Teri Parris Ford's Blog

3 More Days

One of the hardest parts of teaching art to high schoolers is having kids finish projects at different times, at different levels. I got kids making amazing artwork and some taking pictures of a bunch stuff in the art room just to pass. In my freshman heavy classes, I have a lot of energy and not as much art making. There's always a few kids who finish everything way before everyone else and spend time studying. Today I tried a new activity, partnering kids who were ahead with others who were behind to share their work and connect. It went well. Still, I'm struggling to figure out how to get kids who are behind to catch up because tomorrow we are moving on to our 4th shoot and I still have a couple of kids who have not turned in their 1st one!

I had a good day. I covered Joe's 6th hour and had a great 7th hour. I ran off to hot yoga after school and had some left over spanish rice for dinner. 

Swim Meet at Bucknell

The Navy swimming and diving teams swept  their Patriot League foes American, Bucknell and Lafayette this afternoon at Kinney Natatorium in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania at Bucknell.  I got up at 4:30am from Youngstown to make sure to meet up with Jessi for breakfast. I got there early so she had time to play with Balt after her team morning stretch time. I followed her bus from the hotel to the university and while she warmed up, I took Balt for a wonderful walk around the beautiful Bucknell campus. Their mascot is the bison and Balt did not think it was very friendly! He growled and barked at the bison, which I thought was hilarious! He loved seeing Jessi both before and after the swim meet. I brought her birthday gifts and cupcakes for the whole team to enjoy on their bus ride home. 

All of my photos of the meet are on my big camera in the car. During the last relay I thought I saw Jessi on the C relay and took photos only to realize after that she was on the A relay and my battery died! I have to start wearing my glasses again and make sure I bring an extra battery. In my defense, the girls all look very much the same in their swimsuits and caps. Also, her complaints of swimming too slow are obviously exaggerated. I have lots of #100happydays photos (from my phone) to chose from today, but my favorites are with Balt. Seeing Balt and Jessi together makes me very happy and watching Balt bark at the Bucknell Bison make me laugh out-loud!!

I knew I would not make it all the way to Madison this evening. I planned to stay in Toledo and it was a good thing. I got pulled over outside of Cleveland on the Ohio Turnpike. I was not speeding, so I wasn't sure why. A very nice trooper came to my window and asked for my license and asked if I'd been drinking. He pulled me over because he thought I was drunk! I informed him I needed to use the restroom and was trying to hold it in until I got to Toledo. He asked me to get to the next service station instead and did not give me a ticket. He asked a lot of questions about when I left Madison, where I went and why. I'm not sure if he was trying to smell my breath or if he just needed to listen to my speech. Either way, I must have passed his sobriety check since I did not have to get out of the car to walk the line or take a breathalyzer. I did admit to being tired and promised to stop before Toledo to get a break, so no ticket for me!

Balt and I are relaxing at a Red Roof Inn right off the highway with big plans to sleep in tomorrow and leisure ride back home. I wasn't sure a 12 hour ride to see a 5 hour swim meet was going to be worth it but it was. I loved seeing Jessi and Balt play! We also got some bonding time over breakfast. I may do it again when the team returns to Bucknell in February for championships!

Farewell Soccer

We ended a full Saturday with the second regional soccer game over at Redden. I decided to stay in the car and watch from the side parking lot, but once it tied up and started getting exciting I move my car to watch from behind the goalie (there's a drive way there). It started pouring right as West scored their 3rd goal, and the game was pretty much a done deal. I heard one mom say she was glad the season was over and while I know what she means, it's so sad too. I know Monika will continue to play soccer with friends, but tonight was an end to a long career of many soccer games. I will miss it.

The morning started early with Balt and I enjoying coffee together. I took him for a nice 2 mile walk and then we went out on errands, including picking up my CSA organic veggies and going to the pool for a swim. Monika's having her grad party with her friend, Jeremy, so he came over for a quick photo shoot and I made invitations for them. I took them to FedEx to print myself so we could hand them out to soccer families and teachers at school. I have some prep to do for the party this week-- it's on Sunday-- but it's the kind of stuff I enjoy (like having to finish her scrapbook!).

Post Season Play

Today was the second to last day of school and the first day of post season soccer for Monika's team. The girls all dressed up as referees and looked amazing!

Today was supposed to be senior skip day but there were a lot of seniors at school. Most had too much to do to skip, including Monika. Monika had early release to get ready for her game against Geneva Badger. I had just enough time to take Balt for a nice walk, feed him and get back to school for the game. The girls won 3-0 and Monika played for much of the 2nd half. They will play West on Saturday night. 

