FWF #39 - Nobody said it was going to be easy, kiddo

Hi, folks! Somehow, we're back here on a Friday, but that's okay - I needed the extra time this week. Ever have those times when you have all sorts of things going on and you make little mistakes all over the place? Well, that was me this week. So many little things to worry about and juggle... just waiting to drop a ball somewhere...

One of the foremost things on my mind is worrying about Mika. As you know, she made an elite travel ball team about four weeks ago and it's been a rough start. It's hard to "catch up" when almost everybody else has been playing at a really high level for the past two years - and you haven't (her previous team was nice, but not very good). It's been a struggle for her to take the criticism and try not to let her self-confidence take a beating - and keep trying to do her best. All we can tell her is to hang in there and hustle (the first couple of months will be the worst) and that once she gets used to things, it will get better. Her teammates are SO GOOD, though (and they've been very nice). Although most of the parents have also been surprisingly nice, I am still waiting for one or two hard-core people to come up to me and tell me that my kid sucks and should quit (remember, most of these parents want their kids to sign with a D-1 school).  I'm not sure what I would/should do, if that happens! I hope it doesn't!

However, that being said, I think she's learning some important life lessons here, especially that "if it easy, everybody could do it". Any time she starts a new job or new phase in school, this experience will be very similar. Suddenly, you have to struggle and work hard to be noticed. Sink or swim! Which will it be? It's all up to her! So, if you feel so inclined - please feel free to offer encouraging words of advice to her and I'll be sure to share with her. :)

So, Ms. Mika deserved a card for this week...keep your chin up, girl!

 I like this sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch...

And I wanted to showcase Today is a Lovely Day and Strong and Beautiful. The chippies are from Umwowstudio.

I found another great recipe for this week - Chicken Carbonara. I was limited by the ingredients available in my refridgerator, but I made it work! I omitted the bacon (and I would have anyway - I love bacon for breakfast, but not anywhere else, really) and just used ordinary parmesan, but the family LOVED it. I guess the bacon would have added some color, but maybe next time I'll add some sun-dried tomatoes. I'll definitely make this recipe again - it was very quick and easy!

Thank you for visiting! Hope you are all enjoying the so-called "fall" - we're at about 100 degrees today... almost 20 degrees above normal... whew!

And don't forget to go shopping at Unity - there are some adorable new releases! Woohoo!