Thursday is sleep-in day, because Noah has late entry at school. We love Thursdays! Anthony & I took the dogs on a nice big loop around Dalhousie...about 6 km I think. It took 1 hour and 3 minutes.
Now I am sitting here updating my blog when I KNOW I should be doing one of 3 things:
Go to work, because I was sick on Monday
Go to the gym and finish my work there
Clean and pack the house
Nope. I need a fourth choice, please.
Last weekend Anthony & I went to Pincher Creek for a EX Race. We got up at 5am to get there in time for sign-in but ended up getting there a little late...luckily they know Anthony well and let him sign in late anyway.
The course was insane (to me) ...I took some pictures and video but I still can't figure out how to get the videos off my camera and onto the computer. Anthony was doing well despite a bad start. He caught up to fourth and stayed there for a while and fell back into fifth after some crashes. (One crash was pretty spectacular and he is still in pain every time he moves!) Then he had major trouble getting up this crazy hill that had worn down after so many laps and he (and quite a few others) were stuck trying to get up. He eventually made it, and ended up 7th overall. Which still puts him tied for 3rd overall in the series. Not too bad as there are a few really fast guys that he has to battle to stay in the top three...but I think he can do it.
Sunday was also Father's Day...and I was happy that Anthony could spend that day doing one of the things he loves the most...dirt biking! I bought him a new (totally awesome and cool) helmet to protect his noggin' and KTM bike stand. (Plus some poo-poo-pouri which I will leave at that)
I am so thankful that Anthony is a great dad to Noah & Jordan. We all have our moments but 99.999% of the time, he is so amazing and we are lucky that he is in our lives.
This weekend we are supposed to be heading to Compeer for the first race in the CMA series but Anthony is still pretty sore...so we may not go after all. I think I'll be disappointed as I really enjoy getting away together from the daily stresses.
The week after is the Raymond race which wraps up the EX series for this year with the Championships...it's a three day race and I have a feeling it'll be crazy!
There are still lots of races in other series' that we have marked in our calendar. For the rest of the summer, there are very few free weekends left. But I know that it's important to Anthony and I am willing to give him that time to enjoy what he loves. I enjoy it too though...I guess I should add that.
Melissa is coming to town in a couple weeks so that will be great to get in a nice visit, however, I don't think the new house will be done, which means we will have to stay in the half-packed, mess of the old house. Sorry Melissa!!!
The house is coming along though...just never, ever fast enough. The granite finally went in on Tuesday - it looks great! The hardwood has been ordered but won't arrive till late next week...then we have to let it sit out and acclimate as it comes from BC and it is soooooo dry here compared to Vancouver.
We picked out the carpet for the top floor and basement...and it is ready to be delivered but they are not done painting....oh yeah, AND the basement flooded last week with all the damn rain we had! I tell ya...it never ends!
Oh well. Life is good. I am trying to be thankful for what I have and I know I am lucky.
I have a fantastic husband and great kids and a good family to spend time with, friends that care about me...yup...life is good.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
TGIF!!!
Seriously! It feels like the longest week ever...and even though I am heading into a crazy busy weekend as well...I'm glad that it is almost MONDAY!
What does Monday mean? That there will be a new chief at the gym! It's the AGM and at about 8pm - I'M OUT OF THERE!!!
I will sit on the board as Past President (for an additional TWO years!!!) but I am happy just to be rid of the never ending stress and crazy parents & coaches.
Even with that excitement on the horizon, I've felt kinda blue this week. I think it could have a lot to do with the weather - overcast, rainy, windy...it sure doesn't feel like summer! But it has been really hard to shake. It could be just that I'm busy and have not had a lot of down time. The work at the house is going at a snails pace...kinda like watching paint dry. And it could be that someone is coming back to town that I am not looking forward to having in or near our lives. I don't know - probably a combination of everything. I've been taking lots of Goji & B Vitamins but even that doesn't seem to be helping much.
So much needs to happen at the new house - Carpet, hardwood, appliances, baseboards, front door stained, laundry room cabinets, bathroom fixtures, door handles, deck built, railings up, light fixtures ordered/installed.....YIKES!
I have the new phone lines ready to go in next week and our cable & Internet will be switched there in 10 days...so I'm really hoping that the house will be livable by then! I am pretty sure that we will have to live without hardwood on the main floor while it acclimates a while longer...but the rest of the house should be good to go. XXX - Crossing Fingers - XXX
What does Monday mean? That there will be a new chief at the gym! It's the AGM and at about 8pm - I'M OUT OF THERE!!!
I will sit on the board as Past President (for an additional TWO years!!!) but I am happy just to be rid of the never ending stress and crazy parents & coaches.
Even with that excitement on the horizon, I've felt kinda blue this week. I think it could have a lot to do with the weather - overcast, rainy, windy...it sure doesn't feel like summer! But it has been really hard to shake. It could be just that I'm busy and have not had a lot of down time. The work at the house is going at a snails pace...kinda like watching paint dry. And it could be that someone is coming back to town that I am not looking forward to having in or near our lives. I don't know - probably a combination of everything. I've been taking lots of Goji & B Vitamins but even that doesn't seem to be helping much.
So much needs to happen at the new house - Carpet, hardwood, appliances, baseboards, front door stained, laundry room cabinets, bathroom fixtures, door handles, deck built, railings up, light fixtures ordered/installed.....YIKES!
I have the new phone lines ready to go in next week and our cable & Internet will be switched there in 10 days...so I'm really hoping that the house will be livable by then! I am pretty sure that we will have to live without hardwood on the main floor while it acclimates a while longer...but the rest of the house should be good to go. XXX - Crossing Fingers - XXX
Monday, June 09, 2008
I'm home sick.
So I went to work with good intentions this morning.... but I only made it 5 hours in and needed to come home. I am brain dead & exhausted.
Last Thursday was Anthony's and my 4th wedding anniversary. It was a crazy day with a million things going on but we still managed to have a nice lunch out together and a wonderful dinner at Muse. Unfortunately at one point near the end of the dinner, the conversation somehow turned to a touchy subject and dinner was abruptly over. Not the way I would have liked for it to be...but there are some things that have been brewing and not dealt with that I have become super-sensitive about. And PMS probably has not helped the situation in any way.
Anywho...it is over and we have moved past it. I will look forward to anniversary #5.
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."
~ Booker T. Washington ~
Actually - this October will mark the anniversary of when we started dating...and then we will be heading into our 10th year together! CRAZY!
This past weekend Anthony brought me with him to the Real Estate Investment group that he belongs to. It was a two-day intensive workshop that filled my mind with millions of thoughts and ideas. It was jam packed with information....and I will never remember it all...and I took pages, and pages and pages of notes. It was a really great experience. I joined the group as well as Anthony's spouse so we will be able to attend the monthly & special meetings together from now on. There is so much to look forward and prepare for to and we work together so well..it should be great!
“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.” ~ Henry Ford ~
Maybe my busy crazy weekend is why I am home sick now. My brain is overloaded. Or maybe I was in a room with 700+ people and maybe I just caught a bug. Anyways - here I am. I am going to bed. I should head out to the garage but I have zero energy.
Last Thursday was Anthony's and my 4th wedding anniversary. It was a crazy day with a million things going on but we still managed to have a nice lunch out together and a wonderful dinner at Muse. Unfortunately at one point near the end of the dinner, the conversation somehow turned to a touchy subject and dinner was abruptly over. Not the way I would have liked for it to be...but there are some things that have been brewing and not dealt with that I have become super-sensitive about. And PMS probably has not helped the situation in any way.
Anywho...it is over and we have moved past it. I will look forward to anniversary #5.
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."
~ Booker T. Washington ~
Actually - this October will mark the anniversary of when we started dating...and then we will be heading into our 10th year together! CRAZY!
This past weekend Anthony brought me with him to the Real Estate Investment group that he belongs to. It was a two-day intensive workshop that filled my mind with millions of thoughts and ideas. It was jam packed with information....and I will never remember it all...and I took pages, and pages and pages of notes. It was a really great experience. I joined the group as well as Anthony's spouse so we will be able to attend the monthly & special meetings together from now on. There is so much to look forward and prepare for to and we work together so well..it should be great!
“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.” ~ Henry Ford ~
Maybe my busy crazy weekend is why I am home sick now. My brain is overloaded. Or maybe I was in a room with 700+ people and maybe I just caught a bug. Anyways - here I am. I am going to bed. I should head out to the garage but I have zero energy.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
So things are crazy....
Well, I feel crazy.
A friend of mine from the gym is dealing with the loss of her brother – he was killed on his motorcycle last week. Poof – just gone. It was so sad especially as he left a young wife and three kids under 7 years old behind. I feel for her. I know how I felt when my mom died – it was beyond devastating as I’m sure it will be when I lose a sibling. The same week, a murder/suicide happened a few blocks from our house in Dalhousie…a man killed his wife, his 4 & 6 year old children and the roommate that rented their basement...he let his one year old live…but he killed himself. It was sick and sad and completely numbing.
Blogging is a funny thing. I think of it as a bit of a diary, yet you really can’t pour it all out as it isn’t really the place to air your dirty laundry, is it? I mean, if I really said all of the things that I am thinking and feeling I would probably make an awful lot of people very upset. There is a situation that I am dealing with now and I know that if I told the world about it I would feel better but it would just hurt too many people in the long run. So what to do? Keep it in? Hope it heals itself? I don’t know. It is stressful and I am not really dealing well at all. I am waking up between 3:30 am and 4:00 am in a cold sweat every morning and laying there stressing and worrying myself sick.
