KG's Hideaway

I'm exhausted and I'm pissed. I'm exhausted from yet another day of that fucking bathroom.

So Craig went and played golf this morning as he does every weekend day. No big deal. But, I couldn't get the lid off the bucket of joint compound so I didn't really get much done until he got home. This house is old and when we bought it a few years ago we did some minimal decorating just to get by until we knew for sure what we wanted to do. We went with a rustic style so that we didn't have to update either until we knew what we were going to do. Then, of course, Ryan started played in 3 basketball leagues within 4 months of us moving in and all hope was lost of getting it done until it was time for her to graduate because we travel so much for her stuff. We DID manage to get our bedroom done but that was because we HAD to after the damage from the water happened.

So, in this front bathroom there was this really ugly old wall heater that didn't even work but was still in the wall and the sheetrock had some damage under the paint that I didn't know about until the other day when we popped off the baseboards. So we chose to go with wainscotting around the walls that goes up (I think) 38 inches. It looks really good. The floor has almost new ceramic tile so that's all good. We put in new recessed lighting today and prepped the walls for the new texture that goes on tomorrow. Once that's up, I'll be painting the vanity although its taking forever because we're going from white to black.

I got the shower curtain and towels today (Kohl's sale was great!) and I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'd like to be through with the bathroom and hallway (also getting retextured and new baseboards) with in two weeks so that we're clear to start the livingroom as soon as we get home from Boston.

As soon as the living room walls are done the new floor goes in. This new flooring is going from the living room through the hallway and all three kids bedrooms and will match what we put in our room. The rest of the house is all ceramic tile (miles of it) except the front living room so nothing but hard surfaces on the floor except for the rugs... once I pick them out. After that, we're purchasing a black cabinet for the living room that has a lift in it for the 52'' plasma tv. I'll probably stop there, then we'll pick up next spring to do the outside painting and putting in a new yard and wood fence.

And that should do it. Oh yeah, I forgot. Craig rewired the whole bathroom!! He's terrified of working with it (me, too!) but he really did a good job and now we have an extra outlet in there!

Now, to what Ryan did to piss me off. I swear to GOD I could beat her ass right now. I've blogged about how shitty she's been the last week or so but today she looked me SQUARE IN THE EYES and lied. I fucking HATE being lied to (or about). Almost nothing will piss me off as much as that and I will make it my life's goal to fuck you up if you lie to me. If I ask you a question and you don't want me to know the answer, just say so. Lies are totally unnecessary. I'd rather someone spit in my face than tell me a lie and she did it. The worst part of the whole thing is that it WASN'T EVEN ANYTHING MAJOR. OMG I could scream I'm so pissed. I'm sure my attitude isn't helping. My arthritis has flared severely and my right foot is the worst. My hands and my feet took a beating for years as an athlete but all the years of gymnastics did the most damage. I don't want to take pain medicine for it so its really just a matter of "grin and bear it." Nice, huh?

Now back to our regularly scheduled program. G'night!

Posted by at 9:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Have you seen the preview for the movie The Strangers? It looks soooooo good, so I was telling Ryan that we should go see it one day next week. She then informed me that the guy that wrote it and directed it lived in Crowley (where we live) and graduated in 96. How cool is that? Here's the story on it if you're interested.

Ryan finished her last day of school today. I just find it so strange! Is she REALLY that old? When did that happen? They have the senior day Monday where they go to a dude ranch to swim, ride horses and play goofy stuff... just generally hang out. Then Tuesday morning I have to have her at TCU for graduation rehearsal at 8am, then back that night for the real deal. God, I'm gonna bawl my eyes out I think. ::::sigh::::

She wanted a Co@ch bag for graduation so Craig and I went and got it last month. She doesn't think she's getting it so I'm hoping she'll be happy with our choice. I'm also frantically searching for a great edition of To Kill A Mockingbird. Its her favorite book (thank God I did at least THAT right!) and I'd really like her to have a nice copy to have one.

