It has been quite the year! One I'm pretty sure I never want to live again. Don't get me wrong. There has definately been some great times. But there were absolutely some dark, gray, not-so-great things happen in my life this year that I never want to live through again.
This year I was introduced to the best sport I have ever played. Roller derby. It is most definately the one best thing a woman (or man for that matter) could be a part of. Its a great workout, you get to meet lots of wonderful people, and the sport is absolutely phenomenal! I started my year with practice for this great sport, and ended my year missing it very much. Things just didn't work out and I left my league. I will definately miss my teammates and the practices very much. I do NOT, however, miss the drama so closely associated with it though. I do not miss being the scape goat or feeling like people are talking behind my back and I'm the only one who doesn't know what its about. DON'T MISS THAT AT ALL! I wish my old teammates all the best in their adventure and hope to see them succeed!
I met some great people this year, held on to some, let others go, and decided if people want to be in my life I shouldn't have to do all the work. There were a lot of people that come into our lives this year and help change it forever. I made some really great friends who stuck by us through the worst time in our lives. I also learned who we could count on when the chips were down, and who was just hangin' around. There is nothing better than knowing that I have a friend I can call at 2am if I need to. There is also nothing worse then realizing those friends you thought had your back, were only there because they needed something from you. When you needed them, they were conviently busy.
I lost my mother in law this year in a freak accident. She was the light of the party, the backbone of so many, and quite possibly the hardest working and most stuborn person I have ever met! She was not afraid to work her tail off on the farm and could make friends with anyone she came in contact with. She was a joy to be around and always made me feel welcome. I will miss her every day of my life.
So with all the adventures, trials, turmoils, joys, and blessings my family has endured this year, I can honestly say we are ready to move on into the new year. We will spend what is left of this year with our family and close friends, be thankful for what we have, and pray for those that we lost.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET 2011. BRING ON 2012!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
My little contribution
I'm sure you've noticed the Red Kettles sitting outside just about every department store this time of year. But have you looked at them? I mean really looked at the people ringing the bell?
Today I donated an hour of my time to ringing a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. I stood outside in the cold for an hour ringing that little bell watching people file in and out of our local Wal-Mart. I have 5 children and am not able to donate money, so my time is the next best thing. But while standing there, something struck me. What do you do when you see those kettles and hear that bell? Do you smile and say hello? Do you drop a dollar in the kettle and keep right on walking? Or do you duck your head and run, hoping the bell ringer won't see you trying to skirt by them?
Think about this for a moment. In 2008, the Salvation Army helped more than 30 million people. 30 MILLION!! They have services for everything from disaster relief, to prisoner rehabilitation. Elderly services and youth camps. Personally, I'm still stuck on the 30 MILLION PEOPLE!!
How many people do you think enter any given Walmart store on a daily basis? Thousands? Millions? Maybe even billions! And what do you think would happen if every one of those people put $1 in that little red kettle? Would'nt that be wonderful! Ok...ok...I know what your thinking. You're just like me and can't afford the shopping your doing, let alone putting money in the kettle. Then I say this to you! Donate your time!! Give an hour out of your life to ring that bell! Stand in the cold, ring that bell, and smile at everyone who passes you by!
So the next time you pass that person ringing the bell, don't just duck your head and rush on by. Take the time to say hello, pass them a smile, and if you can, drop a dollar in the kettle. That person ringing that bell is just like you. They have a busy life and children. But they have taken an hour to give back to their community. How will you give back?
http://www.salvationarmy.com/
Today I donated an hour of my time to ringing a bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. I stood outside in the cold for an hour ringing that little bell watching people file in and out of our local Wal-Mart. I have 5 children and am not able to donate money, so my time is the next best thing. But while standing there, something struck me. What do you do when you see those kettles and hear that bell? Do you smile and say hello? Do you drop a dollar in the kettle and keep right on walking? Or do you duck your head and run, hoping the bell ringer won't see you trying to skirt by them?
Think about this for a moment. In 2008, the Salvation Army helped more than 30 million people. 30 MILLION!! They have services for everything from disaster relief, to prisoner rehabilitation. Elderly services and youth camps. Personally, I'm still stuck on the 30 MILLION PEOPLE!!
How many people do you think enter any given Walmart store on a daily basis? Thousands? Millions? Maybe even billions! And what do you think would happen if every one of those people put $1 in that little red kettle? Would'nt that be wonderful! Ok...ok...I know what your thinking. You're just like me and can't afford the shopping your doing, let alone putting money in the kettle. Then I say this to you! Donate your time!! Give an hour out of your life to ring that bell! Stand in the cold, ring that bell, and smile at everyone who passes you by!
So the next time you pass that person ringing the bell, don't just duck your head and rush on by. Take the time to say hello, pass them a smile, and if you can, drop a dollar in the kettle. That person ringing that bell is just like you. They have a busy life and children. But they have taken an hour to give back to their community. How will you give back?
http://www.salvationarmy.com/
Sunday, November 6, 2011
I think I'm getting old...