Ugh.
I’m tired.
This has been going on long enough.
But I have faith – which is the topic of this quote I have been thinking about…
“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith!”
~ Margaret Shepherd ~
So what else is new?
We have a huge gymnastics competition in Calgary – The National Championships for Women’s, Men’s & Trampoline & Tumbling…. and I signed up a long time ago to be on the LOC as Awards Coordinator. If I knew then what my life would be like now – I never would have done it. It has been stressful and I have not been focused in any such way. Luckily we have some great team members that have been on top of things.
Still doing my best to avoid bad carbs and caffeine…and I have been doing pretty well. My biggest weaknesses are wine, martini’s and mojitos. I can pretty much stay away from the bread and crackers and junk food no problem. But the drinks… I miss them…given my current stressful situation…they are helpful to relax, you know! I have been pretty good though. If Anthony & I go out and the menu has something enticing, I’ll order it. Anthony has been working out & losing weight for quite a while now…it’s nice to be able to do it together. We are still walking together – he goes 7 days a week and I go 4…as the days I go to work early just don’t work into the schedule. I feel better – I feel trimmer…there is still a long way to go…but it’s a start.
My blood pressure is coming down. The walking is helping. I am not really ready to take on a big jump into hard core working out - But I will be ready one day in the near future. Anthony is keeping track of my readings twice a day and recording them into a spreadsheet to take to my doctor. Hopefully I can wean myself off of the meds soon. It’s one of my steps to a healthier/happier me.
I have been slaving – yes SLAVING, away in our garage, purging like crazy. I know, I should have done it 8 years ago when we bought the house…but I didn’t so here I am…shoulder high in crap! I have found stuff that when we last moved was thrown haphazardly into boxes and should never have moved along with us. Toys, clothes, baby bedding, tapes, bills from the early 90’s! You name it, I’ve found it. I have probably spent about 30 hours in there so far and the end is not in sight. The problem is – some of it has memories and trying to decide what to keep and what to junk, what to donate, what to save for our Breast Cancer Fundraiser garage sale…Ugh. It’s all so much. I think so far we have donated about 15 bags to charity and taken at least 30 bags to the garbage.
My gym life is almost over – thank God! My term as President is over in 13 days. Yippee! I can’t wait to pass this off to someone fresh. I need t get away from the constant bullshit. It’s just such a weird situation at that club. No one really seems to want that place to be successful. It’s all about ME, ME, ME! (or THEM, THEM, THEM, really) If it doesn’t directly benefit the parent or their child, they want nothing to do with it. It’s such a frustrating place to be…when you know what has to be done and you have to fight for it every second of the day, it gets tiring. I have done so much to move things forward and I am proud of what we have managed to get done in the past few years despite the nagging parents but I’m tired. I’m over it. Someone else can take on this two-year-old migraine!
13 days and counting….
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.”
~ Oprah Winfrey ~
A friend of mine from the gym is dealing with the loss of her brother – he was killed on his motorcycle last week. Poof – just gone. It was so sad especially as he left a young wife and three kids under 7 years old behind. I feel for her. I know how I felt when my mom died – it was beyond devastating as I’m sure it will be when I lose a sibling. The same week, a murder/suicide happened a few blocks from our house in Dalhousie…a man killed his wife, his 4 & 6 year old children and the roommate that rented their basement...he let his one year old live…but he killed himself. It was sick and sad and completely numbing.
Blogging is a funny thing. I think of it as a bit of a diary, yet you really can’t pour it all out as it isn’t really the place to air your dirty laundry, is it? I mean, if I really said all of the things that I am thinking and feeling I would probably make an awful lot of people very upset. There is a situation that I am dealing with now and I know that if I told the world about it I would feel better but it would just hurt too many people in the long run. So what to do? Keep it in? Hope it heals itself? I don’t know. It is stressful and I am not really dealing well at all. I am waking up between 3:30 am and 4:00 am in a cold sweat every morning and laying there stressing and worrying myself sick.
Ugh.
I’m tired.
This has been going on long enough.
But I have faith – which is the topic of this quote I have been thinking about…
“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith!”
~ Margaret Shepherd ~
So what else is new?
We have a huge gymnastics competition in Calgary – The National Championships for Women’s, Men’s & Trampoline & Tumbling…. and I signed up a long time ago to be on the LOC as Awards Coordinator. If I knew then what my life would be like now – I never would have done it. It has been stressful and I have not been focused in any such way. Luckily we have some great team members that have been on top of things.
Still doing my best to avoid bad carbs and caffeine…and I have been doing pretty well. My biggest weaknesses are wine, martini’s and mojitos. I can pretty much stay away from the bread and crackers and junk food no problem. But the drinks… I miss them…given my current stressful situation…they are helpful to relax, you know! I have been pretty good though. If Anthony & I go out and the menu has something enticing, I’ll order it. Anthony has been working out & losing weight for quite a while now…it’s nice to be able to do it together. We are still walking together – he goes 7 days a week and I go 4…as the days I go to work early just don’t work into the schedule. I feel better – I feel trimmer…there is still a long way to go…but it’s a start.
My blood pressure is coming down. The walking is helping. I am not really ready to take on a big jump into hard core working out - But I will be ready one day in the near future. Anthony is keeping track of my readings twice a day and recording them into a spreadsheet to take to my doctor. Hopefully I can wean myself off of the meds soon. It’s one of my steps to a healthier/happier me.
I have been slaving – yes SLAVING, away in our garage, purging like crazy. I know, I should have done it 8 years ago when we bought the house…but I didn’t so here I am…shoulder high in crap! I have found stuff that when we last moved was thrown haphazardly into boxes and should never have moved along with us. Toys, clothes, baby bedding, tapes, bills from the early 90’s! You name it, I’ve found it. I have probably spent about 30 hours in there so far and the end is not in sight. The problem is – some of it has memories and trying to decide what to keep and what to junk, what to donate, what to save for our Breast Cancer Fundraiser garage sale…Ugh. It’s all so much. I think so far we have donated about 15 bags to charity and taken at least 30 bags to the garbage.
My gym life is almost over – thank God! My term as President is over in 13 days. Yippee! I can’t wait to pass this off to someone fresh. I need t get away from the constant bullshit. It’s just such a weird situation at that club. No one really seems to want that place to be successful. It’s all about ME, ME, ME! (or THEM, THEM, THEM, really) If it doesn’t directly benefit the parent or their child, they want nothing to do with it. It’s such a frustrating place to be…when you know what has to be done and you have to fight for it every second of the day, it gets tiring. I have done so much to move things forward and I am proud of what we have managed to get done in the past few years despite the nagging parents but I’m tired. I’m over it. Someone else can take on this two-year-old migraine!
13 days and counting….
“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.”
~ Oprah Winfrey ~
Friday, May 30, 2008
5 weeks ago...
So it has been 5 weeks since I had a total change of ...well everything.
Seriously - 5 weeks ago...I was a mess. I felt that my life was a mess...but I actually had to have it pointed out to me to really get it.
I guess I've had a major AHA moment!
It's funny how at some point something changes and it creates the snowball effect and EVERYTHING changes.
In my case, for the better.
In 5 five weeks:
My outlook on life is different - better!
My marriage is as strong as it has ever been!
I have not had a Tim Hortons Steeped Tea Double/Double (in 5 weeks!)
I have eaten very little white stuff...meaning white flour & white sugar.
I have lost about 15 pounds.
I feel great.
I walk 5K, 4x a week with my hubby & dogs.
I have not let people run all over me & try and drag me down.
I have purged & decluttered about 20% of our garage.
I have put gymnastics second...for a change!
And in 17 days, my world is not going to be ruled by ungrateful, whiney, bitchy people anymore!!!
Here are some quotes that I have been thinking about lately:
"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before we changed."
~ Earl Nightingale ~
"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward."
~ Margaret Fairless Barber ~
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
~ John Quincy Adams ~
“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.”
~ Winston Churchill ~
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
~ Mother Teresa ~
"Love is everything it's cracked up to be...It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."
~ Erica Jong ~
"Love cures people, the ones who receive love and the ones who give it, too."
~ Karl Menninger ~
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
~ Mignon McLaughlin ~
"Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others."
~ William A. Ward ~
And finally:
"And will you succeed? Yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three quarters percent guaranteed!"
~ Dr. Seuss ~
Seriously - 5 weeks ago...I was a mess. I felt that my life was a mess...but I actually had to have it pointed out to me to really get it.
I guess I've had a major AHA moment!
It's funny how at some point something changes and it creates the snowball effect and EVERYTHING changes.
In my case, for the better.
In 5 five weeks:
My outlook on life is different - better!
My marriage is as strong as it has ever been!
I have not had a Tim Hortons Steeped Tea Double/Double (in 5 weeks!)
I have eaten very little white stuff...meaning white flour & white sugar.
I have lost about 15 pounds.
I feel great.
I walk 5K, 4x a week with my hubby & dogs.
I have not let people run all over me & try and drag me down.
I have purged & decluttered about 20% of our garage.
I have put gymnastics second...for a change!
And in 17 days, my world is not going to be ruled by ungrateful, whiney, bitchy people anymore!!!
