Chasing my own tail

I just can't seem to pull it all together lately. Between the doctor's appointments and work and C-man's after-school stuff and Beerman traveling some, it's been nuts. It's like I'm totally chasing my own tail, and I hate that feeling. And it's not going to be any better this weekend. Sigh. I need a vacation.

How is it only Tuesday

• I ate almost an entire sleeve of Lemonade cookies over 2 days. Damnit.
• I was marveling at an older lady in the store the other day and how well put together she was. I really aspire to be that way.
• But then I remember I'm the total mess who wears superhero t-shirts and ate a sleeve of Lemonade cookies. Probably not going to happen in this lifetime.
• The "kids" who worked for me way back in Boy Scout camp have found me on Facebook. It sort of ruined my vision of them not aging when I see them with kids and lives of their own. But still adorable to know where they are now.
• On the good side of things, seeing the sun has been glorious. I've really missed the sun.

Ugh. We're doing that again.

• C-man didn't wrestle this weekend. His arm was still hurting him, and I didn't think being the Laconia champ would make much of a difference in our lives long-term. He still went to cheer on the team, though.
• Beerman and I gloriously stayed home and got housework done. I mean, I actually washed the outside of my house windows. In February! What an unbelievable gift this weekend was.
• Not to mention, Beasley got walked a bit since the weather was so fantastic, which was good for both of us.
• The cookie pushers showed up with their Girl Scout cookies today. Jerks. I've got to give these things away. Fast. Today's a high pain day. So having cookies in front of me is a bad thing.
• No wrestling meets this week. Well, except for high school state which is for 3 straight days. Just what I always wanted to do.
• Here's to making it through the week!

That match that almost made me throw up

Last night, we went to West Milwaukee for C-man to wrestle with the middle school. At about 20 seconds into the first period, he got an injury timeout. His right arm was hurting, and he had tears. The coach talked to him for a bit, and then sent him back out where C-man fought hard, but was down 2-4. It felt like he was being manhandled much worse than the score showed, but he wasn't getting scored on.

In the second period, they fought for a bit, and C-man got put to his back. I was sure he was pinned at least 3 times. But I saw a moment when he decided he wasn't going to go down, and he fought hard, crunching up so the guy couldn't get his back down. For about 1:20, that kid fought.

Then it was time for the third period. His arm was clearly hurting him bad, and he couldn't pull the kid around with his right hand. He got put to his back again, nearly being pinned again. But then the kid got a little too high, the coach shouted, "To your left!" and C-man amazingly flipped around and got on top.

The team and the crowd went absolutely wild. After all this time of nobody thinking he was going to make it, he was on top.

His coach yelled for him to look up to put more pressure on the other kid. But being in the third period after having spent most of his time fighting off being pinned, there was no smile this time.

And then he flipped him over fully, and the ref's hand came down with a loud whomp.

I didn't know whether to cheer or throw up.

And he was hurt, exhausted, and just spent, barely making it through the team's congratulatory lineup. The determination on this kid is ridiculous. I was so proud of him for not giving it up, especially after we'd just talked on Tuesday about how bad kids feel when they realize they gave up.

A little while later, C-man said the pain was not subsiding in his elbow, and he heard a crack when it started to hurt. Being experienced in these matters, I took him straight to urgent care for some x-rays at his request. Preliminary results are a sprained elbow, and he's in a sling, but no break. (We high fived about that - he was just sick with anticipation of the results) He's supposed to wrestle on Sunday, but we'll see. The good news is he now has a 2 week break from middle school wrestling, and since high school state is next weekend, he won't wrestle then either.

So here's to determination and healing!

One day closer to the weekend

• I had my work health assessment this morning. I passed all five markers, which was good, because it's worth $600. But the best part was she rang me in at 5'6". Somehow I magically grew an inch. It must be all that stinky broccoli.
• C-man has another wrestling dual tonight.
• I have another unbearable, awful headache. Thankfully, I'm going to the chiropractor tomorrow and a massage on Saturday.
• Only one more day to go. Whoot.

And now it's Wednesday

• Last night's wrestling dual was a success. The team won, and C-man pinned his guy.
• The coach has been telling the kids to look up to get their picture taken as a way to get them to arch and put more pressure on the opponent. C-man took it literally.
• Then we went to the high school sectional dual, which wasn't so positive. But who can say no to a romantic drive through Culvers dinner?
• I went to the spinal surgeon today. He was surprised, based on the MRI results, that I wasn't having other issues, too. But the good news is he's referring me to a pain management doctor. That means probably no surgery, but instead, burning a couple of nerves in my vertebra. So I'm hopeful.
• You know things are bad when ablating nerves sounds positive.
• He was still dire about the future degeneration from arthritis, though. I always hate hearing that, even though I know it's real.
• Beerman just wants to know what superpowers I'll get in the process. I'm hoping for adamantium.
• I could really use a drink.

