Friday, Special Olympics and Me

Had the day off from work today, yet I did not stay all curled up in bed. Nope. Did not have cats cut off my circulation because they curled so night. Nope. Instead I volunttered for a Special Olympics bowling event. Was there all day. Exhilirating, feet hurt, yet humble experience. In the morning session, I worked with seven little girls who were capable to pick up and throw the ball down the lane, yet all with special needs. I tied shoes, shot them a look to sit down, persuaded a girl to put back ON her shoes, because she was tired and hi-fived till my hand went numb. :) The afternoon session, I was responsible for 5 girls on two lanes. They were a little older, the oldest being 19 and all used ramps to get ball down the lane. All needed help to get to the line. The girls then pushed the ball down the ramp--with a little help from family or coaches. Two were in wheelchairs, another was 14 yrs old and mute, while another girl's mom came up to me and said her daughter "can't see." I looked at mom and told her I had trouble hearing at times, because I was born with one ear. She smiled at that. Her daughter wound up scoring the highest out of the five. :) ***I was born with microtia, which is usually a malformed or no ear. I do not have a left ear. Only a piece of a lobe. I do not know if my folks ever thought of reconstructive surgery. My mom passed while I was so young. I don't remember asking my dad when I got older. It was just my little ear. I remember all the hearing tests, and can she, will she be able to learn? My grades were more than average in grade school--some exceptional. I've been in contact with those with microtia and even parents who wondered if their kids would be 'normal'. The ultimate choice is with that family for surgery, however I stress it is whatever their child's normal turns out to be, is their child's--also, I inform them I took dance and piano lesson. The missing of an ear, or any limb, does not mean you can't still be a productive person. You make your *****That's what I thought of the couple hundred kids, young adults and their parents I had the pleasure to meet today. At the end of the it all, parents thanked me and told they were glad I was there. I made their bowling experience a good one. I nearly cried. I told them they all made MY day a good one.*****Special Olympics are indeed special and make for a great, great day!

Dancing--Just Be Feelin' Like It

Looked in one of my diaries tonight. Just to see what I was doing on this day back in the Triassic Period, more specifically when I was 16. Turns out, I received my bowling bowl today. Yep, my shiny, all brand new bowling bowl. My best friend, bosom buddy and life long pal had gotten one (a purple one) so I, of course, couldn't be out done. Oh the best friend, etc deal--that's what Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble said about their friendship. So we decided that's what ours was too. During the Triassic Period, we were inseparable--now? Not chatted in at least 10 years--possibly longer. Hmm. That's another entry for another day, however back on that day-we were both so thrilled about our spankin new bowling bowls. Our names were even engraved! We bowled 7 games. Yep. Seven. With me at the high of 187. Through the years, my highest game was a 268 and still holding.

Now in 2008, I just finished watching Dancing With the Stars finals. I called in all my votes, plus voted online for Warren Sapp. Granted, Brooke Burke is the best dancer and Lance has come on at the end--but Warren. Big Man busts the move. You just gotta love it. Why can't I date a guy who likes to dance? I mean, REALLY dance? One who will take swing and/or ballroom lessons with me? For that, I'd make him his favorite omelet any time, day or night, suffer through the Three Stooges and not wear my most favorite raggedy t-shirt around him. The cats? Well--I draw the line there. They stay.

Gotta go pop some corn and watch today's Young and the Restless episode. Don't you just want Victor to hurry and crush Adam like the cockroach? And then go over and slap Jill for being a nut then slap Katherine so we don't have to see her go thru amnesia for TOO long? Yep. Me too. Then there's this other trip to take to back in the day. From the 70's original Donny and Marie variety show. Donny introduces his brother Jay who shows us how much he feels like dancin. He ain't Warren Sapp, yet it puts a smile on face. To remember a time when....well, just to remember when!

As Much As Something Changes.....

I spent time in a bowling alley tonight. A Saturday Night. I didn't even bowl. A chum asked me to be her guest at a celebrity bowl-a-thon to raise funds for scholarships. Comedian Dick Gregory was in attendence as was some local Dallas celebs, from media to sports.

As I sat and chowed on nachos--which were good when the cheese was warm-unfortunately, once underneath the top chips, the cheese was cold, I listened as a dj spun tunes. He went all late 70's, early 80's dance music. OK--some of us would call it disco--yet, I digress--I surveyed the room.

I wondered if some of the folks remembered other Saturday long ago nights. When the music the dj played tonight was the music we hit the floors with. Danced all night--or at least to 2 am in Iowa, more procisely, the Joker in Des Moines, Iowa. I thought of the Joker's huge floor- that flashed red, yellow, blue lights. When THE song came on, smoke pushed it's way over the floor. Ahh...that was the time.

Some of the folks tonight, tapped their foot, bobbed their heads. Yep. It all came back. Was it really that long ago, that being in bed by 11 only happened when you were sick or old people? I just smiled.

Maybe the nachos weren't so bad afterall--the music warmed em up.