• Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 78 other subscribers

  • “Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

  • Recent Posts

  • Pages

  • Categories

  • Archives

  • Blog Stats

    • 195,069 hits

A Long Walk

Posted on March 17, 2009 by auburnchick

It was another interesting day at work.  Not bad, except for a couple of incidents.  One made me mad enough that I knew I needed to blow off steam when I got home.

So I took Molly for a walk.

It was a long walk.

I was gone for 40 minutes.

When I got home, Pele had an eager look on his face.  He wanted to go outside.

So I laced up my sneakers and took him for a walk.

A long walk.

I was gone another 40 minutes.

Along the way, I seriously gave thought to allowing my dogs to poop on someone’s lawn.  A certain someone who lied to me about her daughter’s absence after telling me the truth first.  I stuck to my guns and refused to clear her daughter’s absences (really, haircuts should be scheduled for after school, and “not wanting to come in” is not an adequate excuse for staying at home).  She then asked for my co-worker, whom she proceeded to tell, “So I have to lie.  ‘Miss Can’t Own Up To Responsibility’ was sick yesterday.”

This mom is an elementary school teacher.  Her daughter plays on the JV soccer team (not with Soccer Chick, though, who’s on Varsity).

She also lives three houses down from me.  I passed it four times during the course of my 80 minutes of walking.

Oy!

I was sorely tempted.

I think, in the back of my mind, I was hoping to run into her while I was out.

Bad, I know, but I’m being honest, as usual.

God is so gracious in moments of weakness.  The Holy Spirit reminded me of something.

It was not my place to get revenge, nor was it my place to pass judgment.  She will, in the end, have to answer to God.

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

CSI Attendance

Posted on March 10, 2009 by auburnchick

Dear Podunk Town High School Students,

This is a letter advising you to beware of the new attendance lady.

She’s a tough sort…quick to love but also quick to turn your name in if you even attempt to skip school.

You see, the name of my office is no longer “Attendance” but “CSI Attendance.”

Ms. D and I have been tasked with investigating all signs of skipping school.

We love our jobs.

And we’re good.

How good, you might wonder?

So good that my first day “officially” on the job, I nabbed two of you.  Let me just say that there were some unhappy mamas who walked through those doors to claim your bodies.

Now, I realize I can’t catch all of you, just as any ordinary patrolman can’t catch every speeder.  However, beware if you are the one the sirens go off for.

You will be hauled away…sent to the jail we call Detention.  Repeat offenders will be moved to a higher security prison — ISS (that’s In-School Suspension for all of you innocent ones).  It’s not a fun place.  Trust me.

Love,

Mrs. AuburnChick, AI (Attendance Investigator)

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

Eye-Opening Week

Posted on February 12, 2009 by auburnchick

This week has been interesting.  My work in the front office has allowed me a glimpse of the many things that go on in high school.

Boy, have things changed from my days in school…way back in the 80’s.

Or have they?

I was fortunate (although I didn’t know it back then) to grow up in a very small town.  My entire high school, which consisted of seventh through twelfth grades, was housed in one building, and it wasn’t a big building…more like an old plantation home.  I think we had seven classrooms.

Sure, we had some drama, and we certainly had our share of tragedies…the kind that are all too familiar for teenagers, no matter where you live.

Yes, this has been an eye-opening week.

Yesterday, a gal came to use the phone, and she and the friend who had accompanied her openly discussed her appointment that afternoon…to find out the sex of the baby she is carrying.  She’s a senior, due in June.  She’s only now beginning to show, so people are starting to find out about her pregnancy.

One student had the beginnings of a panic attack while waiting for his mom to check him out early.  And I can’t even begin to tell you how many kids have been skipping or getting their parents to call in and lie for them…just so they can leave school early.  I’m so naive that I don’t realize what’s happening until the gal sitting beside me explains.

There are also those students who come in and make my heart sing.  One such person is a guy who was in the class I subbed for in the fall.  Do you remember when I stayed in one classroom for a week?  I loved those kids and wanted to stay for the duration of the teacher’s maternity leave; however, the school hired a more experienced teacher.

