She scored!

Holy cats she scored. Her first ever travel soccer goal. And a pretty one it was too. Corner kick coming in from the right...she's at the top of the box, the kick gets banged around a bit and hits Stretch right on the laces. She can't kick it through the traffic in front of her, so she lifts it high, arcing it up and over the goalie's head.

She scored.

And nothing, NOTHING will match the grin on my little girl's face as she turned and saw me on the sidelines cheering for her.

They won the game, her goal was the only score. It sent them to the championship.

Okay, they didn't win the championship, they lost on a pretty crappy call that gave the other team a PK. 0-1.

But for today, it was Stretch's day. This is a child who started playing travel soccer when she was 8 years old. It took four years, eight seasons of travel soccer to reach this day. She is growing, my girl... she is coming into her own. I once told her that there are some times that I can't believe she's mine. That I'll be looking at her, or watching her, and I'll get tears in my eyes because I can't believe that beautiful creature is MY child.

Today was one of those days.

Congratulations, kid. I'm awfully proud of you.

Wow, it's been a while.

Yeah I know, I know. I suck at this blog thing. Actually I am very very good at reading blogs, but I absolutely suck at writing them. I wish I knew why. I've been told that I'm an entertaining writer, but I just don't put myself out here very often.

Maybe part of it stems from a time when the spouse and I were having issues. He was reading my blog, my mail, and a bunch of other things, and I really resented not having any place at all to call my own. I have since re-vamped my thinking. This is my spot. This is where I think, or whatever... and if in reading someone gets upset, that's just too damned bad. Everyone needs a place that is their own. And this is mine.

Part of it is also that I am a full time employee and college student. I write SO much both at work, and at home, that I sometimes run out of words, or just get tired of sitting at this keyboard.

And part of it has to be that I live my life, and it's usually so full I don't have time to write about it. I'm a tornado, a firestorm, a whirling dervish of activity. So what's been going on? Home re-financing, and remodeling. We paid off some bills, bought new cars and have re-vamped most of the house...

Just in time to sell.

We want to get out of this school district before Stretch goes to high school. Speaking of Stretch, she's moved up to a higher level soccer team, and seems to be enjoying it. Tournament season is upon us, lacrosse season is upon us and our wee Mads has picked up a stick to play too! I know, I know...it never ends.

We're looking at building a house nearby, better schools and still a short commute to work. Something that would be ours, the kids would all have their own rooms, mother in law would probably come live with us, we'd finish the basement into a sunny apartment for her. Although I am stressed as hell over the idea of packing up ten years and moving, there is the excitement of living in a house custom built for US. we weren't the original builders of this house although it's served us well, we've outgrown it.

No theatre things to write about, although the band is doing well. I so look forward to my singing practices every week. I come home exhausted and beaming after three plus hours singing with the boys. I am back in my battle with weight and after some chemical adjustment by the doctor, I am feeling better about winning. I lost a pound this week. Doesn't sound like much, but for my body (missing thyroid), it's huge. I'm also working out four days a week at Curves and I really like it. When the weather breaks, giving us warmth and longer days, I'll be able to walk more often.

All in all, things are just fine. It's a pretty fine life. My very good friend has just celebrated some very good and hopeful news at

this place Another friend and his wife are celebrating here

So yes, life goes on, and things are just fine. Thanks for asking.