I have made it to Friday. The weather is supposed to be good and it should be a pretty good day.
Tomorrow I need to get some yard work done. The Huskers play on TV 11:30ish so I will try to get to after the game. It is the last home game for the under achieving group and as we count down the last couple games of the season it is kind of like watching a suffering patient slip into eternal rest. Sad, but in a way a relief!
The practice rotation continues today. Drew getting up early and going to practice at 6 AM and Jess having practice and not getting home until almost 7 PM. The coach loves the long practices. They didn't have many girls go out this year to begin with and we aren't even through the first week of practice and they are down to 15 girls. That is everyone, Freshman, JV and Varsity combined is a total of 15 girls. The numbers are down so low that the AD has cancelled all Freshmen games and are going to try to play 5 or 6 quarters of JV. It is a sad sign of the times here in Perry.
On the other hand, Drew said there were 27 boys out for 7th grade boys basketball. That is a pretty big group. There are quite a few athletic boys in the 7th and 8th grade right now so the boys program should do pretty well in the future. I guess we will see if they stay out.
One of the benefits of working at the school is that I get into all the games free. I was also given a conference pass from our AD so I get into all the away games free as well. It really saves a lot of money because I think it is $5 per person to get into games now. In basketball alone they have around 20 games so if Dawn and I both went to each game and had to pay it would be a couple hundred dollars, without any concession expenses. Over the course of a year, with volleyball, basketball, track and softball, we probably save over $500 by me working at the school.
The cost of kids in sports is expensive. You go to a game, so you have gas cost. You have admission cost and you have concessions even if it is just a drink. I suppose you could cut out the concessions if you had to but to go to a game, you could easily spend $15 or more. Multiply that by the number of games in a season for all sports and WOW! Not to mention sports shoes, and water and snacks for the kids when they are playing. They leave right after school and don't get home until after 9 most times so they need something to eat and they have to have water for the game. Add it all up and it is a wonder I feel like there is a hole in my wallet.
It seems like I have been complaining a lot lately and I am now done with that. Starting.......(imagine me with my finger in the air and dropping it down) ....NOW!
Life is too short to focus on the negatives. Time to be positive and happy. It is a nice Friday after all.
Have a great weekend.
GBR (For those of you who don't know, that means GO BIG RED!)
Friday, November 9, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
I tried to throw in the towel but some bastard stole it!
I think the weather is going to be a bit warmer today. I really don't care. I have kind of a case of the ass today for no apparent reason. It is Thursday and it is getting close to the weekend and I should be pretty happy. Should and are seem light years apart sometimes don' t they?
The blog tends to be a bit theraputic but there is a limit. The limit is that this is a public forum and some of my thoughts just can't be shown here. I think the blog is a great way to share what is going on in the Nichols family here in Perry and keep everyone current on what we are doing and how things are going. Being away is always hard and this is a window into our daily lives.
For me it has been kind of like the Costanza Christmas (from Seinfeld). "We start with the airing of grievences!" It has been a place for me to let go of some of my little dramas and get them out of my system. It makes me feel better to get it out and let it go. The little troubles seem a bit smaller when I get get them OUT. The problem is I also write this for myself. A way for "future Rich" to look back on what was going on in life "back when".
I am sure everyone can relate that you just can't put real hard problems on the web. You just can't. There are a couple reasons. First, you don't want people to know those issues and second, most people really don't want to hear them. Life is too short, ya know? We all have issues and if they were all public, life would be one big drama fest, where everyone needed a hug. Puke!
I am not sure why I wrote all of this but I think maybe it is for "Future Rich". So when I do go back and read these posts, maybe I will remember what I was really thinking and going through. I bet "future Rich" is bald....lol
Ok, Drew is getting ready to go to practice this morning. He enjoys the morning practice. I have mixed emotions. I think it is nice to have him home in the afternoon when I get home but it really cuts into my "morning time". Usually, I have an hour and a half to myself each morning to have a little coffee, read about the Huskers, check our servers at school, and just surf the web or play games. It is just kind of a nice time. With Drew having morning practice it is kind of broken up.