This student came into the office a couple of times today.  He wasn’t feeling well and was wasting time.  He was the student who I asked to stop smoking after seeing him walk home from school one day, cigarette in hand.  I had asked in a gentle, concerned way, and he didn’t take offense.  That was before Christmas.

Today I asked him if he had resumed this habit, given some stressful things he’s been going through lately.

“Nope,” was his answer.

My jaw nearly hit my desk.

“Really?” I asked in surprise.

“Really,” he assured me.  He said that he even told his dad about how I had asked him to stop.  And he did.

What a wonderful reminder of how one person can influence another.

I can’t help but admire the lady who is permanently assigned to the Attendance desk.  She goes above and beyond the call of duty to help students, parents, and other employees.  In the last four days, I’ve frequently watched her bring smiles to students’ faces by giving heart-felt compliments on their appearance, doling out band aids and medication, or excusing absences that really shouldn’t be excused…giving them a chance to redeem themselves.   She soothes parents’ frustrations and has even managed to patiently train Yours Truly.

There’s certainly more than meets the eye when you walk into a school.  I count this as more experience that will, hopefully, prepare me for the day I have my own classroom.

Or, perhaps I already have a classroom.  It may not have four walls, exactly, and I may not be teaching history or English.  But what I am teaching is compassion, empathy, and maybe even humility…as I mirror the actions of my “partner-in-crime” (i.e. the gal in the chair beside me).

Much to think on…much to pray for…

Filed under: children | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Adventures in Subbing

Posted on February 9, 2009 by auburnchick

My week has gotten off to a good start.  Praise the Lord!  Especially after last week.

Today I filled in at the attendance desk at my kids’ high school.  What a blast I had!

Basically, the job involves answering the phones, writing passes for students checking in and out of school, and greeting visitors.

A good portion of the morning was spent listening to parents’ messages…explaining why their children were out sick.  I had to chuckle at one mother’s phone call.

While explaining that Johnny had a sore throat, she went on to detail how he had diarrhea.

Um, yeah, like I really wanted or needed to know that.

“Sick” works just fine in my book.  Short and sweet.

I turned to the other gal who works the desk and shared the call.  She’s heard it all, she assured me.

There were quite a few late arrivals…students who, when asked why they were late, honestly replied, “No reason.  I’m just late.”

O-kay.

Gotta love the non-embellished response, eh?

Many of the students I saw recognized me from the classes I’ve subbed in.  Most smiled as I greeted them comfortably.

I was called into another class to allow the sub to go to the bathroom.  It was the Guitar class.  Let me tell you, I really appreciated my current “station” when the sub told me she had caught two students kissing in class, and other couples were acting overly affectionate.  Boy, was I glad I didn’t have that assignment!  I hoofed it back to my desk in the front office when she returned.

All-in-all, I was totally in my element.  There was something very energetic about working in the front office.  Things were crazy!  I hardly had time to pull out the sock I’ve been trying to finish, although I did manage to get in a couple of rounds before the day was over.

One other thing that fed my eager pace was when, after only my first hour there, the gal who schedules subs walked over to me, calendar in hand, and asked if I could work the rest of the week in the office.

Yippee!

I was delighted.

She rearranged the rest of the week for me, getting my two subbing jobs reassigned to someone else.

It’s always a good feeling to be appreciated and wanted.

They told me they were thrilled to have me.

The feeling was mutual.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , | Leave a comment »

How Do You Define Success?

Posted on February 3, 2009 by auburnchick

Please forgive me, but I’m feeling a bit melancholy right now.

I got home about 45 minutes ago from Soccer Chick’s game.  Her high school team played in the Regional Semi-finals.  To win would mean going to the Regional Finals.  A win there would mean a trip to the State Final Four.

Yeah, it was a big game.

Tonight’s opponent was the team we beat to win Districts.  Weird, eh?