Ok...maybe not OLD...just AGED. Hmm...not even sure I like how that sounds. But one thing is for sure. I definitely do not have the "people tolerance" I use to have! With the job I have, dealing with the public every day, you would think that I would have more tolerance for people then I do. Or maybe that's why I have so much less tolerance! Yeah! That's what I'm going with! Its my jobs fault!! Let me explain....
My sister in law called me Friday morning and asked the strangest question. Her question... "Can you leave your house tonight?" Really?? Where am I going...or do I even want to know. We haven't had the best relationship in the past year. But over the past 3 months or so it has gotten much better. At one time we were best friends. She lives across the street from me, we talked at least 4 times a day, either her kids were at my house or mine at hers all the time. Then something happened. I think it was a combination of a bad marriage (most definitely hers, not mine), a huge misunderstanding, and people running their damn mouths without knowing the whole story. So we stopped speaking....for about 7 months. I think during those 7 months we both realized to leave the petty shit behind and move on. But...I've gotten of track, so lets turn this back to the original title....
I THINK I'M GETTING OLD!
The question...."You wanna go to the Eli Young Band/Jarrod Neiman/Dierks Bentley concert tonight?" My answer..."Pick me up when you leave!" Ok...it wasn't quite that quick. I think it only fair to make sure when I go out of town to ask the hubby first. I know...I know... he always says he doesn't care but I think its only courteous to ask first. That's what I would want if the tables were turned. And that's exactly what he said!
The concert started at 7:30...doors open an hour before...the event center is a 2 1/2 hour drive from my house... so we leave at 3:00, knowing that will be plenty of time to get there and grab something to eat before the show. Little did we know the adventure we were about to get ourselves in to!!
First of all, she doesn't really like driving in big towns or on the interstate. And shes never really done much traveling where she would have to. So I'm the navigator. I did my navigation job ahead of time and printed directions (thank you mapquest) to the Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois. Easy enough drive! Only a couple of turns and the arena is directly in our path! No driving around a city we don't know looking for a place we have never been to! SWEET! So we take off on our road trip, almost giddy with excitement.
About an hour into our trip we hit major road construction. Traffic was backed up ahead of us and behind us for as far as we could see! Apparently people don't believe those signs that say "left lane closed ahead". I'm thinkin' they should say something more like "Hey dumbass! Your lane stops! Get over now!" but that's just my opinion. Probably not the most politically correct thing to post on a state owned road sign. But after the road construction mess, we pretty much had smooth sailing the rest of the trip!
We finally arrived in Danville (which really didn't seem like all that far). As we come into town, we start looking for the arena....and drove right past it! Our first clue that something was going on there....the line of people on the sidewalk and the beer wagons parked out front! This was going to be a good night! As we drove past we did find a little shopping center with the best sub sandwiches I have ever had! Seriously...if you have run across Penn Station Subs you must stop! Fresh sweet bread, hand cut fries, the whole works! And...when they take your order they put your first name on your ticket, make your order fresh, and deliver it to your table. It was amazing!
So, after we eat, we head to the arena...having no idea where to park. Driving past the place, we decide to follow the people in front of us, who apparently didn't know where they were going either. We end up behind the building with the buses. Yes! The Buses!! Of course we were quickly stopped by a very attentive security guard who quickly tells us we can't park back here, but there is a parking deck across one street and a parking lot across the highway. Great! We won't have far to walk! We decided, after we drove past the parking lot without realizing it, that we would attempt to find the parking garage. We actually drove right to it! No, really! We did! And we thought we were in the wrong place because no one was parked there! So, thinking we might get towed if we parked there we decided to find somewhere else to park. Now...most parking garages I've been in you have to go clear to the top to come back down, so that's what we did. Except when we got to the top...it was a dead end! All we had to do was turn around! So feeling a little silly, we turn around and head back down. Right about the time we get back to the bottom, a car pulls through the parking deck, out the other side, and parks in a bank parking lot. Sweet!! Closer yet! Pulled in...parked...headed to the front door!! Its then that I realize neither one of us grabbed the tickets! We get half way to the front door without tickets in our hands! Back to the car...thank goodness we made sure we had them before we left the house!!
Finally get to the arena! The line is growing by the second. We really weren't that far from the doors. And we only had to stand outside for about 15 or 20 minutes before the doors opened. We quickly realized we didn't get the memo for the dress code. Neither of us had camouflage or flannel on! Risking getting escorted out for improper dress we pressed forward. Right before the doors opened we both realized we didn't bring out IDs! Well...looks like no beer for us. That's ok. We'll be able to enjoy it anyway! Wow...we so could have used those IDs!!
