Life is Sweet

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Room Purge

A beautiful thing.

Cleaning, organizing, discarding, donating. Why does it feel so good?

Yesterday Lexee and Shilo participated in a room purge. I, of course, acted as director and supporter. Encouraging them to rid themselves of the unwanted stuff tucked in the dark recesses of their bedrooms. It was the perfect day to perform such a ritual... both girls were home (well, kind of... Shilo had physical therapy and Lex had gymnastics), and it was going to be the only day available to ready themselves for a new school year. (Seriously, from here on out their days are scheduled to the brim.)
And what better way to start than with a clean, organized bedroom.

Here's the donate pile.

Which is now ready to head to the Goodwill

(along with all the other stuff that's still in my basement).

The giant bag of discards left with the trash collectors this morning. And no, I didn't take a picture.
But can I just add, I love our trash guys. EVERY WEEK they put my garbage can up by our garage door after emptying it. I'm telling you, a tip at Christmastime can reap benefits all year long.

We repurposed a book shelf in Shi's room -- now a great place to keep her shoes. Oh, how I love an organized closet.

And Lex sorted her clothes by color. A girl after my own heart.

And, of course, there is always a treasure hidden somewhere under the bed or in the closet. Lexee found this one, and Mauri has worn it at least half the day. I suppose it's serving a useful purpose. Even if that purpose is solely to provide joy (and some style).

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Invasion of Personal Space

Yesterday was the Championship swim meet for our division. Lest you think I'm a braggart, this isn't something that happens every day around here. In fact, we've never been to a Championship swim meet before. Most years we have been out of town for the Prelims, which means there's no chance to swim at Championships. This summer, however, has been much different than the summers of the past. We I have been home the entire summer. The rest of the family has been here, there and everywhere. But since Youth Conference was a Mon-Tues-Wed (loved that it didn't cut into a weekend), and Girls Camp is this upcoming week (after the summer swim stuff - except for All Stars), we've been here for swim practices and meets, piano lessons, strength camp, and gymnastics. Lucky us.

Back to the meet.

So Shilo swam the 100 Fly and the 100 Back. Same as Prelims. Her only wish was to improve her time and place (if possible). To refresh your memory, she placed 5th in fly at Prelims and 3rd in back.

And, since you know I love to record such events, here is the 100 Back race:

She also placed 3rd in the fly, and her two relay teams placed 2nd (both by less than a second behind the 1st place team).

When we arrived at the meet, Bill and I found a nice covered area with a great view, right at the end of the pool, where we set up camp for the day. Then the whistle blew for the first event, and the invasion began:

I guess because we were in a covered area (which, by the way, was our team's designated spot), people figured it was only right and fair to have some shade too. There was plenty of room to watch the races in the sun, just inches away from the shade, but the day was hot, and the shade limited. So we spent the day with the backsides of strangers mere inches away from our faces. My toes were constantly trampled, and my knees were often touching the back of people's legs. Oh, the price to stay cool on a 100+ degree day. At least we had chairs.

And Bill had plenty of time to prepare his talk for the following day. Even with the invasion going on.

I was tense (nervous for Shilo's races), and claustrophobic. One of the teams had handed out mini cow-bells to every member of their team, and those hyper-active kids (and parents) went nuts with them. I wanted to stomp on them. I fumed to Bill about it, then resorted to glaring at the kids and parents ringing them incessantly. Talk about misery... super hot temps, 5 swim teams crowded around a small community pool, poor organization on the part of the host team (the meet went an hour and a half over schedule), loud 80's music (I can't get away from it... songs like I Love Rock 'n Roll and Shout), and at least 100 cow bells. All noise-makers should be banned at sporting events, in my opinion.

But we made it. After a day of rest (all except for the 2 hours in nursery), I can feel the positivity flowing back into my being.

Shilo was excited to be "back" in the back. More physical therapy this week... until girl's camp on Wednesday. Bill is heading to New York for most of the week, so it's me and Mar.
And you know how that girl keeps me busy.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

I'm a Believer

Yesterday Shilo started physical therapy on her leg. You know, the one with the rope burn. Since this was our first time EVER with such things, I didn't know what to tell Shilo to expect. I told her it might involve pain. And possibly tears. (I know, way to be upbeat and positive.)

They did all kinds of interesting things. Yes, Shilo confirmed, some of it was painful. She wanted to cry, but held it in. But let me tell you, it was extremely effective.

