Weekend Plans

This weekend is General Conference.  I am so looking forward to it. 

I am excited to sleep in, for one, and try to rest up a bit.  It has been a long week, and I don't think I've yet recovered from the 2-a-Days weeks last week--getting up at 5 AM with The Girl before she went to morning swim practice.

But I am also looking for ward to just soaking up the Spirit.  I know the words we will hear are not only given thoughtfully, but are--in most cases, I'd guess--answers to prayers as well.  I am anxious to hear what my favorite General Conference speakers will share with us.  And what additional insight I could gain as I listen with an open heart.

While I don't have any big, pressing questions in my heart right now, I still have concerns.  Some more worrisome than others.  I know that answers will be provided it I listen well.  Then the challenge is following through on the inspiration I will feel.

Deep Breath

I feel like I have been running at marathon pace all week.  While the week isn't quite over yet, today gave me a moment's pause and I could take a big deep breath.

At what point do I determine that I have run without getting weary and have walked without fainting?  Is there a sign when you get to the point just beyond this?  I think I may have just reached that point just beyond.  That can't be good.

I remember the first two months or so of the school year are the worst as far as a PTA time drain.  I can feel that.  But I still wouldn't give up getting to work with my school(s).  I love feeling a part of what is going on, and feeling like what I do can make a difference to the students there.  To my students, there.

But I am looking forward to sleeping in.  Someday.

It's Becoming Legendary

This is The Boy's field goal attempt.  A wife of one of the coaches recorded this version.  You miss the first initial bounce on the cross bar, but you get the idea.  Crazy!!

Oh, and today we heard from a round about way that according to a BYU player, who was shownt he video--not this one perhaps but oneof the other parents' recording, that the ball "broke the plane" and therefore should have been called good--making The Boy the big winner of the game,instead of hte overtime quarterback sneak.  But a win is a win.  Unless you are the kicker's mom.

Superlative

Today on our local talk radio show, they were talking about the most stressful jobs out there.  Callers were asked to call in with their opinions on this, or to share why their job is the most stressful.

There were calls from big rig truck drivers and highway construction workers.  There were high powered CEOs and other executives who spoke of their "necks on the line" every day.  Mail deliverers dealing with the constant, relentlessness of the mail and of dogs and of city dangers on their routes.

Then a woman called in and said "I don't know if this counts, 'cause I'm not paid for it, but I think being a mom is stressful."

The show's host graciously agreed with her.  He mentioned that not only is that a stressful job, but it is never over.  You are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  You are on call from the time that infant is delivered until one of you passes away. (And I'd add, even after, as family relationships are eternal in nature.)  He was quick to applaud this mother's work and all others who are caring for and raising and teaching children to be good, upright, honest, responsible citizens.

It was very refreshing to hear.  Especially as I was folding football practice pants, once filthy-but now gleaming white socks and freshly laundered boxers, t-shirts, and jeans. It did me good to get a little pat on the back in the middle of my work day and hear someone I have never met personally give a shout out to all the other colleagues I have in the world.

Being a MOM is the best job, the most stressful job, the most rewarding job, the most worrisome job, the longest lasting job, and the superlative job title I could ever have.  It's the toughest job I've ever loved.

MVP

Saturday The Boy's football team won their game, in overtime.  It was a much needed victory for their morale.  The Boy came home with the MVP flag--awarded by the coach for outstanding effort in the game each week.  (The flag bearer flies the flag in their front yard for the week, and then returns it to the next game for the next player to take home.)

The really cool part, I think at least, is that The Boy got this for his efforts in a field goal attempt that he didn't actually make.  In the last seconds of the game, the teams were tied and our team had a chance to make a field goal. It was within his range.  And The Boy's been practicing on his own for hours and hours all season to be ready for whenever he might get the chance to make a field goal.

He kicked from the left hash mark, from about 20 yards.  It was high enough and centered enough, but the force for that distance was iffy.  His kick hit the top of the cross bar and bounced straight up.  That bounce came down and hit the cross bar again!  And then bounced backward, out of the goal posts, making no points at all.

I've never seen another kick like that ever.  The families in the crowd were holding their breath as he kicked and then sucked in the breath as it bounced TWICE!  And a big groan of disappointment when it bounced out.  But afterwards the crowd was very complimentary about his efforts.  And you could sure see in his body language, even from up in the stands, that he was so upset with himself for not making that.  The team went into overtime, and on their first posession, the quarterback kept the ball and ran it in to win the game.  So all was well.

For his part though, there was a bit of a pity party around here all weekend, which gets old fast.  But by last night he seemed in better spirits about it and by today at school it will be a cool story to tell.  I hope.  But the flag is a cool recognition, either way.  Now we just hope he has another chance to redeem his now infamous kicking before the season is over.

End of Argument

This woman is 51:

She is TV health guru Gillian McKeith, advocating a holistic approach to nutrition and health, promoting exercise, a vegetarian diet high in organic fruits and vegetables. She recommends detox diets, colonic irrigation and supplements.

This woman is 51:

She is Nigllea Lawson a TV cook, who eats meat, butter and desserts.



I REST MY CASE.