Quick Post from the Droid

Using my most amazing phone in the world to post (reviewing a few photo apps, so look out for that). Anyhow, legal blindness isn't affecting Kendall's skating- she got first in two programs today. One more compulsory program to go then done with another competition day.

Posting from the Druid is cool, but not at easy as on the old laptop!

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Skate for Hope

Many of you know that my daughter Kendall is a figure skater. This year she has been asked by her coach to participate in the 2011 Skate for Hope, a premiere skating event that benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund at the Ohio State University James Cancer Center & the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. In order to participate in the event, Kendall must raise approximately $500 to cover the entry fee, dress, and participation fees.

Featured skaters include Johnny Weir (!!!), Rachael Flatt, Emily Hughes, and Emily Samuelson & Evan Bates. The event will be emceed by Sarah Hughes (!!!). The top 5 fundraising skaters get to meet the cast and have their pictures taken with them. Quite exciting!

I normally would not come to you asking for money, but this is a very worthy cause, and any amount would be appreciated. If you are able to donate, you can follow this link to get to Kendall's fundraiser page. I know that times are tight for most of us, but if you have $5 or $10 to spare, it would be greatly appreciated. If not, I totally understand.

On another note, Kendall has been having some eye problems and today at the Ophthalmologist they found that she has a swollen right optic nerve. It's really unusual to see this in only one eye, so the eye doctors don't know what to make of it (and this former pediatrician doesn't, either). She has an appointment tomorrow with a specialist - please keep her in your prayers, she (and her parents) is nervous about what could be causing this.

* First photo was taken by my brother-in-law, Jeff Wallace

One Fine Skater

Yesterday was a great skating day. Miami's skating center is phenomenal, easily the nicest place we have ever attended a meet. The main arena had complete arena seating; this was the first time Kendall had competed in such an impressive setting.

Her skate went beautifully. She skated to instrumental music from Pocohontas and had many new elements in her program that she was nervous about. Something happens to her when she competes, though. Any hesitation or weak bits of her program seem to dissolve and she turns into a graceful swan. The funny thing that I've found about most skaters is that they seem to stumble around on dry ground but on the ice they glide as if on air. Those competing against her were also great and I didn't envy the judges their decision.

Another nice part of the day was that Kendall is now skating in a new age class (17 - 21). While still competitive, a part of the cut throat, "must win at all costs" element was gone and it turned competing into a more joyful experience. The people in this age class and the adult class seem to be supportive of each other and know that skating is about joy, not so much killing off the competition. Really refreshing.

So after the skate comes the wait. Parents and skaters hang out around the results postings waiting for the results of their class to appear. It is a hive of activity as skaters check their scores and those of the other members of their skate club.

You can tell from her expression how Kendall placed. I was so proud of her. She skated the more beautifully today than I have ever seen her skate. On top of that, I played coach today, sent her onto the ice, giving her the pre-ice pep talk and advice. I've never been able to do that, and I have to say that it made the experience all the more special for me, too, as I stood in the coaches area mumbling to myself as she skated ("slow down, Kendall. Okay, now hold that spiral, stretch it out! . . .") and being the one that got to tell her that she did a wonderful job before anyone else could.

I will tell you that there are times that being a skate mom can be trying - the constant practices, having to deal with uber-skate mom egos - but today was sheer bliss. My girl is one fine skater.

Skate Day!

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Kendall has her first figure skating competition since her bunion surgery today at Miami University of Ohio. Just one program against one other skater. She looks great, but has a good case of nerves. Hope to finally take out the camera and take some photos of Oxford, OH. That's my day; hope all of you have a blessed day as well.

Flights of nerdiness, yarniness, and general overtired momminess.

It seems like my life is endlessly busy, but I am sure that this is the plight of all moms. Yesterday, I was constantly doing three things at once - helping Tim launch his online business, No Sweat!; he manufactures what are basically cedar sachets for odor and sweat control in such items as boots (motorcycle, hockey, etc.), gloves, and helmets (they are also good as a moth repellant - I keep one with my wool fibers). Anyhow, he has gaps in his computer nerdiness, and as I am the head nerd in this house, I work on most of the online aspect of the business. Did I mention that I am studying A+ (a lot of which I already know) and trying to eventually get my Microsoft Certification?


Why yes, I am, thank you!

Then there is also the yarn recycling, which has it's own learning curve. I'm learning that it's just not worth the time to buy sweaters with machine sewn shoulders - you don't get a good amount of yarn. Angora, no matter how yummy it may be, leaves your clothing covered in fuzzies and is extremely fragile. Wool, as you know, likes to felt, and so the 100% wool sweater that looks perfect, like no felting action has ever occurred is still difficult to unravel as the individual stitches micro-felt (my own made-up term). But it is still addictive and I really like doing it, and Tim seems to appreciate it as well as he pulled out his box o' sweaters and donated a few to the cause (I made him keep his cashmere, though. I believe the number one commandment of sweater recycling should be "Thou Shalt not unravel a perfectly wearable cashmere sweater lest thou hadst the desire to suffer deep yarn remorse forevermore").

Kendall has a competition coming up next weekend in which she is skating three programs and has multiple costume changes. She has been stressing about getting everything ready for it. Last night, I cut a "Flashdance" sweatshirt for her (she is skating to "Flashdance: What a Feeling") and felt like I was back in middle school. She looks great in it, though.


You know the sweatshirt. You probably had one. Wanna make another one? There are great directions here.

And now synchronized skating season is on in full force. If you aren't familiar with synchronized skating, think synchronized swimming except on the ice. I am becoming a total skater mom, with the "my kid skates" decal on my car, the fleece "Team Chiller" pull over, and sacrificing my Sunday nights to synchro practice, which, for Kendall, goes from 4:45 to 8:00 p.m. The cool thing is that I get some kid free time to knit or read or just veg. If you think I'm totally insane and there just couldn't be such a thing as synchronized skating, watch this (it's only 3 minutes, it won't kill you):



This is Miami University (of Ohio)'s 2009 World Synchronized Skating Championship short program. Groovy, eh? Well, Kendall sure seems to like it, is excitied about the travel (Detroit! Oxford, Ohio!), and is improving exponentially the longer she is on the team. Go Team Chiller!