TRI as a Family

Fast Friend Friday . . . back at it !!!

2010-02-16T20:05:00.001-08:00

Momma Bear

Need I say More. . . .

Love You Carol !!!!

I LOVE . . .

2010-02-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

In no particular order. . .

My husband

My boy

My baby girl

my dogs

Neil Young music

feeling needed

mexican food

chocolate

funny stories

bbqs at friends

wearing PJ's all day

Cafe Rio

getting my toes done

my family - near and far

memories

busy vacations

sand between my toes

Grand Tetons National Park

crab

talking and sharing

not being ashamed

Pomogrante Mike's Hard Lemonade

watching my kids swim hard

proving a point

share with me your loves. . . .

Life is good . . .

I sit, and think, and smile, and a tear appears

2010-02-13T21:49:00.000-08:00

I sit here tonight, after a very full day. I am watching the Olympics on TV, so wanting to move to Vancouver, but everytime I watch the Olympics, I want to move to where they are !!! I am so glad that Chicago didn't get the 2016 Summer Games. So my day and how it ended here. . . .

It started with a most wonderful walk with my dear friend Laura around Green Valley - - about 5 miles for 1 hour, 45 minutes while our kids were at swim practice. It was a beautiful day, and I could not have asked for better conversation. It was needed, it was therapeutic, it was enlightening, it was healing, it was . . . well, it just was. Thanks Laura.

Then I came home, and thought I was going to crash and nap, but I got the weird itch to wash my wonderful new car. . . she hadn't been washed in months due to the actual winter weather we are having. (Did I ever tell you how much I love weather, rain, snow, wind, etc. I love it all.) Anyways, my OCD kicked in right about the wash was done, and it wasn't going to be just a wash, it was leather seat conditioning, full vacuum, inside/outside windex, shampoo the carpets, and scrub the tires and rims. Then Tom came walking home from swimming at the new pool and said, hey why don't you help me with my truck !!! UGH. . . .

Then it was Costco. Because if I didn't go then, I knew if I sat down I would fall asleep and be done. So we - - and I say we because I just so dislike when Tom joins me . . . we spend atleast twice as much as I was planning. And this time we didn't disappoint !!! Gosh, I seriously need stock in Costco. . .you would already think we do !! Started with a cart, left with a flat bed. The checker dude was like - wow, you got all of this in one cart !! Yes, yes sir we did. . .do you think you can get it back in one cart - - no ma'am, no I can't, you need to go get a flat bed !! Oy Vie !!!

So now, with our load from "the world might end tomorrow", it was 1 hour of unloading, repackaging, vacuum packing, garbage loading, and trying to keep the dogs from eating my ribs !!! Then dinner, then finish unpacking, and now. . . . here I sit !!

Balancing the checking account - always depressing. . . doing the bills - next on the level of depressing . . . and my eyes turn to the TV. As the master of the house lies near, snoring loudly, the princess of the house is curled up next to me on the recliner, the "buff dude" as he likes to be called - hee, hee - is upstairs with his buddy Buddy and the other mutt Gunner is at my feet - - again, my eyes go to the TV.

The Olympics are on - - I cry. I remember watching the Olympics every year it was on with my family - whether summer or winter. I remember the agony of defeat on Wide World of Sports. I remember the Hamil Camel and my Dorothy haircut for the next 3 years !!! I watch. . . I watch and see the parents, I see how PROUD they are of their kids . . . I see the moms wiping tears, and then I see the dad wiping their tears !! My heart feels so much love for those parents. I see the 5000m ice skater RUN, LEAP over railings, CLIMB over cameras to get to this mom and dad not 2 seconds after he knew he won Gold !!! Wow, so much love, so much respect.

So on the eve before Valentine's day, I sit here with tears in my eyes. Someday, will I know how much my kids love me. Someday, will they be able to show me - - not publicly, but privately, when it is just us. Right now I am the mean one, I am the punish-er, I am disciplinarian, I am "the fun sucker !"

I said this on facebook the other day. . ."it is about my kids & only my kids, always has been, always will be . . . it is why I get up in the morning, it is why I breathe, it is why do and say the things I do !!! If anyone thinks there are other motives let me correct you now - - - IT IS ONLY ABOUT MY KIDS !!!!"

I love you kids. . . I love who you are . . . I love who you will become . . . and I WILL be there to see all the good, bad and ugly moments !!

Happy Valentine's Day Tom - - Thank you for planting these seeds, they are pretty cool !!!

Life is Good . . . .

The Results . . . and Cheering Section

2010-02-06T15:44:00.000-08:00

NEVADA STATE HIGH POINT CHAMPION 11 - 12 BOYS

Yes, yes he is, yes he did !!

And the greatest part . . . Grandma Beach was here from her travels to see it all !! She was funny - - she stood front and center for each night finals - 2 hours of swimming - making sure she had front row for her boy !! She stood next to me when I lost my voice, when I lost my marbles, when I peed myself (sorry TMI), when I turned around so fast to jump for joy that I whacked a guy in the head that was behind me !!! Sammy was happy Grandma was there. . . .

And then . . guess what. . . Grandma and Papa Harley were there too !! They had a golf tournament that weekend and Grandma came three days and Papa saw two days !! Funny story, Sam never told me what his goals were for the State meet. We just talked about where I thought he should finish each race and Tom and I both said how proud we would be if he won 1 event, just 1, to say hey, I am State Champion in the 100 Fly, which we thought he would win. He was like, ok. Well at the meet, after his coach said that shitty thing to him. . . he looked at his Grandpa and said, I am gonna win it all !!! Grandpa was like, ok Sam (wink,,wink) you go for it. And no one was more proud of Sam than grandpa who said, that kid had a goal and he went for it !!!

And his best female friend - Alex - she got runner up high point for 11-12 girls and they were all smiles !!!

Great Job Abby !!! Great Job Sammy !!! This is something not everyone can say . . . You are the State Champion for 2009 !!!! Cheerish it and continue to work hard !!!

Love you Bud - - Love you sweet girl Abs !!!

Life is good . . . . .

State Meet part II . . . the Kids

2010-02-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

The kids, that is what it is about isn't it !!!

Abby's program . . . 100 free, 200 free, 100 IM, 200 IM, 100 back, 50 fly and 100 fly !!! She finished the weekend with 4 best times and highest place was 8th !!! 10 & under kids only swim what is called Timed Finals . . . one shot and that is your place. Whereas 11 and over swim prelims and finals . . .two shots !!! Abby had been sick the week before state and wasn't here strongest, but was all smiles, liked how she swam and what she improved in and you know Abby she is just happy to be happy !!! Love her for that !!! Here she is heading back on the 200 IM.

Abby is going to be a distance swimmer. . . for as little as she is, she is strong. I think that is the advantage some of the kids have when they start swimming young, the distance events are easy for them because they work so hard during practice and are use to the distance. Abby still hasn't gotten that . . . I want to be good attitude. . . she has it on some races and WOW, you can really see what that looks like !! But she needs it all the time !! We love Abby for who she is and are so proud of her and what she has accomplished !! Go Abby . . . .

Now my knucklehead of knuckleheads Sam. Just to give you a little back ground . . he had been throw out of practice 6 times in November (State was in December), him and his coach were obviously not seeing eye to eye, and I wondered how he was gonna do !!! We all wondered !!

So with Sam, I can give you a race by race account, because I was so excited and focused on him. That doesn't mean I didn't watch Abby, but she isn't at the level yet where she is racing every race !! Sam - - each race was amazing and important to him in his own way . . . . here he is in the 100 IM breast - - you could see it in his body language . . . .

So 1st race, Thursday night - - 500 free, dropped 2 seconds and finished 2nd. In my mind, was suppose to finish second, 1st place lid is a distance swimmer. Good race, looked strong !! 2nd race Friday night - 200 free. . . came into finals seeded 2nd . . .dropped 4 seconds in time and finished 2nd (again kid got 1st same kid, distance swimmer). . . if you ever told me he was going to do a 2-00 in the 200 free, I would have never believed you . . . I was excited and proud. Guess his coach wasn't and said - - "see, that is how your weekends gonna go - you don't work hard in practice this is your result" !! WTF - Sam was pissed and long story, that was the last time Sam talked to his coach all weekend . . . 3rd race Friday night - - 50 fly - - my mind, Sam was to win this . . he is a butterfly kid and he didn't disappoint. . won it by .2 - very close race, too close !!! 4th race, Saturday night 100 IM - - this is a critical race for Sam and he hadn't outright won this race ever - - welp, there is always a first time - - he won . . by .2 . . . close race, great race !! 5th race, Saturday night 100 free - - this ended up being the race of the weekend (in Sam's mind too). Came in seeded 4th, but needed to do better. . . 2 boys from another team not really been looking good and the teammate who beat him in the 200 and 500 was a freestyler . . . race starts. . . 4 boys, going head to head after 25 yards, tied, and 50 yards they were all within .3 seconds, 75 yard the crowd is going crazy, 100 yard finish . . all board flashes 4 kids with 56's !! OMG, my kid did a 56 !! I am over the moon . . . I look around and I clapping and yelling, and I look at the teammate, he looks like he got hit by a truck. . . I look at the board again . . 56.3 56.4 56.5 56.6 - the two from another team 1 - 2, Sam 3rd, his teammate 4th, big swim !!! 6th race, Sunday night 200 IM - - he and his teammate, head to head again, the teammate went 3 seconds faster in prelims than Sam . . . this is the race I seriously almost lost it. . . I had no voice, I was SSOOOO nervous, I knew this was a big race !! And just a side note, Sam pretty much didn't see me all weekend, I was so busy doing the team stuff, that I really didn't have time for me to make him nervous !! So race starts, I am standing on the side of pool in viewing area, his new coach is behind me and sees how nervous I am. Through the 50 fly, the two boys are tied, I look at the coach, he says, its ok. . . next 50 back, they are TIED, coach says, he took it out 1 second faster than in prelims (it was the don't worry mom, its ok comment), then the 50 breast and they are TIED - I mean dead heat - coach says 1 sec faster than prelims. Who wants it more. . . who is gonna push themselves and want this race - - down to the last 10 yards and they are TIED . . . they come to the wall. . . Sam kicked it in, touched first by .2 !! OMG - - Sammy's first coaches husband was standing behind me also, and he said that was the best race he has seen in a long time - - if you knew him or the other coach, you would understand what a true compliment that was !! Sam is smilin' from ear to ear !!! 7th and final race 100 fly - - again, Sam is a flyer, he should have no problem in this race, but is he tired, is he gonna push. . . he wasn't and he did. . . he came close to breaking a minute (1.00.56) which is his season goal . . . . GREAT end to a GREAT weekend . . . .

Next up . . . the results and cheering section . . . . .

Life is good !!!!

