FRIDAY!

So - I am off from work for the rest of the week. Another old lady/gravity surgery... I do get to lay flat on my back for 5 days - which will just about drive me insane. I will probably do something fascinating like sewing on Brownie patches on the girls' vests or some scrapbooking. I know I will go insane and Chris will spends hours telling me to go back and lay down.
My dear sweet brother did call last night to make sure my surgery went well... At least he had the right week!! I wish he lived closer - I think I could talk and giggle with him for hours....

Yes, it's true...

As my dear Auntie Janet pointed out - I am the mirror image of her - although much, much younger! (I am now picturing steam) And personality?? I have NO characteristics similar to my mother - who was the next best thing to a saint. I am truly Aunt Janet thru and thru and I am quite pleased with that since it suits me just fine... I would venture to say that both Aunt Janet and me are always THE ones to hang around with at a party and can tell the very best stories!

But if you want to see a Triplett recreated - look at my Riley... She even has the Triplett mouth!

Filming

Mellisa is my oldest daughter - and I believe that she is trying to send me to an early grave. She had always wanted to play in the WNBA ever since she was a little girl and honestly, I really do love basketball. BUT, her sophomore year, I let her make the decision to focus on volleyball so that's what we did - ALL OF THE TIME - and I sucked it up and kept quiet about the basketball thing. For 5 years, we have volleyballed, volleyballed, volleyballed. This is what she wanted to do. So Mellisa and I traveled - tons. Lots of hotels, lots of miles and lots of unusual meals that can be prepared in a microwave. And when it was too far - Mellisa traveled alone (like the trips to Florida). The family gave up vacations, family time, not to mention big time money in order to support volleyball. Then lo and behold, elite/travel season rolls around this year, and Mellisa decides - NAH - I just want to have fun. WHAT?!?!? We have D1 schools looking at her - she is 6"4' and is one of the better middles that I have seen - not the best - but she could be. And she wants to chuck it all away? I just about lost it. So - we sucked it up AGAIN and supported her and let her play the expansion league, hoping that she won't forget everything she has learned and will wake up, get a clue and realize the opportunities that she has. The junior year of elite is the big signing year - this is the year those college coaches are watching and waiting for that signature. So - since we aren't going to the big tournaments in Chicago, etc., we are having to get creative. Chris found a guy that will film an athlete during actual game play, do an interview with the athlete and the coach and then edit and spiff it up with music, etc. all for a reasonable price. Hopefully, we can have a nice CD that we can send to colleges that Mellisa might be interested in and get some coaches aware of her that way.
We are going to have them do Kiel as well. The hard part about Kiel is that the bball coach is whacko - some nights Kiel plays the whole game and then other nights (like Saturday night) he saw all of 4 minutes - and he is about finished with his season. I know that Loyola likes what they see in Kiel. They think he is a great kid and would love for him to be a walk-on but we really need some financial help for him to go there. So - in case that doesn't pan out - we can send the CD to other schools...
I have such mixed emotions about all of this. I have been lucky with AJ since he still lives at home while he goes to college. I am not sure how I will handle when the kids start leaving...

more concessions

So - Friday night was Kiel's Senior Night. He was AWESOME!!! I can't remember the stats but something like 14 points, a few rebounds, he was just great and I am so proud. It was a tad disappointing as the rest of the school chickened out and didn't come to the game due to the threat - but it was memorable regardless. I think the most disappointing portion of the night was the fact that the Junior Parents did not do diddle for the Seniors. Last year, I had a huge cake, lovely punch, nuts, photo ops - the whole nine yards. This year - zippo. I was kind of honked but some parents are just selfish and just can't get past the nose on their face. Whatever. Saturday morning - all day swimmeet - so more concessions. I did get to take break and watch my superstar Riley rock the basketball court during her game. She had 8 points and they beat the undefeated team in their league! Quiet night tonight. AJ is at work, Kiel had a game in Peoria, Mellisa went out with friends to see Tyler Perry's new movie and Chris went to his friend Ivan's. So the girls and I ate chocolate pie by a roaring fire. It was a wonderful finish to the hectic day!

Significant Damage?

So - today is the day. This is the infamous Friday that the anonymous author of the 'bathroom' note mentioned. So - my daughter of course, wants to skip school today - not due to fear - but anything to get out of a class. My son - well, this is Senior night for his basketball team. He wouldn't miss school today even if it blew up! I imagine that today would be the safest day to be there - cops are everywhere. I worry more about Monday! I texted them both this morning - it merely said "just remember - dive under the desk..." I think I am a mean mom...