After the game I had a meeting for all the kids going to Europe this summer. I sat in the back with Josh and a couple of seniors, goofing off a bit, realizing we were going to have a blast. The best part of the trip is going to be hanging out with friends. 

I got home too exhausted to work on Monika's scrapbook, but I hope to finish it this weekend, but I should have lots of time this week as well. I just can't wait for summer to start!

Soccer Season at Last!

Today was Monika's last first game of the season. It was very cold with slight snow falling. After a pretty exciting Friday, I ran home to pick up Balt, stopped by Joe's to get the lens we call the "long dog" (with super telephoto). We also have one called the "big dog" (telephoto with wider aperature). I made sure to take tons of photos for Monika so she could work on the yearbook.  I walked Balt first, then took photos, walked him again during half time and then took more photos. By the last 15 minutes of the game I went to the car to warm up and wait. It was just too painful. Even though I'm warm at home typing this now, my legs still feel wind burned from the cold. I've created a facebook photo album with lots of photos for the team you can check out.

The most exciting part of today was having lunch with Melissa and Josh. Melissa was in to visit with the student teachers and then bought lunch for us and stayed a while to visit. We enjoyed great conversation and food. It was soo much fun having her in again. While we were eating I tossed my phone at a student and asked her to get a few pics. They are funny to see all of our expressions. We three are quite an animated trio.

I have to report that last night was my first full night of sleep in quite a while. My fitbit noted that I only had a couple of minutes of restlessness and no wakings. I'm hoping this is the beginning of back to normal sleeping patterns. I have always been very blessed to be a heavy sleeper. I don't know how people survive with insomnia. Now I'm working on calorie counting. I've figured out where some of my heavy numbers are coming from which I kind of knew already but I'm now taking note. I purchased some rice cracker snacks from Costco that are crazy dense with calories, worse than nuts; 1/4 cup=200 calories. A couple of handfuls can end up using up more than a meal's worth of calories for the day. Of course the bag is huge and Monika doesn't like them. I'm hoping I can talk my husband into taking them with him to Rochester. 

It can be a messy business...

While I love that we are printmaking, it's a pretty messy business. I spent about an hour cleaning up this afternoon and getting organized. As one class begins to wrap up screen printing, I need to turn it around quick for another class. I have a cart that has all my supplies for this project ready to move in and out of my classroom. I have found that the sinks can not handle the demand, though. It's been a learning experience that I will only get better at managing. I am fully enjoying the new project process.

After school I ran home to get Balt and go for a walk. As soon as we got to the dog park, it started to hail. The hail turned to rain after 15 minutes or so. It was not great walking weather, that's for sure. Monika has begun winter running and training to get ready for soccer, which I'm glad for. It gives me more time afterschool not to worry about her. I've gotten stranded at school a few times since tennis ended because she took the car home. Next year is going to be crazy... I'll have everything to myself! 

I came back to school at 5:30pm to get the girls basketball picture. I snap-chatted a video of them practicing to send to Jessi. I'm pretty sure she is not missing the hard wood floor at all. Today her team took a bus to North Carolina for the Nike Cup Invite. She's missing 2 days of school for this little adventure. It's kind of fun to see the new team and be able to support as a fan, not a parent. It looks like the tallest girl on the team got Jessi's number; 32. I'll be cheering for her for sure. There's only 3 returning players, so it's a whole new ball game, including a transfer from West. The season should be very exciting.

Say Goodbye to Regent Soccer

The end of outdoor Autumn soccer happened this afternoon. Monika had her first indoor game yesterday and so the transition is complete. As a senior in high school, it means she will not be playing club soccer anymore, most likely ever. I know she will be a life time soccer player, enjoying soccer well into old age, for sure. I don't see her taking on the soccer mom role-- she'll be the coach.

I got a great surprise this morning when my husband informed me the clocks had been thrown back. I would have liked to have gone back to bed, but instead made coffee and quiche and enjoyed a fire in leisure. Balt and I went for a grand walk in the woods. It was 34 degrees when we set out but the sun warmed things up a bit and by noon it was nearly 50. By Monika's 3pm soccer game it had started to cool down again into the 40s. The bite of the waning Autumn days are prepping us for winter. I put a vegi soup in the crock pot and had hot soup waiting for dinner with left over pizza. I'm turning in early tonight. The fire is roaring and I am fully aware of a busy week ahead. The quarter is ending on Wednesday, which means loads of grading to do.

College Visit and a Swim Meet!

