Rehearsal, Library Meeting, and Missing Practice

So my life of public service has cramped my style a bit. My trustee meeting is coinciding with t-ball practice, and being a coach and all, how can I possibly not be there? I mean, the fate of the free world depends on my presence, or at least batting practice. I mentioned to the other trustees that I had to be somewhere, though I toyed with the idea of spinning a story because I was a little embarrassed to say I had to miss some of the meeting because of t-ball, but in the end, opted for the honest approach, which of course got me nowhere, because I didn't manage to leave early.

Coach KW said it was no problem if I showed up or not (thanks a lot), her sons would help out (great kids) and R agreed to cover for me. So the way it worked out was I would take the kids to the library along with their bikes and t-ball gear, and they would hang out and I would be a trustee.

R would come and pick up the kids and take them to t-ball while I finished the meeting. After the meeting, I would head over to practice, where nobody even noticed I was missing, and R would take A home for supper. N and I would join them to eat, and then A had rehearsal for the community theater, which on that night went for 1.5 hours.

Welcome to a day in our lives. It's a good thing we have two cars... for now. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Agata Urbaniak for the pic.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day last weekend, and I realize I'm way behind the curve here, but what else is new? Besides, I'm spread pretty thin these days, so bear with me.

The kids really get into special occasions, especially when it involves mom. A&N holed up in the school room and went all out, making cards and gifts from assorted craft supplies. Given the time and left to her own devices, they can do an amazing job of making gifts that would break your heart if you saw them. They are so cool, and so endearing, you can really see that they put a lot of thought into them.

The Friday before Mother's Day, we decided to go out and get flowers for R, but we ran into the problem of keeping them fresh until Sunday. We knew come M-day that we couldn't really slip out and make it a nice surprise, so we got them earlier. We then found a nice vase and kept them in water in the secret room. The kids made it clear to R that she was not to enter, and they kept everything stashed in there. The night before, A was stressed out that I wasn't going to put the flowers in the nice vase in time, but I managed. Give a guy more credit, why don't you?

The morning of Mother's Day, the kids were besides themselves. They kept asking me, "Can we go see mom?" I told them to be patient, let her sleep, but they couldn't wait. Finally, R appeared, and boy was she surprised. She asked us how we got the flowers without her knowing. If only she knew.

The weather was cold, some sort of cold front, so we hung out by the fire and the kids made pancakes and bacon. The pancakes were from a recipe we got from our King Arthur Flour Whole Grain cookbook, which we bought at auction at the Winter Carnival. You can freeze the mix and simply add milk and eggs, which is perfect for the kids.

After breakfast, R did some work at home, and then we headed over to the big city for dinner and then a movie. We ate at our favorite place, Boloco, and in line with the fact that we love that place, we got a free burrito for Mother's Day. How cool is that? We love Boloco, I could eat there every day.

After dinner we went to see that Disney flick, The Ocean, which was okay, but somehow Pierce Brosnan just doesn't cut it as a narrator. They need someone like David Attenborough or Peter Wolf or something like that. I hate to admit it, but on a few occasions, I found myself falling asleep.

We went for Ben and Jerry's ice cream afterward, and I sort came away from the place with a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. They seem to be embracing the Starbuck's approach to ice cream. They have these deceptive names for ice cream, and when you want a small scoop, you need to specify a "kid's" scoop, otherwise they give you a bigger one than you want and of course charge you more. I mean, seriously, our kids are little, I don't want them eating a half a pint of ice cream. Either way, I felt deceived and duped, kind of like I feel at the auto mechanic's shop, but more on that later.

We got home and it was getting dark, but I figured it was cool and nice out, so a perfect time to mow the lawn before bedtime.

A nice Mother's Day, mainly because we hung out together and got to eat Boloco and ice cream. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

T-Ball Stabilization

T-ball practice has been going pretty smoothly, and I have to give coach KW credit, she's great with the kids. Lots of fun energy, the kind kids respond to. I don't know KW's circumstances, but she's got three great boys that help out, and it's amazing for teenage boys to be so willing and earnest in helping out a bunch of 5-6 year old kids learn to play ball. Hats off to her for great parenting.