Nevada State Swimming Championships

2010-02-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

I first need to set the tone - -

Date: December 3 - 6th, 2009

Place: Las Vegas Muni Pool, Las Vegas

Who: Sammy, age 12 - - Abby, age 10
Team: Boulder City Henderson Heatwave Swim Team

Ok . . . so there is the information. . . what is missing is the SHEAR magnatitude of such an event !! It happens once a year, rotating every two years from Northern Nevada to Southern Nevada and back after 2 years. Our team hosts the event approximately every 5 years . . . and this was OUR year !!!

The first challenge was the brand new, state of the art swimming pool that all our planning and comfort level was based around - - DIDN'T OPEN ON TIME !! So about 4 months before the event, the City of Henderson told us this . . . small challenge !!! The team decided the only option was to rent another facility to town and host a large meet at an unfamiliar facility.

Also 750 swimmers, 60 coaches, and 25 officials were expected to attend this 4 day event. They were coming from as close as 2 miles away to as far as the other end of the State. The swimmers were as young as 6 years old and as old as 18 years old. Some just barely qualified for the meet and others, old pros !!! So, yes this was a meet that the kids had to qualify for. And to give you an idea . . our team has 350+ swimmers and only 175 were entered. So exciting for the kids, exciting for us who volunteer !!

Yes, I say volunteer - - because nope, we don't get paid to help. We don't get paid help foster the development of the kids, we don't get paid to hear and deal with the crap that people dish out because they think they are "entitled", and you know what, I don't think I would want to get paid. It is nice to give back, it is nice to see the smiles on the kids faces, it is nice to have an event run smoothly, comfortably, and with as little aggrevation as possible.

I had a tough job. . . I was the Fundraising Coordinator and also, Jack of all Trades. I choose to do what I did and had a few great partners in crime. I like talking to people, I like promoting swimming, I like see good things for the kids. My first goal was to have the best, most kick ass goody bags the kids have ever had !!! I think we did a pretty great job. . . Bag Tags (they are custom tags that go on the kids swim bags that had our logo, the meet logo and then we sponsored by two companies on the back), awesome water bottles, Sharkies organic fruit snacks, playing cards, a bottle of vitaminwater, Speedo keyrings, coupons for free food, for discount shopping, for local products and some small other items. The goal was to get everything donated or traded out . . . I think we succeeded . . . we only paid for printing of a puzzle book !!!

Then the next priority was securing donations to cover the cost of the meet and cover the cost of the exta "top notch" items we watned to present. We had each lane sponsored, we had custom lane mats, we had lane baskets, we had banners, we had decorations . . . again, I think we succeeded. We had to rent the facility and also rent a large circus tent outside for extra seating - - expenses that we did not budget for originally but now were thrown upon us !

Then came hospitality food and beverages for 60 coaches, 25 officials, and 10 volunteers who ate. This was probably the most challenging and had the most "favors" called in. But BOY WAS IT GOOD !!!! We had pasta one night, mexican for lunch, deli one day, and pasta and pizza the last !! I think the best day was the deli day where we had a baked potatoe bar - - with chili and all the topping !! YUMMY - - except that by the time I tried to eat - - the chili was gone !!! I was go bummed !!! But we covered most of the cost by trade outs and donations, and I think it was less than $500 in out of pocket for 4 days. . . yippie !!! I called two friends - - none swim family friends - - who delivered food and went shopping for me, words can't tell you how cool it was to have friends that support you !!!

Then there was a 50/50 raffle, 5 raffle baskets, meet programs . . . . ugh, can you tell it was a lot to handle. I truly NEVER knew how much work it was, never imagined the hours that would go into coordination, never really knew how bad the economy was until we tried to soliciate donations, never new how many opinions would be involved, how many feelings would get hurt, and how many people (other swim team parents) who think this stuff just all happens by itself . . . AMAZING !! But . . . what was also amazing was the effort about 20 people put in and how I will never forget this as long as I live !!!

Now, none of my responsibilites involved the timing system, the admin tables, the securing of officials, the coordination with So Cal Swim, parking, safety, security, the new printers and new computers, and sound system and rental tables and rental chairs and rental risers !!! The list was NEVER ending !!! But Gini had all this handled with ease and Kyle was by her side !!! Did I tell you the story of Batman, Robin and the Joker - - - ok, another time !! I learned one thing . . . I could never be a wedding planner - - I am way to anal, way to OCD and it would drive me crazy !!! Where would they park ?!?!?!?!?

But . . in all of this. . . did I tell you that my folks and Tom's mom were all in town over this time frame also !!!! And did I tell you the event was during month end close for work !!! And did I tell you my boy was struggling with practice and had been kicked out of the pool 6 times in 1 month !!! Yep, I lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks from stress alone. . . . . .

Next up . . . it is all about the kids !!!!

Life is good . . . . .

Well Hello February . . . .

2010-02-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

Where did January go. . . yes I am here, yes I am alive, yes I am well !! Just checking in for a second !! I thought that keeping up a blog would be REALLY easy, like how hard is it to write down some words, share some photos, and brag about your kids - - - HELLO, McFly, harder than you think !!

I think I get overwhelmed with all the ideas I have in my head for "great" posts or "great" photos !!! I follow a blog that is beyond perfection - photos, stories, humor . . but she is a professional !!! I follow another blog that is amazing in all aspects. . but she has been doing it for almost 2 years !! I need to chill - - I am new at this, I need to take one step at a time, one post at a time, and remember that friends and family are seeing this and want to enjoy my kids - - - like I enjoy my kids !!!!

So stay turned. . . I am on my way again . . . I will recap the State Meet . . . I will recap the move to a new pool . . . I will recap Fast Friend Friday (my goal this week to get that one posted) . . . I will recap the coldest, wettest swim meet we have ever gone to all in the name of Abby . . . and I will recap the Junior Olympics which just occurred !!!

So thanks for visiting. . . I will update soon. . . I will NOT be overwhelmed and I will enjoy the ride !!

Life is Good . . . .

THIS WEEK IN REVIEW. . . . . a little test to start the year !!

2010-01-05T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am an . . . . . .

and when it is . . . . . .

I am . . . . . . .

Yes, I am an accountant by trade - - technically I am a Controller becauase I am not a CPA and usually only CPA's are called accountants . . . so I am a Controller. And yes, one time a few years ago, a strange man on the phone honestly said . .. . "well, what woman isn't !" I had to laugh, but so so pissed later !!! Anywho. . . .

And it is month end, quarter end, year end close !! My least, absolutely, least favorite time of year. Never enough hours to look at everything, someone will most definately ask in March why we didn't book something in December, our auditors will MOST definately ask for proof of deliveries, proof of credits, proof of labor, proof, proof, proof. . .blah, blah, blah !!!!

And that makes me . . . . a crunchy stress ball !!!! I came home tonight, late, and just vented to Tom for like 30 minutes. He just looked at me and smiled, knowing that it is month end, year end, quarter end, etc. And I never, can't, ever take time off this time of year. . . but I figured in a few weeks I could take a day or two to take my kids to a swim meet in CA, but I got the . . . . analyst review is due to Australia by this date, and yuck, yuck, yuck !!!!

Did you ever read my earlier blog posts, where I profess my love for my job !!!

Right now, I want to be doing this . . . .

Life is good . . . .

Christmas. . . oh Merry Part Tres . . . the fun !!

2009-12-30T17:24:00.000-08:00

So, referring back to yesterdays "the kids" post, the longboard was a huge hit !! This is a road by our house that I drove up and down no less than a handful of times toting my two "boys" and their boards !!! As you can see the big kid had as much fun as the other big kid !!! And big kid #1 form isn't half bad. . . . so here they go about 1/4 of the way down the road. . . it is a road to the water treatment plant that is never traveled but is very clean so great for longboarding !!!

Now, before all you mothers out there start giving me a hard time. . . on the third run, Sam INSISTED on taking off his helmet for the photo op because he didn't want to look stupid with a helmet on for all to see !! Love that word, stupid. . . how about ALIVE or NOT SCRAPED !!! Anywho. . . check out this sequence where the camera almost go the best of him. . . .

HOLD ON !!!!

"Wow Mom, did you see how close I was to eatin' it !!!" Um, yes Sam, I sure did !! Get your frickin' helmet on and continue with your fun !!!!

Helmet on. . . fun continued . . . beautiful view of the Las Vegas Valley below. It is amazing people think Vegas is a flat desert, but it really has some rolling hils and some mountains that surround us. . . hence, VALLEY !!!

Then day two of fun included a trip to Lee Canyon (Mt. Charleston) which you can see in the above picture on the right hand side. It is our small local ski resort and it has some neat areas of snow play. . . .

Here goes Abigail . . . .

Aren't I just the cutest little thing. . . . until my feet got cold and wet and I whined and I went to the truck and drank cocoa and ate donuts !!!! Oh wait, I wasn't talking about me now was I, sorry, I digressed. . . . Abby. . she was fine and had fun !! Sorry lost focus for a second !!

This is her buddy Alondra who she swims with and hangs out with on occassion. Her family consists of 2 older swimmer brothers so we get to visit with them lots and love it !!!
Here is Sam crashing with the oldest brother Andre !!! They doubled on a sled that barely held one !! Sam face planted but was all smiles and laughing !!! Good times !!!
Solo run for Sam, watch out for the T . . . R . . . E . . . EEEEEEEEE !!!
"Awe Mom, you worry too much !" Yes son, yes I do, and so does your coach !! I can't imagine that call . . . um coach, Sammy skipped practice today, sorry about that, but we wanted to have some family time bonding along with the Lelles', Grothe's, and Tucuyan's (all swim families), and he and Andre crashed and well, they were sledding and um, he broke his leg, arm, face . . . . . . UGH !! Sam, let me remind you that Junior Olympics are one month away !!! Where is your plastic bubble and when did I release you ?!??!?!?!

So moral of our Christmas 3 part story . . . . Live, Love, Laugh . . . what else is there to do !! You can't make everyone happy, you can't sit and pity ones self or ones situation, you have friends, you have life. . . . ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN !!!

Life is good. . . .

But very cold on this day . . . . . sorry, I digress again. . . .

Christmas . . . of Merry Part Two . . the morning

2009-12-29T10:13:00.001-08:00

So Merry Christmas Part Two . . . this is the morning. . .the morning of the "score" as my kids like to call it !! It was much less of a score this year and I actually really liked that my kids understood that and were ok with that. They also understood that Grandma's, Papa's, Auntie's and Uncle's always send money, so if they didn't get exactly what they wanted. . . THEY COULD GO BUY IT THEMSELVES !!! Novel idea hu?

So here is Sam's stocking from Santa complete with new swim caps, swim googles, Speedo suit wash (every 12 year old boy asks Santa for that), swim gear bag, Speedo Fastskin (that was a hit, thanks Santa), and then of course the necessary bandaids, body wash, deodorant, socks, belt, and Halls Fruit Breezers !!! I think Santa was quite practical this year !! And of course, Sam's dog Buddy had his own stocking and Santa brought him his own bone this year !!!!! Too cute if I do say so myself !!!

