Olympic Love

It was the '72 Summer Olympic Games, when my love for the games and gymnastics began.  I was 6 and I was infatuated with Olga Korbut.  She had this signature type move on the balance beam.....

And I could so do this.  I loved Olga with her cute pigtails and her slightly crooked teeth.  She was my idol.  After the Olympic games, my mom enrolled me in my first gymnastics class at the "Y"...and I was hooked.  I continued gymnastics through high school.  I was alright...not great, but loved it to no end.  I was beyond excited when I was able to attend Bela Karolyi's traveling gymnastics camp when they came to El Paso.  Imagine the excitement to be able to tumble with Bela??!!  And his wife, Marta, coaching on balance beam?  Yep, pretty exciting.  

As much as I want to say that I follow gymnastics in the Olympics, I only halfway do.  I can't remember when the scoring system changed.  I still don't understand how it's figured.  And I am not sure when it went from the "Magnificent 7" to the "Fab 5."  When and why did I miss all this? 

I am so enjoying the Olympics this summer.  More so than ever.  Maybe it's because I notice that all four of us are laying on the couch enjoying it together.  Together, we admire the physiques and talents of the divers, the gymnasts, the swimmers.  (Ryan Lochte...yes, we love you.)  But, we love rooting our USA teams on.  I have cried almost every night watching..with pride and with agony. 

Today I have made it a point to avoid any news on TV or on the Internet.  Don't want any more spoilers for tonight.  

The countdown to back to school is on and I am overwhelmed by the amount of things that I have to get done and with a very full August calendar to squeeze it all into.

For starters, guess where I am headed tomorrow?  Yep, that's right...Dallas Cowboys Training Camp...with two VIP tickets.  I am one excited girl! 

Lake Tahoe

Last week, we set out for our postponed trip to Lake Tahoe.  We've been up there only one other time, about 4 summers ago.  My aunt and uncle have a home, a beautiful home, on the lake and we were fortunate enough to be able to stay with them for a few days.  There really are no words to describe the beauty...other than it is like a fairy tale castle in the pines.  I secretly (or not so secretly) hope or imagine my girls being married in the beautiful garden surrounding the house. 

Anyway, we enjoyed all the lake activities we could...boating across the lake to Emerald Bay, kayaking (more on that), jet skiing, parasailing, horseback riding and just enjoying the cool mountain air.  We were only away for 6 days, and 2 of those were driving days, so we got in as much as we could. 

The kayak:  Rylee and I decided to venture out...our first time in a kayak.  There is a little dock area that is surrounded by rocks at the house.  The one-seater kayak was large enough for the two of us little people.  So, we get in and start kayaking (is that the word?) around, staying fairly close to the pier.  Scaredy cat me, is to reluctant to venture out past the buoys.  So, around we go.  Rylee is a star paddler, while I am trying to steer with the pedals.  About the time we decide it's time to be done, I am doing not such a good job with steering to the dock and instead, we are headed towards the rocks.  The water is getting slightly rougher and kind of pushing us into the rocks.  I am totally not able to get us out and to the dock.  At some point, the kayak tips over and out we go!  And OMG, the rocks are soooo slippery from the moss.  Very long story short, Rylee hurt her fingers and I came out with scrapes, bumps and bruises and I am not sure how the hell I got that kayak out of the water, but I did.  Kayaking:  Done.  Way too much work.  Not any fun.  Don't need to do that again, thank you very much. 

I should have taken a picture of the kayak for posterity.  But, it's ingrained in my head.

We never miss an opportunity to go riding!

Cruising from the north shore to the south.

We had a blast on the jet skis!

After our ride, we checked out the Emerald Bay lookout point.

So, now we are back.  It was a long drive home and we were all glad to be home sleeping in our own beds.  Rylee and I have both managed to develop sore throats.  Her initial throat culture came back this morning as positive for strep, but they will confirm in two days.  Hope it's not...hope I don't have it.  So...we are laying low for a couple of days.  Thinking some good 'ole chicken soup is in order!

