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Dear Local Paper

Posted on February 15, 2010 by auburnchick

Dear Podunk Paper,

I am your average reader.  I am a mom of teenagers, an unemployed teacher, and a couponer.

I am writing this letter because this week, for the sixth week in a row, your paper was missing coupon inserts.

Now, this might not matter to you, but it does to every person who relies on these coupons.  It is the only way many of us can afford to eat these days.

I have tried different strategies to avert this issue.  I’ve bought my papers from Walmart, Books a Million, and even your own office…all to no avail.

Last week, I visited your office and met with a supervisor of some sort, and I felt like he listened.  I mean, he took notes and even wrote down my email address and phone number, promising to have someone call me.

Nobody did.

I didn’t worry though.  I am an optimistic person.  I figured that the next week’s paper would have my coupons.

Someone somewhere laughed at my naiveté.

I missed buying the paper yesterday, so I figured, “No problem.  I’ll go to Podunk Paper’s office and buy direct, even though I’ll be paying more because I’m not using my frequent buyer card at Books a Million.”

I wrote my $3.00 check and walked back to my car where, thank goodness, I rifled through it.

Guess what?

NO INSERTS!!  I mean, there was only one Red Plum this week, so you’d think it wouldn’t be too much trouble to stick it in.

But noooooooooo.

I marched myself, two papers in hand, back inside, where I demanded my money back and asked to speak with a manager.

I will say that I felt bad for the woman.  She had no idea what she was in for.

When she appeared in the waiting area, I warned her that the fury I was about to unleash was not directed at her personally but at your company’s business policies.

And then I vented.

Why, pray tell, would you only guarantee coupons to home subscribers?  Sure, you have their business already.  Their checks have already been deposited.  Do you not realize that every paper you sell has the potential to be the means by which you secure another subscriber?

You state on the front of your paper that there are $X.XX worth of coupons inside.  I don’t think there is a disclaimer under saying it applies only to home subscribers.

Now, let me ask you something.

When you buy a box of cookies or a bag of chips at the store, don’t you expect to get the amount stated on the packaging?  If you were jipped, wouldn’t you return it or complain to management?

Sure you would.

Why?

Because you’re not getting what you paid for.

Now, I realize that I’m not versed in company coupon policies, but one would think that a call to RedPlum and SmartSource would be in order.  For heaven’s sake…tell these companies that you need more inserts.

You need to have enough inserts to cover every paper you print.

Period.

Each person who buys an issue should receive the same items in said paper.

Period.

It doesn’t take an MBA to know that this is sound business policy.

Now, let me tell you.  I may be unemployed, and my unemployment benefits may have just been cut, but I’ll be darned if I’m not going to figure out a way to squeeze out enough money to get the Atlanta or Jacksonville paper delivered to my home.

You see, I know that 1) I’ll get more coupons per insert and 2) each issue will contain everything promised on the front.

Why?

Because I’ve purchased papers from gas stations in these cities and never once not gotten what I was supposed to.

These papers know how to do business properly.

With circulation numbers being down, one would think you would take steps to improve them.

I can promise you one thing.  I will tell every single person I encounter not to buy your paper because they cannot be sure what they will be getting.

First it will be the inserts, and then it will be something else.

After my venting session, your representative went to the back in search of the insert I wanted.  After 30 minutes, she emerged with one.  I sent her back to find the second copy I had originally requested.

When she came back with it, she warned me that I could expect to have this problem every week.

“Wanna bet?” I said.

I told her that I will not be buying more of these papers.  I’d be willing to forgo chocolate (did I really just say this) to cough up the dough for two out-of-town papers.

Truly, you’ve done yourself a disservice.  I will eventually find a better-paying job.  I would have subscribed to home delivery of your paper.

Not now.

Thanks for giving me the push I needed.  I know that the savings I’m going to enjoy from other papers will make the aggravation of today worthwhile.

Your’s Truly,

AuburnChick

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

Retiring the Hat

Posted on February 14, 2010 by auburnchick

You may remember The Hat.  Last winter, I talked a whole lot of people into modeling it for me.

At first, they laughed…

Until they put it on and discovered that ohhh laaaa laaaa…the hat was warm…

Well, this soccer season, I pulled out the hat again.

The hat traveled with me everywhere.  I dared not put it away in fear that I would leave it behind and, thus, freeze my ears off.

The season began in October.

