Congratulations to Our New Graduate!

"I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail."

Congratulations to the Class of 2006! We have a new graduate at our house, well, for a little while until she moves in a few weeks to begin the summer term at the University. For some reason, for a Mom, the commencement exercises feel just about like giving birth...the end of some difficult "labor" of the senior year, the joy of a new beginning and some sadness that a wonderful time in life is now over, yet a new time is life is just getting started. Seems that just a few moments have passed since she was our new bundle of joy and here she is, all grown up, ready to step out into the world.

Have I done what I needed to do as a Mom? That's a tough question. At this age children have many reasons to answer, "NO!" This is the time of life that it's tough to be a Mom. Seems I'm always in the line of fire.

Have I done anything right? Hopefully so, since she graduated with a diploma of merit and sang a final solo in the closing number of the Madrigals. Of course, I know that any accomplishments that she has earned have been of her own doing. Although I do hope that I provided some support and encouragement along the way, but truth be told she has become so much more than I could have ever dreamed. What a beautiful, talented, intelligent young woman she is.

I'm so excited to see what her new steps in life will bring. She will blaze a wonderful trail.

Congratulations, graduate. We love you!

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

Although life is so busy now that the thought of adding one more activity to the family calendar made me wonder if I would need to get out a magnifying glass to read the fine print, but I just couldn't turn down the pleas from the youngest son to sign him up for soccer. The teams usually practice at the large county park within walking distance from our home, so the oldest son at home agreed to accompany the youngest son to soccer practice, but that was before we were assigned a team that practices a few miles away. That's okay...practice is in the evening when I should be available to attend. Games are on Saturdays and Tuesdays, both of which are generally free on the calendar, well, there's actually white space to write the event on the calendar. As long as I didn't have to coach.

So last Monday, we went for the big, Soccer Meet Your Coach and Team Night at the park. The youngest son got to meet his coach, a few team mates, picked up his new, enormous purple uniform shirt, black socks and black shorts. Is there a soccer tradition that says that county teams have to play in jerseys that are ten times too big so the sponsors have more room for advertising? Just better watch out on windy days...the team might take flight! But the grin on every player's face was great...they were getting ready to play soccer!

Wednesday was the first practice. I still haven't gotten my soccer Mom chair in the back of the minivan, so I stayed in the comfort of my minivan and watched the practice. I also don't have my soccer Mom blanket handy either, so I also needed the warmth of the minivan to protect me from the spring breeze, too. This first practice was at the nearby park, where the parking lot overlooked the practice field. It was brimming over with a multitude of little soccer players. Fortunately no other purple teams were in sight, and the coach was able to keep track of his team. He's a great coach. He got in there and played with them and showed them how things were done, then encouraged them all to give it a try. The whole time he was laughing and having a great time...just what kids need these days. It also happened to be youngest son's birthday, a big 1-0, so we brought treats...seemed fitting.

Fortunately Saturday was a perfect day for the first game. We got out the chairs, camera, and a blanket, although it wasn't needed, to watch the purple play the blue team. Both teams lined up and at the whistle they were off. First one team then the other dribbled the ball down the field, then youngest son and another purple player started passing to one another. It took a few tries, but with some team work, they scored a goal! The rest of the team got in on it and soon they dominated control of the ball. I was snapping some photos, knowing that if I didn't take a lot, seems that I don't get many good ones. It's hard to take actions shots. But just as I snapped what I thought was a good photo, I looked up and the ball was in the net...youngest son, made a goal! We had a great time watching the action. After half time the other team seemed to catch on and scored a few goals, too. Youngest son, with back up of his awesome purple team, scored another goal. So by the end of the game there were goals scored by both teams and all of the kids left the field just as the county sports director requested, "with a smile on their face and a cookie in their hand." What a great way to start the season!

At practice this week the team was anxious to learn from their coach so they could prepare for the next game. The new practice location left more room for running laps and drills without running into other soccer players. While watching the purple team work hard to the encouragement of their coach, I kept myself busy finishing some paperwork on my laptop. No parking lot nearby, so sat in the shade of the elementary school. Still need to get that folding chair in the back of the minivan...

I Know This Expert!

Recently my graduating class of South Garland High School has been e-planning a reunion. Although I don't think I'll make the two day drive to Texas, I've read the e-mails as they've circulated and last night took a look through the e-mail addresses to see if there were any folks that were in my small group of friends. One I noticed had a URL with her own name: askandrea.com, so I decided to check it out. Andrea and I took almost every class together during four years at SGHS. She was the team trainer when I played soccer our freshman year. We were on the Math Team with Mrs. Shoemaker together. Andrea's the one who found the special kitten for my Mom our senior year. She graduated early the end of first term and I graduated the end of second term. When I've visited Texas, she's the one I would try to see or talk to. Needless to say, I haven't been to Texas lately. Her radio show is all over the Internet and so are her TV appearances. No matter what the topic, when Andrea was interested she become the expert. So it was no surprise to find this quote: "Andrea Ridout is considered to be one of the hottest home improvement experts today." She's an awesome lady and a friend that I wish I would have kept in contact with. It's really cool to hear her voice again. All the best!