Just Cruising With a Small Bump or Two

Summer's cruising along and I am doing my best to enjoy every second of it.  The calendar says it's July now, and that makes me panic a wee bit.  It means August is just around the corner!!  That cannot happen, yet!

We have had a good little balance of days of doing nothing much mixed with days at the water park, a 24-hour fabulous staycation at La Quinta Resort, sleepovers, movies, baseball games, dinners with friends, hitting balls on the driving range.  I am not working out nearly as much as I should or want to, which doesn't make me happy.  I wish I could find the motivation for this.  I have read four books, and I'll be honest...after finishing 50 Shades of Grey...nothing else seems interesting!  

One thing I have decided to do, is become a distributor for It Works!  I am so far from a sales person and I am normally a huge skeptic, but these products have really intrigued me.  The wraps feel good and are a hot commodity right how...so much that they are now on back order for 3-4 weeks.  If you are reading this blog and want to find out more about this line of products (that will tone, tighten, and firm your skin...along with making you feel good!), check out this link: https://lorifreeman.myitworks.com/UltimateMakeover.

Last week, Chandler cut off her hair.  16 inches.  She's wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love and she was ready for a change.  It's darling and she loves it.  

Before Chandler did this, a friend of ours asked Chandler to model for her clothing website (http://bodygearonline.com/) check it out, it's cute, cute stuff.  Chandler was beyond thrilled to be asked to do this and had lots of fun doing it! 

So, summer hasn't been without a couple of bumps in our road.  After coming off Chandler's broken nose a few months ago, we've had Craig's work injury.  He's doing better, but not healed completely.  There was a possibility that they thought he may need a skin graft, but looks like that won't be necessary.  It still looks pretty ugly and he's still hobbling a bit.  We got a call on Father's Day morning from Craig's dad, from the ER.  He had been there for several hours.  Ended up being a kidney stone.  He's doing much better.  And then most recently, we had a bit of a mishap involving the car and the house.  And that's all I'll say on that one (but it wasn't me...).  None of these things were earth-shattering and we thank our lucky stars.  Just small bumps with added expenses and inconveniences...it could be worse, much worse, right? 

Looking forward to this week..always love watching a good fireworks show and preparing for our Lake Tahoe getaway at the end of the week! 

What Day Is It, Anyway?

Last week on Tuesday, I was somewhere and as I said goodbye to the person I was talking to, I added, "Have a great weekend!"  Wait....what??  For the last couple of weeks, I have had no idea what day it is.  I so have to stop and focus about the day and date and look at the calendar to be sure I am not missing an appointment or where the kids need to be.  I kind of like it, but then again, I feel like I have been in a cloud! But, I DO know what today is...it's officially the first day of summer!

Last week was the first full week of summer vacation for the kids and on Monday, it got off to a scary start.  Craig called me around noon to let me know he had had a little bit of an accident at work.  He was on a golf cart, hit a slick spot on the cart path and it fishtailed, then rolled.  His leg was pinned underneath and he couldn't get out from it.  A couple of workers on the course saw it happen and helped him.  Long story short, he ended up being transported by ambulance to the ER.  Nothing broken, but left with 8 staples to his lower leg.  It was ugly.  We are grateful, as it could have been much worse.  He's hobbling around and is still in some discomfort.  He is supposed to have the staples removed on Friday. 

Aside from that, we've done a lot of nothing for the most part...no where we really need to be, with the exception of cheer practices.  We've done a day long beach trip with friends.  We've done night swimming at the Esmeralda.  We've said goodbye to a friend who moved away....another one of Chandler's best friends has moved.  Sad. 

I got to visit with an old pal from El Paso last week.  She came to town with her daughter and  it was so much fun to hang by the pool and catch up and reminisce about our younger days!  Tomorrow, we get to have a little "staycation" at the the La Quinta Resort.  Just one night, but we'll have fun spending the night away from the house at one of my very favorite places.  

Over the last 2 weeks, I have managed to read three of the books on my list.  Just started the third book of "50 Shades.." Have you read it, yet? 

