Psychomom'S pace: NaBloPoMo

End of the NaBloPoMo Road, Adios Amigos!

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 01:45:25 GMT

It was a very interesting month writing and reading NaBloPoMo entries everyday. I had my 25th anniversary at work, finished out the soccer season with a score, finished knitting a scarf, hurt my back, went to the dentist, made Thanksgiving dinner, drove to work to blog at 9 pm when the phone went out, got a shout out from a yahoo pick of the day, posted some pictures of my hairstory, made some comments on other NaBloPoMo blogs, Luc celebrated his 18th birthday, and Jacob's football team won district and is playing in the semi-final game in the state tournament Saturday. If any month needed to be documented this was a good choice.

It wasn't really too hard to find something to write about but I've only been doing this a few months so I haven't used up all my stories. When that day comes I might have to actually be creative like some of the better bloggers out there and then maybe I will get my first comment from someone besides myself.

Thanks you fussy and pinkelephants for all your work and to all the other participants, thanks to you too. If I didn't read your blog I will try to finish reading everyone on the list soon.

That was fun!

Quit Your Crying

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:14:53 GMT

I really hate the way it feels to be depressed, especially when you can't stop crying. I have been crying all day and I want to stop. I think it might be the muscle relaxer I popped last night to help relieve the pain I am suffering in my lower back or it could just be that my back hurts so much that I really just want to cry.

Fixed?

Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:45:14 GMT

I don't think Qwest came out to the house but the phone line is connected and that's all that matters. I brought my plants in from outside and they seem to be alive but now they will need to adjust to indoor temperatures. They will probably bloom in a few week, maybe in time for Christmas.

Qwest to the Rescue?

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:42:33 GMT

I placed a service call to Qwest so they can come out to the house and fix the phone line. We have a fence and Taz, the demon dog protecting the the back yard so if they don't call me first they will not be able to get back there. In the mean time I will post the last few NaBloPoMo entries from work during my lunch time. I am eating a beef and bean burrito with green chile while I type. Hope I don't spill any on the keyboard or this will be one hot entry.

Today the weather turned and it is cold (32 degrees) outside, I hope it snows in town. The mountains had a blanket of snow on them this morning but in the city it only rained a little. This is the first cold spell and I need to bring in the potted plants that are outside in the back yard before they freeze if they haven't already.

It only took one week before Luc asked to download a game on his new phone (during school). When I gave him the phone I told him, "This is a phone, it is not a video game or an mp3 player so don't be downloading anything without my permission". Is it wrong for me to think that a phone is just a phone? I really hate the way the cell phone business world trys to get more money out of you by adding all the extra crap you don't need for just a few more dollars a month. I'm sorry but I know how to multiply and a few dollars times 12 adds up quickly and before you know it you are spending thousands of dollars for a phone. But wait it is not just a phone, it is a camera, a stereo, a video arcade, a text messenger, and it can be the internet too. All for the low price of $99.95 a month (or if you think like I do, that is $1200 a year). I just want to be able to make a phone call in an emergency, is that too much to ask?

Lost Land Line

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 04:26:52 GMT

Holy moly! I didn't expect the lack of a phone line to be the downfall of my Nablopomoing. I hope it comes back before midnight or I will have to make a desperate move and go looking for Internet access or worst of all I will have to go to work. Dang-it, I have been so good about not blogging during work hours so as to avoid getting into trouble. Now I wish I had entered at least one sentence or at least a title.

I wanted to post the agenda coach gave the team for the game on Saturday but Jacob wouldn't let me. This is the second one I've seen and I think it is funny and cute because he has them scheduled to the minute. He even schedules the time to BEAT MAYFIELD! Coach Barker is a funny guy.

I guess I should remember that these are 15-18 year old boys so they probably need to be told what to do every other minute. I tell mine what to do all the time, they just don't listen to me. Not until my voice hits that certain high note that indicates Psychomom is about to make her appearance. Suddenly their ears perk up and they are moving.

WARNING! PSYCHO ALERT!

I am here at work to post this third to the last entry for NaBloPoMo, I just couldn't drop out now with the end so close. I drove 15 miles each way to write this, am I crazy or what? No, I'm psycho! The music during the ride was a nice and the traffic was smooth sailing so here I am.

After checking all the phones in the house while waiting for the phone line to come back it dawned on me that perhaps is was more than an electrical problem. You see every year after Thanksgiving the empty lot behind our house becomes a Christmas tree store and they bring in big trucks and lots of trees to sell. Well I was thinking maybe one of the trucks may have hit our pole or something. Sure enough, I went outside and the phone line from the pole to our house is disconnected and hanging so low that I, miss shorty could touch it.

I'm not sure what exactly happened but I decided it wasn't going to stop me from making it to the end of a great month. I can't believe it is almost over and it has been wonderful to express myself on a daily basis. Well it is getting late and I should get home.

Game Time

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:55:34 GMT

The semi final game against Mayfield will be this Saturday Dec 2 at 1:00pm in Las Cruces at the Field of Dreams. Mayfield was ranked first in this division, Sandia was ranked fifth so we are the underdogs. Gotta love the underdog!

Dream big guys and bring home the win!

November Twenty Sixth Nineteen Eighty Eight

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:51:57 GMT

When I found out I was pregnant with Lucas 18 years ago, I was very scared but I knew immediately, I was going to have this baby. I was 27 and it was time to grow up and take responsibility for the life that was inside me. My pregnancy went well but the 40 pound I gained put a strain on my body at the end. I had a regular check-up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving that year but I didn't pass the piss test and they admitted me that day. My blood pressure was up and my kidneys were not functioning properly. They monitored me on Thursday and we had Thanksgiving dinner at the hospital, yummy. Friday morning they tried to induce labor but the baby's heart rate would drop with the contractions so they stopped. Saturday morning they tried to get my labor started again but it didn't go well again so the doctor looked at me and said, "We need to do a cesarean". I was freaking out but said okay, at that point I just wanted the baby out already. They gave me an epidural, cut me open, and had the baby out in about 15 minutes. Lucas was born at 11:15 am.