Chicky’s team began on a rough note, losing its first game to the team that had defeated it during last year’s Regional Semi-Finals.

The team had lost several seniors from the year before, so it was expected that adjustments were in the works.

The team went on to win all of its games during the next several weeks and prepped for a December tournament.

The results were as poor as the weather, with the team losing both of its games.  Nobody could believe it.  This was the team that had won the entire competition the year before.

We went home…spirits low.

However, the girls had other plans.  They picked themselves up and worked hard, winning all of their remaining regular-season games.

Woo Hoo!  The team went to Districts, where it had to beat a team it had previously played (and beaten) two times.  This was a rough team, so we knew it would not be easy.

It was also Chicky’s birthday.

The weather was dismal (why didn’t Chicky play an indoor sport?).  The girls worked hard and WON!  They sang Happy Birthday to Chicky and jokingly told her they had gotten her the trophy for a gift.  She was allowed to take it home for the weekend.

Such a sweet victory.

The work was only beginning.  Regionals loomed on the horizon.

The first game was against a fairly physical team.  I dreaded it, but I shouldn’t have.  The girls won.

Next up was Regional Semi-Finals…against the team it had beaten for Districts.  How could this happen…for the second year in a row?  The media didn’t hesitate to remind viewers that it was a repeat scenario from last year.  We hoped that the outcome would be different.

I was nearly physically sick the night before and day of the game.  The team would play a very physical game, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.

As I stood in the stands for the Star Spangled Banner, I shed a few tears.  This could, quite possibly, be Chicky’s last high school game.  It was a bittersweet moment.

The girls stepped up, though, and beat its opponent soundly, sweet redemption from the year before.

We celebrated like nobody’s business.

On to Regional Finals, where the team we were playing was said to be tres excellent.  A couple of Chicky’s travel teammates were on the other team, so we knew the game would be tough.  We were fortunate, though, to be playing at home.

When the other team arrived, I saw one of the moms, who told me that the other teammate would not be there that night.

Whew!  I breathed a small sigh of relief, but I still held my breath.

Strangely, I was calm.  I can only attribute it to God.

The stands were full; our school’s student body attended in full force.

It felt like a regular football game.  Kids were dressed in school spirited attire.  Students had made homemade signs and decorated t-shirts.

When we scored our first goal, the cheer was loud.  The second goal, a header off a corner kick, led to even louder cheers.

And then we scored our third goal.

My mouth dropped open, and I covered it with my hand…shocked.

With every goal, the crowd cheered louder.

Five goals later, the other team still had not answered back.

I turned off my camera to conserve my battery.

That’s when I heard people hollering Chicky’s name.  Coach had moved her from her defensive position to forward.

How had I missed this?

And she had the ball, passed from a teammate, and she was dribbling down the field.

The goalie came out, and Chicky went around her, shooting and scoring!!!!

The crowd went wild.  I stood in shock and joy.

My baby had scored, and I had missed getting it on camera (a teammate’s father got it on video though).

A few minutes later, the game ended.

We had won…6-0.

Nobody expected this…completely anyhow.

We were now going to Final Four…almost unheard of in our part of the state, and a record for our high school.

That was on a Friday night.

The soccer booster club scrambled and called an emergency meeting the next morning.

We determined that we would need $4,000 to cover the cost of a chartered bus, lodging, and meals for the trip.

Oy!

It seemed insurmountable.  I was confident, though, that we could reach our goal.  I had just witnessed 23 ninth graders raise almost $300 in spare change in five days.  They were my inspiration, and God had used them to show me that He will provide.

The others looked doubtful, but my enthusiasm caught on.

We quickly made plans, each person taking on one or two tasks.

What happened over the course of the next four days is, quite simply, a miracle.

We blitzed the media and canvassed businesses, asking for donations.  We had three fundraisers, two at restaurants and one at the school (wear your favorite shirt for $1).  I arranged for a couple of players to be on one of the local morning news shows and drove them there at the wee hour of 6am.  God had provided a cancellation that enabled us to have this airtime.  The producer said it was “weird.”  I told him “it was God.”

By Monday, we had determined that the first estimate was too low.  We needed about $4,700.  Almost $1,000 more than originally stated.

Still, I was confident.

By Wednesday, we had enough money to cover the trip.  I was not altogether surprised because I had known all along that God would provide.

The outpouring from the community, despite the economic conditions, had enabled us to pay the bills.  The girls were going to Tampa debt-free.

