The Finale Story In Photos

And so the girls performed beautifully and the team was Reserve Champions for the day. I was so proud of all of the girls, they showed a lot of grit, grace and glory! I loved how they cheered on and supported each other and there were smiles all around when the results were announced. Our girls placed 1st and 2nd – therefore all the screaming.

Thanks for indulging this mom!

My Brush With Super Bowl Greatness

I was at a technical conference last week called the Power Summit. There were a myriad of IT companies there and attendance for the presentations on virtualization and data storage were anxiously sought. At least they were by geeks like myself.

Which brings me to the Super Bowl.

Rocky Bleier is a Football Hall of Fame member and motivational speaker and he was the keynote speaker that event. Truth be known, I didn’t know who he was but I did know that he was an important person in football past.

I also wondered how he was going to analogize football and IT geekdom. I get curious about things like that, one doesn’t necessarily have anything in common with the other.

As it turns out, his presentation was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had the pleasure to sit through. He spoke of perseverance, team work, and leadership. He was so humble that he didn’t speak of his glory days with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Franco Harris until the last 5 minutes of his speech.

I got his autograph for the boy and for a friend. Guys really like this kind of thing.

I was extremely impressed with the Super Bowl rings. The rarity of the opportunity to actually see one and hold one, much less four of them was not lost on me. He had all of them on display as he was signing autographs. They can be worth up to $30K each. And his name was engraved on every single one. Duly impressed, I was.

He asked me if I wanted to try them on. Well, of course.

He put them on my fingers and they hung on my hand like big heavy engagement rings. If only – ! – and I should have gotten a manicure before I went.

I made a lot of guy friends jealous with this photo. Thank you Rocky, for a memorable experience.

Yard Work & Mufasa

Now that it’s warm and wonderful outside, my thoughts turn to the sorry state of my yard. I called for help from a landscaper – kind of a like a Ghost Busters shout out and he promised to come by and take a look. I’m still waiting…I suppose I could actually start the clean up myself. Now there’s a novel idea.

I know this is not the most flattering photo of the boy but unlike the girl, he doesn’t care about these things.

We finally got rid of some junk that was sitting outside of our view, behind the shed. Out of sight, out of mind so to speak. Unfortunately it’s not out of sight of our neighbor but he is nice and have never said anything about the old tub sitting in plain view of his living room. Of course he still owes us for chipping his golf ball over the fence and breaking the windshield of the husband’s car. It all evens out in the end.

I asked the boy and husband to start cleaning and burning old brush. The cat wanted to help and it always amazes me that nothing phases him. Not even a roaring fire. The dog on the other hand would get close. She is like the Cowardly Lion while the cat is more like – a cross between the Scarecrow and the Mufasa.

Thanks for listening to the details of our yard clean up. Next – I’ll chronicle the front yard clean up by our landscaper – when and if I hear from him.

March 17, Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Yesterday I was over at Vision and Verb. I neglected to tell you then – but would you go there now? I would love it if you did – and so would the lovely ladies of Vision and Verb.

I’m re-posting my St. Patty’s Day photo from two years ago because my four-leafed clover girl who always finds these shamrocks is still in bed. I guarantee that once she’s up and about – she’ll find a lucky clover. It’s what she does. I’ll let you know how the hunt goes tomorrow.

People Want To Know-Oh…

A lot of people have been asking me lately about the boy’s future plans and there are two things I want to say about that.

1. We have a lot of options but do not know for certain where he will be going to school. We do know however, that he will be somewhere next fall – but not with us.

2. I will miss his oh so much – we all will. Someone asked the girl about that yesterday and she unhesitatingly answered, “I’m going to miss him.”

I feel that the kids are old enough and have gone through enough life experiences in their short time here on earth to appreciate direct lessons from me. Lessons that aren’t necessarily subconscious or subliminal – but rather a more direct approach – like through texting. It seems the only way I can reach them now-a-days.

I’ve been sending them what I feel are inspirational messages through our conversational medium of choice – our cell phones.

Here’s what I sent over the last week or so -

I love this -

And here’s another -

Isn’t that cute?

Last night I sent this -

Sending these on occasion to the kids reminds them that I love them. And that I’m trying to impart wisdom – what little of it I can.

In turn, the boy sent this to me.

I am soooo going to miss that boy. More than words can say.