After the birth I went into shock and was really freaking out because it felt like I couldn't breath. They must have knocked me out because the next thing I remember was waking up in the recovery room and the nurse asking me if I wanted to breast feed. I said yes but I didn't think she meant right then but she did and they put Lucas up to me and he started sucking. Wow, what a trip I had just been on. They took me to my room and I got to sit and hold him and it was over, I fell head over heals in love with him, that little baby who just tried to kill me. We both had a fever the next day and the surgery really hurt but they made me get up and start walking. We stayed until Tuesday when we both got cleared to go home. When we were driving home the baby blues hit and I was crying because I was so happy but I was also scared and amazed that they had just let me walk out with him and I didn't know how to be a mom.

I think that is what hit me last night when I started looking for a photo to post. I'm so happy that my little baby has made it to adulthood and he has turned out to be a really good guy and I helped get him there. I've enjoyed watching him grow and being responsible for another life turned out to be something I enjoyed and to tell you the truth I'm not ready for him to quit needing me.

Happy 18th Birthday Son, I love you so much!

Sandia 24, Clovis 21

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 16:07:52 GMT

What a great game guys! You are doing so well this season and I hope the joy continues. Seems last night was the Derris Jackson show, he is a stud and hopefully he continues playing after high school. Below is a clip from The Santa Fe New Mexican's article yesterday, it had some nice words for Derris and Michael. Sandia now faces Mayfield in the semi-finals, day, time and location TBA.

Clovis gets a tough quarterfinal draw in Sandia, whose only loss during the regular season was to Las Cruces, 20-14, the first week of the season. Since then the Matadors have put together a 10-game winning streak, including last week's 43-3 rout of Gallup in the first round.

Both the Matadors and Wildcats feature big-play players.

Clovis senior halfback Brian Mead has rushed for more than 2,000 yards, while Sandia has a dynamic duo in seniors Derris Jackson and Michael Scarlett. The two are so versatile that they can play quarterback, wide receiver or running back.

"They're gifted athletes," Roanhaus said. "Jackson is 5-11, 205 and runs a 4.6. It's like tackling a Coke machine. And Scarlett is legit."

Roanhaus is so high on Jackson that he compares him to former Highland High back Bobby Newcombe, who went on to play at Nebraska.

"Sometimes they'll line up three wide receivers and have him in the backfield by himself. He fakes a pass and takes off running. He's as tough to tackle as (Newcombe) was. They present the same problem."

Few teams are more problematic in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs than Clovis. The Wildcats are 23-1 in the quarterfinals under Roanhaus, the lone defeat coming in 2003 against Rio Grande.

Todays article from the Albuquerque Journal.

Saturday, November 25, 2006
Class 5A Football Playoffs: Jackson Leads Sandia to Win
By Eric Butler
For the Journal
    CLOVIS— Sandia standout Derris Jackson went into the fourth quarter with 53 yards on 14 carries— a reasonably good effort for the host Wildcats' defense all things considered.
    But one notable characteristic about those carries is that it took multiple Clovis defenders to get him on the ground nearly every time.
    In a 14-14 tie, Jackson's persistence paid off when he broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. He seemed stopped at Clovis' 35, but the 5-foot-10, 205-pound back, who played quarterback most of the evening, finally scored for a seven-point Matadors lead.
    Sandia (11-1), the fifth seed in the Class 5A football playoffs, then recovered a Clovis (7-4) fumble and turned that into a 27-yard Alex Gutierrez field goal for a 24-14 advantage before holding on for the 24-21 victory.
    "I broke into the second tier (of the defense). The linemen were blocking great, they got on the big guys," said Jackson of the long TD run that broke the tie. "And I break a few tackles."
    Jackson, who finished with 132 yards rushing and 110 yards passing, also helped secure the Matadors' win by squelching an attempted reverse on the Wildcats' last possession when he tackled Clovis senior Brian Mead for a 10-yard loss with less than a minute to go. That pushed the ball back to the Wildcats' 22.
    On the same reverse just a minute-and-a-half into the fourth quarter, Mead had scored on a 26-yard run to tie the game.
    "I think that just made him mad," said Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus of Jackson.
    "He's a money player. I have no doubt that (Jackson) is the best football player in the state," Sandia coach Kevin Barker said. "Now, Brian Mead might be the best running back, and there might be a better linebacker, but he's the best all-around football player."
    The Matadors started quickly, scoring on their first two possessions. One was on a 35-yard pass from Jackson to Michael Scarlett and, after Mead countered with a 7-yard touchdown rush, Jackson ran 20 yards for a 14-7 Sandia lead early in the second quarter.
    After the visitors went up by 10 points, Clovis scored when Mead ran in from 10 yards out with five minutes left. But Clovis' last gasp expired when Scarlett intercepted a Jordan Mendoza pass at midfield with 30 seconds left.
    "We turned the ball over four times and you can't do that," Roanhaus said. "You turn the ball over four times in a playoff game, you ought to get your butt beat."
    SANDIA 24, CLOVIS 21
    1st Downs: S 12; C 12. Rushing: S 33-155; C 34-146. Passing: S 7-14-1--110; C 5-11-3--67. Punts-Avg.: S 4-33.2; C 3-45.3. Penalties-Yds.: S 7-59; C 3-15. Fumbles-Lost: S 3-0; C 1-1.
    Sandia 7 7 0 10--24
    Clovis 7 0 7 7--21
    Scoring: S, Michael Scarlett 35 pass from Derris Jackson (Lonny Hadley kick); C, Brian Mead 7 run (Robert North kick); S, Jackson 20 run (Alex Gutierrez kick); C, Mead 26 run (North kick); S, Jackson 46 run (Gutierrez kick); S, Gutierrez 27 field goal; C, Mead 10 run (North kick). Rec.: S 11-1; C 7-4.

