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Taking What We Can Get
May. 14th, 2009 03:33 amWhat a beautiful day it was, yesterday. Cool, a bit breezy, lots of sunshine. For the past week or so, the phys ed kids from the high school have been spending part of their time up in the bleachers or along the track working on written exams. Guess it's that time of year, regardless of what class you're taking. At least the coaches are still getting them outside. When they're done, they usually walk the track or join one of the soccer games that's going on.
Speaking of that, I think I mentioned that I'm now a soccer mom at the age of 65. My son has been working long hours for the moving company lately, so I pick up little Jay at school and keep him occupied until his dad gets home. That means, among other things, soccer practice on Friday evening and the game on Saturday morning. His mom's family was there for his first game, which was nice, but missed last week. Can't tell you how sad it is to have a bright-eyed little six year old come to the sidelines and ask why his mom isn't there for his game. What do you say when you really don't know but suspect there's really no excuse?
Anyway, about yesterday. I'd talked to my wife about getting a practice soccer goal for the backyard and she agreed. So yesterday after I picked little Jay up from school I dropped him and his aunt Sarah at home to play outside while I went to the Sports Authority. There I found a Franklin soccer "rebounder" which is basically a 4'x5' metal frame with a net just like a goal except that the net is stretched between some 36 short bungee cords around its edge so that the ball bounces back when kicked against it. Hence the name "rebounder."
Even though it was more expensive than the practice goal I was looking for, it also seemed like a more dynamic way for a kid to practice. Only problem was, the SA had only one in stock and it looked like it had been opened. On a hunch, I drove back across town, in what passes for rush hour traffic around here (I have, after all, been on Route 50 out of San Francisco during rush hour), and found the same item at Dick's. For twenty bucks less. (Does the "happy soccer mom dance.") I may not look good in lipstick, but I know how to fall into a bargain.
Didn't quite get it put together by the time we had to pick up grandma at the casino but made the dinner of his choice, spaghetti of course, which he ate with grandma for a change. By that time his dad was home but soon disappeared upstairs with the GF, leaving only a few minor disturbances in his wake.
Tomorrow, today actually, it's supposed to rain so prospects for outside play are not as good. I'm hoping to squeeze in an early walk at the track before the rain but, if not, grandma has an in-service during the day so I can use the treadmill. Still, I'd trade all of that for him to be able to use his new net outside. But, as we're both learning, him very early, me very late, we take what we can get...
Speaking of that, I think I mentioned that I'm now a soccer mom at the age of 65. My son has been working long hours for the moving company lately, so I pick up little Jay at school and keep him occupied until his dad gets home. That means, among other things, soccer practice on Friday evening and the game on Saturday morning. His mom's family was there for his first game, which was nice, but missed last week. Can't tell you how sad it is to have a bright-eyed little six year old come to the sidelines and ask why his mom isn't there for his game. What do you say when you really don't know but suspect there's really no excuse?
Anyway, about yesterday. I'd talked to my wife about getting a practice soccer goal for the backyard and she agreed. So yesterday after I picked little Jay up from school I dropped him and his aunt Sarah at home to play outside while I went to the Sports Authority. There I found a Franklin soccer "rebounder" which is basically a 4'x5' metal frame with a net just like a goal except that the net is stretched between some 36 short bungee cords around its edge so that the ball bounces back when kicked against it. Hence the name "rebounder."
Even though it was more expensive than the practice goal I was looking for, it also seemed like a more dynamic way for a kid to practice. Only problem was, the SA had only one in stock and it looked like it had been opened. On a hunch, I drove back across town, in what passes for rush hour traffic around here (I have, after all, been on Route 50 out of San Francisco during rush hour), and found the same item at Dick's. For twenty bucks less. (Does the "happy soccer mom dance.") I may not look good in lipstick, but I know how to fall into a bargain.
Didn't quite get it put together by the time we had to pick up grandma at the casino but made the dinner of his choice, spaghetti of course, which he ate with grandma for a change. By that time his dad was home but soon disappeared upstairs with the GF, leaving only a few minor disturbances in his wake.
Tomorrow, today actually, it's supposed to rain so prospects for outside play are not as good. I'm hoping to squeeze in an early walk at the track before the rain but, if not, grandma has an in-service during the day so I can use the treadmill. Still, I'd trade all of that for him to be able to use his new net outside. But, as we're both learning, him very early, me very late, we take what we can get...