Both kids are practicing like crazy and Jess has a scrimmage this weekend at Fr. Dodge. The HS season games start next week and as I looked at the schedule there are a bunch of games. I think she will play JV and get playing time at Varsity. They can only play so many quarters in a year so I guess we will see how it plays out.
I have an early morning meeting this morning, it is trash day and my case of the ass remains.
I am sure Friday will be much better.
The blog tends to be a bit theraputic but there is a limit. The limit is that this is a public forum and some of my thoughts just can't be shown here. I think the blog is a great way to share what is going on in the Nichols family here in Perry and keep everyone current on what we are doing and how things are going. Being away is always hard and this is a window into our daily lives.
For me it has been kind of like the Costanza Christmas (from Seinfeld). "We start with the airing of grievences!" It has been a place for me to let go of some of my little dramas and get them out of my system. It makes me feel better to get it out and let it go. The little troubles seem a bit smaller when I get get them OUT. The problem is I also write this for myself. A way for "future Rich" to look back on what was going on in life "back when".
I am sure everyone can relate that you just can't put real hard problems on the web. You just can't. There are a couple reasons. First, you don't want people to know those issues and second, most people really don't want to hear them. Life is too short, ya know? We all have issues and if they were all public, life would be one big drama fest, where everyone needed a hug. Puke!
I am not sure why I wrote all of this but I think maybe it is for "Future Rich". So when I do go back and read these posts, maybe I will remember what I was really thinking and going through. I bet "future Rich" is bald....lol
Ok, Drew is getting ready to go to practice this morning. He enjoys the morning practice. I have mixed emotions. I think it is nice to have him home in the afternoon when I get home but it really cuts into my "morning time". Usually, I have an hour and a half to myself each morning to have a little coffee, read about the Huskers, check our servers at school, and just surf the web or play games. It is just kind of a nice time. With Drew having morning practice it is kind of broken up.
Both kids are practicing like crazy and Jess has a scrimmage this weekend at Fr. Dodge. The HS season games start next week and as I looked at the schedule there are a bunch of games. I think she will play JV and get playing time at Varsity. They can only play so many quarters in a year so I guess we will see how it plays out.
I have an early morning meeting this morning, it is trash day and my case of the ass remains.
I am sure Friday will be much better.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Going green doesn't mean eating moldy bread!
For some reason I have felt like there is not enough time in the day to get things done. It isn't that I don't take ten minutes here and there to kind of slack off and do nothing but it seems like there once was a time when I was just looking for something to do. I remember writing to this blog one time about needing a hobby. Well those day are over.
Jess had another long practice last night and then called and said she had Academic Decathelon last night. Why in the heck she keeps signing up for stuff when she is already very busy, I will never understand. Anyway, she didn't get home until about 8. I have to give her credit, her mood is good and she had homework and didn't even seem to be grouchy about it. I guess I will let her keep doing what she does as long as she keeps smiling and her grades don't fall.
She told me there was a kid at school yesterday with a knife. A big knife like a scalpal type of thing. He had in class and the teacher didn't notice. Jess and a friend both saw it and he knows they saw it so she was afraid to tell anyone because she thinks he would know it was one of them that told. She says he is in a gang and is worried that someone will get stabbed. I am going to talk to the principal today and let him know. I told her that if she sees stuff she should go to the counselor.
Drew is adapting to the morning practices. He is fine getting up and was up and smiling this morning but the toll is paid at night. When I get home at 5 I can already see the sleepyness in his eyes and he in to bed by 8 or 8:30. He is much more reserved about what his days or like so I have to keep asking for info.
I ended up calling the vendor I had a meeting with yesterday and telling him I was too busy to come. I am glad I did, I really did have a bunch of stuff come up at work yesterday.
It looks like we are having the Nichols family Christmas on the 23 this year, a Sunday. It works for everyone so it should be a good time. I look forward to seeing everyone. Thanksgiving is up first though and I hope everyone makes it to Jon's restraunt for the, what has become, decorating of the restraunt party. I had fun last year and hope to get back again this year.
Pretty much a boring blog today but once again, the life of a simple man!
At least it is Hump Day.
