Moving Forward

My kids haven't decided to stop growing and changing and I can barely keep up.  "J" started public school and she loves it.  Although I think we both agree the "education" part of school is really hit or miss.  She now understands what I was talking about hen I told her she would have some great teachers and some really bad teachers and a lot of in between.  But she's making good grades and having a blast.  She says its worth getting up early everyday-and that says a lot.

I managed to get a quick photo as she was leaving.

The really exciting news is that she made the JV team.  I know at many schools that would not be an accomplishment. But at our school it is!  They make cuts-the team is small.    Our JV has 1 All American and 2 other top US players. "J" worked her butt off to make this team and it was a great season.  Of course this meant LONG days at school with practice every afternoon and some weekend games.  It was such a big adjustment for her to start school and play sports but managed it all with aplomb.

There was a small disaster when "J" sprained her ankle the week before our first tournament.  Luckily and surprisingly our school has a sports medicine trainer from the local children's hospital and a training room that is way nicer than the "real" one we went to this summer.  "J" was only out for 2 weeks.  I just hope this is all paid for with Booster Club money and not tax dollars-because our schools don't have a penny to spare.

At this point "J" has been on losing teams and winning teams.  I'll be honest and say being on a winning team is way more fun. But there are important lessons to be learned through both.

The girls won a huge tournament.  It was crazy.  I really enjoyed watching the more experienced players "bring it" at the championship match.  In volleyball there can be very small degrees of difference between the winners and the losers.  I have learned so much this season and well of course "J" has too.  Now on to club tryouts.

If you wonder whats up with the boy....hes busting his butt with school work.  His course load is TOUGH this year.   I told him if he can make it through this year he can handle anything.  Next year he should start college classes.  He's planning to get a job in the spring. And we really need to work on his driving.  None of these things has fun photo ops-so you'll just have to imagine. Oh and he is almost 6 feet tall.  Needless to say I am thrilled.  My husbands families short genes had me nervous for a few years.

Earlier I mentioned an on-the-cheap basement makeover for "J". She wanted a fun basement hangout area.  Well its 90% finished and I think it turned out very well.  My self imposed budget for this makeover was 500 dollars.  Most of the money was spent on a sofa cover and ceiling tiles.  

Mainly I repurposed and re-painted furniture. Painted the walls, Got rid of a ton of stuff, made a tiny kitchen using the garage fridge (we still need to replace a door on it because someone might have backed into it with thier car).  The make-over was about 80% elbow grease.  There is still a corner reserved for a Foosball table (I'm hoping to find a used one).

 The color scheme is grey and white.  "J" originally wanted black and white with neon accents.  But I have my limits.

The cabinets are left over from horrible insurance debacle a few years ago.  The fridge was in the garage.  The microwave was free from a friend.

We've had this cube unit for 13 years.  Its still standing.

The sofa got a new cover and the chair was moved from upstairs.  The tables were repainted for like the 4th time and moved to the basement (I got new ones for myself for upstairs).  

The TV console was painted.

This chair was covered along with the pillows.  The bookcases were painted too.  All in all it feels fresh and young but mature.  Perfect for friends to hang out and the cost can't be beat.  I get so much satisfaction from doing projects like this.

I found these old photos of the basement from when the kids were little. That was before it became "T's" Man Cave .




The things "J" wanted but didn't get were, new floors, new furniture, and a new ceiling.  I think it's fine for now though.  We will make those other updates once the kids leave home.

Meanwhile my favorite canine rests beneath her Warhol-esque painting

In September I went to see my friends daughter play Water Polo.  I felt tired just watching.  These girls swam so MUCH!.  They use an entire Jr Olympic pool as the "court". But it was really fun to watch-at least once.  I am so grateful that my child settled on an indoor sport in a climate controlled low-humidity building. 

 "J" used to dog sit/walk for the neighbors everyday.  I have taken over until the end of the year.  I love this big goofy dog.

"J's" BFF is going through a bit of a weird "art" phase.  I totally understand. I had one myself at about this age.  And that's why I helped "J" make this awesome yet creepy doll head night light for her BFFs birthday.

Meanwhile "J" is going through her...I don't know...expensive girly phase.  She can't have long nails during volleyball but we have a few weeks between HS and Club so for her birthday she wanted these.  And as over-the-top as I might think they are (and cringing at how much they cost) she is absolutely loving them.  

Meanwhile I'm not happy unless I'm "saving" money so I made this HUGE 6' memory foam body pillow for "J"s birthday. Her dad has an orthopedic one and it costs much more than any pillow should.  I made this one by hand shredding an old 3" thick memory foam topper.  Total cost to me was $4 (and some hand cramping).  Hey if she doesn't want it I'll keep it for myself-its ahhh-mazingly comfortable.

 Tonight we will be celebrating!