When we first get into the building we realize it really isn't that big. Much smaller then the civic center we are use to and we are both very glad we peed at the restaurant instead of waiting...the line was already forming! But that's ok! We were determined to have a great time! And the floor (which is where we are headed!) was already starting to fill up. We knew we wanted to be close to the stage so we head that way. People were already lining the stage so we couldn't get right up there but we could get pretty darn close! This is probably where I started to realize I may be getting old.
We get to the stage and look around for the best place to stand. There's still about an hour before it starts so there's time to move if we need to, but we find a spot that seems pretty good. And only about 2 people from the stage. Very Sweet! In front of us looks like a couple young kids who are pretty much keeping to themselves and enjoying each others company. Then...it started...
Keep in mind its only about 6:45 at this time. A good 45 minutes before the concert starts. I hear some commotion to my left and turn around just in time to see a very young looking girl run off the floor with her boyfriend left standing there looking at her like she has two heads. My sister in law, who happened to be stand right next to her, looks very angry. It is at this point that I realize what has just taken place. The young girl has just thrown up on the floor! Yeah!! Puking before the concert has even started! Later we find out that she was drinking Jeiger all day. Her boyfriend took her home, layed her on her front porch, and came back to the concert! Now...I can see both sides of this. Shes drunk and obviously not going to be able to enjoy the concert. Hes not and should get his monies worth out of at least his ticket! Good for him for coming back! But...leaving her on the front porch? In the cold? That's harsh!! So we keep an eye on the puke spot, just to make sure we don't step in it.
The concert is getting ready to start by this time. Sound checks are done, security is in place, the place is starting to fill up.
We quickly notice our small circle we had in front of us is getting smaller. The nice young couple in front of us has been replaced by 2 very small teenage girls and their very tall boyfriends! They also, apparently, think they are going to have all their friends (who arrived much later then we did) stand at the stage with them. Wrong!! We decided there was no room for anyone else and moved close enough to the back of them no one else was getting in there. Then I thought my sister in law was going to know some tall skinny kid on his ass!! He very causally moved from the other side of me, to standing right in front of her. I mean RIGHT in front of her! Should could have coped a feel without even moving!!! His excuse, after being questioned quite loudly if he was really going to f*&(ing stand there was...get this....he was being courteous and letting the girls stand at the stage! Now I'm all about being courteous, but this kid was just being a dick. The concert was very close to getting started so we decided to just tough it out and stay put.
Eli Young Band played first. Totally awesome!! Could not have asked for a better set! I would definitely consider seeing them as a headliner. Sounded great and pretty energetic. I'm not sure the lead singer stood still for an entire song. I realize they only played 30 minutes, but you try singing your guts out and dancing around on stage. Heck I challenge you to sing and walk! That's a workout in itself!
Next up was Jarrod Neiman. Again, totally awesome! He sang his heart out and I'm pretty sure most of his songs were written for my husband! :-)
Up to this point there were a few little mishaps, but nothing to terribly bad. For the most part we were able to just stay still and it worked itself out. We're getting a little tired of the drunks and wishing Dierks Bentley would start singing. And then...he does!!
Dierks Bentley looks slimmer, more muscular, and maybe even a littler hotter in person! He is so energetic and sounds amazing! Unfortunately we didn't get to stay past his 3rd song. My drunk-o-meter and hit its tolerance level and was about to explode. These two larger young ladies decided they wanted to be at the stage. So they pushed their way through the crowd, past my sister in law, and parked their asses right in front of me!! And proceeded to spill their drinks all over each other! All I could say was "Are you f$(*ing serious?! Are you seriously going to stand RIGHT there??" Her response..."Oh I'm sorry. Did you want to stand in front of us?" "F(#k no! I don't want to wear your drinks!!" So...we decided we had enough of the drunks and teenage "courtesy"...it was time for us to leave.
The drive home was pretty uneventful. And even after the bs and drunks we did meet some really great people and had an amazing time. This was one road trip for the record books!! Hey...who knows...we may do it again!!! :-)
My sister in law called me Friday morning and asked the strangest question. Her question... "Can you leave your house tonight?" Really?? Where am I going...or do I even want to know. We haven't had the best relationship in the past year. But over the past 3 months or so it has gotten much better. At one time we were best friends. She lives across the street from me, we talked at least 4 times a day, either her kids were at my house or mine at hers all the time. Then something happened. I think it was a combination of a bad marriage (most definitely hers, not mine), a huge misunderstanding, and people running their damn mouths without knowing the whole story. So we stopped speaking....for about 7 months. I think during those 7 months we both realized to leave the petty shit behind and move on. But...I've gotten of track, so lets turn this back to the original title....
I THINK I'M GETTING OLD!
The question...."You wanna go to the Eli Young Band/Jarrod Neiman/Dierks Bentley concert tonight?" My answer..."Pick me up when you leave!" Ok...it wasn't quite that quick. I think it only fair to make sure when I go out of town to ask the hubby first. I know...I know... he always says he doesn't care but I think its only courteous to ask first. That's what I would want if the tables were turned. And that's exactly what he said!