Here are some quotes that I have been thinking about lately:
"A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before we changed."
~ Earl Nightingale ~
"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward."
~ Margaret Fairless Barber ~
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
~ John Quincy Adams ~
“Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.”
~ Winston Churchill ~
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”
~ Mother Teresa ~
"Love is everything it's cracked up to be...It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for."
~ Erica Jong ~
"Love cures people, the ones who receive love and the ones who give it, too."
~ Karl Menninger ~
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
~ Mignon McLaughlin ~
"Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others."
~ William A. Ward ~
And finally:
"And will you succeed? Yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three quarters percent guaranteed!"
~ Dr. Seuss ~
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Ah...I'm dreaming of Mexico!
Yes - so back to Mexico...it was amazing.
There were a few hiccups... like our first flight was behind schedule so we only had 10 minutes between flights and I was worried sick that we would miss it...but we made it....unfortunately, our luggage did not!
Normally - I would not have cared so much...because normally I pack a great carry on...this time, I did not. I was out running errands in the morning and when I got home, Anthony's mom was already there to drive us to the airport...so I just grabbed everything and we went to the airport. So, no, I did not have a change of clothes or my blood pressures meds or a freakin' toothbrush! Ugh - I hate it when that happens. Isn't that Murphy's Law? Pack it, you won't need it...don't pack it and you surely will.
So that was fine - when we arrived we spent almost an hour getting through customs...(and we had it good...others that arrived on Saturday waited about 3 hours!) Once through customs we realized that our bags were nowhere to be found. The guy at Continental was like.."Oh yeah, the bags never make in on the Calgary flight" I'm like...Hello? If you know that...fix it!
So it's my birthday as well....which we all know is not my favorite day of the year....but that's life.
So we grab a cab to the condo and the brides brother & his girlfriend are there waiting for us with keys to our unit...and they were also so kind as to make us some yummy cheese & ham quesadillas. Then we went for a long walk along the beach...it was pitch black...so that was kinda cool.
The next couple days we just hung out, walked along the beach, read books, swam, relaxed and enjoyed each other.
We helped the brides family with some of the wedding preparations and shopping and that was fun as well. Once everyone else started to arrive it became quite festive...I think there was about 80 people that came down for the wedding! That amazing for a destination wedding!
The wedding itself was wonderful and Anthony looked handsome as a groomsman....I'll have to post some pix when I download them. We met so many new people and hung out with some old friends - it was quite fun!
We did some amazing snorkeling trips and some scuba diving...and yes - I scuba dived!!! I know - I am usually such a chicken shit...but for whatever reason...it was important to me to try.
I did the "resort" certification course in which you have to do all the necessary functions in the pool first and go through a quick test of each skill before they will take you out. And even then, you can only dive 40 feet or so. You need the full PADI certification to do anything deeper - which Anthony has.
Before we even get in the pool, the nerves were starting. I had to get Anthony to go get me some Motrin...hoping it would help. It did not.
They made us put the tanks & gear on and carry it to the pool...good Lord...I though I was going to fall over backwards...it was sooooo heavy!
I get in the pool and get the regulator in...I can't seem to get my head under the water. face yes...whole head..no. I almost said FORGET IT! I'm outta here! But I persist and the dive master is patient. It takes some time. Meanwhile Anthony & Lorin are swimming about having a grand time. Ok - so I master getting my whole head under water. Then I am asked to sit on the bottom of the pool - on my bum. Nope...no way. I felt so out of control it was crazy. I just could not do it. I kept jumping up and going above the water line. Again.....thoughts of quitting and running back to the safety of the lounge chair sounded great! But I kept trying.... Anyways...after a while I just kneeled down and that seemed to be ok.
I somehow passed the tests that were asked of me...even though I was scared shitless doing them!
And so off we go...into the boat to take us to the dive site. During the boat ride I am starting to really freak myself out....I was shaking...but trying to maintain some type of composure for my husbands sake at least. The dive master Paul, says to me..."ok Allyson - so you & I are going to be dive buddies - and we'll stick together down there." Whew...did he really think I was going down alone?
We get to the dive site and the boats stop. And Paul is like...Ok lets go...sit on the ledge and fall backwards into the water! It's a good thing that I didn't think too long and hard about that 'cause I would never have done it...but I did it quickly and it was over and I was in. Thank God. Still alive.
The waves were crashing all around us and I kept getting sea water in my mouth but I was freaked out about keeping the regulator in my mouth and going down. We tried once and I panicked and up we went. I tried again and got a little further down and freaked...up we came. Finally Paul just pulled me down by my hand and that was that. I was under.
I tried my best to be brave, be seriously...I was a mess inside. Paul held my hand (the whole time, I might add) and off we swam....Anthony & Lorin and the rest of the group swam off and Paul and I hung out and he pointed out all kinds of great sea life. Very cool indeed.
So inside I am still a nervous wreck...remember here, that I am a crazy claustrophobic control freak with high blood pressure to boot! Probably not the best combination to have 40 feet under the water. I feel sick.
So I make some kind of motions to Paul that I feel sick...well shit - they didn't teach us those hand signals!!! I think he thinks that I am enjoying this!
But the puke is coming...I can feel it and I can't stop it......sure enough I rip the regulator out of my mouth (a HUGE no-no, of course!) and let er' rip....Paul is freaking and trying to shove the regulator back into my mouth...but I am not done puking so I flight him. Meanwhile I could be (should be) asphyxiating...on my way to DEAD! But finally I put the regulator back in and breathe...thank God! Paul looks slightly panic stricken...but I feel better. We are surrounded by my puke floating around us and the fish are coming...so we swim away and let them have their lunch.
We swim around some more and enjoy the sights...I was still freaked out but doing a little better. In hindsight it would have been safer to shit my pants underwater but who can choose?
The dive lasted about 40 minutes. I never once checked my air tank levels...bad me...but Paul did and he said I did amazing...most mothers do as they have been taught good breathing techniques for childbirth.
So it's time to go up...
Pull up the rope...slowly...I try not to panic and rush to the top...knowing that my lungs would explode.
I keep my breathing regulated...Ok - almost there...I can see the light....
I get to the top...pop my head out of the water...waves crashing all around us...and promptly puke again. and again. .
I get on the boat and puke some more.
My poor husband...I know he was proud of me...but I'm sorry he had to endure that.
So that was my very first ever scuba diving experience!
Fun and EXCITING times!!!
You know...even after all that I will do it again. It is a learned thing. And I have to learn to control my fears and my panic..and not just for scuba diving...for life itself!
We also went snorkeling and I was also sick in the water doing that...and on the boat! Weird! I have spent lots of time around boats so I'm not sure if it was just nerves or an upset stomach or seasickness...who knows. But this morning I did read about a bracelet that you wear that gives constant acupressure on your wrist that helps keep the sea sickness at bay. http://www.psibands.com/
I haven't looked at it yet but I will for our next trip around water!
I celebrated both my birthday & Mother's Day there and missed our club meet & Noah's competition...but you know what..it was worth every minute of it.
By the way, my darling husband...so thoughtful, brought my birthday gift with him.
Beautiful diamond solitaire earrings..
a book on Love poems/quotes..
the new Van Morrison CD..
some really cute stationary..
and a card that brought tears to my eyes.
Wow...what a lovely bunch of gifts.
I guess I could forgive him for totally ignoring me on Valentines Day?
All in all...this was quite possibly one of the best vacations that Anthony & I have ever been on. It was 11 days of pure heaven. The town is so our style...laid back and low key...great restaurants, friendly people, beautiful beaches, the 2nd largest coral reef in the world....
We loved it so much, we are seriously thinking that we would like to buy one of the condos. And there are three for sale....
Stay tuned!
There were a few hiccups... like our first flight was behind schedule so we only had 10 minutes between flights and I was worried sick that we would miss it...but we made it....unfortunately, our luggage did not!
Normally - I would not have cared so much...because normally I pack a great carry on...this time, I did not. I was out running errands in the morning and when I got home, Anthony's mom was already there to drive us to the airport...so I just grabbed everything and we went to the airport. So, no, I did not have a change of clothes or my blood pressures meds or a freakin' toothbrush! Ugh - I hate it when that happens. Isn't that Murphy's Law? Pack it, you won't need it...don't pack it and you surely will.
So that was fine - when we arrived we spent almost an hour getting through customs...(and we had it good...others that arrived on Saturday waited about 3 hours!) Once through customs we realized that our bags were nowhere to be found. The guy at Continental was like.."Oh yeah, the bags never make in on the Calgary flight" I'm like...Hello? If you know that...fix it!
So it's my birthday as well....which we all know is not my favorite day of the year....but that's life.
So we grab a cab to the condo and the brides brother & his girlfriend are there waiting for us with keys to our unit...and they were also so kind as to make us some yummy cheese & ham quesadillas. Then we went for a long walk along the beach...it was pitch black...so that was kinda cool.
The next couple days we just hung out, walked along the beach, read books, swam, relaxed and enjoyed each other.
We helped the brides family with some of the wedding preparations and shopping and that was fun as well. Once everyone else started to arrive it became quite festive...I think there was about 80 people that came down for the wedding! That amazing for a destination wedding!
The wedding itself was wonderful and Anthony looked handsome as a groomsman....I'll have to post some pix when I download them. We met so many new people and hung out with some old friends - it was quite fun!