We've figured out our drill for t-ball, and it's working out well. We split the practice in half. The first half, we do stretches and a bit of exercise, then focus on basics, covering a fundamental or two with each kid. The second half of the practice we play a scrimmage, where they get to implement what they learned into action. It's complete chaos, and any planning goes right out the window as kids scramble in every possible direction, but they have fun.

Being the elder statesmen, N is in a reasonable position in the skills category, and one of the only kids (I think there are 4) who wants to be pitched to. I'll leave it at that.

I think we've found a plan that will get us through the season, but we'll see. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Larisa Hicken for the pic.

P.S. I think softball is a thing of the past. It just wasn't meant to be, and that's fine. We have too much on our plate, anyway, and A is more of an artist, as opposed to a jock.

More Divine Intervention

Boy, we sure caught a few breaks yesterday with the weather, and this time around, it was bad weather that worked in our favor. In retrospect, however, it may not have mattered, anyway.

I had been trying to get A to play softball because some of her friends were on the team, so naturally, being the overbearing dad that I am, I tried to force the issue despite her ambivalence. She was hesitant about the whole thing, but often times with new things she is not sure but enjoys it in the end. She just needs a little nudging.

Well, as it turns out, we missed the first practice, so I figured we could make it to the second one without falling too far behind. That night, however, N had drama class in WRJ, then t-ball, then after practice, A had her community theater rehearsal. It was crazy, and I didn't want to bite off too much, but I wanted her to at least try softball. On the other hand, if she missed too many practices, at some point it might not be worth it, and here she was going to miss another one because of rehearsal.

Then the clouds rolled in, and before we knew it, there was rain, thunder and lightning. Practice for t-ball and softball was canceled. New life. Now A could go to rehearsal and not miss another practice and still be up to speed.

In the end, however, after further inquiry, she indicated that she just wasn't that interested in softball. She's an artist, not a jock, like her brother. I decided that you just can't force these issues, and left it at that. Part of the reason I was encouraging her was because she is good, she can really hit the ball, and she has a good arm. Not to be sexist, but she doesn't throw "like a girl," the kiss of death for any boy playing Little League. She has good form and a strong arm, and she can run. The only thing she needs practice in is fielding, but that applies to every kid I've seen on the field.

I'll just leave it at that. Just as a side note, we also had a dentist's appointment that morning, which I'd forgotten about and missed. They fine you for missing an appointment without giving them enough notice, but this time around, they cut me a break because someone had canceled and if I could fill the void, they'd forgive my oversight. Serendipity shines it's light on us once again.

Or as my Mentor would say, "Friggin cosmic!"

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to laura00 for the pic.

Reading Machine

In an example of a situation that would bring tears of joy to any parent, N has become a bit of a reading machine. I'll tell you one thing, you haven't really experienced the true meaning of life until you've seen your child in their underwear or wearing a robe on the couch and losing themselves in a good book. A good reminder of what life is all about.

Mind you, it wasn't always this way. N wasn't as keen on reading as A. In fact, when he was really little, he didn't even like being read to, but we hung in there and eventually he began to love having stories read to him, and now, he is able to read on his own. It's too cool for words to see his face light up with recognition when he can read and understand something. He has yet to really jump in head first and devour books, but at least he enjoys them. One step at a time, as the saying goes.

I'll take it. Until the next time, thanks for reading.

It Ain't Easy Squeezing It In and Final Drama

No, I'm not talking about going to the bathroom.

I'm talking about getting the writing done, but also keeping in mind the long term goals, which are to get my glorious freelance writing career up and running. Not easy to do when you're a SAHD who is trying to be a real man at the same time. On the one hand, you want to be like Hemingway and write and do manly things and poison your body with absinthe, but on the other hand, I don't think he scored too many warm and fuzzy points in being a dad. Just a guess.

