20 years

This is Trevor.

Today is his 20th birthday.

This is how he will spend it.

(spent it actually because it is afternoon in Iraq)

I always assumed he would spend this birthday in a different kind of

suit, serving the Lord.

But serving your country is important too.

And he will be home sooner than later (or so the rumor is this week, you know the military).

Happy Birthday son!

I love you.

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Indeed.

It only hurts when...

Thursday right after Brandi got to school, she bumped her nose on a metal bar at the top of the slide. I had to take her a clean shirt. When I talked to the secretary at the school she told me that Brandi's shirt was covered in blood. It wasn't. It was just a little bit of splatter, but a new shirt was warranted anyway. Who wants to go through the day with a blood spattered shirt?

The secretary also told me that Brandi was hit with a ball. When I found out it was a metal bar and that it had bled for 10 minutes or so, I was upset that they didn't let her have ice for it. But I held my tongue because I didn't want a repeat of last year's principal debacle. (though the principal thinks we are bffs since she found out I know J. Scott Savage. We so are not.)

Today Brandi had another soccer practice with the club soccer team. On the very last play, she got hit in the nose with the ball. She told me she heard it crack when the ball hit. Then she had a mouth full of blood. I am pretty sure that if it wasn't broken before it is now. She says it itches but it hurts to touch. And she can't breath. And it is swollen and her eyes have dark shadows.

It is hard to tell when she has a bruise. In fact, I can't remember ever seeing a bruise on her, but I am sure she has had them. She is just dark enough that they are hard to see. And if you were to look at her nose, it probably wouldn't look swollen, it would look like your stereotypical African-American nose. But for her, that is swollen.

So much for tea parties and baby dolls. I still get bumps, bruises and broken bones. Even if she is a girl.

(If you look closely at the bridge of her nose, you can see a darker line running across it. That is the bruise. And see the darker circles under her eyes? )

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Indeed.

Coming late to the game

Brandi has two games left for the rec center soccer league. One on Thursday, a makeup game for one that was rained out, and one next week. Because she has enjoyed soccer and playing she wanted to continue after these last two games. I had no idea where she would be able to do that. I asked her coaches and they didn't know. So I asked David, figuring he might be able to at least point me in the right direction.

Apparently if you want to play soccer in the fall, you have to try out in the spring. I would say, "Who knew?" right here, but there are plenty of people that knew. And they tried out. In the spring. When you are supposed to try out. As a soccer mom I am really clueless about all this stuff.

But Dave was nice enough to point me in the right direction anyway with a soccer club that is close to our house. And then he even gave me the name of someone to call. And this someone called the coach of the soccer club and asked her if Brandi could still try out. The coach said yes.

So this evening Brandi and I headed over to the team's practice. We knew going in that she might not do more than have a really good practice with this team and then spend the winter practicing and then try out again in the spring, you know, when you are supposed to.

We met Noelle, chatted a bit and she put Brandi right to work. I think Brandi worked harder and more in that hour and a half than she has all summer with the rec league. Including games. After an hour of drills, the girls divided into two teams and played a game. I could tell Brandi was getting tired. But she kept at it.

Noelle asked if Brandi could come back because she has potential. I think potential is good. Right?

Driving home, Brandi told me that she wasn't sure she liked it. I think it is because she worked so hard. She never got subbed out during the game, she doesn't know any of the girls, the coaches worked her hard, she is not used to that. We talked about how the coaches needed to see how she plays in all the positions and the only way to do that was to play her in all the positions.

Their next practice is Thursday at 5. Same day and time as her makeup game. Noelle and I agreed that her first obligation is to her current team so she will go to Saturday's practice.

We may be coming late to the game this time, but I think we are on our way to turning me into a soccer mom.

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Indeed.

Quick post

This is just a quick post to remind me of the things I want to blog about this coming week.

*Matt moved into his dorm room officialy tonight

*Housing costs at the U are ridiculous. Matt may move back home so we can afford to eat. And save more money for his mission next year.

