diva_di

I can't keep up... 

As much as I love to read everybody's journals, I just can't keep up.  I seldom have time on the PC any more, and now that school's back in session I know that time will be an even more precious commodity.

So I'm saying good-bye, for now, and maybe I'll see ya'll around in another few years or so!

Things are looking up & Bob's not as worried as I am about our situation.  So here we are, in Eastham, in the middle cape.  First encounter beach is just around the corner & we're 1/4 mile from a private beach.

I hope you all are well & thriving & having a perfectly lovely day where you are!  I will be checking in, but not so often, so my replies to posts in your journals will likely be few & far between.  I'm thinking of you, nonetheless.

Everyone's got their troubles...

Things will eventually get better, right?

A very sincere & happy belated birthday to pafuts.  Not only are you a lovely, lovely lady, but also a talented artist, a loving mom & super person.  Hugs to ya'!

Italy:  1
France:  1

Italy wins in penalty kicks.  I wasn't surprised that they went into overtime, but some of the calls seemed off to me.  This is one time I'm happy to chant "Four more years!"

Germany:  3
Portugal:  1

DC United: 1
Columbus Crew:  0

My prediction:
Italy: 2 
France: 1 

Still just very, very busy--the details don't make for great reading, I'd imagine, and our busy-ness is probably similar to any other home-owning, working parents.

As gratified as we've been to see such really great world football being played, we thought we'd venture to the stadium to see our local boys play last night.  It was a perfect night for football--er, soccer:  a luscious breeze, succulent sunshine, comp seats low in the upper deck & exactly on midfield.   Oh, and free cookies on the pavilion, lots of inflatables to amuse Tavo, and silly, fun, freebie promo bits ('cause who doesn't need a half-dozen Gatorade lanyards?)

Freddy Adu played a mediocre game.  'Course, DC United was playing a mediocre team (which I know isn't very nice to say about our hometown heroes, but it's the truth).  The Crew made a great effort, though; they just couldn't close the deal.

I have to say, though, that I was extremely impressed w/Jacob Thomas' footwork.  He spent last year w/a German club & he was, by far, the most electrifying player to watch.

It's been an expensive few days here.  New garage doors to be installed late next week, and 16 replacement windows.  I'm still in sticker shock over that particular expenditure, but I know we'll recoup a lot of it in energy efficiency & peace of mind.

Now we're off to the store to buy better speakers for the surround, so we can catch the final World Cup game (and actually hear it at a reasonable volume).

Here's hoping you're day is lovely, whatever it is you're doing & wherever you happen to be.

Italy:  2
Germany:  0

I didn't see that coming.  And I didn't think Brazil would lose so earlier, either, but there ya' go.  That's what makes sports so interesting.

I've been reading/re-rereading "Definitely Dead" by Charlaine Harris.  I just adore Sookie Stackhouse *S*.

Well, Bob is in sports hog heaven.  If it's not World Cup, then it's Tour de France, Wimbledon, baseball... and football's right around the corner.  We were all disheartened when England lost--but, wow!  Down goes Brazil!

Life in retail continues, and even though it's tiring, I enjoy it greatly.  I'm just biding my time, trying to get to the job I want, and having fun while I wait it out.

Tav's doing well in latchkey (NOT daycare, mom!), although some days are better than always.  No big plans for the holiday; maybe we'll go up to the waterpark late this afternoon.  That really depends on the weather; we had storms all night & more are expected today.  Could really wash out all of the fireworks displays around town, though.

I started a new exercise regimen this morning; the initial shock to my system still hasn't subsided *S*.  It's always a struggle, but I've got a huge incentive to help motivate me, and motivation is what always beats me into the ground.  My soon to be sister in law asked me to be a bridesmaid!

So next year, 7/7/07, my brother in law will get married and I will be a 40 year old bridesmaid.  I love that, and I'm really just very happy for John.  He couldn't have found a nicer, sweeter woman.  They really seem to complete each other.

So I'm full of happy thoughts & sports scores & it's time for a little breakfast.  And to try to find a few moments to catch up on what's been happening w/all of you!!

Hope your birthday was very, very happy & blessed, autographedcat

So... bummer (for us):

Ecuador:  0
England:  1

Now I'll have to pick someone else to cheer on!!  DH thinks Germany, but I think England.  Although he'd love to see Australia do well.  

