She's 17

Happy 17th Birthday to my beautiful

first born child.

Arianna Kathryne

You make me happy everyday.

I couldn't be more proud of the woman you're becoming.

Happy Birthday Baby.

love mom.

A couple Things

Alex has been home sick since last Friday. I took him to the Doctor as soon as he said that it was hurting to breathe.

He has pneumonia. Lucky for him and me... He's a pretty good patient. it's amazing how easy they are when they REALLY don't feel well. He probably won't be back to school until next Monday. Pray for me.

Ari started her first REAL job. She applied at the local vet where we take all of our pooches. He told her that he'd love to hire her but that she was probably gonna have to choose between playing volleyball in the Fall and this job. She came home and cried.

She agonized for two days about what to do. Does she give up volleyball her senior year to have a job she really wants? Or does she keep her commitment to herself and her team and give up the job?

Ted and I both told her that we thought she should NOT give up volleyball her senior year. There are NO do overs. You don't get another senior year. She was so torn because she really wanted the job.

I finally told her " Ask for the moon!" Tell the Dr that you want the job but you will be playing VB in the late Summer/Fall and that you'll be back to re-apply when the season ends. Ask for the moon! You deserve it.

She didn't have to ask for the moon. He called her two days later and asked her to start the next day.

He said that when she started VB he would deal with it then, but that he wanted to hire her in spite of the fact that she would need a few months off.

She started a few days ago. She wears scrubs to work and gets to do whatever they need help with.

She cam home yesterday all happy and excited because she got to help in an exam. She got to hold a dog while he had blood drawn. She also got to take a poop sample and put it into a lab tube. Exciting stuff. She loved it. I told her to go wash her damn hands and to take those scrubs off before she walks into the house and carries in all the animal germs and fur.

gross. to each her own i guess. So proud of her.

Indy started tennis lessons last week. Hey, I've gotta have someone to play with when Ted's not around. She loves it of course. Damn.

10-20 Inches

It rained most of the day yesterday.

Rather... It poured most of the day. I think we got something like 10 plus inches in one day.

When I ran next door to say something to my neighbor, I was ankle deep in water.

But most of the night I lie awake worrying.

About what you ask?

Does all this rain ruin a clay tennis court and deem it un-usable?

A bit shallow don't you think?

My New Thing

I have been sitting on my ass for a long time now. Not really but it feels like it. I have spent the better part of the last two years consumed with a UC flare up and really didn't give a crap if I exercised or not. I'm still not 100% better yet but my friend Erin made me sign up for tennis lessons a couple of months ago.

The first lesson I really just showed up to get her off my back. ( she had been harassing me for several months). The thing is... is that I actually liked it. A lot. Damn her. 

Now seven weeks later I have been playing 2-4 times per week and am having a blast. I never thought that tennis would be my thing but for some reason I've been sucked in and I'm happy about it. The group lessons ended and most of the ladies in my class are now continuing more group lessons and getting ready to play league tennis. I even bought a bunch of tennis skirts and I love them. 

I played this morning and wasn't happy because I wasn't playing as good as I wanted to. I almost threw a huge tantrum and cried and smashed my racket on the ground but It wouldn't have done any good. I like it too much to give up. I only wanted to stay and play more so I could get better. I just want to get better.

yep thats how my face looks when I swing.

This is totally what I look like when I play.

I'm thinking of  making my family eat ramen noodles for a month or two so I can pay for some private lessons to improve my game.  What do you think? My kids would be thrilled to eat that crap but my super sexy husband wouldn't be too happy. He is however thrilled that I've found something that I love to do. I actually got him to play with me last weekend and we had so much fun. Of course he's really good even though he hasn't played in like 40 years but he went easy on me and was really encouraging.

Indy starts tennis lessons tonight. My little grasshopper will try anything. She'll probably love it like me and she and I will start playing singles against each other. I need to stay on my game or she might kick my butt.