We did some amazing snorkeling trips and some scuba diving...and yes - I scuba dived!!! I know - I am usually such a chicken shit...but for whatever reason...it was important to me to try.
I did the "resort" certification course in which you have to do all the necessary functions in the pool first and go through a quick test of each skill before they will take you out. And even then, you can only dive 40 feet or so. You need the full PADI certification to do anything deeper - which Anthony has.
Before we even get in the pool, the nerves were starting. I had to get Anthony to go get me some Motrin...hoping it would help. It did not.
They made us put the tanks & gear on and carry it to the pool...good Lord...I though I was going to fall over backwards...it was sooooo heavy!
I get in the pool and get the regulator in...I can't seem to get my head under the water. face yes...whole head..no. I almost said FORGET IT! I'm outta here! But I persist and the dive master is patient. It takes some time. Meanwhile Anthony & Lorin are swimming about having a grand time. Ok - so I master getting my whole head under water. Then I am asked to sit on the bottom of the pool - on my bum. Nope...no way. I felt so out of control it was crazy. I just could not do it. I kept jumping up and going above the water line. Again.....thoughts of quitting and running back to the safety of the lounge chair sounded great! But I kept trying.... Anyways...after a while I just kneeled down and that seemed to be ok.
I somehow passed the tests that were asked of me...even though I was scared shitless doing them!
And so off we go...into the boat to take us to the dive site. During the boat ride I am starting to really freak myself out....I was shaking...but trying to maintain some type of composure for my husbands sake at least. The dive master Paul, says to me..."ok Allyson - so you & I are going to be dive buddies - and we'll stick together down there." Whew...did he really think I was going down alone?
We get to the dive site and the boats stop. And Paul is like...Ok lets go...sit on the ledge and fall backwards into the water! It's a good thing that I didn't think too long and hard about that 'cause I would never have done it...but I did it quickly and it was over and I was in. Thank God. Still alive.
The waves were crashing all around us and I kept getting sea water in my mouth but I was freaked out about keeping the regulator in my mouth and going down. We tried once and I panicked and up we went. I tried again and got a little further down and freaked...up we came. Finally Paul just pulled me down by my hand and that was that. I was under.
I tried my best to be brave, be seriously...I was a mess inside. Paul held my hand (the whole time, I might add) and off we swam....Anthony & Lorin and the rest of the group swam off and Paul and I hung out and he pointed out all kinds of great sea life. Very cool indeed.
So inside I am still a nervous wreck...remember here, that I am a crazy claustrophobic control freak with high blood pressure to boot! Probably not the best combination to have 40 feet under the water. I feel sick.
So I make some kind of motions to Paul that I feel sick...well shit - they didn't teach us those hand signals!!! I think he thinks that I am enjoying this!
But the puke is coming...I can feel it and I can't stop it......sure enough I rip the regulator out of my mouth (a HUGE no-no, of course!) and let er' rip....Paul is freaking and trying to shove the regulator back into my mouth...but I am not done puking so I flight him. Meanwhile I could be (should be) asphyxiating...on my way to DEAD! But finally I put the regulator back in and breathe...thank God! Paul looks slightly panic stricken...but I feel better. We are surrounded by my puke floating around us and the fish are coming...so we swim away and let them have their lunch.
We swim around some more and enjoy the sights...I was still freaked out but doing a little better. In hindsight it would have been safer to shit my pants underwater but who can choose?
The dive lasted about 40 minutes. I never once checked my air tank levels...bad me...but Paul did and he said I did amazing...most mothers do as they have been taught good breathing techniques for childbirth.
So it's time to go up...
Pull up the rope...slowly...I try not to panic and rush to the top...knowing that my lungs would explode.
I keep my breathing regulated...Ok - almost there...I can see the light....
I get to the top...pop my head out of the water...waves crashing all around us...and promptly puke again. and again. .
I get on the boat and puke some more.
My poor husband...I know he was proud of me...but I'm sorry he had to endure that.
So that was my very first ever scuba diving experience!
Fun and EXCITING times!!!
You know...even after all that I will do it again. It is a learned thing. And I have to learn to control my fears and my panic..and not just for scuba diving...for life itself!
We also went snorkeling and I was also sick in the water doing that...and on the boat! Weird! I have spent lots of time around boats so I'm not sure if it was just nerves or an upset stomach or seasickness...who knows. But this morning I did read about a bracelet that you wear that gives constant acupressure on your wrist that helps keep the sea sickness at bay. http://www.psibands.com/
I haven't looked at it yet but I will for our next trip around water!
I celebrated both my birthday & Mother's Day there and missed our club meet & Noah's competition...but you know what..it was worth every minute of it.
By the way, my darling husband...so thoughtful, brought my birthday gift with him.
Beautiful diamond solitaire earrings..
a book on Love poems/quotes..
the new Van Morrison CD..
some really cute stationary..
and a card that brought tears to my eyes.
Wow...what a lovely bunch of gifts.
I guess I could forgive him for totally ignoring me on Valentines Day?
All in all...this was quite possibly one of the best vacations that Anthony & I have ever been on. It was 11 days of pure heaven. The town is so our style...laid back and low key...great restaurants, friendly people, beautiful beaches, the 2nd largest coral reef in the world....
We loved it so much, we are seriously thinking that we would like to buy one of the condos. And there are three for sale....
Stay tuned!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Home from Mexico....
and it was FABULOUS!!!
Wow...what an amazing trip. I cannot say enough about the place - Puerto Moralis - we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
But most of all I loved the company....Anthony and I had the most incredible time together....even better than our honeymoon! ha ha
I have so much to say - but I need to call my girlfriend for a chat before it gets too late. Will have to update later I guess!
Wow...what an amazing trip. I cannot say enough about the place - Puerto Moralis - we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
But most of all I loved the company....Anthony and I had the most incredible time together....even better than our honeymoon! ha ha
I have so much to say - but I need to call my girlfriend for a chat before it gets too late. Will have to update later I guess!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
12 hours to go....
Until we leave for Mexico that is. I'm still doing laundry....very, very typical of me.
I am very excited and so is Anthony - he is almost giddy!
I so happy that we are going early to spend a few days alone before the rest of the wedding party/guests arrive. Anthony & I don't go away on too many trips alone so this will be a goody! 11 days of paradise!
The BIG event of the week.........
My SIL Laura gave birth to her first baby - Ben. Dad Greg is so proud and they are all doing so well. He is sooooooooo cute! And Anthony is totally in love with him - it's so sweet!
We have been going crazy on the North Haven house as well as the Dalhousie house just trying to try up loose ends. The work will go on while we are away but Anthony is feeling some stress at letting go - God only knows what'll happen while we are away...and something always does!
A big thanks to all of my friends that are stepping in to help take care of Noah while we are away. You are all so awesome - And I am so grateful that you are in our lives.
"It takes a village to raise a child." ~ African Proverb ~
I am very excited and so is Anthony - he is almost giddy!
I so happy that we are going early to spend a few days alone before the rest of the wedding party/guests arrive. Anthony & I don't go away on too many trips alone so this will be a goody! 11 days of paradise!
The BIG event of the week.........
My SIL Laura gave birth to her first baby - Ben. Dad Greg is so proud and they are all doing so well. He is sooooooooo cute! And Anthony is totally in love with him - it's so sweet!
We have been going crazy on the North Haven house as well as the Dalhousie house just trying to try up loose ends. The work will go on while we are away but Anthony is feeling some stress at letting go - God only knows what'll happen while we are away...and something always does!
A big thanks to all of my friends that are stepping in to help take care of Noah while we are away. You are all so awesome - And I am so grateful that you are in our lives.
"It takes a village to raise a child." ~ African Proverb ~
Friday, May 02, 2008
Quote of the day...
I emailed this to my hubby.
Love is everything it's cracked up to be...It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.
~ Erica Jong ~
Love is everything it's cracked up to be...It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for.
~ Erica Jong ~
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Friday May 1st
To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it more fit for its prime function of looking forward.
~ Margaret Fairless Barber ~
*****************************************
Ahhhhh...isn't is always easy to look back and say: what if? or why? Yes, hindsight is 20/20.
We make mistakes in life - everyone does. What we learn from them is the lesson, isn't it?
I have made mistakes...many. And there are no guarantees that there will not be more. But I am so much more aware...
I bought two new books at Chapters tonight...One on the recommendation of my good friend Melissa. Maybe I won't put the title here because those of you that know me...know me well...may think I have lost my mind. But I am open to learning and growing as a person so I will read it and hopefully gain the knowledge that I am after.
The other book is about men - your husband...and really knowing them. It should be an interesting read. Again - I'm open to it.
I like this quote from the book:
"The best relationship is the union of two very different people, who are good appreciators"
~ Margaret Fairless Barber ~
*****************************************
Ahhhhh...isn't is always easy to look back and say: what if? or why? Yes, hindsight is 20/20.
We make mistakes in life - everyone does. What we learn from them is the lesson, isn't it?
I have made mistakes...many. And there are no guarantees that there will not be more. But I am so much more aware...
I bought two new books at Chapters tonight...One on the recommendation of my good friend Melissa. Maybe I won't put the title here because those of you that know me...know me well...may think I have lost my mind. But I am open to learning and growing as a person so I will read it and hopefully gain the knowledge that I am after.
The other book is about men - your husband...and really knowing them. It should be an interesting read. Again - I'm open to it.
I like this quote from the book:
"The best relationship is the union of two very different people, who are good appreciators"
My thoughts...