Well, the top two teams from Districts got to move on to Regional playoffs, so they advanced, but we had home-field advantage.  They won their last game after playing two overtimes and then outscoring their opponent in PK’s (penalty kicks).  Not the fairest way to end a game, but it’s got to end sometime, and the kids can’t exactly run themselves to death.

So, we were facing a team we’d beaten twice this season and tied once.  The wins were close too, averaging less than two goals per win.

I had been a nervous wreck since last night.

I tried reminding myself that it’s only a game.  I tried calling to mind God’s Words that speak of peace.

Deep down inside, I really wanted this for the kids.

More importantly, I didn’t want Soccer Chick to get hurt.  My nerves are still fragile after all that she went through with her knee surgery.

The game was scoreless through the first half.  The second half was a carbon copy of its predecessor.  During regulation time, my heart nearly stopped as I watched, through the camera lens, as Soccer Chick took a brutal (and I do not exaggerate here) hit that took her and another player down.  She stayed down a few seconds but arose looking around with a question mark on her face.

The mom sitting in front of me kept repeating, “Soccer Chick is not okay.  Something is wrong with her.”

I carefully descended down the steps to the field, standing on the track as close as I could to her.  She looked at me and assured me that she was okay.

The other player stayed down for a while.  I felt so badly for Chicky.  She was stricken with pain in the knowledge that her play had injured the other girl.  I melted as I heard her apologize.

As I returned to my seat, I prayed and thanked the Lord that Soccer Chick was okay.

I watched as Soccer Chick crossed the field to talk to the player as she was assisted off the field.  She’s okay.  She had a bloody nose.  It would seem that Soccer Chick’s head  hit the other player’s nose.

And the game continued.

I watched Soccer Chick resume her play, never losing momentum despite the danger she had already placed herself in.

She was amazing.  I’m teary-eyed as I recall play after play where Soccer Chick came out of nowhere to take the ball away from an opposing player.  She passed to feet (soccer lingo for making passes that connect to same-team players), she headed balls that she shouldn’t have been able to reach.  She even megged a gal.  This is where you pass the ball between another player’s feet.  It’s cool, trust me…especially at full speed.

Soccer Chick wanted to win the game.  It was very clear in the way she played that she was playing to win.

The game ended in a tie.

Overtime.

Ten more minutes of near-goals, corner kicks, and throw-ins.

Tied.

A second overtime began.

A repeat of the first.

It ended in a tie.

PK’s.

Just what we didn’t want.

The opposing team has won all but one of its games that have gone into PK’s.

Five girls from each team sat and waited for their turn to kick the ball into the net.

I cringed as I saw Soccer Chick go up second, following one player from each team…players that made their shots.

She missed, kicking it high and hitting the crossbar.  She hung her head in disappointment.  My heart cried out for her.

This was so unlike her.  She faced a pressure that I can only imagine.  She’s 17 years old, for heaven’s sake.  Certainly not a World Cup player.

She wasn’t the only person on her team to miss.  Two others did.

Game over.

The other team won.

The stadium was quiet except for the other team’s wee contingent, which celebrated their hearts out.

Tears began to flow.

I eased to the field, uncertain of what to do.

All I wanted to do was hug Chicky.

We’ve been through this a few times, and I know she takes the losses personally each time.

How do you tell the girls that despite the score, they are a success?

Who defines success anyway?

The world says it’s the amount of money you earn, your grade point average, how you look, or the numbers on a scoreboard at the end of a game.

I beg to differ.

Success is watching a group of mismatched girls come together during a season to play like champions.

Success is never giving up, as evidenced by two overtime periods.  The game could have gone on all night.

Success is doing something so remarkable that half of the student body shows up for a game called soccer…in the South…where football and baseball rule.

Success is watching players shake hands with each other, graceful in defeat.

Success is the journey, seeing where you started and how far you’ve traveled.  To take even one step forward is success.

These girls dared to go farther than any local girls soccer team has ever gone.  They dared to dream beyond what many thought them capable of, including Your’s Truly.

This is how you define success.

