Race Update - Zandvoort

Jason wrote:

Another Friday and another bittersweet showing. Zandvoort is the first track I ever raced in this online series. It's not a bad track, but many abrupt crests situated just before braking points and high speed turns upset the car's balance and you can really get in trouble if you don't manage them correctly. Qualifying did not go well with me on the grid 10th out of 11. As you may remember from my last racing post, my plan now is to try to stay out of the way for the first couple of laps while the pack thins out and people make mistakes, taking themselves and others out. Then, start pushing to pick up places.In the first race my plan worked beautifully. Two people went off in the first turn of the first lap moving me to 8th. Then, later on, 3 guys in front of me tangled and I had to thread in between them, but I moved to 5th and was able to maintain that until the finish.

Threading the needle.

Race # 2 did not go so well. I lined up 5th and had a good start and went into the first turn close to the front on the inside. Not a bad place to be. At least until someone cuts the nose off your car and you get rear ended trying to avoid it!!!! Technically, I had the line and shouldn't have backed off. But, in an effort to not punt the other driver, I was hit from behind, coudn't catch the spin and ended up facing the wrong way. I got moving again in last place and finished in 10th. Dang! Oh, well, that's touring car racing for you! I'm pretty sure my championship hopes are done for, but I could still make a decent showing. The next race is on the streets of Pau in France. This is a short course and is very unforgiving as you are either on the track or up against a barrier. I figure the key here is to get out front early because passing is almost impossible. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for reading!

Rockin' Reader

Nathan and Miss W. (soon to be Mrs. Jackson)

Today was Nathan's last full day of 1st grade. He had his end of year party/surprise wedding shower (his teacher is getting married in July.) It was a fun time and Miss W. was really surprised. At the end of the party Miss W. handed out awards to the children. She read the description of the award being given and told if it was being given to a boy or a girl. Then the kids had to guess who the recipient was. Nathan is an excellent student and works hard. He just needs to work on not talking so much. He is a social bug! After all was said and done, Nathan won the Rockin' Reader award! At the beginning of the school year he was reading at the end of a 1st grade reading level. Now, at the end of 1st grade, he's reading on a 3rd grade level! Way to go Rockin' Reader! Keep it up!

Nathan and his class

Silly class picture

Class picture with Mr. Jackson

Champion

Well, Nathan finished up Soccer this past weekend. It was his first round with this particular sport. He enjoyed it, even though they never won a game. We were so proud of him. He really improved over the course of a few months. His team got together for thier trophy party and I just had to laugh when I read the trophy.... Champions -- Soccer 2008. You can be a champion and never win a game, right? Nathan is certainly a champion to us and most importantly to God. We have decided to take the summer off.... no sports right now. We will give soccer another try later. Way to go Nathan!!


Ryan may try soccer next year too! He's already been practicing!

Girl's Weekend

Every now and then it's good to get away and relax with friends. Well, Jason was so sweet to let me go visit a close friend of mine this past weekend. It was such a wonderful time visiting and relaxing. We even got to sleep late.... you can do that when you don't have kids with you. :) Thanks for the great weekend, Missy! I of course missed my 3 guys, but they had a great time over the weekend. When I got home Sunday, it was nice to see they had missed me too. Jason, thanks for taking care of the boys while I was away. You are the best!!

Mother's Day

As I said in my previous post, Sunday was not only Mother's Day, but Nathan's 7th birthday. It was a very special day, but not only because of those 2 things, but because I got to spend Mother's Day with my mom this year. That doesn't happen very often since we live so far apart. We had a wonderful family celebration with lots of extended family. Sunday was also my Aunt Ginny's birthday. My Uncle Randy put together a wonderful party for the birthday boy and girl and for all us moms! We had a great time seeing all our relatives.

So glad we could spend Mother's Day together this year, Mom! I love you!

Nathan turns 7!

My sweet precious Nathan turned seven on Sunday, Mother's Day! I remember seven years ago when he was born. It was he who made me a mommy and celebrating Mother's Day and his birthday on Sunday made it so special.