We had a huge send-off party with the school’s drum line (in which Rooster is a part) escorting the team around the school playing a beat along the way.  Parents followed, slapping high fives to the students.

And then they were off…parents following behind in their own vehicles.

The weather was expected to be bad.  I prayed, but God chose to allow the rain to arrive.  All high school Final Four games (1A-6A) were being played at the University of Tampa…

The girls played hard against a formidable opponent.

The rain came down…hard and fast…

The score remained tied at 0-0 through regulation time.

Ugh.

Overtime.

It only took a couple of minutes before the other team scored.

Game over.

I did not expect it, and I think the girls were surprised as well.

Chicky was very upset.  She wanted this…had come so close two years in a row.

Fortunately, Guy Friend had skipped his college classes that day to attend the game, and his presence cheered her up.

Everyone went back to the hotel.  We would be staying the night and leaving early the next morning.

I sat in the car a few minutes, tears flowing.  I felt a mixture of gratitude, sadness, and relief, along with a touch of disbelief that Chicky had just played her last high school game.

As I sit here reflecting on the last couple of weeks, I cannot help but be amazed at the way my community came together.  One rival school had a message of good luck on its marquee… UNHEARD of for cross-town schools.  We received a substantial donation from another rival school’s graduating class.  Businesses donated chunks of money, and restaurants donated gift cards (thanks, Beef O’ Brady’s) and proceeds from “share nights.”

Some of the students at school threw five-dollar bills in the girls’ buckets as they collected for t-shirt day.  These kids were still in dress code, wearing school approved t-shirts and polos.  They wanted to contribute to the cause.

Although it’s sad that the team did not make it to the final game, I sit here full of joy and thankfulness.  What an honor to have witnessed 21 girls come together.  What a privilege to work with a fantastic group of parents…a group that stepped up when the need arose.  Nobody complained (except about the horrible bus driver).  Everyone pitched in, helping sort the laundry and tote the players around when the bus driver refused.

I love this sport.  I love these kids.  I love these parents.  I am thankful for the support of students..many of whom had parents drive them down to Tampa or rode the church bus (thank you N and T for arranging this) to cheer on the girls.  The administration pulled out all stops to make this a special experience for all involved.

Stinky shin guards, chili, and portable heaters are the things that helped us bond (along with our girls); memories will keep the ties intact.  We will never be able to hear each others’ names without smiling and remembering how sweet the journey was.

Through it all, God was glorified.  He is amazing, and I will always give credit to the One who made it happen.

Meanwhile, the hat is going into retirement.  I’m sure, like Michael Jordan and Brett Favre, it will “un-retire” to make a visit at a few high school games next year (I can’t totally cut the umbilical cord).

Until then, I plan on catching a few Zzzzzz’s…at least for the next few days…to catch up on some much-needed rest.  This was an exhilarating, exhausting week.  God provided the fuel that kept me going.  Now, I trust He’ll provide the rest that’s needed by all, Chicky, teammates, and parents included.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Chicken Biscuits, Sugar, and Wine

Posted on February 10, 2010 by auburnchick

Today was busy.

First Period got the Chicken Biscuit Party it won by raising the most money during a school fundraiser last week…

Of course, it wouldn’t have been fair to make the other classes suffer, so they got to have parties too…

After school, I attended an event for Chicky’s soccer team.  I needed to unwind…

It’s been a busy day week.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 4 Comments »

Random Dozen

Posted on February 9, 2010 by auburnchick

Ok…so I’m having ANOTHER busy week.  I’ll elaborate in a few days.  Hence, the blogging has been…um…every other day even though I really have wanted to blog every day.  Unfortunately, I haven’t won the lottery yet, so I have a few less hours in the day to get everything done (is that ever possible anyway???).

Anyhoo, I’m taking the lazy way out, which means RANDOM DOZEN TIME!!!

1. Are you pleasant when you’re ill, or are you a grumpy, fussy patient?

Oh…definitely pleasant.  I’m a fairly brave sort, I think (except where it comes to xraying my teeth, during which I cry like a baby).  But, when I’m sick, I tend to talk less and be wayyyyy more accommodating and accepting of chores not getting done, etc.

2. When you find out that school is canceled (due to inclement weather) what is your gut reaction?

Can you say Pajama Day??  Oh my, but a hurricane day is a great excuse to stay in night clothes, not shower, and watch the History Channel all day!!  I absolutely love getting to stay home with the kids, even now when they are teenagers.  Yeah, I like those kind of days.

