneath the article. TTYL.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Pink Eye for Blue Eyes
Camryn stayed home from school today with Pink Eye. Which gave us the opportunity to try out our new medical benefits and pediatrician. Everyone was very nice and aside from spending 20 minutes at home trying to coerce Camryn into letting me put the drops in her eyes -- it was a piece of cake. That kid is really funny when it comes to getting worked up about stuff. Try explaining to a 9 year old that drops in her eyes are not a big deal. Really. I mean it's not like having your leg amputated? But to her that's exactly what it felt like. Until it was over, when she said "that was easy!" Which leads me to my favorite quote (for the time being until I hear a better one) from Nelson Mandela who said "It always seems impossible...until it's done." Amen.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
One All-Star and One Rock-Star
Last night was Claire's softball team party at StrawHat Pizza. Coach Andy made speeches about each girl and when it came to Claire, he said she brought "hustle" to the Monkey team. He didn't officially announce it last night but we have been informed that Claire is one of two girls from her team that made the All-Stars. Geoff was also honored to find out he will be coaching her All Star team. A nice accomplishment for both.
Camryn didn't make the All Star team representing the Patriots this year. In my humble opinion and not because she's my kid, it wasn't because she wasn't good enough. She was one of the better players on the team, but the coach....oh never mind. But that's ok because she had a great time and will go onto play rec next year. She will help her Dad coach the Micro All Star Team, get ready for her Jazz n Taps recital in June and continue to be a bright light in the center of our family. For those reasons to name a few, she's a rock star!
Camryn didn't make the All Star team representing the Patriots this year. In my humble opinion and not because she's my kid, it wasn't because she wasn't good enough. She was one of the better players on the team, but the coach....oh never mind. But that's ok because she had a great time and will go onto play rec next year. She will help her Dad coach the Micro All Star Team, get ready for her Jazz n Taps recital in June and continue to be a bright light in the center of our family. For those reasons to name a few, she's a rock star!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