Monika and I flew into Baltimore and an old friend of mine from high school, Beth Raymond Heerdt, (who is not old at all, as she's the same age as me!) met us at the airport and took us directly to Johns Hopkins University for a campus tour. My friend's daughter had graduated from JHU and was able to add a  tid bits to the tour as well as taking us to a very small "whole in the wall" for the most wonderful lunch. It was a grand late morning/early afternoon. We stole moments to chat and spent most of the  driving time catching up. Neither of us had really had much contact, outside of Facebook, for more than 25 years. When I saw her at the airport, waving us down, I saw the best friend I had had 30 years ago. She looked exactly the same. When her husband saw me for the first time, he exclaimed the same notion, "You look exactly the same!" For which I thanked him profusely. The truth is both of us are marked with the lines of time and age spots of wisdom. The crazy feeling that it seems like no time has passed as we chatted (the same feeling I had with Angela last weekend) mingled in with the notion that we are now so different the world of being in high school that is long gone, the details are hard to remember accurately.

After lunch, we drove out to the Naval Academy for Jessi's swim meet. It was so fun to get to see her by the pool again. It was a big meet against Virginia (six-time defending ACC-champions) and Yale. Jessi swam well but the Navy team lost badly to Virginia, not so badly to Yale. She swam a nice 50 and I was surprised to see her swimming on the 400 relay A team. She anchored the team with a good split. The event was much longer than anticipated because of the tri-meet action, interspersed with technical difficulties and a huge Virginia mens team, so we did not have time to have dinner with Jessi, but we will tomorrow after the football game.
 

Conference Win #1

Monika got the day off today to play tennis. She's been so busy lately that she was thrilled to be able to take a few days off to concentrate on only playing tennis. And only play tennis, she did. She ended up being seeded #6 in conference and was against the #3 seeded player from Janesville Parker, a girl she had not played before because the girl has played in the #1 singles spot for a while (just as Monika did). Anyway, it was a great win for Monika today when she won 6-4, 6-4. She played great tennis. Tomorrow she plays again and I am hoping to get away from school again to get a few more pictures.

This afternoon was all about recovery. I had a meeting to go to after school and then took Balt for his walk. Monika and I got Panera for dinner and sat on the couch. I played with pictures, paid bills and looked for airplane tickets. Monika watched episodes of Revenge. It feels like Friday, but I've still got one more day of school. 

Optics

I read today that the reason the Naval Academy could not compete in sports had nothing to do with funding since its athletics are not funded from the government-- it had to do with "optics." You see, you can't have the spectical of a Navy vs. Air Force football game, that not only makes millions for Navy Athletics, but for the Baltimore/Annapolis area, when the government can't seem to take care of simple obligations. The elementary schools near the Naval Academy make thousands from selling parking spots, not to even mention all the businesses. Football is a big money maker for a community-- I have learned this living in a Big Ten city. The Dept of Defense's decision to deny sports was not about money, it was about how it would all look. In the end, they have bent under pressure and the big Navy vs. AF game is a go. I am hoping that means Jessi's swim meet is also a go. Since I have still not heard from her, I assume she still is swamped with homework and swimming.

Speaking of "optics" it is homecoming season and that means boys asking girls to the dance. I had a football player ask for a bit of help with supplies. I hooked him up with paper and paint (above), then made sure to video tape the episode (see below). It made for great JMM drama! The next couple of weeks start to get very busy as Homecoming approaches. 

Tomorrow Monika begins the end of her high school tennis carreer. Conference games are tomorrow and Friday. Subsectionals are on Monday. She'll miss 3 days of school to play tennis and either will continue to Sectionals or finish. I'm hoping to be able to get over to see her during the day. 

Trophies made of Ice Cream

I started my day very early. Balt woke me up panting in the middle of the night. I gave him water, washed his face off and turned the air conditioning temp down. When he woke up again a couple of hours later, I did the same thing. By 5:30am, I was up giving him more meds and getting ready for a walk. I know the meds are helping but I also know he's still sick. 

The girls were on the tennis courts by 8:30am and they played valiantly. There were no trophies or plaques this year, but the girls would have gotten them had there been any! Monika played really great tennis and had a ton of fun and the weather was just amazing. Balt wasn't as excited to watch tennis as I was, but he enjoyed walking around the courts every so often. We drove home together with all the windows down, enjoying the very last road trip of our summer home. We stopped at a rest stop on the way home (off the 39) and it was really nice. I would have to say if you judged a state by its rest stops, Wisconsin is a pretty amazing state.

It's been a very long day and I had hoped to make it to the pool, but I'll save that for tomorrow and Monday. The school is closed, so it doesn't matter what all needs to be done, it will have to wait. I've got plenty of computer work to do anyway, but not tonight. I'm going to bed early and I'm hoping Balt will let me sleep a while longer.

The last Friday of my Summer Vacation!

