Scattered children

I took Trevor up to LV so he could start his conditioning camp and meet other players and get familiar with the area. He will be staying with a friend for a few days. I stopped by the new Super Walmart and loaded up on $150 worth of food so he wouldn't starve at her house. She does the Medifast diet and has girls. Her refrigerator and pantry last time I was at her home were bare of anything that my boys might eat. This way Trevor can't whine and is fully provided. She wont have to break the bank feeding him.

He will come home from the camp before lunch so three meals a day need to be available. The first day we arrived at the weight room we were early. It turns out the camp is only one hour long. Two sessions are offered. The first is for the fast ball carriers, the second is for the linemen. I told Trevor to do both, this first day. Tomorrow he would be dropped off just in time for his proper group. He will get to meet everyone.

He has been in conditioning down here for a week, which I thought would help for when he joined the new team up there. He has been running at least a mile and doing the bleacher stairs as part of training. Then they go to the weight room. Conditioning was two hours long. The new class is one hour, half weight room and half running. The running is not nearly as long.

Trevor came out of his first class limping. He had lost a bet. A boy had said Trevor could not lift him off the ground. Trevor said he could. Trevor lost. The boy weighed 220 not the 187 he said he weighed. Trevor's punishment was to lift 200 pounds on the bar. He did but he pulled a muscle in the process.

He looked a little sad when I picked him up due to his pain. I hope today goes better. He was just trying to fit in. The coach, when I introduced him, was impressed by his size for a freshman. And he is still only 13. Trevor didn't let the others know he was a Freshman. He said everyone else is an upper class man.

After practice I gave him an ibuprofen for his sore leg. He showered, then dressed nicely to attend a funeral with me. An old teacher we had known had passed away of cancer. His wife was having a Catholic service for him, though he was not Catholic. Funerals are closure for the living. The dead aren't even there. The box of ashes was at the front of the church draped in white linen.

Many of Trevor's elementary teachers were there. I enjoyed talking to the teachers with him
and showing off how big he was these days, from that tiny child they once knew. Trevor has social skills and diplomacy. He carried on conversations and made eye contact. he was not shy. I was very proud to have him with me, especially at the occasion of a funeral.

We drove by the new house, which every day looks more and more neglected. The overgrown plants are horrible. I am going back up there tomorrow to see the school councilor and get the boys electives chosen, taking both boys in with me to talk to the councilor and get acclimated to the school. It is the last day the councilors are in the office for the rest of the summer. A short tour of the school will help the boys in the fall. Give them a foot up in adjusting to the unfamiliar area.

Afterward I want to take the boys up to the house and do some yard work with them. Have them pull weeds and clip back the blackberries a little. If we can create a path so we have access to the house for moving day I will be happy. I know this will work in the end. I just have to be patient.

I told the property manager last night that the bank has not budged on our August 3 closing date. He called because the tenants were back in town and inquiring as to our progress. I told him to say they could have August free for the inconvenience but could not move in before August 3. There. I did it. I bumped the tenants. It will cost us $1700. The relief is well worth it. Hopefully they will still want to move in.

Their problem was they wanted to give notice on the place where they are now. With the first of the month looming I realized they needed to know the reality of our situation. I did not want to be homeless and have to put everything in storage for just a few weeks. They can stay an extra month where they are with impunity. I hope to hear that they are still wanting the place now that I have pushed them off.

I am going to take my gardening clothes to LV tomorrow so I can vent some of my frustrations on the yard at the new house. Tame the wilderness a little. It is supposed to rain, though. I will bring umbrellas. I have time. Maybe we will even hear something positive next week.