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

Something About This Game

Posted on January 24, 2009 by auburnchick

What is it about this…

That can make people wear silly hats like this (and no, it’s not me with the Mr., but it is the Big Seed Pom Pom Hat I made last year and that I’ve been getting people…in this case school district higher-ups who possess a good sense of humor…to model for pictures during the games, much to Soccer Chick’s chagrin)…

Something interesting has happened to Soccer Chick’s high school team this season.  They have evolved from a collection of individual players to a unit  with one mindset…to win.  And they’ve done this without the usual girl fights you observe in the school hallways or the mall, where competition is fierce for attention.

When I see them in their huddle before each game…

My heart is stirred in a profound way.

The game that I have watched Soccer Chick play since she was seven years old has bonded these girls together in a unique way.  For 90 minutes, the girls leave the stress of boy problems, class loads, and SAT exams off the field to focus on putting one small ball into a sometimes seemingly small net across the field.  It’s a job that one girl cannot do alone, and each player knows this.

And oh, the joy, when success is achieved…

This game, that turns ordinarily mild-mannered parents into screetching lunatics (err…I am perhaps speaking of myself here) has had the opposite affect on the girls.  Despite bad calls (depending on the perspective, of course), the girls have the grace to play on.

And so they did.

And here was the result (hint…we were the Home team)…

And how did the girls feel about the score?  Take a look for yourself…

District Champions - First Time Ever!

Even in the moment of celebration, as they were about to gather their belongings and rejoin their families, they stopped, when asked by Your’s Truly, and regrouped for the above photo.

Such lovely ladies.

The game has taught them well.

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

Another Milestone

Posted on August 18, 2008 by auburnchick

Do you hear that?

What, you may ask? All you may be listening to is silence.

Well, that’s because my children are busy doing homework. Today was the first day of school, and a couple of the teachers decided not to waste a moment, digging right into the course material. Good for them! After a summer spent beating the drums to the latest tunes on Rock Band, the Chick children need their brains to be stimulated.

For Soccer Chick, this was a regular day. She is now officially a Junior.

Rockin’ Rooster, on the hand, had a big day. It was his first day of high school.

Last night, as I was driving to church to pick them both up from youth group, a slow song came on the radio, and I got misty-eyed as I began to think about Monday morning’s event. How well I remember his first day of kindergarten. Rooster was my buddy when he was a tot. After Soccer Chick started school, Rooster and I had two glorious years to ourselves (at least until 2pm). He ran errands with me, almost always without complaining. Even after he started preschool, I always picked him up in time to eat lunch together.

The day he started kindergarten was rough for me. It was the first time in many years that I had to go home to a quiet house. Being a stay-at-home mom was the best, except for that morning. I walked aimlessly around the house, feeling like one of my appendages was missing. It was…my four-foot walking stick was no longer glued to my side.

In my sorrow, I went to my local ice cream shop and ordered my favorite treat. I was the first person in the shop that day, and I sadly told the owner my story. She commiserated with me as only another mom could.

I remember the relief I felt when Rooster walked out of school that day, as I eagerly waited with the other parents. He had survived, and so had I.

So, the tears flowed down my face last night as I drove. As I pulled into the church parking lot, the following song began playing on the radio:

I do not believe in coincidences. God sees us in our need and provides comfort and wisdom when we need it. Such was the case with the timing of this song. My favorite hymn has always been Amazing Grace, and this modern version is incredible.  God was reminding me that His grace would see me through, and it did.

Rockin’ Rooster got up with his alarm clock and was dressed and ready for devotions when I emerged from the bathroom this morning. I prayed for my children after we read from the Bible, and throughout the day, my thoughts turned to him a few times. Once again, just as I did ten years ago, I eagerly waited for him outside of the school. When he split off from the swarm of kids, I released a contented sigh. My son was fine.

He had survived.

And so had I.

Only by God’s grace.

Praise the Lord.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Sports and Knitting

Posted on July 6, 2008 by auburnchick

You may not know this about me, but I am becoming a sports junkie. This is something that has long been in the making.

