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My New Best Friend

Posted on November 11, 2008 by auburnchick

Meet Mr. Heater.  He is my new best friend.

Mr. Heater

Mr. Heater

I know I live in Florida, and people assume that it stays warm year-around, but it doesn’t.  Although we don’t experience the frigid temperatures that the northern states do, we still get cold.

You would never guess, from the following pictures I took yesterday afternoon, that I actually had to use Mr. Heater that night.

Sunset on the Florida Gulf Coast

Sunset on the Florida Gulf Coast

The clouds look so cool!

The clouds look so cool!

Mr. AuburnChick and I headed out to watch Soccer Chick’s high school soccer game.  We left around 3:30pm.  The game was two hours away and was scheduled to begin at 7pm.  I knew it would be cold.  The fields were located across the street from the beach where the wind makes it feel even colder.

This was the inaugural unveiling of the heater.  Last Christmas, Mr. AuburnChick had wrapped it and put it under the tree for me knowing how I freeze during games.  I am famously known for being cold-natured.  I never did use it that winter, being slightly embarrassed to carry it to the games.  However, I’ve decided that I really do not care what people think.  I want to be warm.  I accomplished that last night.

Sitting in front of the heater was like sitting in front of a campfire.  It emits a lot of heat…even on low.  It runs on a small propane tank.  You can buy more of these marvelous tanks of fuel at nearly any store.  I plan on buying them by the case because I’ll be on the fields four nights a week with both of the kids playing.

The heater has another benefit.  It draws other people to you.  During the second half of the game, a couple of gals saw that I wasn’t shivering, and then they noticed the heater.  I invited them over, and we all squooshed together.  I felt like the most popular girl in the class.  I proudly announced, “Look Soccer Chick, I have friends…and they’re real…not just on the internet!”  My friends laughed and assured me that I had friends long before I introduced them to Mr. Heater.

Mr. Heater will be accompanying me to many games this year.  We’re gonna be tight…I am sure of that.  It’s a friendship made in heaven.

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

A Conversation With Soccer Chick

Posted on November 7, 2008 by auburnchick

Soccer Chick played her first high school game of the season on Tuesday.  It was an easy victory.

After the game, Soccer Chick and I left for home.  I could tell she was mad, and I wondered what I had done wrong this time.  Simply breathing can be cause for disagreements these days.

However, she wasn’t mad at me…surprise, surprise.

She was mad about some things that had happened during the game.  I won’t go into it, but she needed to talk, so I listened.

And listened.

And listened.

As she vented, I could tell she was starting to feel better.  I let the conversation flow without saying too much.  Sometimes, as you’ve probably experienced, it’s better not to say anything.  Sometimes being quiet is the unspoken invitation for the other person to speak more.

She did.

Her topic changed course, and she began talking about college soccer.  Oh boy, did I hold my breath.  She began to tell me about the things that college soccer coaches look for when selecting players, and she quoted something a particular coach had said during one of her college visits.

I was amazed that she had paid attention and retained what she had heard.

Then she went on to talk about the college we had visited a few weeks ago.  If you’ll remember, that was a strange weekend…very frustrating because we didn’t really know how she felt about the experience.

Well, she answered all of my unspoken questions by talking about how much she had loved the visit, loved the campus, loved the fact that the soccer program is supported by the college administration and other students, and loved the living facilities.  And she went on to talk about how much she loves the coaches — a very important factor when considering colleges.

Wow!  I was blown away and touched that she trusted me enough to let me see into her heart.  It rarely happens.  There has been so much friction the last couple of years that having a rational conversation with the girl has been difficult.

These are the kinds of conversations that parents treasure.  You don’t take these moments for granted either because you know how few and far between they can be during the adolescent years.

It’s clear to me that Soccer Chick is figuring things out.  Occasionally, she needs a sounding board.  I’m more than happy to oblige.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

A Tough Decision

Posted on September 20, 2008 by auburnchick

I wonder what it would be like to go through one day without drama.  Is it just me or does everyone experience this?