I enjoyed a nice cup of coffee with my husband this morning and then a leisure walk with Balt. I wanted to savor the day, knowing it was the last week of vacation. I am feeling like although I still have so much to do, I am not in any hurry to get it all done. I got into work around 10am and did a bit of paperwork, chatted with some teachers and did a bit of cleanup before moving out to the tennis courts to watch Monika play against two very good tennis players. While our girls did not win as many games as they would have liked, they were playing against some of the best tennis players in the state. Monika came off the court today and said, "that was the most fun I've ever had playing tennis!" She mentioned that one of the player's dad was cheering her on and it made her work harder. She had tied up the sets but in the end lost. (6 winning games make up a set, 2 sets are played with a tie breaker if needed to make up a match). Today Monika played two very long long matches, tomorrow she's in for three. I'm glad she's having fun out there, because it looks like really hard work to me.

On our way home, I was suprised by a phone call from Jessi. We got to talk for about 1/2 hour about her first week of school. I was concerned how the new juggle of bringing in academics to her load but of course the whole plebe summer stuff is over. She said the upperclassman no longer are watching over them or demanding much of them as before. Because of swimming, she misses a lot of meal formation (where plebes are asked to do stuff like spew what's being served at lunch). She mentioned having swimming in the morning, weight lifing at noon and swimming again in the evening-- so she's gone a lot. All of her classes are good and she likes her teachers. She is now wearing her black uniform and says it is more comfortable (photo with her room mate and formation below).  As demanding as it all seems, she assured me she liked it all. Her continued success has me so appreciative. I thought of Monika coming off the court, hot and sweaty, telling me how much she enjoyed herself. I should not be so amazed at how hard working all three of my daughters are. I recall asking Erika why she volunteered to work in the kitchen sometimes at the pizza place she worked at and she told me it was fun-- it looked overwehlming to me. Somehow they all learned to enjoy hard work and "hot and sweaty!" I am not sure if my husband and I taught that to them, but I am extremely proud of them all. I have a feeling it's in the genes, passed on from generations past.  

Monika went out with friends, so my husband and I had a nice quiet dinner. I told him all about Jessi's phone call and how well she is doing. He offered going out to a movie but I was happy to lay low and enjoy the down time. Monika has tennis all day tomorrow, so get ready for more tennis pics!

It's Tennis Time

Monika and I got up early today. I ran out to get bagels while she got ready. I took Balt along because there's a great dog park right next to the tennis courts at Quann. JJO's band camp was setting up so we had to come in and out the back way and were treated to some great heavy tunes during the day. I don't think anyone else appreciated it. Monika played well. She got two wins under her belt to start the season off. She lost the last set to the tournament champ from Sun Prairie, which was disappointing but I have a feeling she'll be out to beat her the next time they play. We both got home exhausted, only I didn't really have an excuse for being so tired. I took Balt for a nice evening walk to Starbucks while Monika left for the team potluck. 

I got a text from Jessi today and an email. Both were very brief but I'm hoping that now that Plebe Summer is officially over I will get a lot more communication from her. She'll be nearly as busy during the academic year, with homework and swim team both demanding a lot of her time, but it will be nice to be able to text and email a bit more regularly. Today was her very last parade in the H company. She is now in the 15th Company with the upperclassmen mixed in. She will have a new address for mailing stuff but she has yet to get that to me (a PO box #, I believe). Eventually, she'll figure out that I can't send her anything until she passes that on. I've learned to let go-- or been forced to. In some ways, it's pretty nice. 

Sayin' Goodbye to Summer Swimmin'

Jessi swam her first summer swim meet today and her last summer swim meet ever. She swam for Parkcrest at Monona. She started swimming at Shorewood when she was only 4.  She switched pools a couple of years ago and seemed to fit in like she'd been a part of Parkcrest all her life. I watch as she mingles with coaches, young kids and her peers and I know she loves being around them all. Leaving this all behind was the hardest part of her decision to attend the Naval Academy. She has mentioned more than once that she wished she could be coaching this summer. She loves swimming and she loves sharing that love. 

I read recently that college athletes were asked what their parents said that made them feel great and their overwhelming response was hearing their parents say, "I love to watch you play." For me, it's always been "I love to take pictures while you play/swim/throw/run." I remember telling the girls at a swim meet, that I didn't care if they won, they only had to finish and no matter what, never stop in the middle of a race and cry (I told them that after we witnessed a little girl stop in the middle of the pool and cry rather than finish her race). At soccer games, I used to tell them that as long as I got a few good pictures, I could care less if they won (there were quite a few games I wanted them to lose so that we could go home early during tournaments). BUT it was always important to me for them to be competitors-- in the game or in the pool. My initial insistance on having all three of my girls swim well was because my mom has a swimming pool and I am not a good swimmer. I never wanted to be put in a position where I needed to save a drowning kid and to this day, all three are great swimmers and love the water (Monika, not as much). As I think about the next level of swimming Jessi has ahead of her, I am so excited. I can't wait to get some cool college swimming photos.