We are still busting our asses on the bathroom. I'm exhausted and my joints fucking HURT. My arthritis is in overdrive and it isn't pretty. That bathroom, however, is.

That's all for now.

Posted by at 9:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tonight was the school board meeting and Craig and I, along with Ryan, were invited to come because the athletic director was honoring her and her coaches, as well as her principal. Mr Lincoln, the AD, is just a wonderful man and is so supportive of ALL the athletes in the district.

L-R are Mr Lincoln (athletic Director) Ryan, Coach Arnold, and Mr Crosby (principal at CHS)

Posted by at 9:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OMG graduation needs to get here already! Ryan is driving me nuts! She has been rude and disresopectful to pretty much everyone for the last week or so and frankly I've had enough.

I've got to go order the patches to finish out her letter jacket. Jesus, that's going to be a mess! Five new basketball and three new track patches. If we don't find some way to make most of those inserts the jacket is just going to look crazy. I really hope there's some way to do this right. Maybe we can take a couple of the old ones off and try to combine a couple that way. Who knows?

My stomach has been killing me lately, and right now I feel like I could just puke my guts up. A couple of weeks ago when I had that tooth pulled they gave me pain meds and they just straight up destroyed my stomach. When it doesn't hurt I just feel sick. Great way to start the summer, right?

I'm bored with myself now. Goodbye.

Posted by at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jesus, I have more muscles that hurt than I even knew I had!! The muscles in my chest, arms and low back are the worst today. I'm taking a day off working in that front bathroom! Yesterday I scrubbed out the inside of that vanity and the big linen closet in there and it was disgusting! There must have been like 8 pkgs on pads and 6 boxes of tampons. I have no use for those products anymore (thank GOD) but I always buy stuff for the girls every week. I won't be buying any for quite some time! There was also easily 10 different shampoo and conditioner bottles of varying types in there. Another 20 of different facial cleansers, probably 12 more of hair gel or mouse. The trashbag was SO full I had to drag it out of the house. Gross. Then I scraped the caulk off around the tub. GROSS!!! (The name of the product was Caulk Be Gone... haaaaaaaaaa) That is something that I won't be upset if I never see it again.

So I still need to scrape the wall paper then I'll be ready to retexture. Probably will be on to that on Friday. Maybe Saturday.

My new monitor is in!! We bought this new Dell is November but the hard drive blew last month and then my lovely new monitor crapped the bed two weeks ago. I can go pick up the replacement today.

Ryan has three days left of school til she graduates. They have different fucntions on Monday and Tuesday, then practice graduation Wednesday morning til noon then the real thing Wednesday night at 8. I still haven't cried yet, but it's coming. The school board is hosting some thing tomorrow to honor her for winning state. They did it her sophomore year when she got 4th, too. I guess its kind of cool though.

We leave a week from tomorrow for the New Mexico track meet. She hasn't even worked out since State so I'm not expecting much but it'll be nice to spend a couple of days with her before she heads off to college.

I looked around yesterday and I had 7 pairs of shoes laying around in various parts of the house. 1pair of Nikes and 2 different pairs of flipflops under my desk, 1 pair of KSwiss and another pair of flipflops over on my side of the bed (on the floor) one pair of flipflops and a pair of hells by the bar in the kitchen. Now, before you say anything I will admit that if there is a color of flipflops from Old Navy I probably have it. I have 16 pairs of them. Crazy!!! (But don't tell Craig. I've only bought two pair of shoes this month so that's pretty good. Progress anyway.)

Posted by at 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, after re-reading my last post I decided to go get the letters and use their actual words. Plus, I forgot about what happened when my GGF saw Bob's casket. He threw himself on it and sobbed until finally they pulled him away. Thinking of my adorable GGF, who was ALWAYS laughing, with a broken heart is just awful.

Anyway, here are the words from my GGF's letter and one from the 2nd oldest brother to my grandmother after he found out about Bob.