We went back today for some new therapies, and some of the same.

I am amazed that, after only one day of therapy, her leg was this straight. You can kind of see the lumps in the upper calf muscles... they are rock hard. The PT said it was most likely calcification of blood... muscle... tissue... something like that.

She started on a stationary bike, then had a nice calf massage. (At least it looked like a nice calf massage. Shilo said it was somewhat painful.) After some other exercises, Shi got slimed.

In preparation for ultrasound therapy.

Followed by shock treatment (at least that's what I like to call it).

They didn't have a big selection of reading materials, so Shi settled for the Good Housekeeping with an article on Rachael Ray. I just sat and listened to the bad 80's music playing on the radio somewhere. Songs like 867-5309 and C'mon Eileen. It makes me tense. You would think they would have soothing, relaxing, spa-like music drifting through a quality sound system to put their patients at ease. (Although that kind of music probably makes other people tense.)

Just not 80's. From a cheap radio. Intermixed with long segments of talking by uninteresting hosts. Shi said she's bringing her i-pod tomorrow. I think I'll bring one too.

So, the results speak for themselves. Shilo said her swimming this morning at practice was much improved. Her leg had more mobility. Flip turns were easier. Her coach had initially moved her down to a slower lane for practice, but then moved her right back into the fast lane.

She's also happy that the therapist recommended she not do the 5 mile hike at girls camp next week. No tears there. She's practically giddy at the fact that she can sit at camp and relax, while the rest of the girls are out traipsing around in the dirt and heat.

I am looking forward to saying good-bye to the gimp. Physical Therapy seems to be doing the trick.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pet Peeves

Where did that phrase come from anyway? {Pet peeve} I have concluded that it means something that is highly annoying to you (the peeve), that occurs so frequently that you are constantly having to give it your attention (your pet), like when you have a dog that requires a concerted effort, and nobody but mom is willing to give it.
(Click here to read that sad but true story.)

So I have a few that have been rubbing up against my leg today.

Open cabinet doors. Wii stuff all over the place.

A warm blanket, no longer needed once the day heats up.
And if you look closely in the lower left corner you will find

a used glass and a half-eaten bag of candy. BTW, we have a "no food in the family room for people under 18" rule. Obviously not rigorously enforced enough to cause concern in the minds of ANY of my children.

And not far from that are sweat pants.

In the middle of the family room floor.

Hoodie and tee, no longer needed, resting on the barstool. Waiting for... laundry day?

A day's worth of parakeet mess, that most likely will roll over into two, possibly three.

A myriad of shoes, summer style. In cooler weather the shoes are bigger and more obtrusive (and there are more socks to accompany them), but whatever the season, they pile up until I order them loaded up in a laundry basket, and placed in the room of their rightful owner. More often than not, I fill that order myself.

These unwanted pets have hung around for years. Sometimes, after a mom tirade, they disappear. But only for a day or two. But (and as my sister would say, that is a big "but"), I wouldn't trade them for the alternative: no kids and a spotless house. I remind myself all the time that, as long as it's not too dirty, too cluttered, or too smelly, it really won't matter in the long run.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

No Tears

Following yesterday's very-bad stressful day (no one reason in particular, just a bunch of little things all piled up), today was full of good news.

At the Prelim meet, Shilo decided to swim two of her three events: 100 Fly and 100 Back. She had a respectable showing in both, and even placed 3rd (out of 5) in the Back. She was glad she competed, and is going to try to improve her time and possibly her placement in both events on Saturday at the Championship meet. There were no tears.

It also gave us hope that her leg is healing. She has a physical therapy appointment tomorrow... we'll see how that goes.

Mauri was hoping for the chance to swim in the Championships, but fell a little short. The great news is she did the best she has all season, and improved her time in every event. We chatted about how next year will be her year... she will swim in the same age bracket as she did this year, and will have another year's growth and experience on her side. We also found out that she wasn't (that's was not) DQed for her breaststroke on Saturday. Go figure. I was a little concerned about a DQ today because, as I was timing lane 4, the Stroke and Turn judge standing next to me was dishing them out left and right. Sometimes two at a time. Today, however, Mauri was near flawless in her stroke, kick and turn. Phew!