I remember spending my youth holed up in my room on Sundays watching the Redskins and Broncos — two of my favorite teams. My love for sports extended beyond football though. I loved Wide World of Sports. It highlighted such sports as skiing and the seldom-watched log rolling.

I watched Nadia Comaneci win the Olympic gold medal. Every little girl wanted to somersault like her and be hugged by Bela Karolyi. Do you remember when the Olympics were held every four years…both the Winter and Summer games? I was thrilled when the Olympic Committee changed this so that there would be games every two years. Now I didn’t have to wait so long to be submerged in the competition.

I sometimes wonder where this love of sports came from. I am, by no means, coordinated. I can barely walk and chew gum at the same time. Walking across the stage at my recent graduation should have been an Olympic sport all on its own.

I stunk at tether ball in elementary school. Have you ever seen the movie The Benchwarmers? Do you remember the scene where Will Ferrell is playing against his father? That could have been me and any other kid on the playground. I used to get beaten quite badly. I’m not sure I ever really understood the rules. I don’t think I do to this day.

I did play basketball in high school. I spent more time on the bench than on the court. I only played when the team was either way ahead (and my entrance wouldn’t allow the opponent to catch up too quickly) or we were way behind, when all hope was lost anyway. I just did not function well under pressure.

Take the time I was on the court at an away game. Keep in mind that I went to a small, private school. To give you an idea of the size, the school only had one class of every grade, and my graduating class had 18 students. So, everyone knew everyone else…even at the other schools

So, I got buzzed onto the court. I was so excited! I finally got to play! I usually played point guard because I was so small. There I went, dribbling happily down the court.

All of sudden…

Pop.

What’s that, I wondered, just as my boobs gained their freedom. My bra strap had broken. These were the days before sports bras.

Now, I was covered up, and nobody could tell what was happening. But to a 16 year old teen, every crisis is magnified. I did what most teens would do.

I dropped the ball and went running down the court with my arms crossed over my chest, advertising the fact that my body was, quite literally, celebrating its freedom from that bench.

Yeah, I had not yet mastered the art of being discreet.

So, I ran down the court, arms over my chest, looking at my coach saying, “My bra strap broke…substitute me NOW.”

“What?” he hollered.

Typical man. Just didn’t get it. The entire gym sure did because everyone was laughing their heads off.

The rest of the night is a blur in my memory…thankfully. I think I eventually got off the court, and someone had safety pins and fixed me up so I could go back out there, red face and all. I never lived that one down either.

So, that being said, I really don’t know why I love sports so much. I think it’s because I do not possess such skills myself and can truly appreciate those who do. Also, having children who are quite talented also helps. It’s a safe bet that they got their sports genes from Mr. AuburnChick. (They got their brains from me, and you can advertise that all you want.)

Ok…you must be wondering…

What in the world has possessed AuburnChick to talk about this?

Well, I just spent most of the day watching Wimbledon’s men’s finals. Wow! What a marvelous display of artistry. It was one of the best finals I’ve ever seen, and as noted above, I’ve seen quite a few.

What I most admire is Federer and Nadal’s humbleness afterwards. The mutual respect they displayed are marks of true champions. Federer had won five straight Wimbledon trophies, beating Nadal during the last two years. He lost the first two sets and was prime to lose the third, when he dug down deep and pulled off one miraculous shot after another. It was simply amazing to watch.

Nadal, to his credit, never gave in. Despite two rain interruptions, he came back and beat Federer in the fifth set.

Wimbledon at its finest.

Throughout the six + hour match, I did what any other knitter would do…knit!

I am stuck on my Froot Loop socks and have sent out a couple requests for help on the heel. That’s what I get for trying to adjust a pattern. Remember that I don’t think well on my feet. Stick to the pattern, I keep trying to tell myself. But no, I have to try to challenge myself.

Silly girl.

Rather than sitting idly by, I pulled out that marvelous skein of Malabrigo that one of my KH friends sent me.

I began work (for the second time) on my Leaf Lace Scarf. It’s an easy pattern, but my previous attempt was with a similar yarn, almost identical color, and similar weight. For some reason, the first yarn didn’t go with the pattern. It was almost too thin.

