W is for Why

    Why I've Been MIA

 Yes, I've been MIA lately.  I have a ton of posts started and in draft mode, but have not been able to finish much.  It's been a rough month for me.  I'm having some health issues that are causing me a great deal of pain.  I spent 4 of my 5 weekdays of my spring break with doctors.  At this point everything is a waiting game.

     What this means is that most of the time when I sit down with my computer I'm either too tired, hurting too much, or both so I cannot focus on writing decent content for my blog.  I am hoping that there will not be too many more days of pain, but not sure right now.  The biggest problem is, the worst part of the pain seems to happen in the middle of the night.  So, I'm not getting more than a couple hours of sleep at a time.

     I have five weeks left of work until summer break, so hopefully I can get through that without too much trouble.  In any case I can use all the prayer, positive thoughts, etc that anyone can muster.  

U is for Under

Wordless Wednesday 

is Under!

T is for Time

     We all wish we had more time.  This week really has me thinking about that, though.  This week was/is my spring break.  Normally, it means a lot of time to myself.  However, it's not been that way for me this week.  It's meant a lot of time spent with doctors.

     It actually started late night Friday into early morning Saturday when I spent almost 5 hours in the ER.  I've been having a great deal of abdominal pain this month.  It just did not seem to go away.  They did some blood work up and a CT scan to send to my GYN.  I already had an appointment scheduled with him anyway.

     On Tuesday I had my appointment with my GYN.  He ordered my annual Mammogram and an ultrasound.   So, I must go back out there tomorrow because of course they did not have time on their schedule to fit me in today.

     Tomorrow I have my appointment with my primary care physician.  It is for my annual check up, which will also mean a trip to the vampire lab to give blood.  That will not be possible tomorrow because I always have to fast before they draw the blood for this, which will mean another trip to a medical facility on Thursday.

     My appointment tomorrow will be my last with my primary as he is retiring.  My time with him is over.  He's the only primary I've had as an adult.  He became my doctor when I was 17, so it's going to be strange having to see someone else.

     My time with my students is almost over this year, too.  When I go back to work next week I will only have 5 weeks left with them, minus Memorial Day, so literally only 24 days.

     Time is just a funny thing.  It slips away when you're not looking, but stands still when you're waiting only for you to turn around and realize that it didn't really stand still.

S is for Spring Break

     Ahhhh, it's Spring Break for me, FINALLY!  Our spring break is much later than everyone else's this year.  Next year it's supposed to go back to a traditional time period.  But, for this year, waiting for Spring Break has been excruciating.

     My Spring Break started out great.  I got to spend a girls' day out with a very good friend.  We went to the historic district here in town.  It encompases most of our Main Street.  There are all kinds of cool little shops and restaurants down there.

     We started out by wandering around the shops that were open.  Then, we had lunch at one of my very favorite places.  It's called Old Mill Stream Inn and they had loads of outdoor seating.  The weather was perfect for sitting outside, chatting and having lunch.  Plus, they have these things called mill fries that are amazing.  They are little new potatoes that have been seasoned and fried.

     After a long leisurely lunch, we strolled along Main Street some more.  Going in and out of shops and just having fun talking and oooing and ahhhing over the things we found that we liked.

     Then, it was time for ice cream!  Yum!  There is the most delicious ice cream shop on our Main Street and I got my favorite, mint chip in a cone.  I splurged and got two scoops, too!

      We sat on a bench outside the ice cream shop and ate our ice cream and talked and talked and talked some more.  It was an hour past the time I'd planned on being home before I checked the time.  It was such a great day.  I enjoyed it immensely 

     I did come home with a few inexpensive purchases.  I got this wooden box that is divided into four sections that I'm going to turn into a planter.  I also got a birthday gift for my daughter.  And, I found these really cool coasters that are made to fit inside the cupholders of a car.  I got all of that for under $20, so it was not an expensive day.

R is for Reward

     Today was the awards banquet for my daughter's swim team.  We actually held it at a banquet hall this year.  This was really nice because it meant that we didn't have to do as much actual work and could enjoy the banquet as well as time with our kids and their team.

