the crazed tennis player

What a full week. I guess what a full life, but I really can't complain about that, a full life is a good thing.
The week started out with a decision to change my hair...

Trev (as he views pictures on digital camera): This is a great shot of you!
Me: Thanks!
Trev: Who took this?
Me: I did.
Trev: You are so hot in this picture. :) Why did you take a picture of yourself?
Me: It's my "before" shot.
Trev: Before? Before what?
The words sink in, and he gives me that look.
Me: I'm getting my hair cut this week. Remember all the times I've asked you this week if you like my hair, if you think it would be good shorter, etc?
Trev: Yes, but...

So, needless to say, this conversation gave me doubts, but I made it to the appointment anyway. I have had the same hairstyle pretty much for the last 3-4 years.

I like it. It's nice to have a change, and much quicker to fix. I don't think Trev is sold on it, but I know he loves me anyway! :)


This coming weekend is my first tennis match in the USTA team tournament. I surprised myself with my emotional outburst during practice this week when my coach announced to me and everyone else that I would be playing singles. Ha ha. I am sort of laughing about it now, but at the time...let's just say I actually almost lost it and cried in front of everyone! Let me explain myself just a little. We have been practicing for months with team practices and late night practices with doubles strategies and playing. I have done pretty well with this, and have advanced nicely in my league play as well, winning most of my matches. I have finally gotten to a point where I can play doubles and not have to think of positioning and strategy so much, but just play it. And I LOVE it! I enjoy hitting a deep shot and then approaching the net and either volleying it with short play or putting it away with a powerful slam! Ha ha. ANYWAY, I have not played singles in a long time, and it's a whole different game. In my mind, not nearly as fun, and with tournament a week away, I realized my anticipation had changed to fear and disappointment. I guess this was pretty evident in my surprising pout that my coach actually sat down with me and gave me his pep talk and reasons why "Singles is my game!!" Hmmmm. Why can't it be my game after the tournament?
Okay, so I am psyching myself up for this thing now, and trying to rethink things positively. I'll let you know how it goes. I didn't know I could be such a dork about tennis competition.


Saturday, we threw a big surprise birthday bash for my Grandma Graesser. Or as Monkey D calls her Grandma Great Graesser. It was so fun to have a lot of my mom's family there. Isn't she a cutie? She has the best sense of humor and is always smiling and humming. Love you Grandma!


Saturday night was a wonderful way to wrap up the week. Trev and I played some doubles tennis with some good friends of ours right after the party. Then we came home, and since the weather was unbelievably summer-like, we roasted hotdogs, hamburgers and sausages in our backyard, and sat around our firepit. The kids jumped on the trampoline, laughing and playing while Trev and I sat by the fire and talked. MD joined us, and her sweet conversation was adorable. We were enjoying it thoroughly. After such an exhausting week, it was a nice change of pace. It was one of those times, when you feel so peaceful and thankful for all your blessings, and it seems too good to be true, you wish the moment could last. I guess sometimes we need those crazy weeks to make us appreciate the not so crazy moments, right?

Birthday card

Finally sharing some pictures from Easter time! MB with his tech project, MC turned 8, and cute with Cotton. My favorite pics in here are of MD working hard on her birthday card she made for MC, and then MC receiving it and giving her a great big hug. That look on MD's face is one of pure love!!

Exercise machine/Sweater rack

This ad was on Craig's list, Trev and I thought it was hilarious. At least somebody was honest!! :)


Weider CROSSBOW/Sweater rack, experiment gone bad, my loss your gain, used 3 times for exercise and many time to dry sweaters/bra's etc.. Will hold up to 10 sweaters or bras and doubles as exercise machine. $250.00 OBO

Stay-At-Where-Mom?

Stay-At-Home-Mom.
What do you envision when you hear this job title?
I have never had a problem listing this as my job, or answering yes to the question, "Do you stay-at-home?"
But lately, I feel I do have a slight problem with it. The problem, you ask? I'M NEVER HOME! At least it feels that way. It is true that when my kids were little, I remember not wanting to leave the house. Who wants to go grocery shopping with 3 little kids in tow? My first 2 children were only 16 months apart. I seem to recall a very tidy apartment that I almost never left, because I couldn't quite figure out how to manage taking 2 babies with me anywhere. Yes, I was a Stay-at-Home-Mom, definitely!
But now I think I could be called these things...
Stay-At-Ballet-Mom
Stay-At-Tennis-Mom
Stay-At-Piano-Mom
Stay-At-Grocery Store-Mom
Stay-At-Church-Mom
Stay-At-Scouts-Mom
Stay-In-Car-Mom
Run-Errands-Constantly-Mom
Plan-Activities for Primary-Mom
Technology Project-Mom
Food on the Table-Mom
Help with Homework-Mom
Host-Baby showers & Birthday Parties-Mom
Stay-In-The-Garden-Mom

I could keep going. The point is, I WISH I could be a Stay-At-HOME-Mom. This stage of my life has me pining for an easychair and crosswords book. Maybe just a moment or two to make my house "tidy" again. How I long to sit and read that magazine I just got in the mail. Don't get me wrong, it's all good. I try to go with the flow. But, home is definitely where my heart is. I just wish it was also where my body was!!

