Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Computer Overload!

I'm a rowing coach!
I'm a rowing coach!
I'm a rowing coach!
I've spent the last four days with my nose in a computer trying to figure out HTML code, making sure I match the right program with the right code, trying to get the correct links, linked, making sure the Rowing League has 5 spots for names and email addresses, trying to figue out how to make the new Regatta Central system work smoothly...my brain feels mushy.
What I'd give for a warm day, the fat aluminum launch, a boat full of beginners without a clue, the girls at my feet and my megaphone in my hand!
Winter sucks...

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Membership Looks Different But It's Really the Much the Same

This year KCRC will be going to an online membership registration system using Regatta Central.

This change will allow us to streamline our record keeping, communicate more effectively with existing and potential members and accept online payments and waivers.

As with any new system there will be an adjustment period.

I hope this post will answer some questions.

1. The Spring and Fall structure for the Juniors will not change. There is a slight fee adjustment (down, not up for once)

2. The Summer Junior program will be geared toward only those athletes interested in and capable of the high level of competition needed to race at US National Championships. These athletes will be chosen after a confidential meeting in the late spring between the athlete and the coaching staff. This should alleviate the pressure from teammates to participate if time or funds is an issue. Athletes wishing to row in the summer but not compete at Nationals may join the Adult programs in the evenings. If an athlete wants to race at Nationals and the coaching staff can boat that athlete in a competitive boat they will be given the opportunity.

3. Adult members will first need to pay the KCRC 2007 membership fee. All adults will need to pay this membership fee prior to signing up for specific programs. (this membership fee also replaces the 'supporting member' option)

4. Members with private equipment not wishing to participate in coached rowing should choose "Log Book Rowing". The cost for these members remains much the same as always. They are not paying for any extra coaching.

5. Members wishing to use club equipment and participate in "Coached rows" will then choose Spring, Summer and or Fall rowing. These are priced separately to allow those rowers who wish to only row one or two seasons to do so.

6. Boat storage fees are handled as always except they can now be paid for online.

There has been a slight increase in membership dues. Due mostly to an 100% increase in insurance costs. As you all should know we are working towards beginning construction of a boathouse at the river, we hope in 2007. We also will construct a permanent enclosure at the lake at the Boy Scout Cove. We should be rowing out of our new lake home this spring.

Call me if you have questions, or email or post here.

Go fast!

Friday, January 26, 2007

Mission Accomplished

Only took one dose.

Dog/Chocolate FYI


If your dog eats an entire box of chocolate give them 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide every 15 minutes until they throw up.

We are 15 minutes in...I'll let you know how long it takes.

PS-a cabinet with a door reachable only by standing half on the bed and half on the bedside table is apparently not a safe place to keep said chocolate. I asked the vet if I should ring her neck before or after she threw up. He thought maybe I should wait until after.

A New Reader In the Family!



On the recomendation of a friend I purchased The Bob Books for my 4 1/2 year old nephew for Christmas.
This morning he read the entire 1st book in set one...all by himself!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Clocks

I'd like to find a nice, clear, easily readable world clock. I like the top one (red). I'm not crazy about the others. Ideas?

Fourteenth Random Thought

14. Never, I mean never, provide and pay for a cell phone for your brother.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen very random thoughts...

1. Dogs are warm.
2. Where are those riggers for that old double...
3. How was Tina's trip? Did the kids do okay?
4. How 'bout those Hawks!!!!
5. Is two weeks on the erg enough for the girls...I hope they are already working.
6. I need to get a new coffee maker.
7. I wonder how the fishing will be this spring.
8. Will my boys play better on Sunday, we've had two great practices.
9. Wonder what it's like to be in Iraq? I hope Ed's really doing okay.
10. I need to get my tires rotated.
11. Where are my training DVD's?
12. I have so much work to do on schedules and programs...
13. How will we replace Laura. (that one keeps popping up, doesn't it)

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Go Skittles Go!

You ABSOLUTELY have to go to Skittles' Blog Skittles Place and read the Thursday Thirteen #12 published on Jan 24.
very, Very, VERY funny!
(Thanks B. for showing me how to put in the links!)

you know who you are

Here is a little video of Marvin Gaye...I found this on a new blog I'm reading,
Sherpa's Wonderin's
It makes me think of some of you...you know who you are.

Wordless Wednesday





Monday, January 22, 2007

From Akeelah and the Bee (you really oughta see this movie!)

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson

Check Out Our New Map

Scroll to the bottom of the page to see all of the states KCRC has traveled to.
Let me know if I've forgotten any.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Friday, January 19, 2007

What Happened the Year KCRC Was Born

Most importantly, my oldest nephew Austin was born!