*Brandi's soccer team didn't win yesterday, but they managed to keep the bigger, better team to 2 points.

*Speaking of soccer, I did not know that try outs for good teams is in May. Sometimes it really is all about who you know. Brandi has a sort of try out Tue. evening. Thanks! I'll get this soccer thing figured out someday

*I think I like soccer. Maybe even more than basketball

*Started a new class. We get to learn to read body language. You thought I was good at spotting a lie before....

*It was about 2*F in the chapel for the temple dedication this morning. I still have the headache from the cold. The girls and I shared the boys' suit coats to try and stay warm. The mom in front of us was using her hand kerchief to try and cover her child.

*I'm tired and going to bed. 5 a.m. comes too early lately.

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Indeed.

Yum, Yum

Pulled Pork

1 Pork tenderloin

3/4 cup raw honey

1 pint tomatoes with liquid

1 small can diced green chilies

1 red pepper, chopped

1 tsp garlic, minced

Sea salt and pepper

Season pork with salt and pepper. Put into a crock pot. Mix remaining ingredients together, pour over pork. Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours. Serve in corn tortillas, or over salad greens.

Tiffany's Brownies

1 stick plus 2 tbsp butter

8 tbsp cocoa powder (or carob powder, or 50% cocoa and 50% carob powder) {I am not a fan of carob so I use cocoa}

1 1/4 cups raw honey

2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs (best at room temp)

1/4 cup plain yogurt (be sure to a yogurt that has no sugar)

1 cup fresh-ground whole wheat or spelt flour

Pre-heat oven to 350* F. In a small saucepan on low heat melt butter and cocoa-powder together. Let cool slightly. Cream honey, vanilla, eggs and yogurt in a mixing bowl Add cocoa mixture to honey mixture. Stir in flour, just until blended. Pour into a greased, square baking dish. Bake 45 minutes.

From Tiffany's Table by Tiffany Perez

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Indeed.

Rambling

I went back to work today. We had a mandatory staff-elty meeting. Those meetings are long and bo-ring. Tomorrow is sophmore day. Only the sophomores will be there so they can get a feel for where things are without everyone else pushing and shoving their way down the hall. That lasts from 10-12. Then home to get ready for my new class that starts tomorrow night.

I finally got my grade for the final I took last Wed. I only got a 96 on the test. Bummer, I was hoping for higher, but it didn't lower my gpa much- I have a 3.95.

Yesterday Matt and I went up to the U to try and figure out his financial aid. The U has been very hard to work with and their webpages are hard to understand and navigate. But it is mostly figured out. I think.

I figured while we were there we just as well get his books while there were still some used ones. Then we got his parking pass. Then we were going to drive to the other side of campus and talk to the housing office people. But there was construction and they were cutting a gas main so we were not allowed to even turn on the car. So we walked instead. It was all uphill from where we parked. I was glad I wore my walking shoes and not my sandals. I got a good workout.

He moves Sat. afternoon after Brandi's soccer game. I am not sure I am ready for him to be all grown up and moved out. He plans on putting his mission papers in in time to leave about 3 weeks after school ends in early May. 9 months! Too soon, too soon.

Rumors about an earlier home time for Donovan and Trevor, but you know how military rumors go- they change with the wind. We have heard a bunch of similar rumors before and they all changed, so we will see.

I have read two books that are waiting a review and am in the middle of one for a blog tour and need to start another, also for a blog tour.

Right now my feet hurt- shopping with Matt again today and then walking Brandi to and from soccer practice. I think I am going to go lay down and read.

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Indeed.

Happy day

Long story short, Brandi's soccer coach called for a practice on Friday evening. And it was a great practice. He taught them where they should be standing on the field, how to pass to each other, what position plays where and what they do in that position, he went over rules of the game, they ran, they did drills, they passed the ball, the played. And he talked to them about the fact that they have as much right to the ball as the other team and taught them to stop being so nice. If someone falls, just keep playing. If the ball comes to you, don't stop it and then stand there asking for permission to kick it.

