Ugh!

I learned myself a nasty little lesson about my own personality tonight.

So we're at the kids' soccer games, or at least, I am. Brent coaches Kirby, so I'm watching Spencer mostly, while wandering over once to see Kirbs.

Spencer's team is pretty good, they haven't lost a game yet, which I attribute to luck. I'm proud of my kid, though, he really hustles and I can tell he's been practicing, because he's got better ball-handling skills than most of his teammates. His teammates are older kids who mostly have gotten by with just kicking the shit out of the ball.

But tonight, they've met their match. Two of their best players are quick and very good handlers. There's not really anyone on their team who stinks. Frankly, I think they psyched Spencer's team out. Our kids didn't move, didn't hustle, didn't pass...all those soccer things you're supposed to do.

And the coach just sat there. Didn't encourage, yell, nothing. I got frustrated because Spencer and his teammates were just running around, not getting to the ball, making stupid mistakes.

But, I gotta remember they're just kids. And that's the simple sucky truth...just kids.

After a bit, I go to watch Kirby. Her team is getting creamed too. There's nobody at goalie unless the other team is on that side of the field...but as soon as someone kicks it down there, Kirby's simple isn't fast enough to hustle to the ball...so the opposing team gets free shot after free shot. I guess I could blame the coach, but you know who that is.

BAH! Whizzers to these competitive sport things. The only good thing about youth soccer is that my kids work up a decent sweat and have a good night of sleep.

A recent little development in my life is the formation of and my participation in a book club.

I know you all will find it hard to believe that I teach English and yet my reading for fun is so dismal. However, I usually get caught up in living, eating, parenting, working, and all that other jazz before I'm able to sit and read a good book. I do sneak them in occasionally, though.

Anyway, two theater friends and I decided during play practice about a month ago to form a book club. Because: we like to read and we like to talk about what we read and we like to socialize while we talk about what we read.

We decided on an interesting format. We meet in two weeks' time to discuss the book, but the catch was, we were only to read HALF of the book. Then we could discuss theories and ideas up to that point. In another two weeks, we would meet again to discuss the rest of the book. It's clever, actually, reading half the book, talking about it, then reading the rest.

Our first choice was "Eragon." Not one of the three of us had read it, we'd all seen the movie, and it seemed a good place to start. So off we went (the book is BLAH, lots of flaws, but that's neither here nor there). We had our second meeting last night...so the book is done.

And it was so much fun! We had excellent book conversation, and great other-topic conversation otherwise. I feel like for the first time since we moved here that I've found girlfriends I have lots in common with and enjoying being with.

So...the next book "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman.

Those of you who are public educators will know of what I speak.

The dreaded red grading pen.

MWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHAAAAA!

Admittedly, most of the time I do not use a red pen. Frankly, I like using other colors, like green or purple. Green is the color of envy and purple is the color of royalty...

neither of which has anything to do with grading homework. But anyway..

I'm using a red pen these days because that's what available. Right now, I'm at the mercy of whatever colored marking utensils are in the pencil jar. Someday I may have to grade in fat Crayolas.

Yes, as an English teacher, there are several weekends throughout the year that must be devoted to grading homework. This weekend looks to be one of them.

It's OK, though, because it's a bunch of short grading tasks. It'll be good. Really.

So....the community theater play is over.

Last night was my first night of freedom. Of completely unadulterated time. Of leisure time to spend in the way I saw fit.

Here's how it went:

First of all, I got home from work about 4:10 in a leisurely manner. Then, our financial planner person stopped by with some paperwork for us fill out. I was a bit miffed that this took the better part of a half-hour. Too much time spent listening to FPP talking about 529 plans. I mean, really, my kids' college educations are important, but I'm supposed to be at leisure.

Then, I did my treadmill running (too damn cold outside). 25 minutes - 2.82 miles...WHOOHOO! After that, I walked up the stairs, sweating...at my leisure.

Brent had prepared supper already and was feeding the children before he hustled them off to soccer practice. SOOO - I was able to enjoy my dinner in relative silence, reading the book "Eragon". At my leisure.

After dinner, I soaked in the tub. Then I graded some assignments. Then I went to bed at nine.

AT MY LEISURE.

Looking forward to doing it again tonight.

Yep! So I'm 33 today. Another year has passed me by. Thank you, Randy and Taylor for the birthday greetings...thank you for remembering and taking the time.

Thank you, John, for the lovely birthday present. Very nice and congratulations on the 180.

Here's what I've learned in the last year. Most of it will probably take another year to implement.

1. Less community service committees, more family.
2. Anything can become part of your routine if it's important enough to
you (i.e. exercise)
3. Women in their early to mid-30's really do hit their sexual peak.
4. Whining and complaining serves absolutely no purpose.
5. Getting up early in the morning (even weekends) is a good thing.

So, last night was the second night of our play...very good crowd, lots of laughter. I got home about ten-forty-five, in bed by eleven. My dad calls at 5:55 this morning and asks if I want to go out to breakfast (see lesson #5). After breakfast, Mom and I hit some garage sales for fun. Then, Brent and the boys and I did groceries. (Kirby was at a Hannah Montana party.) Then I did my 2.5+ mile run and am now enjoying a leisurely lunch. After this, it will be a toss up between watching "Sydney White" and taking a nap. Maybe I will do both. Then, Brent is taking me out to eat before our last play night. I also received a new iPod (1000 songs) and some perfume!

Not bad for an old-timer.