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

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

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

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 . . . .

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)

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

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

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 ?!?!?!?!?

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 . . . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

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 . . . . .