Today, they played great. Like a team. They owned that ball. They were all over it. And it was great. They were playing so well that I got out my camera and turned it to the video option to take a bit of video of them playing so well.

Lucky that I did when I did- I got video of the one goal they made today!! And it was the only goal of the game!!!

I would show it to you, but I can't get it to upload. I'll keep trying though.

After yesterday's practice, I understand soccer a whole lot more. I think the girls do to. And that's a good thing.

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Indeed.

I did it

I entered a contest. Scary.
Click on the icon below or in my sidebar

for details.

I can't tell you which one is mine,

But I can ask you to go vote.

I have a smaller button in my sidebar to remind you to go vote.

So go vote

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Indeed.

Authorpalooza!

Tuesday evening, Karlene and I went to Authorpalooza. Lots of fun. But I did notice that 3 years is too long to not work in the publishing business. I am so far behind in reading the new stuff, keeping track of new authors, what each publisher is doing and all that kind of stuff. But it was fun anyway.

I ended up with 4 books. 1 Christmas story book, 2 that I had never heard of either the book or the author before and 1 book I have wanted to read for a couple of years. I was able to have all but the last one signed, and that is just because the author wasn't there and I picked the book up off the shelf. I am half way through that one, (My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison) and am loving it.

While I was having a discussion with Emily Wing Smith about her book that she was signing for me, James Dashner came over. He wanted a picture of Emily but only had his phone and that was not working. Lucky him! I carry a small camera in my purse just for such occasions. Rescuing some of my favorite authors when their phone cameras don't work.

We chatted a bit, he did remember me from some of my comments on his blog and I took the picture and told him to drop by and take it from my blog. So, this is for you James.

And I realized later that this is the only picture I took Tuesday night. No picture with J. Scott Savage and the cool artwork for his new book. Nathan Hale, who signed the Christmas story book for me, and drew a stegasaurus on above his signature, right there on the spot!

I could go on listing others that I didn't get pictures of, but were there, but I will leave someone out. Besides, I have a headache that is trying to become a migrain so I am going to stop here and go rest.

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Indeed.

When all else fails

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Indeed.

LDS Booksellers Convention

This post is all about LDS books, so if you are not a fan, you have been warned.

Karlene and I went up to LDS Booksellers Convention (LDSBA) yesterday. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. There were no big decorations or crowds of people or even signs to indicate which hall they were in.

Then we went inside. And it was still quiet. There wasn't that rush and buzz of bodies and voices that I remember from the past. And a lot of the bigger booths were smaller this year. I am not sure if it is the economy or a statement on the state of books in general or what, but it made me a bit sad.

Here are a few of the pictures I took today.

This first picture is something I have never seen at the convention before. The floor was considerably smaller than before. Not as many booths as in years past.

Curtain used to shorten floor

Millennial Press

We used to share warehouse space with them

One Associated
They provided our pass into the convention

Stripling Warrior swords

I am thinking about getting one for Hunter

They are made of wood.

What do you think? Good idea for him?

Deseret Book

Their booth was one of those that was smaller this year

New Releases from Covenant

Does anyone notice any missing titles here?

David?

Ringmasters

They always go all out with their booth

This year's convention theme was Discovering Treasures

Their booth was a nice pirates lair full of new treasures

Karlene with Kae D. Jacobs

author of Beyond the Masque

Me with Kae D. Jacobs

Book synopsis from Granite Publishing here

She gave a book to Karlene and I. We will both do a review soon.

Cedar Fort

Another downsized booth

Tristi Pinkston, BJ Rowley, Candace Salima

The faces of Valor Publishing

All in all, though, it was good day spent seeing new products, seeing old friends and making new ones.

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Indeed.

Say again?

I am getting ready to leave for LDSBA in just a few minutes so I will be brief this morning, but I just want to comment on a commercial that was just on.

It is for some medication- I couldn't tell you what medication because there is one line that causes me to laugh every time so I miss the rest of it.

The line comes during the fine print warning part of the commercial. It goes like this-

"Those taking asprin and the elderly should not use...."