Today started out innocently enough.  Soccer Chick and I arose early to drive to her soccer practice…five hours away.  If you’re new to my blog, then I’ll explain that Chick plays soccer for a team that is based across the state.  That’s what you do when you play at a high level.  We travel, on average, two or three times a month for games or practices.  It’s tough, but it’s what you have to do if you want to play in college or beyond.

I told Chick that she would drive the first bit.  I thought it would be a good time to practice interstate driving.  I happily knit while keeping watch out of the corner of my eye.  She did a good job.

I took over about two hours into our journey.  Good thing or else she wouldn’t have driven me to the yarn store I planned on visiting along the way…my secret reason for starting at o’dark thirty this morning.  If you heard a sonic boom this afternoon, it was Soccer Chick uttering her displeasure when she discovered my plans.

“Mama, we don’t usually go over this bridge.  Are you sure you’re going the right way?”

“Yes, dear, we can get to our hotel this way.”

“But that’s not the way that Daddy usually goes.”

“Honey, I’ve got a map.  We’re fine.”

I cannot hide anything.  I started smiling.  She caught me.

“Mama, why are you smiling?”

“No reason, dear.”

“Mama!  We’re NOT going yarn shopping!”

“Whatever do you mean, dear?”  Another big smile.

I love being the parent.

Here’s what I got at the store…no drama here…just me pulling out the debit card…

Lornas Laces Shepherd Sport Georgetown

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport "Georgetown"

Trekking pro natura, color #1545

Trekking pro natura, color #1545

I have to blame my friend, Rabbitrescuer, who instructed me to purchase more than two skeins of yarn.  I called her yesterday, and during our conversation told her my plans.  You know a true friend when they enable you.  Knitters are awesome people to be friends with, eh?

But this is not the drama I spoke of earlier.  That came later.

Soccer Chick and I left the store and picked up a late lunch.  At this point, I realized that Chicky had somehow gotten sick during our five hour ride.  She was so sick that she dreaded practice.

And then the bottom fell out of the sky…

She began to tell me that not only did she not want to go to practice because she didn’t feel well, but she just didn’t want to go to practice period.  She didn’t want to play with the team anymore.

While she was talking, I knit…and knit…and knit.

Thank goodness for knitting.  The repetitiveness of it is very soothing.  Especially when your child tells you that they want to turn your world upside down.

I asked questions while I knit, trying to gauge if this was related to PMS or truly what she wanted.

It was.

I won’t go into the why’s, but her priorities are changing.  I think she’s trying to obtain some balance in her life.  Actually, I think she wants another coach.  I think they go hand-in-hand.

I called Mr. AuburnChick, who had stayed home to tend to Rockin’ Rooster and the pups.  He took it better than I expected.

Fortunately, Soccer Chick still wants to play soccer, but she decided that she needs to change the scenery so that she won’t hate it, if you can understand that.

That was a huge relief.  She has so much talent.  Watching her play is like listening to a musician play an instrument.  It’s beautiful.  Poetry in motion.  I get teary-eyed just trying to put this into words.  She’s solid.  She’s brave.  She’s fast.  She comes out of nowhere like a freight train and saves her team from being scored on…time and time again.

To hear her say that she almost hates the art that she has become so proficient at…it made me sad.

But at the same time I respect her so much.  It takes a lot of guts to recognize your breaking point and then stop before reaching it.

We called the coach and arranged to meet with him a few minutes before practice was to begin.  She dreaded it.

I prayed for her before we left.  I prayed that God would give her the courage to do what needed to be done.  I prayed that she would trust in His plan for her life…a plan that included even this uncomfortable conversation.

We drove to the fields and met Coach.  He took the news very poorly.  It disturbs me when I see adults react in such a way.  Youth sports are about the youth…developing skill but most importantly confidence…confidence that they will carry with them the rest of their lives.  When you destroy that, you are, essentially, pulling the rug out from under them.  His anger only served as validation that Chick had done the right thing.

