The Craptacular Karate Tournament

Yesterday I competed in the annual karate school tournament. As you can see in the title, I didn't do well. I had practiced for weeks for this tournament. I placed 5th in forms and 4th in sparring as compared to 2nd in forms and sparring last year.
First up was the forms and my kata was Kanku Dai. I was placed in the 19 and up category (at 40, I am definitely in the "up" category).I was the only woman out of 6 people in my division.I knew I was screwed when a black belt (an instructor from another school) was placed in our group.I even joked that he must be a ringer for the other school. Then the 16-18 year old division competed before our group and there were three girls that did the same kata I was going to perform(Kanku Dai).One of the girls was disturbingly good with emphasis on "disturbing".She screamed so loud and for so long-I thought she was going to lose her voice.I'm loud when I do the kata and it disturbed/scared me.I'm pretty sure they were still thinking of her when they saw mine(although I don't think I should've gotten 5th).
Then I put on my gear for sparring and realized,"Oh hell,these are the people I have to spar."Let me explain..I am 5'2" on a good day and the guys in my division were over 6'.Stoney, the first guy I sparred, is about 6'4" and built like a brick shithouse.We're in the same class together and spar each other every week so I knew he was tough.Lost that match. Immediately after that match,I had to spar again.This guy, from another school,was about 6'6" and built like Stoney. On both guys, whatever I would do-they would outreach me and pop me on the head.Grrr. I tried defensive kicks, but the side kick that's way over my belt hit Mr. 6'6" right in the balls(the only highlight from my matches).I got a warning for that(good thing he was wearing a cup)
See..this is why I HATE point sparring.Regular sparring, you just keep going until the timer ends. I am so short that I often "eat" the first punch just so I can get in there and get my licks in.Point sparring,you stop when the judges call a point.So to be good,you either have to be huge or really fast.I am neither.Craptacular.
I am supposed to test for my black belt in December.Although there won't be any point sparring,I still feel soo inadequate.I just am not sure I'll be ready...and that makes my anxiety go into overdrive.

Fire in the Hole!!

So after my husband left for work this afternoon, my 4 year old jumped in my lap and yelled "FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Then he proceeded to loudly fart and wanted a "high five."
Seriously?!
Just another reason I am not allowed to die...ever.Somebody's got to teach this kid some manners before he grows up and ends up on some Mtv reality show like "Jersey Shore" or "My Favorite Idiot".

Took the joker to his Little Ninja class this afternoon. He is getting better in class...sorta. He'll stand on his sticker and sit with his legs crossed, but he's still in his own little world.He's four-I don't expect Bruce Lee moves. I swear, though, watching him in karate is just about the funniest thing I've ever seen.It's better than TV,lol.Imagine this one and add 20 more his age-it's 30 minutes of hilariousness.

Not much to report on the Ebay front.To be honest,I took a little break from listing.I'm trying to get back into it now-I'd like to get 200 items in my store before the kids get out of school.

Who knew??

Last summer, I went to a garage sale and found two boxes of smocking and hand sewing magazines.I didn't feel like dragging both boxes home so I only bought one box for $2.00. It all magazines from the late 80's/early 90's. I looked at them,oohing and aahing over some of the little girls' outfits,and decided that smocking was way too much work.So back into the box the magazines went...and they stayed ...until I finally had enough of looking at that stupid box(and I had stubbed my toe on it).I looked them up on Ebay and some of them were selling for pretty good prices.I broke them up into lots and this is what sold.

                                         Lot of 22 Smocking Arts magazines- sold for $23.50

                                           Lot of 3 Sew Beautiful magazines-sold for $10.49

                                        Lot of 5 Creative Needle magazines sold for $14.99

         Another lot of Creative Needle sold for $14.99.Both of these lots sold to the same person.
I still have three lots of the magazines to sell, but dang $64.00!! Why, oh why, didn't I buy that other box?I am totally kicking myself on that one. So if you ever see any vintage smocking/handsewing magazines at a garage sale,snap those babies up.They are worth it!