Cherry Bombs

Spring softball season has begun.  Opening day ceremonies were last weekend.  The girls walk out with their teams to pre-selected funky, upbeat, dance music.  They use props, hand out candy, dance, and make a grand entrance.  Mia has played for 1.5 years now, and I have seen so much improvement.  She actually can catch now.  Her batting has improved, and though she still struggles when the kids' pitch, she is able to hit off the coaches well.  The skills of these young girls continue to impress me.  The pitching is F-A-S-T! 

Pizza on opening ceremonies

Walking onto the field

 

Mia had her first game on Saturday, and their team did amazingly well.  Each time, Mia went to bat, she was able to hit the ball, get on base, and have two RBIs.  She played 2^nd base at the first game, and I don’t know if this is going to be a permanent position, but I would so welcome it!.  She played the position for the entire game.  2^nd base was my position. It is very sentimental to see my daughter play softball in my old position.

 

I think Mia has great potential. She is young in this division.  She just moved up a division, and there are girls who are a year older, and the difference in their skill shows.  If she continues, she will be even more successful next year when it becomes her turn to be the older girl. I play catch with her, and a year ago, Mia missed 75 percent of the throws, but this year, Mia is catching the balls I throw about 70 percent of the time.  Big improvement!  Most importantly though, I want her to have fun.

It’s going to be an exciting season, and hopefully, Mia gets to play 2^nd base!

Look at this AWESOME team banner! I love it.  Of course, becuase it is a photo banner.  One of the mom's on the team is a professional photographer.

Mia holding a prop.  Look at her headband!

 

 

My 10-Year Old Boy

It is a big deal when your baby hits the double digits.  Brandon turned 10 on Valentines’ Day.  It is so easy to remember his birthday not only because of the holiday it falls on, but also because he popped out at exactly 12 noon.  He was my easiest childbirth, but frankly, that is about it.  Brandon is a very demanding, difficult to please, highly-intelligent, incredibly sensitive and an annoying perfectionist. When I talk about how demanding and difficult to please he is, it is mainly with himself.   He gets frustrated easily because he wants things perfect. We worked on a Valentines’ box for a school project in which he made a jet engine.  I thought he was going to have a meltdown when the aluminum foil wouldn’t fold smoothly.  Really?

Regardless of how irksome he can be, I love him more than anything.  I love that he still allows me to hug on him and kiss him in private.  I love that he likes to play the snake game where I trap him like a giant anaconda and he tries to escape. 

Brandon is in boyscout with his cousin Maddox and Uncle Mike.  We actually have it made.  He was in boyscout a few years ago, but with the time commitment involved and all the other activities, we had to quit because it was impossible to do all of it.  A couple of years passed, and my sister asked if Brandon could rejoin because Uncle Mike was now the den leader.  They would take him to the meetings so there would be limited time involvement/commitment for us.  Brandon enjoys boyscout, and he was able to lead his troop in the pledge of allegiance and flag salute at the Fountain Valley High School Baseball opening ceremony.  I’m not surprised at how well he did.  He wasn’t nervous.  He was confident, articulate, clear, and loud.  He is an amazing public speaker.  He held that microphone and was so poised.  I’ve seen him speak in front of his class, and I have been trying to encourage him to run for school council, but he doesn’t want to.  

Brandon and his cousin Maddox

 

Brandon is playing basketball again, and what an amazing player.  He has skills and brains, and in my opinion, is one of the best, if not best player in his division.  His team, however, is not doing as well.  They have only won one game.  As a family, we are enjoying the bonding time basketball gives us.  I like watching Brandon play because he knows how good he is....he knows how much the team depends on him, but yet, he doesn't carry a big ego about it.  He treats his teammates as valuable players on the team.  He is not a star. He is just another player.  He doesn't take every shot.  He doesn't hog the ball. He doesn't get angry when his teammates make mistakes.  He supports and encourages every team member .  He has such strong leadership skills.  He is confident.  He can be aggressive when need be.  He is smart, smart, smart! He is articulate.  He is wise, but he is also kind and giving.  He leads.  He doesn’t bully.  It would be so easy for him to take on a star role, but Brandon doesn’t need the spotlight.  He genuinely cares about everyone.  He is fair, just, and equitable.  He doesn’t treat those who are less skilled or less smart any differently.   There is such kindness in his heart (except with his sister). 

I hate this picture. I look like a fat cow, but it is one of the few pictures that the entire team is looking at the camera. 

