Busy Thursday...

While I was watching Meesie's volleyball team lose horribly in their Regional game (we are not even going to talk about that) - Chris had the girls do a dress rehearsal in their costumes.

I will put most of the pics on Facebook - but I will include a couple here...

Riley is the gargoyle & Alyx is the black widow spider...

Halloween costumes

My dad always made the craziest costumes for us when we were kids. I remember one year, he took a large box and turned me into a clock. It was uncomfortable but really cool. Dad really had an artistic flair.

So the tradition continues. I try very hard to make as much of the kid's costumes every year. Now, I am getting more beat down as time goes on and usually cheat and build the costume around sweats.

This year, Alyx is a black widow spider (with black sweats). I found some wonderful furry black fabric in the miscut bin and made 6 wonderful legs. I even padded a wonderful red silk patch on her back. Riley is a gargoyle (with dark gray sweats). I have been working on her mask for 2 days now. It is made out of foam rubber mainly.

The girls have their costume parade at school on Friday so I have a few more days to panic. I am entirely too picky. I think I made 3 different sets of gargoyle wings last night...

Anyhow - pictures to follow soon...

Reflection and thoughts

My swimming coach from a zillion years ago found me on Facebook. This short little blast from the past stopped me dead in my tracks. So many thoughts went running thru my head.

Just a few...
I remember Jack in his little Mark Spitz Speedo swimsuit (yes, everyone wore those back then) napping on the diving board at 6am while we were doing lap, after lap, after lap. The damn 3-step dive that I never could get no matter how much Jack or Mrs. Davidson worked with me (still HATE diving). I remember swimming in green, mossy-looking water when some filter didn't work right. Knox-blox and chocolate chip pancakes and Spoons. Practicing turns on the tile. I remember a fog creeping in the outside door on cold mornings and blanketing the pool (that was always so cool). Warmups with a zillion patches. I remember having some of the best friends in the world that knew me better than anyone as we spent every morning and every weekend together. Lifeguarding and the key room. I fell in love with the first 'love-of-my-life'.

Looking back, I remember this coach sitting with me in his office, trying so hard to motivate me - to help me develop the self confidence that for whatever reason, I seemed to lack. We would have talk after talk and I just don't think I ever understood what he was doing. I think I have improved - I get it now. I know I struggled while married to Mel. He was so dominating and over-powering and I tended to just melt into the woodwork. And then this overwhelming sense of self enveloped me and I changed. Divorced, went back to school, got a job, ran a household. Not to be crude, but it was like I 'grew a pair'. Poor Chris has the new and improved (?) Lisa. I have to have my hands in every pot - and not only in the pot, but in charge of the pot! Anyhow, I think Coach would be happy to know that it took 35 years - but I finally found my groove.

It is so funny the things that seem to be so 'genetic'. I love my children more than the world but let's face it - motivated - they are not - except for Riley. The older three have the athletic abilities and the size to match but just don't have that drive. Now, Kiel is starting to get it - and realizing the possibilities. Mellisa is struggling and I honestly don't know how to help her. AJ is just so mellow that he just likes everything calm and status quo. Alyx is my social butterfly still but absolutely brilliant. Riley, on the other hand, is the biggest over-achiever, go-getter girl! She has to be the best - she has to do it all - she has to practice over and over. It just amazes me. And this isn't just sports - this is in academics - this is in student involvement, etc. I know that not everything about her is cancer-related - but how is she sooo different from the other kids? It's like something kicked in during her surgery that just ramped up that 'I can do it - I will do it - and I will be the best at it' part of her brain. Either she is going to have the world's biggest ulcer or she is going to rule the world!

Anyway - it was so nice to hear from Coach Jack. It sounds like his body is going thru horrid, horrid times, but his heart and faith are still just as big as ever.

You still motivate others Coach - thanks...

GO WEST!!!

Exciting game last night to say the least!!! West finally managed to play like we all knew they could play and defeated crosstown rival - Normal Community.

Mellisa played well - not spectacular but good. Had a few key blocks and a couple of kills...

It was great! My throat hurts from cheering! We had so many fans there last night - more than the home team. Fans really do make a huge difference to any game...

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/high-school/volleyball/article_a2d0de0e-bdf7-11de-96b8-001cc4c03286.html

Mellisa's Senior Pictures

So - another rite of passage - the senior pics....

We did her indoor pics about two weeks ago. Mellisa threw the photographer. She isn't the right size for her normal staged cute little girl pics. I think the photographer found her challenging. I think they will be nice - but nothing spectacular.