Sure, this coach is a winning sort, having led his teams to State Cup championships.  However, winning is not everything. Character is.

Poor Soccer Chick.  Fighting a head cold and dealing with the emotional backlash that is sure to come from less-than-supportive former teammates.

Please pray for her.  Please pray that I will be sensitive to her needs.

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

It’s Not Always About Winning

Posted on April 28, 2008 by auburnchick

Well folks, there’s no mystery here, is there?  My daughter’s team did not win on Sunday.  The team had to play a team they had already beaten in the first round.  Yeah, I know…not fair.  But, as we all know, life doesn’t appear to be fair sometimes.  I guess it just depends on your perspective.  I’m sure the other team is sitting at home right now declaring the sweet justice of it.

I’m feeling very philosophical right now.

First, I need to give you the details of the game.  And you’re not gonna believe it.

Let it first be said that we were considered “The” team to beat.  This team won State Cup last year, although it’s a very different team from last year.  Many of the girls only joined the team this season, including my daughter.  Because we had already beaten the other team, we suspected that they would be out for revenge.  We guessed correctly, just like the day before.

The other team came out strong, but we scored first.  The score went back and forth, with each team scoring, tying the game, and then taking the lead.

The game ended in a tie, so we went to overtime.  At the end of the first overtime, the score was still tied, so they went into a second overtime.

Yep…the game was still tied after the second overtime.

PK time (penalty kicks).  After the first five kickers, the score remained tied.

Why, oh why, can’t there just be a Final Five.  Let both teams through…give them a break and let the girls rest.

Of course, that just would’t be right.  Even I know that.

So, they went to sudden death PKs.  Five different girls from the teams lined up for their chance to win the game. 

After the first two kickers, we were still tied. 

The third kicker on the other team shot.  It went in.  Our third kicker shot, and their goalie blocked it.

Game over.  They won.

Sadness…

Little Ms. Auburnchickadee was not in a good mood on the way home.  I couldn’t blame her.  She’s never won a state cup title.  Many of the other girls have.  She wanted it.  Badly.

Life goes on.

This morning, as I drove her to school, I asked her how she was feeling.  “Sore,” she answered.  She said that everytime she moved last night, she hurt.

This is where I get philosophical.

As I watched my baby get out of the car, I sat in amazement at what she’d done.  How can kids step out on the field time after time, knowing that they are putting their bodies on the line?  I’ve watched Little Ms do this since she was six years old.  Please don’t think I’m a pushy soccer mom.  She does it because she loves it.  I have never made her play.  She has played with a 103 temperature, bronchitis, and this weekend, a head cold that nobody but us knew about.  She was hacking up loogies each morning, but she didn’t dare tell her teammates or her coach.  No excuses.  Play on.

To fully appreciate Little Ms Auburnchickadee’s accomplishments, however, one must go back even further…to February ’07, when she had surgery to repair a torn ACL that had happened the previous December during a high school game.

She had been playing at the top of her game.  She was strong, so to be sidelined with that kind of injury was absolutely devastating.  I cried when I saw her in ICU after surgery.  She looked so vulnerable.  Little Ms. Auburnchickadee will never let you see that side of her on purpose.  She hurt so badly physically but even more emotionally…believing that her soccer career would never be the same.

For a while, it was easy to understand her fears.  To watch my baby need help with the most basic routines of life…getting out of bed, using the bathroom, taking a shower.  It reduced us all to tears.  Her physical therapists thought she wouldn’t come back after the first session, when they had to force her leg into a straight position.  I’ve never hurt so badly for another human as I did that day.

But, she worked hard.  Her current coach chose to put her on the team despite her being unable to “try out” physically.  He took her based on the words of others who had played with her or seen her play.  He had faith in her.  That upped the ante for her.  She worked like nobody’s business to get back in shape.  And she did.

