In addition to being named cheer co-captain and elected student body president, my adorable little girl took her first steps on the road to volleyball glory this year when she joined the volleyball team for Roosevelt Middle School. The season was wrought with scheduling conflicts and miscommunication but all-in-all it was a good experience. I got to capture her very first game-time spike on video and they won the championship (even though I was out of town at the time and missed it).

I was very impressed with the RMS coach and wish I had pushed for Taylor to participate all three years. Oh well, c’est la vie. At least I know that it wet her appetite enough to want to do it in high school. *giggity*

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The first step in Taylor’s quest to take on everything possible for her final year in middle school is now complete. She, along with her 2 “besties,” has made the cheer leading squad for the third year in a row. Prior to the squad announcement, each interested participant was asked to give a short speech to rally votes for either treasurer, secretary, co-captain, or captain. After much deliberation between herself and Caylin, they decided Taylor would go for co-captain relinquishing the title of captain to her partner-in-crime. Both were appointed to their desired positions without hesitation. I know this because I was bombarded by squealing teenagers as I arrived to pick Taylor up from school yesterday. I wasn’t worried…

Next stop, volleyball, ASB President, and then the WORLD!! *evil laugh*

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On May 14, 2010 I had my first major surgical event… a micro-lumbar discectomy. I had two herniated discs in the lumbar region of my back. One between L3 and L4 (the one my neural surgeon claimed was doing the most damage) and another between L4 and L5. I also have discovered that I have degenerative disc disease.

In late March I noticed that my sciatic nerve was tight and causing a bit of stabbing pain in my right buttock. I would stretch after playing volleyball and try to loosen it up a bit but nothing really seemed to help. After my drive to Utah it got steadily worse. 24 hours total inside a cramped vehicle + playing volleyball right upon my return did me in. My legs started to buckle while I played and I lost the ability to raise my right foot.

To make a long story short, it took 2 months before I finally had the surgery despite my emotional pleading with my former doctor to please do something other than give me pain meds. I was immediately better when I woke up in the emergency room. No more stabbing pain… thank God!

I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things activity-wise. I have difficulty moving my leg at any rate of speed and I’ve tacked on a quick 10 pounds (after losing 13 while I was in the throws of all of it). My metabolism is out of whack and my body hates me. But at least I’m not laid out in bed anymore… phew!

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A couple of weekends ago we kicked off the 2010 CBVA season by traveling up north for an A tournament. Normally, my partner is Ali Justin, however, Karey Gregerson asked me if I’d join her this time.

We both headed into the tourney with no rating and just hoped to do well. We were okay with losing if it had to happen. Hell, we’d only played together for a couple of pick-up games so we had no idea how well we’d do as a team. We ended up taking 3rd place along with another one of the San Diego teams who traveled up with us (I guess we tie because we never actually got to play each other). All-in-all it was a solid performance and each of the two games we lost (to the 1st and 2nd place teams) were very close. It was a great time and because we made it to 3rd place in a 15-team tourney… we earned our A rating as well. I love me some volleyball!

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NBC invited the Roosevelt Cheerleaders to their station to help promote the North Park Toyland Parade this Saturday. Taylor was pretty upset because the flyer in her stunt group jumped the gun and bit and it caused them not to execute their “elevator” on time. I think she’s over it now, though. It was so cute to watch. This truly is one of the best things about being a parent. *proud grin*

Update: Unfortunately, her stunt group has now been cut all to pieces because two of them couldn’t keep their grades up. The other day I picked Taylor up from school and she had a big ol’ fat lip because her new flyer kicked her in the face on a toe-touch. I still think it’s cute. Maybe I’m a little demonic. Hey, I’ve come to grips with the fact that she’s a cheerleader. I just hope that the competitive sports bug bites her really hard soon.

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That’s right … I voted this year for the first time. Trust me, the fact that I’m 31 and voting for the first time is not something I’m proud of but I almost let it slide past me again. I was faced with deadlines at work that made it impossible to vote in the morning and I’d just been dreading fitting it in all day. Plus, not knowing how it all works when I got there was making me nervous (you know I don’t like to be embarrassed).

Anyway, it all worked out. I didn’t let the fact that I hadn’t received my mail-in ballot or the fact that I didn’t know what to expect stop me from doing it. Now I can do it with ease next time. This is ramping up to be the year of firsts for me. First jury duty, now this. Who knows … maybe next I’ll join the friggin’ PTA.

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I just wanted to post a quick update about my ankle. Since the sprain, almost a month ago, I still have residual swelling. I wore heels for the first time yesterday and almost immediately regretted my decision. I’m going crazy with each passing day that I can’t even entertain the notion of playing any volleyball. I am doing my best not to even step on the court until October 9th. That will officially make it 6 weeks. Hopefully I won’t have opened a vein by then.

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So, it’s high time that I redesign my website/blog. I’ve been doing a bunch of research and planning my attack but in the meantime I’d like to start setting up my blog to have more “bells and whistles.” Unfortunately, my old theme isn’t “widget-aware” so I’ll be finding a new one that won’t match my website but in the long run, will. I’m even toying with the notion of having this wordpress be my portfolio, so be patient while I get my ducks in a row.

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I got my first professional manicure and pedicure today. I actually felt like a real girl for a change.

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It’s official people. Rachelle has left the building! It’s been a bumpy, yet exciting ride and now I’m off to face the world. Everyone from school, please keep in touch.

This experience has changed my life..I wish you all the best of luck!

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