I'm not cut out...

...to be a soccer mom. Practice twice a week and games on Saturdays. Next week we have to be at the field at 7:15am for team pictures before the game.

Our son is gifted in many ways. Just not soccer. He's cute and funny and smart and well... at least he's enjoying soccer. He kind of forgets he's playing sometimes and forgets the way the game is played sometimes. He did really well the first quarter this week and then all knowledge of the sport evaporated. Perhaps swimming is his sport. His swim instructors say he's a natural at swimming. And really, swimming can save your life in certain situations. How often do people have to kick a ball to stay alive?

The other parents really get into it. They sew these giant team banners and suspend them from cleverly engineered stands that they haul out to the field and erect for each game. I was amazed. I had no idea.

And the snacks. We take turns providing the snacks. Coach was very clear about bringing healthy snacks. He said the snack is supposed to refuel their little bodies and asked us to bring sliced fruit, water or 100% fruit juice, etc. Today's Snack Mom was handing out pouches full of some kind of blue KoolAid brand substance and Oreos. She was saying, "Do you want some water? Here, have some water!" but handing them the blue stuff. Water is not blue! She did, however, have some honeydew melon slices also. But who thinks blue sugary crap and Oreos are good fuel for growing bodies?

I bit my tongue, promised the goob he could have yogurt when he got home, and let him eat his fill of melon.

Might be a good time...

... to pray. Or whatever your version of it is. I'm not a religious gal, but I'm sending all my best energy, vibes, hopes, to those in Rita's path. I have friends who have evacuated, and I have other friends whose families have evacuated. Once they're on the road, there's no way of knowing how far they've traveled. Traffic is stopped, gas is scarce, and there are no motel rooms to be had at most destinations.

I used to wonder about those abandoned ancient civilizations we'd learn about in school. Big, well thought-out communities, unearthed centuries later. Scientists would wonder why they just up and left. I have a better idea of how that could happen. Even now.

colors galore

colors galore
Originally uploaded by Somebody's Mom.

i madonnari is always a feast for the eyes.

My knee is starting to feel better. I finally feel like I may actually recover if I don't do anything stupid. I've been really bummed about it.

I'm still reeling from all the Katrina-related news and events. Counting my blessings, too, of course.

I spent 3 hours at a mandatory training session for PTA Treasurers. Oh my. Don't ask.

Speaking of napping, I finally got a good night of sleep. That only happens a handful of times each month for me, and the knee problem has made it worse. I woke up this morning remembering what it feels like to be me. Ahhhh. Energetic and happy.

I made a terrible mistake this morning. I looked at a Crate and Barrel catalog. Why, oh why did I do that? I'm a total anti-consumer. I really don't buy into the whole "more stuff" lifestyle. But that catalog. Oh, that catalog. Dang me for looking.

I gotta go. I need to measure the floorspace in my library to see if that Crate & Barrel rug will fit...