The concert started at 7:30...doors open an hour before...the event center is a 2 1/2 hour drive from my house... so we leave at 3:00, knowing that will be plenty of time to get there and grab something to eat before the show. Little did we know the adventure we were about to get ourselves in to!!
First of all, she doesn't really like driving in big towns or on the interstate. And shes never really done much traveling where she would have to. So I'm the navigator. I did my navigation job ahead of time and printed directions (thank you mapquest) to the Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois. Easy enough drive! Only a couple of turns and the arena is directly in our path! No driving around a city we don't know looking for a place we have never been to! SWEET! So we take off on our road trip, almost giddy with excitement.
About an hour into our trip we hit major road construction. Traffic was backed up ahead of us and behind us for as far as we could see! Apparently people don't believe those signs that say "left lane closed ahead". I'm thinkin' they should say something more like "Hey dumbass! Your lane stops! Get over now!" but that's just my opinion. Probably not the most politically correct thing to post on a state owned road sign. But after the road construction mess, we pretty much had smooth sailing the rest of the trip!
We finally arrived in Danville (which really didn't seem like all that far). As we come into town, we start looking for the arena....and drove right past it! Our first clue that something was going on there....the line of people on the sidewalk and the beer wagons parked out front! This was going to be a good night! As we drove past we did find a little shopping center with the best sub sandwiches I have ever had! Seriously...if you have run across Penn Station Subs you must stop! Fresh sweet bread, hand cut fries, the whole works! And...when they take your order they put your first name on your ticket, make your order fresh, and deliver it to your table. It was amazing!
So, after we eat, we head to the arena...having no idea where to park. Driving past the place, we decide to follow the people in front of us, who apparently didn't know where they were going either. We end up behind the building with the buses. Yes! The Buses!! Of course we were quickly stopped by a very attentive security guard who quickly tells us we can't park back here, but there is a parking deck across one street and a parking lot across the highway. Great! We won't have far to walk! We decided, after we drove past the parking lot without realizing it, that we would attempt to find the parking garage. We actually drove right to it! No, really! We did! And we thought we were in the wrong place because no one was parked there! So, thinking we might get towed if we parked there we decided to find somewhere else to park. Now...most parking garages I've been in you have to go clear to the top to come back down, so that's what we did. Except when we got to the top...it was a dead end! All we had to do was turn around! So feeling a little silly, we turn around and head back down. Right about the time we get back to the bottom, a car pulls through the parking deck, out the other side, and parks in a bank parking lot. Sweet!! Closer yet! Pulled in...parked...headed to the front door!! Its then that I realize neither one of us grabbed the tickets! We get half way to the front door without tickets in our hands! Back to the car...thank goodness we made sure we had them before we left the house!!
Finally get to the arena! The line is growing by the second. We really weren't that far from the doors. And we only had to stand outside for about 15 or 20 minutes before the doors opened. We quickly realized we didn't get the memo for the dress code. Neither of us had camouflage or flannel on! Risking getting escorted out for improper dress we pressed forward. Right before the doors opened we both realized we didn't bring out IDs! Well...looks like no beer for us. That's ok. We'll be able to enjoy it anyway! Wow...we so could have used those IDs!!
When we first get into the building we realize it really isn't that big. Much smaller then the civic center we are use to and we are both very glad we peed at the restaurant instead of waiting...the line was already forming! But that's ok! We were determined to have a great time! And the floor (which is where we are headed!) was already starting to fill up. We knew we wanted to be close to the stage so we head that way. People were already lining the stage so we couldn't get right up there but we could get pretty darn close! This is probably where I started to realize I may be getting old.
We get to the stage and look around for the best place to stand. There's still about an hour before it starts so there's time to move if we need to, but we find a spot that seems pretty good. And only about 2 people from the stage. Very Sweet! In front of us looks like a couple young kids who are pretty much keeping to themselves and enjoying each others company. Then...it started...
Keep in mind its only about 6:45 at this time. A good 45 minutes before the concert starts. I hear some commotion to my left and turn around just in time to see a very young looking girl run off the floor with her boyfriend left standing there looking at her like she has two heads. My sister in law, who happened to be stand right next to her, looks very angry. It is at this point that I realize what has just taken place. The young girl has just thrown up on the floor! Yeah!! Puking before the concert has even started! Later we find out that she was drinking Jeiger all day. Her boyfriend took her home, layed her on her front porch, and came back to the concert! Now...I can see both sides of this. Shes drunk and obviously not going to be able to enjoy the concert. Hes not and should get his monies worth out of at least his ticket! Good for him for coming back! But...leaving her on the front porch? In the cold? That's harsh!! So we keep an eye on the puke spot, just to make sure we don't step in it.