From my GGF to Bob...
July 16, 1944

Hi Bob. Well I am at Hazel's place. I got a few days home so I thought I would come up here but wish you boys could all be here. Some day we will all be together again. Mom (my GGM) asked me if I ever write to you and I said no, so Mom said you sit down and write. You know Mom and how she orders me around. Ha! Well Bob, want to thank you for the nice letter on Father's day. Bob, don't think because I don't write to you that I don't think of you boys. For there is not a day that goes by that I don't wonder where you three boys are and when you will be back. That will be a glorious day when we can all sit around mom's table and eat her cooking. So Bob don't worry about home. We are all getting along just fine and hope you are the same and some day we will meet again. Well Bob I wish you were here to help me with my truck. You could really make some good money now and I sure got a good job and a good boss. Mom is sending pictures of my truck outfit. Love Dad. Will write again.
He couldn't write him again because he died that day. God, just typing that is making me bawl. Horrible. He never talked about whether or not he had a feeling that day but everytime I read this I can't help but think he suspected that something was wrong.

Here is the letter Harley wrote to my grandmother after he found out about Bob from one of his "girlfriends."

October 26, 1944 (notice that its more than 3 months later!)
Hi Sis,
The other night was a good one for me as far as the number of letters goes but as far as the news that I received it was very bad. I had one from you, one from Hazel, three from Mom and fourteen from Alice. In one of the letters she told me the news about Bob and let me tell you it hit me down hard. It just doesn't seem possible that he won't be with us anymore. This war has broken up many homes and it will no doubt break up many more before it's through. I only hope and pray the Lord will spare Marion and myself for Mom because she has done enough suffering. I would have much rather it been me instead of Bob because he didn't even get started to live. I have been trying to write to Mom a little everyday if possible. I don't have much to say but at least she will know that I am still getting along alright. The General is coming so I must go. Love Harley.

Another from Harley to Nanny (my grandmother)

January 9, 1945
Dear Wilma and Rusty,
Received the letter you wrote me Nov 18 last night so while I am in a good mood I will answer it. You told me that I shouldn't try to even the score. When I got the news I just about went wild and wanted revenge but after seeing the chaplain he cooled me off and told me how wrong I was so now I am just looking forward to coming back. I am coming back stateside because the Lord is with me and there is lots of times when I feel that Bob is beside me, too. It makes it much better that way.....

So, now that I've thoroughly cried this morning I'll stop!

Posted by at 5:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I've dreaded doing this post ever since thinking about it last week. It would stand to reason that if it bothers me that much, then perhaps I shouldn't post it. Right? But, I never seem to do things that make any sense. Anyway, I know there everyone knows someone who's a vet, but here's mine.

::::ok::::

My mother's mother's family is Amish Menonite. (I SOOOOOOOOOOOOO would have been kicked out of that religion) My great grandparents lived well into their 90's, which put me in my 20's when they passed. These were just wonderful people. I can not find the words to express how much I loved them.

My grandmother was the youngest girl, with five brothers and two sisters. (Erma, Marion-male, Harley, Richard, Hazel, Wilma-my grandmother, Bob and John) Two of the older boys were drafted, two enlisted. Johnny was too young. I have letters written to and from eachother while they were all away. I also have the letter my great-grandfather wrote to his youngest son on the day he died. My GGF wasn't big on writing letters so just the fact that he did it... THAT day... say alot. But what he wrote still makes me want to cry.

He said that he knew God to be a kind and just God and that we can't wait until the day that he can sit around the table with all of his family there. I'm not doing a good job of characterizing his words. I should probably get it out and just put here what he wrote. Anyway, he mailed the letter that day. A few hours later they were sent a telegram informing them that Bob had been injured during the invasion of Normandy Beach. The enxt day they were told that he was actually killed.

The letters that the other brothers wrote when they found out that their baby brother had paid the highest price they were angry and my uncle Harley was serioulsy ready to kill first, ask questions later. There is absolte agony in his letters and it's quite painful to read them.

