Pool Standards

Chelsea loves to play in the swimming pool. She will not pass an opportunity to swim. She doesn’t swim laps, she plays. We do not have one and so far this year, she has been in 6 different pools. She has asked us to “build one” at least once a week. Lauri and Ernie’s pool is the standard by which all other pools are measured. It is funny to hear her talk about each pool’s “features”. They all have different “plus” factor. In the end, she compares them all to Lauri and Ernie’s. Apparently, theirs has the right combination of steps, a diving board, depth and familiarity. It doesn’t really matter which pool comes out on top in the comparison, because the bottom line is she would not give up time in any of them.

Who Is raising Your Child(ren)?

I was going to do a post about who is raising your children. I have to get a little off track to say that some idiot backed into Scotty’s new truck on Monday! It was the idiot’s fault and it can be fixed, but Scotty will have to do some leg work to get it done right. Obviously, the idiot’s insurance company is not going to work as hard as they can for Scotty, so he will have to do it himself. He has a good start, he will just have to hang in there.

A Dog’s Life

We love our dog. I love the fact that we were able to take her to “puppy school”. This was such a great thing for us and the dog. The dog is secure and she listens. Now, she listens to Scotty better than Chelsea, but she will respond to any of us. She likes to sleep at our feet, either on the bed or on the floor. She knows her kennel is her “den” and we leave the door open on it most of the time. She is guilty of trying to lick people to death but other than that, she is well behaved. She sheds a lot but that is out of her control. We love our 70 pound black lab/chow (?) mix and take responsibility for her care and the things we are supposed to teach her. Some things we have to do for her are unpleasant. I don’t like to see her get a shot. I don’t like the mess she makes when she is wet. I do love my dog enough to be responsible. The one thing my dog lacks is regular walks on the leash. Completely our fault for being lazy and just letting her out in the (fenced in) back yard.

I say all of this because I have been reading someone’s blog about their dog and am convinced the dog is getting into trouble for things that are the family’s fault. The dog ate a cooked chicken. I know that must have been frustrating, but who left the chicken where the dog could reach it? Face it; accidents happen, but there comes a point where the adult has to take responsibility. I would guess the adult in question is going to expect the children’s minister/youth minister/teacher to do some parenting for her too. It’s time for her or her husband to go ahead and admit that the dog is too much for them to handle because they do not take the time to teach the dog any differently. I wonder if her kids are on medication as an alternative to effective discipline….

SCOTTY’S NEW TRUCK

Scotty has waited a long time for a new truck. This one really is a great fit for him. I am so happy for him. When I saw it, I knew it would be perfect for him. More on that later – just wanted to get it posted.

It’s Beginning

I have already done a post about things that are “over”. I thought I would do one about things that are beginning. Tonight Chelsea will try out for a U-12 soccer team. Wow! U-12 – the beginning of a ton of travel and eventually travel for the purpose of being seen by college scouts. Slowing down – the college scout thing won’t happen for about 3 more years. I did find out last night that the SEC throws plenty of money into athletic scholarships.

I am about to begin my new job and Chelsea’s summer is about to begin. Scotty is working on the camp t-shirt and planning a camp work day. Both are signs that camp is about to begin! I just love camp! Camp strengthens friendships, helps you make new friends, helps you reconnect to old friends and provides you with an awesome, one of a kind, bond. I do believe that camp is the beginning of heaven!

Finally, I think I’m going to begin weight watchers – again. I have 14 more pounds to go and would like to see them come off in 7 weeks. That would be a safe amount of time and it’s realistic too. If I reach that goal, I will have to begin shopping for a new swimming suit!

It’s also time to begin a new scripture reading. I will post with my thoughts on that later.

COUNTING…

Chelsea has 14 more days of school. One of those is a half day and one is the end of the year party. I guess she really only has about 12 days of school left.

I have 8 more days at my current job. I start my new job 1 day after I leave the current one. I will work for 2 days and then have 1 day off, followed by 4 days of classes.

Chelsea has soccer tryouts in 2 days and then again in 6 days. She will then wait 18 days (!) for the invitation to join a team.

Teacher Appreciation week begins in 1 day and lasts 5 days. On day 3, I have to sit with the class for 2 hours to give the teacher a break for a special lunch.

Only 48 more days until camp!

The Times, They Are A Changin’

So many things have changed for me over the past couple of weeks. And, so many things have changed since this time last year. The biggest change for me right now is that I am switching jobs (again, I know). This is a major change because I’m going from insurance billing and collecting to selling insurance! I am so excited about this choice and the opportunity I have to do it.

You might find it ironic to read my previous post about leaving well enough alone. I always feel that way when the subject of changing something is approached, but I usually roll with it and end up happy in the end. Hey, if you don’t like something new you can always “change back”, right?

Other things that are changing?? Chelsea will be in 6th grade (!) next school year and she will be on a new soccer team. She will attend an overnight (!) soccer camp this year. Scotty needs a new truck and we have to begin working on that soon.

Scotty and I are in “camp mode” now. Not that we aren’t always thinking about camp, but we are in high gear about the upcoming session. We are determined to make it great. Scotty always chooses an outstanding staff and I am looking forward to an awesome week.

I recently read an old friend’s blog and she listed 100 things about herself. I found that to be interesting and I’m going to do the same soon. I think mine will be 100 things about our family. I know several of them will include soccer….