The concert is getting ready to start by this time. Sound checks are done, security is in place, the place is starting to fill up.
We quickly notice our small circle we had in front of us is getting smaller. The nice young couple in front of us has been replaced by 2 very small teenage girls and their very tall boyfriends! They also, apparently, think they are going to have all their friends (who arrived much later then we did) stand at the stage with them. Wrong!! We decided there was no room for anyone else and moved close enough to the back of them no one else was getting in there. Then I thought my sister in law was going to know some tall skinny kid on his ass!! He very causally moved from the other side of me, to standing right in front of her. I mean RIGHT in front of her! Should could have coped a feel without even moving!!! His excuse, after being questioned quite loudly if he was really going to f*&(ing stand there was...get this....he was being courteous and letting the girls stand at the stage! Now I'm all about being courteous, but this kid was just being a dick. The concert was very close to getting started so we decided to just tough it out and stay put.
Eli Young Band played first. Totally awesome!! Could not have asked for a better set! I would definitely consider seeing them as a headliner. Sounded great and pretty energetic. I'm not sure the lead singer stood still for an entire song. I realize they only played 30 minutes, but you try singing your guts out and dancing around on stage. Heck I challenge you to sing and walk! That's a workout in itself!
Next up was Jarrod Neiman. Again, totally awesome! He sang his heart out and I'm pretty sure most of his songs were written for my husband! :-)
Up to this point there were a few little mishaps, but nothing to terribly bad. For the most part we were able to just stay still and it worked itself out. We're getting a little tired of the drunks and wishing Dierks Bentley would start singing. And then...he does!!
Dierks Bentley looks slimmer, more muscular, and maybe even a littler hotter in person! He is so energetic and sounds amazing! Unfortunately we didn't get to stay past his 3rd song. My drunk-o-meter and hit its tolerance level and was about to explode. These two larger young ladies decided they wanted to be at the stage. So they pushed their way through the crowd, past my sister in law, and parked their asses right in front of me!! And proceeded to spill their drinks all over each other! All I could say was "Are you f$(*ing serious?! Are you seriously going to stand RIGHT there??" Her response..."Oh I'm sorry. Did you want to stand in front of us?" "F(#k no! I don't want to wear your drinks!!" So...we decided we had enough of the drunks and teenage "courtesy"...it was time for us to leave.
The drive home was pretty uneventful. And even after the bs and drunks we did meet some really great people and had an amazing time. This was one road trip for the record books!! Hey...who knows...we may do it again!!! :-)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Over the last few months I've learned a lot.
I've learned who my friends are, who I can trust, who will always be there for me and my family, and who apparently was only out for themselves.
I've learned that just because you want to give up, doesn't mean your true friends are going to let you.
I've learned that you can make it on less then four hours of sleep and fully function the next day... OK...maybe not fully but you can function.
I've learned that the rest of the world still goes on no matter how much you don't want it to.
I've learned that when the chips are down, the hand is thrown on the table, and everyone counts there cards...it really doesn't matter who's ahead. In the end...all that matters is who can stand tall and say they still have their integrity.
I, for one, will keep my integrity. How about you?
I've learned who my friends are, who I can trust, who will always be there for me and my family, and who apparently was only out for themselves.
I've learned that just because you want to give up, doesn't mean your true friends are going to let you.
I've learned that you can make it on less then four hours of sleep and fully function the next day... OK...maybe not fully but you can function.
I've learned that the rest of the world still goes on no matter how much you don't want it to.
I've learned that when the chips are down, the hand is thrown on the table, and everyone counts there cards...it really doesn't matter who's ahead. In the end...all that matters is who can stand tall and say they still have their integrity.
I, for one, will keep my integrity. How about you?
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Torn
Been a long time since I posted anything...partly because of my crazy life and partly because I've all but given up on my team. How terrible is it to just give up? I've had such a rough past couple of months... you really find out who your friends are! And to be quite honest...there are very few I can call "friends". And they aren't the ones I expected.
I posted in a previous blog how my mother in law was badly burned. On September 5th, after a very long hard fought battle, she passed away. Of course we all knew that was what was best, but it sure doesn't make it any easier to handle. They were married for 43 years. 43 YEARS!! That's amazing to me. I can truly look at my husband and see us 40 years from now...walking around just like them... never going anywhere without the other. And now...its all changed. This next year is going to be a tough one. Its a year of firsts. First hunting season (which is this weekend), first holidays, first birthdays and anniversarys. Its definately going to take some getting use to...but we'll make it!
And now...about my team... or maybe lack thereof would be more like it. I am still in love with the sport. I want nothing more then to play and be a great asset to my team. But it just isn't happening. After much pleading, begging and disagreements with the president, I turned over my treasure duties to him and wished him luck. There has to be something said when your the president and the only one left on the board of directors. Not saying a thing that isnt true but obviously something isnt working. Now we havent even skated in well over a month. Not one single practice and there doesnt seem to be any scheduled in the future. If there were another team closer to me, that would take me on I would consider moving teams. Don't get me wrong...I love the girls I skate with. And I love what we started out to be. I just cant stand where we are now and what it has become.
