Been a while...

Wow Halloween already, my last post was in August. A lot has been going on for me these past few weeks.

Late in August we managed to get a few days on Orcas Island camping. We had beautiful weather, the girls had free reign of the camp site on their bikes - allowing them to venture off on a private road to the dock, shop and beach. It was the first time we could relax and let them go off and explore - they loved it! We canoed and came in very close contact with a minky whale which surfaced less than ten yards away! Camping photos available here.

Summer ended rather abruptly though. Within days of the girls being back at school we had rain and grey sky's for about a month. It was during this time that Muirenn played some of her soccer matches.

I was asked to join her team as assistant coach. Working with the girls and the coaches has been an amazing experience. Muirenn has come on as a player in ways I never imagined. Playing on a full size field for the first time was a huge step up for her. Starting in defense, none of us had any notion that within just a few short weeks she'd be running up and down the entire Left Midfield for each match, terrorizing the opponents defense. We have won our last three games.

I too have joined a team, and played my first full game of football in 20 years. They put me, a left footer, in a right midfield position. After the first twenty minutes I was more tired than I ever imagined I could be! Eventually I got into the flow of the game, but defending and attacking?! that's a role for the fittest of the fit! I made some good and bad passes, I shied away from some air balls and left the field feeling like crap. The second half was marginally better, but only just. I have a long way to go but believe I will improve quickly. Talk about being thrown in the deep end! Sometimes it's the only way though.

Music: I am playing again. I won't go into the how's and who's of the band other than to say I'm really happy with each of them. We have our own room and practice about once a week. We've recently started to get that 'sound' that happens to bands once they get into the groove of playing with one another. Needless to say I'm really excited about it.

I'm quite the pro at music and practice and crafting a song with other musicians. Football on the other hand, I'm a complete amateur but it's great to feel out of my depth and have a new personal goal to aim for. Just don't tell anyone on my team. I reckon I can get by on my accent alone for a few more weeks!