On the Road to Clovis

Fri, 24 Nov 2006 21:53:16 GMT

Jacob is on the bus heading to Clovis with the rest of the football team, game time is 7:00pm. Luc and their dad are going to the game on a charter bus with the rest of the fans. I thought about hopping on the bus but didn't, so here I am at home and feeling a little lonely. Perhaps I will go out and begin the holiday shopping like the retailers want or maybe I will just sit home and do some knitting. More importantly, I really hope they win and that everybody makes it there and back safely.

I changed my cell phone plan to a family plan and added Luc so he can call and text me now for free. The phone he chose was free so I went ahead and bought him some accessories for his birthday. His birthday is Sunday but I wanted him to be able to call me with game updates tonight so I gave it to him yesterday. He was very happy because he didn't think he was getting a new phone and I actually surprised him with the bluetooth stuff. Now the little bugger better call me tonight or else no birthday cake.

Yesterday's dinner went well, the turkey was larger than what I usually buy and the lid to the roaster wouldn't fit. It seemed like it was ready because the thermometer read 180-185 but I was not thrilled with the outcome. I'm going to re-roast the leftover turkey in the oven today (with the lid on) for a couple of hours in an attempt to make it moist and tender. I should have cooked it in a roasting bag. Jacob kept calling the turkey neck a turkey penis which was kind of funny but also a little disgusting. He took a picture with his cell phone and it did have a resemblance. When he gets back I must remember to post it. I made him help with the mashed potatoes and I introduced him the term 'KP duty'. We looked it up in the dictionary because he thought I was making it up. Luc was gone all day hanging with friends but he made time to come home to eat and then he left again. Anyway, we all ate to our hearts content and I had and nice rest afterwards with a couple glasses of wine. Another turkey sacrificed in the name of love.

GO MATADORS!

BEAT CLOVIS!

GO!

FIGHT!

WIN!!!!

Turkey Day

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:55:00 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving all!!! Hope everybody has food to eat and someone or something to be grateful for.

I am very grateful for my family, friends and dog, my health, home, job and everything it has enabled me to do or own. I am grateful for the sun, moon and planets and for all the living things on this earth, even the weeds and bugs (but not mice). I am even grateful that my sons insist that I cook Thanksgiving dinner at home. It is a day full of cooking (and slaving) but I know they eat it with love. I have mine with a little wine. Have a wonderful day. I'll be in the kitchen if your looking.

Hair Me Thank You

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:38:33 GMT

These last few days I've been laughing at another of my favorite bloggers CrazyAuntPurl and the hair stories she has posted. Me, not so good at stories but I did gather some hair photos from the past and now I am laughing at myself.

CitizenoftheMonth has declared today "Thank Your First Commenter Day", so I want to say Thank You to the male person who posted the first comment. It was on a photo of the Sandia Mountains that I took from balloon fiesta park. For some reason I moved the photo and lost the comment. Silly rookie blogger wanna be mistake. The comment was in another language so I don't even know what it said. The only other comments I've had since then were from me. How pathetic. So now not only am I laughing and talking to myself, I'm answering and taking pictures of myself and then saying thanks.

I'm not crazy, I'm Psycho!

Picture remarks left to right (the pictures did not want to load in the right order, sorry)

6. Graduation photo so hair had to be perfect. I made the suit and was very proud. 1978

2. Kindergarten girl mad because mom cut off her hair (1st row, 3rd from right). 1966

3. I slept with a knit cap to keep my curls down. 1973

5. Short hair was best for cheerleading (me in front). 1978

4. I started loosening up on the curls. 1976

1. Cute little girl with combed hair. 1964

7. It grew out by graduation, Hi Keith, party on! 1979

Bookmobile

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 16:45:33 GMT

I'm not sure what is going on with MSN but what ever they are doing is messing with my program. Once again I had to uninstall and reinstall MSN to get it to work. Argh!

Today, Neil, one of my favorite bloggers at Citizen of the Month wrote about the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special that he and his Russian wife watched. He was sharing American pop culture with her but she didn't quite understand or appreciate the Peanuts Gang. I would divorce her for lack of Peanut appreciation if it were me.

When we were young po children growing up in Utah we couldn't afford to be buying fancy stuff like books so we would would get reading material from the school library. We also had a mobile library "Bookmobile" that would come into our neighborhood once a week and you could sit and read or check out books. I still have the book "Peanuts Treasury" by Charles M. Schultz that came from the bookmobile in 1971. I think my sister Martha was the one who took the book and never returned it but I found it in the house and adopted as my own. I loved reading all the comic strips and learned a lot from a bunch of cartoon characters. Snoopy taught me about artwork because he had a Van Gogh in his dog house. Charlie Brown was the born loser and I could relate to that. Lucy was one of my favorites because she acted real mean but inside she was a big softie. Linus was so smart and philosophical, I don't care if he carried a blanket and sucked his thumb, the boy was a genius. Jacob was my little Linus because he was a thumb sucker and loved his meme (blanket). The other characters like Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, Pigpen and Woodstock were great in their own way too. I loved the gang and always will. Most of all I loved Mr. Schultz, his imagination and love he shared with children touched me as a small child and his characters are a part of me. He is on the top of my hero list along with Mr. Rogers and Jim Henson.

Guess I'm just a kid at heart, that might explain why I was giggling with my son this morning while watching "Sponge Bob Square Pants". I don't ever want to grow up. I also don't want to pay the over due fee for this book so don't report me to the library police.

Good Start - Bad End

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 04:50:48 GMT

Today started out good because I spoke to my Dad. Mom wasn't home and I won't see them for Thanksgiving so it was nice to talk to Dad. This is a short one because I am in the process of downloading updates and fixing MSN again because it is acting up again. Damn you MSN for updating during NaBloPoMo and giving me stress. Argh, pirate style.

