The Invitation - Oriah

The Invitation ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer
	It doesn't interest me what you do for a living I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love for your dreams for the adventure of being alive. It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon... I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain. I want to know if you can sit with pain mine or your own without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy mine or your own if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful be realistic to remember the limitations of being human. It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy. I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence. I want to know if you can live with failure yours and mine and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes." It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children. It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments. © 1995 by Oriah House, From "Dreams Of Desire" Published by Mountain Dreaming, 300 Coxwell Avenue, Box 22546, Toronto, Ontario, Canada  from- http://www.inspirationpeak.com/poetry/theinvitation.html

This is My Happy Place

Aahh, this is my happy place.  Reading Blogs that I love, fresh coffee in the mug, and even a homemade oatmeal cookie.  I miss this.  

I'm a complex person.  I have more than just one side to me.  I love being a mother and a homemaker.  But the athlete in me needs some time to play too.  No, I'm not actually playing volleyball anymore, but I coach.  So I've been off the Blog for months now.  My season is over, so I get time to do the little things.  Bust mostly I've missed baking, blogging, and reading.  I've been doing a lot of reading, just not any of the hoards of books I have stacked up in my bookcase and my closet.  I appreciate these little things much more when I haven't had the time or energy to do them.  

But I won't have the time for long.  I'm coaching another season this coming January.  I was a bit scared to take on boys team, and to take on another season of busy-ness in my home.  Especially after dropping the ball with some of the things I was suppose to remember to do for my kids. That was a low point for me.  My kids are first and foremost my priority.  So when I forgot to sign my kids up for free tutoring because I missed the deadline. I then proceeded to sit in my car and cry.  

The day before I had just been offered a coaching position and I was on cloud nine.  But I dropped down pretty quick when I realized I am slacking off in the Mommy department.  I even contemplated NOT taking the job at all.  I was making all kinds of excuses to stay home and do the easy thing.  Just be a stay at home mom.  But, I realized it was my fear talking.  And a little bit of laziness too.  This coming season will require a lot more out of me.  Better organization in the dinner department, homework with the kids, and house cleaning duties.  Not to mention potty training the twins.  And none of this includes the time I have to put in for volleyball.  Planning practice, actual practice, and admin duties.  This scares me.  I'm not the type of person who likes being busy.  I'm naturally chill and laid back, so this scares me.  

But...

My two older kids love me coaching.  They come to my practices and games and they love it.  They meet my team and they love it.  They hit the balls over the net and they have a ball.  They watch me coach and just smile.  

I'm scared.  I don't want to be this busy Mom that drops the ball on her kids.  But I also love it when my daughter sees me doing something that I love.  I want my son to see me speaking in front of groups of people and know that someday he can do the same without being so nervous.  I want them to hear me yelling at my team "Don't give up!" and know that I don't just say these things to them.  But mostly I want them to be proud of me.  

The thing is, at this age, my kids are always proud of me.  So, I'll enjoy it while it lasts.  Teenage years have not invaded my home yet.  Wish me luck, and as always prayers are always appreciated. 

Sleep escapes me...

Another Youtube night.  And No, if you're wondering, I have no life.  And I'm really okay with that.  

Meet Melanie a stay at home mum from somewhere in the UK. This is her audition for XFactor UK 2012.  When I watched this I thought of all the Mothers out there.  The kind that are willing to sacrifice everything for their children.  Even if it meant putting a God given talent on the back burner.  Because when we have children, nothing in the world seems more important than living for them. Check out what Melanie has been hiding. 

Coach John Wooden is my coaching idol.  He is everything I ever want to be as a coach.  Not because of his success but for the kind of man he was.  Hands down the best coach EVER, in my opinion. 

If you know who Joel Osteen is you know that people either like him or they think he is absolutely cookoo.  I actually think both.  I like his message most of the time, but I do think he's a little weird. If you are married, and have some time, you should listen to this really long excerpt (28 min audio only) from one of his sermons on love between a husband and wife.  It's funny, awkward, and a little controversial(sex talk from a Pastor lol).  I don't agree with all of it, but I do have to admit it gave me a lot to think about. 

 

My Sexy Man Reader Husband

It's finally here! The book trailer to When Water Burns.  The second book in the Telesa Trilogy by Lani Wendt Young.  A big O for Owesome to Jordan Kwan! I love it.  I can't stop watching it. Yes, I've already read the book, but I still love how the trailer will suck in new readers.  Including my husband, Wolfy.