Happy Valentines Day

• Happy Valentines Day. Or, as we know it around here - Happy Two Wrestling Duals Day!
• Apparently last night, the wrestling coach was lecturing the kids about getting their heads up and arching. He told them to look at Mrs. Rysewyk so she can take your picture. Funny, because it's totally true. I love when they look up.
• Someone brought funfetti cake into work. So delightful.
• In other fun news, I found a new focus button on my camera. I've been irritated with the lack of sharpness in my photos lately, so I'm hoping this helps.
• I think I'm going to need a quiet "me" day soon. I've been feeling sort of overwhelmed with it all lately. Or maybe it's just the lack of sleep.

And here we go again

• Tomorrow is Valentines Day. I get to spend it at not one, but two, wrestling meets. One for C-man and one for the high school who made it to regionals for the very first time. My life is so very glamorous and romantic.
• My back is hurting so bad, I'm only getting an hour or two of sleep at a time. I'm really hoping this spinal surgeon gives me something good on Thursday.
• The lack of sleep is leaving me in a perpetual crabby state of sleep deprivation. It's not a great way to be.
• I've been so busy with stuff, that I haven't had much of a chance to take photos like I'd wanted to this year. It's a bad precedent, because editing wrestling photos has become a real grind.
• On Saturdays, I've been getting up before the sun to get Beasley to the park. He hasn't been very well behaved, but without a run, he'll go crazy. So that's our compromise. An old lady always shows up at sunrise with her pitbull mix. She swears like a sailor about her damn dog, and I love her. It's become my sleep deprived quiet time. Damn dog.

Another successful day

This weekend, we headed west again, this time to Dodgeland High School in Juneau, Wisconsin. C-man had a solid 4-man bracket, with each of the kids rated as Average. (You rate out as Beginner, Average, Good, or Excellent based on your win/loss record) This was positive, because it meant he'd get some solid competition at his ability, and not just tear through some beginners. (He's technically above average, but Beerman and C-man haven't wanted to move him up to Good until he gets some things down, because the Good kids often get paired with Excellent kids.)

His first match was against a kid from Markesan. They were pretty well matched up. But in the second period, C-man took him down and pinned him at 1:43.

He was a really nice kid, and he and C-man bonded instantly over their shared first name. (They were both giggling that they didn't know what they were supposed to do because both coaches were yelling their names) That's one of the things I really do like about this sport - the kids really get to know one another and create friendships over their shared pain.

The second match up was against a kid from Waupun who is 9 pounds heavier than C-man. C-man wrestled well, and at the end of the first period, threw him down and pinned him. (Beerman was yelling, "No! No! No" because he's tried to get C-man to not just go for a throw, while another coach was shouting, "Yes! Yes! Yes!" Beerman acknowledged he needs to back off the anti-throw now that C-man doesn't just always look for it. But it was a funny moment) When I say he got his pin at the end of the first period, it was truly at 1:00 - the exact end of the first period. The other parents were really angry because they didn't feel it was a pin, but upon review of the video, while pretty quick, it was valid.

The third match up was against a kid from West Bend. C-man took the kid down. While Beerman shouted for C-man to "ride him" to let him go to the second period, C-man thought the nod was to pin him. So he did it at 56 seconds.

And that's how you end up with the bracket, a medal, and a brand new t-shirt you wear for three days straight before your Mom makes you throw it in the wash. I still don't understand how you can like doing this sport, but this smile says it all when it comes to his feelings about it

And for those paying attention, he weighed in at 106 and change Saturday morning (down from his 115.5 he weighed in at the beginning of the season), and the sleeves on a bunch of his t-shirts are tight. Hard work doesn't even begin to describe this.

Randomness

• C-man came home from school not feeling well today. So therefore, no wrestling dual. Since he's been sleeping pretty much non-stop today, I'm going to go with - he's really sick.
• Thursday's wrestling dual is going to be a really tough one, so he may lose his varsity spot for the day and the coach could bump everyone up a slot. (They're really strong at the lower weights) I'd like to see him wrestle at varsity, but the less pressure on me sure would be nice.
• I had a much-needed massage last night, and actually slept for the first time in ages. I left a really big tip because the therapist was super pregnant and I was all guilty about it. Not guilty enough to not get the massage, mind you...
• C-man is all signed up for an overnight camp with a friend at the end of the summer. He never wanted to do it until last summer. And by the time he'd decided it'd be fun, everything was booked. So I got ahead of the game this year and figured out which camp and when. I think he's going to love it.
• It reminds me how much fun I had as camp director. Those were some crazy days. But so great.
• These February thunderstorms are freaking me out. The poor bees!
• I took my car in for repair because the engine light was on. It was some canister that was sticking - emissions problem. And, of course, I'm 6000 over my 60,000 warranty. Ugh. At least they washed my car. I'm trying not to think of it as a $350 car wash.
• The boys are volunteering at the high school wrestling regional tournament our team is hosting this weekend, so I should get a day of quiet to myself. I'm looking forward to that.
• Because then Sunday is back at a tournament. Oh goody.