After my GGP's got enough money to have Bob's coffin shipped back home they had a funeral for him in the church cemetary. The church had been in turmoil because they didn't want a war veteran butied there since it was against their religion. Eventually, the church split into two churhes but my GGM's punishment was that for one year no one in her congregation would make eye contact with her or speak to her. My GGP's never missed a service in spite of that.

This is my grandmother's family. She's back row, center.

Here are my great=grandparents standing at Bob's grave.

My grandmother and her brother, Bob.

Posted by at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's hot and I feel like shit. Every couple of weeks I have to take lasix to deal with the fluid that collects in my feet and legs. Because of the lasix, I have to take flouride tablets when I take the lasix and I STILL have horrible legs cramps. I SHOULD have taken the flouride a day before to see if that helps. Ah well, live and learn.

So the work in the hall bathroom is underway. I bought the stuff for that bathroom a couple of months ago but we're just now getting around to it. I'm so excited to see the changes already. Tomorrow I've got to scrape off the wallpaper boarder. Yuck... I'm not a scraper.

Anyway, I'm going to bed early tonight (hopefully in about two hours) and I'm really hoping it will help me feel better tomorrow.

Oh yeah... one of the blogs I read has a fantastic recipe for onion dip. I am going to make it tomorrow but it looks fantastic. Go check it out!

Posted by at 5:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had to go to a funeral this morning. God, I hate them. My dad's side of the family is a bit twisted (Craig says my family tree doesn't branch, but the truth is that it branches TOO much! My grandparents were once step-brother and sister!) so the man that died was my first step-grandmother's brother in law. (See?) Lyle worked for my grandfather and he was ALWAYS waiting with a quarter for the coke machine (I'm soooooo old!!!) whenever we came to my grandfather's office. Really, just the sweetest man. He was quite old and quite ill... way past ready to go so in that regard it isn't sad. However, it does mark the passage of time and is yet another reminder that we aren't here forever.

My dad was a palbearer and I felt horrible for him. It was soooooooooo hot!! 90 something degrees at 11am and he was wearing a suit. My mom and I went together and decided to skip the graveside services. I don't regret it one bit!

Even though Lyle was dearly loved I didn't cry when I found out he'd passed, but I ALWAYS cry at funerals and I really hate going just because of that. I hate seeing people sad.

On that note, Craig and I had a wierd conversation just a couple of hours ago. Whenever I see someone standing on a street corner asking for money I almost always do it. Even if all I have is change. I try to do something. Craig and I went to lunch and there was a guy standing there begging on the way home. I had a couple of dollars in my purse and asked Craig to hand it to him. He said that it was ridiculous and said the guy needed to get a job. Maybe so. But I'm already a bitch, I don't want to be callous, too. I told him I'd rather give someone a dollar or two and have them waste in on drugs or alcohol rather than driving past and ignoring somone who might really need it. I realize that most of the beggars actually haul in more cash than we suspect (some reports suggest upwards of $50k a year) but a couple of dollars here and there are preferable to leaving someone who might really be hungry or needy. I just can't help it.

So, sue me.

Posted by at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So the guy came out today to give us the quote on taking out the fireplace. It was in the ballpark Craig expected so he told the guy to go ahead. But because of our travel schedule and his he isn't going to start it until the first of July. That gives me until then to get that front bathroom done and that's more than enough time. I'm so excited!!!!

I've been reading ALOT lately, even more than my usual 2-3 novels a week. For some reason I've just been chewing through them! My last three are all by Allison Weir and are about Mary and Elizabeth, both before Henry VIII declared them bastards and as they rose in power. The Lady Mary and then The Lady Elizabeth) The last one in the series I'm reading is about Lady Jane Grey called Innocent Traitor. All are fantastic! I love them!

Posted by at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, Americ@n Idol disgusted me last night. First off, the show was AWFUL, way too long and just downright boring. Then, they announced the TROLL as the winner... and they did it right at 9pm when my TiVo had to change channels because I had two other shows taping. Oh well, didn't want to hear him sing anyway. Moving on.