Yup my hubby is reading Telesa the first book.  He's almost done.  I stopped bugging him about his promise to give the book a chance earlier this year.  He said it was hard to constantly read about another man's abs and not be turned off to the book. hahaha Which I understood, but I still wanted him to read it.  So I don't know what happened but he picked up the book again last night and almost finished it.  If he hadn't had to go to sleep for work he would have finished it.  

But before he slept we just laid in bed talking about Daniel, Jason, Leila, and the sisterhood.  

Wolfy- I'm almost done! 
Me- Really, what part are you on?

Wolfy- Leila just moved out of Nafanua's house. Man I have a bad feeling. I hope nothing happens to her Aunt and uncle.  
Me- Ooh it's getting good now huh.

Wolfy- Yea, it's a really good story.  Man I feel bad for Daniel. I don't like that Jason dude.
Me- Aww but I kind of like Jason

Wolfy- Heck no! I feel Bad for Daniel. He loves her so much but just hasn't really said it. Now this Jason guy? (shakes his head) I know how Daniel feels. 
Me- 0_0  Oh. Yea you're right Babe (was all I could manage) 

Sorry ladies this one is MINE!

My husband has never been more sexier to me than at that moment. When he's reading a book that I love just for me.  And then he even wants to talk to me about it.  If I wasn't married to this man already, I would be eloping with him as soon as I could. LOL 

How awesome is my Wolfy! 

50 shades of ...No Thank You

My random ranting during my reading of the first book of the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy.
BIG TIME SPOILER ALERTS!


Americans don't say "cinemas" we go to the movies.

Who lives in the Pacific Northwest and hates coffee?! 

Drunk dialing. hehe Whoa, Christian is cookoo!

Red Room of Pain - Not my cup of Twinings tea

Ironic that his name is "Christian"


Christian Grey is a sick man with too much money.  
Control Freak, Sex Addict, Kinky freak! 
More like 80 shades of effed up. 


Did there really have to be a whole chapter dedicated to the submissive contract? I didn't even read it.  
Skipping over until the contract is done.

Ana's inner goddess/devil vs. her subconscious was really annoying. Inner goddess dialogue and updates start getting unnecessary and then completely annoying. No use for them

Twilight regurgitation of "do I dazzle you" dialogue 

So many women swooning over this man.  In reality wouldn't their relationship be considered an abusive relationship? Christian wanting Ana to be submissive, using sex to distract her from her real feelings, unnecessary gifts, and speaking to her so disrespectfully. 
His mood swings. 
Anna is scared of him when he's angry.  
All this "you are mine" possessive language. Okay Smeagol she's your Precious, we get it. 
As soon as sex is over it's like he's done with a business transaction. 
And obviously his need to punish her with a hiding/spanking if she angered him.
Swoon?  I think Not! 

Too much Holy Cow! Holy Shit! Holy (fill in the blank) every other paragraph almost.

And yet somebody please tell the author to put the Thesaurus down!

I just can't get over how Christian is so demeaning!

Ana knows in her head and in her heart that she shouldn't be with him, but she folds so easily. So weak!

Christian is like a sex robot. "I'm going to f*** you now." (robotic voice)

I keep thinking "what an A hole" when Christian is talking in the Red Room for the first time w/ Ana.
I get the heebie geebies when she describes the way he looks at her.  Creepy Creeperson!

"Perchance to dream"?  Does the author throw those lines in as an inside joke or something?  A line from hamlet in the middle of a Red Room convo after sex.  Strange. 
Rolling my eyes (oops Christian doesn't like that) Whatever!
Go Flog yourself Christian.

Christian - Future Wife Beater

Every time Christian comments on her beautiful skin I can't help but to think of Silence of the Lambs and the Skin suit.  Ew Ew Ew!!

I know the author is British and the character Ana is a fan of British Literature but... "prevailed upon". Come on who speaks like that anymore? Maybe the Royal family I guess. 

Talk about emotional roller coaster. More like emotional rocket ride. Blast off... then the engine fails.  Then it starts up again... just to fail again. Ugh! I catch myself thinking aww that was sweet of Christian, then he says something completely vulgar. ugh buzz kill.  
Then he does something and I think aww see he has a heart, well I guess a heart of steel more like it. 
Come on I think he does love her, oh no wait he just wants to F*** her brains out. How romantic.

Wow King Stalker this guy.

Well that was gross. Period sex...eek!

Okay so he was a crack baby, or his mom was a crack whore. I still don't really feel sorry for him.

Oh no she's asking for the full throttle in the Red Room. Don't do it! 

I told you so! Dummy

Finally Ana tells him off! Leave him girl, you better leave his crazy ass! 