In the midst of enjoying not knowing what day it is, I am still on the search for a part-time job.  Hoping I find one soon...

With Craig's leg still not healed, we have postponed a trip to Lake Tahoe that we were originally going to take next week.  Hoping he's back to close to normal in the next couple of weeks so we can go have some fun on the lake and get the heck outta the heat!  Good thoughts for Craig and speedy healing!

Celebrate...

Celebrate good times come on....

I always manage to turn something that my kids say into a song.  It annoys them to no end.  Rylee can't understand how I can instantly break into song with a single word or phrase that she or Chandler is saying.  (But, now I am starting to see where she gets some of her random, spontaneous song outbursts from....).  I can't help it.  I love to be silly sometimes.  Unfortunately, I don't think my kids find it silly...just embarrassing.  Oh well..

So, speaking of celebrating, it's what I've been doing.  I love my birthday and I celebrate it for as long as possible.  Or for as long as it doesn't become totally obnoxious.  For me, it starts with Mother's Day.  I get a little attention and a little bit of spoiling and feel all special....and I kind of just run with it.  During May, the weather is warm and from my previous post, we all know how I feel about that.  More reason to celebrate--that summer is comin'.

After my final (and after I came out of my little funk of not getting the grade I so wanted), I pampered myself with a little massage.  From there, I did a lot of stuff around this house that had been neglected over the last few months.  Swept out and organized the garage a little.  Cleaned up the laundry room.  Cleaned up this desk and filed things away.  I read the first of "50 Shades of Grey" (oh my...).  And started "Bloom."  I am getting things checked off of my summer to do list early.

I find so many little things that make me happy.  So, the little things that help me celebrate are attending year-end school awards assemblies and banquets....for academics and for cheer.  Nothing makes me happier than seeing my girls work hard and be rewarded and acknowledged for their efforts and talents.  All the year end culmination is happy and fun and exciting and it all falls around my birthday.

Friday night after one of our cheer banquets, some of our families gathered by the pool where our banquet was held.  The kids swam and the adults sat with our adult beverages and snacks and we laughed and laughed and laughed.  My stomach hurt.  It was too much fun and just the perfect way to "officially" start my birthday weekend. 

Saturday morning, Chandler left for a beach trip with her high school cheer team and Rylee left for an all day/all night birthday party.  As of 10 am, I found myself by myself.  What to do...So, I made myself breakfast.  I ran an errand and then ventured into Sephora.  I love Sephora.  I just wandered and played with makeup for about an hour.  From there, I treated myself to a pedi.  Bright pink with green polka dots.  Fun.  Summery.  Birthday-ish, right?  From there, it was sushi for dinner with Craig.  A lovely, quiet day.

Sunday was just pretty chill around the house.  Had breakfast then Craig and I headed over to the Esmeralda pool where Rylee's birthday party was finishing up.  We met friends, had cocktails and laid in the pool and the weather was nothing short of perfect.  From there it was Chandler's high school cheer banquet and home.  Chandler's boyfriend came by to pick her up and brought me a little cupcake.  My only cake for the day.  Got to make a wish and blow out a candle.  Thanks Andrew.  We couldn't let the evening end without a trip to Coldstone.  Yummy Cake Batter ice cream with strawberries.  My fav.

And last night.  Mexican dinner and margaritas with some great girlfriends.  Oh my...the things we talk and laugh about.  It was great and I am so grateful to have such beautiful friends in my life.

Goodness gracious...I think I am done.  Time to cleanse and dry out for awhile.