Her outdoor were scheduled last week but cancelled due to rain. We kept trying to reschedule but it has rained for almost two weeks!

Finally, today. The weather was perfect! Slight chill - slight breeze - fall colors galore. It was too fun!

Lots of pics in tall grasses - and fall weeds - and trees. She looked gorgeous. And - we did some edgy ones too. Meesie climbed into a concrete viaduct under the highway - very cool. Cannot wait to see how those turn out!!!

Here is the website of the photographer...

http://www.studiojphotography.net/main.html

Kiel...

Just bragging...

http://www.lincolncollege.edu/athletics/bballm/pr/2009/91309.html

Hopefully, I can take some wonderful pics to share...

Women...

One of my favorite things to do is watch the Sunday news programs. I miss them quite a bit but I manage to catch enough to be dangerous.

Currently, NBC & Maria Shriver are covering women in the workplace. I caught a 10 minute clip of Gloria Steinhem's appearance on Meet the Press back in the 70's. Think what you want about her - but without her and women like her pushing the envelope, I would hate to think what my life would be like! We've come a long way, baby? Wow, I am not so sure. Yes, we have made huge strides in both the workplace and our community attitudes - but I think we have such a long way to go.

Way back in the day, I was very active in a local business women's group and participated in quite a bit of public speaking competitions. Usually the speeches were about the glass ceiling, stereotypes - topics like that. I believe that things are better - and maybe that glass isn't quite as thick as it used to be! Those women in the club served as wonderful role models and a great support group for me. Somehow, I managed to convince myself that I could conquer whatever I put my mind to. As a single mom, I graduated from college, worked full time, ran a household and still managed to raise children. And I know that there are zillions of women out there that do the same thing every day and I applaud them.

I hope that things continue to improve in our country for my three daughters. More than that, I hope my sons have been raised to believe that women are their equals.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33247001/ns/today-a_womans_nation/

Interracial Marriage

OK - thought I could keep quiet on this - but no...

In case you haven't heard, there was recently a white woman/black male that went to the Justice of the Peace to marry - I believe in Louisiana but I won't swear to that - down south somewhere... He refused to marry them - claiming he was not racist but in fact concerned about any offspring.

Now, I think I can add some insight to this debate having lived it.

Before I married, I really did think long and hard - do I have the right and/or strength to do this 'horrible deed' to my children? My parents sat me down - and asked me the same question out of genuine concern and love. I made the right decision then - and I would make the same decision today.

Yes, there are people that are awful - and glare - and make comments - and call my children nigger at church and elsewhere. But you know what - they are great kids and are strong kids. It isn't easy - and yes, there are times where we have had to make changes - such as changing churches and moving. But I really do believe that if you love your children and show respect for people no matter how idiotic they may be, the strength of family and friends can get you through just about anything.

As this was my decision - and Mel's - and the legal system supported us - how can anyone else take that away from me? How dare he make that decision for them!

My aunt Janet marries people every week. Her stories are both inspiring and scary. I worry about some of the offspring that those unions might create. But you know what - that is NOT my decision. And, like my aunt Janet, you hope for the best and hope that the love that the couple shares can carry them thru any storm.

So to the man who thought he could play with that couple's lives, I feel badly for you. You missed out on contributing to the origination of something wonderful and truly special.

And to my beautiful babies, I love you bunches and wouldn't trade you for the world...

Updating...

Time really flies - haven't posted in quite awhile!!

So, Homecoming was horrible. The weather was ridiculous; cheerleaders are so selfish; students are just plain rude. Anyhow - it's over, over, over. I am done!!! No more Homecoming floats, decorations or senior W's and hands covered in black paint - unless I am still breathing and have SUCKER written on my forehead when the girls get in high school!

Mellisa has a boyfriend - although she refuses to call him that. He is over every night and they sit on the couch together. It must be somewhat serious as Mellisa makes the poor kid watch chick flicks every night and he still returns night after night. I have to admit - it has bothered me. None of my kids has ever had a significant person around me before. The handholding, kissing, etc. throws me off. I feel like I have to announce myself before I enter the room! Now, I know I was practically a wild hussy at their age but still, I don't like it. I can't imagine the hell I put my parents through...

Lee & Phil left this morning. Nice visit - short but nice. I miss Lee - he makes me giggle.

And for those that are keeping track - the dining room is my jungle once again. The banana trees came in before the frost on Sunday morning...