3. What is one domestic skill you wish you could improve?

Keeping my house clean.  I get distracted by the computer and knitting.  Cleaning is last on my list, and I don’t do it well.

4. Do you decorate your home for Valentine’s Day?

Nope.  Valentine’s Day is not really my thing.  I do have a heart thing to hang on my front door, but I usually forget to pull it out of the closet.

5. What song is on your mind today?

Not one song but a few…dance songs to name a few.  You might want to stay tuned to my blog during the next few days…

6. Do you prefer contemporary movies or classic?

Ugh…what kind of question is this?  Let’s go contemporary.  The filming is usually a better quality.  Although, I will admit that one of my favorite movies ever is Gone With the Wind.  You can’t get much more classic than that, eh?

7. How well do you “compartmentalize” your feelings? For example, how well can you put aside a really trying moment to deal with the immediate situation which is not related to the trying moment, e.g., putting aside a tiff with your spouse in order to finish wallpapering a room.

Not well at all.  My feelings tend to permeate my entire being.  I’m usually pretty happy, but look out when I’m not.  My mom used to tell me I wear my feelings on my sleeve.

8. What is the first thing that attracted you to your spouse? (Or if you’re single, to your best friend.)

He was new in town.  Growing up in a small town you know everybody.  A fresh face is considered fresh meat.  Sorry…but I grew up in the country where hunting is a sport.

9. When was the last time your heart raced?

Last Friday.  More to come in the next few days…watch the blog.  (I’m such a tease!)

10. What are your memories of Valentine’s Day at school?

Everyone else getting balloons and flowers.  I was ugly when I was in school (I’d like to think my looks have improved somewhat, but it’s probably just my confidence.).  It was a tense day, waiting to see if the boy I liked would like me in return and, thus, have something special delivered to me.  It didn’t happen but once…maybe.  Yeah, it was sad.

11. If you were going to receive candy for Valentine’s Day, which would you prefer?

Milk Chocolate.

12. Red or pink?

Red.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

I Think They Liked It

Posted on February 7, 2010 by auburnchick

K and T, newlyweds, just got a new puppy.

Look at what I saw when I went puppy loving…

I think they liked their wedding gift.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

AuburnChick Wants a Chicken Biscuit Party

Posted on February 6, 2010 by auburnchick

For the last three weeks, I’ve been subbing for an English teacher.  She has four classes.

I knew, immediately, that this would be a good subbing assignment.  The students are respectful and work hard.

Last week, there was a fund raiser for leukemia and lymphoma.  It was called Pennies for Patients.  The way the fund raiser worked is that buckets would be given to each first period class.  Every day, first period classes were encouraged to dump change in the buckets.  The buckets would be collected each day, and the change counted with totals accumulating during the week. The class that collected the most money would be rewarded with a Chick fil A chicken biscuit party.

Well, you know me.  I like challenges.  I also like to win.  Put the two together, and you have one very determined substitute teacher.

I went in, guns blazing, encouraging my the 23 students in my first period class to pull out all stops.  Mrs. AuburnChick wanted a chicken biscuit party!  More important, though, was the very worthy cause.

The first day, we only dumped in a couple of dollars’ worth of change.  No biggie.  Word was still getting out, and I was only getting started.

The second day, I grabbed a gallon-sized baggie and scoured my house for change.  We have a large glass mug that we dump change into.  Down it went, into the baggie.

When I went to school, I showed it to the students and made a big show of pouring it into the bucket.  The girls who came around to collect change brought with them a small baggie.

“Honey, you’re going to need something a little bigger than that,” I told one girl.  She grabbed the bucket and carried it off with her.

That day, we upped our total to over $30.  My students were encouraged.

The next three days, we continued to put in money.  My students surprised me by bringing in baggies of their own.

Day #4 arrived, and I could not believe what I saw when I got to school.

The bucket was nearly half full…

One student dropped in six, two-dollar bills!  So generous!

Now, that day after first period, I had Planning.  I became discouraged about some other matter and went back to school a little down.

When I returned, I started teaching my third period students.  Unexpectedly, Chicky made an appearance in my classroom.

She had been in her Leadership class.  It’s a class where the students assist one of the teachers with various SGA activities.  These students do a lot of behind-the-scenes work and are vital to keeping various activities around school going.

