SEA TRIALS 2007 A 13 hour day that tests the midshipman's strength and endurance....emphasizing team work and fortitude. There is my beautiful daughter rolling around in the muddy water...this was the "damage control" portion of the day. Each company went to approximately 12 "stations" which each lasted about an hour. Their day started at 0330 am and ended at around 1800pm (that's 6pm for all you non-military folk out there...trust me I still don't get it and find myself always adding...huumm 12 + 6 equals 18..oh ok.)
The pipes had water being pumped through them, which the mids had to patch quickly. She was pretty tired at this point...so there did not seem to be much urgency in her body language.
Here she is transitioning to another station. Check out that smile. I guess it could not have been all that bad, if she still had the energy to muster up a beautiful smile. I truly admire her fortitude. This was an incredibly hard day...and needless to say, I probably would not have gotten through 5 minutes of it.

The start of the infamous Tug of war!

It started with a few (probably 50) situps and then quick....they had to stand...and start.....

PULLING......pull, pull, pull.....I am happy to say that her side won both times...I am sure because of her excellent upper body strength and nothing to do with the triathlete at the "anchor" end.
The Log PT....first you pick it up,
Then you drop down and do a few crunches..

then some sit-ups,

then you pick it up,

Then you lift it high into the air....all the time trying to smile as your classmate snaps your photo for your eager mom sitting on the hill!Then its off to another station........


until, finally, completely exhausted, yet extremely proud of what you've accomplished, you drag yourself, (with your little sister in tow) over to the stands to enjoy a much deserved cheeseburger, fried chicken, chips and several ice cream bars. What a day.

You even have enough energy to muster for one more photo with a very proud mom, dad and sister.

Oh, and knitting........why yes, I did that all throughout the day as I waited for her to arrive at all the different stations. I got many comments such as..."what a good idea" or "aren't you smart bringing that" and "ohhh, will you teach me?" All in all, a wonderful, wonderful day!

You gotta check out this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM

Its really cool.............

Yeah, so I have two of the same picture...what can I tell you? Not sure how to get rid of it...anyway, this is my beautiful gardenia "tree" that was a gift from a friend....
enjoy these pictures because it will be DEAD in about another month or so....I have NEVER been able to keep one of these things alive...don't know why. I love them, they are incredible and the smell is wonderful...either they are too finicky or I am just a bad plant owner.
The thing has several blowns all over....but some of the leaves are already starting to turn yellow, and I haven't even had it a whole week! I should mist it right...

So, news on the knitting front: I knit a thong!!!!!!!!! Ok, so I had some minor surgery last week (am ok---just some female issues) and I am not sure if it was the percoset or what...but I thought, hey...I'll make a thong out of this beautiful Noro silk/cotton yarn. The pattern is from Interweave press....not even sure if I'll ever wear it....but it helped me pass the time and it is kinda pretty...what do you think?

Spring is here! Here's my youngest on a sunny Sunday afternoon just trying to carve out his little piece of the capitalism pie! We live on a pretty quiet street and except for our wonderful neighbors, it was a bit slow going. I, of course, had my fill of lemonade. Interestingly enough, I also provided "change" for him as well as inventoried the lemonade and the cups....do you think he is ready for that?

And, last but not least, proving that the Easter Egg Hunt is something for kids of every age...here is my college aged daughter at the family's annual hunt. She stretched, she did a preliminary scan of the yard and then she pounced.....it was great fun to watch and I secretly revelled in the fact that underneath all her new maturity, is that beautiful little girl who always loved a chance to win!