Enter in the Malabrigo.

I LOVE this yarn! It’s the first time I’ve ever knit with the fabulous Mmmmmm. Now, I understand the reverence knitters ascribe to it. Simply winding it up (I have yet to buy a ball winder) was a sensory experience.

I’ve completed seven pattern repeats, and I love how it’s turning out so far.

So, sports and knitting. Two of my favorite things. Can life get any better?

I think not.

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

Insecurities

Posted on April 23, 2008 by auburnchick

Today, while attending an academics awards ceremony at my daughter’s high school, I was reminded of some insecurities I thought I had put aside.

I don’t know why this surprises me as teenage children don’t exactly deliver bucket loads of compliments to their parents. In fact, their comments usually dash whatever good feelings you might have about yourself.

Have you ever walked out of the bathroom pleased with the way your hair turned out? I mean, how often do we really have good hair or makeup days?

For some reason, my eyeliner will not go on in a thin line the same way two days in a row. I manage to mess it up most of the time. But the one time I walk out with a younger looking face, mascara not smudged anywhere, Little Miss Auburnchickadee manages to burst my bubble.

“Mama, you really need to rub in your powder. Oh, and by the way, you put on too much blush this morning. Your face looks like it’s on fire.”

Happy day to you too, dear.

So then you walk around rubbing your cheeks all day, scared your face is shining like a beacon…pointing the way to safe harbor.

I hate feeling self-conscious.

Today was one of those days.

Daughter had begged me not to arrive too early for the ceremony. She remembered the night of the pinning ceremony when I insisted on getting there an hour early. Gotta get the best seat, you know.

She said that there might still be kids in the gym, and that they might recognize me as “belonging to her” since we look alike.

Somewhere in there, there’s a backhanded compliment. I did not miss the fact that she admitted that we look alike. That was a first. However, it was not said kindly. Heaven forbid that I’m recognized as Little Miss Auburnchickadee’s mother — the one who was on bed rest for an entire month during her pregnancy — during the holidays — and then in labor for nine very long hours and pushed for one entirely way too long hour with her playing peekaboo before she decided to come out for good.

So, I get there a good 30 minutes early. Of course, I had to park out front and walk through the entire school to get to the gym. This is where I got self-conscious.

First of all, I do not envision myself looking like a “mom.” In my mind, I’m still that vivacious high schooler who happens to have the mind (and experience) of a mom. However, I’ve never seen a high schooler with a knitting bag and booga purse slung over her right shoulder…walking down the school hallways.

I pray that I don’t slide on the floor and fall. I would absolutely hate to make the kids drool over the items in my knitting bag. I mean, those Options needles are the latest craze. And my stitch markers…made specially for me by a dear friend…well, they could use them to trade for Chick-fil-A sandwiches. That’s how amazing they are. I also look down to make sure that the heavy baggage on my right arm has not unsnapped my blouse. That would be just my luck…kind of like walking down the hallway with toilet paper sticking out of your pants.

I made it down the hallway accident-free and entered the wrong door to the gym. Of course. This is AuburnChick, who never has an easy time doing anything.

“Ma’am, you should probably go to the other door,” says a helpful young lady.

Grrr…when did I become a “ma’am?”

And the process starts all over again, only in reverse, after the ceremony is over. I see a girl and guy hanging all over each other in the hallway. They give me a cursory glance. I’m just a mom with a knitting bag. I’m harmless.

So, the question begs to be asked.  Do we ever grow out of our high school insecurities? I don’t think so, because nobody likes to look stupid. Whether it be walking in the wrong door or slipping down a couple of steps…any time anyone looks at us in a funny way we’re reminded that there will always remain inside of us a scared little girl (or boy, if I happen to have any male readers).

Filed under: Knitting, This-n-That | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page
  • December 2025
    S M T W T F S
     123456
    78910111213
    14151617181920
    21222324252627
    28293031  

  • Currently Reading

  • Books I’ve Read