She's emerging . . . . but only just a little.

My "little" girl is venturing out.  My soccer & Jiu Jitsu athlete, who thinks that wearing her brothers t-shirts, jeans, and sketchers are enough.  No makeup, no hair done, slap on a hoodie, and we're good for the day.  Quite an accomplishment in its own right, considering pajamas would be the wardrobe of choice.

Along comes the stake dance.  Oh, it is a "church dress" one.  "Do I have to wear a dress?  This is so lame.  No one is going to dance."  Over comes her best friend -- who, by the way, is as girlie as Shania is a tomboy.  Polar opposites, but uncannily so close in appearance they are confused as sisters.

Giggling, talking, walking back and forth from the bathroom to bedroom  . . . . this continues for an hour.  "Mom, will you show me how to put on coverup?"  "What do you think of this outfit?"  "How about this one?"

Five outfits later (I thought this only happened in the movies), makeup on, final mirror check, dance card in hand, my beauty heads out to the car.  Now, the saving grace in all of this -- as I was trying to figure out how to put a perimeter fence around her without having her wear a tacky dog collar --  the primping and pampering stopped at the eyes.  The hair didn't quite make it.  Sigh!!!  That was a good "sigh".  I still have my "little" girl.

Give me soccer shorts, Jiu Jitsue Gi, baggy pants, and hoodies . . . .  I'll take whatever I can get.  Just stay away boys . . . she can't date until she's 21.

Diet & Exercise -- just rip my brain out through my nose!

Yesterday, eggs caused cancer.  Today, it is a necessary part of your diet.  Protein was needed to break down carbs.  Now, if you have too much you can get cancer.  Sugar is essential for energy.  Too much, or the wrong kind, and you get Diabetes.  Take your vitamins.  Don't take your vitamins, your body can't process them anyway.  Body needs fat to survive.  Lose all the fat or your heart won't survive.  Brush your teeth in the morning, evening, and after each meal.  Don't brush your teeth too often or you'll cause problems with your gums.  Eat six small, balanced meals.  It doesn't matter when or what you eat, just eat the right amount of calories.  You need 20+ minutes of cardio per day for a healthy heart.  Exercise too much and your body goes into survival mode.  Use deodorant to control body odor and sweat.  Don't use deodorant because sweat is the natural cooling system of the body and deodorant can cause cancer.

When does it ever end?  Has the world not learned that if given the right circumstances, almost everything is either good for you or bad for you and can or cannot cause cancer?  When do we get to choose for ouselves and take responsibility for our own choices?  Obviously, some things are beyond the lay person's comprehension -- especially when they use all those big words to describe what is in food or products.  But, really?  Do you  have to tell me that hot coffee is hot?  Do I really need to be reminded everytime I eat a bowl of ice cream that this has been known to cause an elevation in fat? 

Common sense people.  Now, what we really need is a "common sense" TV channel or Internet site where people can go and learn common sense or at least look it up.  Or maybe they should just call me.  I am overflowing with common sense.

For example, my clothes are not fitting because I used the wrong laundry detergent and they shrunk in the dryer.  It has nothing to do with the piece of cake I ate.  I don't have any energy because I have my days and nights mixed up and has nothing to do with staying up late or eating foods that are empty calories (I can eat whatever I want, just as long as it is a certain amount of calories, right?)  My legs hurt because the floor I'm exercising on isn't the right kind and has nothing to do with the fact that I'm getting older and things are breaking.  My eyes are hurting because my pupils are not dialating correctly and letting in too much light and has nothing to do with the fact that I'm so tired, which of course stems from the fact that my days and nights are mixed up.

See, the wisdom I have to offer the world.  I could go on and on.  It is just amazing being in my presence.  I can't understand why someone would say, "Don't follow your mother's example, she is obviously "common sense" challenged."

Movie night

It's the famous "Jacobson Hotel".  We shut everything down, take the kids to the 99 cent store, let 'em go wild with a whole $2.00, return to home, make beds all over the living room floor, plug in a movie, and they make themselves sick on junk.  Great fun!!!

Major downside???   I get sick on the junk too and the next day is always a joy.  Sugar, lots of sugar, not a lot of sleep, and close quarters.  Big mistake on a Saturday night.  Oooohhhh, can't wait for church tomorrow.  I wonder if lack of good judgment is a good enough excuse to keep the circus under the big top.

O. of the M. -- videos

Okay, so I watched the videos and I've decided to spare all of you the eye strain.  I'm defnitely a novice of the nth degree.  Just take my word for it -- they were great!!!

Odyssey of the Mind

Saturday, Kaela and Andrew had their regional competitions.  I took some pictures and videos.  Can't promise anything, novice here.  Both of the kids' teams chose a problem in the classics, "Discovered Treasure".  The teams have a certain number of months they can prepare.  They create the skit, create the props and backgrounds, costumes, etc.  All has to be done without help from an adult (there are coaches, but can't help).  Each skit has to have certain elements, all different depending on level, etc, and can only be 8 minutes long.  Even one second after will begin deducting points.

Kaela was a rich kid and was only interested in the money.

Andrew was one of the "discoverers".

Videos are being a pain and can't figure out how to get them loaded, but Andrew's team took first in Division II and Kaela's team took second in Division I.  They are now both headed to the State competition.