The rest of our day was non-eventful. Erika went to a wedding, the other girls went to a couple of grad parties. My husband and I walked the dog and ordered pizza. It was a muggy summer Saturday.

Stormy Weather

We've had a few steamy days with strong storms. The down pours of rain have been intense at times. Tonight's regional soccer game against La Crosse Central was delayed after the first 10 minutes due to lightning. By the time the game started again, it was raining. The night was warm, at least. The girls won easily 7-0 and Monika got some good playing time in. The games only get harder from here. The next game is on Saturday.

At school today, the frenzy of the semester ending is starting to hit students. I was shocked to find several dozen students wanting to stay after school to work. I'm still recovering from a couple of late nights working on the paper and waking up super early to take my husband to the airport (he's on vacation in California) or maybe it's the heat, but by the end of the school day I was exhausted and in need of a nap. I'm up late again tonight. Thankfully tomorrow is Friday!

When it rains...

It was a full day of activities. It started with a crazy accident in my classroom. One of my students had a chunk of glass fly into his eye and instead of asking for help, he proceeded to pull and push the glass around until he was tearing blood and finally yelling out in pain. That's when I stepped in to get his eye washed out. I held his hands to the nurse so he would not rub his eyes. It was upsetting but I'm sure to stay calm but firm. I don't think the kid was wearing safety glasses, so I came back to my class ready to remind everyone the safety glasses are there to be worn in order prevent freakish accidents. Melissa had a student walk into a peice of glass and need 8 stiches in his shin. When I told her we needed to make sure kids were wearing safety glasses, she mentioned we should make them wear shin guards too. Josh added that the district should just make the kids wear umpire gear for the class. Safety first!

We continue to get photos for the senior newspaper. After school I ran over to get a team photo of the soccer team (below), ran home to walk Balt and then came back to get photos of Monika playing (above). It started to pour rain during her game, so I didn't feel terrible that I had to leave early so that I could change and go get Jessi to go to the Senior Convocation for all the honors kids and scholarship recipients. It was a special time to celebrate so many accomplished kids. Jessi was .01% away from getting gold cords but she is one of only 3 senior who did 3 sports all 4 years of high school, which I think is pretty amazing. 

Conference Champs

Today was another busy day that seemed to go on non-stop until I fell into bed at 11pm. I did get a bit of time to have a nice dinner with my husband which was the high light of the night. We both went to Monika's soccer game and although we were very dissappointed not to see her play, it was a very exciting game that ended in a tie. So in the end, the girls finish regular conference play as champions. Now they prepare for tournament play with the hope of making it to state. Jessi had her very last track meet today and she broke a 3 minute 800 which was her goal, so she came home happy. Tomorrow, she says is a loaded day of celebrations. I'm just happy it's finally Friday, again.

Trying Something New

 

Today the temps plummeted and seemed to bottom out during the track meet this evening. After a very normal Tuesday, I went to my daughter's very first running track meet. After nearly 4 years of training to throw shot and discus as a varsity track athlete, Jessi made the painful decision this week to start running with the JV distance runners in order to begin seriously training for the Navy and the basic training she will need to go through this summer. Tonight she ran the 800 meter. I thought she looked great and for her first race ever in high school, she ran well-- 3.03. While she second guesses her decision, I think she'll be very glad in July that she dealt with shin splits in April. I so very proud of her efforts.

I'll be back in the stadium tomorrow in the cold, hopefully to see Monika on the field for the first time.

Signing Day

I can't help but be incredibly proud of my kids for all of their accomplishments in their short lives thus far. Today was one for the scrapbook. Jessi signed her paperwork for the Naval Academy publicly during lunch at school with 3 other athletes who also signed on to play sports at D1 schools. The Wisconsin Neighborhood center was packed with basketball, swimming and track fans. It certainly was a day to celebrate how all the hard work pays off. 

Jessi was the first to thank her teammates, coaches and family, then sign. She signed her acceptance forms to the Naval Academy that we will mail in tomorrow along with her proof of US citizenship. Next was her fellow track mate, Corinne, who signed an intent form to throw at DePaul University in Chicago. Then fellow swimmer, Jeremy who will swim for Ohio State University. Finally, basketball player, Brendan, who will play ball for Jackson State University. It was a very exciting event and I believe Jessi and Brendan had the most support there. Jessi's whole team made it as well as her sister to cheer her on. I was so happy for her. Her swim coach, track coach and math teacher (who is the boys basketball coach) all there wanting to congratulate her. It certainly will be a cherished high school event, I believe, for the rest of her life. I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate her accomplishment.