Jess had another long practice last night and then called and said she had Academic Decathelon last night. Why in the heck she keeps signing up for stuff when she is already very busy, I will never understand. Anyway, she didn't get home until about 8. I have to give her credit, her mood is good and she had homework and didn't even seem to be grouchy about it. I guess I will let her keep doing what she does as long as she keeps smiling and her grades don't fall.
She told me there was a kid at school yesterday with a knife. A big knife like a scalpal type of thing. He had in class and the teacher didn't notice. Jess and a friend both saw it and he knows they saw it so she was afraid to tell anyone because she thinks he would know it was one of them that told. She says he is in a gang and is worried that someone will get stabbed. I am going to talk to the principal today and let him know. I told her that if she sees stuff she should go to the counselor.
Drew is adapting to the morning practices. He is fine getting up and was up and smiling this morning but the toll is paid at night. When I get home at 5 I can already see the sleepyness in his eyes and he in to bed by 8 or 8:30. He is much more reserved about what his days or like so I have to keep asking for info.
I ended up calling the vendor I had a meeting with yesterday and telling him I was too busy to come. I am glad I did, I really did have a bunch of stuff come up at work yesterday.
It looks like we are having the Nichols family Christmas on the 23 this year, a Sunday. It works for everyone so it should be a good time. I look forward to seeing everyone. Thanksgiving is up first though and I hope everyone makes it to Jon's restraunt for the, what has become, decorating of the restraunt party. I had fun last year and hope to get back again this year.
Pretty much a boring blog today but once again, the life of a simple man!
At least it is Hump Day.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Like running in a tar pit
It is a chilly Tuesday morning. 29 degrees with a nice stiff breeze. Drew had his morning practice so I walked over with him and let him in the school awhile ago. He was not as chipper this morning as he was yesterday. One day of getting up early is ok but as the week goes on I bet his attitude gets less and less sunny. He is not one to get too grouchy about having to get up so it won't be too bad. He also likes to be be able to come home right after school.
Jess had two tests and a long practice yesterday. The bastetball practice started at 3:45 and she didn't get home until 6:50! She said they did a lot of conditioning and a bunch of drills. They have some freshmen and a few older girls that are terrible so the coaches yell most of the time, at least according to her.
She was in a pretty good mood last night even though the day was tough. We talked about the volleyball club team and I called the coach and talked with her a bit. The schedule doesn't ahv any conflicts at this point. I told the coach the high school sports have to come first and she said that is kind of the standard for most of the girls and wouldn't be a problem. We are going to find out about the money portion today or tomorrow. They have payment plans so we are looking at what that looks like. I told Jess if the money is an issue we will just have to skip this year. She was ok with that. I think she is a bit nervous about the whole prospect. We have until the end of the week to make a decision one way or another.
I am supposed to go to Des Moines today to meet with a vendor and a couple of Microsoft engineer big wigs. I have a state report that needs to get done. It didn't pan out yesterday, so I am not sure if I am going to be able to go. It won't break my heart any if I have to stay here in Perry and work.
Dawn leaves for San Antonio today for work. She will be gone until Thursday night.
Off to start my cold day.
Jess had two tests and a long practice yesterday. The bastetball practice started at 3:45 and she didn't get home until 6:50! She said they did a lot of conditioning and a bunch of drills. They have some freshmen and a few older girls that are terrible so the coaches yell most of the time, at least according to her.
She was in a pretty good mood last night even though the day was tough. We talked about the volleyball club team and I called the coach and talked with her a bit. The schedule doesn't ahv any conflicts at this point. I told the coach the high school sports have to come first and she said that is kind of the standard for most of the girls and wouldn't be a problem. We are going to find out about the money portion today or tomorrow. They have payment plans so we are looking at what that looks like. I told Jess if the money is an issue we will just have to skip this year. She was ok with that. I think she is a bit nervous about the whole prospect. We have until the end of the week to make a decision one way or another.
I am supposed to go to Des Moines today to meet with a vendor and a couple of Microsoft engineer big wigs. I have a state report that needs to get done. It didn't pan out yesterday, so I am not sure if I am going to be able to go. It won't break my heart any if I have to stay here in Perry and work.