I've got a guy coming to give me an estimate today on demolishing the fire place. Of course we also want him to frame that wall out when they're done so Craig's GUESSING that the estimate is going to be between $1800-$2100. I was really hoping it would be cheaper than that, but... it's gotta go. AND I don't want this to drag out forever. I want to get all this crap done. If he'll do it for around $1200 I'll be happy.

I need to grocery shop today. I also have to get Austin's truck info switched over into his name but because the state shows his truck worth more than 4 times what he paid for it, we have to go to a dealership and get a certified estimate. I've never heard of this but the state put this in place to help with exempt vehicles (that's what they told me).

My biggest problem right now is a severe headache. It started yesterday and I really tried to just not think about it but it was hurting so bad overnight that it woke me up a couple of times. That worries me because anytime that's happened before its just a matter of time before I'm in the emergency room, puking my guts up and damn near screaming in pain. I realllllllllllllly don't need that right now. I've worked VERY hard with my doctors to get of my meds down to almost nothing (just mirapex, zanaflex and ambien cr) and I just don't want anything to upset that balance and set me back. I'm hoping that this is all in my head...litterally.

Off to read again. I've been reading some good books lately about the house of Tudor. Good stuff.

Posted by at 6:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you watch American Idol last night??? Good Lord, Archuleta is fantastic! Don't believe me?

David Cook looks like a troll to me, but I have to admit he did pretty good last night. When David A. sang "In This Moment" I just wanted to bawl. I've played back TiVo a billion times and it gets better each time. He's gonna be somebody. I love his humility and how he reacts to genuine appreciation of his music. Love, love, LOVE him! I'd buy that album today and shockingly, Craig said the same thing.

The work on the house continues. The new ceiling in the hallway is up and one wall is down and out. New sheetrock will go in tomorrow and the texture done on Thursday. Its wierd walking down that back hallway and hearing the echos. The carpet is going and all the tackstrips removed (damn near killed me!) and we'll be doing the same to the back livingroom. We've decided to do the hall bathroom this weekend rather than going straight to the livingroom. I'm really looking forward to getting that bathroom done!

When we bought this house 8 years ago we knew we'd need to do some work but having gone through two custody battles in two years we just needed to do the easiest (cheapest) thing. Now, I can do what I want. We'd picked everything out back in November so now its just a matter of installing it. THe vanity in that bathroom is VERY long (easily would hold three sinks) but we're just putting in a double so that will mean having to lay some tile in the spots where the vanity is NOW. Luckily we have 7 extra boxes of the ceramic tile in this house.

My biggest problem right now is keeping this house clean while doing all this crap. My bedroom is a mess and it drives me nuts. At least my allergies are letting up after cleaning out the ducts. That makes a world of difference.

Alright, off to read a couple of chapters of my book before getting back to work. Ciao!

Posted by at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So I'm sitting here catching up on my TiVo'd shows and was sorting through some old pictures. (I was mostly just watching The Tudors. Catherine died last week so Anne's head is set to fall soon! I just can't get enough of this show. Also, I don't just have a crush on Jonathan Rhys Meyers now. I must throw Henry Cavill into the same category! Yum!)

Anyway, among the pics are two of my favorites. Notice any similarities?

Here is Austin at 2yrs 4mos.

... and here he is at14. LOL Some people would think he'd be embarassed by me showing these, but truthfully he couldn't care less! Littlefoot still sits on his bed today, and probably will for eternity... though I don't think he holds him at night anymore. The only time that thing moves is when I change the sheets.

This is his kindergarten picture. He looks a little chubby to me in this picture but what I notice most are his itty bitty baby teeth. I remember when his permanent teeth came in I was shoooooooooooocked because they looked SO big. Like chicklets. He's almost 21 now but he still looks like this, only wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy taller!

Posted by at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I swear the days are too short!!! We are busting our asses retexturing ceilings and walls (all of them) but when you combine all of that with sports, graduation (?!?!?) and summer activities there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to get it all done.