So, another year older, and I hope, wiser.....Last summer I was pretty sure I was having a mid-life crisis.  I had this panic attack that I had so little time left to "be young."  And panicking about what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  Well, after finally being admitted to the nursing program, I am grateful that I will get to do what I have wanted to do for so long.  And while I was doing my clinicals this semester, I had a couple of patients that made an impact on me.  Our focus this semester was geriatrics and orthopedics.  I had one female patient who was 61 years of age.  Without giving too much info, let's just say she was HOT.  She was beautiful.  Natural.  She was in great shape...and like I said...she was, well...hot.  She was 61 and she might as well have been 41.  I had a couple of great conversations with her.  Another one of my patients was a 75 year old male.  Not kidding..he had the body of someone who was 30 years younger and in phenomenal shape.  Hardbody like you would not believe.  He told me that he and his wife have been married for 55 years.  And that his wife might as well be 50 years younger than him, because it's how she looked and acted.  Getting to know these two patients gave me reassurance that you truly are as old as you feel.  And obviously, if you take care of your body.  And if I ever second guessed myself about acting and feeling youthful or retaining my youth, these two patients were proof positive that it's not only A-OK, but it IS possible.  

We have more celebrating to do...only 2 more days of school this week!

  

My 'I Love Summer' Post

I love summer.  I do.  Actually, I used to love summer much more than I do now.  I think as I get older, the less I enjoy the extreme heat out here.  I should clarify that it's the early days of summer that I love.  Those days in May and early June, where we are "eased" into the heat of summer.  Temps in the 90s and maybe the occasionally century mark and the feel of the heat on my skin feels good.  Tank tops.  Short shorts.  Pretty sundresses with spaghetti straps.  Sun-kissed skin.  The days before it stays so hot and you are just "over it."  I love summer until it's mid-July and it's been 110 out all month long and I get into my car and burn my legs on my seat and then I slide out from the sweat and then I think to myself, "I just HAD to have the leather seats, right?"  I should have listened to the kids when I bought this car.  They're the ones that remember what leather seats feel like in the summer....Anyway, it's not even the end of May, yet, and we haven't really been "eased" into summer.  It just kind of appeared.  Mother's Day graced us with 107.  And although temps have dipped only slightly since then, it looks like summer is here.  Today was a balmy (not) 109.  It's May.  Hello Summer.  

But, I do love summer.  And for the last two years, I have made my "annual" Summer To-Do List.  Things I want or need to do over the summer.  And since now school is officially out for me, I am now putting together my list.  I'm excited.  Here's just a few things that are on this summer's list:

Go to the beach.  As many times as I can.

Get a job.  At least part-time.  I really need to do this.

Bake a peach pie.  Or two.  

Watch lots of movies and eat popcorn with my girls.  

Watch the sunset on the beach.  

Catch a couple of Padres games.

Staycation at La Quinta Resort.

Clean out closets.

Have a garage sale.  

Make lots of strawberry lemonade slushies (none of that McDonald's crap....we use Trader Joe's Organic Reduced sugar lemonade, fresh strawberries and ice.  Yum!)

My pleasure reading for the summer (which one to start with?):

There's one more that's not shown...50 Shades of Grey..yes, I will be reading that, too.

   

And not so much for pleasure reading, but a must for a head start for Nursing 2:

There's more fun on my "to-do" list...it's just in my head somewhere and hasn't quite made it out onto paper...

Last summer I was addicted to three different salads.  This hot weather makes me crave cool, refreshing, healthy yummy things to eat.  So, I will share my addictions:

• Arugula, fresh basil (thinly sliced), extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Yum!

I don't particularly like to eat at Tommy Bahama's but they do have a great Asian slaw side that they serve.  I tried recreating it and then finally googled it...here it is:

• Shredded green cabbage, thinly sliced jicama, flat leaf parsley, evoo, fresh lime juice, salt and pepper.  Love this.  With seared ahi or even as a side with Mexican food. 

And finally...

• Watermelon (cubed), fresh mint, feta cheese, fresh lime juice, evoo, salt and pepper.  So refreshing.  So good!  

So, as I mentioned, school's out for me.  I did  it.  I got through Nursing 1.  Took my final this morning and thought I was so prepared.  Didn't get the grade I really wanted, but, I am getting over it.  I learned so much.  I am doing something I never in a million years thought I would be doing.  The thought of next semester is terrifying to me.  So I just won't think about that right now.  

I think I'll just start enjoying summer.  Starting now. 

