Bits and Pieces

I have been a slacker blogger, which is fine because there are only like 5 people who ever read my blog.  But here are some random things I meant to blog about, but never did.

Wrestling:
Rocky participated in wrestling this past fall.  He was awesome.  I hated watching it the first 2-3 times, but then I got over it.  I was banned from video-taping as it seemed to make him lose.  Every match I didn't video tape he won.  His fastest pin was in 8 seconds - WOW! 
On his very last match he was in the third period and was down in points 12 - 2.  He had been on the bottom and struggling the whole match (I was video-taping it) and I just thought, "Ug!  He can't lose this one!"  I turned the camera off and looked down for a moment and when I looked back up, Rocky had his opponent flipped over on his back and pinned.  He won!  It was a great way to end the season!  Here are some pics:

Rocky and a couple of his wrestling buddies.

Ha!  Take that! 1..2..3..PINNED!

Some of the moms (missing a few).

Happy boys.

Lunch Bunch:

Every day Austin and lots of other guys invade someone's house for lunch.  I feed them every other Tuesday.  I feel bad for them when they eat at our house because I just throw something together.  They have had pizza here a couple times, a waffle bar, pancakes, sloppy joes, bread bowls with stew, and Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches one time when I was really bad.  At Toshiko's house they get fabulous homemade japanese food and home cut and breaded french fries.  I'm not sure exactly what they are, but Austin raved about them.  Here are some of the guys playing games after eating about 100 pancakes.  (I got the camera out too late to take before photos.)

Chillin' after a fine lunch of pancakes and oranges.

Getting their "Halo" fix to get through the last couple hours of school.

The left overs of about 100 pancakes!

Thanksgiving:

Somewhere in the midst of the fall we had Thanksgiving.  This is the only picture I am posting of Thanksgiving.

Family:

These pictures were taken in Arizona while we were there for my dad's funeral.  It was a good time of healing and happy remembrances.  I enjoyed spending time with all those who were there to show their love and support, especially my siblings and their families.

My fine boys!

Em and Joe (the coolest aunt and uncle).

Me, Sally, Em, and Joe

Eating at the Firehouse Kitchen in Prescott, AZ.  Very fine food!

Rock and his cousins.

Outside the Firehouse Kitchen with the owner.

Em and Hannah (after Em cut Hannah's hair)

Gabe, Roland, and Jason waiting for the service to begin.

Sally and cousin, Jodi.

This was the sparse little desert cemetery where dad's body is buried.

Me and my siblings with Rosemary, dad's wife.

Hanging out at home:
We spent lots of fun hours enjoying each other's company.  Sometimes with friends, sometimes just with family.  These are my favorite times!

Austin, so tall and handsome!

Lulu, the dog.

This is just a wierd picture.

Playing x-box in the garage.

goofing off

Gotta love having friends over!

Taking a break from wrestling around.

Rocky was showing us some of his songs for band.

One of my all time favorite pictures!

What You Can Learn

Lucky me!  I am a substitute teacher.  This fall I have had the blessing of working primarily with children with disabilities.  And this is what I've learned by observing them:

If someone hurts you, tell them that they hurt you, and if they don't apologize, tell someone who will sympathize with you.

If you want to play with someone, ask them if you can play.  If they say "no", then find someone else to play with.

Don't worry if you can't play ball very well.  You can find someone else who will still want to play it with you.

It's okay to sit and watch others if that is what you want to do, but if you want to get up and play, then do that.

Be nice to others, and if they aren't nice back, then find someone else and be nice to them. 

This post is prompted by one student in particular who I've been working with.  He is always nice to other kids.  He will walk up to someone he doesn't even know and say, "Can I play with you?" and almost always they say "yes".  And if they don't he turns around and finds someone else to ask.  He isn't super good at any particular sport, but every recess he finds someone who will play with him, regardless of his skill.  Sometimes he is content to sit and watch.  Sometimes he gets up and asks to play.

I have been impressed by this student's perseverence and positive attitude. I think we would all be much happier if we were more honest with ourselves and others.  If we just asked, if we gave people the benefit of the doubt - that if we ask them, they will probably say yes.

I'm going to work on this more.  I often wish I had someone to do something with, but I rarely call anyone and ask, because they are probably busy, they will probably say "no".  Actually, I learned this.  I used to call people, but I did get a lot of "no's".  But after watching this little kid I've realized it's okay, I can just call someone else.  Or, I can make plans for a future date if my friend can't play when I call. 

It's amazing what you can learn, if you just observe.

Letters To and From a Friend

Hi Kristen, Your group is doing awesome! Do you have a (Scentsy) party this next week that could be observed by a new consultant? Loves! Carole



Carole,

I am a total slacker. I have done nothing this month. I have no parties scheduled and I haven't followed through on any of the Scentsy goals I've set. I am a bum. Gladly, I have been getting a consistent roll-in of online orders, I hope the trend continues because I don't feel any strong motivation coming upon me. Ug.

I owe you an apology. I never got back to you about your blog. I have a few ideas for you but I need to call you because I am too lazy to type.

That being said, I'm sorry, I have no parties scheduled. Toni might though. She seems to be on the ball!

Too tired...must stop typing now.

~Kristen


Kristen, Are you OK? I like bums, I'm a slacker too and it is fine with me, but I hope you are OK. Blogs will always be there so whenever we both feel motivated will be soon enough! Loves Carole


(Carole), I am okay. I am a bit over-whelmed. I need to get my house cleaned. It is a sty, and I am not exaggerating. It gets vacuumed regularly and the kitchen gets cleaned daily, but the clutter continues to grow. I need a good house fire probably - but then I would be so sad. I guess I will have to clean the old fashioned way.

I am taking a swim class that is 6 hours a week plus about 6 hours a week of homework. I am trying to get my swim lessons off the ground. I haven't written any motivational type emails to my team this week and Becca needs fundraiser forms and info and I keep forgetting to send them.

I am a lazy bum and only want to lie in my pool and read. When I have any time, I spend it in non-productive selfish ways while the sty continues to accumulate junk and the swim lessons fail to get enrolled in, and Scentsy is just running itself right now (I guess that part is okay).

I wish I could take speed. I never have, and I don't really know what it is, but in my mind it is a magical drug that not only gives you immense energy, but also motivation and focus. Do you know if this is true? Do you know where I can find a magic drug like that?

Aren't you glad you asked? I'm sorry. It's your own fault for caring about me. If you just ignored me you wouldn't have to listen to (or read) such self-indulgent, slothful, and disappointing accounts of my life.

Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to go read a book and stay up way past midnight wasting time so I can be lazy tomorrow with an excuse.

Bah!
Kristen


(From Carole, my drug dealer apparently), Hydrocut does it for me sometimes. It does make my heart race, but it is speed. I am great at organizing and cleaning a "sty". I can come and help shovel. I have a meeting at 12:00 with Stan (finally buying this house) and then I am coming over to see you. If you don't answer the door, I will assume you have drowned and will call the police......I don't know what I will call them, but I will keep trying to find you. Loves! Carole


Tune in for the sequel... find out what happens next. Will Carole really come over? Will she bring a shovel? What exactly did she call the police? Is Kristen still reading books and living in a sty? Stay tuned for Part II of the "Letters" story.