Priorities

Yesterday I received two "breaking news" stories. The first one was a true revelation, Mark McGwire admitted to using steriods during 1998 when he broke Roger Maris' single season home-run record and the other was an announcement that Simon Cowell would quit American Idol after this season.

Okay, is it just me or do you see something wrong with this? We have sleeper cells threatening the US, we have soldiers dying on foreign soil, we have children hungry, and senior citizens dying from the cold because they can't afford heat.

Let's take a minute folks and let the "news" organizations know that the two stories above are NOT breaking news...they are better left to Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood or ESPN.

Jon & Kate...who cares?

So it's finally done, Jon & Kate Gosselin are divorcing.

Was I the only one NOT surprised by this? This is a couple who sold their family to the highest bidder...reality tv. Let's watch as Kate gets her makeup done for a talk show. Let's watch as Kate leaves on her book tour. Let's watch as the family packs for a family vacation using a u-haul. Finally, let's watch as the family disintegrates.

I admit. I was not a fan. In fact, if it weren't for my daughters I wouldn't even know who Jon & Kate are. I've seen part of, maybe, 3 episodes and my impression wasn't good. Kate is selfish & controlling. Jon is ineffective. The kids are adorable but it was always about the show for their parents. I guess it seemed like a good way to make a living and have everything given to your family of 10 without actually working for it. But now they know, there was a price tag to the fame and it was high.

I feel really bad for those sweet kids.

HOV? Not.

As I'm sitting in bumper to bumper traffic at 7:15 on a Wednesday morning trying to get to work via I-40, I am watching all the cars pass me in the HOV lane. HOV stands for HIGH occupancy vehicles (2 or more people). Of course, on this particular morning, only every 4th or 5th car actually has more than one person in it. 

So here's the deal, if the highway patrol is not going to enforce HOV, then why not open the lane up and relieve some of the traffic in the other 3 or 4 lanes of people who actually abide the law?

On a lighter note...someone added soap to the fountain at the front of Century City this morning and the suds were flowing...oh yes, it's definitely spring and close to the end of school :)

What's on my needles?

I admit it. Knitting is my obsession. I've been knitting, on and off, since I was about 12. I pick it up, knit for a few months and then put it away. That was, until I learned to knit socks. Socks. Wonderful things. Unlike scarves and hats, you can never have too many pair of socks. Socks are portable. They fit in a purse and you can knit them just about anywhere you have to wait, even in line at the post office. They can be very colorful, you'd never knit a fushia and green sweater but socks? Absolutely! In fact, the brighter the sock, the better. 

There is nothing better than the feel of a squooshy, hand-knit sock on your foot. Socks allow me to try new techniques. I've knit with 3 and 4 DPN (double pointed needles), 2 circulars and one long circular needle (aka Magic Loop). I've learned to knit lace  and gloves using sock yarn. 

Through my sock journey I've met other knitters, people who spin yarn and those who dye sock yarn. Because of my sock journey, I've ventured out into more adventuresome pursuits in knitting...afghans, competitive hat knitting (aka Hat Attack 2008), lace knitting, felting, and even a sweater. 

My sock journey helped me start a local Knit in Public night where I've gathered an eclectic group of knitters, young and old, beginner and advanced. Some I found at work, others I found online and some have found us. All are precious new and old friends.

Knitting is so much more than a craft. It's a mindset, a state of being, a gift. 

another night in the gym. I love my life.

Club volleyball season has started, again. This marks year ten for our family and Junior Olympic volleyball. My oldest daughter played from 2000-2004. My youngest was picked up on a team in 2005 and will play through the 2010 season. Club volleyball, like all travel sports, requires two to three nights in the gym. Since we live 35 miles from the practice facility, it also requires ME to provide transportation. Although she's 17, I don't really relish the idea of her driving, in the winter, on 3 interstates at night. Practice doesn't end until 9:30 and frankly, we haven't arrived home before 10:15-10:30 pm yet. 

It also means giving up my weekends while we travel to tournaments. Ok, so Tennessee is not a hotbed for volleyball. Our trips have taken us to Indianapolis, Atlanta, Dayton, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Houston as well as Baltimore, Tampa, Austin, Birmingham, Louisville, Knoxville and Chattanooga. It's a good thing I knit. Most of my Christmas presents are created during long days (and nights) in the gym.

Would I change a minute? Nope. I willingly enter into this arena with my girls. The time we spend together is precious. I have hundreds of pictures and videos, thousands more memories. Heck, it's just time and money right? What better way to spend it all than with my daughters?

trying on prom dresses...the madness begins

Back when my darling girl was a freshman, we made the "rule" -- no prom until Junior year. After all, the Junior/Senior prom is just that...for Juniors and Seniors. Well, now my "baby" is a Junior and has bought herself a prom ticket. Yes, bought one for herself. She doesn't want to rely on being asked by a boy. A group of her girlfriends are going with or without dates. 

And so, a quest for a dress. She doesn't want to spend a lot of money (yay!) for a dress she probably won't wear again and would like something short and cocktail like. She's planning her hair, her makeup, her shoes and her nails....wait, did I mention that Prom is in mid-May? It's January. Yes, apparently you have to shop early for "the dress". 

We spent an hour at David's Bridal trying on the 2009 stock of prom dresses. Most were pricey and the one I really liked was not available in her size. I guess I was not all that helpful since she has since called her sister and asked her to visit so they could shop together. Apparently, I just don't "get it". I think she looks marvelous in everything. I mean, how could she not at 5'6" and a size 3? But obviously I'm just clueless. Clueless about style, clueless about color and "God, Mom, that's HIDEOUS"...even though all gowns, IMHO, are hideous on the hangar.

Stay tuned, THE dress is out there somewhere, I just won't be involved in finding it.

Jail was scary, no joke

After my ride with the police on Monday, I was, today, given the opportunity to visit with the local DA, public defender, visit court and go to jail.

The visit to the jail was scary. Really scary. It is a beautiful facility but sparse. The inmates are locked down 21 hours a day. They are given their meals in their cell block and exercise consists of walking around the perimeter of the cell block or in the "recreation area" aka a brick room without hoops, windows or anything even resembling recreation.

The average age of the male inmates is mid-20s. Some are gang-affiliated. Yes, our small rural communities are being overrun by gang activity. As a parent of a HS student, this came as a shock to me and very disturbing to say the least. Most are in for months but some are there for years. There are some that have had over 100 stays in the county jail. Generally these seem to be from addiction issues and probation violations.  There are no ammenities, no work out equipment. There are a couple of TVs in the central cellblock area and a phone. Those "priviledges" are used as leverage for maintaining behavior and order. 

Trust me, you don't want to be in the Wilson County Jail.