The rest of the day was non-eventful and wet. I took Balt for a walk, ran some errands and made sure to get some yoga in. I have a feeling this week is going to get better even though it's going to stay cold and wet.

Typhoon Season

Okay, I know there aren't typhoons in the northwest... but we've had non-stop rain this week with a forcast of another week of rain. North of us, they are getting snow. Some say they would rather have snow, not me. I'll take the rain, I just wish it was a bit warmer.

Another busy day at school. I had a committee meeting at lunch and stayed late to work on my room in metals. Balt was at daycare today so I did not worry about walking him. I was suposed to go to a meeting downtown but spent too much time talking to my student teacher. I came home to find that Monika's dress had come in the mail. I am thrilled that it fits perfectly so I won't have to spend extra on fitting. Now we just need shoes. I'm very excited for the event, but there's a lot work still to be done...

The athletic director at JMM is planning an official signing event next Wednesday for kids going to D1 schools to play sports. Jessi will formally sign her Navy paperwork then. In the mean time she has announced her commitment on collegeswimming.com. I was excited to see her listed on the main page-- she'll get pushed off the front page by tomorrow, so I got a snapshot.

 

It's not only about the pool...

... but the pool is pretty important.

We headed out of Baltimore this morning and arrived in Annapolis early. The weather improved and provided for a wonderful day. We explored the area around the Naval Academy a little bit and made sure to walk Balt around so that we could leave him in the car. We spent a great deal of our time last night preparing questions and getting ready to help alleviate Jessi's nerves.   

We met with the assistant swim team coach at noon and we were immediately ushered into the pool. It's a stunning set up. The Navy's pool is 25 meters-by-50 meters & 8' deep. A movable bulkhead enables the team to train at either 25 meter (23 lanes), 25 yard OR removed for long course 50 meter distances. The bleachers hang over the end of the pool. The men and women take turns training under the bleachers. There is also a diving pool not pictured in the same pool area. It's all new this year! So very nice!! Jessi was impressed.

We were taken out to lunch outside of the campus where we had over an hour of question and answer time. Part of our conversation was about the Naval Academy Mission Statement--To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. He talked at length how the development of Jessi's moral, mental and physical nature all were equal in priority-- I was impressed. Of all the women on campus more than half (about 60%) are on a varsity Navy team. The Navy plans to add two more women's teams this next year (softball and field hockey). Of all students, about 1/3 are on a varsity team-- the other two thirds are either in a club sport or playing intramural sports. In other words, everyone is on a team of some sort. The whole "freshmen 15" doesn't exist there.

Monika and I left Jessi after lunch so she could tour the school on her own with the coach. She was scheduled to meet the team and observe practice, eat dinner and hang out the team, then she'd stay with one of the girls on the team. Tomorrow she will go to classes with the girl she is staying with as well as a couple of other girls. She will meet with the team Faculty Rep, watch a baseball game and check out the team lifting circuit. On Thursday she goes to different morning classes and then we'll pick her at noon.

We headed south out of Annapolis to Virginia Beach. The traffic was horrific-- completely at a stand still at times. We arrived at 6pm-- about a 4 hour drive-- and immediately ran to the beach. Balt was sooo happy. We walked about a mile on the beach and then came back as it started to drizzle. There won't be any sun bathing tomorrow, but we'll be at the beach walking first thing in the morning.
 

 

Madison City Indoor Track Meet

We stayed in town today so that Jessi could compete in today's Madison City Indoor Track Meet. I put a photo album up on facebook. Memorial came in 2nd place. Jessi threw 30'  2.75" today (6th place in the city), about 5 feet less than she had hoped. It was a tough day for her. She's been running to prepare to for the possibility of attending the Naval Academy this summer, but she's sure that's not an issue. While it seems throwing is all about strength, it is more about technique and mental focus. As Monika put it-- this week has been stressful. She came to cheer her on. There just seems to be so much going on and it was a hard day to make the throws go as far as they had in practice. I have complete confidence she can get there, but I know that making a decision for her future will certainly help.

We went to Whole Foods for healthy driving snacks and lunch after the meet. I made it to a late afternoon Bikram Hot Yoga. I'm still feeling congested, but by the end of the class I'm cleared out. The heat seems to help, and hours later, I can still feel effects. 

We leave in the morning for a spring break adventure, but it won't be nearly as warm as we'd like. I know the heat will come, but I think we will have to wait. I'm not sure I'm in for driving all the way to Florida to find the heat in the US. 