From Tail To Mane | Chapter 3

I have some friends who take meticulous care of their grooming and as a result, they look fabulous. I’ve always wished I had the talent – and it really is a talent – to look that good, all the time.

After watching Ella get groomed for the big finale a couple of weekends ago, I realize that I don’t have the attention to detail – nor the patience – to do this…

I think it’s cute that it takes so much concentration to braid that the braider has to stick out her tongue to focus better.

Apparently everyone does it when they groom a horse.

It’s the same as opening your mouth really wide when you apply mascara. I know you’ve all done it.

But look at the results – you look fabulous Ella…

Grooming & Care – The Tail | Chapter 2

Second to the joy of watching my girl compete in her equestrian meets is the fun of watching the preparation for the horses. A large part of the process is getting the horses groomed. I love how the girls learn care and attention to detail.

This is the chapter on tails. Ella’s tail was immaculately clean before the braiding process began. Just wanted to throw in that disclaimer.

It’s the perfect pinwheel. Her tail was beautiful and ready to go!

Let Me Tell Ya… | Chapter 1

There are some moments in life that you will never forget – the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. The in-between moments can get lost and forgotten sometimes. It’s a shame; it’s why I try to take the time to record those moment as well – to your chagrin at times I’m sure.

But this time I am going to chronicle – in pain staking detail, one of the highest highs of my girl’s young life. That event occurred last weekend – at her equestrian league season finale. Last weekend served many purposes, one of which is a salve for a broken heart. Yes, she suffered a heartbreak a couple of weeks ago and it was the lowest low of her young life. I’ll go into detail in about ten years, after the dust has really settled. I will tell you this – it will take me longer to recover than it will take her. Because she’s tougher than I am. And more compassionate too because if it was up to me – well – never mind.

Last weekend started with prayer. Prayer that the team performs well, prayer for good weather, prayer for good travel and prayer for a busy and productive weekend. And it was all that and more.

The girl and the horse get ready for a long trip and a long, but exciting, weekend.

The team was ready to shine and they had their game faces on.

Me? I drank coffee. I offered some to Ella but she turned her nose at me.

And then she did this – I’m apparently boring her.

Where was I?

Oh yes, the girls…

They’re cute – and tough – and ready to compete.

and my girl…well she refuses – still – to look at the camera.

Gotcha!

Where was I again?

Oh yes…it was a great weekend…I should tell you about it sometime…

For Wordful Wednesday.

Happy Birthday Horse & Doggy Spa, The Girl, The Boy, Among Other Things

My girl had a clinic on her birthday and while she was riding, her friends brought cupcakes and sang to her. It was so cute and so special. She blew her candles out while atop Ella. It made me a little nervous but then I realized – it’s Ella. Ella is so laid-back that a bomb can literally go off next to her and she wouldn’t notice. She wanted to eat the cupcakes herself – she has a little bit of a gluttonous side.

It got me thinking about the girl’s temperament again. Even as a baby, she was extremely shy and extremely introverted. I don’t think she started talking to her coach until about a year ago. It’s funny that she surrounds herself with people (animals) of the same disposition. Ella, her favorite horse on the farm, is really laid back – nothing phases her – absolutely nothing.

Except when there’s food around – then she perks up.

And the girl’s other companion, the dog, is exactly the same way.

Here she is before her spa treatment yesterday. She was very afraid to see me go. By the way, the spa treatment was a necessity, not a luxury. It was necessary to rid her of her natural – uh – smell. And the shedding – ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.

So off to the spa she went to get a furminator and an ear wash.

You would have thought I was dropping her off to get tortured. The dog is also very shy, very introverted, very laid-back and the smallest things scare her. Like the hair brush.

Poor thing.

However, the girl, the horse and the dog have another thing in common. They love to eat.

They are definitely cut out of the same cloth those three.

And then there’s the boy – this was him after seeing the movie War Horse.

Someone help me…

For Wordful Wednesday.

And My Favorite Oscar Dress Is:

Penelope Cruz! I thought it was beautifully cut, beautifully worn and a beautiful color. And of course Penelope Cruz is beautiful as well.

Just thought I’d start off Monday with a little bit of the mundane. I will get back to posting because this place is my creative elixir. When I’m not here, it means that I am not feeling creative. Whenever that happens, I make a fashion faux pas, much like Angelina Jolie did last night:)

I suppose it can happen to anyone:)

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