We had our roof replaced in December because weh'd had some leaks, but it did some damage to some ceilings before we caught it. So today, Craig knocked out the sheetrock in the hallway and put up new. I did all the tape and bedding and he's doing the sanding. I bought a power texturer and a power painter so we're doing to do all the walls and ceilings. All. Of. Them. Hopefully I can get most of it done during the day so that Craig doesn't have to do it when he gets home. He's swamped at work!

I got all of Ryan's graduation invitations in the mail (I think). I kept having the strangest feeling when I was doing them that I was forgetting something. I was. For whatever reason I didn't use the two envelope system even though that's what I bought. Those suckers are expensive,too! When Austin graduated in 2005 I bought 50 invitations for $225. This year it was $300 for 35 of them. It comes with all the bells and whistles, like all the different books for their pictures (both parents and student sets) and inserts but I don't think they're worth $300! Wanna see it? It's a trifold thing so it doesn't look so great on the scan, but they're very nice.


When I scanned it I forgot to put one of Ryan's name cards in it, but you get the idea.

I finally got around to making our hotel reservations and Ryan's reservation for the track meet in New Mexico. We'll be leaving on Thursday and driving to Midland to drop Kyra off at her mom's for the weekend. Her mother has graciously offered to let us spend the night there on Thursday so we can avoid a hotel stay and sleep there for a couple of hours.

After New Mexico, we have about a week and a half before our trip to Boston. THIS is the trip I'm looking forward to. We'll be gone for a week and it's completely paid for by Craig's company. I love free stuff!!!

Alright, I'm going to bed. Night!

Posted by at 7:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I had to have a tooth pulled on Tuesday because the root canal that was done, wasn't done right. So several hundred follars later I should have been pain free. I'm sure you've guessed by now that it didn't work. Nope, hardly at all. It was hurting so bad yesterday I was ready go get a hammer! We went to Denton to meet the new coaching staff at UNT (LOVE THEM!) and to go to lunch with them. By the time we left Carino's I felt like my face had been blasted off.

So on the way back to Fort Worth, Craig had to pull over about 4 times so I could puke on the side of the road, and then one final upchuck standing on the corner of his building puking for all to see. Then I drove straight to Burleson for the denstist at which time they tell me that I didn't develop a blood clot over the opening so my bone was exposed. Yay. They packed this shredded beef jerkey looking stuff into it and it's somehwat better.

Tomorrow is a freally excited time. We've got sooooooooooo much work to do on the house and each day brings so many changes and I LOVE it!! Bring it on... but leave off the toothaches please!

Posted by at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, we've had a fantastic few days around here. Everyone is really excited about Ryan winning gold... but NO ONE is as excited as Kyra. It's really cute to see her get so worked up about stuff like that. When we showed her the newscast with Ryan leading off she damn near pooped her pants.

Oh, speaking of all that... Check THIS out. This girl won the state 1-A TEAM title all by herself. THAT is amazing!

So Ryan has decided to accept the invitation to the National Invitational during the first weekend in June. We've got to find some place for her to practice because the school starts putting all the track equipment away this week, but I'm hoping they will wait two weeks to do it once we request it. Ryan's track coaches go way beyond the call of duty for these kids so maybe there's a chance.

When I told Kyra that we were going to New Mexico next month and that we'd really like to see her visit her mom and step-dad she started hem-hawing around and said she "didn't think she was ready." Uggh, I don't know what more those people have to do to get Kyra to move on. I mean, she's more than welcome to go with us to NM but the relationship that she has with her mother is NOT going to get better if Kyra doesn't make some effort. I asked her last night what she thought would work (I was trying to get her to say that making one or two phone calls a week would be nice) and she said she thought she should email every couple of weeks. Great. At that rate, she and her mother will probably start having a better relationship about the time Kyra's first grandchild arrives. Oh well, what can I do? I've really given it my all but until Kyra starts giving it HER all, nothing will change.