Only five months after surgery, she stepped back on the field, leg protected by a custom fitted brace.  Her play wasn’t pretty, I can tell you that right now.  But the smile on her face was b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.

She got stronger and stronger, running faster with that brace on than most people.  And when she took it off for good, one year after surgery, she got even faster.

Her hard work paid off this weekend.  She didn’t get subbed once during the game on Sunday, and she took some hard licks and gave right back.  But she never gave up.  She played her heart out and left everything on the field.

So, while a State Cup title would have been nice, it would have been, for us, icing on the cake.  The real prize has already been obtained.  Having Little Ms back on the field, doing what she loves, stronger than ever.

Sometimes, it’s not about winning.  It’s about where you were before you started the journey and where you wind up.  Little Ms Auburnchickadee has nothing to be ashamed of.  She was forced to travel a difficult road.  She came out shining brighter than any medal.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

4 Blankets in 6 Days

Posted on April 26, 2008 by auburnchick

Whew! This was a busy week!

When I got home from my trip last weekend, I found I had two blankets to work on. Here is a picture of Melon Medley. I decided to continue the moss stitch that the previous knitter had used. I dug into my stash and opted for the Caron’s Simply Soft “Limelight” that I’m so fond of. I just LOVE the way it looks up against the pink watermelon color!

The next blanket to get attention was Ocean Blues. Shandeh, from KnittingHelp.com, sent me the yarn and needles to get this blanket started. I used the Ripple pattern I had posted about before. The yarn is Bernat Softee Baby, and the color is “Bongo Blue.” The blanket turned out quite lovely, if I do say so myself.

Next in line was Pretty Princess. I really wanted to use my white I Love This Yarn stuff, but I decided to keep with the pink theme and used Caron’s Simply Soft “Pink” instead. The stitch is called Moss Stitch Diamonds from my knit & purl book.

And last, but not least, was the Easter Basket blanket. Look at the goodies I received with the blanket! The purple yarn was hand-spun by one of my chat buddies, who got started on the Oddball project after I talked it up in the chat one evening.

For my portion of the blanket, I used Caron’s Simply Soft “Baby Brights Ombre.” Although I really like using Caron’s Simply Soft, this particular color is NOT soft! It feels more like Red Heart. I like the colors though. It looks like fruit loops when you knit it up. The stitch pattern is called Gaston’s Stitch.

Did you happen to notice that the first picture of the blanket shows the blanket on grass? Well, I was at a soccer game when I knit up the last six rows. I finished as the girls were warming up for their game, which was kind of a bummer because, although I do watch the games, knitting during throw-ins and half-time are huge stress relievers. And believe me…I needed a stress reliever during today’s game.

My daughter’s team is currently in the state playoffs. This isn’t high school ball but travel ball…elite stuff. Well, the other team scored immediately off of a corner kick…much to the shock of all of the parents. My stomach started churning at this point.

If I had not completed the blanket, I would have been furiously knitting away. Without those needles in my hands…well, let’s just say that I had a difficult time coping. The game went back and forth. The other team scored with two minutes in the game, putting them up by one. Then, out of the blue, one of our girls boomed it from the center and it went over the other keeper’s head. We tied! The referee blew his whistle.

Overtime.

Grrr…no knitting in my hands…grr…

Two ten-minute overtimes later, and the game was still tied.

Penalty kicks.

Grrr…no knitting in my hands…grrr…

First two kickers on each team get their balls past the keepers. Our third kicker scores. Then, their kicker kicks it, and our goal keeper STOPS it!

Our fourth kicker goes up and makes her goal, getting it in. Their fourth kicker goes up.

Our keeper STOPS it!!

We win!

Relief!

At that point, I literally could not walk…my legs were weak. I was too shaken to do anything but enjoy the moment. At some point, I will relax and start the comfort throw for my friend.

But tomorrow is another test…another game. If we win, we’ll go to Final Four. Another stressful day. I will have a project with me tomorrow.

Filed under: Knitting, soccer | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

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