iPhones Have Arrived

For over eight months, Logan and I have waited to make the move to the iPhone generation. We waited for cell plans to expire, the newer version to work out the kinks, and finally for Apple to come to our carrier. For two hours, we sat loading our contacts, syncing our iTunes, and uploading apps. I wonder how long the excitement will last. Right now, it's pretty neat.

My family is not from the iPhone generation. They are from the in-case-of-emergency and the more popular look-how-cheap-my-preplan-phone-is. I say to them , "Phooey! You don't know what you're missing." And lucky them - they don't.

They will not have an unnatural hump on the back of their neck as they age. They will not have carpal tunnel nor eyesight damage at an early age. And they will not know what it means to look at your phone every time a phone in a 15 foot radius beeps. Lucky them!

There is a 'lucky us' for the iPhone generation. We will know about traffic jams before they happen (as we could be the cause.) We will know that at any given moment, we can receive communication from anybody. ("Yes, Logan, I will pick up some oak tag/milk/dinner - fill in the blank - on the way home.") We will know what it means to pay communication fees, taxes, and services. Lucky us!

And yet...I love this little 4.5" x 3.2"device that fits in my pocket. It is my books, my notes, my address book, my entertainment, my email, my computer, my bank, my maps, my recipe holder, my schedule, my photo album, my VCR, my video cam, my television,my camera, my stereo, my dictionary, my encyclopedia, my thesaurus, my newspaper, my clock, my flashlight, my level (yes - as in tools), and - let's not forget - my phone.

Now...the important thing is...that I don't forget my iPhone.

iHappy iBirthday, iRudy!

Who's a Swim Fan?

I am!!!

Logan is either a fish, Aquaman, or maybe even Poseidon. The high school Varsity Swim team started their season the first week of November. Funny thing, there was no water in the school's pool for FOUR weeks. This means the boys had to meet six times a week to do the dreaded Dry Land activities. As Coach said, having been a competitive swimmer himself, "...it is because of running that we swim." Swimmers hate running, squats, push ups, etc. Now what you have to understand is that their Dry Land was more like Boot Camp. Good news, two days before their first meet in December, they finally got in the water. And he has been in it every since.

Practice six days a week for 2.5 hours plus they added 1.25 hours every school day for December. And when Christmas break came and school was closed, they swam 3.5 hours each morning. After practice, the entire team of 30+ boys would all go off to a different swimmer's home for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, muffins followed by a DVD. It was a great bonding time for all.

Now where does the Swim Fan come in, well, that's me. I get to enjoy the meets and the meets and the meets. Did I forget to say that Logan is on three teams right now?

Today we had a state meet for the Varsity team at the Aquatic Center which houses an Olympic-sized pool. There were around 20 schools competing which makes it more of beat-your-own-time sort of meet. Tomorrow morning, we are off to a local college pool for the club team. Tomorrow late afternoon, we are off to the Church team's meet at the Aquatic Center again.

Before you go thinking I'm one of those Texas Cheerleader moms, I'm not. The Varsity team takes precedent during the short season of 12 weeks. The club team takes a back seat other than the random weekend meet. The Church team is a gentler team with two lighter practices and lots of fun as there are other Varsity swimmers on team as well.

Varsity = Serious Swim
Club = Time Off
Church = Co-ed

We have three more weeks before the County Finals. And I will miss it.

Oh, did I remember to point out that Logan has one of the best times in his breast stroke? Proud Mama here.

Hello 2012!

The year started out with a bang. Yesterday, I celebrated with 20 dear friends this new era upon us by throwing a Rebirthing Party. This was my version of starting over, starting fresh, and embracing who we are. It was a Ladies Only night and consisted of neighbors, childhood friends, school friends, friends made through Logan's activities, co-workers, and friends of friends. The ages of my guests ranged from 33 to 83. It was estrogen at its finest.

After receiving the responses to my Evite, I shared a one week blog with a daily post with this group of amazing women. Each day, I shared insight to the different blocks that stand in our way and hold us back from being who we are or who we forgot we are. This included personal inventory, priorities, forgiveness, and acceptance. A fun task we all had to do was to find a theme song that fit our current stage of life. (I chose Iz' Somewhere Over the Rainbow which includes two verses from Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World.) The piece de resistance was when I asked each woman to look deep inside to find, remember, or invite a part of them that needed to come to life and rename that "woman." Let me introduce my feminine energy...her name is Lily.

The party was filled with activities: a firepit burning ceremony surrounded by a circle of colored lights in the backyard, energy clearing/tandem Reiki, gemstone lottery, candle lighting, and LCR - the best dice game with a buy in of $3. Add cocktails, drinks, and laughter...a wonderful way to begin 2012.

Looking forward to a fabulous 2012. Lots of good things coming our way...I can feel it in my bones. Happy New Year!

Good-bye 2011!

It's here. The "big" 2012 has finally arrived, and I am thrilled. The last three months of 2011 were filled with so much anxiety, stress, sadness, excitement, accomplishments, and joy. And that is why I had no time to write. Truthfully, I wasn't in the mood to write as my attention was turned to working on the house, getting Dad's things in order, preparing for the holiday season, and juggling bills.

Now the anxiety, stress, and sadness all stemmed from Dad's passing. I cry daily, but also find joy in each day. I decided that my mourning would be a time of celebrating Dad while appreciating each day. I often find myself grabbing the necklace with his religious medals, which hangs around my neck, and kissing them four times. (We always kissed four times. And if I mis-kissed him, four more times until I got it right.) Today at Logan's swim meet, I found myself with camcorder in one hand and the other holding medals to my lips as I whisper, "C'mon, Dad!" I know that means, "Do your thing. Make it happen. Help Logan." He is all around me.

The excitement, accomplishments, and joy are all a result of the wonderful things that happen to me on a daily basis. I truly feel as if I have Midas touch. Again, I feel that Dad is working overtime. Too many good things to even begin to list. One of the best things is my new car. I love her.

The holidays were enjoyable and surprisingly only two days that took me by surprise - Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. I really thought I'd get by unscathed. Good news though, my friends support in all areas made it more joyful then usual. From Thanksgiving at Tina and Chris', Secret Santa gifts mysteriously found under our tree (over 24 gifts!!!), Christmas Eve with Michele/Pat and Kelly/Charlie plus midnight mass with Miss Mavis, and New Year's Eve party hopping with friends. A fun-filled holiday season for Logan and me. A good ending for a difficult year.