In other news: I had to have a tooth pulled yesterday and I'm not sure that it hurts any less today. I had a root canal on it about 15 months ago but they didn't put a crown on it yet because it was still pretty sore. About 5 months ago it became clear that I was either going to have to go to an endodontist to have my root canal re-done, or I was going to have to have it pulled. (Thank God its a back tooth!) Well, I finally went and did it yesterday because it was killing me, and the infection was so bad that I was bawling. Today, it still hurts but I'm guessing that as it drains it will stop. If not, I'm ready to just knock out all my teeth. In the last two years I have spent well over $10k on my teeth. They are very soft and just really easily ruined. All of my top teeth now have crowns and root canals, but my bottom teeth are mostly fine. I'm just tired of hurting.

Posted by at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

... THE TEXAS 4-A STATE HIGH JUMP CHAMPION!!!!

OMG I can NOT express how proud we are of her! She's worked so hard for this and I was really afraid that it wasn't going to happen. It just sort of seemed too much to ask for, and watching her warm up scared the pidoodly out of me. She looked stiff and it was soooooooooooo hot! It was 95degrees out and they estimated it was 107 down on the track. To top that off, they opened the event at 4' 6" What the hell were they thinking?

Ryan didn't enter until 5ft and had no misses until there were only two jumpers left at 5' 8". The silver medalist didn't clear 5' 8" so after Ryan cleared it she went to 5' 10" and cleared it on the first try. Instead of going to 6ft she decided to make an attempt at 5' 11" but her legs were pretty tired at this point. She almost cleared it on the second attempt, but it wasn't meant to be.

Wanna see her jump? This is the winning jump (5' 8" because my hands were shaking on the 5' 10" jump and the camera really shows how bad it was) You might wanna turn down the sound because not only is my accent working overtime, but I scream pretty loudly at the end! Consider yourself warned.

She came over to talk to her coach between jumps. Looking at her face I think it's easy to see she is very relaxed.

The girls' backs are to us in the medal presentation because they present them to the crowd on the field, then turn them for the pictures. (the third place girl is JUST A FRESHMAN!!!)

Here we are cutting up afterwards. Think it wasn't hot? Just look at my face!! Look at my right hand. The way I'm holding the program AND holding up one finger make my ring finger look like its missing. Lovely.

And lastly, a close up of the gold medal...

She has the invitational track meet (nationals) the first weekend in June. I think she's going to do it but since she has no way to practice between now and then, I'm not expecting much.
This seems like more than enough.

Here is a write up in the paper on the DFW area kids who won medals.

Posted by at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I'm nervous! She wants this sooooooooooooo bad, but I'm worried that is what will do her in. This is in today's Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. Ryan's part of it is about half way down the page.

If you have room in your prayers tonight, please include a little one for Ryan to do her best... where ever that puts her.

There are only 8 girls in the state eligible to jump so it shouldn't take them but maybe an hour or so to do. They start at 4pm and they are starting the competition at 4ft 6in. Ryan isn't entering until 5ft so its going to feel like an eternity waiting for her to start.

Yay!!

Posted by at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I received an email yesterday from Ryan's coach, one today from her Gov't teacher and one this morning from the mother of a student in Ryan's class. This is regarding Ryan's special relationship with this boy in her class who is austistic. I've taken out the identifying information but the emails make me feel so proud. This is far better than any gold medal she might win!

This first one is from the teacher telling me about the email from Brian's mom...

Kristi, I wanted you to see what BG said about Ryan. We all know how talented and beautiful she is. She also has a heart of gold. This made me cry and I am so proud to know her. We all can learn so much from her. I hope it is ok that I shared this with Mr. Crosby and Coach Arnold. You have raised a wonderful young woman. She must have had a great example in her mother.

I appreciate you,

B G

Posted by at 8:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Craig and I had taken a break from working on the house for a couple of months but we're starting up again this weekend. I went and bought a texturing sprayer and a spray gun for paint. We'll be retexturing every ceiling and wall in this house over the next few weeks. In many ways I'm really looking forward to it. Craig and I really enjoy doing the stuff, plus once I'm done the new flooring can be installed. Yay!!!