Abigail'st stockign could have mirrored her brothers, but there was much more PINK !! Here highlights included BLUE and GREEN nailpolish (which was specifically on the list to Santa), a soup bowl for school, swim cap, swim googles, swim suit, swim google bungies, hair clips, bobbie pins, and then not to be outdone, we have the XO Soft Chip Clips (???), body wash, nail file, nail clippers, Campbell's soup container, Ricola's for good measure, and her favorite, a mini egg frying pan that Santa must have seen at Albertson's like she did every week !!! Gunner's stocking was equiped with his bone and he loved it !!

The tree and the stockings. . . . oh yeah, Dad's stocking had a huge bottle of VOX vodka, a new shirt, iTunes gift card, and chapstick. Mom's, it had cotton puffs . . . quote from Tom . . . "we have to do better with Santa on Mom's stocking next year!" Each year . . . it is the same quote and the scariest thing, I hear my dad saying the same thing in my head 30 years ago !!! Mom's do get the short end !!!
Sam has (of course) his new Speedo bag !! Does this Christmas, and the last 4 Christmas' have a theme !!! Speedo stock should go up just from the Sauerbrei's !!!

Sam's Papa Harley sent him the COOLEST long board skateboard and Sam LOVED it !!! I mean, that is an honest smile !!! It is one of a kind, as the wood changes with each board and it has a serial number to register online !! Check back tomorrow for long board photos !!!
Couldn't open it fast enough !!!

Abigail enjoyed a new pair of REAL Uggs from Grandma Harley. She thought those were pretty cool !!!! And check out the cute peace braclet that was in the box too. . . Abby has only taken it off for swim practice !!!

This was Abby's "aw ha" moment when she realized the 3 cardboard boxes stacked up on the side of the living room weren't trash, but her new desk !!!! It literally took her 30 minutes and then the tear started coming down her face and we had to tell her !!! It was #1 on her list to Santa . . . she was surprised !!!

And then mom's #1 score to Abby . . . a pair of clear, plastic Chuck Taylors (converse shoes). She got tons of colored socks and those are now her favorite shoes !! I love the expressions of amazement . . . she had no clue !!!

So that wrapped it up . . . . Tom enjoyed a new GPS for his truck (that he bought himself 3 weeks ago), he enjoyed a new MP3 for swimming (that he bought himself) and didn't like the Keurig I got him, so that went back !!!! And I keep the cash !!!!

I enjoyed a new iPod touch, which I bought myself and some accessories for it from Sam and some earrings from Abby !!!

It was a very nice, casual, relazing, quiet Christmas. Time to relax, reflect (just a little) and enjoy our family of 4 !!!

I hope this helps those family members who are away and still can be a part of our Christmas through some photos and a few words . . . but you know me, more words that photos !!! But, I wouldn't be me if it was any other way . . . . .

Life is Good. . . . .

Christmas. . . of Merry Part One . . . The Tree

2009-12-27T17:59:00.000-08:00

Ho Ho Ho. . . to and fro . . . Ho Ho Ho. . . off we go . . . . or however that silly little song goes !!! Merry Christmas my friends and family !! Hope it all was peaceful, enjoyable, and everyone is now kickin' back saying, wow. . . that came upon us quick this year !!!

I am so behind in life, and have been for a few months, so I am going to do this post in 3 little sections !! Part One . . . . The Tree, Part Two . . . The Kids, Part Three. . . The Fun !!!! You know, how your mom always told you to break it up in little sections and it would be easier . . . welp, that is what I am going to try and do here !!! I have some new readers (hi Sharon and Karren, my sister-in-laws) . . . and I know they enjoy hearing about the kids !! And I promise to go back and recap the State Meet !! Those feelings are still very fresh in my mind, so I can't wait to share !!!

Anywho. . . back to Christmas and our tree. . . . here it goes. . .

Background on "our" tree. . . our tree is fake !! Oh, the shame !! When we first moved to Vegas in 1994, I told Tom we would always have a live tree . . . I never had a "fake" tree growing up and I would never have my kids have a fake tree !! Well, anyone and everyone who has lived or been to Vegas, knows how stinkin' dry it is . . . . so about 4 years ago, I bit the bullet and got this incredible tree !! The last two years have been kinda rough on the tree. . . more tips are falling off, more strands are dark and don't glo . . . but I do love my tree !!! So, here she is this year. . .

I must say, lookin' at her here, she is leanin' a little to the right. . . but then again, don't we all !! My tree isn't themed, or traditional, or organized (well a little), but the thing I truly LOVE about my tree is looking at each ornament and smiling !! Smiling because I think of the memory about the ornament, I think of who gave it to us, or where we bought it !! I think of the significance in that time in our life that this ornament was special !! I found myself this year, not putting ornaments on the tree that didn't give me that feeling. . . so our tree was a little "lite" this year . . . hence Abby's idea of putting the door hanger on the tree !!!

Each year I buy the kids one ornament that reminds me of what the did or are doing during the year. 2004 was a Cub Scout ornament for Sam and a gymnastics ornament for Abigail. 2006 were swimmers logo'd with BCH. 1998 (pre-Abby) is a teddy bear in a Radio Flyer red wagon, because Sam use to LOVE going for rides at pre-school in the red wagon. . . it was give him peace !!! And each year we, as a family, try to pick an ornament during our vacation. We have a bucket of sand from San Diego, a palm tree from Hawaii and a trout from Yellowstone to name a few. Even as I type this, I look over at the tree and smile. . . . . so here are some of my favorites, so favorite stories. . . .

A red, bell with green ribbon. . . what could be so simple for the holidays. I bought this a few years ago and have loved it every since.

This was my favorite for this year. . . don't know why, maybe my insides are just content . . . but JOY is what I felt this season. We got this one during an ornament exchange and it was perfect !! (And notice the man in the canoe to the lower left. . . that is Sam's ornament from 1999 which is half eaten from our previous dogs Dynamite and Boomer. Yes, I put half eaten ornaments on the tree. . . they still have meaning, in more ways than one !!)

This was a gift from my friend Shannon this year. . . I love family ornaments, I love that she gave this to my family this year !! Very special !!!

This one is just beautiful !! My friend Gail gave it to my family 3 years ago when I was coaching swimming for BCH. She is Jewish, which makes this very unique in my mind. I need to remember where she got it because they come in all styles and make great gifts !!!
Again, bought this one myself, but nothing says Christmas like Santa and jingle bells !!!

This is one of our families favorite places to ski each year . . . Alta, Utah. It is for the purest at heart as they don't allow snowboarders !!! The other side of this handpainted ornament shows the lifts and the face of the mountain. We love this place !!

K, sorry. . . first sad one. . . this is our first "child" Dynamite. Dynamite was our yellow lab (before Marley and Me made yellow labs cool) and Tom and I got him when we first moved in together after college in 1991. He was Tom's dog, Tom always wanted a yellow lab. He was a great dog, and he went EVERYWHERE with us. He showed Tom and I what kind of "parents" we were going to be as having a yellow lab, is about as adventurous as having a new baby !!! He was with us for 13 years, and each year when I hang this ornament, I show it to Tom, and the look in his eyes . . . we don't say a word, but we both know . . .

Ok - - sorry Tom for this one. . . Feliz Navidad !!! Have you met our neighbor Felix ?!?!?! He is the vain one with his name on the roof of his house. . . ok, so here is the story. . . and it is alot better in person when you see the tears in my eyes because I laugh so hard !! Tom and I were heading to his mom's around Christmas. Tom was finishing this last semester at Fresno State taking SPANISH. So we drive out of our neighborhood and Tom tooks at me, deadpan, and said "that guy is really vain." And I asked who. . . he said our neighbor. . . I looked at him and said, WTF are you taking about. He said, Felix. I asked, who the hell is Felix. Felix Navadotto. . .you know, they guy at the end of our street, he has his name in lights on his roof. I still am confused, so Tom turns around to go back down our street. . . . where I see our mexican neighbor, who has Feliz Navidad in lights on his roof !!! I about peed in my pants . . . Tom lost it at his point. . . we go to his mom's and I can't keep my mouth shut and tell everyone . . . we are all crying because we are laughing our arsts off !! Remember, he was taking SPANISH that semester !! Needless to say, no one in his family or mine have let him live it down and we now have about 10 Feliz Navidad ornaments on our tree !!!

Life is good. . . .

and sometime very funny even after 18 years !!!!

'Twas the Nite before Christmas . . . .

2009-12-24T18:28:00.000-08:00

And the lights are strung, the tree is trimmed, there are cookies in the oven, the dogs (and their sister Roxy) are fast asleep on their beds, Tom took the the kids to get the last minute "mommy" gift for Christmas . . . . and I sit here. . . wishing I had more time, wishing I had more energy !!

There was so much I wanted to get done and didn't get done. . . but, I can't change that now. My house is decorated to a minimum, but my favorite things are out . . . my favorite garland is on the banister, favorite Santa's are on the TV stand, favorite ornaments are on the tree. I found a shirt, btw a really cool shirt, I forgot to send to my mom - gotta love that !! I balanced out the Christmas gifts to ensure we had "equality" with the kids !! I wrapped the two gifts Tom bought for himself before I had the opportunity to buy them for him . . . . gotta love that even more !! Wrapped the Keurig for Tom, with the 60 cup variety pack and individual filter . . . just in case he wants Folgers instead of some fancy coffee !! Abby will love it because it makes cocoa !!

No one is here this year at our home . . . folks are at my brothers (they were just here a few weeks ago), Tom's family is all at their homes, my friends - - one has moved, one is in Israel (hence the visiting Roxy), one is in Florida visiting Mickey, three are at their homes (they are locals) with their families, and others. . . . quietly doing what they do over the holidays. We are having the traditional Cheney Christmas Eve dinner of spaghetti and french bread . . . don't really know where that tradition came from, but my kids LOVE it !!

Making cookie for Santa right now. . . kinda cool that Abby still believes, or wants to believe !!! Looking at my Christmas flowers on my table that each year I buy for myself . . . Sam asked me why did I buy them, and I said. . . because they are beautiful and I love flowers !!!

I truly hope everyone has a blessed, happy, healthy Christmas !!! The holidays are smack upon us . . . they will go fast, just like life these days !!!

Life is good . . . .

Today . . . I am Sad (FFF version 3)

2009-12-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

Fast Friend Friday, version 3 . . . to my friend Gini Herbst !!!

I shed a tear today because Gini and her family are moving today !! Today !! Friday, December 11th, 2009 !! Today . . . I do not say good-bye, because I will chat with her again, she will follow my blog, she will be on Facebook . . . . but, it is so long !! I won't be able to hug my friend, I won't be able to look her in the eye, directly in the eye and tell her that I LOVE YOU, that I AM HERE FOR YOU, that YOU ARE MY FRIEND !! Yes, she will know that forever, but looking someone in the eye, makes all the difference in the world !!!

So. . . . let me share some things about Gini . . . .