Another good weekend on the mat

This weekend, we headed west to Watertown to wrestle. C-man had a 4-man bracket. His first match was the toughest. He was down 2-0 when he got a blood time out. His mouth was gushing. Typical wrestling grossness. Once it was cleaned up, he went out on the mat and got a reversal to make it 2-2 right before the end of the 1st period.

Match 1 - 1st Period:

Match 1 - (post blood time out) end of 1st period:

He started the 2nd period on the bottom, and quickly turned the kid over and pinned him in 12 seconds getting the official fall at 1:12.

Match 2: 2nd period

The second match was an even easier one for him. The other kid was pretty new to wrestling, and C-man took him down and pinned him at :27. Beerman was trying to get him to cut him loose and make it go longer, but C-man didn't hear that instruction. Kind of a bummer for the other kid who didn't get more live wrestling time, but sometimes, I'm sort of grateful when they go quickly. Then I don't have to be so nervous for so long.

Match 2:

The third match, Beerman talked to C-man about staying on the mat longer and practicing perfecting his moves. He let it go into the second period, and then took the fall at Beerman's nod in the second period at 1:34.

Match 3:

Mr 4th Place took off before awards. But it didn't stop C-man's enormous smile and a chance to stand on the podium. It was an easier tournament for him, so he wasn't as ecstatic about the win as last week. But it's still hard not to be happy when you've got three new pins you've earned on your hat.

And tomorrow, it's a middle school dual. Because of course it is.

TGIF

• C-man's middle school team had a dual last night, but he had a forfeit. So, boring.
• I bought two packages of bees for this spring. I just can't help myself. But with all this freezing rain, it'll be a miracle if any of them make it out.
• C-man's at ski club tonight. So, of course, Beerman and I are having a romantic evening at a high school wrestling conference tournament. Shoot me.
• 12 days until I see the back surgeon. I am in so much pain, I am truly counting the days.
• I'm hoping to finish my pussy hat this weekend. C-man has asked me to call it something else.
• I have a massage scheduled tomorrow. And I need to paint the wrestling podium. It's looking to be a good day ahead.

Thursday Thirteen

1. This sweet little saw-whet owl was waiting for me when I got home Tuesday night. Gosh, I love these owls, but see them so rarely since they're so skittish. This owl, however, just sat and stared at me with total owl attitude. I kind of fell in love with him.
2. C-man has another wrestling dual tonight. He's getting a forfeit, so just needs to go to get his hand raised. Kind of a bummer. But at least it'll mean less photos to edit for me.
3. It's a home dual, so no team bus ride. Man, he loves that team bus ride.
4. He started the season at 115.5, and is now 108. He's talking about taking it down to 105 for Regionals because it's supposed to be an easier path to State than 110. I'm so impressed with how he's just naturally doing this drop.
5. I'm two weeks out from my back surgeon appointment. Since I haven't been sleeping past 3 a.m. because of the pain, I'm actually looking forward to it.
6. Beasley has enjoyed 3 a.m. cuddles, though. So that's something.
7. This weekend, we're wrestling on a Sunday in Watertown. It'll be our first Sunday tournament.
8. The UPS guy keeps delivering the wrong packages to our house. The other night it was medications. Oy.
9. Every day I watch the news. And every day I wonder how it can get any worse. And then it does. The Catholics have spoken out. The Mormons have spoken out. The Jews have spoken out. The Muslims have spoken out. Come on Evangelicals... Your move.
10. I've discovered the crullers at work lately. That's a bad discovery for my bum. But oh my, so, so good.
11. Valentines Day is coming up. Dang, I suppose I should start thinking through that.
12. I'm looking forward to a nice sleep in on Saturday.
13. How is it not Friday yet?

Wrestling recap

Last night was the first middle school wrestling dual of the season at Frank Lloyd Wright School. The other parents were giggling, because you couldn't tell who was pacing more nervously on the sidelines - C-man or Beerman.

But then he was out there. He wrestled well - a little too much on his knees to start, but then he picked up the pace and really did well. So well, that his pin came quickly in the second period.

But my favorite part of it all was watching how excited the other teammates were for him - a 6th grader. The team was on fire, and crushed it 88 - 5. [For those non-wrestling scorers out there, they got 3 forfeits (6 points each), 11 pins (6 points each), one major decision win - which is to win by 8 points or greater (4 points), and one loss with a tech fall - when you are beaten by 15 points (5 points for them). Last year, this team won by only one point against this school.] Needless to say, it continued to stoke the fire for his wrestling love. As did having the kid from the other team who had a broken wrist and weighs 110 lbs say, "I'll see you at Conference" as they shook hands.

The next dual is Thursday, and unfortunately, C-man is going to get a forfeit at 110 lbs. Bummer.