And Mauri entertained herself as she waited for me to finish my timing shift:

(Self snapshot)

(Cute hairy legs)

I was just grateful to be done. Standing for hours in 100 degree temps, sweat running in places I dare not say, is not my idea of a great time.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble

I came home from church today with bubbles. We had been asked by our leaders to NOT have bubbles in the church building (those poor little nursery kids are totally bummed out), so I brought the stash home. Mauri claimed the loot for herself, and once the thunderstorm after church passed, she was out in the back yard with the once-loved-by-nursery-children bubble machine. The older girls decided to join in the fun, which stressed Mauri out a bit. She thought perhaps her supply of bubble solution would evaporate in the excitement (oh, my). So Shilo created her own bubble solution, thanks to a hefty supply of dish soap, which actually worked better than the store-bought stuff. Then they all got creative with what to blow the bubbles with (who needs that ol' bubble machine?), and came up with this awesome idea:

The toil: Lexee had been begging all week for me to make scones. The kind her Grandma Goldsberry makes. Bread dough, fried in oil, then tossed in some cinnamon and sugar. Okay, I told her, I'll make the scones. But then I'll have all kinds of dough left over, so she (and Shilo) would need to make the rest of the dough into cinnamon rolls. They agreed.

They were quick learners, and each made a pan of rolls. Mauri helped me get the scones ready.

And yes, this was a family activity... Bill did the dishes. In a suit and tie. The scones were done just in time for him to grab a few with a big glass of milk before heading off to a meeting.
What an awesome guy.

The trouble?

#1 ~ The calorie count in our after-church food consumption.

Extra icing per Lexee's request.

These turned out just like my mom's... delish. Oh, and did I mention we also made Rotel/Velveeta chip dip? I know, the perfect menu. My girls can all stand to have a few extra calories... they are trim, fit, and extremely active. I, on the other hand, am none of those.
That makes those calories BIG trouble.

And #2 ~ What are these girls practicing here?

Looks like bubble kissin' to me.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Heart

Today's swim meet was a heartbreaker. Shilo's first meet since her injury. She didn't want to even go, but with gentle (but firm) encouragement from her parents, she went, and she competed in three of her five events. Her first event was a medley relay, and her coaches kindly switched her from the backstroke to the butterfly.

Her friend, who usually swims the butterfly, swam the backstroke in Shilo's place. They remained competitive, despite their handicap, and placed second. Shilo agreed to try her 100 Back. This is where the heartbreak set in. She had only practiced the back for one length of the pool one time since her accident, so we weren't sure how she would do. I could tell by the first lap that she didn't have the form or speed needed to win. Her leg, still unable to straighten, was a definite drag (literally). She kept swimming, though, lap after lap after lap. She placed last, but only by a stroke or two.

When I met up with her after the race, I could tell she was frustrated. Angry at her injured leg. Embarrassed by her placement. I could see the tears come as she turned away.

As a mom, I have cried for every one of my kids. They don't usually see it... I save it for times of solitude. Instead, I try to let them only see the supportive, understanding, but strong mom. The mom who can talk down the worries, embarrassments, and stresses. The mom who builds up in times of loss, problem-solves in times of distress, and soothes in times of pain. But then I cry in secret. Today has been one of those days.

But I just have to say, that girl has heart. She stuck around for her final free relay. She usually swims the anchor leg, but again, kind coaches and friends changed up the order, and she swam second.

During her leg of the race, she remained competitive. She kept up with the uninjured girl in the lane next to her. (The relay team in the far lane in this picture was boys.) Their relay team lost, but not because of Shilo. The coach chatted briefly with Bill and told him how much he admired Shilo for showing up at the meet today. At least the meet ended on a more encouraging note.

So the girl used to these this year

is learning to settle for doing her best, whatever the outcome.

And Mauri got her first DQ of the season (at the last dual meet of the season). I think she was more interested in the awesome venue (Lifetime Fitness), than in the meet. She seemed to get distracted. She wasn't too sad about it ("A guy told me I flutter-kicked, and that I should remember to touch the wall with two hands," - things she hasn't had a problem with all year), and enjoyed the meet. Afterwards, on our way to Dairy Queen (for the DQ), she asked could we please get a membership there. At that awesome place with a slide into the pool (which, funny enough, wasn't even working).
Uh, no.

Prelims are Tuesday. After the 100 Back, Shilo begged for me to tell the coaches just to scratch her from the meet, and call the season over. I told her I would. I'm hoping, however, that she might change her mind and swim at least one (or more) of the Prelim events she entered (before her injury). I am proud of her regardless of her decision.
To swim, or not to swim, that is the question.