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There will be a lot of beach/pool photos for awhile, but this one is an early favorite. I used some of the Florabella textures on this.

XC is not for wimps; meaning it’s not for me.  I never could have done this as a kid, I’m just not a runner, never have been.  I’m still struggling with my 3 mile jaunts and as much as I’d like to admit that I can run that, well, it would be a lie.  I do the 5k course at our local parks, but to be honest, I run (on a good day) half of that and walk the other half.  I’m sure the ass-kicking heat humidity we’ve had has a little something to do with it though… sounds like a plausible excuse to me. 

As for my kid, well, she’s doing just fine thankyouverymuch.  It must be those southern China roots of hers, but she ran 5 miles last night and wasn’t even breathing heavy for more than a minute or so afterwards.  As we were walking to the car, this conversation took place:

L: Mom, a friend… well, not really a “friend friend”, more of a boy I know from school and we’re sorta friends, but not really… his name is Corbin.  *snicker* (note: I could not be listening more intently at this point) Anyway, Corbin told me I was “a beast”.

Me:  Um… Uh… (struggling for words, not sure if Corbin was being nice or if I need to go beat up a 7th grader)

L: Mom, that’s a good thing.

Me: Okay, thanks for setting that straight

By the way, about half of the kids have parents who will stay out there, like me, and either really run, or do the little walk/run activity I’ve got going on.  Last night we passed out on the benches waited patiently for the kids to finish up and one of the parents came up and said she recognized me from soccer (at least half the XC team are soccer players).  So we got to talking and her son is the goalie on the boys team that’s comparable to the team L is on.  She went on and on about how pretty L is and what a good player and how much her son, Ryan, enjoys watching her games whenever they have one in close time proximity to each other (apparently L has had an audience). And that her son, even though he’ll be in 6th grade this year and can’t join the XC team, is going to be a team mascot and run with them during practices and that he was excited to see L on the team….

Hmmm.  I’m going to have to keep my eye on Ryan.

All of 2009 layouts here.

7 days.

And they did not call for a rainy stormy Saturday; the kind that knocks out the power at random intervals.  Those plans did also definitely NOT include the eldest having a 102 fever and throwing up - also at random intervals. 

I digress to tell a funny story - funny only because it is soooo L:  Last night she’s feeling puny, has a slight fever and goes to bed around 7:30.  The power goes out at 9:30, so the clock in her room stops at that time.  This morning she runs in my room (keep in mind her fever has now climbed to 102 and she just threw up) and says “MOM, I’m late for cross country practice, it’s already 9:30!”  No, it’s not I explain to her, it’s quarter to 6, go back to bed.  Besides you’re too sick to run this morning.  “But mom… (pause, leaning against the wall holding her head)  we’re supposed to run 5 miles this morning and I don’t want to miss it.” 

Goofball. 

Anyway, where was I?  Oh, my PLANS!  I had plans to take pictures of my niece this morning before she gets on a plane to head back home.  I had plans to go to my local camera store and sign up for a metering class and buy a reflector.  (I’ve decided a reflector is what is missing in my life and it’s the only thing that will make life complete; I won’t be happy till I get one).

Luckily I spent the sum total of 5 minutes outside with said niece last night before the rains came and got a few shots, but this morning is toast.  Exhibit A:
Oh, and here’s why I need a reflector. It was a pretty dreary evening and I knew I wasn’t getting much. Mc has the most gorgeous eyes and eyelashes and there was just no light to play off of. Finally I told L to go inside and get a piece of foam core from her grandmother’s art supplies. L held it in front of me at a slight tilt and it just made all the difference, even with gray skies.

I need to get away. Let’s just say it’s been a helluva year, and I need to get away to someplace that preferably is not associated with a soccer tournament. I need to get away with just me and my kids so we can relax and be together, just the three of us. The last time we went on a real honest to goodness get-a-way vacation was in 2007 when we went to Disney with friends.

So we’re breaking open the piggy bank and going here for 4 nights/5 days, and I absolutely can not wait, June 26th can’t come soon enough.

My parents planted a ton of bushes, trees and flowering plants when they lived in the lake house some 25 years ago. When they bought it again a few years back everything was unkept and overgrown and they’ve slowly but surely uncovered some gems from the past.

My parents lake house has a little cove off to the back side of their lot and a couple of great blue heron’s live back there. Unfortunately they are very camera shy and stay away while the noisy kids are around. We were on the upper deck when we saw him fly in but just as soon as I pulled out the camera he took off…

This was me, in about 5 minutes…
Ahhhhhhhh

L went to the tryouts tonight for the U-12 teams and got picked up for the team that won the state championship last year.  Ohhhhh smiles, thumbs up, hugs from old friends, lots of kudo’s and even welcoming remarks from many of the parents.  She looked like her old self again on the field, so comfortable in her environment and knowledge of exactly what she needed to do to get the job done.  Oh, and one of the best parts - most of the girls were her size. 

Sighs of relief and a feeling that this is what was meant to be abound in our house tonight.