     This was also the last time our team will be together in tact before everyone goes off in their own directions.  It was strange and there are some things that felt uncomfortable to those of us staying, but it's all water under the bridge and it's time to move on.  So much so that the woman who has agreed to be vice president of the parent board and I did some campaigning.

     Our parent board has 8 positions that require parent volunteers.  Terms are usually 2 years long.  I have served on the board as secretary for the past two years.  I have volunteered to take the president seat for the next season.  This meant we still needed 6 people to volunteer to fill up our board.  We managed to get volunteers for all positions during the banquet.  I am so proud of us!  And, I'm even more proud of those parents who are staying for stepping up to the plate.  I think we're going to have an awesome season next year.

     Before I end this I must brag that my daughter got "Most Improved" swimmer award (reward) this year.  I was so excited to hear her name called for this.  She's worked so hard all season.

P is for Prayer

My prayer for my daughter:

     My dearest daughter, if I could custom make your life experiences for you I would.  But, since I cannot here are my prayers for you as you grow into adulthood.

     It is my greatest wish that you grow strong, healthy and happy.  I pray that you will always know how much you are loved and will always love yourself.  I pray that someday you can see yourself through my eyes and know what a miracle you are to me.  I pray that all your dreams come true, but that you must work for them so you appreciate and enjoy them fully.  I pray that your life is full of people who love and value you for who you are.  Most of all I pray that I get to be with you to see you experience everything that comes with growing up and being an adult.

My prayer for my son:

     My darling boy, if there was a way for me to put into words what you mean to me, I would.  The best I can do for you is to share my prayer for you.

     It is my greatest wish that you, like your sister, grow strong, healthy and happy.  I pray that you will find wisdom that helps you make sound decisions in your life.  I pray that you learn how to be a man from your father, for none do it as well as he does.  I pray that you experience the joy of sincere friendships.  I pray that all your dreams come true, and that you must work for them to fully enjoy them.  I pray that the people of your life value you and love you for who you are.  I pray that others get as much joy from your sense of humor and laugh as I do.  I pray that those close to you never fail to notice your caring, loving nature.  Most of all I pray that I get to be with you and see you experience everything that comes with growing up and being an adult.

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O is for Old

Wordless Wednesday

is

Old this week!

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I is for Insects

Blogging A to Z letter for today is I.  It's Wordless Wednesday.  So, here are some insects.

Wordless Wednesday Linky Party




Blogging A to Z



H is for Heartbreak

     I mentioned a few days ago that my daughter's swim team is going through some major changes.  All three coaches have resigned.  It's become a very emotional time for everyone involved with the team.  YMCA teams tend to become a family.  We spend enormous amounts of time together.  Being a parent of a swimmer means you are very involved in what is going on because you have to be part of running the meets.  Even at away meets, teams have to provide timers to help run those meets, too.

     Losing one coach is hard.  Losing two coaches really hurts.  But, losing three (and in our case, all) your coaches is heartbreaking in so many ways.  All three coaches have been part of the team for many years.  Two of them since they were swimmers, themselves.  So, it's very emotional for them to leave something that has been such a big part of their lives.

     But, it goes even deeper than that.  Since our Y has not yet hired any new coaches, the uncertainty of what will happen has driven almost all our swimmers and their families to different teams.  It also means noone has volunteered to be part of the parent board next year.  Basically, it feels like our team is falling apart.

     I have been part of the parent board for the last two years.  This is a board that has worked endlessly to grow a team that was starting to struggle into a thriving team.  We more than doubled the number of swimmers on our team.  We had the two most profitable years our team has ever seen.  And, this year we took more swimmers to "state" (a meet you have to qualify for) than the team has taken in about a decade.

     Now we are down to probably less than 10 swimmers staying to see what happens.  My daughter is one of the swimmers that wants to stick it out.  It's so hard to take her to practice and see so many people missing.  Not only has my daughter made friends and grown close to her teammates, but I have grown close to and made friends with so many of the parents. 

