The Things We Do For Out Kids

Friday is the big day of our week because it's football night! I could care less about the local college teams or any of the nearby professional teams, but high school football is entirely another story. You see my son is on that team and I live and breathe Cardinal football!

For example, this past Friday night - it had been a dark and gloomy day, with a forecast of rain in the early evening and then clearing. Now, I don't really like being outdoors (my husband tells

people that I hate grass), but what I really hate is being uncomfortable. I don't want to be too hot or too cold, but most of all I don't want to be wet!! Now I was prepared for rain - I had a jacket, 2 umbrellas, and a towel to wipe down the seats. We

waited until just before kickoff to arrive and the rain had stopped - or so we thought.

It was a nice evening - not too hot, not too cold - not too wet.

Until the 2nd quarter.

Then the rain started.

Nice and gentle at first.

We popped open the umbrellas and scooted close together. Everything was fine. Even our granddaughter was happy.

We stayed in our seats during half time because they were dry where we were sitting, but if we got up they wouldn't be dry any longer.

The third quarter started and the opposing team fumbled the ball. Our offense ran out and the coach finally put my son on the field! Yeah!!! Then we fumbled the wet ball and the offense (including my son) left the field. The opponents made one huge play and were within 20 yards of scoring a touch down. My son was sent out to play defense (which is what he wants to play). YEAH!!! They lined up, got into position - and the ref blew his whistle. Everyone stood up, looked at the officials and both teams, the benches, coaches, trainers, and water boys all started running off the field. Parents (who were all that was left in the stands) sat in the rain wondering what was going on. Finally, it was announced that lightening had been spotted and the game was delayed for 30 minutes. Well Lightening is a different matter and so, the parents reluctantly gave up their dry seats and headed for the shelter of the concession stand area. After 10 minutes, they called the game. 40-0 we won. Somehow the joy of a win was lost. My son missed his opportunity to play and I was wet from the knees down. yuk! This had better be the last of the rain this fall!!

Things I Have Learned Recently

1. Color pencils do not scan well. The scanner picks up the wax from the pencil and creates shine that distorts the colors and even some of the shapes. So in order to show my art now I have to find the camera, be able to adjust the lighting without disturbing other family members, and find suitable backdrops for photography. Some day that will all happen at the same time and then I will post my pictures. Don't hold your breath....

2. When the phone rings at 5 am it IS something bad. At 4:55 I sent a text my son, who replied that he was on his way home. At 5:05 am the phone rang. "Mom, I had a wreck." Thankfully he was less than 1 mile from home, so it didn't take us long to get there. He wasn't hurt, but the Jeep is a total loss.

3. We should all aspire to be wrecker drivers. It cost $100 to tow the Jeep 1/2 mile.

4. Panic attacks and stress can make you feel like you're having a heart attack. Only this one lasts for days/weeks. And the more you think you may be having a heart attack, the more stress you are adding to your life. The more stress you add, the more it feels like a

5. The difference between local TV and satellite TV is that now I pay to have nothing to watch.

6. If you live near me be forewarned - you have to drive to another town (at least 20 minutes) to buy a spool of thread.

7. Blogs that aren't updated are harder to write. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!