Batman, Robin and the Joker !!!
Woody, Bulleyes, and Jessie !!!
SpongeBob, Patrick and Squidward !!
These are my sidekicks . . . me, Gini and Kyle !! Me, Gini and Kyle have spent endless hours on the phone, on emails, in person, coordinating the largest project as of late . . . Nevada State Swimming Championships !! (and people, we are VERY tired here in this photo) People don't understand how we can work together, people don't understand OCD and Type A personalities, people don't see how many hours, pain and suffering we all endured, people don't see the toil it took both on ourselves, but also on our family !!! And I don't care that people don't get it . . . my friends got it, my friends understood, my friends stood by my side and helped, my friends didn't have to ask, they just did !!! These two sidekicks, or one leader and two sidekicks, or 3 leaders working together, we had each others backs - - and we always will !!!!! We all did what we did for THE KIDS !! No other reason ! We did our best, we supported each other, and we were a success !!! This is the most recent Gini, the one multi-tasking, having check lists, running around like crazy, wanting the best and only the best from those around her . . .
Gini, Type A and I love it !!!

See this Gini, Gini is a really funny lady !! Gini can laugh at herself !! I have written it before, "if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at !" Gini liked to laugh !! Whether it was just her spirit, or it was how she coped, she laughed !! She smiled !! She made me laugh and smile !!! Gini opened her home to everyone she met, she gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, she trusted all, and she loved sharing !!! Gini taught me and told me, over and over, laugh often !! And I think over the past 4 years, I have learned to laugh more, thank you Gini !! Thank you for making me be a tin-foil car, for making me smile, for making me laugh !!

Gini is also a kind soul !!! Gini protects children !! She watched out for MY KIDS !!! Here she is riding a silly ride at Disneyland with my Abby - who was scared to go on any rides (nothing like a little anxiety issues). Gini didn't make fun of Abby, she didn't say oh don't be scared . . what she did was hold her hand, she told her hey Abby, I will go on this ride with you, she made her feel comfortable, she made MY KID feel ok !!! She didn't have to do that, she could have rode Space Mtn another 10 times, but she stopped, saw a hurting/scared child, and she opened her heart !!! Gini does everything in life for kids . . . her kids, other kids, strangers kids !! She was PTA VP, she was BCH Swim Team VP, she fought for kids, for fair treatment for kids, whether her kids or not !! Now, her kids were always #1 - rightfully so - but those other kids around her, they were a close second !!!

This is Gini - - this is how I will remember her face !!! Gini LOVES her family, and the look on her face . . .that is what I will remember. Everyone is different in life . . .every friend is different. If we tried to make all friends the same, imagine how boring our life would be. Gini was the friend to me that she could be. . . I never asked for more, I never asked for less. I just asked her to be herself and not be afraid to be that person !!!

Gini . . . may our paths cross again, may you find peace and happiness with this move, may you enjoy being close to the ones that love you most - your family, may you never forget where you came from because it will help you not make the same mistakes again, may you remember that a friend gives what they can and asks for nothing else, may you remember that GARRIN LOVES TRISH (but only when his momma isn't in the room), may you share Conners intensity on the soccer field as you go through life, may you keep Hananh's smile close to your heart everyday, may you smile when you think of the silliness we all shared, may you laugh someday at all the craziness, may you remember Sammy as a 12 year old red-haired boy who you winked at and you smiled often to, may you remember Abby as a scared little girl who you made feel comfortable and understood that she so wants to be a big girl, may you remember the BBQ's, the party's, the swim meets, the travel, the trials, the tribulations . . . may you remember it all, look back and smile, and maybe even wink . . . . . . I will, and a small tear will come down my face . . .

I love you more than Jellyfish !!
Always your sidekick and damn proud to be !!

Life is Good . . . . but today, just a little sad . . . .

Fast Friend Friday - Version 2

2009-11-27T04:32:00.000-08:00

GAIL SHIRE

I realized I get little wordy in my posts. . . so sorry !!! I will try to keep it short, but you know women, we have a tendency to carry on, and on, and on !!!

My friend Gail . . . where to start . . . I have know Gail for about 3 1/2 years now. We met on the pool deck where both our sets of kids are water logged each day !! We developed a friendship pretty quickly and have enjoyed pretty much the whole 3 1/2 years !! Gail pretty much tells it like it is and that is refreshing !!!! She MEANS no ill will towards anyone, yet sometimes her Jewish ways gets her into pickles . . . get it Gail, pickles !! She is a momma bear through and through but more than just fight for her kids, she spends HOURS worrying about, caring about, dreaming about her kids ! Trying to provide for her kids the best she knows how !!

Gail is not a single parent and has a devoted husband who is a wonderful father, however, his profession keeps him traveling many weeks a month, including weekends, so at times, she is like a single parent !!! Gail is a caring, sharing, open friend who would give you the shirt off her back if you asked her for it !!

Our families have been road trip partners to out of town swim meets, our husbands train, run, ride and swim together, our kids hang out, and even when not associated with swimming, we may take a day trip to Valley of Fire, or Red Rock for a hike !! Good people, Good family, GREAT friend !!!

We got to spend Thanksgiving at Gail's house this year, and this little story will tell you how comfortable I am with her. First, we were about 1 1/2 hours late - Sauerbrei time is what I call it !!! Then, I made 'fried pickles' as appetizers - - not so much traditional, but good none the less !! We had probably the most moist bird I have EVER eaten - thanks Scott for the deep fried masterpiece - - and the best all around dinner in years !!! Her brother and sister were there, AND she invited our dogs to come hang out with their sister (her dog) for the day !!! Extra brownie points on that one Gail !! But then, we all adjourn to the living room, and we are flippin' through all the ads for "Black Friday" and I proceed to curl up in a little ball and take a 1 hour nap in the middle of everything !!! That is when you know you are comfortable at a friends, when your friend makes you FEEL comfortable and welcome, and when you can say . . . Gail, you are my friend !!!

I love you, I stand by you, I am proud to say . . . YOU ARE A SIDEKICK and I am in good company !!!

Life is Good . . . .

For My Mom on Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING - 2009

What Thanksgiving means to me. . .

Growing up in a non practicing religious family, Thanksgiving was our "BIG" holiday. Now, I didn't grow up with a big immediate family, I have my folks and my brother. But we have a large extended family, lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. Our extended family tried each year to get together on Turkey Day. Whether it was at Aunt Marcella's in Twain Harte, Cousin Marianne's in Pacifica, or Aunt Lovie & Uncle Dave's ( My Folks ) in Half Moon Bay, Oakhurst, Grass Valley, or Nipomo - - hey, why did my family move so much !! Another story for another day. . .

Over the years, the tradition has carried on, somethings the holiday gathers 25 people, other times 100 people. Depends on the year, the location, the economy, the illness (unfortunately), and other circumstances like births, marriages, divorces. And as my Aunts and other relatives are getting older, it is getting harder to travel. But overall, it is a great time for family to get together !!

This year, my cousin Rachel is getting married in Mexico next week, and lots of family are traveling to see her become Mrs. Serano. I unfortunately, will not be able to attend, as a small little event called the NV State Championship Swim Meet will be happening at the same time !!! But what that means is, no one in the family really wants to travel anywhere - or can afford to travel - because they are all traveling next week. . . . .

So the Dozier extended family is not gathering this year . . . I am sad !! Because in addition to that, the Sauerbrei's will not be traveling either. My good friend Gini, who I wrote about a few posts ago, asked awhile ago if it would be cool that a few friends got together and shared Thanksgiving and could be "thankful" for friends. I said You Betcha !!! See, she will be moving soon and we just wanted to share one more day laughing and smiling !!! A lot has happened since she asked that, and I think it is more important than ever that this day be filled with just that. . . love and laughter !!!!

But that brings me back to MY family. . . who I love so much !!! The ones that are going to be here after my friend leaves. Mom, thank you for understanding . . . thank you for sharing today. . . that you for driving over next week to see Michael Phelps and Dana Torres - - I mean Sammy and Abby - - swim in the State Meet . . . thank you for understand my brother's wife is, well my brothers wife . . . thank you for teaching me "Grandma Harley's Sage and Wild Rice Stuffing" so that I never feel far away on holidays and You Betcha I am making it today, even with a Jewish family (half won't have sausage) . . . thank you to my Dad, Ol' Slo Dave, who will be there today for my mom as she sheds a tear . . . please love her today more than usual . . . she has a big heart, sometimes just is afraid to show it . . . I am thankful my mom now has 4 crazy kittens that she can chase around all day and keep her mind occupied . . . THANK YOU MOM, for letting my have this one Turkey Day, with a friend, a fried who loves your daughter for who she is - - flaws and all, who loves your grandkids, who I entrust with your grandkids, who screams at the top of her lungs for your grandkids and is the first one to go up to your grandkids when they have had an awesome race and say "great swim" and wink a wink that only the kids understand - - Mom, I may never see this friend again, I may never talk to this friend again, but I will always love this friend, I will always cheerish this friend, and Mom, you taught me how to do that . . . THANK YOU !!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - - - Love, Laughter and not too much pumpkin pie !!!

Life is Good . . . .

ARE YOU A SILVERMAN ?!?!?!?!?

2009-11-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

THE WORLD'S TOUGHEST TRIATHLON . . as quoted by THE MAN, Dave Scott !!!

CAN YOU HANDLE IT . . . . .

A Sunday in the life of the Sauerbrei's . . . . Sunday, November 8th. . . the Sauerbrei family starts their day at 5 am, getting ready, along with 100 of their closest friends to become SILVERMAN . . . ha ha hee hee, VOLUNTEERS that is !!

The Silverman Triathlon is in their 5th year, and Frank Lowery (Race Director), we consider a friend. He supports the swim team, he supports the youth triathlon movement by hosting youth tri's and he is the one that got Sammy into swimming !! (THANKS FRANK) !! So BCH Parent Booster Club, lead by yours truly and her trusted Steed (Stud) Tom, lead the group of swim friends, swim kids, swim families, non-swim families, non-swim friends, and non-swim kids ! 100 people came out to help in two hour shift - - 100 people !!! From 10 am to 10 pm, I saw faces with smiles, I got hugs, I got laughter, I got friendship !! 100 people who support athletes, who support friendship, who support family, who support community !!! I tell you what, it was an outdoor, all day party !! What a good time !! Her is my favorite girl, ready to rock and roll before anyone came through. . . .

It was an amazing day. . .

Some liked to be close to the action . . . (um, aren't they standing on a wall ???)

Others just like to ham it up !!!!

We did this for Coach Bob Swift. A BCH Swim Coach for over, geez, I don't know how many years, maybe 10 !! He is an amazing man. Just short of 60, he has done this race all 5 years !! The kids were sssssoooooo excited to see him !! Our booth had about 6 signs, all saying GO TRI GATOR (his nickname), GO COACH BOB !! He did not have a very good day this day, but he knows he was supported by HIS team, HIS swimmers, HIS friends, HIS community !!! Bob, we are proud of you !!

I felt good this day. I felt good because one, I gave back. I gave back to strangers who were doing something I will never do, who were pushing themselves to a level I will never know and I can only dream about. I did exercise this day. . . I ran up the hill once to chase a wheelchair athlete who wanted a banana but one of our kids didn't peel it in time, and I ran up the hill once when guy wanted some soda but he dropped it before he could drink it . . so I think I ran maybe 200 yards. . . but I SPRINTED !!!! And then I passed out on the ground !!!!

