Its weird, every part of my body feels like its burning, even though I'm under water.
My lungs are on fire, my shoulders ache, my hearts pouding my legs cry out "NO MORE!"
And you know whats even weirder?
I love every second of it, this is my time.....I Swim!
Go Nat!
Natalie wanted to sing in this year's Fine Arts Festival at school. Since this was her first time singing in public, she decided it may be better to sing a "duet" with a friend. So Nat & Sarah have been practicing for 3 weeks and finally the day arrived. Nat was full of nervous butterflies but I think she did great! Once she was done and had the experience under her belt, she felt great about it too.
I can't believe how my little girl is growing up before my eyes! Way to go Nat on a great job of facing your fear and accomplishing your goals. Speaking of goals, Nat is back in the pool swimming her heart out. We switched "teams" and Natalie fought me the whole way. Two weeks later, she told me this is way better and I think her having a male coach has made all the difference in the world. Natalie is definately focusing on her goals and I feel like I've reached a goal getting her to reach for her goals! Crazy.....
Well, we both survived the sleep over, although I'm not sure it was a total success either. There was no ambushing, no real wars. But when you've done all you can do to be nice and still keep your cool when all you get is attitude and lip service, I think the sleep over was a successful in Natalie's eyes. She won the war of holding it together no matter how strong the urge was to just haul off and let her have it.
Are they best friends come next Monday? I'd say not. Will the line be more clear and definite regarding their co existing? Definately. I think the true colors were shown.....
The best lesson learned was that life has all kinds of people, and no matter what you do, and how nice you are, sometimes you just learn to co-exist and leave them alone. It's a hard lesson to learn and accept, but once you get it, you never forget it.
Natalie is spending the night tonight at a "friends" house for her birthday party. Normally, I'm a pretty relaxed parent when it comes to this. Natalie will stay anywhere, with anyone as long as a good time is involved. But in this case it is different.....
Natalie met this girl when she started her new school in January and lets just say, they didn't hit it off. Until this week, they pretty much avoided each other, and if they did speak to each other, it wasn't pleasant. After hearing day after day, the drama between them, I decided to bring it to their teachers attention. Natalie informed me that her and the girl had a sit down talk and "its all good now, we have an understanding." Wow, was I relieved, maybe we can put this is all behind us! Then, out of the blue, yesterday an invite to her birthday party and its an over night.
My motherly instinct kicked in immediately. I've been in this situation before. The human in me is saying that this could be a really good opportunity to change their relationship. But the GIRL in me is screaming, is this an opportunity for an ambush? We are talking 9 year old girls here. I want to give the benefit of the doubt here, these girls go to a private school, where Christian values are taught and enforced. However, I know how girls can be, I am one.
In the car on the way to her house, Nat & I developed a plan. I think it made me feel better knowing I supplied her with an out, in case my "girl" instincts were spot on. I went through the normal lecture about using your manners, help clean up etc. Then I said, I know you know right from wrong and if there is something wrong I packed your cell phone in your bag so call me and I will come get you. Comprende?
Tonight, I pray for peace in the "girl" universe.........
Well, we're here in the big City. It was a rough start to this adventure I'm sorry to say. We left Wednesday afternoon around 4 and we were moving to get up here. About 10 miles from the hotel the car starts sputtering and the engine light is flashing. OMG, we are 4 hours from home and I'm going to have to have my car fixed. Needless to say, I couldn't eat or sleep because I was worried about the stupid car! So bright and early Thursday morning I ask the front desk where the nearest Autozone is so they could read the engine code from my car. After I get the directions, Natalie and I begin our journey to Autozone. Hmmm, car seems to be running fine, no engine light is flashing. ??? The nice kid comes to our rescue with the thing ma gig to read the code. "No Codes Failed" The car passed all tests. Well what the heck? Water in the line? Who knows, I guess I just needed to have something to worry about. Next, Nat and I get to the hotel, its time for business. Swim time. We change and I'm packing a bag to take with me to the pool area book, phone, earphones, and yes a soda. Well the soda I put in the bag (along with my new blackbery phone) Natalie opened and didn't close the lid all the way. I noticed it as I was walking with a stream of pop dripping down. At this point I was crying. We got back into the car, drove across the street to Kmart I bought some rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs. An hour with the hair dryer and it was good as new! Now, I finally get to relax....... We went for dinner last night at a place called Slenders. Its known to be one of the oldest bars in Northern Michigan. It think it started in 1875? Anyway, I think I had the best burger in my whole life there. And you have to smooch the moose! They have a bunch of "stuffed" animals along the walls, like deer, squirls, buffalo and a moose named Randolph. Well you have to smooch Randolph and you get a special surprise. Natalie was quite shy when it came to smoochin, but she finally did it!
As for now, I'm back at the pool, relaxing and enjoying the day! I'll post some pics in my next post, stay tuned for more Adventures from Traverse City!
Our annual trip to Traverse City is in 2 days! We are so ready to have this needed break. Natalie and I will be hot tubbin, and swimming and most of all relaxing. Anthony will be working. Poor guy, all in a days work I soppose. I'm sure he will be having his own fun in all the conferences he will be attending. He needs to learn more I suppose. It's going to be rough, but we will suffer through.
It's a four hour drive, and I'm wondering what to do keep Natalie busy. Let's see, we have her mp3, Ninetendo DS, portable dvd player, and book 1 to Harry Potter she just now started to read. That should cover it, I hope. I will of course bring some snacks along the way, probably some crackers and naturally, red licorice. I think we're ready!
Now on a different, more complicated note, I feel that I should clear this up for some of my readers, there is always the question of how this is all possible. and far be it to ASK. Well let me explain, even though I shouldn't have to. These conferences are a REQUIREMENT for his job. I hope that you are smart enough to realize what that means and it will clear up any questions that arise. Yes, I'm still being a bitch about this and it is still my prerogative. See post below.....
I am growing up, and with a little therapy I grew a spine. I think its really a sad thing when you have to explain every move you make to the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally. Sometimes life is just jacked up I suppose. Now, I must just "Let It Go"
See you all in Traverse City, will post some pictures of our mini-vacation/work.
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