Random Thought

There are times (many times) that random thoughts just pop into my head, and I find it difficult to push them aside. Thoughts that really make no sense, or have no answer, but yet, they are there.

For instance: have you ever thought about why things are named the way they are? Who looked at an elephant and decided to call it an elephant? What was it about this huge, lumbering creature that begged to be called "elephant"?

Or colors. What was it about the color red that makes it red? Where did these words come from?

I know you can research the origin of words, but seriously, before the word red ever existed, how did it come to be?

These are the kinds of thoughts I'm plagued with on a daily basis, and this is what my family and friends have to deal with.

Take an Orlando Vacation

Who doesn't want to go to Disney World? I mean, come on. It's the most magical place on Earth! I myself have never been, but have always dreamed of going. I'm 37 years old, and would still jump at the chance to go!

I can so see myself taking an Orlando vacations. Spending my days at Disney World, feeling the excitement, and acting like a kid again. Or laying on the beach, letting the sun warm my skin. Oh how wonderful that sounds as I sit here looking out my window at the snow on the ground and trying to keep warm in this deep freeze.

Did you know that you could get a three day/two night stay in Orlando complete with two theme park tickets starting at $99? How crazy is that? Figure out your transportation, and you're on your way! This price just might make me think twice about taking a vacation to Orlando this summer.

I wonder if they make a Cinderella dress in my size?

An End and a Beginning

Well, wrestling season has come to an end for Tristan. It was a bittersweet ending, to say the least. Although he achieved his goal of making it to State, going further to actually place in the top five wasn't to be this year.

The tournament began this past Thursday, and was to run through Saturday. The school paid for the hotel stay and food for Tristan, but we had to find our own way, which we did. We bought tickets beforehand, and headed down to Madison Thursday morning. It poured rain all the way down.

We ended up having to park two blocks away from where the tournament took place, which meant a two block hike in the pouring, freezing rain. We were soaked by the time we got there, but we made it. Once we found our seats, in the nosebleed section (we were only four rows from the top of the building!), we settled in for what we thought would be an exciting time.

The place was huge, intimidating, and Tristan was so nervous! Nervous, but ready. He (and we) thought he stood a pretty good chance at making it past the first round. Unfortunately, nothing could have prepared Tristan for the speed of his opponent! I'm telling you, this guy was quick! He took Tristan down so fast, we weren't sure how it happened. Tristan fought hard, but ended up losing 10-6, sending him home for the season.

He was really upset, but we were proud nonetheless. He worked really hard this season, and reached every goal he had set for himself, and then some. A good friend and head wrestling coach at a nearby college told us he sees Tristan at the top of the podium next season, and I believe it too.

On the upside of this defeat, Tristan's restrictive diet is over as well. After months of watching what he ate, and sometimes even not eating to make weight the day of a match, he is back to eating whatever he wants. And boy did he eat when he got home! I thought he would surely vomit or explode!

He'll be wrestling all summer this year at camps and such to keep improving more. I think his future plans involve wrestling in college, so I'm sure a placement at next year's State tournament is a goal he'll work hard to reach.

Now, on to the younger ones. Next weekend starts the season for Timothy and Rebecca. Yes, you read that right. Rebecca will be wrestling as well. Boys as well as girls can wrestle in the younger grades, and she's been begging us for two years to let her try. This year I finally gave in, and so far, she loves it. She's really putting alot of time into it, and learning fast, so we shall see.

It just never seems to end around here. From one kid to the next, there's ALWAYS something doing!

The Inside of a Computer

I'm not much of a computer whiz, but I know how frustrating it can be to want to do something on your computer and not be able to because it just doesn't have the right equipment for the task. Such is the story of my kids and the "family" computer in the living room. It's an older computer, about 5 or 6 years old now, and today's games just do not function properly on it.

I don't know how many times I've caught a child of mine either cursing at the screen or slamming the mouse around trying to play a game and the computer not cooperating. I've been told by my increasingly frustrated son, that it's because the video card inside the computer isn't up to par. He may be right, but what do I know?

You see, the computer I'm typing to you on right this minute is mine, and only mine. Mike bought me a laptop to use because I could never get to the family computer for the kids. My laptop has everything needed to play such games, but no matter how many times the kids ask, I won't let them on it. It's an ongoing battle around here, but not one I'm going to surrender to.

I'm thinking it might be time to upgrade the family computer. I never use it anymore, but it is slow and outdated. Besides, by doing so will probably get the kids off my back, at least for a little while. Even a little while will be a blessing, however short it might be.

Priceless......

Wrestling shoes: $140.00

Headgear: $35.00

Singlet: $50.00



Being the Mom of an Individual Wrestling State Qualifier: PRICELESS.....



Tristan qualified this past Saturday for the State Wrestling Tournament! He's worked so hard this season to achieve this goal that he set for himself. Mike and I are so proud of him. This weekend, we're headed to our State's Capital for the tournament, a three day event that starts Thursday. The best of the best will be there, including my son!

I can't wait!