They had been in charge of counting the money collected all week.

Chicky proudly announced that my class had collected a little over $114.

Just that day.

Day #4.

I sat in my chair in shock.

My spirits lifted.

My 23 ninth-grade students had collected over $100 in change.

Unbelievable.

Now, something I haven’t told you yet is that every afternoon, the teacher in charge of the fund raiser had been sending emails to the staff giving the top five class totals.  My class started out not even being on the list.  The second day we were in third place, but we dropped to fifth place on Day #3.

The teacher in first place also “happened” to be the teacher in charge of the fund raiser.  She claimed it wasn’t rigged, but rumor had it that she had been throwing in $20 bills…something I could not afford to do.

So, I had gotten even more competitive.  This is such a nice teacher…all of the students love her, and I have chatted with her a few times.  She’s awesome!  But I was out to beat her.

AuburnChick wanted a chicken biscuit party.

Day #4’s total put us in the lead by $50!!!

I was psyched!

I talked about it to everyone I knew.  Other students asked me what I had said to them.  I told them that I’d said I am a soccer mom.  Second place doesn’t get the trophy.  It’s not worth doing anything if you don’t give it your all.

Words of encouragement, don’t you know.

Plus, Mrs. AuburnChick wanted a chicken biscuit party.

After our grand showing on Day #4, I didn’t hold out much hope for Day #5.  I mean, one can only collect so much change.

My students, however, had different ideas.

I got to school early, and the students were already arriving…eager to start dumping in change.

Folks, my students brought in MORE baggies of money.

We made a big deal of each one, holding each up for the class to see before pouring the change in.

Students dropped in $1 bills and dug in their pockets to fish out quarters.

Inspired, I hunted through my wallet one more time.  I knew I had given every spare bit of change, but still I looked in the hope that I had missed a coin or two.

I found 50 cents in my pants pocket and a nickel hiding in my wallet.

I threw in the nickel with an Emeril “Bam!”  My students laughed.

My bucket was now 3/4 full!!

The girls came in to collect my bucket, and their eyes bulged.  I proudly announced that we had collected over $114 the day before, and I was hoping to top that amount.

They looked dismayed, and I quickly figured out why.

They were students in my main competition’s class.

(insert evil laugh here)

Yeah, I’m mean.

Before they could leave my class, though, one of my students arrived (a little tardy).  She said, “Wait, I have money.”

We waited…

And watched…

As she reached for her wallet…

And pulled out…

A…

Crisp $20 bill!!!!!

We all cheered.  You probably could have heard us from the front office.

I proudly displayed the bill for my class, explaining to the girls waiting to take it that my class had seen it.  I didn’t want it to go “missing.”  And then I buried it into the change just in case it wanted to “fly” off the pile when the girls walked down the hallway.

They left, one girl carrying the bucket with both arms.

I went to the door and watched them walk down the hallway.  I encouraged them to be very careful.  I didn’t want them “tripping” and spilling my precious change on the floor.

Yeah, I’m bad.

AuburnChick wanted a chicken biscuit party.

Chicky came into my classroom later that day.

Wanna know what we collected?

$125!!!!!

Can you believe it?  We topped the previous day’s total!!

That afternoon, an email came across the system.

Chicky’s class had raised a grand total of $273.96!!!  We beat the #2 class by $125.82!!

AuburnChick is getting her chicken biscuit party.

More importantly, the school fund raiser raised over $600.

In one week.

That’s no small change.

My students told me that if I was a regular teacher at the school, I would probably win all of the contests.

If there’s a chicken biscuit party (or chocolate) offered as a reward, you betcha!!

Filed under: Charity | Tagged: , | 5 Comments »

Divine Cookies

Posted on February 4, 2010 by auburnchick

Readers, I consider it my duty (and yes, I do mean duty) to report on the latest and greatest finds.

With such a mission in mind, I present to you my most recent discovery…

I introduce to you Divine Cookies.

Oh, don’t let the CVS logo fool you.  These aren’t your everyday generic cookies.

They are divine.

How, you might wonder, did I chance upon these?

Well, you see, one morning, I had to run to CVS on a very important errand.  The specifics will have to remain a mystery because some things just have to be (this adds to my allure, don’t you know).  But the initial reason is not important except that it gave me a reason to go into the store.