Todays Quote of the Day:
Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.
~ William A. Ward ~
Three of the hardest things for a human to do, I believe. Care. Dare. Share.
I am trying…and starting with my husband, kids, family, friends....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterdays quote:
"Tough Times Don’t Last...Tough People Do"
What does this mean?
For me personally, it means the last three years of my life have been tough. I hadn't REALLY realized it until pointed out by another. We have gone through so much in our house – Anthony & I in particular and all of the dealings with business and the gym have taken my focus away from what is most important in my life - Anthony & the kids.
I think have found a renewed sense of desire to make all that is not good – great.
Of course this all started with an argument – one that lasted a while but has been brewing for quite some time. It’s so easy to just let things slide away from you. Being unhappy and not saying anything about it. I am an expert at keeping things bottled up and then exploding. Not very productive or friendly. But it is me and I really am trying to change that aspect of me.
It’s funny how an argument can change everything. For the worse sometimes – but also for the better sometimes. For me I guess I woke up and realized what is important.
I started by getting Anthony away for a night in Banff – who doesn't love Banff? It has always been our little getaway. I made the suggestion and he made the arrangements. We had dinner at the Grizzly House (our favorite) and enjoyed 4 hours of conversation and a wonderful meal to boot. We stayed at the Ptarmigan Inn – (where we once had gotten engaged.) It was wonderful and romantic and we definitly need a few more nights or weekends like that in our lives.
It amazing how easy it is to forget what life is about - Love & Family.
Next week we we are off to Cancun - sans kids. We are going for a wedding so there will be lots of other people to socialize with, but hopefully we can spend more time re-connecting.
So my quote today means that I am tough and I can stick it out even when things are not all sunshine & roses. But I know that with time and effort all will be so.
Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.
~ William A. Ward ~
Three of the hardest things for a human to do, I believe. Care. Dare. Share.
I am trying…and starting with my husband, kids, family, friends....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yesterdays quote:
"Tough Times Don’t Last...Tough People Do"
What does this mean?
For me personally, it means the last three years of my life have been tough. I hadn't REALLY realized it until pointed out by another. We have gone through so much in our house – Anthony & I in particular and all of the dealings with business and the gym have taken my focus away from what is most important in my life - Anthony & the kids.
I think have found a renewed sense of desire to make all that is not good – great.
Of course this all started with an argument – one that lasted a while but has been brewing for quite some time. It’s so easy to just let things slide away from you. Being unhappy and not saying anything about it. I am an expert at keeping things bottled up and then exploding. Not very productive or friendly. But it is me and I really am trying to change that aspect of me.
It’s funny how an argument can change everything. For the worse sometimes – but also for the better sometimes. For me I guess I woke up and realized what is important.
I started by getting Anthony away for a night in Banff – who doesn't love Banff? It has always been our little getaway. I made the suggestion and he made the arrangements. We had dinner at the Grizzly House (our favorite) and enjoyed 4 hours of conversation and a wonderful meal to boot. We stayed at the Ptarmigan Inn – (where we once had gotten engaged.) It was wonderful and romantic and we definitly need a few more nights or weekends like that in our lives.
It amazing how easy it is to forget what life is about - Love & Family.
Next week we we are off to Cancun - sans kids. We are going for a wedding so there will be lots of other people to socialize with, but hopefully we can spend more time re-connecting.
So my quote today means that I am tough and I can stick it out even when things are not all sunshine & roses. But I know that with time and effort all will be so.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Is it the beginning of the end....
So as it turns out...maybe Noah will quit gym.
Funny that I come to that conclusion after she just had the best training night ever (fun) tonight. It's too bad it can't be that way every day. One of our coaches was not there tonight and it made a world of difference in the atmosphere of the gym/athletes/parents.
I just spent the last 1.5 hours listening to the poor girl sob. She has lost all confidence in herself and it has been getting progressively worse since Alberta Winter Game Trials.
Interesting. That is about when we made a coaching change. She feels like one of her coaches doesn't like her much and the other one hates her. (could very well be true) And one she loves. She has just finished telling me some stories of how she has been treated in the gym in the past few months.
Scary.
I'm not even sure what to say because I believe it. 100%.
Yes, I believe that this is the beginning of the end.
Funny that I come to that conclusion after she just had the best training night ever (fun) tonight. It's too bad it can't be that way every day. One of our coaches was not there tonight and it made a world of difference in the atmosphere of the gym/athletes/parents.
I just spent the last 1.5 hours listening to the poor girl sob. She has lost all confidence in herself and it has been getting progressively worse since Alberta Winter Game Trials.
Interesting. That is about when we made a coaching change. She feels like one of her coaches doesn't like her much and the other one hates her. (could very well be true) And one she loves. She has just finished telling me some stories of how she has been treated in the gym in the past few months.
Scary.
I'm not even sure what to say because I believe it. 100%.
Yes, I believe that this is the beginning of the end.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
I have a gym hangover.
What does that mean?
Well, you know when you drink too much and the next day feel like shit and swear you will never drink again?
Yeah - that's how I feel about the gym and gymnastics.
I still feel - I don't know......bad? disappointed? sad? frustrated? upset? regretful? uneasy?... about yesterdays competition. Probably all of the same things that Noah herself feels.
What does it all mean? Should this be it? The end? The last season? Is Noah done? Should she switch to a different sport?
Being 16th AA is just not ok with me. I know - what a bag I am. But really - Noah is better than freakin' 16th AA.
I am that A-Type person - my motto is don't do it at all if you can do it right! I hate the sub-standard. I AM that parent after all. ha ha
But I won't apologize for having a high standard. I have never, ever been that parent that says go have fun! No - if you want to be in a sport and "have fun", then go into a recreational program for an hour a week - or play a board game.
If you like a challenge and enjoy competing and winning then you should! And then that is your job. Obviously, it should not be unpleasant - but you are doing this job for an ultimate purpose.
But if you can't fulfill that purpose - then what?
She was prepared in the best way we could other than a sore back that we couldn't do much about. She was in a great mood the night before and the morning of. We told her - go out and do what you know how to do and do it clean. Not too much pressure - but enough for her to know that there is a certain expectation.
But everyone, at some point, has a bad day and if that bad day happens to fall on an important competition day...then what?
Ugh. I know all parents go through this - when should you call it the end?
Noah loves gymnastics and she has always been successful...but it is getting harder and harder to grasp that golden medal.
But is that when you give up?
NO - is what I might normally say. But I just don't know anymore.
What do her coaches think? Has she hit a wall she wont break through? Honestly, I don't know as they don't really communicate like that... so we never know where the expectations lie. I'm sure they are disappointed with her performance...(surely more than just disappointed?!) but what does that mean for her future? Will they just give up on her?
Or do we - together - try and turn this around and use it as a lesson and start now to make next year her best year ever?
Besides the fact that yesterday was awful and I am still slightly stunned at Noah's results...I just hate that gym some days. The drama, the crap, the problems....
My phone rang about 15 times while Noah was competing. (I had the ringer off - so I did not answer it during the meet) Who was calling so much? The gym and various gym parents. What did they want? Anything and everything. Their problems are my problems. And on top of that I came home to my usual daily inbox of emails - arguments, complaints and bitchiness mostly. Some days I just HATE IT!!!
We need to make some serious decisions about the fate of this gym club. There are so many things up in the air and needing to be done/decided. But first we need to hire someone to deal with this stuff on a daily basis. We need that person that the board relates to and they do the damn dirty work. It needs to be done and up until now, I have volunteered to be that person - but it is time to get this off my plate. Now to get the rest of The Board on board.
I think I will need more than just a Tylenol or two to get rid of this headache!
Well, you know when you drink too much and the next day feel like shit and swear you will never drink again?
Yeah - that's how I feel about the gym and gymnastics.
I still feel - I don't know......bad? disappointed? sad? frustrated? upset? regretful? uneasy?... about yesterdays competition. Probably all of the same things that Noah herself feels.
What does it all mean? Should this be it? The end? The last season? Is Noah done? Should she switch to a different sport?
Being 16th AA is just not ok with me. I know - what a bag I am. But really - Noah is better than freakin' 16th AA.
I am that A-Type person - my motto is don't do it at all if you can do it right! I hate the sub-standard. I AM that parent after all. ha ha
But I won't apologize for having a high standard. I have never, ever been that parent that says go have fun! No - if you want to be in a sport and "have fun", then go into a recreational program for an hour a week - or play a board game.
If you like a challenge and enjoy competing and winning then you should! And then that is your job. Obviously, it should not be unpleasant - but you are doing this job for an ultimate purpose.
But if you can't fulfill that purpose - then what?
She was prepared in the best way we could other than a sore back that we couldn't do much about. She was in a great mood the night before and the morning of. We told her - go out and do what you know how to do and do it clean. Not too much pressure - but enough for her to know that there is a certain expectation.
But everyone, at some point, has a bad day and if that bad day happens to fall on an important competition day...then what?
Ugh. I know all parents go through this - when should you call it the end?
Noah loves gymnastics and she has always been successful...but it is getting harder and harder to grasp that golden medal.
But is that when you give up?
NO - is what I might normally say. But I just don't know anymore.
What do her coaches think? Has she hit a wall she wont break through? Honestly, I don't know as they don't really communicate like that... so we never know where the expectations lie. I'm sure they are disappointed with her performance...(surely more than just disappointed?!) but what does that mean for her future? Will they just give up on her?