Another busy week & I have to decide whether or not I want to remain active in a local group for which I volunteer.  Things have not been well, and I have lost the vision & direction of the organization.  Or maybe I've just lost faith in its leaders.  My team doesn't want me to leave, so that's something.  I just have a lot to think about.  

USA:  1
Ghana:  2

Well, that gives us four more years to try again, anyway!  Lots of fabulous games left to play, and now we're on pins & needles for Ecuador vs. England tomorrow.

It's Friday morning--peaceful, quiet.  The storms have finished blowing through, for the moment.  Tavo's still sleeping, which is a big surprise; he's usually a bright & cheerful morning person (hmmm, wonder who he gets that from?  Not!*LOL*)

Lazy morning at home, then off to the last day of gymnastics camp.  The kids will display their new or improved skills, and then we'll go & grab a quick lunch & spend a couple of hours at the ceramic studio.

James is sitting here, taking his morning bath & dressing me in his cast-off fur.  Tav is still sleeping & there's rumbling from the storm clouds passing over the rooftops.

Tav's been in gymnastic's camp this week, which has meant a lot of running around for us.  Someone takes him to latchkey, then I pick him up, take him to camp, go to work for a couple of hours, leave work, go back to camp, take him back to latchkey, grab lunch somewhere & go back to work.  Rinse, lather, repeat & we're all pretty tired by the end of the work day.

Tired, but happy.

Bob's dad returned safely from his journey to China; he had a great time & I cannot wait to see the pictures.  We were going to have some friends over last night for dessert & drinks & to chat about the weather; two of the circle were ill, though, so we're hoping for a better turn out tonight.  Can't let a good dessert go to waste, now *S*

Stanley Cup is all done.  I'm sad for Edmonton; I was really hoping they'd pull it all the way through at the end.  I don't follow NBA, but Bob does, so I'm sure there will be more of that before much longer.  And we've got some soccer to watch this weekend!  

And maybe enough time to put the kitty-pass-through in the hallway.  We'll see.  Home reno is not high on Bob's list of things to do... at least, not when there's Sports on! 

Germany:  3
Ecuador:  0

England:  2
Sweden:  2


I got a little dizzy watching these games in FF today; it was the only was I was going to get to see any of the action.  I'm grateful that Ecuador had already secured their place in the second round 'cause today's game was brutal.  Germany just danced circles around our SA boys.  

I was hoping for a good solid win for England, but in a pinch the tie will suffice.  Tough break there, though.

I know there were a couple of other games today, but they're not on the DVR.  Between World Cup, Stanley Cup & the NBA finals, our TV & DVR are getting a right royal workout.

There are a few monsters residing in my mostly-quiet, overrun with adolescent boys, suburban neighborhood. 



I am at a loss.  I cannot, in good conscience, condemn a person on hearsay.  And I cannot, in good conscience, ignore the possibility of fact among the fiction. 

Ecuador:  3
Costa Rica:  0

Today marks the beginning of one of our family favorite festivals:  Festival Latino.  We love the music, the colors, the scent of smoke & spice in the air.  Every turn you take brings you a cacophony of color, a riot of sound.  It is one of the very few times that being immersed in a crowd doesn't terrify me.

So soccer madness still ensues in our household, despite the whomping our US team took yesterday.

We've watched all of the other matches (some of them more than once), and then the boys have gone outside to play WorldCup in the backyard.  And interestingly enough, no-one wants to be the US team in the backyard, either *S*

Yesterday was Tav's first day at summer latchkey; it was hard on both of us.  He clung to me, as he did when he was 3 going to pre-school.  And he'll probably be clingy again today (which is why Bobert is taking him).  But I know he'll adjust presently & he'll have a very good summer.

Now, me adjusting to having a more full-time working schedule?  That'll take a bit longer! 

World Cup!  World Cup!  World Cup!!!

Ecuador & Poland, 3pm; we cannot wait!!  We plan to go to Crew Stadium to watch as many games as we can w/other football-mad fans.

Woo-hoo!!!

Like many other folks in the 'verse, I am a domestic goddess in my home.  A force of nature to be reckoned with & please take those elbows off the table, young man,  and no you may not go outside & ring the neighbor's doorbell--you haven't had breakfast yet.