Nathan,
You are so special to your Daddy and me. We have watched you grow into a wonderful boy. The older you get, the more handsome you get. Your smile and laughter light up the room. You have such an amazing heart and are such a thoughtful boy. You are so smart. I am so pleased with all you are learning. I love how you run across the common area every afternoon when you get off the bus as I am waiting for you on the front porch. The way you express yourself and tell me all about your day just fills my heart with joy. Your energy is so amazing.... you have always been a busy little boy. I always say.... when you wake up, you hit the ground running! What a wonderful big brother you are. Ryan looks up to you so much. I love the special bond you two have. I know God has big plans for you and I can't wait to see what he continues to do in your life. I thank God for you everyday and for allowing Daddy and me to be your parents. I will love you always!!

Mommy

Imola report

Jason wrote:

Well, I'm starting to figure out a few things.

First, I'm not quite the Mario Andretti I thought I was. Everyone competing in the series has a real grip on performance driving. This isn't a group of teenage wannabe's out there to bend some metal.

Second, the best thing to be in racing is clean. Most of the time the other guy will beat himself by making a mistake.

Third, beware the Red Mist. This is a mistake people make when they take off from the starting line and feel like they have to pass half the field in the first lap. When that happens, see above.

To that point, the Red Mist got the better of a driver behind me and he punted me and another car off the track in turn 1 of lap 1 and I wound up dead last. This was a bit of a bummer as I had qualified 8th out of 18. Of course, that netted him a 10 second stop and go penalty.



I made up a few places, but some mistakes kept me at the back of the pack. No points for race 1. In race 2, I was able to stay out of trouble, but ended up cutting a couple of corners which got me a stop and go penalty as well. As much as I don't like penalties, I like the realism that this online racing thing brings. No points for race 2 either. I'm still optimistic that I can make a run for a top 3 finish in the championship, but I've got to get more consistent. We'll see how it shakes out.

I'm going to miss this week's race as the out-law..., er, um, I mean IN, IN, I said IN-laws are coming to town and we are headed to Kentucky for the weekend. Next race is on May 23rd at Valencia.

Look at those baby blues!

Ryan was playing while I was folding the dreaded mountain of clean laundry. He was having fun playing with Hot Wheels and a little skateboard toy! Then he put on his Khaki baseball cap and he was ready to get building! He looked so cute, I just had to grab the camera! He certainly didn't mind. Take a look at those blue eyes!!! He gets those from his Daddy! (Love 'em)

50's Diner with the cutest waiter!!!

I had the best ice cream sundae today at this great 50's diner and the cutest waiter served me! How lucky can a girl get? Moms were the guests of honor with Mother's Day quickly approaching. Nathan's teacher had turned their classroom into a 50's diner. Mom's were to come in their 50's attire. Well, since my poodle skirt from 9th grade isn't all that flattering anymore, I opted for my "Pink Ladies" jacket that I had from a "Fall Party" where several friends and I dressed as the "Pink Ladies." I put my hair up with a cute black, pink and white polka-dotted ribbon and my black pants and pumps and I was off. I went to eat lunch with Nathan and after lunch we walked into the classroom and he seated me at his desk. The kids all gathered at the front of the room, clipboards in hand, and welcomed us by reciting a little poem. Then my handsome little waiter came to take my order. After a few mins., he arrived with a delicious ice cream sundae for me to enjoy! He was a pro and I was so very proud of him! Silly me, I left my tip in the car, so when he gets home in a bit.... I have it waiting for him! (It just so happens that the cute little waiter..... lives here!) What a special day, thanks Nathan! I love you!

A Good Ole Cup O' Joe!

Just in case you wanted to know..... (ha) I am now on my way to being a coffee snob! So, this is how the story goes. I LOVE Starbucks and a good cup of coffee/latte. However, I don't frequent it much b/c it can eat away at the funds.... if you know what I mean. So, I asked a dear friend of mine, "the coffee snob," how she makes her coffee (hers always tastes so yummy!) I knew I could do better than I was doing. I never really knew how to make coffee. I just read my manual (yes, I read the manuals to things). We got a coffee maker as a wedding gift, but we never drank coffee. The coffee maker actually stayed in the box for almost 4 yrs., until I discoverd that I liked to drink the stuff! So, anyway, my sweet friend came over today for my lesson! Did you know that you can take coffee making lessons? I bought a coffee bean grinder b/c I was told I have to start with coffee beans. My sweet "coffee snob" friend brought over some yummy Starbucks beans for me to try out! She taught me her tips and tricks.... the end result..... a Good Ole Cup O' Joe!! Anyone want to come over for a cup of coffee? I may even have some muffins! (Thanks for the lessons sweet "coffee snob" friend.)