No one reads my silly little blog, and it doesn't bother me . . . . I love life, I LOVE MY FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY, I support those things around me . . IN DIFFICULT TIMES and in the best of times !!! If that means giving up a Sunday, to get up at 5 am, to stand of the side of Horizon Ridge Road, to have no less than 4 of my coworkers see me with a bright neon yellow shirt, funny bobber ear things, red, white and blue necklaces, screaming for strangers (and Bob) as they pass through my station, so be it !!

My friend Kyle brought me, Tom and Henry hot cocoa at 9 pm because he thought we would be cold !! A 17 year old kid brought ME, he thougth of ME, cocoa. . . that made the whole day worth it !!!! Small things people, it is about the small things !!!

LIFE IS GOOD . . .

FRIENDS . . . . .

2009-11-19T05:53:00.001-08:00

I am proclaiming all Fridays as . . . drum roll . . . . FAST FRIEND FRIDAY !!!! This is going to be my little tribute to friends, near, dear, far, in my heart, making my heart happy, making my heart sad . . . . I think we all need to remind people how much they mean to us from time to time, it makes them feel good, it makes us feel good . . . and we all need to feel better. . . right. . . . SO. . FAST FRIEND FRIDAY version 1 . . . .

Yep, these are two of my friends, my dear friends, friends I love, friends I don't nearly spend enough time with, friends who really know me, friends who really CARE about ME, care about my family . . . . let me share. . . .

On the left is Sharon Drake Pope. . . The Popester as I call her . . . we met in mid-2000 as she one of the original crew members at the Embassy Suites that we opened together !! Immediately, Sharon and I had a bond, we didn't know why, but we did. . . . well. . . I tell you why. . . we lived parallel lives !!! Both lived in San Luis Obispo, and for those of you who don't know, you always bond with anyone from SLO immediately, it is just some unspoken thing, our fathers both worked their lifetimes for PG&E - which inturn made us PG&E brats - and we both moved to Vegas on our own with no family !!! Over the last 9 years, I have gotten to see Sharon start her wonderful family with Hayleigh and Logan, we have SHARED so many hours discussing anxiety issues with kids and I have tried to help her with the little wisdom I have !! Sharon. . . I say this loud and proud - - SHE LOVES MY KIDS !!! There is something about her. . . Sammy LOVES Sharon. Sharon has taken them on occasion for the day or afternoon when I have to be stuck being a "bad" mom (working) and I kid you not, Sammy will tell me stories for MONTHS after that . . . I think that most important thing is she treats him as a friend . . . not as a child . . . Sammy respects that, I LOVE SHARON FOR THAT !! Let me say this. . I LOVE SHARON !!!

Shannon Don Owen Bernard is on the right - - Oh Shannon !!! I met Shannon in 1999, OMG 10 years ago, while interview for the Embassy Suites job. I will tell you this honestly, it took some time for Shannon and I to bond. . . Shannon is VERY quiet - - well atleast she likes people to think so !!! She doesn't share easily, more like she doesn't like to burden - - but I taught her it isn't a burden, it is a gift, a gift that friends share !! Over the years, I think I spend more time in Shannon's office than my own. I have cried many tears in her office, tears of laughter - - oh god, I remember laughing so hard we would cry and our GM Duane would start in too and the whole office would be in tear - - tears of sadness, tears of frustrations, tears of joy !!! Shannon listened to EVERY SINGLE WORD I ever needed to say about my kids !!! Shannon is a lifelong Vegas local, and her family welcomed me as one of their own !! Her mom and sisters called me sister and kid - - and would always ask Shannon where their other sister was !!! When Shannon was late to work one day, and didn't tell me where she was going to be - - I spend 2 hours calling her family, hospitals, the police, highway patrol - - then she comes walking in and I wouldn't talk to her all day !!!! I share with you this true friendship story . . . after my colonoscopy 2 years ago, Shannon was the friend that picked me up from the hospital, the friend that came into recover and heard my diagnoises (won't share here sorry), my friend who heard me pass gas for 1 full hour - hey, they pump you full of air to get a good look - my friend who tucked me in my bed at home - - THAT IS A FRIEND IN DEED !!!

These two friends of mine came out to an event that I was organizing, The Silverman Triathlon Aid Station #3 on the run course. It was hosted by the BCH Swim Team Parent Booster Club. These friends don't have kids that swim . . . these friends came out to support ME . . . it meant the world to me . . . they came for me . . . they took 3 hours out of their Sunday afternoon - usually family day - - to pass out gatorade, water, and gels to people they didn't know. . . .for me !!!! And they wore those cute head bobber things just for me !!! THANK YOU !! Thank you for supporting me, thank you for loving me, thank you for being you, and thank you for the priviledge of me saying. . . YOU BOTH ARE MY FRIEND !!!

I share with you these thoughts today because I have decided that life is busy, life is crazy, life makes you selfish. I think I am pretty good at telling my friends they are special, I am not so good about making time for them. And some people never know why they are special, never know that these little acts mean so very much to me !!! I want people to know why they are special . . FAST FRIEND FRIDAY . . . yep, that is what it is from now on !!!

Life is Good. . . .

A Yummy Little Buddy or Two . . .

2009-11-16T22:59:00.000-08:00

My little men but they don't belong to me !!! I like going to my friends - kids sporting events !! We always go to swim meet, I always cheer everyone I can . . . but to take the time, to go out of your way to a ball field you aren't familiar with, to cheer on your friends kids. . . I don't know, it warms my heart !! I got to go see my little buddy Jake Hubel go 3 for 4 in the Championship baseball game a few weeks ago, he pitched 3 incredible innings, made two incredible, circus like catches in center field, and the whole time . . . SMILE because me, Sammy and Abby were watching !!!!

Now enter the latest visit to an unfamiliar field. . . . .

Oh wait. . . there is no sporting event on his one. . . his is my yummy, little buddy. . . GARRIN !!! Garrin loves Trish and if you ask him who he loves. . . as long as his mom is not around . . . he will say Garrin loves Trish !!! Garrin was loving his grapes in this one. . . he was saying, Trish, put that camera down, I want some more grapes !!!! Garrin makes my heart warm, Garrin makes me smile silly everytime I see him, Garrin makes me hug him and run to him when I see him, Garrin gives me kisses good-bye and better yet, kisses hello !! Garrin, my little yummy man, I say this to you. . . TRISH LOVES GARRIN !!!!

OK . . here is my killer sportsman !!! Conner, the soccer man !!! He plays for the Scorpions, his team for years was undefeated years even when playing up one level, this 9 year old has AMAZING feet. . . I don't know much about soccer, but I do know this kid has amazing ball handling skills !!! Crazy good !!! I have known him for about 4 years now, and this was my first weekend to watch him. . . I wish I would have made the effort to see him more !!!

And I wish I would have had my good camera this day. . . check out this shot !! Amazing !!! The kid can kick the ball a mile and a half !!! Up close, amazing shot, but blurry as hell !!! I would say next time, but I don't think there will be a next time. . . .

See my amazing two boys, who aren't mine, are moving away. . . far, far away. . .like to a state I have never been too. . . somewhere by CT, or MA, or NH or something up there in that New England territory !! My friend Gini told me awhile ago, that the Herbst family was leaving. At first I was VERY sad, then very quiet, then very content, then angry, and now sad again. Sad not because they were leaving because this is the BEST move, for the right reasons, at the right time, to be a family, with family. No, I was sad for me. . . selfish, I know, but still, honest !! Sad I was losing a funny friend who could laugh at herself, who could say she needed to get over herself, who loves her family more than life, and someone who I wish I had many more years to be close to !!!! Sad because these two little men, who aren't mine, are going to be away . . . . .

I made a bucket list in my mind. . . on the top of that list . . . to see Conner play soccer !!! I am glad I got to do that. . . I am glad I got to see him in his soccer element . . . I am glad he has so much passion, that tears come down his cheeks when he gets frustrated. . . . I am glad he can laugh at himself, because who else can you laugh at if you can't laugh at yourself !!!! I am glad I got to see his dad, so proud, coaching him, teaching him, instructing him, encouraging him !!! Conner, you are ROCK STAR, please never forget that !!!

AND . . . . .

I am glad this little man finished his grapes !!!

Life is Good. . . . .

The Not So New Car . . . . . ugh . . .

2009-11-11T22:51:00.001-08:00

Old Bessy. . . the box . . . the yucky old car. . . yep the ol' 2000 Ford Explorer with 145,200 miles on it when we traded it in just over 60 days ago. . . .

It really doesn't look that bad on the outside. . . NO crashes, I think the worse thing is it had two scratches on the wheel well from a shopping cart !! Now, on the inside, that is a different story !! It was gross. . . it has almost 8 years of Sauerbrei kids food, drinks, dirt, grass, spills, messes, melted crayons, old french fries, money, hair clips, you name it, it was under those seats and in the floor mats. And mechancially, it was gone. . . it needed about $5k worth of work and we just put $5k in 2 years ago, so . . . . it was time. . . . . enter Miss Acadia . . . .

She is a beauty !!!! This was a long, LONG, sought out purchase. We first test drove one in January. . . yes folks January !!! That's now unbelieveably scared I was to get a new car . . . not the new car, the new car payment !!! We decided on the Acadia after that first test drive, but were slow to pull the trigger !! But we finally did it. . . . and boy does she drive wonderful !!!

BUT . . . . I guess she doesn't brake very well !!!!

OUCH . . . .

SHIT !!!!

OH MAN, NOT THE TIRE AND RIM . . . .

Ok, super long story, but her is the short version. Dropped kids off in Boulder City for school, heading to work, got to a very tricky part of the interstate (remember I said interstate), when heavy traffic was merging, I was paying close attention to the merge, looked in the rear view mirror to check to ensure the guy cleared me, when I looked back, the traffic was STOPPED in the slow lane. The guy in front of me lit them up and skidded sideways into the shoulder, I slammed on the brakes and went to the left. . . . well. . . .6" more and it would have just been a good story for a week or so. . . I tagged the 2nd car in front of me. So I pull over, hit my OnStar, curse like a truck driver, and then look ahead .. . . about 1/2 mile down the road. . . where animal control was in the shoulder with its lights on. Then I look again, and I see no less than 5 --FIVE -- people STOPPED in the slow lane and OUT OF THEIR CARS trying to help a dog on the freeway !!! Again, remember, INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, STOPPED IN SLOW LANE, OUT OF CARS !!! What the heck are people thinking. . . . probably the same thing as me. . . since when I pulled over, I opened my passenger door to call the doggie to try and get him in my car so that he didn't get hit by a car !!! Dog looked at me and laughed. . .yes he laughed !!!

