Circumstantial Pomposity

A few shots from Sam's big day. Number 1 graduate boy. Winner of awards and super good kid.

Styling and Filing

Suzy did a great job helping us incorporate the filing cabinet into the scheme of the nursery. Aren't the stickers just the coolest. She made them on the computer from the pattern on the crib things.

Build It and He Better Come Quick

Take a look around Pearce's room. The place is ready for the boy to show up any time now. We are so ready for the next phase of no sleep and a cute gurgly baby that sleeps alot except when he doesn't. It is now P - 23.

FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIDAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, there are ten more school days to go. We are almost done. I cannot wait. Running head long into the unknown is definitely a way to learn how much faith one has.

On to much more fun things. We are at P-27 and counting. The anticipation is killing me and I think Kristi is a little more ready than I am. She had a shower at work tonight. I can't wait to see what the little guy hauled in this time.

I have been much better about the practicing of late. (for all of a week) I worked on a couple of scales and then worked on Telemann's Sonata #1 in G major. I like that one. Actually all of the sonatas in that collection are less intimidating for me than the Bach Cello Suites. They are easier.

Speaking of easier. I have found something the doesn't inspire me at all. Daniel Demoivre Suite 1 C major. It is a solo cello thing but it is not technically challenging at all. We'll just have to see how that collection goes. I feel that they may be some of the first pieces Pearce may learn.

Back to the Telemann piece. I have made it through the Vivace. I have all the notes down. Now, I just need to make them sound as well as I can with my poor cello. Most of my mangling tonight came from being tired and my arms and fingers being out of shape. The strength is coming back and endurance grows. I wish Randy were nearer or I lived in Rome where I could get some decent accompaniment. Either/Or will come to pass soon enough.

30 Days to P-Day

Well, I guess it is obvious that we are ready for the little guy to make his appearance on the scene. We are putting together our delivery bags. We've got to put the car seat in the way back of Queenie (the QX4). We went and had our tour of the hospital Tuesday.

Today, I woke up and didn't practice. I really didn't mind. I slept in when Kristi said she wasn't going to go in to work today. I will not go two days without working out on the cello. I have, however, been expanding my repertoire exponentially. I have found two new sites with links to free sheet music. I even found the sheet music Apocalyptica plays. Battery is dying must go now.

Life's a Bit Stringy These Days

I don't know if I told y'all about my trip to the luthier's. That is the folks that make and repair string instruments. The first words out of the fella's mouth were does someone actually play that thing. Of course I said "I do" Well, he said it would need a new bridge (not a surprise). The thing bends like a shepherds crook. Kristi just told me that I have told you about this so I'll stop. (see March 28)

Well, anyhoo. I am just begining to practice again. (I still haven't gotten the bridge or fingerboard done.) I am going to try to take it seriously this time. I am spending plenty of time on the scales. I am also working through Rosenmuller Studentmusic. It's not very technical but it gives me a work out. Once I get used to an hour at a time I'll move on to more tougher stuff.

I am looking at the Diran Alexanian Cello Technique. Its an interesting read and alot of work. Off I go.

Wild and Crazy Ride

Well, the season is over. My tenure as a Rome Wolf is over as well. It started with me happening to over hear a discussion over the need for a JV coach and ended with a missed PK in the first round of the state tournament.

Now that was something to see. We played Hillgrove, out of Cobb County, at their house and got lost on the way. Our top scorer was ill. He went home sick the day before and only came to school on game day so he could play that night. He played the whole game. Rome held Hillgrove scoreless for an hour. They scored one on us with about fifteen left on the clock. We got it back off a throw in with about two left on the clock. After that we kept it scoreless through double overtime.

Next we went to the mandatory 5 PK's apiece. Hillgrove hit the cross bar on one and Rome got blocked on one. After the mandatory five we went to one and one's. Rome made the first one as did Hillgrove. On the second one Rome got blocked and Hillgrove just did make their second. It was over after nearly 2 hours on the field.

Where ever I go next year (still no word on job offers) I hope it is a AAAA school, or at least GHSA, so I can get a game against Rome scheduled. If I can lead a team against those boys and beat them I can pretty much beat anyone. They want me to land on a team as well. It will be a fun game. Whenever it happens.

Lookie Lookie

Spending time getting Pearce's room ready for his arrival. The time grows shorter and shorter.

Moving On Along

Look at that changing dresser. I stripped it and stained it myself. The clothes on the dresser are waiting to be washed. You should see all the cute stuff Pearce is going to get to wear. I wish I were that small again. We need something to cover that filing cabinet. Take a look at the quilt. One of the girls that works at the Exchange Club with Kristi made that with out even asking about colors. Well, we are on our way to a proper nursery.

Rain Rain Come Again Another Day

Darlington wound up being a tie 1-1. That really is the best outcome for a rivalry that big. Of course Darlington didn't beat us 8-1 like the kids were bragging.
Dalton was postponed more later gotta go eat.