I posted in a previous blog how my mother in law was badly burned. On September 5th, after a very long hard fought battle, she passed away. Of course we all knew that was what was best, but it sure doesn't make it any easier to handle. They were married for 43 years. 43 YEARS!! That's amazing to me. I can truly look at my husband and see us 40 years from now...walking around just like them... never going anywhere without the other. And now...its all changed. This next year is going to be a tough one. Its a year of firsts. First hunting season (which is this weekend), first holidays, first birthdays and anniversarys. Its definately going to take some getting use to...but we'll make it!
And now...about my team... or maybe lack thereof would be more like it. I am still in love with the sport. I want nothing more then to play and be a great asset to my team. But it just isn't happening. After much pleading, begging and disagreements with the president, I turned over my treasure duties to him and wished him luck. There has to be something said when your the president and the only one left on the board of directors. Not saying a thing that isnt true but obviously something isnt working. Now we havent even skated in well over a month. Not one single practice and there doesnt seem to be any scheduled in the future. If there were another team closer to me, that would take me on I would consider moving teams. Don't get me wrong...I love the girls I skate with. And I love what we started out to be. I just cant stand where we are now and what it has become.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Back to practice I go!
So after two weeks of now practice, no running, basically no exercise at all, I went back to practice last night. And it was amazing! I have never needed to sweat so badly in my entire life! I truly believe there is a connection to stress reduction and sweating. Wonder if there is any study out there that proves my theory? All I know is this...it is very important when life gets you down to keep moving forward. Don't wallow in your own self pity. Get off your ass and move!! This last two weeks has undoubtedly been the worst two weeks of my entire life. First one bad thing...then another...for a constant two weeks. This has been enough to bring the strongest person to their knees. I had days where all I wanted to do was crawl back into my bed, pull the blankets over my head, and stay there for about a month. But what would that solve? Nothing. Only give me a back ache! So...instead, I pulled myself together and moved about my day. Did my problems go away? No. But somehow I felt more accomplished at the end of the day for just getting through it. So I guess my small piece of advise for the day is this...When life gets you down, keep moving. And when all else fails....sweat it out!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
What a week!!
I can not even begin to tell you what a crappy week I've had!! Quite possibly the worst week of my life. On Saturday July 23rd my husband received the call that changed our world. A call that I do not wish on anyone ever. At about 4:30 in the afternoon he took a call from his father..."It's your mother! Meet me at the hospital!" We had no idea what that meant...only something was very wrong. When he arrived at the hospital, he was meet by a sight he will never forget. His mother had been burned....horribly. She was trying to burn beetles in her yard with karasene and, apparently, it blew up on her. She has 3rd degree burns over 45% of her body. She was taken to our local hospital, then put on a helicopter and flown to a special burn unit an hour and a half from our home. So over the last week we've made that drive every day...thank goodness I was able to take some vacation time and my husbands work was on shut down. So just a brief summary of my week:
Saturday afternoon was the accident.
Drive to the burn unit that evening...arriving about 8:30 or 9.
Home about 2am Sunday
Back up by 5 to be back there by 7.
Home about 6pm to check on the kids and get some dinner
Back up by 5 Monday morning to make it back to the hospital by 7 for the first skin graft surgery.
Home about 7.
Slept in just a bit on Tuesday morning...back to the hospital about 10...home around 8 and realized our computer was broken.
Had errands to run Wednesday morning...van to the shop ($350 later), chiropractor (thanks Dr. Ruben for working us in!) and back to the hospital just before lunch and just after the second skin graft surgery, home by 5 to be at a meeting for a benefit set up by friends at 6. Thank you Rick and all the bartenders at The Nowhere Bar for your continued support and setting this up.
Thursday (we are getting worn out from now sleep by this time) back to the hospital about 9... home around 5.
Friday we decided to stay home and get some much needed chores down around the house that had been neglected all week....only to realize, in the middle of doing about 12 loads of laundry, our drier decided to quit working.
Saturday was a trip to Chicago (a 4 hour drive from our house) to pick up my step daughter from the airport...home about 930pm.
Sunday back to work for a 12 hour shift....
I am so looking forward to our planned vacation in two weeks! It certainly will be nice to just sit down and relax a bit!!!
Saturday afternoon was the accident.
Drive to the burn unit that evening...arriving about 8:30 or 9.
Home about 2am Sunday
Back up by 5 to be back there by 7.
Home about 6pm to check on the kids and get some dinner
Back up by 5 Monday morning to make it back to the hospital by 7 for the first skin graft surgery.
Home about 7.