No Soccer Sunday

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 02:41:56 GMT

Today I didn't play soccer and it was a little weird not to have a game. The weather was nice enough but instead I made pancakes and did some knitting. I'm making a(nother) scarf in black with some gray and brown mixed in. I was also remembering the first time I played soccer, 18 years ago. I had been playing city league softball after high school and one of the girls on my team asked if I wanted to play soccer. I had played soccer a few times in 6th grade but it was like a class PE thing and we didn't it play it for long. Mr. Beesley was my teacher and our class learned different things than the other classes. I remember Mr. Beesley pulling one of the girls hair during class a couple of times. He was a good teacher but for some reason he did not like her and I don't think anybody ever said a thing to our parents. Anyway I said yes to my friend Debbie who ask about soccer. I had no clue how to play those first few games but the other players did and we had a pretty good team and I really liked playing. I also found out I was pregnant after a few games but didn't tell anyone and played out the rest of the season. I had to sit out the fall season and I gave birth to Luc the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I quit playing softball and have been playing soccer ever since, except when I was pregnant with Jake.

I've always played some kind of competitive game. I'm not really into exercise so I liked to play or be around sports. When I was very young it was football and baseball with my brothers, we also had running races and handstand contests. I was one of the younger ones and always was trying to keep up with the older ones. I played softball in junior high and then I found my first love, gymnastics. I LOVED gymnastics and Olga Korbut and Nadia Comanche were my heros. The things a human body can do when trained is amazing. This was also the time I started cheerleading, as a gymnast it was part of the package. I don't know if I consider cheerleading a sport but we were athletic, we did a lot of aerobic exercise and tumbling, not to mention the pyramid building. As a little person (5' 3/4") I was usually the one on top and it was fun but dangerous but not any more dangerous than gymnastics. I hurt myself more than once trying to learn the skills as they got more and more difficult. I loved gymnastics and did well during the competitions but when we moved to New Mexico I had to give it up. The organized sports for kids was not available where we lived. I did stay with cheerleading because I could tumble and everybody loved it when I did back handsprings because nobody had done it before.

After high school I played softball and that is how I met my son's father. He was one of my coaches and he gave me a hard time all season because the cheerleader forgot how to play and really sucked. After a few seasons I got better and had some fun playing but never loved it like I love soccer. It has been a few years since I did a back handspring but I learned that in gymnastics 90% of it is courage. So I might be able to do one if I had the courage and a back that didn't hurt.

Panic Mode

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:55:50 GMT

I can blog again! I can stop freaking out now.

Last night my computer did an automatic update and then it wouldn't let me use MSN. It would give me an error message and ask if I wanted to send an error report and then it would shut down MSN. I fought with it a little last night but gave up. This morning after fighting with it some more, I finally uninstalled MSN and then reinstalled it to get it to work. It is almost 11:00am and I am still in my PJ's and not getting much done around the house. My computer allowance is used for today. See ya tomorrow.

Sandia Eases Into Quarters

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 17:35:30 GMT

Next week Sandia will travel to play Clovis. Here is the story from the Albuquerque Journal. I especially liked the part about Michael Scarlette Sr. watching his son play for the first time this season. He has been serving in Iraq and we are so thankful he was able to come home and share this with his family. Michael Scarlette Jr has signed to play with the University of New Mexico. He is an awesome player, student, and a really nice kid.

Saturday, November 18, 2006
Class 5A Football Playoffs: Sandia Eases Into Quarters With Rout of Gallup
By Will Webber
Journal Staff Writer
    It took nearly a half dozen forfeits from two schools to get Gallup's football team into the Class 5A state playoffs.
    It took less than a minute for Sandia to start the Bengals packing.
    Scoring 13 points in the game's first 59 seconds, fifth-seeded Sandia cruised to a 43-3 rout of the visiting Bengals Friday night at Wilson Stadium. The win sends the Matadors (10-1) into next weekend's quarterfinals at Clovis.
    With a quartet of Wildcats coaches peering down from the press box and taking notes with virtually every snap, the Matadors put on a show that might send a message that they're a legitimate title-contending team.
    At least, that's what Sandia was hoping for.
    The Matadors added a few new wrinkles to their game plan, including a shotgun formation for the quarterback tandem of Derris Jackson and Michael Scarlett, as well as a Fridge-like touchdown run by offensive lineman Wilton Rogers in the second quarter.
    "We knew our next opponent was sitting up there watching everything we did," said Sandia coach Kevin Barker. "Hopefully we didn't give them too much for the film."
    Thanks to a 38-point halftime lead, the Matadors didn't have to reveal their entire playbook. With the clock running continuously throughout the second half, most of their starters sat as Barker implemented a revolving door of role players.
    Prior to that, Jackson basically eliminated the Bengals (5-6) by himself. His first-quarter stats— 101 yards rushing and a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Hugaboom— were more than Gallup's entire offensive production for the game. The visitors managed just 67 yards in all, including minus-7 yards on 12 rushing attempts.
    Jackson finished with 117 yards on the ground and 92 passing. He didn't have a single rushing attempt in the second half and was out of the game early in the third quarter.
    Both he and Scarlett scored on highlight-reel touchdown runs in the decisive first quarter as the Matadors opened a 27-0 lead. In truth, the game was decided long before then.
    Sandia's Stephon Fitch put his team in front just 22 seconds into the game when he intercepted a Mikey Ramirez pass and returned it 24 yards to make it 6-0.
    The Matadors scored again after Ramirez fumbled on the Bengals' next play. It set up a 23-yard touchdown run by Jackson with 11:01 left in the first quarter.
    The margin ballooned to 20-0 less than five minutes later when Jackson hit Hugaboom on a slant pattern to turn the game into a laugher.
    "Momentum is everything in football and we had it right there," said Scarlett, whose fan base included his father, Michael Scarlett Sr.
    The elder Scarlett had just completed a tour of duty in Iraq and saw his son play for the first time since last season.
    For Gallup, the loss ends a wild end to their year. Initially left out of the 12-team draw, the Bengals got in when Las Cruces and Oñate were forced to forfeit a handful of games and bypass their chance at the playoffs.
    SANDIA 43, GALLUP 3
    1st Downs: G 7; S 17. Rushing: G 12-(minus 7); S 46-278. Passing: G 8-28-2--74; S 7-14-0--100. Total Off.: G 67; S 378. Punts-Avg.: G 4-26.2; S 1-28. Penalties-Yds.: G 4-38; S 12-110. Fumbles-Lost: G 2-1; S 0-0.
    Gallup 0 3 0 0-- 3
    Sandia 27 14 0 2--43
    Scoring: S, Stephon Fitch 24 interception return (kick failed); S, Derris Jackson 23 run (Sean Smith kick); S, Jeff Hugaboom 27 pass from Jackson (Smith kick); S, Michael Scarlett 13 run (Smith kick); G, Austin Wallace 23 FG; S, Wilton Rogers 3 run (Smith kick); S, Terrance Woodfin 26 pass from Jackson (Smith kick); S, safety, Gallup's Mikey Ramirez runs out of back of end zone. Rec.: S 10-1; G 5-6.

