She IS my kid!

Dennis had commented that the pro bowl was no fun to watch because there was no defense, and players didn't want to get hurt so they really didn't try all that hard. Ty still wanted to watch the game, so it was on while we were all doing other things and he was the only one paying attention to it.

After one particular play, he commented, "See, that was a good effort. They are trying to win."

Dennis looked up, glanced at the time left and said, "Well it's a close game and it's the 4th quarter. They're gonna try now 'cause it's close and they get $25,000 if they win."

Gabrielle looked up from her book and said incredulously "They get $25,000 if they win?"

To which Dennis replied, "Apiece."

Gabrielle said, even more incredulously, "They get $25,000 EACH for winning the Pro Bowl???"

Dennis: "Yes."

Gabrielle: "They play a game to entertain people. It's not like they do anything that benefits the community. What makes that worth $25,000?"

HAAAA! Some of what I say does sink in. Made me so proud. :)

Now mind you, I am a huge NFL fan, (and NHL, and some NBA) and through my television viewing and merchandise purchases and occasional game-going, I support these athletes outrageous salaries. I do know that. Doesn't mean I think they actually earn those dollars.

Who came up with this anyway?!!?

I had been wanting to try the Bikram Yoga studio near our house since it opened, but being the cheapskate that I am, never did, until I saw it come across Groupon. (For those unfamiliar with Bikram, it is a 90 minute session of yoga, performed in a room heated to 105 degrees. You run through a series of 26 poses in the 90 minutes.)

I stopped in to get the class schedule, and was told by the owner that I really should take my first class on a day when I can come back the very next day, so there I was today. Being on time as I usually am, I ended up in the second row, right in front of the instructor, when what I was hoping to do was hide in the back somewhere.

So, class starts with some deep breathing exercises, and the first thing I notice is that I am taking 3 breaths to everyone elses one breath, which throws my timing off completely. I am inhaling as everyone else is exhaling (loudly, and through pursed lips.)

The next thing I notice is I am not nearly as coordinated as I thought I was. I am hopping and sliding my heel back and forth in order to maintain balance on one foot while the regulars stand still as a post, looking serene and again, exhaling through pursed lips. I am sure I was breathing as I did not pass out and fall over, but I could not tell you when I was inhaling or when I was exhaling.

In my head I am thinking we are perhaps 20-30 minutes into the 90 minutes, when I glance at the clock to see just how much longer this class is going to last. There is a glare right on the clock, and I cannot see the hour or minute hand, and was not about to leave my mat to get a different angle, so I figured when the hands moved out of the glare, I would then know what time it was.

We finally finish with the standing positions and move on to some sitting and kneeling ones, which is waaayyy more in my comfort zone. At one point, we are facing the back of the room and I again steal a glance at the clock to see just how many more minutes I am going to be sweating buckets. I still can't see the hour or minute hand, and that's when I realize THERE AREN'T ANY!! The clock has a second hand only, so the instructor can time the poses, but there is no way to know what time it is unless you had brought a watch or phone into the yoga room, (which I am assuming would be considered really bad form. I think there are many things probably considered really bad form, but there is no list that they hand you to tell you what these things are...)

I was mostly able to still my thoughts and concentrate on breathing and positioning of extremities and whatnot, but I must say, the physical therapist in my head was NOT able to ignore the frequent use of W sitting, nor the instruction to "bounce". aaarrgghhhh. NOOO bouncing!!!

I did make it through the 90 minutes, feeling mostly okay and thinking it was somewhat enjoyable too. And then I tried to stand up. Apparently being unused to sweating out every last drop of your bodily fluids leaves one feeling a bit light headed. Iwill say, I saw some amazing fireworks pass before my eyes each of the 4-5 times,I tried to stand up, and was so dizzy I felt a little drunk. Not a bad way to end an exercise session I guess!

Blanket waiver for the future...

This morning, as I was calmly trying to explain who knows which of the 25 things I have patiently tried to explain to Evie in the past two days, I had a sudden flash forward to her having a conversation with a future boyfriend/ significant other/husband.

As she tilted her head and looked earnestly at me explaining why her way made more sense than what I wanted her do, all I could hear was said boyfriend thinking in his head, "Why did her parents let her get her way all the time?" and I thought to myself, "I'm sorry dude, I tried, I really did."