Slept in just a bit on Tuesday morning...back to the hospital about 10...home around 8 and realized our computer was broken.
Had errands to run Wednesday morning...van to the shop ($350 later), chiropractor (thanks Dr. Ruben for working us in!) and back to the hospital just before lunch and just after the second skin graft surgery, home by 5 to be at a meeting for a benefit set up by friends at 6. Thank you Rick and all the bartenders at The Nowhere Bar for your continued support and setting this up.
Thursday (we are getting worn out from now sleep by this time) back to the hospital about 9... home around 5.
Friday we decided to stay home and get some much needed chores down around the house that had been neglected all week....only to realize, in the middle of doing about 12 loads of laundry, our drier decided to quit working.
Saturday was a trip to Chicago (a 4 hour drive from our house) to pick up my step daughter from the airport...home about 930pm.
Sunday back to work for a 12 hour shift....
I am so looking forward to our planned vacation in two weeks! It certainly will be nice to just sit down and relax a bit!!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Summer Slump
Our league is currently experiencing a summer slump. Last practice....5 girls...one who was late because of work. It a little disheartening when we have worked so hard to build this league up to only see 5 girls come to practice. I totally understand it..don't get me wrong. I get it. But that doesn't make me feel any better. So... we've decided to stick to one practice a week until September then attempt to rebuild our numbers from there. We need to do some major recruiting and get our league out in the public more. We've done a couple public appearances, with great success. Not success of getting more skaters, refs or NSO's, but success as in being welcomed by our community. That is a big deal for us! We want to be recognized as being professional, athletic women who love their community and aren't afraid to pitch in when needed. So...I'll keep planning community events, our fundraising committee will keep planning fundraisers, and in September we will have a recruiting/open house night at our practice facility. I think its a great plan to keep everyone interested and come September... BRING ON THE DERBY!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Not related to derby....
My brain is on derby overload so I'm blogging about something else today.
My wonderful life.
I am the mother of 5...well...ok....Two of my own and 3 stepchildren. But still. I have 5 children. There is no "mine or yours" in our relationship. There are only "ours". And I like it that way!
Katie is 15 and starting drivers ed. {brief pause while I gasp!}
Malorie is almost 14 and looks like shes 19. {my husbands shot gun is loaded!}
Justin is 11 and all boy!
Abbi is 11 and the biggest drama queen I think I have ever seen!
Sutton is 4 and has the cutest little cheeks. Just makes you wanna squeeze them!
They don't all live with us but they are always in our thoughts.
This coming Sunday will be my 3rd wedding anniversary. Three years! Wow! I can't hardly believe its been three years already! That may not seem like a long time to anyone else...but we both have changed so much in those three years. We've had people come into our lives that have left footprints on our hearts, and we've had those that have chosen to leave our lives that....well....lets just say that worked out for the better.
We have a wonderful home where our friends like to gather, and I am so grateful for that. A house is not a home without laughter, and we have plenty of that here.
I tell everyone.."I have 5 kids, 4 dogs, a husband and roller derby. I don't have time for anything else. If you don't like the way my house looks...don't come here." And I truely mean that. I would much rather spend my time with family...not decluttering my house. Don't get me wrong. I don't have plates of food sitting around or trash bags full of trash laying on the floor. You can walk through my house without fear of catching something. Just dont look at my clutter. My computer desk area is piled high with papers that need to be gone through and thrown away. My kitchen counters need cleared off. And please don't open my bedroom door! But it's my house! I often hear people talking about their spotless houses or how they worked all day at their jobs then went home and worked all night cleaning something, and I have to think, is that how it's suppose to be? Working until you die? I happen to think no. I happen to think you should enjoy your life and your family while you still can. Those papers will wait until another day. The dishes will still be there tomorrow. And your just gonna mess up the bed tonight anyway so why not go out and enjoy your day! So I guess my little piece of advise today would be ENJOY LIFE WHILE YOU CAN!!!
My wonderful life.
I am the mother of 5...well...ok....Two of my own and 3 stepchildren. But still. I have 5 children. There is no "mine or yours" in our relationship. There are only "ours". And I like it that way!
Katie is 15 and starting drivers ed. {brief pause while I gasp!}
Malorie is almost 14 and looks like shes 19. {my husbands shot gun is loaded!}
Justin is 11 and all boy!
Abbi is 11 and the biggest drama queen I think I have ever seen!
Sutton is 4 and has the cutest little cheeks. Just makes you wanna squeeze them!
They don't all live with us but they are always in our thoughts.
This coming Sunday will be my 3rd wedding anniversary. Three years! Wow! I can't hardly believe its been three years already! That may not seem like a long time to anyone else...but we both have changed so much in those three years. We've had people come into our lives that have left footprints on our hearts, and we've had those that have chosen to leave our lives that....well....lets just say that worked out for the better.