Or do we - together - try and turn this around and use it as a lesson and start now to make next year her best year ever?
Besides the fact that yesterday was awful and I am still slightly stunned at Noah's results...I just hate that gym some days. The drama, the crap, the problems....
My phone rang about 15 times while Noah was competing. (I had the ringer off - so I did not answer it during the meet) Who was calling so much? The gym and various gym parents. What did they want? Anything and everything. Their problems are my problems. And on top of that I came home to my usual daily inbox of emails - arguments, complaints and bitchiness mostly. Some days I just HATE IT!!!
We need to make some serious decisions about the fate of this gym club. There are so many things up in the air and needing to be done/decided. But first we need to hire someone to deal with this stuff on a daily basis. We need that person that the board relates to and they do the damn dirty work. It needs to be done and up until now, I have volunteered to be that person - but it is time to get this off my plate. Now to get the rest of The Board on board.
I think I will need more than just a Tylenol or two to get rid of this headache!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
What a crappy day!
Today we went to Red Deer for the 2008 Provincial Gymnastic Championships.
It sucked. A lot.
It started yesterday when the snow and ice started and didn't stop. The highways were a mess yesterday and I worried about it all night thinking that it would be an awful drive. The families that competed yesterday texted and said that the roads were like skating rinks.
We woke this morning to more of the same.
We go to leave - 3 hours early for a 1 hour drive only to find that the wind shield wipers would not work. Crap! With no time to spare we drive down to Canadian Tire and luckily they sneak us in and get them fixed....which puts us 45 minutes behind schedule. We still need to pick up Noah's friend...another 15 minutes...Then we realize that we'd better top up with gas...another 15 minutes...then we need a Timmies for the road...another 15 minutes...needless to say we got a late start.
The highway right outside of Calgary was the worst part and there were cars and trucks and vans all in the ditches. But Anthony is a great/confident/safe driver so we were fine. I white-knuckled it for a while....but we made it to Red Deer just fine.
I really should get myself a prescription for Atavan or something.
We get to the competition mere moments to spare before warm up...not too relaxing for Noah I might add.
Beam was first and she did well...a 12.4. Honestly when they flashed the score - I thought YAY...this'll be a great meet!
But it wasn't.
It was, quite possibly, the (second) worst meet she has ever attended.
Floor was next - she was not warming up her full-twist well and I wondered if maybe Tanis would pull it. But she left it in. I love Noah's' floor music it is so fast/loud/catchy but geez - that girl cannot score a decent mark this year on floor. She did her full twist - it was not the prettiest I have ever seen...but she stayed on her feet. She did all of her lines and it looked ok to me. Not her best, but decent enough. They flashed an 11.0.
I freaked! (inside and to Anthony)
All of the other competitors were getting high 12's.
I stewed.
Tanis did go over to the judges after the rotation and inquire but I'm not sure what all the deducted her on. Will have to find out the details later.
Vault was next - she did a 1/2-1/2. Almost everyone else did a handspring only. Easy...they got high 12's - she got a mere 11.733....Ummmm....so what are the judges really saying - DO THE EASIEST VAULT THERE IS, AND WE WILL REWARD YOU WITH THE BEST MARKS??? Maybe she should be doing a front handspring then? Who knows...but it seems really screwed up!
I knew then that this was going downhill and fast.
Bars was last. Bars is what she was worried about.
Did she do her giant? Nope - she bailed in the middle of it and took a fall deduction.
WHY? She made it the last two meets she competed it. Why not this time?
I couldn't help it but then I just felt mad at her. I know I shouldn't be - but she gave up. You could see it happening right before your own eyes. And then she cried.
Which really pisses me off as I told her NO CRYING! I told her - if you do not do well, you can only look at yourself. You cannot blame anyone else. You are the athlete - and you are competing against yourself. If you blow it - why cry? Who are you going to blame? Your coach? Your parents? Your competitors? NO - you compete what you train and if you train like crap - that's how you will compete. Look back - did you give it EVERYTHING? If the answer is NO - then you know who to blame.
However - when she fell - I wanted to cry.
A hypocrite? Sure, why not. Just give me the damn Atavan!
Awards really sucked.
I knew that she knew that she didn't do great but yet she had some kind of hope that maybe, just maybe, she squeaked it out.
She did not.
I thought awards were bad at the last Provincials...but not this bad - If you look at the AA. 16th. Ouch. At least last year she was 9th.
They did however give her an 12.0 on floor when they had initially flashed an 11.0
It all feels like such a waste. A waste of a whole year of training. This is what it all boils down to and POOF - it's over and you got nothing.
It sucked. A lot.
It started yesterday when the snow and ice started and didn't stop. The highways were a mess yesterday and I worried about it all night thinking that it would be an awful drive. The families that competed yesterday texted and said that the roads were like skating rinks.
We woke this morning to more of the same.
We go to leave - 3 hours early for a 1 hour drive only to find that the wind shield wipers would not work. Crap! With no time to spare we drive down to Canadian Tire and luckily they sneak us in and get them fixed....which puts us 45 minutes behind schedule. We still need to pick up Noah's friend...another 15 minutes...Then we realize that we'd better top up with gas...another 15 minutes...then we need a Timmies for the road...another 15 minutes...needless to say we got a late start.
The highway right outside of Calgary was the worst part and there were cars and trucks and vans all in the ditches. But Anthony is a great/confident/safe driver so we were fine. I white-knuckled it for a while....but we made it to Red Deer just fine.
I really should get myself a prescription for Atavan or something.
We get to the competition mere moments to spare before warm up...not too relaxing for Noah I might add.
Beam was first and she did well...a 12.4. Honestly when they flashed the score - I thought YAY...this'll be a great meet!
But it wasn't.
It was, quite possibly, the (second) worst meet she has ever attended.
Floor was next - she was not warming up her full-twist well and I wondered if maybe Tanis would pull it. But she left it in. I love Noah's' floor music it is so fast/loud/catchy but geez - that girl cannot score a decent mark this year on floor. She did her full twist - it was not the prettiest I have ever seen...but she stayed on her feet. She did all of her lines and it looked ok to me. Not her best, but decent enough. They flashed an 11.0.
I freaked! (inside and to Anthony)
All of the other competitors were getting high 12's.
I stewed.
Tanis did go over to the judges after the rotation and inquire but I'm not sure what all the deducted her on. Will have to find out the details later.
Vault was next - she did a 1/2-1/2. Almost everyone else did a handspring only. Easy...they got high 12's - she got a mere 11.733....Ummmm....so what are the judges really saying - DO THE EASIEST VAULT THERE IS, AND WE WILL REWARD YOU WITH THE BEST MARKS??? Maybe she should be doing a front handspring then? Who knows...but it seems really screwed up!
I knew then that this was going downhill and fast.
Bars was last. Bars is what she was worried about.
Did she do her giant? Nope - she bailed in the middle of it and took a fall deduction.
WHY? She made it the last two meets she competed it. Why not this time?
I couldn't help it but then I just felt mad at her. I know I shouldn't be - but she gave up. You could see it happening right before your own eyes. And then she cried.
Which really pisses me off as I told her NO CRYING! I told her - if you do not do well, you can only look at yourself. You cannot blame anyone else. You are the athlete - and you are competing against yourself. If you blow it - why cry? Who are you going to blame? Your coach? Your parents? Your competitors? NO - you compete what you train and if you train like crap - that's how you will compete. Look back - did you give it EVERYTHING? If the answer is NO - then you know who to blame.
However - when she fell - I wanted to cry.
A hypocrite? Sure, why not. Just give me the damn Atavan!
Awards really sucked.
I knew that she knew that she didn't do great but yet she had some kind of hope that maybe, just maybe, she squeaked it out.
She did not.
I thought awards were bad at the last Provincials...but not this bad - If you look at the AA. 16th. Ouch. At least last year she was 9th.
They did however give her an 12.0 on floor when they had initially flashed an 11.0
It all feels like such a waste. A waste of a whole year of training. This is what it all boils down to and POOF - it's over and you got nothing.
Monday, April 14, 2008
And April brings.....
So far, April brought a HUGE snowstorm last Thursday...it was crazy - I went to bed and it was nice out - I woke up, had a shower, got dressed in capris and a t-shirt and headed out...only to open the door and find a gigantic snowbank against the door! YIKES What happened!?I went back in and changed into some warmer clothes and headed back out to shovel my way to the van...by the time I made it to the sidewalk, my shoes were soaked. I had a Dr. appointment so I had to go out but the roads were nuts! Hello...People...winter was not that long ago...did you ALL really for get how to drive in snow in 1 month? Seriously!
Noah spent the afternoon shovelling the sidewalks, playing with Taz in the snow and making a snowman...
...which melted the next day...welcome to Calgary!
Speaking of Calgary - we went to the Juno's last weekend! They were being held here for the first time ever and we decided to go...it cost a small fortune but it was amazing all the same.
Fiest cleaned up - which is cool since she is from Calgary!
I loved all of the performances...it was like seeing 10 concerts but you only have to sit through their best song. I also saw people and enjoyed people that I would not normally buy tickets to see.
Noah loved seeing Avril!
I quite enjoyed Michael Buble...Jann Arden is always a fav....Fimder Eleven...awesome
Headly was fun...
Russell Peters is hilarious! I really must try and catch him at something else. He was a hoot!
