Soccer & Wine

Um no. Not together but combined into the same day makes for a pretty fabulous Saturday, especially when you add a Nap. Yeah, you read that right. Nap with a capital n.

Actually, let me back up. The first event of the day was running out in Lago with my training buddy. Just 5 miles today but for some reason it was rather brutal, even with the promise of coffee and a pastry at the end of our miles. Luckily, a portion of the pack of dogs realized that we were lacking motivation and on our way back up the hill they came barking after us. Our days of "stop, drop, and roll" were quickly adapted to "halt, turn, and yell." Even in English those dogs knew not to mess with us. Adrenaline rushing, that last half of mile, up hill was no problem. Oh and that cappuccino was fabulous too.

Next stop of the morning (um yeah, it was only 930 by this time) was Carney Park for...drum roll please...queue trumpet fanfare....the last soccer game of the season! Don't get me wrong, coaching was fun but with holidays interrupting the season it was beginning to feel like the season would never end. My Blue Dragons rocked it on the field once again and ended their season with only one loss. Turns out the team we lost to (that nasty orange team) lost to another team we beat so- had we been at full strength that day the outcome may have been a tad different. None the less, as I passed out their blue jersey and gold star sugar cookies I was really proud of them.

After our award ceremony I went to watch my coworker's youngest kid play since I'd been trying to all season. This is the kid that I've been asking to run with me for months and the one I've won over by telling him about Nico and that I live above a pizzeria. He's such a cute 4 year old- but then again I find most 4 year olds adorable. His team also won (yay Red Dragons!) and I watched him get his soccer medal. And with that, I was totally soccered out.

Once home rather than cleaning my rather messy house I found a sleepy kitty and decided to make him share my big bed. How is it that something so tiny can take up so much room!? Three hours later I decided it was probably time to wake up. Told you- it was a Nap. A fabulous nap.

Last event of the day was a wine tasting event at the bottom of the hill organized by a coworker. It was a lot of fun to hang out with coworkers outside of the work environment. My co-coach and his wife were there, with a beautiful picture drawn by my little buddy when he remembered that they would see me. As the rain came pouring down (because it couldn't rain during my run or soccer game) we sat and talked about things other than ship repair and it was a blast. Once again I was reminded just how much I like my coworkers.

Wine sampled, yummy food consumed, and bottles purchased, it was back up the hill for bedtime. So what if I slept a large portion of the afternoon? Not only was it a busy day but the morning held the promise of a trip to Shoe Alley. Yep. Again.

"Sorry- I had a lizard situation"

Yeah, I realize that sounds ridiculous but the kids got a laugh out of it as their coach ran onto the field just a few minutes before game time.

"A lizard situation?"

Yes. A lizard situation.

(Don't adjust your computer screen, those waves are to signal the flash back.)

After a super slow start to my Saturday due to a 1pm kick off, I pulled weeded the large flower pot on the patio while Nico chased butterflies. It was a great bonding time and well overdue with my guilt near an all time high with all the early morning closing of the door while he sit there with a "don't I get to go look?" combined with all the vet trips. When I realized that the time in my head was the time I need to be there, not leave, I dashed off to take a cold shower...oh yeah. This was day #2 of no hot water. Yes, I should call someone to take a look at that but I'm determined to trouble shoot it on my own...when I have time.

Dressed and make up on (can't have anyone else mistaking me as a 16 year old), I realized I hadn't seen Nico. Eh, no biggie- he's probably outside in his planter soaking up some sun.

Wrong.

As I reached the top of my stairs I saw him staring at the oven. Hmm. Did I drop a piece of eggplant from my pizza? 

Wrong again.

He'd finally captured the lizard that  lived here before either of us and had him pined under his paw. I scooped Nico up and as he wiggled and clawed to the best of his ability, I took him downstairs and threw him in my room. Of course as soon as I removed the cat threat, Mr. Lizard wedged himself between my kitchen cabinet and wall. Crud.

When I made it back up the stairs I was freaked out about a lizard in my kitchen. Icky ick ick. So I took a box (since I have a surplus) and walled off the rest of the kitchen with it and a towel...in hopes that the lizard would use this path through my laundry room out the patio door that is a metal door with lots of openings but can still be deadbolt. Hey, if they use them in nature to prevent road kill, maybe this Italian lizard would get it?

Yes. These are the things that go through my head.

At any rate, it was a great soccer match- the Blue Dragons added another win to their season and they actually applied what we taught them in practice!

When I got home, I was still freaked out by the fact there may be a lizard in my kitchen but I was tired (it was hot in the sun) and crashed on the couch. Nico still doesn't get this nap time but he will one day. When I finally woke up once again Nico was MIA.

Seriously, his collar with a bell needs to arrive ASAP.

After searching downstairs, upstairs, and the roof I heard a little "miao" (remember- he's Italian). Once again going on the roof, I saw him pacing on the neighbor's patio, apparently stuck. With some spider like abilities I got as close as I could to him, but the dork wouldn't jump up on the platform. Then I realized that not only is there a window, but also a door from our main stairwell to this balcony area. I had to un-barricade the door but I rescued him.

As I told a coworker later, who needs the Fire Department? Although...