     This is the place my daughter found her passion.  It's where she learned to love a sport and found a place to belong as part of a team.  It is where I watched her come alive as an athlete.  Something that I did not find until I was in my second year of high school.  And, because of this I fell in love with the sport myself, even if I don't actually participate in the sport as a swimmer.

     So, now I keep swinging from complete saddness, to reminding myself that things always work out and feeling hope back to saddness. And, in between, I fight anger that really has no place to be directed towards.

     No matter what, I know, what will be will be and our time with the Stingrays will always be a special time to remember.  I just hope it's not over entirely.  It just really is a heartbreaking situation right now.

Blogging A to Z



G is for Game

     When my husband and I first bought our smart phones, almost 2.5 years ago, I really had no idea what was being placed in my hands.  When the salesperson started talking about aps and helping us download a couple of the popular games at the time, I did not fully understand what he was having us do.

     Now, I'm wondering if I should blame him or my friend who mentioned my latest addiction on.  Whomever deserves the blame needs to be noodle whipped.

     During one of our away swim meets this past winter, one of the other swim moms mentioned a game that her co-workers are all crazy about.  At the time I was fighting to beat a level of Angry Birds Star Wars (which I still love, btw).  Since I was at my frustration threshold with Angry Hans Solo, I downloaded the game suggested.

     It is the MOST aggravating, frustrating, addictive game there is available.  I hate it and love it at the same time.  I do believe it is programmed to sabotage my game play.  A person I introduced the game to is about 60 levels ahead of me already.

     "What is this nuisance of a game?" you ask.

     It is Candy Crush Saga.   At first glance it looks like a sugar substitute to Bejeweled.  Ha!  Looks can be deceiving.  The first couple of levels are sweet and cute and easy enough.  But, then the tasks get increasingly frustrating.  Holes are placed in the boards.  You have to clear what is called jelly. Just when you get the hang of that they add double jelly.

     Some of them you have to "bring down ingredients."  And, just when you get used to that, they present you with squares that are tied up with black licorice.  Oh, and from what I've seen of the upper levels that I have not reached yet, I will soon encounter evil chocolates that you have to keep from escaping the board.  Honestly, what kind of warped mind makes a game that turns chocolates into evilness?

     This game is so addictive and it has become the bane of my existence.  O.k. so yes that is a bit dramatic, but seriously folks, this game drives me crazy and I cannot stop playing it.  Who would have thought that a cute little game with Candyland type graphics and bright, shiney, sugary looking game pieces could be so freaking difficult?  And, why oh why, when you take too long to make a move does it insist on showing you a move that will DO NOTHING to help your game play?

     So if the Candy Crush Saga Gods are listening, give us lowly mortals a break and add some more moves to the levels that are especially difficult.  When you have to maneuver around four mini boards, 16 moves is NOT ENOUGH!  Have some pity on the sanity of your confectionery connoseurs. 

     Whew!  I think it's time for a nap.  May cooperative sugar plums always dance in your dreams!

 

Blogging A to Z



F is for Funny

     So, if you don't know by now, I have two Scottish Terriers.  They will be two years old in May.  So they are still very young.  They did not come from the same litter, but they've been together since they were 8 weeks old.  So, they are sisters.

     Our youngest one, Livvy (she's younger by 8 days), has a tendency to act like the bratty little sister.  And, she is very attached to me.  Probably because when we brought her home from Wisconsin (a 9 hour drive home) I held her almost the whole time up against my chest.  She would not ride in my lap and would only last a short time laying next to Izzy.  She wanted to be held.

     Most of the time, the fact that she's so attached to me is not really a problem.  Until someone else wants my attention.

     I was laying on the loveseat the other day, curled up under the afghan.  Both dogs were on the floor next to me.  I noticed Livvy staring Izzy down.  Then, all of a sudden Izzy tried to jump up next to me, but Livvy jumped faster and took the spot Izzy was trying to jump into.  Then, she turned and looked down at Izzy again and stared at her until she laid down on the floor.

Blogging A to Z