 

Losin' the Mojo

Well, it's becoming a pattern here...longer spans between blog posts.  I'm losing a little bit of steam....losing the mojo.  But, I've got reasons.  Yes, I have been wrapped up in school.  And when I am not in class or consumed with reading I am cleaning, cooking, or driving someone around.  And since I am trying to create balance, I am trying to have a good time here and there, too.  Little extra time to set aside to blog.  And then sometimes I avoid this space when I just think I have nothing creative or interesting to say.  Or sometimes I am in a mood where I would love to do nothing more than to vent, but I refrain from doing so on this medium.  I don't pretend that my life is always hunky dory.  I love the phrase "ebb and flow"...our lives definitely ebb and flow and I definitely have been a flowing for a while.  I continue to hear myself say that I have never been happier than I have these last couple of years.  I just like where I'm at and what I'm doing.  Sure, things could be MUCH better in many ways...but, those things will come, I know.  My kids are happier than I have ever seen them.  And THIS makes me very happy.  

Over the last several months, I know I have been guilty of not staying in touch with some of my friends and family.  I call less and less.  I have so little time in my days to sit down and have any length of phone conversations.  Or I am stressed and overwhelmed and I just don't want to call and be a Debbie Downer.  I think and hope that the people in my life know how crazy my schedule has been.  Nursing school is about as intense and stressful as it gets and I am now realizing that I don't think most people get it unless they are going through the program, as well. We all crave the love and support from our friends and family and I try my best to deliver on this aspect to others.  We don't always get back what we give.  And this is not my MO, by any means.  A quick text, at least, lets people know I am thinking of them; or the quick phone call on my way to school or the hospital...even though it's brief...I try when I can. Hey, I get it...we all get caught up in our own lives, so I am forever grateful for the ones understand what I am doing and going through and who check up on me every now and then. : )

The good news is that this semester is over in just 2 short weeks.  Wow!  I am going to make it!  It has been every bit difficult as I was told it was going to be.  But, it's been great and I have learned so much and all I can say is that it's a darn good thing I feel like I am 25 and not 45!  A few short months ago I was freaking out because I couldn't hear a blood pressure.  Now, I have given 4 shots (woo hoo...4 shots...all in the stomach) and some other fun stuff.  I have met some amazing people.  It's been good, good, good.  We are finishing up a hellish type of week at school...a test that it's been made clear that we disappointed our instructor on and a final comprehensive skills test that had everyone feeling the stress and pressure.  This testing made or break our semester...and, sadly,  it turns out it broke a couple of people.  You fail it, and you fail the semester.  Little bit of pressure? 

So, I guess I can't end this blog post without saying at least a little something about Stagecoach.  Stagecoach is a huge country music festival that is held out here every year late April or early May for 2, sometimes 3 days.  I think this is the 5th year of Stagecoach.  I haven't missed one, yet.  Stagecoach is my happy place.  Hot weather, shorts, cowboy boots, great country music.  Along with about 50,000 people....many of whom are drunk and half naked (it's hot out there...there's a lot of skimpies walking around)....

Me and Rylee

Look!  My very first picture attachment on my blog!

Rylee and Sara Evans

Most years I attend Stagecoach with friends.  I have taken the kids before, but have avoided it, because of the crowds.  This year, we were fortunate to have been given 3 wristbands, which allowed us to a backstage area and VIP area, so Chandler and Rylee were my Stagecoach buddies this year.  As luck would have it, while we were backstage, Rylee was able to meet and have her picture taken with Sara Evans, Brett Eldredge and The Band Perry.  It was pretty fun and exciting.  We saw some great artists perform this year and I know the girls truly enjoyed it. There was a period of time where Rylee was hanging out with her friends and Chandler was with her boyfriend and I found myself just hanging out by myself.  My grandmother always told me it was important to enjoy your own company. Luckily, I'm pretty good by myself.  :)

Until next time...(maybe I'll get the summer lovin' mojo back!)

P.S...I am pretty excited about finally adding photos on here!  I'm moving up in the world here!