So . . .animal control came back to the scene when the highway patrol was there and gave a statement . . . the guy I hit was totally cool, the NV Highway Patrol gave me a nice long lecture about controlling my vehicle, following too closely, and safe distance between vehicles, BUT he didn't give me a ticket. . . . ONE BLESSING. . . well, two blessings. . . . I wasn't hurt and either was anyone else. . . .and the dog. . . he got off the freeway just fine . . . on his own time . . .still laughing at me !!!

I drive a piece of crap car for 8 years, another car before that for 4 and then before that for 4 and NEVER an incident. . . . I get my first new car that I have ever purchased myself and bam, less than 90 days later - - because no, it hasn't even been registered yet - - - it is crashed !!!!

Life is Good . . . . .

FORTY - TWO

2009-11-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is where I would like to be right now. . . .with the sand between my toes, the water crashing around, maybe a kid on a surfboard or two. . . but right now . . . all I can think of is . . . . I AM 42 YEARS OLD !!

For those of you who can't quite get the visual there. . . here it is in words . . .

f-o-r-t-y t-w-o !!

And for those sports minded freaks. . . . red 42, circled in blue . . . I think there is something significant about the number, but don't know what it is . . . all I know is I am 42 !!!

And because I live in VEGAS BABY . . . I give you the Bingo number 42 . . . I think it is in the N column, someone check that please and get back to me would ya . . . . .

42 - forty-two, the number 4 and then 2 !!!!

I AM TOO OLD TO BE DEALING WITH THIS SHIT !!!!!!!

Life is good. . . . .

Halloween . . . are we getting too old ????

2009-11-01T12:18:00.000-08:00

You know it might be time to call it quits when you son doesn't wear a costume anymore. . . he just throws on a funny wig, his aviator glasses, grabs a pillow case and calls it good to go !!! Abby on the other hand still wants to dress up, still knows the Great Pumpkin comes to our house in 3 days and takes all the candy she hasn't eaten and gives it to the children who couldn't get any !!!

We had a great time cruisin' the neighborhoods of Boulder City with the Smith Family !!! Then we visited the Hubels to watch a movie . . . . well, to take a nap before driving home actually !!! Tom stayed home to hand out candy . . . and proceeded to get drunk with the neighbors !!! Gotta love those text messages . . . I'm on shot #3 . . . next one, I am officially drunk !!!

Life is good on the fall back November 1st. . . . .

OH SAMMY !!!!

2009-10-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

My boy, my punk, my bud, my little man (who is now looking at me eye to eye) . . . Sammy have you met him. . . .

This is Sammy, showing off his busted knuckles from hitting the heavy bag one night last week so hard that . . . duh. . .he busted open his knuckles and our cream colored heavy bag now has a lovely accent of blood spots all over it !!!

Anyways, that is not the point today. . . the point is. . . MY BOY MAKES ME LAUGH !!! Is that so wrong . . . is it wrong that what I was laughing about is SSSOOOO wrong on so many levels !! Is it wrong that I said "dude, if you ever do that and get busted, it is fine with me !"

Ok so the story goes - names have been changed to protect the innocent . . .

Driving to school this morning a boy named . . .um . . . Scot . . . was riding in his mothers car . . um . . .Tina. Tina asked young Scot how was yesterdays swim practice. Scot proceeds to say yes I worked hard, yes I tried, yes I lead the lane, but when the head coach . . .um . . . Miguel . . . left, the other coach . . . um. . . Josie . . .took over. Well Mom, Scot proceeds, I had to pee. Tina asks, well did you ask to go? Yes Scot said, and crazy Josie wouldn't let me go!!! (Tina doesn't like that answer much because if you gotta pee, you gotta pee, and you certainly are not going to swim fast if you have to pee. And Scot has this phobia and will not pee in the pool (like we have all done one time or another) - but anyways I digress). So Tina continued . . what did you do ??? Scot - - "I got mad !!" Typical Scot, if Josie or Miguel makes him mad, he shuts down and you have lost him fo the rest of practice. So Scot continues. . . I was at the end of the lane, fixing my swim cap, and Josie comes over and yells - - WHAT ARE YOU DOING SCOT ?!!???!!! Tina now will quote Scot "Mom, I really thought twice about it, and I thought better of it, but man I wanted to say 'PEEING IN THE POOL' !!! " But I said fixing my cap, Josie yelled at me and kicked me out of the last 5 minutes of practice !!!

TINA HAD TEARS IN HER EYES LAUGHING SO HARD !!!

My husband is a smart ass, but Sammy - - oh boy, he takes the one liner cake !!! I am not kidding, I was laughing my ass off. And I said to him, that is good Sam, I am glad you thought better of it and I continued to laugh until tears formed . . . Abby, Sammy and I were howling. . then we stopped at a red light, I looked at him and said - - "dude, if you ever do that and get busted, it is fine with me !"

Is that so wrong????????

Life is good . . . . .

IS IT BOTOX TIME YET ????

2009-10-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

Count them with me . . 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 OMG. . I can't stop !!!

Check out the frickin' rolls on my forehead !!! What the hell are those and when did they show up !!!!

This was a photo, taken on Tom's berry . . . we were at the UNLV Runnin' Rebels First Look - - an opportunity to look at the men's basketball team for the first time !! It was a really neat event, we all wore Rebel Red. . . we cheer with the cheerleaders, we clapped with the band, we chanted Reb-els, Reb-els, and we got to see Larry Johnson, former All American at UNLV under Coach Tark and former NBA player. And I only have one thing to say . . . HE IS A BIG MAN !!!

Abby got to see Chet Buchanan from the Morning Zoo radio station which is the one we listen too. Abby got to see the UNLV dance squad - - wish she wouldn't have - - and now wants to be a showgirl, I mean dance member !!!! Sammy didn't go as he was up in Boulder City at a friends house. . . a bunch of them went to the high school football game and then just hung out at his house. He was happy, we were happy !!!

Ok. . . so now that I have told you everything about the night, let's get back to these wrinkles/rolls/waves - whatever the frick they are on my head !!!! First, I have a confussion - - as I know Tom doesn't read this - - I have had Botox twice for my "grand canyon". Those are the 11's that run in the middle of your eyes. I always knew it was time to get it because Sammy would ask me "what's wrong mommy" and I would say nothing and he would say well you are frowning. . . and I wasn't !! So I snuck, twice, and got it !! It is a little pricey, but was worth it. And I am blessed because I only needed to update every 8 months !!!

Well . . . it has been a YEAR since my last appointment !! And it is obivious it is time again !!!!

Today, as I sit here - - I have a new hairstyle . . . it is called BANGS !!! Do you think people can see the ripples on the lake through my bangs???? Bangs are cheaper than Botox - - bangs make you look younger - - RIGHT ??????????

Life is Good. . .

2009-10-17T15:28:00.000-07:00

Dress up day !!

Today was a special day for a family friend - Sammy's buddy - Solomon Shire . . . he had his bar mitzvah this morning. My knuckleheads never get "fancy" and we are usually in shorts and t-shirts or swim suits or sweats !!! So here are some "fancy" photos of my punks. . .

They actual might like each other here !!!!

Tom told them to take a photo with mom . . . which was nice. . . . i am in 3' heals by the way . . . Sammy is catching up and FAST !!!!

On the ride over. . .don't know why I like these ones. . . I just do . . .

I wish we were not runny late and had some times to take a good photo with the good camera, but as usual we were on Sauerbrei time and were rushing all around !!! So these will have to do for now. . . .

It was a very special day for the Shire's. Lots of family, lots of friends. It was all good !!

Abby wants to go to church. . . . I need to make a better effort to take her . . . .

Life is Good . . . .

2009-10-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

HAVE YOU MET MY GRANDKIDS !!!!

I found this photo amongst others. . . it was Christmas, and it was a treat for these two little guys to snuggle on the couch !!

Let me share. . . . .
TheY are our mutts . . . mixed breds (Labradoodles, but don't say that in front of Tom) they are half lab-poodle and half lab-poodle !!! Lab mix . . . Lab something . . just don't say poodle !!!

Buddy . . . the more yellow one on top . . that is Sammy's dog. He almost wasn't Sammy's dog as after 3 days of Buddy in the house, Sammy SWELLED up all over and was having a major allergy attack. Buddy almost was looking for a new home !! Thank goodness the allergies calmed down (well actually Sammy and Tom started allergy shots) !! Anywho, Buddy is a jewel . . loving, sweet, nervous, and PERFECT for Sammy. They bond so well, they just hang out together and they are just ONE. . . seriously, there could not have been a better dog for Sam !!! Buddy also looks more "lab" like, so I think Tom perfers him too !!!

Gunner . . .the more white one . . . oh Gunner !! He is Abigail's dog and again. . match made in heaven !!! He is high strung, hyper, active, ALWAYS has something in his mouth, and wants attention all the time !! Gunner gets the short end of the stick though, because he is always in trouble and I think Sammy . . . oh I mean Buddy. . just is laughing knowing he did all the dirty work !!! Like eating my plants, chewing my shoes, or grabbing an entire steak off the counter !!! Gunner is perfect for Abby !!!

How we got so lucky with the match. . . I don't know. . . by I saw this photo and it made me smile !! Dogs bring so much sunshine into a household. We had turtles, they didn't bring it. . . only dogs (or cats for you cat people) !!

So with that. . . I smile, and think how much my kids love their dogs, how much I loved my dogs as a kid, how thankful I am that we have them, and DAMNIT . . . STOP EATING MY PLANTS !!!

Life is Good. . . .

Cancer SUX !!!

2009-10-14T08:39:00.001-07:00

Yep, that is the title . . . The story behind it. . . well, my family, both immediate and extended has been pretty blessed to only be affected by cancer twice. . . now those two people would say they were not blessed, but overall, cancer does not run in our family. So at times, it is hard to imagine what families go through with cancer . . . . Enter SUX. . . a little boy named Brandon was befriended by the radio station that me and my kids listen. He had cancer. . . he was a fighter. . . he was a personality larger than life. . . he wrote on his sisters back these words CANCER SUX . . just like any 10 year old would do. . . . I was touched by his story. . . so much so that I cried a heavy tear when I heard he lost his battle . . . I felt like I new a little piece of him and I was sad.

Enter Danny Gans. . . Las Vegas local headline entertainer . . . man of many voice AND a true giver to the children of our community !! Danny Gans did a 5k run to raise money for the NV Childhood Cancer Foundation which gives money to families whose children are fighting cancer. Last year, the swim team ran as Team Alexis, in honor of a team member Alexis Grothe, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 3 days before leaving for college on a swimming scholarship - - makes you realize swimming is such a small part of the big picture !!!! This year, it was the Danny Gans Memorial Run. . . and my kids wanted to run. . . they wanted to raise money. . .it was the least they could do being healthy, active kids !!!

Now. . . in enters mom - - whose cameras battery died as we exited the car !!! Yep, so these photos are from the Blackberry . . .not great quality. . . but will work !! Plus my friend Gini was there with her fabulous camera snapping away . . . those are the good ones !!!

So here is the start outside of Green Valley Ranch Casino. . . they ran around the outside of their property. . . safe. . . which is nice !!! Sam has REALLY grown and looks me eye to eye . . just to give you all visuals !!!

