Another soccer season, another run for first aid supplies

This season Ann signed with Lindenwood University in Bellevile to play soccer.  Ann LOVES it.  She loves the school.  She loves the people.  She loves the team.  She is happy happy happy.  Which makes me and Ken happy happy happy.

Today was her first game.  It was a practice game and I wasn't expecting much.  My main concern was that this coach had never seen Ann play before and I didn't know if she would get any playing time.  But my worry was for naught.  She started and pretty much played the entire game.

Of course she played her "game" which meant that she spent alot of time in the air and on the ground.  She had tons of head balls and had some good runs.  The team lost 4-1 but they showed promise and I see a good season ahead of her.  She said that the best part was that even though they lost none of the girls turned on each other and everyone was able to get along.  This is a huge change from last year.  Here are some pics of some of her better moments.

The only negative from tonight was the blisters she ended up with.  Her feet didn't like the new socks and I think she walked off the field with at least 4 or 5 blisters.  Poor thing.  No wonder she wasn't running as fast at the end of the game.  Ken just thought she was out of steam.  Dad's just don't understand.

Ann's a Godmother

Ann's best friend David and his wife welcomed a baby girl on Friday August 19th.  Ann and David have been together forever.  These two can go months without really talking to each other but as soon as one needs something they are there for each other.  So Ann was very excited when he called her and asked her to be Jerzie's godmother.  Needless to say, Jerzie is going to be pretty spoiled.  Both me and Ann have had alot of fun shopping for her.

 Precious Angle sent from above

 How sweet is she

 Ann and David best friends forever

 I think she may become spoiled

Daddy's girl

I am very proud of David and the way he has stepped up to this challenge.  He was able to get a job at American Steel and he married Nesa as soon as they found out she was pregnant.  They now have a duplex in Arlington Heights are Jerzie is doing great.  Congratulations David!

High School Season Begins

I am so excited that my nephew Carter plays soccer.  I was starting to miss the high school games that have kept me entertained the last 4 years.  Now that I have someone playing again, I don't feel like such a creeper  :)  His season started with a Midnight practice Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.  I felt bad that I paid $1.00 to come to the soccer fields at midnight and watch what some would consider an hour of torture.  I actually felt bad for Carter.  But some of the parents behind me said they weren't having to do enough.  Of course I didn't see them out there on the field!  But Carter did great and I was proud of him.  Since his mother is a wuss I took some video so she could see what he was doing.  I will say, that no matter what the coach had him do, he never quit smiling.

This was one of the running drills they had to do.  I will say that Carter had one of the better somersaults.

For this drill they had to carry each other.  Carter laughed the entire time.

I am sure the boys were extremely embarrassed by this drill but the fans found it extremely entertaining.

 The boys had to play leap frog.  

I am sure the tall kids were excited when they got to Carter.  But I am sure he wasn't so excited when he got the them

GREAT JOB CARTER!  CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SEASON TO START!!!

Take 2

As much as I hate the fact that Jon crashed totaled his blazer, I am happy to report that we made $3000.00 off the tragedy.  We only paid $2000.00 and the insurance cut us a check for $5000.00.  We thought we only had liability but Aunt Mary called and gave me the joyful news that Ken was wrong and we had FULL COVERAGE.  They are now my favorite words.  So after a week of looking Ken found a nice car for Jon so I can get mine back.  I should be happy about this, but I am a little bitter that once again a child of mine has a better car than me.  This cycle is really starting to tick me off.  Really.  Really.  Bad.

On the drivers side sun visor is a warning stating that this car can tip easier than normal so don't make any sudden turns  : /  Jon gave me this look that still makes me laugh.  I offered him a trade, his car for mine, but he was having none of it.  Which I really can't understand.  Why wouldn't he trade a car that has working air conditioning, a radio that plays his ipod, and room for friends, for one that overheats and is about 3838483 degrees inside.  Crazy if you ask me.  But he's not budging.  Rude, thats what that is.  

So pray for safe driving from him.  And a new leg.  Apparently he is missing part of his  : )  And money for a gym membership.  That there leg is skinny!!!  Like a stick.  Must take after me  : D

Just a quick question

What is the first sign of Alzheimers disease?  Is it going to the show in Edwardsville and getting lost on the way home?  From Edwardsville?  You know, the town I have been to 1238284839929493 times.  How do I get lost going home FROM THE THEATER???  I ended up at Annie's Custard.  Which is NOT in Granite City in case you were wondering.  And it is in the opposite side of town than the theater.  It won't be long before Ken starts writing his phone number on my shirt tag.

Jon got a new car today.  I will post pics tomorrow.  If I can find it.  It's in my garage right now but the way my night is going I may not be able to locate my garage tomorrow. If I do I will post pics.  It's cool.  I asked him to trade me cars and without even a microsecond hesitation he told me no.  I'm a little hurt.  Would it hurt to think about if for a second.  Just because it has air conditioning, and its clean, and can play his Ipod doesn't mean his car is better does it?  I didn't think so.  But then again, I am losing my mind so it may be better than mine.  Maybe.

Who am I???  And how did I get in this bed??????  Ugh.

New Year Resolution

I am making a New Year's resolution.  Well, an August resolution.  So I guess that means its a half year resolution.  And while we are on the subject why do we only make resolutions on January 1?   Shouldn't we be allowed to make resolutions whenever we want?  Who came up with the new year thing?  From now on I am going to make resolutions every month.  I just hope it won't be the same one every month  : )

Anyway, back to my August resolution.  It comes from my birthday present from my sister.  She bought me my most favorite cookbook ever.  The Pioneer Woman Cooks.  She is my hero ( the pioneer woman, not my sister).  I want to be her.  I want to move to Oklahoma and live in the middle of nowhere and look at cows all day.  And I just found out that on August 27, 2011 she is getting a cooking show on the Food Network.  I feel like God is smiling on me.  And she is coming out with a new cookbook.  Actually she is currently writing it so it could be awhile.  I know this because I read her blog 123434332 times a day.  Just in case she posts something new.

Anyway, back to my August resolution.  By the time I get around to telling you about it it will be September.  Keep on track Kathy.  Gee whiz.  Anyway, I have a habit of collecting cookbooks, magazines, and recipe cards but never doing anything with them. I read them at night and spend hours making list of recipes I want to cook.  Then call 877-IMOS and order a deluxe pizza with garlic cheese bread.  So I am resolving to cook 5 out of 7 nights.  Or at least eat at home more than I eat out. Which could turn into cooking 4 out of 7 nights but I will still be in the positive so its all good.  And I am going to cook my way thru my Pioneer Woman cookbook.  Living La Vida Loca I am.

Tonight was the first night.  I made country fried steak with homemade mashed potatoes.  And I will consider it a success.  I didn't eat it because I never liked chicken fried steak but Ken does.  So I made it and he liked it.   So did Jon.  So day 1 down and I consider it a success.  Last night I made polish sausage and mashed potatoes.    I like making mashed potatoes and I will say I do a pretty good job.   Actually I made one big batch and reheated it tonight.  But it's whatever.  Alina never had polish sausage before and Jon wanted her to be introduced to the most delicious food in the world.  Actually it is quite a hunt to find a good polish sausage that meets Kens standards.  Usually I have to trek over to Soulard Market and buy some from this polish couple.  But Cionkos now sells some pretty good stuff so I can appease the family and not have to drive across the big brown body of water while yelling at all the stupid drivers that insist on sharing the road with me.