Ta Da!

I finally found it.

My dress! For Hubby's parents' 50th anniversary party (which is in two weeks, btw).

So I didn't get it too soon. Actually, I did get it too soon. I've had a gorgeous sapphire blue dress hanging in my closet since February. Last week (after I purchased shoes to go with it), I tried it on for ARG and Hubby.

Their response was identical - "It's so BLUE!"

Hmmm..... this was not the effect I was hoping to have. Of course my girls loved the blue dress. But the men? Not so much. And Hubby was especially unexcited about it. And really, who is my main audience here? Six and ten year old girls? Or my main squeeze?

So BACK I went to good ole Norstrom for an exchange. Luckily I found a lovely black dress that fits and was the same price. I am not over-the-top about the dress, but I like it. Hubby likes it, and that's what counts. And mostly? I'm happy that it's DONE! (bonus: I already have black shoes to wear.)

But it's not done really, because now I have to find the appropriate brassiere to wear underneath. It's not as easy as it seems. It must sufficiently push the ladies up, with out showing out the top of the dress. I have a week to work on it. I'm optimistic.

So, with out further ado, here is the dress I will wear August 13:

NOT

Well, that didn't exactly work, so here is the link to the dress I will wear on August 13:

Sue'sDress








Of course, you have to imagine a 41 year old, statuesque (do you like that?) pale lady in the dress.

Comments are welcome (as long as they are positive).

:)

Fencing Overload

I just spent the last week immersed in fencing. Six and a half out of seven days were spent within a cavernous convention center watching ARG, ARG's mates, Olympians and complete strangers fence. I have had enough of fencing for a while.

One of the many strange aspects of national tournaments is that ARG becomes very, ah, focused while he is there. In other words, he is far less interested in conversing with his mom than in watching people fence and talking with other fencing folk. Most of the many hours spent in the hall of clashing weapons and screaming fencers I am alone.

I have figured out that it is a good thing to bring a book. Or a newspaper. Or both. I sit and read as much as possible. I dare not stand around because the floors are concrete - ouch! The back kills after a day or two of standing and walking on that.

Chatting with fencing parents is nice too. The vast majority of them are sincerely nice and interested in everyone doing well. But since our only connection is fencing, you can guess what we talk about - you got it! Fencing! So in addition to watching fencing, and being surrounded by fencing I got to talk about fencing for a week. Mind you, I always enjoy talking about ARG. What mother doesn't want to talk about her child? But there is only so far I can go with that without being obnoxious.

The big "take away" I learned from this year's Summer Nationals is that fencing tournaments are truly random. Who you fight in Direct Elimination completely determines how high you place - and there seems to be little rhyme or reason to it. You could face the  #87th or #8th ranked fencer depending on how everyone did in the pools.

Example: one 12 year old kid made the podium (top 8) in U16, but placed 17th in Y14, and only 6th in Y12. Making the podium in U16 is very, VERY hard (usually). But this year the number one and two seeded fencers didn't even make top 8 due to an unfortunate meeting of very good fencers very early in direct eliminations.

Another example: a kid who ARG can crush placed 11th in DIV2 Mens Sabre, while ARG ended up 33rd. It all depends on who you face in DE's. Could be hard. Could be easy. You just don't know. Hubby said we should just send ARG to as many tournaments as possible to increase the odds that the randomness will be in his favor more often. Oy.

I've ranted before about how expensive fencing is. But mostly, it is the travel that costs. And because the national (lame-a%#&) organization mostly places national tournaments in the middle of the country (in beguilding locales like Milwauke, Cincinnati & Kansas City) the airfare is high. No cheap flights like you could get to NYC or Boston.

I could go on about how disgustingly HOT Atlanta was, or how very FAR we had to walk to get to the venue, or how distressingly SLOW the events were run, but I won't.

I'll end on a positive note.

Are you ready?

ARG placed 5th in Y14 Mens Sabre!!!!!!!

5th. In. The. Nation.  Wooooot! Wooooot! 5th out of about 140. Yes!

That day I spent 95% of the time in worry/anguish/anxiety/terror and 5% in jubilation/relief/pride. Whew! What a ride.

I'm so proud and happy that ARG has been rewarded for all his very hard work and dedication. And I will try very hard for the next few weeks to not brag constantly about my AWESOME son and how GREAT HE DID!

:)

Hotlanta

We're off tomorrow morning to Atlanta for summer nationals. Our flight leaves at 6am (ouch!). But hopefully that means we'll get there in time for ARG and me to head over to the venue for weapons check. Getting that out of the way is always a relief.

And I know ARG wants to do some fencing shopping. New mask. New shoes. Oy. But he is going to pay for his new gear himself this time. Yay! Thats why he opted to get the non-visor mask ($300) instead of the visor mask ($500). Now you know why I complain about fencing being so expensive. Masks last no longer than two seasons, and usually just one. Again, oy.

As usual, I am a bit nervous before a plane flight. I've already written the requisite "If I die" letter, so I won't have that on my mind when I think I'm going to die. The other strategy I am using is to rent MiniMe's new dvd player and bring it on the plane and watch funny and sci-fi movies the whole flight. I rented a bunch of them. ARG and I both have headphones. I'm thinking Blazing Saddles for the take off, and Colbert's Christmas special for landing. Maybe a Star Trek movie in between, we'll see.

In a way I am happy to have a one week break from the norm. No cooking. No cleaning. No ordering kids around (well, just one - but he's pretty reasonable on vacation). Seeing a new place. Trying new things. Especially new food! I've gotten some good tips of places to hit in Atlanta. And I must, must, must see the history center there. I dont' care if ARG doesn't want to go, he's going. It's the least he can do to pay me back for six days of standing around watching fencing.

And it's not all him fencing. He only fences three times. During those times, I stand on the side of his strip, making small talk while I really want to scream or throw up from nerves. I tell myself to SHUT UP, so I don't say anything too stupid. And I endeavor to not grunt and groan or jump around while ARG fences. And I tell myself over and over how proud I am of him for all his hard work, no matter how he does.

The rest of the time we watch friends fence. And the Olympians fence. That is actually pretty cool. ARG has actually met two olympic fencers so far. I think that is awesome for him. But aside from the few dramatic and exciting bouts, there is A LOT of waiting around the convention center amidst electronic beeps from the fencing gear, lots of chatter and sporadic yells and screeches from the fencers.

Atlanta is supposed to be 90 degrees during the day, and 70 at night. Nice. Hope I don't sweat too much.