Abby taking off. . . she is in white shirt, black and white shorts !! She looked strong and loves to run !!! Sammy is right behind Abby's head . . .

Sammy rounding the corner at the end . . probably mile 3 right now. . . he looks good. . . he looks strong. .. he looks tired . . . .

The thing with Sammy is we can ALWAYS tell when he is working hard. . . the red face gives it away everytime !!!

He finished in just over 26 minutes !!

Abby finishing up the course !! She looked great and finished in just under 30 minutes !!!

Turning the corner, heading for home. . . . she was just looking down the whole time !!!

At the awards, Abby ended up getting 4th in her age group. . . I went up to get her medal and they said where is Abby. . . I said "in the water at swim practice" . . . the whole placed just laughed and the announcer said what else are you gonna have her do today mom, build a house !!! Sammy got 6th, 16 seconds out of medal contention !!! Every second counts. . . .

I am so very proud of my kids. . . . I told them both I would run it with them next year !!! Supporting those who are dealing with a difficult situation and fighting to be Champions for Life !!! Thank you Danny Gans - we miss you . . . And Brandon, you are in my thoughts !!!!

Life is Good. . . .

2009-10-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

THIS PRETTY MUCH SUMS UP MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY . . .

Depressed - - not really . . .more melloncolly (if that is even how you spell it)
Overworked - - on so may levels but mostly mentally
Job Suck - -not really, actually LOVE my job, just wish I didn't have to work
Unappreciated - - Really? You think?
Family Problems - - I would like anyone to say they don't. . .what family in this world is NOT disfunctional. . .
Money Worries - - well let's see, buy a house, owe ALOT, house worth A LITTLE, and after 30 years, we will still owe MUCH !!!! I think Obama is calling that "underwater" - - really? You think? Thank goodness I know how to swim !!!

I love my life. . . I love my husband. . . I love my kids. . . I love my dogs. . . I love my friends. . . LIFE IS GOOD !! But somedays you just wake up on the wrong side of happiness, you think about all your decisions in life and why you have made them, you think about your time, your efforts, your honestly, your openness, and you just wonder aloud. . . . REALLY?

Hugs to all, because I could use one right back . . . . Enough Said . . . .

Oh. . . ps. . . the DR at our work health fair today pretty much said I was gonna drop dead tomorrow !!! Tom, hope you are not reading this because I need to lower my cholorestol and stress level !!!!!

2009-10-05T16:19:00.000-07:00

Great Swimming Weekend !!!

A swim meet could have not come at a better time for the Sauerbrei Family !! I have been super busy with Budget 2010 at work, kids have been restless with school and more importantly, they have been tired of Saturday Practices !!!

So we had a three day meet in Downtown Vegas !! Not the best location in the world, but very nice grass area to sit with swim families and enjoy the 100 degree weekend weather !!! I think the social aspect is so wonderful . . . not for the kids. . . for the parents !!!

My kids came to race - - that is how I will sum it up !! Both Sammy and Abby had outstanding times, outstanding efforts, and really just enjoyed themselves !!!

I had one of their coaches tell me today. . . . the proof is in the workout. . .the harder they work, the more time they will drop !!! Sometimes it is hard to get kids to understand this, but sometimes, it takes a meet like this to prove the point !!

Sammy tied for High Point ages 11-12 !!!

The Head Coach, Mike Polk, was very pleased with my knucklehead because just the week before, he kicked him out of practice for not listening and goofing around !!!

This makes three high point awards in a row for Sammy at this swimimng pool !!! We don't know why he goes fast here, maybe it is comfort, may the water is "fast", maybe it is the time of year. . . who knows, but he goes fast !!!

I only want to share one thing. . . . the 2009 Nevada State Championship Swim Meet . . ..

IS AT THIS POOL !!!!

Abby got 4th in her 10 & Under age group and I couldn't have been more proud !! I literally only took aobut 5 photos all weekend, but she had big smiles on her face !!!

Way to go kids !!!

7 Things About Today . . .

2009-10-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated this page in so long (thanks for reminding me Shannon everytime I see you), and that bothers me !! I love this kind of silly stuff, bragging about my kids, taking great photos of my kids, and sharing with friends and family !! I got in trouble at home for spending too much time on the computer so I backed away for awhile. . . I am making this promise to myself. . . I am going to make it work somehow, I am going to BLOG !!!! It makes me HAPPY !!!

Anyways - so I am going to start by sharing something I saw on a blog that was was cruising by. . . called THE 7 THINGS. . . here it goes. . .

7 Material Things I want to do in my lifetime. . .
1. Swim with the dolphins - - checked off, three summers ago in Hawaii
2. Go to Australia / New Zealand
3. Travel the USA in a decked out motorhome (retirement - ha, whenever that may be)
4. Go on an Alaskan Cruise
5. Cruise the Greek Islands
6. Go to an Olympic Events - either Winter (skiing) or Summer (swimming)
7. Own a convertible

7 Things I do daily. . .
1. Smile
2. Hug my kids
3. Curse like a truck driver
4. Think about friends and family
5. Annoy my husband
6. Be honest
7. Be anxious

7 Things I don't want to be doing now . . .
1. Gaining weight
2. Being sad for a friend
3. Working long hours
4. Being grumpy at home
5. Being conflicted about my volunteering
6. Stressing about my filthy my house is and not wanting to clean it
7. Paying a $500k mortgage on a house worth $250k !!!! And in 30 years, still owing $350k !!!

7 Celebrity Crushes . . . .
1. Matthew McConaughey
2. Lance Armstrong
3. Ryan Lochte
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Simon Baker
6. Tony Stewart
7. Patrick Dempsey

7 Things I can't do . . .
1. Cook good - - although I try
2. Bake good - - although I try
3. Keep a clean house
4. Stop worrying about my son . . for various reasons
5. Stop over-extending myself
6. Figure out why people throw their cigerettes out the car window
7. Change the world. . . but I can tackle this list.

7 Things I want to be remembered as. . . .
1. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful mommy
2. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful wife
3. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful friend
4. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful mommy
5. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful wife
6. A caring, dedicated, honest, helpful friend
7. Repeat the above 6 1,000 times because that is all that matters !!!

Love to all of you !!!! me

We Are Here !!!

2009-07-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

WE ARE HERE !!! YIPPIE !!

Mission Viejo California for the Summer Junior Olympics. Sammy swimming 6 events plus 3 relays and Abby swimming 2 events and 2 relay - - all over the course of 5 LONG days !!!!

Abby was excited to wear her "RED" shirt and Sammy, well, he was being patient just hugging her for this photo !! He has been really stressed since we got here, I think the pressure got to him . . . but this is a learning experience, RIGHT ?!?!?!?!

The shirts are pretty cool and one of our better ones believe it or not . . . .

Sammy swimming his free !!!

Doing what he does best . . .the FLY !!!

Abby and her "big arm" fly. . . it looked great going down. . .

The sun is SSSSOOO bright here !!! Abby and her freestyle . . .

So . . . we had a 7th place 100 fly, a 18th place 200 free, and a 25th place 100 free for Sammy so far. . . not what we were expecting, but again, he is 12 . . plenty of time to learn. Abby got a 24th in the fly and 34th in the free. It truly was a learning experience for her !!

Think fast thoughts. . . we need all the help we can get !!

PS . . it is not fun traveling without Tom. . . we miss him and want him here !!!

Saturday Night Special !!

2009-07-26T22:28:00.001-07:00

What a great time the family had on Saturday Night !!! Swim family friends, the Herbsts, who always throw an incredible party, celebrated their daughter turning 12 !!! Well, I guess it started a little sooner than the party . . . Abby and I took Hannah for a pedicure and nail treatment before the party so she could look extra special for the big night !!

There were so many funny moments, so many ah ha moments, and so many moments that blurrrr together !! One thing is for sure. . . we are surrounded by a GREAT bunch of friends !! Our extended family, our swim family, makes these nights even more special ! The kids all play, laugh, talk, and more importantly, the adults all play, laugh and talk !!! Great times by all . . . here are some highlight. . . .

Sammy cracking up at Andre on the neighborhood scavenger hunt (game #1) !! I have not idea what was going on, but he had the giggles so bad !!

Game #2, wrap a friend/gulliable one with foil in some sort of design !! Abby was some superhero figure on some cartoon with a peace belt buckle. . .that is all I remember !!! Great game, kids had a blast. . .some more than others (aka Rudy) !!!!

Ok, above and below . . . well. . . I will give you the short version. . . This is Jean, Mel's mom, she was an age group swimmer - - and a pretty darn good one too - - and shares what with us often !!! She lives vicariously through her daughter and is probably known in the swim community as "the psycho one." Jean has broken her ankle while running up and down the pool yelling at Mel, and has gone into the pool fully chothed with purse and all !!! Enough said. . . This is Jean trying to clear the pool so the kids will go play games !! Yes, Jean, in black flying through the air ......... AND ........

This is Jean. . . clearing the pool !!! OMG - enough said . . . . only Jean !!!

This was the skits !!! We, Laura Hubel, Carol Lelles, and me, were migdets at a car wash !! Guess what ???? I was the car !!! My tinfoil front bumper, heatlights out of yellow construction paper, plates as wheels, Carol getting ready to squeegie my face, you can't see Laura but she is strubbing my back side, I have an atenna on my shoulder, and break lights on my ARST !!! we sang car wash, working at the car wash yea !! Too much frickin fun. . . I was laughing, crying and sweating so much I hurt all over !!!!

Even Tom got into the act with Bill Herbst, Ron Hubel and another swimmer dad !! They were emergency workers - - - let's just say it involved a diaper and duct tape !!!!

And for the GRAND FINALE. . . . host Gini Herbst, Jean Harris, and Jennifer Pulido wrapped it all up with "I'm too sexy for my skirt" and again, OMFG . . . I had tears in my eyes !!! I love people who can laugh at themselves, because like I say. . . if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at !!!

Over 80 friends including kids were in attendance !! The Herbsts are SAINTS in all our eyes because I can barely handle my own kids going crazy !!!! And the incredible thing about these parties. . . pretty much alcohol free !! Good times, good friends, big smiles, sore bellies from laughing !!!! We love the Herbst Family. . Bill, Gini, Hannah, Conner, Garrin and Lucy . . . . we love them all !!!!

LIFE IS GOOD !!!

Second Family

2009-07-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

You know, they say you spend more time with your co-workers than you do with your family !! I have truly, honestly lucky to love my job, really enjoy my co-workers, I laugh often, and usually don't mind going to the office !! I work at Aristocrat Technologies, Inc as their Controller-System Sales & Tech Services. We are an Australian based company whose main focus is manufacturing slot machines for sale and lease, services those machines, and marketing our brand. We also create player tracking systems (software) for casino management. That is my focus, System Sales and also Tech Services - the guys and gals that support the machines and the systems. We have HUGE acocunts (like Royal Carribean Cruise Lines and M Resort) and we have small accounts (like Brass Ass Casino and Little Turtle Hurtle) !!! It really has been fun to learn about financial accounting for this industry, since I was in hospitality accounting for so long (14 years) ! Nothing says fun like FAS 13, or SOP 97-2, or IFS for software financial reporting - - let's all say it together. . .YIPPIE !!