To make it even more memorable, I did fall down the stairs...I'm sure if it hadn't been during the commercial break you would have heard my scream on TV while I was on the way down! Now - I was not drunk - so don't go all "alcoholic" on me! I had all of two coolers that evening. I did a number on my back and one leg but I am better now. The bruises are at least a faded green now. (ok - I should say that had the cooler stand have stayed open, I probably would have had a few more! he he he)
Gymnastics has been so-so...our club hosted the Southern Alberta Zones Championships in which the Provincial 2 & 3 level girls have to compete for a spot to go to the Provincial Championships. Only the top 12 in each age level qualify to go. ALL of our girls did amazing...just one, a good friend of Noah's had a bad day and just missed qualifying. I felt so bad...it's a tough meet...lots of pressure.
Noah did ok. Her vault was her best score...Ummmm? What!? It was a nice vault - but not her more difficult one...but a safer/cleaner vault. She was 4th.
Bars was good - she competed her cast-to-handstand/giant/layout-flyaway but her legs were bent...but it was still good enough to tie for a Silver Medal! Yay Noah!
Beam was shaky...not her usual confidence at all. She missed her connection in her back-walkover/back-handspring but she stayed on the beam! She was 8th...not her finest on beam.
I thought floor was rockin' as always - she did her FULL TWIST and landed it! But it was not reflected well in her score - 10th - sheesh! Everyone said she was robbed a full point...but what can you do? Judging is subjective, ya know!
She ended up 5th All-Around..again. Not the second all-around that was her goal. But really - you have to be clean to win and she has room to improve upon there.
Onwards to the Provincial Championships this weekend. I just hope that she has her head wrapped around it and goes in confident...surely it will be better than last year - which was 9th AA. I'll be crossing everything...
I wish I could say that the North Haven house is done - but it is not. It is beyond maddening...it is all in our control (excuse me...Anthony & Paul's control), yet is drags on and on and on....
My sister is back from Thailand for the summer...even though she is gone for 6 months at a time and I miss her (and worry about her) while she is gone, it feels like she never left. Funny how that happens. She is staying with our other sister...since the new house is still not ready to be inhabited.
The gym as a whole is still the most blood-pressure-raising of them all. Right now it is full-blown stress. Our Recreational Coordinator (a paid position) - quit on the first day of the Spring session and gave a whopping 10 days notice. This position will be almost impossible to fill mid-session. I am trying my very best to be ok with it but it really, really pisses me off. It's just plain rude.
Anyways - we have been left in worse situations and we will get through it but it doesn't have to mean that I'll be smiling along the way!
In 4 weeks we are supposed to be going to Cancun. We have not booked a flight. I have not asked for the time off of work. I do not have a tan. I think we should just stay home. Maybe I need to give my head a shake?
My sister/brother-in-law are due to have a baby in about two weeks. It's exciting and I can't wait to meet him! It seems like everyone is having babies right now...well, I guess it is spring - isn't that the right time for that?
I am feeling old. I always get a little down around my birthday...3 weeks and one year to go until I'm 40. ugh. I'm not ready.
Noah is growing up - she will be 12 in June and is showing the tell-tale signs of puberty....great...like we need more teen-age-itus in this house! Jordan offers enough of that! No Gracias!
So on we go...
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
So, so busy....
I know, I know...I say it every time.
I'm so busy.
But maybe I just can't be anything but busy.
Maybe I go crazy when I sit still...
Hmmmmmm.
The past month has been eventful...Noah competed in her 4th meet of the season last weekend - The Jurassic Classic at the University of Calgary. It was a much better meet for her than last year. Last year was her first ever shut-out....not even a ribbon! What a wake up call moving up a level was. Now I think we are both better prepared but of course, the expectation is back. I sometimes look at her and think - she is just a kid - and yet she has so much pressure do succeed...but it's how she is. Yes, we want her to be successful, but so does she. Oh God! I really hope that I am NOT "that parent"! LOL
Anyways - she competed a cast-to-handstand/giant/layout-flyaway for THE FIRST TIME EVER on Bars! It was amazing to see. I remember when she was younger and we'd see other girls at the gym work on that skill and Anthony and I both thought that Noah would never get that far...and look at her now! But she had to fight for it...she could have bailed but she fought it and it was worth it, she ended up with silver! Yeah!
On beam she competed her back-walkover/back-handspring and stuck it. She did have a wobble on her full turn and a small step on her dismount, but she managed a tie for bronze.
Floor was ok - she didn't do a great warm up but she threw the round-off/back-handspring/full twist on her first tumbling line anyway and she made it all the way around, but then fell back on her heels, then her butt. It was a shame because she has a rockin' floor routine. But really - this meet doesn't "count"...but she does need to pull it off for Zones & Provincials.
Vault was vault - not great. She stayed on her feet and at least made an attempt at a difficult vault. There is work to do.
She was 5th overall. Not bad... with room for improvement.
Anthony has been busy dirt-biking (ALL the time) when he should be working on the North Haven house! It drives me nuts that it keeps getting put off and put off and put off. I just want to move!!! I guess the reality is that I WILL have to pack the Dalhousie house and THAT sucks!
Jordan is busy at school...thinking about all of the money he will make this summer...doing what? Who knows. He wants to leave his lovely job of the German store in order to save some cash. He needs $10,000 in the bank in order to apply for the 3rd year university German exchange program. We'll see. If he can stay out of the bars, maybe he would save more. Ah ha...who hasn't ever said that one! Ah to be that age again!
I am back at work and again in finance. I'm enjoying being in the non-profit sport sector still - and three days a week I can handle.
The gym is still overwhelming with the amount of work to do...it never ends. We did hire someone to help with the recreational registrations and phone calls etc, so I hope that eases some of the work load. My term is up in 3 months...wow...time flies!
Taz is as awesome as usual - man I love that little guy. That personality is one of a kind - He is my BFF. he he Anthony has been so good at taking Taz and Sydney for 5k walks every morning...then Taz spends the rest of his day laying around the house exhausted! It's quite funny.
My sister Kathie comes back from Thailand in three weeks!!! YAY! I miss her so much! She is staying for just a month, then off to Jasper to work for the summer. But at least we can hang out for a month! And Jen and Laurie are off to Mexico for three weeks on Saturday....ah...that sounds like heaven!
We are invited to a wedding in Cancun in May but the wedding is on a Wednesday and Noah competes the Saturday night before and that Saturday after. What a dilemma. I have never missed a meet and I don't want to start now! Ugh. Mexico or gymnastics??? It's like having to choose between two children....impossible.
I'm so busy.
But maybe I just can't be anything but busy.
Maybe I go crazy when I sit still...
Hmmmmmm.
The past month has been eventful...Noah competed in her 4th meet of the season last weekend - The Jurassic Classic at the University of Calgary. It was a much better meet for her than last year. Last year was her first ever shut-out....not even a ribbon! What a wake up call moving up a level was. Now I think we are both better prepared but of course, the expectation is back. I sometimes look at her and think - she is just a kid - and yet she has so much pressure do succeed...but it's how she is. Yes, we want her to be successful, but so does she. Oh God! I really hope that I am NOT "that parent"! LOL
Anyways - she competed a cast-to-handstand/giant/layout-flyaway for THE FIRST TIME EVER on Bars! It was amazing to see. I remember when she was younger and we'd see other girls at the gym work on that skill and Anthony and I both thought that Noah would never get that far...and look at her now! But she had to fight for it...she could have bailed but she fought it and it was worth it, she ended up with silver! Yeah!
On beam she competed her back-walkover/back-handspring and stuck it. She did have a wobble on her full turn and a small step on her dismount, but she managed a tie for bronze.
Floor was ok - she didn't do a great warm up but she threw the round-off/back-handspring/full twist on her first tumbling line anyway and she made it all the way around, but then fell back on her heels, then her butt. It was a shame because she has a rockin' floor routine. But really - this meet doesn't "count"...but she does need to pull it off for Zones & Provincials.
Vault was vault - not great. She stayed on her feet and at least made an attempt at a difficult vault. There is work to do.
She was 5th overall. Not bad... with room for improvement.
Anthony has been busy dirt-biking (ALL the time) when he should be working on the North Haven house! It drives me nuts that it keeps getting put off and put off and put off. I just want to move!!! I guess the reality is that I WILL have to pack the Dalhousie house and THAT sucks!
Jordan is busy at school...thinking about all of the money he will make this summer...doing what? Who knows. He wants to leave his lovely job of the German store in order to save some cash. He needs $10,000 in the bank in order to apply for the 3rd year university German exchange program. We'll see. If he can stay out of the bars, maybe he would save more. Ah ha...who hasn't ever said that one! Ah to be that age again!
I am back at work and again in finance. I'm enjoying being in the non-profit sport sector still - and three days a week I can handle.
The gym is still overwhelming with the amount of work to do...it never ends. We did hire someone to help with the recreational registrations and phone calls etc, so I hope that eases some of the work load. My term is up in 3 months...wow...time flies!
Taz is as awesome as usual - man I love that little guy. That personality is one of a kind - He is my BFF. he he Anthony has been so good at taking Taz and Sydney for 5k walks every morning...then Taz spends the rest of his day laying around the house exhausted! It's quite funny.