I know what they mean, but that is not the way she says it.

Just sayin'

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Indeed.

Table For Five

Sometimes it takes a leap of faith in order to soar . . .

A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family -- a family that suddenly needs her.

Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.

Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks -- and Lily's not sure she can.

The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride -- thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile -- a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all .



I Loved this book. Notice that is Loved with a capital "L". This book made me laugh, made me cry and touched my heart in so many ways.


Let's start with Lily, a school teacher who loves her children. But only for a year and the she lets them go and spends the summer traveling and getting ready for a new school year. She also does not have a close relationship with her parents, due to something that is only alluded to throughout the book. It is this same something that does not allow Lily to get close to anyone because she is afraid of being hurt. Once the something is explained it all makes sense to me (and my psychology/counselor brain). But I feel that once it is explained that everything around her relationship with her parents resolves too quickly. I would have liked it to be explored a bit more throughout the book, that we could see her relationship with them change and evolve.


Sean. Throughout the book Sean is really a likeable guy. I never got the sense of him in the "before" the tragedy, so we don't see him change and evolve as much as we do Lily. However, we do see him change and evolve from "the uncle that loves the kids from a distance" to "hands on, fixing the girl's hair, changing diapers and loving it" guy. And that makes him very appealing.


When Crystal and Derek die, it is not a huge suprise, because you know that is coming from the dust jacket. And I really didn't care because I didn't like either one of them. I hated the way they were using the kids to get what they wanted in their divorce and how they used their kids as confidants for grownup problems.


But Lily and Sean and their relationship with and commitment to Cameron, Charlie and Ashley is messy and charming and real. And I loved every minute of getting to know these people and coming to love them and care about them as they took their journey to becoming a family. I think you will too. And the final scene? Perfect. In every way.










Purchase book here.

Product Information
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Mira; Large Print edition (April 1, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0739453688
ISBN-13: 978-0778321675
ASIN: 0778321673
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches

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Indeed.

Our trip to South America?

For my final Where in the World post I told you about the Land of Eternal Spring, which is Guatemala. Someday I will go there and see it for myself. Until then I will have to settle for this:

Entering South America

Temple wall?

Black Knife fish

Dwarf Caiman

Rainbow Boa constrictor

River Sting Ray

Some kind of poison dart frog (blue maybe?)

Rowing down the Amazon

We were here and it was a blast and we will be going back soon.

Good news moment

Today's game went better. When we got there, the first thing Brandi said was, "Our assistant coach is here. I like him, he's cool."



He started the girls out kicking the ball to each other. Then he divided them up according to what he was going to have them play. The coach took some of the girls- the defenders and the goalie, and the assistant took the rest of them. He would throw a ball to them and had them kick it back to him, but he gave them directions on where he wanted the ball to go or how he wanted them to control it. When the ball didn't go where they intended, he stopped, showed them what they did wrong and how to do it right. All in a nice, encouraging way. This coach I like.



The other coach's wife, the one that sent me the lovely e-mail? When she got there she was giving me the look of death. Its a good thing looks don't kill... Then. then another mother arrived and asked for a schedule of practice times. "We aren't having pratices other than game days because with two games a week, when are you supposed to practice?" was her reply. (really? there were 7 days in a week last time I looked)



I didn't say anything. Then a father came and asked. Then one or two or six of the players. And a couple more parents. I said nothing. I didn't even look over there. I was suddenly engrossed in the jet flying across the sky, re-tying my shoe, moving my chair 1/8" over, checking my water bottle, whatever. There is another practice on Tuesday, the day before the next game.



The team before us finished late. I think they started late. It was hot. I was thinking about 98-100* but the assistant coach said it was 4000*. Before the game was over, I agreed with him. So did the girls.

Beginning of game.


Brandi played left mid-field this week.

When I asked, Matt said it is because she is in the middle of the field.

Makes sense.