I have missed every reunion of my class from SGHS. The fifth I had planned to attend and even put in my two cents with the planning group, but I was busy that weekend. It was the weekend that one of my sons was born. Bad timing, lack of funding, or the curse of having to cross a vast desert in the heat of August has kept me away every time. No wonder folks gave up on me. I have however kept up with a few of my graduating class via the Internet. I learned that one of our Math Team died very young. He was a quiet guy, but must admit when I see his picture on the cover of the yearbook I miss him. He was always willing to help me understand math. Can't recall if I ever needed to assist him. We had this awesome group of students who pulled together to learn the stuff, because it was fun!

One of my classmates, also a neighbor who happened to share a love of the skies, has travelled the world. Another has visited Utah as an actor at the Shakespearean Festival. (Mrs. C would be so proud!) Those that I knew best have all found that they have had to follow their passion, even if it didn't (or did) make business sense. If you aren't excited to get out of bed each morning, then life needs a few changes. Although I'm excited for the new day and hate each day to end, I still have a few passions to follow. I think I'll follow Andrea's example and the others, too and do what I love...I find that when I do, each day is a wonderful adventure!

And maybe there is some tie we all have to our alma mater...all hail to thee!

Guess the Kids Can't Be Too Embarrassed

My friend, Rachel had this link on her blog, so instead of going to bed and sleeping as I should, I decided to take the test. I'm only lightly nerdy..."Somewhat nerdy. I mean face it, you are nerdier than about half the test takers." That's less nerdy than Rachel, but I suppose I could hide it if need be. I actually prefer geek girl myself, although that avatar is taken. I'm highly motivated by a great technical conversation or success over a difficult problem. I enjoy science, web coding, online learning, digital video editing, digital scrapbooking, podcasting, and communicating with the world via the Internet. Fortunately though, when necessary I can dress up and hide the geekiness, so I won't embarrass my children.

Or maybe I might:




What does this mean? Your computer geekiness is:

Low Ranking Computer Geek. Definitely a Computer Geek, but low in the computer geek social structure.

Podcasts!

A few months ago I learned about a fairly new medium called podcasts. They're like radio shows, but instead of the content disappearing into the atmosphere, they are preserved to be listened to at any time. Some can be subscribed to through RSS feeds, or through iTunes. I even took two days at UEN to learn how to create my own...it's fun. The West Kearns Growl can be found at http://westkearns.blogspot.com and the Bennion CyberCorps can be found at http://bennioncybercorps.blogspot.com. A professional development site is also in the works. We've created a family podcast, too, but that's only been distributed via e-mail so far, although there have been requests for additional episodes, so guess we'd better create another!

I've enjoyed listening to Dan Schmidt who produces KidCast and David Warlick who produces Connect Learning. Being a rather social person I really appreciate having something to listen to while I work in a lonely computer lab. The other morning I actually found myself disappointed that my workout on the treadmill was over...I wanted to listen to one more podcast! (I did have a treadmill incident when I first got my iPod. When reaching to turn down the volume on a podcast that had suddenly become too loud, I accidently hit the STOP button.) The ideas I've listened to in these and other podcasts have been quite thought provoking, but I haven't quite been able to pull all of my sparks and flashes into anything succinct.

I've also learned about new music called podsafe. Musicians post their music on the Internet for use on podcasts. It's a way that artists share their works and podcast listeners get to hear some great stuff. One place to find this music is at the Podsafe Network. I particularly enjoy Geoff Smith's Not on the Radio. His wife made an awesome music video to go along with it. Thanks!

Now that I have an iPod I can organize what little music I actually own, along with my podcasts and photos. Last time I even uploaded my calendar. Just wish that it wasn't so difficult to keep charged. I had to choose which computer to use with it and chose my laptop, but I don't always have the laptop out, so it's currently dead...better get it charging so it'll be ready for tomorrow's workout!

Wonderings...

Have you ever peeked at what people around you are purchasing? A late night trip to one of the few stores opened and having what we needed got me wondering. It was obvious to anyone who saw my selection why I was at the store at that late hour, but I was curious why a twenty something married man would be purchasing plastic containers. Perhaps he has a wife who's right in the middle of that big cleaning the kitchen project and needs just a few more organizing boxes, so he rushed to the store to support her efforts. Was she cleaning the kitchen at this late hour because, like me not too many years ago, it was the only sane hour of the day to do anything without being interrupted? Or maybe he's the one trying to find order to life.