All Day I Dream About S..

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:00:15 GMT

The muscle relaxers knocked me out so I slept pretty good last night. My back still hurts but not like it did yesterday. The feet are feeling better too thanks to my favorite Adidas soccer sandals with little bumps that massage my feet. I love them! I made it through work and finished up as much as I could because I have next week off. Yipee!! A week is nice but I could use a year off to do some major cleaning, organizing, and shopping. I want to move the computer into the kitchen and add a small table. That means moving the bookshelves out, buying a table w/chairs and perhaps a computer cart on wheels so it can be moved out of the way if needed. I want to get something done next week besides cooking a dinner. It just sucks that my back is acting up now when I need to use it and abuse it. Pain pills anyone?

Luc's 18th birthday is also next weekend and I have not figured out what to get him. He wants a car but I don't think that is gonna happen. He also wants a new phone but that isn't something he really needs, perhaps a laptop.

Jake and the football team are playing as I type and hopefully they will be winning when Leandra calls with the update. I just couldn't see myself sitting out on the cold bleachers with my effed up back, then there is the whole jinx thing. Yeah, yeah, lame excuses you bad mommy.

Falling Apart

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:25:49 GMT

I coughed and threw out my back this morning, it hurts. I took a muscle relaxer and some Ibuprofen and they helped but I'm still in pain. I remember a missed kick during our game on Sunday, that is probably what did it. I've been llimping because my right heel is hurt so then my left hip started hurting because of the limping and now the lower back has joined in on the fun. I'm all off whack. I'm going to lay down and do some stretching and see if that helps. Ouch :(

Why I'm Here

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:40:36 GMT

This blog has been a safe place for me to talk about my life and I am seeing that I really do have one and maybe I'm not so psycho. I may not be the best blogger/writer/storyteller/comedian and if I'm the only one reading and commenting that is okay. It was kind of bothering me that the only comments on my blog are from me and I thought about sending out invitations to family and friends in my address book. But that just isn't my style anymore. It used to be. I used to want others to like me and want to be with me. Now, that just doesn't matter, people like you or they don't and even if they do like you doesn't mean they want to be with you all the time. What is important is that you like yourself, that you can look at yourself and know who you are as a person and be happy with yourself. I hope my sons have learned this from me and that they love themselves as much as I love them.

Besides, I'm not sure how I would handle hundreds of comments like some of the blogs out there. The pressure to entertain the fans to keep them reading could be more than some can handle. So for now I will talk to myself and if anybody finds me, fine. If not, fine.

Love Your Gums

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 01:54:56 GMT

I visited Amy the dental hygienist today for a cleaning and to see if my periodontal issues have improved. My teeth were never anything to be proud of when I was younger. After a lot of dental work, my teeth are now healthy but my gums are not. I really like Amy, she lived in Germany and brought some of their practices with her. She has recommended using the M-Bass technique for dry brushing, some gum tonic and tooth powder that I need to buy from the herb store. She also suggest a yogurt and/or salt water rinse. Amy has a positive personality and encourages you to be good to yourself and your teeth using natural products instead of chemicals like fluoride, Listerine or even peroxide. My gums need to be raised to a higher level on my priority list. Because the list isn't long enough.

My anniversary gift arrived in the mail yesterday. I picked the Bulova watch and I really like it. I haven't worn a watch in a few years because I couldn't find one I loved and because I decided that watching the time was not that important. There is always a clock or someone with a watch around so I didn't really need one and the cell phone has a clock. But now that it is here and I'm wearing it, I love it.

The football team plays their first game in the state tournament this Friday here in Albuquerque. Gallup is the opponent and if all goes the way it should then Sandia will win and travel to play Clovis next week. Jacob and Luc's report cards came yesterday and they both are passing all their classes. Jacob will be able to play but they both have a couple of D's and they need to raise those grades and not let them fall to a F. Just a few weeks left in the semester so hang tough guys and do your schoolwork.

I will be brushing and flossing and rinsing and loving my gums.

11/13 HB's

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:23:25 GMT

Today is Grandma Mac and my brother Eloy's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

Mac is my son's grandmother, she would have been 86. She passed away this summer and we really do miss her. She was a sweet, cheerful lady who lived in Iowa. She would call often and came to visit us one summer. We had the chance to visit with her a few times in Iowa. We loved her a lot and wish we could have lived closer so we could have spent more time with her.

Eloy, my bro is very smart and a talented carpender. He was actually born on Friday the 13th. His daughter, Veronica plays on my soccer team, she has a daughter, Arianna. Eloy lives up north near my parents where he is building his house. Bianca is his other daughter and she has two daughters (but for the life of me I can't remember their names right now).

Soccer Ends With a T

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 02:46:57 GMT

It didn't rain for our last soccer game but it was cold and windy. We had 1 sub but we really played like shit considering the other team was 3 players short. I am happy and proud to say I score our only goal off a beautiful cross from Stephanie. We end with a winning season but we lost at least 4 players to injury. My feet survived and for 45 year old feet they still managed to score 4 goals for the season. Good job feet, I must buy you some new shoes.

