Here I am today, back in blogworld. I knew I hadn't been here for a long time, I just found out that I was about to fall off page two!

We are in the height of competition cheer season, so we're busy every weekend. Mondays are spent recovering and before you know it it is Friday and time to prepare for the next competition. My daughter's team is doing very well. Since I was last here we had a competition in our town where her team won a national title and grand champs. Then we were off to Dallas. This is one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the country. We hadn't been to this one before so it was very exciting. Her team was very pleased with a fifth place finish against the best teams in the country. This past weekend we were in our home town again. My daughter's team was awarded another at large (unpaid ) bid to the world's competition in Orlando , Florida. We have a meeting tonight to decide if we go or not. It's a lot of money and the competition is in April (not much time to come up with it).

Travel seems to be getting easier. Riding in the car doesn't exhaust me any more. I have gotten my husband to understand that I need to stop every two hours and get out to stretch and walk a little. Staying in a hotel doesn't seem to pose many problems any more as I am used to not having any handicap adaptationas at home. The most difficult part for me is using the wheelchair. I don't like it and it is uncomfortable for long stretches at a time. I use it because most of these events are in huge convention centers (too long to walk) and they are very crowded.( I still don't trust people not to bump into me and knock me over.) Also with my chair I am guaranteed a seat when and where I need one. When my husband pushes the chair he doesn't have to worry so much about me, all good reasons to use the chair. I'm so glad when we get back home and I can heat up the spa and get the kinks out.

Well this weekend we head over to San Antonio for our last competition unless we go to worlds. I'm glad the season is almost over. I wonder if I will miss it next year? My daughter is a senior and she graduates in May. Then she will be off to college. I guess my son will be the only one home then.( He commutes to a local University)

Marden