Either way, I'm torn. I have a writing gig that pays peanuts, but it pays, so I try to write at least one a day, but preferably two, and in a golden world, three. This is doable, I've done it, but it takes some time, usually all of my free morning time, which is when I write best. This, however, does not leave a lot of time to get the big stuff in, like writing a novel or play or screenplay... etc. One has to be sacrificed to fulfill the other, that's the way of the world. Oh, and of course, there's the issue of this blog, but don't get me started.

Anyway, I started writing a feature piece, but these things take time. First, because it's a longer, more involved piece. Second, because if it's a real piece of journalistic work, it has to be good. And third, because it's new territory, and I always struggle in these arenas. The take home message, I need some time to get it done, and time is one of the many things I don't have. I'm not trying to make excuses, just pointing out the drama that has become my life.

So I keep plugging along. I have confidence regarding two issues. One, I feel I can do this. This may be delusional, but sometimes you're better off that way. And two, that it will happen, and the day will come when I will get my act together and get it done. Then, my glorious freelance career will get off the ground, and we can all live our fabulously opulent lifestyles.

In the meantime, there are the quotidian matters that need to be attended to, and of these, there are many. A&N had their final drama classes this past week, and the program is coming to an abrupt halt. This is a bummer, because not only did the kids love the class, but we thought it was a good arena for A to get some constructive criticism that she will take to heart (i.e., it isn't coming from her parents), she is challenged and has to work hard to overcome it, she can express her creative and imaginative side, and she is around interesting and imaginative kids. AND, it's a cool experience and endeavor.

Now it's done. Some parents have a desire to keep it going, and I hope this works out. I think A came out of it liking it, but not loving it. In retrospect, she could have done better if she'd put in the time and effort, but a lot of things come easy for her. When the going gets tough and the challenge is greater than normal, her mode is to walk away and seek out the easier things. Not a good way to go through life. The only way to hook her into something more difficult is if she understands the end result is rewarding. That, or having us force her, which breeds resentment.

I think the drama speaks to her on a number of levels, and afterward, I spoke with her and she thought she could have done better, and though at first she didn't love the class, mainly because it wasn't fun and silly, but required work, she did get something out of it. She said if she had to do it all over again, she might be inclined to put in the time. We shall see.

We also sat in on N's final class, and somehow the kids seemed more out of control than last time. In fact, there were moments when it seemed like anarchy. I could see the exasperation of the teacher, and some of the kids struck me as in need of medication, it was that bad. I found myself exhausted in the end, but there was an end. N is bummed it's over, but maybe that's not a bad thing. One less activity to have to get to.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Zsuzsanna Kilian for the pic.

Green Up Day and Rehydration Issues

I made a whiny post and deleted it because it was so whiny, but in retrospect, maybe should have kept it. Like the line in Biloxi Blues when the character tears the page out of his diary because it offended his friend, "Once you start compromising your values, you become a candidate for mediocrity." I think that's a forgone conclusion.

Anyway, there's too much to deal with to whine, so I'll move forward and stew quietly, instead. We had Green Up Day this past weekend, and the kids were really excited about it all. People really get into it, and the town really rallies (sp?) behind the cause. They have all sorts of activities and events, and it's a big day out here. Also, people fiercely defend their cleaning areas. I was told people call in the day before to reserve their road. Last year, someone beat us to the punch on our road, and this year I, too, got into the act and was determined that we should clean the road we live on. For the record, the people who scooped us last year were our neighbors and friends. This year, when we were taking care of our neighbor's cat, we actually cleaned up the road on our own, and there was plenty of trash. Walking to and fro, we picked up a bag's worth, and felt good about doing our part, because every day should be Green Up Day, don't you think?

It was a beautiful day, and R spent it in the garden while I worked on the barn/yard. At some point, the kids wanted to do Green Up, so we went for a walk. There wasn't much to do, as expected, but they had fun, and we saw several of our friends getting into the act, as well.

After working in the yard all day in the hot sun, I've found I have rehydration issues, and at R's suggestion, decided to drink an oral rehydration solution instead of water. More carbs, salts and electrolytes, it reminds me of Gatorade. At the very least, it tastes good, and I want to believe that it will help, so we'll see. The heat is only going to get worse.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Flavio Takemoto for the pic.