After the game we were going to meet for drinks and snacks but I couldn't find the bar where we were supposed to meet. I didn't have anybody's cell phone number so after driving in circles for 20 minutes I gave up and came home. I looked in the phone book to see what the address was and I couldn't find it because there is no Gin Mil on Coors anymore. Oh well, I needed to finish laundry and feed the boys so it is better I came home. Although, hanging with the girls is lots of fun. I'll have to organize a lunch or something.

Season Final

2006 Odyssey Soccer (4-3-1)

9/10 1pm F16 Express 1 vs Odyssey 5 (1)

9/17 3pm F3 Odyssey 1 vs TBG 0

9/24 11 am ADO1 Odyssey 2 vs Uniques 1

10/1 1pm F16 Odyssey 1 vs Rebel B's 6 (1)

10/8 3pm ADO2 Odyssey 3 vs Happy Hour 1

10/15 1pm ADO1 Odyssey 1 vs Grasshoppers 4 (1)

10/29 1pm F2 Odyssey 1 vs Strikers 0

11/5 9am ADO1 Violet Femmes (9) vs Odyssey 0

11/12 3pm SPN Odyssey 1 vs Shot in the Dark 1 (1)

Knitted Scarves

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 03:12:14 GMT

Light blue, pattern inspired from a pair of socks I own, size 10 needle, 100% cotton

Red, garter stitch, size 10 needle, 98% acrylic 2% polyester

Blue w/fringe, garter stitch, size 10 needle, 98% acrylic 2% polyester

Veteran's Day

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:06:51 GMT

Thank you, today and everyday.

New Beta Tool?*

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 02:57:29 GMT

As a new blogger wannabe, I didn't know which blogging software to choose. MSN provided Windows Live Spaces free with Messenger so I used it. This post is utilizing the new Window Live Writer program I just downloaded. I noticed some changes going on with the spaces this week and thought I'd give it a try. So far so good and there is a spell check so no more cutting and pasting into word. Yea! It is nice that it came out during the nanoblome whatever month. *This was not posted with the Live Writer. Error Message. Bummer.

The football tournament is back on we think. The suing parents have agreed to dismiss the charges but the brackets haven't been announced. Thank goodness they came to their senses and let the boys play. Adults need to remember the game belongs to the players, not the coaches, the refs, fans or parents.

The weather has been wonderful all week, warm, blue skies and no wind. We have one more soccer game on Sunday. Guess what the weather forcast is on Sunday only? Argh!

Dos Teachers

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 04:26:37 GMT

I took a digital picture of this Polaroide of my grandma, my jerga (rag rug) and me. It was taken on her birthday in 1994. I was so thrilled to get one her large weavings for my very own. She sold her weavings for a living so there were not many available towards the end and they were not cheap. She was weaving until the very end at 102 years of age. She was a very important person in my family's lives.

My family moved to New Mexico in May 1975 from Layton, Utah. My grandma gave my parents a plot of land to build their house. We lived with her while the house was in the process of being built by my family. It was my job to cook all the meals for the family so they could work on the house and on grandma farm which always had crops of chile, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, squash and alfalfa (and much more). Poor grandma didn't realize we would come in to her house and basically take over. My mother gave me strict orders that grandma was not to help me cook or clean so it was strange for both of us. It was her house and I came in and did everything like the 14 year old I was. She only spoke Spanish and I (a brown gringo from Utah) only speak English. We both nodded a lot and she told my mom everything I did wrong but I loved to watch her weave. She had a room off the kitchen and when the chores were done and I had some time I was in there with her. She would take old clothing and shred it into strips then spin them into spools. The amount of spools she would have in work at the same time and the way she mixed her colors always amazed me. She used to say she danced on her loom. It was as beautiful as was she.

Jim Sagel, my creative writing teacher in high school wrote a few books during his life. Mostly bilingual short stories, poetry and essays that were about life in NM. He wrote a portrait about my grandma in his book titled Dancing to pay the Light Bill. Mr. Sagel was one of my favorite teachers, he would give us great feedback about our writing and made writing a pleasure. A few years back he decided life wasn't worth living and he hung himself at the Bosque del Appache. I cried then and I'm crying now.

Two truly talented people, love and miss you both everyday.

Pick of the Day

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:15:11 GMT

Today's Yahoo's pick of the day is Mico Images Blog and I guessed what 50x photo was correctly. Thanks for the shout out R2K! Psychomom's pace also made it on the NaBloPoMo list too. I almost feel famous.

Agueda Martinez, my Grandma, was famous. She was a weaver and one of her weavings is at the Smithsonian. Moctesuma Esparza produced a documentary of her life titled Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country that was nominated for an academy award in 1978. She was recognized for her weaving many times, she passed away in 2000 at the age of 102.

Here are a few more links:

http://www.folklife.si.edu/explore/Resources/InterviewGuide/Questions/InterviewGuide_Questions3.html

http://americanart.si.edu/education/online_activities/del_corazon/artistas_02.php

http://www.albany.edu/docs.museum/wwwmuseum/crossing/artist17.htm

http://nmaa-ryder.si.edu/t2go/1la/index-noframe.html?/t2go/1la/1995.46.html

http://www.collectorsguide.com/sf/sffa10.shtml

Almost Officially on the List

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 01:48:34 GMT

I sent off another email begging to get on the NaBloPoMo list and fussy responded. Yippee! She said I could play and she would add me to the list so I am quite happy, I think.

I stopped to vote on my way home from work. It was at the middle school down the street and there were no lines when I was there. I had my new voter card and breezed through the process, no problemo. They used paper ballots this year and I did my best to stay in the lines as I colored in the ovals. I will be thrilled when this election is over so we won't have to suffer through the political ads. I also hope who ever wins does a decent and honorable job. All the politicians need to get there shit together and quit helping themselves and help this country and its citizens. And they need to stay away from children and prostitutes too!

