In Which Our Heroine Is Present at the Birth of Team Milhouse
Well, that's your typical day around here. Today was race day for the kids. Up and out of the house nice and early. It was an astounding thing, and a testament to the mothering streak that I have that I was running around the flat at 6:30 in the morning going "they're going to be cold, they'll need hats, where are my hats?" I have no children, but suddenly I am mother to the novice squad. Three hats and an ear warmer later, plus shirts, oranges, power bars and water bottles at the ready, I headed into Cambridge, hopeful yet still having to pray that everyone turned up. Which they did. We got up there, got rigged, got the directions and got on the water, no problem. I was in proper coaching mode - supportve, excited, answering questions and once they shoved off, ready for my heart attack any minute. They were out of range to see at the start, but when they rowed by me, they appeared to be rowing fine. Not great, not as great as I've seen them, but fine. Which is why I could not understand why we were so far behind another crew that was really rowing quite badly. I was shocked, stunned and very confusd. So when they landed, I asked them what happened, stressing that I was proud of them and how well they had rowed. Apparently, I missed all the fun! Crabs galore, tipping, "we thought we were going to fall in," and two seat's seat coming off the slide. Apparently, they had the other squad until they came off the slide. "But we did what you told us coach, we picked it up on the next stroke." and the kids seemed in good spirits. I am quite proud of them, but I think we can do even better in the next race, whenever that is.

Then in the afternoon, it ws time for my practice. Now that Liz and I have our HOCR entry, we are kicking into the high practice gear. Every day. But we still had to sort out our membership at CRI so that we could row our arranged boat there. As our ongoing luck would have it, we ran into the CRI director outside CBC. I've been friends with Alyson for years now, and have great respect for her. So I told her the situation, and she sorted it out, there and then, and told us what we had to do. It was that easy. It is all amazing to think that not even a month ago, none of this was happening, and now all of the sudden, without too much effort we've found a boat, a Head of teh Charles entry and in two days have already raised $1000. (Of course, we still have $1000 to go. And we'd love to get more than the minimum. If you want to contribute, please e-mail me.) All of which prompted Liz, as we were going through the gate of the club, to utter the now fateful words:
"Everything's coming up Milhouse!"
This line from the Simpsons just cracked me up. Bent me over double laughing. Liz knows when to utter the good line. After a tiring week, this was exactly the relief needed. I went into the bathroom to change, and came out and announced to Liz that sadly, we were now "Team Milhouse." I'm right behind this. I think it is great. If anyitng, I'm a little toooooo into it. Go Team Milhouse.

I've just noticed that I am sooooooooooo tired I can barel focus. More tomorrow.
Love,
Milhouse!