In 1992 (the year you were born)

George H.W. Bush is president of the US

Hurricane "Andrew" becomes the most costly in US history with $20 billion worth of damage

Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton is elected President of the United States

Riots break out in Los Angeles after police are acquitted in the Rodney King case

An "Earth Summit" is held in Brazil to address global environmental problems

Jay Leno replaces Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show on NBC

George H. W. Bush becomes ill on a visit in Japan and vomits on the Japanese Prime Minister

Mike Tyson goes on trial charged with raping a 1991 Miss Black America Contest contestant

Amy Fisher, the "Long Island Lolita," is arrested for shooting Mary Jo Buttafuoco on the front porch of her home

Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series

Washington Redskins win Superbowl XXVI

Pisstburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup

Aladdin is the top grossing film

"End of the Road" by Boyz II Men spends the most time at the top of the US charts

Mad About You and The Real World premiere

Sailor Moon premieres on TV Asahi in Japan

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Thirteen Things I'm Working On/Stressing About

1. How in the world we will replace Laura.
2. How to integrate/accomplish an outreach program with WIN.
3. When, exactly, to schedule a Spring rowing league.
4. How to motivate myself to get all the planning done.
5. How we are going to pick up two ergs from K-State.
6. The best way to recruit Juniors for the Spring.
7. Why I can't maintain some level of activity to keep me from feeling like a slob.
8. How I'm going to afford to go to Cincinnati for Youth Nationals.
9. How to get the kids ready so they will do well at Centrals, then I won't have to pay my own way to Cincinnati.
10. Using Regatta Central for our registrations.
11. Will we EVER have a boathouse.
12. Whether or not I should go back to school and get my Master's (not to mention, in what!)
13. Did I mention replacing Laura...

Happy Sweet 16

Taylor would be 16 today. She would be tall and thin. She'd be learning to drive, making her mother crazy. I'll bet she'd have brown eyes and long lashes like her brothers. I hope she'd have the thick unmanageable Johnson hair. She would be my parent's oldest grandchild. She'd be my first niece, one of only two girls in a family full of stinky boys. She would undoubtedly have her father wrapped around her finger.

We had her for only 11 days.

Last night Kim and I talked about her life and our hopes that it would be always mean something. I spoke of my wish to do something today that would honor her, a random act of kindness.

This afternoon our crew went to Fire headquarters for class. Paula, our training officer, asked me to take a pamphlet to Brian (my captain who was not with us). On the front was a picture of a baby. On the inside cover were these words:

‘Following the death of my infant niece Alexandra, Alexandra’s House was born in my heart. It is named in honor of her pure and heroic life. Alex was born with a rare and severe genetic defect that took her life in just over 40 days.”

My niece Taylor Marie was born with a rare and severe genetic defect that took her precious life in only 11 days.

I read the paragraph and the hair on my arms stood up.

I’m not sure where this day will lead. I only know that Taylor was listening to her mother and me last night, eavesdropping as young girls do. She made sure today I read those words.

Alexandra’s House offers residential care for families and their terminally ill babies, grief counseling, memorial and burial planning and many other things that my sister and her husband needed 16 years ago.

Right now I know that Alexandra’s House needs a bathroom painted.

I can paint…

www.alexandrashouse.com

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Sunday, January 07, 2007

God Bless America

Yesterday I watched my best friend’s husband get on plane. I watched her say goodbye to her husband for the next four months. I watched a young father hold his young son so tight. I watched soldiers salute in an airport terminal. I watched three women bond together as their husbands left for war.

I also watched a major airline charge these soldiers the $85 ‘extra baggage’ fee when they checked their weapons. The airline holds the contract to transport these soldiers so they can serve our country. The day before I watched an NTSB worker hassle a young soldier in full gear about her chapstick and her lack of a quart size ziplock bag.

Major Ed Ronnebaum (husband of Donna) will spend the next four months at Balad Airbase, about 43 miles north of Bagdad. He is a critical care nurse and will likely be serving in an administrative role in the large military hospital there.

Ed is kind of a goofball. Quick to smile, often shares a joke, loyal to his friends, crazy about his wife and two sons (Chris, sophomore at KU, Mike, senior at SMNW), and their ‘daughter’ Snick (a feisty Burmese).

He is the highest ranking officer in the group of soldiers he’s deployed with. When we walked into the airport yesterday morning he was all soldier. Very confident, in control. Not in a pushy, control freak way, but a quiet confident way. The others all looked to him for something. It was cool. I’m proud to count him as my friend.

This was the biggest day of his military career. He was going on a deployment as an officer.

He joined the Airforce as a young man. Became an aircraft mechanic. Served in Desert Storm. Was stationed in Korea. He has worked very hard to move through the ranks. I believe he actually had to get out of the service and then reenlist to move from enlisted to officer. I think what he has done is very remarkable.

Donna did well. I know it was very hard but she knows this is part of the deal. She is crazy proud of him. Worried out of her mind.

I know that thousands and thousands of soldiers are serving in Iraq. You may know one. He’s my soldier…at least for the next few months. Please keep Ed, and Anna, Cruz, Paul and the redheaded kid whose name I never got, please keep them in your prayers.

I am, by the way, planning to write a letter about the extra baggage charge and the ‘chapstick’ incident. I may send it to everyone.