I don't like the fact that I didn't want Ana to be with Christian. Why am I reading this if I'm hoping for the couple to break up?  Depressing. 



Things I did like.

Taylor - So loyal
Kate - Ana should have listened to Kate!
Grace - Christian's mother

I love their email exchanges when Ana is in Georgia.

I love Ana's Dad Ray. I adore her Mother Carla!

Oh well if you can't guess by now I didn't enjoy the book.  Thankfully I convinced my cousin to just give me a synopsis of the rest of the books so I don't have to waste my time reading them. No big deal. Good for what it is, 80% humping, 10% Submissive contracts and negotiations, 10% story. 

Best Efforts

I tell this to my kids all the time...

If you are going to do something, ALWAYS and ONLY give it your BEST effort.
Actually I tell my Volleyball players the same thing.  If you are going to show up, you better show up and give me 100%.

I'm a Coach, so it is not in me to say I don't mind losing.  Because I absolutely hate it!  But if it's one thing I hate more than losing, is losing because we didn't give our best effort.  I believe that if my players play to the best of their abilities and then some, and still lose, then we lost to the better team.  No shame in that at all.  

Every time the Olympics come around I am reminded why I love sports.  Not so much by the big Goliath champion gold medal winners, but by the little unknown countries who SHOW UP and give it their best for their countries. 

Like Maureen Tuimalealiifano of Team Samoa.  She competed in the individual Women's Archery event in London.  After the preliminary ranking round Maureen was ranked #63 out of 64.  Which meant that her first opponent would be in the higher ranking countries.  And who does she get? The archer from South Korea who is ranked #2.  But #1 ranking was also from South Korea.  The same South Korean team of archers that won the Gold medal just a couple of days before.   (And every year before that since the event was introduced into the summer Olympics)  

Even though she was defeated I respect her so much for just showing up and giving an olympic effort for our little island nation.  I am also immensely proud of how she carried herself and how she just always looked so happy and honored to be at the Games. 

Check her out channeling her inner Katniss Everdeen. ;) 

Thank You Team Samoa Facebook page for providing pictures of this event! 

And what about Eric Moussambani dubbed "Eric the Eel" of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.  Representing Equitorial Guinea in a swimming heat of only 3 swimmers.  The other two swimmers were disqualified due to false starts, so Eric is left to complete the heat alone.  Just him.  Eight lanes and he was the only swimmer in the pool.  He struggled to finish since he had never before seen an Olympic sized pool before that day, and he had just learned some techniques from the American swim team just two days before.  But he showed up and he finished. In the record books he is listed as the winner of his first and only Olympic swim race.  

original story from cnn 

 In 1992, while watching the Barcelona Olympic track races, 

I distinctly remember bawling my eyes out when I was watching this race live on television.  Derek Redmond of Great Britain tore his hamstring before he could finish his 400 meter race.  I can't imagine the feelings he was going through, but he got up and started hopping his way towards the finish line.  And then his father comes from the stands and helps his son in his emotional finish of the race that had already ended.  This moment in the Olympics was used by the Olympic Committee and Visa as an example of the Olympic spirit, and for Nike in their series of Courage ads.   

My sister asked me who won the gold in the last Olympics for Women's Volleyball. I couldn't even tell her.  In the end I remember the little people and their stories.  I remember the losers and their Olympic spirit.  Hopefully my kids understand what I mean one day.  "Oh that's why Mom always told us to always do our best."  Because nothing of quality ever comes from giving a half ass effort. 

Don't judge my knowledge by my fitness

As a mother of five and a coach, I get the looks all the time. You know those looks like, "She's the coach? But she doesn't look like a coach?"  What the hell does that have to do with what I know about volleyball?  I absolutely love the game, I played the game for years, and I love learning even more about coaching everyday.  Just because I don't look like a fitness junkie doesn't mean I don't know what I'm talking about.  It means I've had five kids and I put them first and unfortunately don't have all the time in the world to work out everyday.  

Yup that's the skinny me. Oh how I wish I could still be that fit again. But that was ages ago.  I'm a mother now, and I'm not obsessed with trying to get back to that size because that's just not me anymore.  I have more important things to worry about.  And yes I desperately need to work out more often, but I don't let it consume me.  Okay so I bake too much too.  I just have to accept it for now and try to find the time to get healthy and not worry so much about being skinny. 

That's me now. Chubby face and all. And I couldn't find a full body picture because I don't like taking them and I'm usually hiding behind my kids on purpose. hehe Nope I don't look like an athletic coach AT ALL. But just shut up, wait and see. And suck it when you realize that the shape of my body has nothing to do with my knowledge of the game.  

Peace out!