Funny, seems I've been inspired. After a very long quest for an important piece paper, I decided that I'd spend some of our lovely spring break getting a little more organized. I stopped and picked up some plastic containers to finish an organizing project I started when the snow just kept coming down.

Who knows...perhaps the Christmas lights will be retrieved from the roof this lovely spring weekend? Not by me though, I'm too chicken to go on the roof!

Spring Flowers!

Finally after weeks and weeks of winter, then lots of spring snow and rain, the flowers have come out!

Grassroots Politics in the Neighborhood

Seventeen neighbors came to our precinct caucus this evening. What a great way to meet and discuss what the issues are and what we as voting citizens can do about it! First we read a summary of the party platform. I was surprised by some of the stands, but does everyone agree 100%? Not likely in America! The most valuable time was listening to what others thought about the issues and clarity from others point of view. We disagreed without being too disagreeable. Two of those attending were elected to attend the county convention and another to attend the state convention. Those would be interesting gatherings to see.

Life's Adventures

These are my adventurous toes. Although my sweet daughters thought I would like a more neutral color of polish, I wanted them to match my swimsuit. They were there at the end of my Tevas to remind me that I would not likely pass this way again and I needed to seize the chance to live the real experience.
Even though I'm desperately afraid of heights, I soared on a zipline through a rainforest canopy, at times above the monkeys.



How hard it is to sometimes live in the moment...we fly through our days missing the sloths in the trees right within our reach. Fortunately we have friends in life who remind us to "look around!"



How many sunsets do we take in, each moment different from the last? As we watch do we remember those who are sharing the same sunset who we cannot see or touch?
















I don't ever want to miss life's adventures!

It's March?!

Just as I have done a Clean Sweep of my Clean House to reach my Mission: Organization, I'm also trying to pare down my day to day schedule, too.

The first thing to do (of all things!) was to add more intensive workouts to my schedule. I'm amazed at how working out my body clears my mind and gives me more energy. I loved my walks with my hub'n, although we found it difficult to do with bad weather (ice is dangerous and so is bad air!). Now we workout at a club and take fitness to a whole new level. I tried some flexibility exercises this morning and found whole sets of muscles that have somehow missed the new routine. I was certain that the first few weeks or even months of such workouts would make me want to climb into bed as soon as I got home from work, but I was wrong. I actually have more energy to do things when I get home now, even though my day starts hours earlier. I also sleep better...what a relief!

Another thing I've been reminded of is how taking care of myself helps me to care for others better. Guess it fills some basic internal need that in turn allows me to give more.

Next step: becoming more productive at work, so I can finish and go home before the light of day is over. Perhaps the more intensive exercise will clear my mind, so I can complete tasks more efficiently.

The Tree is Down

Yes, the tree is down. We are now getting the largest snowfall of the season. It started out as a windstorm the last two days, then silently, while we were in church this morning, it began to fall. At first it didn't really stick, but now we have a few inches and the snow continues to fall. It's supposed to snow on and off all week. I'm glad that I have no place to be early in the morning.

Yes, It's Still Christmas to Me

I admit it. I still have a Christmas tree (with the lights on) in my living room. I was all ready to take it down before returning to school, but had other things a little more urgent to do, so thought I'd do it Monday,.....then Tuesday. Here it is Wednesday and I'm finally taking a little time to enjoy the peace the quite glow brings on a cold winter night. Perhaps I'll take it down tomorrow...or not.

A New Year!

It's been a good year:

1. I officially lost 24.8 pounds and 26.0 inches.
2. Completed most major repairs and renovation of our home.
3. Have found numerous ancestors, both of my own and for others.
4. I have laughed, lived, and loved.

So what do I want to accomplish in the New Year?

1. Lose 26.2 more pounds and the accompanying inches.
2. Finish painting and repairs of our home.
3. Pay off all debts except the mortgage.
4. Find more ancestors, both my own and for others.
5. Laugh, live, and love a whole lot more.

Here's to 2006!

Simple Pleasures

I had a dental check up on December 5th and although I did not have any cavities, I did have a very unpleasant experience during the cleaning. So, I asked Santa for a Sonicare toothbrush. Well, I got what I asked for...the children thought it was rather lame...but I charged it up and started using it right away. I love the delicious feeling of clean teeth! No more painful cleanings for me.

A Simple Christmas

Christmas has been wonderful this year. I especially loved the many concerts our children were in. Of course the parties were great, too. I began listening to holiday music early this year. A local radio station polled its listeners and chose to start playing Christmas music the week before Thanksgiving. At first I was overwhelmed at the thought, but I kept going back and finally decided that I was ready for Christmas music. I struggled to get presents sent to family away from home. Although I had the Christmas spirit, shopping just wasn't something that I felt like doing. Busy at work during the day and activities every night we didn't have many chances to shop much, but when we had some time, we got a few things. I was very glad that we kept things simple. It made for a lovely holiday.

