January - Month in Review
And tomorrow it's February. Wasn't it just Christmas? And the crocuses are in bloom here in the UK. What is up with that? Time is definitely out of synch - didn't someone tell the crocuses that it's flippin' January?!!
Well I can't complain today because we actually have blue sky and sunshine which is an enormous step up from the usual oppressive gray. I've come to appreciate the sunny days! Thus far, we've made it through the winter without any serious effects of SAD. Last winter was a killer but this year, we got a SAD lamp. 20 minutes in front of it every morning is like a good drug; it's addictive and makes me feel soooo good. I'll be kind of sad (no pun intended) when it won't be clinically necessary any more. For now though, basking in my SAD lamp, a cup of coffee and my e-mail makes for very nice mornings.
So here's what is new in Casa Rosa..
Sophie: cut her hair!! She donated 12 inches to Locks of Love and now has a cute new haircut. She looks great. Sophie also became the proud owner of a super-cell phone that does everything but make dinner. She had felt somewhat left out because her friends all have camera phones so she rounded up all her Amazon Gift Certificates (thanks everyone!!!) and bought herself a cell phone. She's now totally cool with a cute phone.
Her exchange to France was canceled to to scheduling conflicts with the French school and then they tried to co-ordinate a trip to Paris instead but that got canceled due to lack of interest. I'm starting to think Sophie is cursed - will she ever get to France? We are making it a mission to get her across the channel this year. She is going, if it kills us!
Sophie is also working on a Pantomime, a version of Snow White from the point of view of the witch. Sophie is Snow White. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they have come up with because they did a lot of the writing themselves.
And - Sophie was nominated for Student of the Month for December. It is always good to get positive feedback about your kids. Sophie deserves it. She is doing fabulously!
Adam: He's working hard at school and playing hard at football and in between, a lot of cooking, TV and X-Box. He is absolutely loving his new team. And good thing he's landed too because his old team hasn't played AT ALL since he last played with them in mid-December. By now, they won't be able to catch up to the rest of the league. Oh well, I guess the manager of that team really did know best...
Adam said to me the other night that he just loves training with the new team and now it is even better because they have brought Michael in as part of the coaching staff. The manager is awesome - did I mention that? The lads are off to Birmingham City for a tournament this weekend. Has Adam died and gone to heaven or what?
Michael: He now has a student and is feeling a bit like a babysitter but is hoping his efforts of supervision now, will pay off later. Things aren't unfolding as quickly or as easily as he would like in regards to his programme but I'm quite confident that his patience will pay off and within a year, all this frustration will be a distant memory.
The Brazilian Soccer School Development Squad is taking off and Michael is loving it. Twice a week, he coaches committed, motivated kids who seem to really enjoy his programme. It still hasn't been formalised but that is coming. For now, everyone is happy with the way things are. Also, the parents are noticing improvements in the way their sons play which is the best advertising.
Karen: Not much new with me.. I'm feeling more and more settled and starting to think about normal things again. I started walking home twice a week which I've come to really enjoy. It's an hour and 10 minute walk with nothing waiting for me at home but a drink with my feet up. Mondays and Fridays are now favourite days.
I've also got my Girl Guides running smoothly. We're now really into the programme and I finally feel like we're getting something accomplished. I'm not confident enough yet to take them on a field trip, but maybe by the end of the year..
That's about it. We're looking into the future for the first time in a very long while and we're on the down hill slide to spring . Life just seems brighter these days. Spring is definitely on its way but if the crocuses had their way, we're already there!
Well I can't complain today because we actually have blue sky and sunshine which is an enormous step up from the usual oppressive gray. I've come to appreciate the sunny days! Thus far, we've made it through the winter without any serious effects of SAD. Last winter was a killer but this year, we got a SAD lamp. 20 minutes in front of it every morning is like a good drug; it's addictive and makes me feel soooo good. I'll be kind of sad (no pun intended) when it won't be clinically necessary any more. For now though, basking in my SAD lamp, a cup of coffee and my e-mail makes for very nice mornings.
So here's what is new in Casa Rosa..
Sophie: cut her hair!! She donated 12 inches to Locks of Love and now has a cute new haircut. She looks great. Sophie also became the proud owner of a super-cell phone that does everything but make dinner. She had felt somewhat left out because her friends all have camera phones so she rounded up all her Amazon Gift Certificates (thanks everyone!!!) and bought herself a cell phone. She's now totally cool with a cute phone.
Her exchange to France was canceled to to scheduling conflicts with the French school and then they tried to co-ordinate a trip to Paris instead but that got canceled due to lack of interest. I'm starting to think Sophie is cursed - will she ever get to France? We are making it a mission to get her across the channel this year. She is going, if it kills us!
Sophie is also working on a Pantomime, a version of Snow White from the point of view of the witch. Sophie is Snow White. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they have come up with because they did a lot of the writing themselves.
And - Sophie was nominated for Student of the Month for December. It is always good to get positive feedback about your kids. Sophie deserves it. She is doing fabulously!
Adam: He's working hard at school and playing hard at football and in between, a lot of cooking, TV and X-Box. He is absolutely loving his new team. And good thing he's landed too because his old team hasn't played AT ALL since he last played with them in mid-December. By now, they won't be able to catch up to the rest of the league. Oh well, I guess the manager of that team really did know best...
Adam said to me the other night that he just loves training with the new team and now it is even better because they have brought Michael in as part of the coaching staff. The manager is awesome - did I mention that? The lads are off to Birmingham City for a tournament this weekend. Has Adam died and gone to heaven or what?
Michael: He now has a student and is feeling a bit like a babysitter but is hoping his efforts of supervision now, will pay off later. Things aren't unfolding as quickly or as easily as he would like in regards to his programme but I'm quite confident that his patience will pay off and within a year, all this frustration will be a distant memory.
The Brazilian Soccer School Development Squad is taking off and Michael is loving it. Twice a week, he coaches committed, motivated kids who seem to really enjoy his programme. It still hasn't been formalised but that is coming. For now, everyone is happy with the way things are. Also, the parents are noticing improvements in the way their sons play which is the best advertising.
Karen: Not much new with me.. I'm feeling more and more settled and starting to think about normal things again. I started walking home twice a week which I've come to really enjoy. It's an hour and 10 minute walk with nothing waiting for me at home but a drink with my feet up. Mondays and Fridays are now favourite days.
I've also got my Girl Guides running smoothly. We're now really into the programme and I finally feel like we're getting something accomplished. I'm not confident enough yet to take them on a field trip, but maybe by the end of the year..
That's about it. We're looking into the future for the first time in a very long while and we're on the down hill slide to spring . Life just seems brighter these days. Spring is definitely on its way but if the crocuses had their way, we're already there!