It's later. We lost to Dalton 3-1. The next night we beat Ringold and held on for 3rd in the region. Rome goes to Hillgrove in Powder Springs on Tuesday. Wish us luck.

Cutie Patootie and Late Soccer

Isn't this just the most adorable shot. He was jealous of the shots of Sara.

You may wonder why I'm posting so late on a school night, but there is soccer on TV. New England Revolution is getting mutilated by the refs. Chicago Fire could have beaten New England on their own but the refs had to be donkeys. They booked a Rev at 7 minutes it should have been a yellow at worst. Chicago had already scored. Next the refs gave Chicago a PK for tripping themselves in the box. Chicago had already scored again on their own. Finally, the refs did not see the Fireman set up camp on the wrong side of the Revs defense and he just takes a feed and pops it in front of the goal for a buddy to finish off.

Don't get me wrong. I am more than happy that Chicago won. They could have done it on their own with a 2-0 score. I just think the refs should control a game not influence the score. I was amazed that MLS uses Berry Refs.

Well, I'm going to bed before I get caught up in the Galaxy v Quakes. We've got Darlington tomorrow night. I so want to crush them. I'm still looking for a position over there.

Look Out for the Scout

It has lived through the winter. Pretty ain't it. Don't really need to say anything else.

So Fast So Unfair

Well, the week is over. Monday it is back to the grindstone. I got to sleep a good bit this week. That was fun! I also got to cook some too. I made pizza on Thursday and that was a blast.

I found out that the cello is going to be about $250 to put just right with a new bridge and shaved down fingerboard. When I went into the shop down in Roswell one of the guys there squinched up his face and asked if anyone had played the cello recently. Well, that was why I had brought it in. I new I needed a new bridge and it turns out that the bridge isn't the only problem. The fingerboard isn't just right. I'll be happy to hear the cello after the work is done. It sounds good now with an occaisional buzz. The planing should take care of any buzz and a properly fitted and placed bridge will be nice.

We got the changing dresser in the baby's room. Maybe this weekend I'll put some pictures up for all to see. It looks awesome. We can't wait to see it all together. The furniture, fixings, and PEARCE.

Day Two

We are (well I am) on Spring Break this week. I have gotten to cook twice this week. I am going to Roswell tomorrow so I won't be cooking tomorrow night. I am going to try a Pork Mole' on Thursday if I can find a 12oz pork tenderloin. I did get my mountain bike nearly complete. I have to align the chain to eliminate the skip and it will be ready to roll for real. I got a cool novel (it sounds cool). The Spanish Bow is about a cellist in Spain who lives at the time of the Spanish Civil War and WWII. Sound like anyone we know? I'll let the world know how the book is as soon as I get through it.

Roy Bought a New Toy

Roy bought a tiller on Saturday. He lucked into a great deal. He was at the store looking at a $750 tiller. Someone told him about some one that was getting rid of a year old machine. Roy went over there and came home with a tiller for just $250. And I was trying to figure out the logistics of renting a tiller to cut up a little garden. Take a look at this start of the gardening.

Just For You Momma

Here is the long awaited picture of Pearce's bed. That's a little beluga on my music chair (I don't have a music room just a chair). Maybe this weekend we'll put the changing dresser in the room and get a little video of the whole room. We are waiting now for a fair amount of the stain smell to wear off before bringing the dresser in.

Oh, thanks for the pint Mom.

Baby Gifts, Baby Gifts

Here is the latest in our shower registry links. We are at Wal-Mart and Babies R Us. Take a look around. I can't believe that Pearce is almost among us.

Not Playing Our Game

Our winning streak came to a crashing halt on Wednesday. We should have put on a clinic for Cartersville. We did not. Into each life a little rain must fall. So, tonight Ridgeland will suffer a deluge (possibly a literal one and definitely a figurative one). We can't drop our level of play when we are playing weaker teams. I think the boys know that now. It happened at Milton and I'm sure it will happen to more teams when they are on their way up.

Interesting news to come within the week.

Big Week, Really Big

If the rain gets out of the way early enough today will start a busy week for the Rome Wolves. Today we play Sonoraville at home on the varsity side and Darlington away on the JV side. Thursday the varsity side plays Callaway at home and the JV side plays Dalton at home. That is going to be fun logistically. Friday the varsity side plays Lakeview Ft Oglethorpe (LFO) at home for our first region match.

Well, pray for the rain to stop in time for todays matches to go off on time.

O What a Time of the Year

Spring is here for sure.

The first two games of the soccer season have come and are behind us (thank the Good Lord). Thank goodness they weren't region games. They weren't pretty. Next week we play our first 4A teams with a will to put a hurt on anyone in our way.

The rain is pouring down and it isn't all that warm.

Finally, the first race of the year is on the tube. No, I'm not talking about Daytona. The Tour of California prologue starts today. Cycling, baby, that's what I'm talking about. All closet Europeans rejoice we now enter the time of soccer and cycling. Rock Racing is definitely the team everyone will be watching with their flair and team choices. I also can't wait to see the boys in Argyle.