Congrats!

Today was exhausting. I am still fighting my cold. As I walked into the school doors this morning there was a young hooded teen, standing near the door, smoking, with his pants pulled below his butt and bright puffy boxers showing (I'd like to start taking pictures of these crazy kids). I made a negative remark that clearly sounded as if it had come from an 60 year old woman. I'm almost there. The day seemed to continue with one annoyance after another. During my 4th hour photo class (my favorite time of the day) I felt flush with heat-- as if I had just been embarrassed. I asked a student if I was pink and he informed me I was. I wondered if my morning meds had all run their course and I was a bit fevorish since I had no reason to be embarrased. After class I went to the teacher's lounge and purchased a diet coke for a bit of a caffine rush and felt better within minutes.

After school I went out to collect a large donation of glass for the studio that took a couple of hours. I dropped Monika off for soccer tryouts and collected Jessi. At home she had a couple of letters waiting from Colorado State offering her admission and an official visit. Her father and I took her out to dinner to celebrate her accomplishment. Of the 6 schools she applied to, she's officially in 4 (we can not afford the other two, so no one is eagerly awaiting envelopes from Oxy or W&L). So, the next 3 weeks are crucial deciding weeks in Jessi's life. If she swims for CSU, she will swim against teams in Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and California-- no where near Wisconsin. To me that's a big draw back. For the Naval Academy, she'll swim against 3 teams in Pennsylvania, 2 in NY-- doable distances to attend for a weekend swim meet (as well as 1 in Massachusets-- not so doable). That is the kind of thing I'm looking at, as well as cost, of course. You'd think a school could not beat free! BUT even if she was offered a full scholarship, the Naval Academy will actually PAY her to attend... and I think that beats free (she has not been offered a FULL scholorship yet). Colorado is offering 75%-- which is pretty amazing. 

BUT all this good stuff isn't all that we have to celebrate this evening. Monika made the varsity soccer team. She is very excited but mostly because she made varsity with her fellow junior jv team mates from last year. The three of them were moved up at the end of last year, but there were no guarentees they'd make the team this year. The worrying and wondering is over... now it's time to pay the team fees. I thought swimming team fees were bad! WOW. I may have to make a coupon that says, "I paid for you to be on the Varsity Soccer team" and put that in Monika's Easter Basket with a bit of chocolate.
 

Senior Night

Tonight was Jessi's last home game playing basketball. She's been playing basketball with some of the girls on her team since 5th grade and come to love and respect them through the years. While the night was very emotional for some, it was not nearly as emotional for Jessi (or I) as was her last swim meet. For me, I'm eager for basketball to be done and track to begin, but I think that has more to do with winter being over than anything. After the game there was a bit of a celebration over at a pizza place but it wasn't nearly as festive because the girls lost their game. So emotions were muddied with disappointment.

My day was pretty normal. I started casting in my metals 2 classes and had both success and failure. I got lunch for Joe, Josh, Melissa and I and we had a nice meal together. Tomorrow the girls don't have school but I do, so they all are up and out late while I'm up late but won't get to sleep in-- bummer.

Home Game

Today was one of those days I was at school all day and all night. Jessi had to be in early for shoot around and Monika had a meeting. After school I did run out to walk Balt and make a sandwich for myself for dinner. I worked the girls game so that at least I could get paid to watch.

The girls played the number 1 ranked Division 2 team in the state, Monona Grove. It was a tough game with lots of mistakes but still a respectable loss. The MG team was an amazing team and since I am NOT a basketball person, I listen to what coaches around me are saying. I heard our girls fought a good fight, but I'm pretty sure that's not what the girls heard.  I really can't say much about the game, because what do I konw? I know that negative put downs don't help. I know that calling girls out on their failures won't make them successful. I know that telling athletes (or anyone) what they are doing wrong won't fix it unless you tell them how to. I know that to win takes a lot of work and might even be painful (but the status quo of losing is more painful). I know that to make something positive, you have to think something positive. I know that as an educator, a parent and an athletic supporter, it's not about me, it's always about the kids. When we get in the car after the game, I can't ever tell Jessi specific strategic stuff about what she did right or wrong. Still, I know how to win a basketball game-- you catch the ball and make a basket. It seems simple to me although I know it's not. It's a coach's game full of plays of complicated tasks. Monika quit the game after one year of playing for that very reason. She told me that she didn't like how little control the players had on what to do with the ball. I found that very insightful. I think the reason Jessi's team loses so many games is because they don't catch the ball and they don't make baskets, at least not as many as the other team- duh. After the games, I always ask about what the coach had to say at the end of the game and it's usually not positive. Instead, there's always people crying or upset. I guess in the end she's learning life lessons. 