When I got there, I did what I normally do and scanned my Extra Care Buck card.  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, this is CVS’s reward card.  It allows shoppers to purchase items at advertised prices with the benefit of earning Extra Care Bucks.  These bucks are the same as cash or coupons.  Shoppers can use them when they make purchases.

Now, a few months ago, my mom told me that if I scanned my card at the price-checker thing that hangs from the aisle, I would receive coupons in return.

Mom didn’t lie, and I’ve since gotten coupons on everything from pretzels, to water, to cold medicine.

Sometimes, I’ve been able to scan my card twice to receive two different sets of coupons.

On the particular day I’m speaking of (when I was out running the all-important, mystery errand), the scanner spit out a $1 coupon on any box of Divine Cookies.

Curious, I headed over to the grocery aisle to see which item was the cheapest.

Well, my eyes lit upon the box above.  My eyes nearly bugged out when I saw the words “chocolate,” “caramel,” and “truffle.”

Folks, for a chocoholic like myself, these are like songs from a siren, beckoning me to dangerous waters.  And, like a love-stricken sailor, I heeded the call.

Of course, the practical side of my brain justified the purchase by arguing that the cookies were on sale for $2.50.  With my $1 coupon, I would only pay $1.50.

I know…not free like I wanted, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen the words “truffle” and “free” in the same sentence.

Off I trotted to the cashier, the cookies and the mystery item (the reason for my visit) in my hands.

Then, I went back to school to resume my day (I had been on Planning).

Well, I eyeballed that box of cookies through third period, but I didn’t have time to open it.  I was also dreading it just a teensy bit because my mouth was still sore from having my teeth pulled.  All I had eaten for a week was soup.  I wasn’t sure if I was feeling brave enough to risk eating a cookie.

By fourth period, my fear had given way to anticipation.  Besides that, if I didn’t do something, I was going to have a lot of drool to clean up from the desk.

So, I pulled out the box of cookies.

My students stared, open-mouth, dismayed that I was going to eat a cookie in front of them.

“Hello,” I said, “I’ve been eating soup for a week.  I want something different!”

I saw looks of understanding.  I mean, we’re talking teenagers here…kids who are used to constantly stuffing their faces.

So they had to watch.

Each cookie has chocolate on the top…

The chocolate is stacked on top of a thin wafer…

But the best part is in the middle.  It’s hidden, and you don’t discover it until you take a bite.  I broke one apart so you could see…

Look at that caramel!!  Oh my gosh!!!

It looks yummy enough to see it again.

First, the break…

And then a peek at the yummy innards…

And how do the cookies taste?

Well, duh!  If I “had” to do the play-by-play twice, then obviously I ate both cookies too!

So, my students had to watch me eat the first cookie.  And yes, I was as animated in person as I am on my blog.  Probably more so.

They laughed at my facial expressions.  I can only imagine what I must have looked like.

They wanted me to share.

Now, hold up.  I am a nice sub, I’ll admit that, but I’m not THAT nice!  Good gravy!

I did have mercy on a few students, though.  These students smelled the cookies (yes, they smell almost as delicious as they taste) and gave me the saddest looks ever.  These fortunate few were allowed to split (remember, I’m stingy) cookies with me.  They agreed that the cookies are, indeed, as good as I had been claiming.

Now, if you’re looking for nutritional information such as calories and serving size, you’re not going to find that here.  I think that YUM and YUM will suffice.

It’s too bad I can’t make a commission off of these things.  Since I’ve been eating them the last couple of days, a few of my students have made their parents drive to CVS to buy some.

I’m a bad influence.  I can’t help it.

Blame it on the chocolate

Caramel

Truffles.

Divine!!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , | 7 Comments »

It’s Official!

Posted on February 3, 2010 by auburnchick

Today is National Signing Day.

If you’re not a sports person, you might not know that National Signing Day is the all-important milestone in a young athlete’s career.

It is the day he/she signs a Letter of Intent…the contract between the athlete and a college.

Important stuff.

We received Chicky’s paperwork in the mail a couple of days ago; however, NCAA rules state that an athlete cannot sign the letter until February 3rd.

We decided to wait until this afternoon because mornings are always rush-time for us.  Plus, I wanted to make sure we did things properly…camera at the ready, of course.

As we set the papers on the table, I felt emotional.  I simply could not believe that this moment was finally here…a culmination of the last 12 years of hard work and steely determination.  I wish I had kept track of the number of practices we’ve driven Chicky to…the number of games she’s played in, the miles we’ve put on our cars, and the number of weekends we woke up at the crack of dawn for.