In other news, our football team was supposed to play the first game in the state tournament this weekend. One of the other teams was disqualified for using ineligible players but they decided to appeal it in the court system so the state tournament is postponed. I cannot believe some of the bullshit that happens in school/pro/college sports either. Somewhere along the way our priorities got all screwed up.

To Dick, my cube mate and (tor)mentor who has helped me to feel more confident and knowledgeable. Happy Birthday!

And finally, Good bye Barb, my friend who had the final paperwork go through for her disability. She is one of the few women in my area and we have had some good times in the past. We have hit estate sales during our lunch time or gone to listen to her brother and his bands. She is a antique and Corvett collector person too, which makes her cool automatically. Good Luck and take care buddy, hope to see you around the antique stores.

Bomb on Campus

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:46:46 GMT

Today started with a bomb threat at the high school. I always wonder who calls in these things? Is it a student who didn't study for a test? A teacher who is too hung over to teach? A parent who wants to spend the day with her children? Okay, forget about the last one we know that isn't true. Well, the only bombs found were the hot firemen/policemen who showed up to search the school. The scare seemed to be taken seriously but they didn't delay or cancel school. The boys left as usual and didn't seem too concerned about going to class. If it had been the airport I'm sure a few flights would have been delayed.

Last Thursday was my 25th anniversary of working at my job. I had planned on taking the day off but instead I was assigned a proposal that had to get done ASAP and I had a couple of meetings with the boss who flew in from NJ, so I didn't think it would be a good idea to miss work. Today however seemed like a perfect day. I used my hurting feet as an excuse because they know I play soccer on Sundays and have seen me limp in Monday more than once. I did the dishes and a load of laundry and thought about what else to do with my free day. Because I have the day off doesn't mean I don't have to work. I might even cook something.

Ouch

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 01:42:17 GMT

It was quite a spanking we took today at our soccer game. It was probably 10-0, I lost count. We had a full team but no subs, they had at least 6 subs. We played at 9:00am which is not my favorite time to play, I was still asleep. I should have stopped for coffee. My feet are not doing any better either. Thank goodness next week is the last game and I can heal over the holidays.

Holidays, they are right around the corner. I will be taking 3 vacation days so I can have a whole week off for Thanksgiving. Luc will turn 18 that weekend too. I better start getting into the spirit and start preparing, they will be here before I know it.

Latest scores...

2006 Odyssey Soccer (4-3)

9/10 1pm F16 Express 1 vs Odyssey 5 (1)

9/17 3pm F3 Odyssey 1 vs TBG 0

9/24 11 am ADO1 Odyssey 2 vs Uniques 1

10/1 1pm F16 Odyssey 1 vs Rebel B's 6 (1)

10/8 3pm ADO2 Odyssey 3 vs Happy Hour 1

10/15 1pm ADO1 Odyssey 1 vs Grasshoppers 4 (1)

10/29 1pm F2 Odyssey 1 vs Strikers 0

11/5 9am ADO1 Violet Femmes (9) vs Odyssey 0

11/12 3pm SPN Odyssey vs Shot in the Dark (reschedule)

In the News

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:33:13 GMT

For Jacob's birthday in September I drew a football field and his jersey on our white board in the kitchen. We kept the pictures on the board and added the W-L record. Jacob was so proud of the win that when he got home last night, he went straight to the white board to update the team record to 9-1. He had to go to practice this morning and when he got home I asked if it was a practice or a party. He said it was pretty much a party. What a nice treat for them after a long season of working hard. Here is the article from the morning paper.

Saturday, November 4, 2006
Prep Football: Matadors End Drought
By Ken Sickenger
Journal Staff Writer
    Sandia's football team needed a few breaks, a swarming defense and even an illuminated duck to break a 15-year championship drought.  They all came together Friday night.  The Matadors (9-1 overall, 4-0 in District 2-5A) claimed their first district title since 1991, defeating La Cueva 10-7 in front of a large, loud Wilson Stadium crowd. "La Cueva gave us a battle, and we knew they would," Sandia wide receiver and defensive back Jeff Hugaboom said. "Getting this one really feels great." Matadors coach Kevin Barker agreed.  "It's really gratifying," he said. "A lot of these kids have worked four years for this. The defense was exceptional tonight, and our offense did just enough."
    The Bears (6-4, 3-1) saw their streak of five consecutive district championships come to an end— thanks to Sandia's defense and some critical mistakes. La Cueva turned the ball over twice, committed eight penalties for 59 yards and narrowly missed a short first-half field goal.  Even so, La Cueva trailed by just three points down the stretch and had three possessions to tie or take the lead.  "They definitely made us work for it," Sandia quarterback/linebacker Derris Jackson said of the Bears. "We didn't feel comfortable until the very end."
    The Matadors had every chance to create breathing room in the first quarter, when La Cueva twice turned the ball over in its territory.  First, Terrance Woodfin intercepted a Harry Oms pass at the La Cueva 45-yard line. Sandia was unable to take advantage and ended up punting.  Lonny Hadley's kick, however, bounded off a La Cueva player and was recovered by the Matadors at the Bears' 13. An impressive stand by La Cueva's defense forced Sandia to settle for a 24-yard Hadley field goal.  "La Cueva played outstanding defense all night," Barker said. "We had some chances to make things easier for ourselves, but we couldn't do it."  The score remained 3-0 at halftime, but the Matadors finally put a drive together to start the third quarter. Jackson broke several tackles on a 29-yard run, connected with Hugaboom on a 14-yard pass and finally scored on a 1-yard dive. Sandia led 10-0.  La Cueva countered with its best possession of the night. Ten consecutive running plays covered 57 yards, culminated by Gus Bowe's 7-yard touchdown run. Sandia's lead was just 10-7 with 4:45 left in the third quarter.