I am proud of him, and I’m so anxious and excited to see him grow up and accomplish BIG things.  I love you Brandon.  Happy 10th Birthday!

Our Life Lately

My commitment to writing regularly has suffered so I’m consolidating the activities of the last month into one blog posting.

Lance is coaching a second season of basketball.  His team, the Gryphons, have had a disappointing season thus far, having only one their first game.  We are starting to question Lance’s coaching abilities.  It seems to be a repeat of last season when his team won their first game and lost every following game.  We are having fun and making new friends.  Lance coaches 8 and 9-year olds, and because he enjoys it so much, he will continue to coach while Brandon advances in the league until he is 14 years old.  It is rewarding to watch these kids grow up and to know the impact you have made in their lives.  Brandon is irrefutably the best player on the team.  The Gryphons will be playing the Running Rebels on Saturday.  This is the only team they have beaten, but Brandon had to make a decision because a conflict arose.  He is scheduled to lead the pledge allegiance and flag salute with his Boy Scout troop at the Fountain Valley High School Baseball opening ceremony.  There will be more basketball games and so Brandon will miss the game, and honestly, without Brandon, the chances of winning become very slim.  Brandon is also now registered to play in the Boys and Girls Club (off season) and for some reason, he wouldn’t play without Lance coaching him so Lance agreed.  We have determined that if the team at the Boys and Girls Club have similar ratings/standings (another losing season), then it is definitely Coach Lance’s coaching abilities.

 

Because of the commitment to coaching, it has been very challenging to juggle the boat.  Lance tries to make it to San Diego every weekend, but he doesn’t have the two full days.  He is so talented.  He installed new instruments on a wooden display.  It is gorgeous.  He also began working on our upstairs bedroom.  He installed two windows that just give us the most glorious ocean view.  He also installed four porthole windows that actually open that will help circulate the air.  I’m hoping the bedroom will be completed in the next few months so that the dogs and I can accompany him to San Diego regularly.  He is going to create a custom bed.  He continually leaves me in awe. 

It’s slowly coming together.  In a few years, the boat will be ready for charter services.  As the name dictates, Lance will be chartering Tide the Knott for small, intimate weddings.

No windows yet

First two set of large wiindos installed

 

Outside view of the windows

Stabilizing port hole windows

Outsie view of large and port hole windows

wooden frame for gadgets



before the wooden frame

 

Finished wooden frame and instruments

The last two months have been stressful as my future was at a crossroad.  I have been in my current position as the assistant to the CEO for 11 years, and I am damn good at what I do.  In fact, there is no one better.  I don’t care if that sounds arrogant because frankly, it is true.  However, I have maxed out at my salary range, and an opportunity presented itself for a new position in another department.  I applied. I interviewed.  I was left with a big decision.  I didn’t know what to do.  I frantically called Lance who was in San Diego, and after several failed attempts, we connected.  He told to stay in my current position  because I have such influence, power, flexibility, and freedom in my current job.  I have so much trust in Lance.  He could tell me to do almost anything, and I would do it.  I trust his judgment and his wisdom.  It was a very difficult decision, but I was motivated by one thing: Retirement. I am trying to expedite my retirement so that I could spend my time with Lance, my kids, and the family.  After two grueling months of weighing pros and cons, I will remain in my position until I retire.  I feel happy and relieved with the decision.

 

My three CEOs that I have assisted in the 11 years

I am the boss!

I have also been playing with retirement scenarios.  I’m a bit passionate about this, but with the numbers plugged in, the goal stands as Lance will retire at the end of August 2024.  He will be 65.  I will continue to work until December 2025.  I will be 53 when I retire.  Mia will be three months shy of turning 18 and six months short of graduation.  I am so excited I can taste it.  It is not that far off….nine years. 

 

Dylan and I ran the Surf City Half Marathon on Superbowl Sunday.  This race is meaningful to me because it was my first half marathon, and it was also the course, I received my PR in.  I ran it in 2:07:20.  I was pleased with the time.  LA marathon is about 5 weeks away.  I have two 20 mile runs, one 18 mile run, and then I start tapering down. 

Dylan shows off bling

 

Lance and I not only support Wildlife SOS, but we are now foster parents to a baby elephant named Mbegu.  Her story is sad.  She was left behind by her herd when an elephant in her herd killed a villager.  The villagers became enraged and killed an elephant.  The herd stampeded out and poor Mbegu was left behind.  The village was so angry and they wanted vengeance.  They attacked baby Mbegu with spears.  She was frightened and ran into a classroom at a school where the kids began throwing rocks at her.  David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust came and rescued her.   She was only 7 weeks old. Now, this is truly an amazing organization that rescues orphaned elephants in Kenya.  I know people think we are nuts, but I don’t care.  It is our money, our time, and our choice.