So that leads me to this cast of characters. . .they are the one's that make the day manageable !! From left to right, David, me, Frank, Alison (my boss), Jackie, Beth, Isabel, Shannon, and Thomas & Becky on the bottom. Together we have single men, single woman, married no kids, married with kids, partiers, non-partiers, east coasters, texans, west coasters. . . in this small group, we have it all !!!

Friday afternoon, we went to lunch and bowling for a team building event (AKA, get out of work early on Friday) !! I love to make an ass out of myself, and they will all tell you that I do a pretty good job. My line at work is . . . if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at !!! So I try to liven it up and laugh, and smile, and embarass myself, and talk, and talk, and talk - - yes I really talk when I am nervous !!! But when you go bowling, most pictures are like this below. . .

Glad my ARST is 20 pounds lighter these day hu Gini . . and yes dad, nice form I know !!! Always the coach he is !!!

And latestly, this is my first friend at ATI . . . Beth !! She is a small town girl for Boulder City, her mom works with Carol, my good friend and family triathlon buddy, and she was the one I talked to all the time when I first starter - - refer back to talk alot when I am nervous !!! She listened to me when I cried because I was scared when I took the job, she listens and knows about my kids, their activities, their likes, their dislikes - - Abby loves Beth and even calls her Beth-e-Beth like I do !! She was the first co-worker I told about my near death experience with Allegiant Airlines, and she cried with me !! So Beth, even though you don't read this, THANK YOU !! Thank you for making my day a little brighter, letting me brag about my kids, hugging me when I need a hug, just smilin', and letting me take this silly self photo of us when you hate having your picture taken !!!

LIFE IS GOOD !!!

Historical Visit !!

2009-07-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

HOOVER DAM BYPASS !!!! ROAD TRIP . . .

When for a drive to the Hoover Dam last night to check out the bypass that is being built !!! First thing that came to my mind was OMG . . . look how low the lake is !!! It really put a pit in my stomach . . stickening low !! The water is usually up to the walkway on those intake pillars !!!

This is the first close up thing we see. . . I wish we could have stopped more on the way down to take more photos, but there really isn't a place to stop . . . AND Tom was driving !!!

This project has been in the works for YEARS now, and this is the first time we got to see it !!! INCREDIBLE sums it up !! The sheer magnitude of it all was amazing !! Our friend Bill Herbst posted a photo on Facebook with the gap just a little open, and that is what finally got us up here !!!

I am more glad the kids got to see this first hand !! They were both amazed, in awwwww, asking a frickin' boat load of questions, and Sammy must have taken 50 photos on his phone !!! This is historic, I am glad we took them !! We were standing on 80 year old concrete, a true engineering marvel, looking out at another engineering marvel !!!

I think I am going to take the kids back a do a tour !!! Sammy really wants a helicopter ride and I really want to be refreshed on my Dam history !!! The craziest thing. . . it is only 10+ minutes from the house. . . whole different world than Las Vegas !!!

I am glad we took the kids. . . wish we would have gone sooner . . . but they will remember that for a long time to come !!! My mother-in-law loved it and got right home and went on the computer to research it !!!

LIFE IS GOOD !!

Small Town America !!

2009-07-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

I miss Small Town America so very much. I spent my childhood in Half Moon Bay, CA where the population was 5,000 and you could walk to the ShortStop (7-11) to buy a slurpee and my friend would buy cigarettes for her mom with a note !!! Not kiddin !!! Then I moved to Oakhurst, CA for high school, population 5,000, where we never locked our doors and my next door neighbor was my hero and saved me from two rattlesnakes !! Not kiddin' again !!! Then college in San Luis Obispo, CA, population 30,000 and that was a big city to me !! Fresno for a few years and now Las Vegas, population "who the frick knows" !!! Just say, I am not in Kansas anymore Toto !!!

Anywho0000. . . so when you have the opportunity to do what I consider "Small Town America" activities, we Tri as a Family to make sure the kids can be exposed to it !! Like this. . . 4th of July parade in Boulder City - population 30,000 . . .

Kids Getting Ready for Parade !!!

Start of Parade - - It was Wet !!

Yes, that is me, sitting in a blow up swimming pool mounted on a flat bed trailer filling water guns for the kids to shoot the people in the stands !!! It was wet, fun, full of belly laughs, and a really good time all around !!!

So that brings us to today . . . Cardboard Boat Races !!

Abby spent the last 3 afternoon building and constructing her "boat" and painting it, and decorating it, and basically making a big ass mess on my kitchen table !!! Small Town America - - just remember that . . .

ABBY TALKING TO LOCAL PRESS !!!

NERVOUS BEFORE THE START !!

KICK ABBY KICK !!! But my boat is sinking mom . . . just kick !!!

HEY - WHERE'S YOUR BOAT YOUNG MAN !!

"you talkin' to me !!!"

WINNER - - 10 YEAR OLD DIVISION !!!

So her boat fell apart after 10 seconds in the water. . . . so her boat really wasn't a boat, it was a flat piece of cardboard painted . . . . so there was only 2 competitors in her age group - the other was Mandi, her very good friend from swim . . . so we were up there for 2 hours through the judging and races . . . . THIS IS SMALL TOWN AMERICA !!!

I am glad I can at least give my kids this !! I know it sounds strange, but it is important to me !!

Thank you Boulder City, for letting my kids attend your schools, for letting my kids swim on your team, for welcoming our family with open arms, and most importantly, for trying to keep that feeling of Small Town America in these crazy time !!!

LIFE IS GOOD !!!

WHEN TO SHUT UP !!!

2009-07-21T05:45:00.000-07:00

So my mother-in-law is here for a week !! I get very conflicting feelings with her here to be honest . . . I love that . . . .

My Patio Window Has Never Been Cleaner !!!

My Fridge Has Never Been More Organized !!!

And My Laundry Is Neatly Stacked In Mis-Matched Piles !!!!

However I draw the lines when it comes to life lessons for my children. That is my job, Tom's job, and we are the one's sculpting the mindset of our two little ones. Which, in and amoungst itself, it a very scary thought !!

So last night, we were enjoying the wonderful weather and had dinner outside on our wonderful new patio table !! Talk is light, laughting etc. and Sammy asks, what do you think Robert (grandma's oldest grandson, Sammy's cousin from MN, 19 years old, and who has gotten in a little trouble for some graffiti issues at a skate park) does at work ? Abby pipes up without missing a beat "community service!" I almost died laugthing. We all laughted !!

So Sammy, ever so the question man that he is, asks "did that stay on his record." And I say, yes, it is on his permanent record. Anytime you do something to someone else or someone elses property it will be with you forever, so don't EVEN think about graffiti, because I will kill you. We all giggle, point spoken, point taken . . . everything you do has consequences so think before you do them !! End of story right. . . . WRONG !!

Grandma pipes in. . . in oh so important voice . . . "No, that's not right, Sharon (grandma's daughter, Roberts mom) said that they plea bargined and . . . "STOP - Carolyn" I shout as I give her the look of death !!! She continues, "no your wrong, Sharon said it will go away . . . "CAROLYN - STOP" this time Tom and I both say it at the same time . . . I look at Tom and give him the look of if you ever want another Saturday morning while the kids are at practice special, you better get her to stop !! "But the DA bargined and he won't" . . . "OH MY GOD - ENOUGH" . . . again Tom and I say it in unison . . this time Tom puts his hands out like calling a runner safe and says Mom, please. . . ok. . . I am not frickin' kiddin' this goes on for 3 minutes - - that woman wanted the last word no matter what !!! So final, during her last "he won't be in trouble" I yelled CAROLYN, I KNOW YOU WANT THE LAST WORD BUT SHUT UP - -NO MORE !!!

And with that, I turn to my ever so deer in the headlight looking son and say "Yes Sammy, it WILL stay on your permanent record !!!"

Am I gonna make it to Sunday. . . that is all I am asking here???????

Life Is Good !!!

Welcome Back . . Where Did I Go . . .

2009-07-19T17:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was all gungho to blog, and then bam. . . I didn't continue !! So here is my effort again !! I like Facebook, I like to talk (aka brag) about my kids and how much they mean to me, I like to express myself through photos and comments !!!

So we are just going to start today . . . and go from there !!! Who's with me . . . I know Gini is. . . anyone else wanna play . . . .

Today . . it was a mild 105 in Vegas today which means it was about 110 where we live and play !!! It was hot !! On top of that. . . we had an outdoor swim meet this weekend !! Usually, I am in love with outdoor swim meets because photos are so much better outside but this weekend, I could have passed !!

Sammy was sick Saturday with the 24 hour flu - yuck !!! He swam Sunday but really wasn't himself. Abby was trying for more Junior Olympic times - - came close - - dropped time - - just not enough !! So we leave this meet with Sammy max'd with JO times and Abby has 2 !!! Go kids !!

Here are some photos !!!

"Bring It To Me Water !!"

Great Start !!

See why I like outdoor photos !!!

Backstroke - - least favorite stroke !!

50 FLY - hung on to take 1st, but added a full second - - not feeling well !!

Just wanted to show him that he does has good form. . .

when he wants to !!!

So that was the weekend. . .full of sun, naps, swim friend fun, and lots of time on the computer !! Tom thinks I am addicted to the computer these days, but oh well, it makes me smile !! Grandma Beach is here - - Tom's mom - - for a week and then we head to the Summer Junior Olympics for a week !! Yippie !!!

My goal. . . to try and post when I can . . . stick with me !!!

Life is good !!!

WELCOME !!

2007-10-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the world of Sauerbrei's !!! I have recently decided to slow down a little bit on life, stop, smell the roses (yucca trees, rage weed, whatever), enjoy life a little bit more, and keep in touch with friends and family !!! I am happiest when I scrapbook, photoshop, etc, and this is a wonderful way for me to do that while keeping in touch with friends and family that are dear to me !! And there are many of you out there !!! Even if you only check it out once in awhile, you will get the kids updates, quick photos and daily stories that make us THE SAUERBREI's !!

So here we go . . enjoy, comment, laugh, cry, do whatever you want to do !!! Tonight - explanation of the title . . . . TRI as a family !! About 2 - 3 years ago, Sammy entered his first triathlon !!! Crazy, he is only 10 and have done TRI's for almost 3 years. I stood there watching all these kids busting their little butts swimming, biking and running and as corney as it sounds, tears came to my eyes and I told Tom, this is the group for me !! After years of soccer, t-ball, and baseball, I was never so impressed by the parents and supporters of these kids !! The atmosphere was amazing, parents cheering for kids they didn't even know, strangers asking about your kid and sincerely listening to your answer !! I was hooked !! Tom was hooked !! Sammy did great and was hooked !!! Abby - - well you all know, she is Abby, just she was hooked !!!