Finishing up the hockey tournament...

Well, it is the last day of the hockey tournament in Florida - as things go, it is by this time that I am tired and ready to be home. We were up early this morning in order to be at the rink by 6am for a 7:10am game. Unforturnately, Matthew and his team lost that game...they have lost all their games :( We are at the rink right now waiting for the 6th and final game...the game where the 5th place team plays the 6th place team for the rights to be the team "officially" in last place. As per routine, we have to be at the rink an hour and fifteen minutes before game time so I have time to sit in the bar/grill that over looks the rink and blog.

I know that it sounds sad that this team loses many...most...of their games. But as another hockeymom and I were discussing over dinner last night, the majority of the players still come off the ice with a smile on their face, they get out of  bed at 4:30am looking forward to play that game. Yes, there are a few who are ready to quit; but the majority are having a good time and also developing the skills they need to continue to the next level. Looking at the kids, those who have the negative attitude seem to have parents with negative attitudes - they have a hard time understanding the coach's philosophy of developing the kids, their hockey skills, stamina and strategies to improve. "They just don't get it" and then they complain that little Johnny isn't on the first line, being placed on the special teams or getting his fair share of ice time. Little Johnny hears his parents takes and feels their negative vibes, inherits it and brings it into the locker room and their own life. However, those parents who do "get it" tend to have kids who are positive and are able to deal with the losses as a learning lesson.

Anyway...Matthew and the team have just taken the ice for warmups, so I better sign off and get prepared to watch.

Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa 

Hello from Florida

Well, Matthew and I are in Florida. Left yesterday on Virgin America - nonstop from CA to FL...close to 6 hours, half of which we dealt with turbulance (over the southern Rockies) and so we had to stay in our seats with our seatbelts fasten. While bumpy airplane rides are never fun, what was worse was sitting in the middle between a grumpy man on the aisle who didn't like to let us out to go to the bathroom (he made faces at me when I got up that read how inconvienced and annoyed he was). And then there was the man who sat on the window side of me who blew his nose, coughed continuously and finally had to excuse himself to the restroom to throw up (yes aisle man was perturbed he had to move to let sick man out-I wanted to yell, "hey dude, you better move or window boy is going to hurle on you). Where was Matthew (younger son)? His seat was behind me, I waited too long to make the reservations and not only did I pay more for the flight but also couldn't get us seats together.

Oh, well, we got to Florida safe and sound...all of our luggage made it, too.

Today Matthew's team played 2 games and unfortunately lost both. It was a bummer but I did get in some stitching time because we have to be at the rink an hour and fifteen minutes before game time so that the players have time to warm up, dress in their hockey gear and to give the coach time to talk with them. This is one of the best opportunities I have during these weekends to stitch. So, I have taken out my Family Sampler and have been able to complete lots of leaves...I think that I have one or two more above the house to finish up before I move onto something else and some other color (good thing because I am getting a little sick of pea pod and khaki green).

Well, just thought I would check in with all of you - when I get back home I will take a photo of the status of Family Sampler.

Take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch Often!

Lisa

Bags are packed and we're set to go (again)

Many of us miss out on life’s big prizes.

 The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys.

But we’re all eligible for life’s small pleasures.

A kiss behind the ear.

A four-pound bass.

A full moon.

 An empty parking space.

A crackling fire.

A great meal.

A glorious sunset.

Hot soup.

Don’t fret about copping life’s grand awards.

Enjoy its tiny delights. There are plenty for all of us.

~from an advertisement

Well...T minus 15 hours and Matthew & I are off to Florida for the weekend for a hockey tournament - - hockey in Florida? It does sound strange, although reading some of the Hockey magazines the boys have around the house I have been pretty amazed at all the areas in the US where youth hockey takes place: Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico.

It has been a crazy day though, so I will be looking forward to getting on the plane and relaxing over the weekend. As the team manager of my older son, Robert's, team there were some last minute things to get done today and mailed out to get the team credentialed for the District Championships in March. So, just as I was scrambling around trying to get the team's notebook up-to-date, I also had some work things to get squared away before I left for the weekend...and then there was packing for our trip. I know that is sounds daunting and many of you comment on all the things that goes on in my life...but you know, somehow it all gets done as life continued to tick-on. We all do it, don't we?

But - the hockey bag is packed...the stick bag is packed...the suitcase is packed and my backpack with: the Ornament Swap Ornament, Family Sampler, Mary Wigham, LHN Monthly samplers and small travel scissors is all packed up...I am ready!

Until next post - take care and remember...

Live, Love, Laugh and Stitch often!

Lisa