Twelve years sounds like a long time, but it seems like it flew by.

All for this moment…

My sweet Chicky, pink fingernails and all, is now, officially, a Rollins Tar.

Chicky, if you happen to be reading Mama’s blog, here’s a special message to you:

Today is another big milestone for you.  I am incredibly proud of you.  I remember you in your pig tails, dribbling the ball around as only a six year old can.  You didn’t know what you were doing, but you were having fun.  Oh, how my heart swelled with pride when I watched you play in your first game.

And oh, the laughter that filled my lungs when I watched you get chased by a bumblebee while you took your turn playing goalie.  That goal was so big, and you were so small, and there you ran, trying to escape the bee not concerned one iota about what was going on in the game.

And you grew.

As you grew, you got better, and you gained confidence.

And my heart overflowed with joy as I watched you doing something you enjoyed so much.

Every season, you have gotten better and better.

Oh, how my eyes have filled with tears as I’ve watched you unknowingly inspire others through your triumphs over the challenges thrown in your path.

As important as soccer has been in helping you develop into a shining jewel, I pray that you take away one very important lesson.  Though you sign this Letter of Intent, this game of soccer is not what defines who you are.

Playing soccer is what you do.  It will allow you to get an solid education, give you an immediate circle of friends, and give you a niche to fit into at college.

However, being a child of God is who you are.  THIS is what defines you, on and off the field…wherever you go in life.

I know that YOU know this, because daily I observe you living your life in a way that honors Him.  May you always do so.

Of this, I am and will be most proud.

I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,

Mama ♥

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Random Dozen

Posted on February 2, 2010 by auburnchick

Yeah, yeah…I haven’t blogged the last couple of days.  Chalk it up to being a mom and a sore mouth, which is healing, by the way but still sore nonetheless.

I have progressed from eating soup to Chocolate Truffle Cookies, so I guess you could say I’m doing better.  😉

For today’s post, I’m sort-of taking the lazy way out.  Actually, I like doing the Random Dozen postings.  I think they give you a little more insight into who I am (like I don’t already bare all on this blog of mine), but you get my meaning.

So, without further ado, here goes!  Be sure you visit 2nd Cup of Coffee.  This gal puts up the questions each week!

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

Yes, I do.  I don’t want to waste what’s already been printed.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

I thought I had no preference…until I started typing the answer to this question.  That’s when I realized that I love sunsets.  Especially the ocean-view kind.  Oh my gosh but how amazing!!  You probably remember the pictures I took from the cruise?  Um, yeah.  Words are not adequate…

3. What is the most adventurous you’ve ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

I’m not very adventurous with food (unless it’s chocolate).  I don’t eat bugs, and I am not a huge fan of meat (unless its a Whopper Jr. from Burger King).  Probably the most adventurous I’ve been is when trying fresh carrot juice for the first time a few years ago.  It’s actually very good, if you can get past the mental problem of drinking carrots.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there’s a reason for this one!)

Unless I consider myself a rock, then no.  And I don’t go around talking to them either.

5. If you could learn a language you don’t presently speak, what would it be?

French.  What a beautiful language, not to mention that I am a Frenchwoman by birth.

6. Al Capone’s tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

Heaven-Bound.

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

Grace.  I am so grateful for God’s gift of salvation, and I know it’s only because of His grace that I am saved.  Having a name like that would be a reminder to me to always be humble.  Plus, it’s a pretty name.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

Oh yeah, baby.  Unfortunately, it’s not one show, but any show I take a particular liking to.  Chicky and Rooster know to wait for commercials to talk to me.  Who knows what they’ve gotten away with because I’ve been distracted by Lost or 24.  Oy…I’m such a sucker for the Boob Tube.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

Little.  I’m not into sneeze drama and think it’s dumb when people think they’ve got to spread the sneeze love.  Gimme a break.

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

I’d rather read the local paper and enjoy perusing the morning copy in the library at school; however, I’m broke and can’t afford a paper every day, so I usually get my news online…via Facebook.  Sad, eh?

11. Are you a good speller?

Yes.  I’m an old-school English student.  I loved everything about English class and relished spelling tests.

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about Lost lunch?

I’m not a huge eater, so I don’t give lunch much thought.  However, since I had my teeth pulled, I think about lunch after I get to school.  I wonder what I can eat that won’t hurt my mouth.  Soup anyone?

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