Ryan leaves tomorrow for Austin. She jumps at 4pm on Friday so we're aren't heading out until Friday morning. We'll be coming back Friday night. She has the highest jump for any 4A school in the state (and 2nd if you throw in all the A, 2A, 3A and 5A schools) and she's tied with three others for the 3rd highest jump in the nation. Only 8 girls in the state qualified for the meet so we'll be happy no matter what, but I REALLY WANT A MEDAL!!! She took fourth her sophomore year because she was so distracted with the whole, "OMG I'm at the state track meet!!!" thing that she forgot to stretch and go through everything she was supposed to do.

So that's about it for what's going on around here.

Posted by at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Woody...

... and Jade...

... are home! Jade, as you can clearly see, was just wiped out from the whoe thing... poor little girl! Woody just seems his normal happy self.

I was pretty much falling apart, worried that the dogs weren't really there, but they were and it only cost me $50 in penalties. Both dogs are due in two weeks for their shots and wellness exams, and the animal control officer told me that she's worked in Crowley for 27 years and has never had an animal show positive for rabies... until this week. Two skunks they caught both have it so in some ways this terrible event this weekend served some purpose. I might have waited until mid June when we go to Boston and Rhode Island to get their shots when we board them at the vet but because of this they have an appointment Wednesday to get it done. My god, I'd never forgive myself if they got sick and died because of something like that. I felt guilty enough about them getting out!

Gotta run to Target for stuff... including dog shampoo because they STINK!

Now, I can just focus on all the fun we had this past weekend (below).

Posted by at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This weekend we took Ryan down to San Antonio to play in the TABC (Texas Association of Basketball Coaches) All-State All-Star game. I am so proud of her, but I'll give the details shortly.

We decided to take Kyra and our niece, Rusti as well. Craig's exwife (Laura) her husband (Paul) and their daughter (Enara) came down to SA to visit with Kyra. Kyra hasn't had much of relationship with her mom in the last several years and we're really trying to encourage it. In the past, when we've tried Kyra just fights harder and makes things impossible, but this visit really went well and we had a great time with them.

Friday morning we met up with them at a mall and had fun shopping. Ryan had to check in for the event at 12:30 so she and Craig only stayed for an hour or so. We only bought a couple of things but the best part of the mall was seeing David Robinson!!! Holy cow, we walked right past him and NO ONE NOTICED!! I was like, "OMG Craig that's David Robinson. 'The Admiral!'" Craig didn't say anything but turned and looked at him. Then he acknowleged the recognition and said, "Yeah, thanks!"

Anyway, Craig took Ryan then made it back about an hour or so later... just in time to save me from purchasing THE PERFECT PURSE. I will own it, watch! It was really funny watching Rusti and Enara. Rusti is about 5 months older and really didn't want to share the balloons they got at Nordst0ms, but Enara was great about it and just went along. Rusti is the biggest toy hoarder, according to her babysitter and we now have the proof!!

Then the girls played on the playground for a while.

Friday evening was the banquet and while it was OK, I just wasn't feeling it. Ryan had fun and Rusti looked soooooooooooooo cute in the new dress I bought! Kyra ended up hanging out with Paul and Laura and had fun with them.

Saturday morning, all of us except Ryan headed out to the zoo. The girls were perfect and seemed to enjoy the whole thing. Kyra was great with both girls and very attentive.

After the zoo it was time for the game.
Here are the girls before heading to the court. Ryan is in the back on the far left.

She had a good game defensively...

... but offensively she was fantastic! Truthfully, I didn't expect her to do well because she hasn't touched a basketball since March because she's been focusing on track. Anyway, she ended up being the 2nd highest scorer in the game. She even made another 3!!!

I think this weekend was great on all levels. I didn't touch on the one bad part yet. It's really bad. Austin got home from work on Friday at about 5pm and my dogs weren't in the back yard. The police wouldn't tell me if animal control got them and said I couldn't find out until Monday morning. Luckily, Austin went down there and they were both there. I bawled my eyes out alot of the weekend but thankfully they'll be home tomorrow morning.

Posted by at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)