Now THAT'S funny!

At Gabrielle's first volleyball game this past weekend (which they won, btw--go Extreme Danger!), one of her opponents was a girl who is in her grade and has sometimes been in her same class throughout the years. I then ran into this girl's dad at the grocery store, and he said "I wish I knew you were coaching, I would have put my daughter on your team."

HA! If only he knew my bedtime reading lately has included "Coaching Volleyball for Dummies", "The Volleyball Coaching Bible", and "Coaching Youth Volleyball"...oh, and "One Thousand White Women" which I am done with a full week ahead of time I will have you know!

Reflections on 2011 and hopes for 2012

I never did write a Thanksgiving blog, which I have done for the past two years, so here is a compilation blog of what I am thankful for and what I am hopeful for!
Thankful for:

• Coffee


• The good health of my family and friends. Despite a hospital scare for a nonstop bloody nose for my dad, and pending gallbladder surgery for my mom, my parents are doing pretty well. My niece had a beautiful baby girl in October and both are doing well. Can't wait to meet her in person because she sure is cute on Facebook!! My kids had less sneezes, sniffles, etc than usual this past year, and my husband has a newfound interest in taking care of his health. I am feeling my age more than I used to, but trying to ignore it. :)


• Learning how to use my new smartphone. Of course, I'm still learning...


• Football. (despite a dismal showing in all pick em and fantasy leagues this year.)


• My nephew's job, although it IS at the hated girls-basketball-rival school to my alma mater.


• Being added to the Toby Conway Christmas letter list. What a hoot!


• The kids continued love of reading. And my oldest daughter is actually influencing my reading list. I added Rick Riordan to the list of author's I read, and burned through all of her Harry Potter books in a matter of a couple of weeks!


• DVR capabilities. It's the only way to watch tv!


• My husband. For way too many reasons to list.


• Licorice.


• Good friends. Dinner with good friends, drinks with good friends, conversations with good friends, spa days with good friends. Need I go on??


• March Madness. (See dvr entry above)


• The library, and my husband's willingness to go there last minute and get my book club book when I call or text him the day before I am supposed to have it read!


• My kids. Just as I think I would like nothing better than to run away from home, they surprise me with some act of generosity, some quirky suggestion, some gem of wisdom, some bit of humor that has me laughing out loud, or just a great big hug.


• Instructional books as I apparently am now co-coach of a volleyball team.


• Sunshine. I never realized how much being able to throw open the windows improves my mood!


• Visitors. And as usual, this years crop of visitors was a HUGE help in a myriad of ways.


• Just Dance 3. (Thank you Aunt Marge and Uncle Gary) I see HOURS of family fun in our future!


• My career. I think I have the best career EVER. I get to choose how many hours I want to work and when I want to work them, I get to flip back and forth between exactly what type of PT I want to do (peds, homecare, neuro, skilled nursing...you can never get bored.) I get to crawl on the floor with some of the neatest kids you could ever want to meet and call it "work". I get to get involved with families who teach me lessons each and every day. I love my line of work!


• My life. I have the best husband, the best kids, the best family and friends a girl could want. Thanks all!

Hopeful for:

• Continued good health for family and friends. I want us to be able to do the things we want to do without musculoskeletal limitations, long term diseases, or flu bugs! (The whole "all star soccer" thing has me nervous. That's a LOT of games in a short amount of time for a still growing body.)


• A Havasu Falls hike this year.


• Continued success of my husband's business. (Did I mention how proud I am of him??)


• Continued luck in my career choices. I have loved every position I ever held, and want to keep that streak going!


• A visit from the organizational fairy.


• More dinners, conversations, drinks, and spa days with good friends.


• More good grades, good reports, and positive feedback from the kids' teachers.


• More thought provoking books that spark conversations, spur action, or just make me laugh.


• A rebound in my football abilities, pick em and fantasy.


• More visits from family members and friends. We love having company. We love getting together with you when we are back east even if only for a quick bite to eat.


• A beach vacation.


• One completed scrapbook. I must have 10 half finished ones. I intend to complete at LEAST one!


• A maid.


• UConn mens' and womens' basketball titles. (See March Madness entry!)


• All my family and friends to have a happy, healthy New Year where some of their "hopeful for" wishes come true. Happy 2012 everyone!