My sister Kathie comes back from Thailand in three weeks!!! YAY! I miss her so much! She is staying for just a month, then off to Jasper to work for the summer. But at least we can hang out for a month! And Jen and Laurie are off to Mexico for three weeks on Saturday....ah...that sounds like heaven!
We are invited to a wedding in Cancun in May but the wedding is on a Wednesday and Noah competes the Saturday night before and that Saturday after. What a dilemma. I have never missed a meet and I don't want to start now! Ugh. Mexico or gymnastics??? It's like having to choose between two children....impossible.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Red Deer
We are home from Red Deer. I'm so tired and I really would love to be taking a nap, but I know if I don't write something now, I may not ever.
We headed up to Red Deer yesterday afternoon (through some crazy weather!) so that we could catch the P2 Tyro girls from the club. They did awesome and I'm glad we went up early to watch them. I love watching gymnastics in general and when any of our girls do well, I feel proud. And they did well!
We headed to the hotel later than I'd hoped and grabbed dinner at Moxies in the hotel. Noah got to bed a little later than she probably should have but I wanted to straighten her hair after dinner so it wouldn't be a big poof ball again. Anthony and I shared one bed and gave Noah the other one hoping that she would get a better sleep that way but oh my...those beds at the Sandman are tiny! I swear they are smaller than a normal double bed. Anyways - I did not sleep at all. Maybe 3 hours in total. It didn't help that I am still sick - Still coughing and hacking and feeling ill all around.
Noah did ok at the meet. She had an Olympic rotation - Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor - which she loves, so we started off on the right foot.
Vault sucked though. What else is new? This is the story of her gym career...and that of many other girls at our club. So she competes this damn skill that I have never, ever seen her land properly. I just do not understand the coaches decision to keep making her compete it when she never lands it. The majority of her competitors competed an easier vault and scored much higher. In fact, Noah was tied for second last. Bad.
Bars was clean. However - she is competing a very easy routine. She should have several harder skills in there soon...hopefully within the month - in time for our next meet. Her score was ok but nothing to jump for joy over.
Beam was good. She finally landed her back-walkover/back-handspring combination...even though she couldn't stick it in warm up! She got her only medal on this event - silver - and that gave her a big grin.
Floor was ok. I thought it looked better than the mark she got...but maybe I am just a biased parent. She did not do her full-twist but did a front layout instead. Apparently they are worth the same. Hmmm...someone should have told her that last week at Omega!
All-Around she came 6th. Ok but she is better than that - She has work to do. I just hope that she realizes that on her own.
We stayed for the next session which included the pre-novice, national novice and national open girls from our gym. It is always great to watch that caliber of gymnastics...but we left before they were finished all events...I can only ask so much from my husband!
All-in-all, not a bad weekend of gymnastics.
We headed up to Red Deer yesterday afternoon (through some crazy weather!) so that we could catch the P2 Tyro girls from the club. They did awesome and I'm glad we went up early to watch them. I love watching gymnastics in general and when any of our girls do well, I feel proud. And they did well!
We headed to the hotel later than I'd hoped and grabbed dinner at Moxies in the hotel. Noah got to bed a little later than she probably should have but I wanted to straighten her hair after dinner so it wouldn't be a big poof ball again. Anthony and I shared one bed and gave Noah the other one hoping that she would get a better sleep that way but oh my...those beds at the Sandman are tiny! I swear they are smaller than a normal double bed. Anyways - I did not sleep at all. Maybe 3 hours in total. It didn't help that I am still sick - Still coughing and hacking and feeling ill all around.
Noah did ok at the meet. She had an Olympic rotation - Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor - which she loves, so we started off on the right foot.
Vault sucked though. What else is new? This is the story of her gym career...and that of many other girls at our club. So she competes this damn skill that I have never, ever seen her land properly. I just do not understand the coaches decision to keep making her compete it when she never lands it. The majority of her competitors competed an easier vault and scored much higher. In fact, Noah was tied for second last. Bad.
Bars was clean. However - she is competing a very easy routine. She should have several harder skills in there soon...hopefully within the month - in time for our next meet. Her score was ok but nothing to jump for joy over.
Beam was good. She finally landed her back-walkover/back-handspring combination...even though she couldn't stick it in warm up! She got her only medal on this event - silver - and that gave her a big grin.
Floor was ok. I thought it looked better than the mark she got...but maybe I am just a biased parent. She did not do her full-twist but did a front layout instead. Apparently they are worth the same. Hmmm...someone should have told her that last week at Omega!
All-Around she came 6th. Ok but she is better than that - She has work to do. I just hope that she realizes that on her own.
We stayed for the next session which included the pre-novice, national novice and national open girls from our gym. It is always great to watch that caliber of gymnastics...but we left before they were finished all events...I can only ask so much from my husband!
All-in-all, not a bad weekend of gymnastics.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Omega Meet Photos
Omega Gymnastic Meet - February 2008
Noah representing her club...
Bars was not too bad...her layout/flyaway looks nice. 
Game face.
Great legs, great toes.
Vicky getting Noah ready to go on floor.
Not too much to say about floor....
And vault...ugh, look at those legs!
Noah representing her club...
Bars was not too bad...her layout/flyaway looks nice.Game face.
Great legs, great toes.Height isn't too bad....
Vicky getting Noah ready to go on floor. (Kelsey is sitting in the pink jacket)
Not too much to say about floor.... 
And vault...ugh, look at those legs! Thursday, February 07, 2008
Oh my Omega....
So last weekend we flew to Abbotsford, BC to attend a gymnastics meet at the Omega Gymnastics Club. On Friday we went to Granville Island and had lunch at that great seafood restaurant "Bridges" overlooking the harbour. I had a smoked salmon, cream cheese, caper and onion pizza...YUM! Then we did a little bit of shopping around, got some snacks and fresh fruit for the girls. We found a great kids clothing store that sells tons of great Roxy stuff - So we bought Noah a few cute outfits. We also went to a great little wine specialty shop and I picked up two bottles of local white Pinot wines...but I brought them home to enjoy later!
We then headed to our hotel to check in. Noah and I stay in our own room in order to avoid the distractions of sharing and other peoples routines. It was a nice hotel but they totally lie and tell you that each guest gets a complimentary 15 minute massage....uhhh...we never got one!
We spent the next two days at either the hotel our the gym club. It was a great club and we enjoyed their hospitality for sure. But I got crazy sick Saturday night...and still am, actually!
Noah had the worst meet of her life...and I am worried that it will stay with her. She did a downgraded bars routine...the same one she competed two years ago. She fell on her back-walkover/back-handspring combination on the balance beam, she totally missed her round-off/back-handspring/full twist on floor and landed on her side. She was loose on her half-full twist vault and landed on her stomach. Ouch...definately her worst meet ever!
She should have won gold on every event. She ended up with two silver medals, a 5th, a 6th and 4th all-around. Now that doesn't sound too bad...but it was out of 7 girls!!!
So here is my top 10 list of what to make sure we do at the next meet to avoid this from happening again:
10) Make sure the gymnast gets at least her normal 10 hours of sleep.
9) Make sure the gymnast is not in a room with a mother who is ill all night long.
8) Make sure the gymnast does not eat chinese food take-out the night before.
7) Make sure the gymnast eats more than just a banana for breakfast.
6) Make sure the gymnast does not have to take care of her sick mother the morning of the meet.
5) Make sure the gymnast does not have to pack the suitcases of the sick mother the morning of the meet.
4) Make sure the gymnast eats her snacks during the 6 hours she is there.
3) Make sure the gymnast warms up her full twist rather than go to the bathroom.
2) Make sure the gymnast does not get just one foot taped with a heel pad that makes her unbalanced!
And the number ONE reason....
1) Make sure the gymnast does not fall on three out of four events!
We then headed to our hotel to check in. Noah and I stay in our own room in order to avoid the distractions of sharing and other peoples routines. It was a nice hotel but they totally lie and tell you that each guest gets a complimentary 15 minute massage....uhhh...we never got one!
We spent the next two days at either the hotel our the gym club. It was a great club and we enjoyed their hospitality for sure. But I got crazy sick Saturday night...and still am, actually!
Noah had the worst meet of her life...and I am worried that it will stay with her. She did a downgraded bars routine...the same one she competed two years ago. She fell on her back-walkover/back-handspring combination on the balance beam, she totally missed her round-off/back-handspring/full twist on floor and landed on her side. She was loose on her half-full twist vault and landed on her stomach. Ouch...definately her worst meet ever!
She should have won gold on every event. She ended up with two silver medals, a 5th, a 6th and 4th all-around. Now that doesn't sound too bad...but it was out of 7 girls!!!
So here is my top 10 list of what to make sure we do at the next meet to avoid this from happening again:
10) Make sure the gymnast gets at least her normal 10 hours of sleep.
9) Make sure the gymnast is not in a room with a mother who is ill all night long.
8) Make sure the gymnast does not eat chinese food take-out the night before.
7) Make sure the gymnast eats more than just a banana for breakfast.
6) Make sure the gymnast does not have to take care of her sick mother the morning of the meet.
5) Make sure the gymnast does not have to pack the suitcases of the sick mother the morning of the meet.
4) Make sure the gymnast eats her snacks during the 6 hours she is there.
3) Make sure the gymnast warms up her full twist rather than go to the bathroom.
2) Make sure the gymnast does not get just one foot taped with a heel pad that makes her unbalanced!
And the number ONE reason....
1) Make sure the gymnast does not fall on three out of four events!
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