I guess

This video is at almost 1/2 time

You can tell the girls are getting hot and tired

The coaches were really good about rotating the girls in and out so they could get water and stay hydrated

They played better today and twice they almost made a goal. You know, those groaner times because the ball doesn't go in?

And they stopped the other team from making a goal. Every time.

Except one.

Maybe next week.

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Indeed.

Random stuff

Brandi and I had appointments at Evans Hairstyling College this morning. Brandi for braids, me for a cut and style. I have gone to Evans off and on for almost 25 years now. I used to make my appointment for 30 minutes to close so that Mr. Evans would cut my hair while the student watched. And I always ask for an advanced student. I forgot to do that for today's appointments. We got beginner students that have just barely finished class work and this is their first couple of weeks on the floor with real people.

I showed my stylist a couple of pictures of what I wanted done. I could tell by the look on her face that she had no clue. She got close, though. But I am glad that they have an instructor come check before we leave. The instructor showed her how to razor my hair to take some of the bulk out. I have A LOT of hair and if you don't thin it, it won't do the cute style but just lay in a heavy, droopy mess- as it was doing until the instructor fixed it. But even she didn't get the bangs right. Oh well, in about 6-8 weeks it will need shaped up and I will remember to ask for an advanced student.

Brandi's braids are not what I asked for either. I wanted a bunch of tiny braids all over her head. What she got was some thicker braids all over her head. Most of the braids should actually be 3-4 braids. And they used no elastics- at the top or at the ends. And the ends were all frizzy. I had to ask them to put the cream on that stops that. They should have been using it on each and every braid. And then when they were done, they should have gone back and trimmed all the pieces of hair that were sticking out of the braid. But they didn't. I put elastics in the ends when we got home and I will trim the braids tomorrow after we wash them. I really can't fault them, though. They are beginning students, and around here when braiding is taught, it is taught on white women and about white women's hair. But black hair is just different. I should suggest that they have a guest black woman come and teach about braids and black hair. (and next time, ask for an advanced student)

Soccer. Remember the e-mail I sent the coach asking about practice times? I got this reply:

We also want the girls to learn how to play soccer and to have fun. I will pass your comments on to Bryan and Chris about additional practices. I haven't seen a schedule of practices, so I'll see if I can email one out to everyone.

Please remember that the coaches are volunteers. Bryan and Chris are the coaches because the PG Rec called and asked them to do it. They are doing their best. If you would like to help them coach, I'm sure they would appreciate the extra help.

At the first practice, they decided to have a 30 minute practice prior to each game due to the often twice a week game schedule. It will also keep the skills fresh in their minds for the game. If that is not enought for Brandy, encourage her to practice kicking, running, and dribbling the soccer ball at home.

Well, I require at least 20 minutes a day of kicking, running and dribbling as well as juggling, but I don't see how that is going to help her learn to play as a team. I sent back an e-mail saying that even though I don't know anything about soccer, I would be willing to rotate with other parents in supervising at least one 1 hour practice/week.

When I talked to the rec center, I was told that they would talk to the coach and see what they could do, but that he really didn't want to coach, but the other coach had to drop out so they begged this one to help out. Maybe I should go get that Coaching Soccer for Dummies book after all.
There is a game today at noon, so we will see how that goes. (I got the e-mail reminder at midnight)

I am doing a Power Point presentation on Wed. night about paranoid schizophrenia. My team is using clips from A Beautiful Mind to help us. We have 30 minutes. In putting together my part, I had 35 minutes of clips I wanted to use. I finally got it cut down to 6:32 minutes about 12:30 this morning. Now I just need to write a diagnosis and treatment plan on someone else and get it turned in. I guess I should find someone to interview, huh?

Sewing room is 1/2 way mucked out so all my sewing/craft stuff should be able to go back in there by Tuesday evening and then I can start on the food storage room. I better hurry if I want it done by the end of summer, because I got my letter from the school today saying first day of work is the 18th and band camp for the boys is all next week, so no help from them)

Next week is LDSBA, my favorite event of the year. I get to go check out all the new releases from publishers. Any publisher/author you want me to check in particular?

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Indeed.