The Matador defense made it stand up. The Bears went three-and-out on their next two possessions, and with its fans roaring, Sandia snuffed out La Cueva's final drive on an incomplete fourth-and-eight pass with 50 seconds left. "Coach Barker kept telling us (the Bears) were five-time district champs," Jackson said. "We had to come out and take it from them, and we did." The Matadors even broke out their secret weapon, a mysterious illuminated plastic duck, which they huddled around prior to each half and kept behind the team bench. "The duck's our inspiration," Jackson said. "It's been at Sandia longer than I have, and that's about all I can say. I'm just glad we had it here."

SANDIA 10, LA CUEVA 7
1st Downs: LC 10; S 10. Rushing: LC 39-193; S 31-112. Passing: LC 5-12-1--30; S 6-15-0--30. Total Off.: LC 223; S 192. Fumbles-Lost: LC 1-1; S 1-1. Punts-Avg.: LC 5-36.6; S 6-38.3. Penalties-Yds.: LC 8-59; S 4-31.
    La Cueva 0 0 7 0-- 7
    Sandia 3 0 7 0--10
    Scoring: S, Lonny Hadley 24 field goal; S, Derris Jackson 1 run (Hadley kick); LC, Gus Bowe 6 run (Gordon Rowe kick). Rec.: S 9-1, 4-0 in 2-5A; LC 6-4, 3-1.

NaBloPoMo

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:10:36 GMT

NaBloPoMo Randomizer!

I think I joined the NaBloPoMo but I haven't seen my name on the list. I don't care if it is official because I'm playing anyway and I am enjoying reading the other bloggers that made the list. I have been using the Randomizer that pinkelephants made for the participants. It is a wonderful tool and it has been fun to read about all of the bloggers out there.

Sandia WINS 10-7!!!

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 04:47:34 GMT

This just in......

Sandia High School beats La Cueva 10-7! Sandia Wins District 2-5A title!!!!

YEAH MATADORS!!!!

Final scores

SHS '06 Varsity Schedule (9-1)

8/25 7pm @Wilson SHS 14 vs Las Cruces 20

8/31 7pm @Milne Highland 28 vs SHS 31

9/8 7pm @Wilson SHS 25 vs Eldorado 14

9/21 7pm @Wilson SHS 14 vs Los Lunas 7

9/28 7pm @Wilson Del Norte 7 vs SHS 49

10/6 7pm @Gallup Gallup 20 vs SHS 33

10/14 1:30pm @ Wilson SHS 35 vs Santa Fe 0

10/21 1:30pm @Milne Albuquerque 0 vs SHS 41

10/28 1:30pm @Milne Valley 21 vs SHS 28

11/3 7pm @Wilson SHS 10 vs La Cueva 7

Jinx Jinx You Stink

Sat, 04 Nov 2006 03:11:10 GMT

I'm not going to the football game tonight because I'm afraid to jinx the team. I have not been the best football mommy this season and only went to one game (homecoming). Jake and the team have been doing great and a win tonight gives them the district title, if they were to lose I would blame myself. I often end up cheering or playing for the losing team. It could be that I love the underdog and that I play like shit or I could be a jinx. Luc said I should go, Jake said no.

Luc was one of the girl soccer team managers last year and the coach was his teacher so I cheer and follow their season too. Yesterday they played the first game of the state tournament and lost in a shootout 0-1. However, they ended up with the win when the other team had to forfeit due to an ineligible player. Today they played the number 1 team and I was cheering for them but they lost 4-2. Is this an omen and I should keep my unlucky self at home alone drinking beer and writing to myself? Is it the cold weather and bleachers that I'm avoiding or do I want to protect the team from evil voodoo? Please let them win, I'm sacrificing here.

In my defense of being the bad mommy and not going to my son's last game where they will win the district title: When I get home from my soccer games on Sunday (that my sons never go to). Jacob does not ask if we won, he asks, "DID YOU LOSE?" Smartass.

Facing Fear

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 03:51:34 GMT

It was a rough week and I had doubts that I would be able to handle the stress. Every morning I fought off the urge to pick up the phone and call in sick. It was not easy or pleasureable and if I make it through tomorrow I just might end up fine. Until Monday anyway.

Jake and the football team play their last season game tomorrow night. They should win and if they do, they win the district title. Then they would play in the state tournament. Good luck guys.

Happy Anniversary to.....

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 02:03:20 GMT

ME! 25 years of working my way up to middle design. It is an accomplishment and I am proud to say, "good job girl, you hold your head high". Today they gave me a 'today in history' themed certificate signed by my coworkers. It was framed nicely and it had what I wrote on my first review and what my bosses said a year later. Something about how happy I was to have the opportunity.....blah, blah and something about a sparkly personality(?). Oh, I get to pick out an anniversary gift too. There is a coice of rings and watches, but there is also stuff like a fish finder, golf clubs, binoculars w/camera, a camera, a wine rack, a Coach tote, and Emiralware (pots and pans). I'm leaning towards a watch or ring or maybe the Coach tote.

We were lucky and won our game Sunday, 1-0. Our manager forgot the league cards and usually they won't let you play without them. The refs were nice and the other team wanted to play so they let us play as long as the cards showed up by half-time. It was an evenly matched game and we did a good job passing on offence. I played offence in the first half then went back to play defense in the second. It was my job to stop the young 17 year old in the pink socks. Guess I did my job. For 25 years!

Note: I say I've been working for 43 years. Here is the proof and the latest scores.

2006 Odyssey Soccer (4-2)

9/10 1pm F16 Express 1 vs Odyssey 5 (1)

9/17 3pm F3 Odyssey 1 vs TBG 0

9/24 11 am ADO1 Odyssey 2 vs Uniques 1

10/1 1pm F16 Odyssey 1 vs Rebel B's 6 (1)

10/8 3pm ADO2 Odyssey 3 vs Happy Hour 1

10/15 1pm ADO1 Odyssey 1 vs Grasshoppers 4 (1)

10/22 9am F11 Odyssey vs Shot in the Dark (reschedule)

10/29 1pm F2 Odyssey 1 vs Strikers 0

11/5 9am ADO1 Violet Femmes vs Odyssey