Spring is in the air!

This hot mama (not me, the cycle) is sitting in my garage. It doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Trev, my husband. It is spring. Let me tell you about spring. Yes, the flowers bloom, yes, the birds sing. You know what else sings? Motorcycle engines. Have you noticed them? The temps reach almost 60, and there is a new sound in the air. The hum, purr, roar, whatever you want to call it, of all the motorcycles emerging from their garages after being stored all winter.
And each spring as we see them race past, my husband gives me that look, and I do the eye roll or something like it. It's tradition.

So, let me tell you about our first date. This hot guy in a red t-shirt picks me up at my house. After intros to the fam, we drive to the ice-skating rink and he laces up my skates and whirls me around the rink. Then it is off to Batman at the theater...the attraction is mounting, we sit closer than most people who really don't know each other all that well. This date is going well. I really like this friendly, confident, cute 17 year old guy, he makes me laugh, and I am having the time of my life. Then we go to his house for more introductions to family. Then just when I think the date is over and it is time to return home, he pulls out a helmet. Wait, make that 2 helmets. I have never worn a helmet before. How much time did I spend on perfecting my permed hair before this date? The helmet feels good, and I get to wrap my arms around him for a while. So far, it's worth the squished perm. We are off, and ...it's exhilarating! Hot summer night, stars out, wind whipping by you, a new perspective and a thrill. When I get home and tell my mom this guy has a motorcycle, she quickly asks, voice a little panicked, "You didn't go for a ride, did you?" I answer just as quickly with hair flat as can be..."No, of course not!"
Since that fateful, wonderful day, my husband has owned many motorcycles. He goes in stages, buying and selling them. We haven't owned one for a couple of years, and that is why this spring started with "the look". Because it is time. It's been too long for him. I knew it as soon as we saw the first motorcycle of the season. It wasn't long after this that he started showing me pictures of the Suzuki M109R Boulevard on the computer. "What do you think of that?" "Hmmmm" was my reply. I watched and waited patiently and quietly as he made calls and visited the motorcycle shop. Then last weekend we went "for a drive" and somehow wound up there. Just to show me and see what I thought. You want to know what I thought?
Motorcycles are dangerous. You crash on one, chances are not so good it will turn out okay. How much time and money will be spent? Not so fond of too many hours away from the family. Those are my usual first thoughts. Then you want to know what I thought?
That is the sexiest motorcycle I have ever seen. If I were a guy and into motorcycles, that is the exact motorcycle I would buy. My husband has good taste!
And finally I thought... Where did I put my motorcycle jacket? Is it hanging in the closet? I'll need to get it out so we can go for a ride! And when exactly do I get to go on that ride?
Yep, spring is in the air. Can you hear it?

my nephews

My 2 awesome little nephews. Ty is the big brother, and Ezra is the little guy. We are so excited to have them in our family, and so excited that they live just down the street from us. Ezra was just born in January, and we all feel so blessed to have him in our lives. His parents waited a long time for this sweet little guy, and we are so happy for them.
We got to babysit a little while ago, and I sat there holding Ezra for an hour, just smelling the newborn smell, and thoroughly enjoying the snuggling.

My Huckleberry

Trev,
This morning as we snuggled in bed, with kids and dog jumping all over us, and the sunlight streaming through the windows, you said some of the sweetest words to me. I don't know if you were aware how much they meant to me, but I thought I should let you know that they meant the world.
Thanks for being my huckleberry.
I love you!

Nice buns

(Photo taken a few years ago)

Monkey C will be 8 years old next month. She started ballet when she was either 3 or 4, I can't quite remember. But since she started, I have had to put her hair in a bun. We keep her hair long enough so that she is always able to do the "ballet bun". I am not very good at it. I use way too many bobby pins, and it stays put, but never has that polished look to it. I've seen beautiful buns at the studio, and I have seen messy buns. MC's hair buns are in between.
A couple weeks ago, she was playing at a friends house, and the mother of this friend offered to get MC ready at their house, and take her to ballet when they were through playing. This worked out great. When I picked MC up, I noticed her bun was that beautiful polished bun I have always wanted to perfect!! So, when I took the bobby pins out that night, I was careful and paid attention to how this mom had done such a wonderful job. Hmmm. Her bun looked much better for the next lesson because I tried what I had seen, but still not polished!!! I think with the way MC is going in ballet, I have many more years of buns ahead of me. By the time she is 18 or so, maybe I will have it down!

Fun with Cotton

It started with one of the kids...Monkey C I think. She got on the floor and Trev threw Cotton's toy over her. He ran, and jumped over her to get his toy. So Monkdy B joined her. Pretty soon all the kids were lined up on the floor, and we were laughing at our little Pom hurdling all 4 of them to get his toy on the other side. Not once did he land on them.