When I received my raise, the first thing I did was increase my financial commitment to Wildlife SOS.  I love my elephants.

 

Mbegu, our new baby foster elephant

This picture makes me sad. Mbegu in the school classroom

Mbegu loves playing in the mud

Mbegu wipes mud out of her eyes

Our foster baby

So that is our life lately.....

 

 

New Year's Race Los Angeles 2015

 

 

 

To start the new year, we ran the Los Angeles New Year’s Race on January 3, 2015.  This was a nighttime race through the city of Los Angeles.  It was a race that I had never done.  I don’t know what prompted me to run it because I am NOT a big fan of nighttime runs.  First, I HATE running in the cold.  Second, I can’t see well at night.  I ran the half marathon while the kids and Lance did the 5k race.  Both races started in downtown Los Angeles at 6 p.m.

Start line

 

 

We stayed in the historic Biltmore Hotel, which was a short walk to the start line.  It was perfect because when Lance and the kids finished their race, they just walked back to the hotel room and waited for me.  They ordered room service and watched movies.  Fun!
 

 

 

room service

The cold did not bother us too much.  I purchased hyperwarm pants for me and the kids in preparation for a very cold race, and it was cold, but as soon as you began running, it got uncomfortably hot.  I was ready to strip!  I was so proud of my kids.  Brandon finished in 32:47, achieving a PR.  Out of 21 boys age 10 and under, he placed 7^th.  Mia finished in 37:36.  It was not a PR for her, but she placed 3^rd in her age group of girls 10 and under.  There were 18 participants, and the first and second place were 9 and 10 years olds.  I’m ready for next year when Mia gets first!  Dylan ran as Brandon’s chaperone, and Lance ran with Mia.  Mia later whispered to me that Lance slowed her down.  He was nervous, because he hasn’t exercised since July, but he finished. 

my cool new Nike Pro Compression Hyperwarm pants

I was uncertain as to how well I would do in the half marathon.  I am in training for the LA marathon, and I have been doing very well in my training.  However, the New Year’s race course was very hilly, and I have not trained on that terrain, but I was pleasantly surprised because I only walked one hill.  I slowly ran up all those hills.  Additionally, I’m so competitive (even when it is with myself).  I ran up towards Dodger Stadium, and there was the most magnificent view of the city skyline.  I was exhausted after just running up a hill questioning my sanity as to why I would voluntarily do this to myself, but when I saw that view, I was reminded as to why I run these races. It was breathtakingly gorgeous, and I stopped for a few moments to admire it and take photos.  Honestly though, I did have a debate with myself, “Should I stop? It’s so gorgeous. I’ll never see it again like this.  But what about my time?” Blah. Blah. Blah.   There were no cars in the stadium lot, just the rhythmic stomping of the runners feet.  There was a serenity with that gorgeous view. 

 
The highlight of the entire race though was running through Dodger Stadium.  Wow!  This is what running races are about!  I once ran the Disneyland race, and I was given the opportunity to run through the Angels Stadium.  Entering that stadium and being able to run around the ground floor of the fields is an incredible experience!  I had to take a photo! Races give you the opportunity to do things that are not always available.  I ran across the Golden Gate Bridge and the Vincent Thomas Bridge.  I ran on the Las Vegas strip.  Lance ran through the Everglades and the 7-mile bridge in the Florida Keys.

 
When I crossed the finish line, my time was 2:13:30.  I could not have been more pleased!  As difficult as this course was, I did surprisingly well.  I didn’t have my Garmin, which was very disappointing so I had no idea how I was doing.  Yes, I did have to run with  my glasses, which annoyingly would fog up periodically.  The course was so well lit, challenging, and I loved it.  I walked back to the hotel, and the kids and Lance had already showered and eaten.  There was food left for me.  I ate, showered, and had the most restless night ever! I may have gotten two hours sleep.  I was full of adrenaline, GU, and as much as I wanted to, I could not fall asleep. 

 

Well, the kids are signed up to run the Hollywood 5k race in April while I do the Hollywood Half Marathon.  I’m excited that I now can share my passion with them.  It's becoming a fun family thing.  Running isn't just about running.  It's about seeing new places, staying in different locations,  and traveling (even if it is only locally).