Time to Give Back

Today seemed to mark the beginning of the winter season in many ways but not the weather. We will enjoy an unseasonably warm and wonderful Thanksgiving before a cold front slaps us on Friday. I ran out to do the rest of my holiday grocery shopping today and found the grocery store pretty busy. My afternoon classes are back to back busy. My 5th hour went to a Veteran's panel Q&A that Geof put together. After school student leaders from each sport donated Thanksgiving baskets to charity. Monika helped carry the tennis team basket but Swastie did all the shopping (shown above). 

I'm working with students to create the basketball programs and today we shot the basketball girls' teams. It's kind of fun to see Jessi in uniform again. Pictured below are just the seniors on the team. They seem to have a lot of fun together.

The Last Swim Meet

All Jessi wanted for her birthday was a brand new fast skin to swim in today at the Wisconsin Division 1 State Meet. I chose not to give her a $400 swim suit she would only wear once. I have to admit there were a few times tonight I wonered if she would have done a bit better had I purchased it.

For her first race she swam a bit slower than her seed time and got 12th in the state for her 50, earning 5 points for her team with a 24.48 second race. She faired a bit better in her 100 freestyle, shaving .06 seconds off, earning 12 points for her team with 52.61. She missed earning a medal by one place (she got 7th). I knew she was very dissappointed. She had placed 4th in her heat so initially I thought she'd get to visit the podium for sure, but a couple of girls had great swims in the earlier heat.

Both of the freestyle relays went very well. Jessi swam a 23.69 in the 200 relay-- which would have gotten her 4th place had she swam that during her individual race. And for the 400 relay she swam 51.57, which would have gotten her 2nd place on the podium as an individual. Those great swims earned her and her freshmen relay team mates 5th and 4th place metals and gave the Spartans 58 points. Those two events raised the team from 20th place to 6th-- earning a very respectable place on the score board after the last event.  I felt myself tear up at the very end, understanding high school swimming for Jessi has come to an end and although I still have to make a video, it's just about over for me too. 

Sectionals Swim Meet

Results:
JMM gets Runners Up to Middleton.
For the 50 Free--4th  Jessi Ford seed time of 24.95, swims a 24.44
For the 100 Free--2nd, 54.09 seed time, swims 52.67 
400 and 200 yard Relay-- 4th  for both-- Jessi anchored both relays. 

Jessi's 4th & FINAL Big 8 Conference Meet

I woke up this morning at 6am to get Monika to a car pool so that she could sub in a 56er game in Milwaukee this morning at 9am. I woke up Jessi at 7:30am to get her to warms up for her conference meet. I picked up vegetables and took Balt for a walk then went to the meet and hour early to make sure I got a good camera angle. I like sitting in front of the award podiums. I made sure to take pictures of all teh swimmers, not just Jessi. Jessi manage to do well, but not great; although coming home with four medals is pretty great. The team came in second place without winning a single race, yet had at least one swimmer, but usually 2 or 3 earning medals. (more info)

I came home with a hungry headache and grouchy husband waiting for dinner as well, but Monika needed me to finish sewing her costume for a party she was leaving for and she wanted me to do her hair. Jessi got home wanting money and the car and all I wanted was a quiet dinner with my husband, but it took a while to get everyone settled. Monika's hair was rushed-- but it was for a halloween, so I didn't stress out about it. I gave Jessi the car but she has to wait until the 1st before I can give her any money. Oh well. Once my husband and I had dinner, all seemed well with the world again.

Not quite the end...

It was the last home swim meet tonight against Middleton. It was parent night and it got emotional. This morning marked the very end to morning practices. Jessi won't have to wake up at 5:30am consistantly anymore for a very long time. The girls dressed up in 80's workout outfits and Jessi wore one of my actual 80's aerobic leotards. Having Jessi so involved in so much has so complicated my life, I have no idea how it will be when she graduates. I couldn't help but get teary eyed as I watched the girls crying at the end of the meet. There was a reporter who interviewed Jess. “It’s hard, four years of swimming, last meet,” Ford said. “Middleton’s a great team, but I couldn’t have asked for a better team. It’s hard. It’s emotional obviously, but I’ve had an amazing four years of high school swimming.” (Read more).

My day was nice, I had lunch with Josh and my practicum student who taught my drawing class today. I'm covering Melissa's 3rd hour painting class which adds a little to the day, but not stress. I ran home after school to take Balt on a quick walk in the rain, then back to school for the meet. The girls stayed late for photos, all reluctant to leave. The season's not over, not even close really. State is 3 full weeks away and there's a lot of practice and fun still to be had, but after Saturday's JV conference meet the team gets cut in half and everything changes.