I'm game.

I love Friday. I played tennis for 3 hours this morning.
I take tennis lessons on Friday mornings. Tuesdays I play league games, and I am happy if I can fit in a game with Trevor or a friend on a Monday or a Thursday during the week.
My first lesson is 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. We do lots of different things depending on what we need to improve on. This morning we worked on underspin backhands, and cross-court returns. Al is our coach, and he is a kick. Keeps us smiling and laughing. He's easy-going and told me today that he has never had dinner without a glass of wine. Then from 10:00-12:00 I practice for team play. Our team will play in USTA tournaments in April, May and August. I love this practice, because it's more intense, and we really get working. Rob is our coach, and he has a drier sense of humor, doesn't like a whole lot of chatter during practice, and has helped me improve my game immensely.
Ever have someone believe in you, and make you think you are pretty special and that you have great potential that you might not be aware of? Rob is like that. He doesn't overtly show it, but often gives me the silent nod of approval when I do something well. For all I know he does this to all the other players too, but it doesn't matter, it makes me want to keep trying harder, and do better with each stroke.
I played hard today, and went through my water bottle during the first practice. When I got home, I scarfed down some beef and rice. (I have looked it up, and during that 3 hours of doubles and singles play, I am burning around 900 calories). I put in Spongebob for MD, because she was tired and wanted to lay down and watch it. I thought of cleaning up the kitchen, but opted to pull up a blanket and rest beside her for a few minutes. That few minutes turned into a 1 hour nap. I guess I needed it.
It has happened on days like this, that Trev will come home from work and ask if I want to play tennis after dinner. I may be tired, a little sore, whatever.
But you know what? I'm game.

my color

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Blue

You're blue — the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you — they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue — and patently you!

Take this test >

Change is a good thing!

My blog has a new look!
It's a new year, and I am all about fresh starts. Trevor has been coming home from work most days to rearranged furniture, different throw pillows, and my need for him to help me move pictures from one wall to another.

I decided to change from "Simply, Me." to "Happy Girl". I guess I decided that I don't always see my life as being simple. Not simple as in easy, but simple as in...measly. I am here in this big world, but I'm just a speck-simple. I think I used to see myself more that way. Kind of making a difference but in the background.
I guess that maybe I have felt some personal growth this year, and that always comes from amazing experiences, good and bad.

Maybe because of those experiences, I'm going to work on these goals. I'm...
1. Not holding back on "I love you". To anyone! Mom, Dad, siblings, friends, husband, kids, you name it. Everyone deserves to know they are loved, and is there really any reason for us to hold back?
2. Getting over being shy. This will always be a struggle. It's in the genes. But once you put yourself out there, amazing friends come into your life!
3. Knowing that I am good at more than just running the household. I made the goal to reconnect with tennis. I was scared to do it, but I can't tell you what a difference it has made in me. I am healthier, happier, more confident and just proud of myself.
4. Cherishing friends and loved ones even more. The more you live and experience the more you realize how precious life is. I CHERISH my loved ones and will try not to take them for granted.
5. Making time for sweet little moments. They are easy to miss. Especially with my children. They are growing FAST. I know that soon I will be trying desperately to grasp My oldest's fingers as she begins to let go.
6. Keeping that happy attitude. Sometimes it's so easy to get dragged down. To get caught up in all the drama and sadness of this world. But I will continue to try to smile, love and uplift as much as I can.

There are so many more thoughts and goals running through this head of mine. But I will share them with you here on my blog as they unfold throughout this new year.
Happy 2008!!
(blogging...notice MD asleep in my chair)

Christmas Vacation in the sun

I'm going to share quite a few pictures with you. When you come home with 1700 pictures (4 couples' combined photos), trying to narrow it down is REALLY hard. I tried to choose the ones that meant the most to me, and also represented our activities the best. I got it down to 25.
P.S. - sorry about all the cleavage...you practically live in a swimsuit the whole time you are there. :)

Here is my little list of things I learned from our BVI vacation:

1. If I lived somewhere humid, I would have naturally wavy hair.
2. Clothespins are a great fix when your fridge has stopped working and the meat has gone bad. (combine #1 and #2, and you know the reason for my "pirate name"...Clothespin Curly Sue...Aaaaargh.
3. Yes, the water in the Caribbean is THAT blue!
4. Fresh coconuts are quite good.
5. On a boat for 10 days, no kids and good friends...WONDERFUL.
6. I actually enjoyed the rocking sea. When we were on land for a while, I felt like I wanted to get back on the waves where I wouldn't feel so dizzy. Go figure.
7. Trevor is a ham.
8. Jamaicans in BVI like blonds.
9. I know how to drop anchor!
10. There is nothing like Ginger beer. It doesn't even touch ginger ale.

Pictures continued