Dawn leaves for San Antonio today for work. She will be gone until Thursday night.
Off to start my cold day.
Monday, November 5, 2007
If I had nothing to worry about, that would worry me!
Well, we are back at Monday! Like getting hit in the face with a brick, here it is.
The weekend went pretty well except for the Huskers. Man do they stink this year! I can't believe Callahan still has a job after losing to Kansas 76-39. What a mess!
Jess had her volleyball tryouts yesterday and got an offer to join a team. She was one of 8 girls selected to play on the Sports University Volleyball Club team. She was offered the spot right after the tryout and the coach called last night to let us know they really want her. She also said they are flexible with the high school sports so if she needed to miss practices and such for HS competitions it would be ok.
The second team she tried out for didn't call last night so it is kind of up in the air with them. They seemed interested at tryouts but I am not sure if they have made a decision on her yet. This team went to nationals last year so I am sure all the girls on that team are back on so she would have to bump someone off of the team from last year to get on. They said to call if we haven't heard from them in a few days.
The first team seemed to be a bit of a better fit for us. They were very friendly and seemed to have a desire to get to know the girls and help them. The second one was more like a volleyball factory. Get em in and get em out, If one doesn't seem to work, throw another one it. I worry that the second team would not be as willing to work with the girls on conflicts with HS sports.
All in all it was a good experience for Jess. She met some girls and learned a lot. I am at a bit of a crossroads on this deal. I have always wanted her to play all the sports and be well rounded. She wants to play volleyball in college and this is her ticket to do it. I really don't want to sacrifice her other HS sports in the process. The cost to be on the team is a little over $1,000, so it isn't something you just try and quit if it doesn't work out. You have to commit. We have some talking to do.
Drew has practice this morning at 6:15. I woke him up at 5:30 and he is walking around, ready to go now. He is a pretty good morning person so he won't complain about morning practices. He also like basketball and the coach so he is happy to go, whenever they have it.
Work is going to be busy today. I have to work with the state report we were supposed to submit last week. We have some data to fix so the focus of my day will be spent getting that going.
Off to another week. Thankgiving is just a couple weeks away. How wierd is that?
The weekend went pretty well except for the Huskers. Man do they stink this year! I can't believe Callahan still has a job after losing to Kansas 76-39. What a mess!
Jess had her volleyball tryouts yesterday and got an offer to join a team. She was one of 8 girls selected to play on the Sports University Volleyball Club team. She was offered the spot right after the tryout and the coach called last night to let us know they really want her. She also said they are flexible with the high school sports so if she needed to miss practices and such for HS competitions it would be ok.
The second team she tried out for didn't call last night so it is kind of up in the air with them. They seemed interested at tryouts but I am not sure if they have made a decision on her yet. This team went to nationals last year so I am sure all the girls on that team are back on so she would have to bump someone off of the team from last year to get on. They said to call if we haven't heard from them in a few days.
The first team seemed to be a bit of a better fit for us. They were very friendly and seemed to have a desire to get to know the girls and help them. The second one was more like a volleyball factory. Get em in and get em out, If one doesn't seem to work, throw another one it. I worry that the second team would not be as willing to work with the girls on conflicts with HS sports.
All in all it was a good experience for Jess. She met some girls and learned a lot. I am at a bit of a crossroads on this deal. I have always wanted her to play all the sports and be well rounded. She wants to play volleyball in college and this is her ticket to do it. I really don't want to sacrifice her other HS sports in the process. The cost to be on the team is a little over $1,000, so it isn't something you just try and quit if it doesn't work out. You have to commit. We have some talking to do.
Drew has practice this morning at 6:15. I woke him up at 5:30 and he is walking around, ready to go now. He is a pretty good morning person so he won't complain about morning practices. He also like basketball and the coach so he is happy to go, whenever they have it.
Work is going to be busy today. I have to work with the state report we were supposed to submit last week. We have some data to fix so the focus of my day will be spent getting that going.
Off to another week. Thankgiving is just a couple weeks away. How wierd is that?
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