Enjoying Hot Chocolate in the Lodge

I finally decided that I used to be a skier. For years I've thought I'd give it a go again, but this year after giving it much thought, I've decided that I really have other things that I'd rather be doing. For some reason coming to this conclusion has been very cathartic.

No Fair Being Sick

This week started out as a week that I wished I could take a day off...be careful what you wish for...you just might get it. Early this morning when I was up battling a sick stomach I heard the panicked pound of feet running for the bathroom and the horrible sound of a sick child. So we're both home sick today, but that's really not what I had in mind when I hoped for a day off. I'd really prefer some time to do some shopping, perhaps a little family history research, or finish painting, but no...instead I'm sipping ginger ale, napping and wishing I felt like shopping, research or painting.

Finished the Drapes

I finished sewing the drapes over the weekend. It is amazing how much heat they help keep in. There is a bow in the drapery rod, but we'll figure out how to support it in the middle. We rolled the piano back in the room and put the stuff back in the china cupboard. Next I'll get out the Christmas decorations--especially since the days of December are going fast.

Things are coming together nicely.

Clicking and Shopping for a Great Cause

A pair of my Christmas socks

My Oregon socks

Tonight, as I clicked my daily click to help fight breast cancer, some of the ads caught my eye and I found a great gift for my Mom. I don't think she reads my blog, but it doesn't really matter. You can also click to help fight hunger, for childrens' health, literacy, and a few other good causes. Not sure how much of the money, or how clicking really helps, but I sure hope that it does. I suppose if many people click daily, and a few stop and shop, then the advertisers make money on the deal, but also support good causes. I guess it's a win-win.

I didn't think much about cancer much until a few years ago my life was touched by many dear friends who fought the good fight...some won, but some did not. I have my own sock campaign where I wear special socks and they remind me of those who have had to take up the cause. The first time I ran the Race for the Cure, I didn't know anyone to run for--it just happened to be the week I graduated from the University of Utah and I thought running a race would be a good celebration. Now I know many women for whom I could run, including a cousin, a sister-in-law, and many good friends.

Remembering such things often keeps life in perspective.

Big Windows and Tall Ceilings

For more than a year, we've been doing some home fix up, remodeling stuff. One of the last rooms that we just tackled was the living room. It's a beautiful space with vaulted ceilings and a large picture window with an arch.

My first mistake was thinking that I could paint it myself over the labor day weekend. I moved as much as I could out, took down the vertical blinds (our practical window covering with many little people in the household) and discovered that the arch window was broken. I figured that it would be a large expense to replace it, so waited a few weeks (until the middle of November) to have it replaced. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't as much as I thought to repair it. Unfortunately now it needs some exterior caulk to seal it for the winter weather that we're having, but it's too cold...that's the way home improvement projects seem to go.

The two days after Thanksgiving we painted the ceiling, the entire room, and all connected tall walls associated with it. (It's one of those projects that once you start painting, you really don't stop until you paint everything.) It looks great--now I'm kicking myself for not at least taking a broom to the dirt on the walls from the ceiling fan a few years earlier. Of course, considering the fact that I'm quite scared of heights, something I completely forgot until I climbed on a ladder to clean the ceiling fan, it couldn't have been done without my wonderful husband who did all of the tall stuff. I was nervous no matter who was on the ladder, so I was very relieved when it was all finished.

This weekend the goal was to cover the big picture window, so folks would stop commenting on how much they've noticed we've progressed on our projects. Just wanted to keep from being on stage anytime we were in the living room. Perhaps the neighbors really don't want to see me when I'm in the middle of a painting project...still trying to get the paint out of the hair...and I really would like to decorate the Christmas tree before Christmas Eve this year.

Great Christmas sales at the local fabric/craft store included drapery hardware at 50% off. I thought the little people have grown up enough (some are even in college, now) we could consider something a little more traditional this time. Perhaps sheers and drapes. Can't believe it, but I found a perfect drapery fabric for $3.00 a yard. I took a chance that the color was right, even though I didn't bring my carefully kept home improvement journal with me. It was. But even the minimal sewing required to make two plain panels is a little more than can be accomplished in one day. So the rods and sheers went up, but of course, there is just one little problem....the rods are bowed under the weight of the sheers. There isn't any where to place a middle bracket. The upper arch window is placed directly on top of the lower picture window. Will have to solve that problem on another day since this one is nearly over.

Three more rooms: the dining room and two bathrooms, and the entire house will be in tip top shape. Every little thing has been fixed, repaired, replaced, painted, and cleaned. So why didn't this happen earlier? Funny human nature....