We have a wonderful home where our friends like to gather, and I am so grateful for that. A house is not a home without laughter, and we have plenty of that here.
I tell everyone.."I have 5 kids, 4 dogs, a husband and roller derby. I don't have time for anything else. If you don't like the way my house looks...don't come here." And I truely mean that. I would much rather spend my time with family...not decluttering my house. Don't get me wrong. I don't have plates of food sitting around or trash bags full of trash laying on the floor. You can walk through my house without fear of catching something. Just dont look at my clutter. My computer desk area is piled high with papers that need to be gone through and thrown away. My kitchen counters need cleared off. And please don't open my bedroom door! But it's my house! I often hear people talking about their spotless houses or how they worked all day at their jobs then went home and worked all night cleaning something, and I have to think, is that how it's suppose to be? Working until you die? I happen to think no. I happen to think you should enjoy your life and your family while you still can. Those papers will wait until another day. The dishes will still be there tomorrow. And your just gonna mess up the bed tonight anyway so why not go out and enjoy your day! So I guess my little piece of advise today would be ENJOY LIFE WHILE YOU CAN!!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Don't feed the animals!
Why so much drama?! I really don't understand how or why someone would want to have so much chaos and drama in their life! When my friends and I started this league we said right off the bat "NO DRAMA!" More then anything else, that is what breaks up leagues and destroys friendships. As we soon found out, there is really nothing you can do if there is a drama queen (or king) in your mix. Well... thats not entirely true. We all know we can hit them a little harder during drills, kick their tails at endurance practice, maybe even "accidently" get our skates tangled up during packs. But what does that really solve? Sure it may make us feel better for the moment, but what happens when practice is over and the drama starts again? Because you know as well as I do that it will. Our league recently found out what you do. YOU DONT FEED THEM!
You know when you go to the zoo and see those signs hanging everywhere that say "DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS!"? Well...that pretty much applies to derby. Don't feed the animals!! Don't feed into the drama and bs. The more you feed them, the more they terrorize you. All you have to do is smile, nod your head and keep moving.
Our league recently ran across this problem. There was drama, cattiness, and general bs going on and we (meaning the board of directors) really didnt know why or how to stop it. You know that feeling you get when you walk in a room and something just feels "off". You can't put your finger on it but you can almost cut the tension with a knife? Well thats what it came to. It was like trying to breathe through pudding. You might find an air pocket...but dont breathe to deep. We honestly thought our entire league was unhappy and on the brink of collapse. Until we had a league meeting to hash things out...and then it came to light. It wasn't really the entire league that was unhappy. It was a slim few and they were making it hard for everyone else.
So during this meeting the "drama doers" had their say...and honestly had some valid points. They just had a very poor way of voicing them. You can't go into a forum such as this, especially with children around, and spurt off obscenities and name call and expect to be respected. It just ain't gonna happen! And my teammates did me proud!! The didn't play into this drama, they let them have their say, and when the drama-doers walked out of the meeting, it was like the clouds had parted. The tension was gone and my teamates pulled together with great ideas to fix the "problems" that were brought up and discussed the concerns.
So if I can give only one piece of advise to anyone...young, old, new skaters, or seasoned skaters it would be this:
DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS!!
You know when you go to the zoo and see those signs hanging everywhere that say "DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS!"? Well...that pretty much applies to derby. Don't feed the animals!! Don't feed into the drama and bs. The more you feed them, the more they terrorize you. All you have to do is smile, nod your head and keep moving.
Our league recently ran across this problem. There was drama, cattiness, and general bs going on and we (meaning the board of directors) really didnt know why or how to stop it. You know that feeling you get when you walk in a room and something just feels "off". You can't put your finger on it but you can almost cut the tension with a knife? Well thats what it came to. It was like trying to breathe through pudding. You might find an air pocket...but dont breathe to deep. We honestly thought our entire league was unhappy and on the brink of collapse. Until we had a league meeting to hash things out...and then it came to light. It wasn't really the entire league that was unhappy. It was a slim few and they were making it hard for everyone else.
So during this meeting the "drama doers" had their say...and honestly had some valid points. They just had a very poor way of voicing them. You can't go into a forum such as this, especially with children around, and spurt off obscenities and name call and expect to be respected. It just ain't gonna happen! And my teammates did me proud!! The didn't play into this drama, they let them have their say, and when the drama-doers walked out of the meeting, it was like the clouds had parted. The tension was gone and my teamates pulled together with great ideas to fix the "problems" that were brought up and discussed the concerns.
So if I can give only one piece of advise to anyone...young, old, new skaters, or seasoned skaters it would be this:
DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Practice, Practice, Practice!
We had a great practice last night! 15 skaters! Thats more then we've had in a long time! And we picked up another skater...which is great. We first did timed laps. Getting 5 laps in under 1 minute and 25 laps in under 5 minutes is something most of us didnt think was possible when we first started in January. Little did we know how far we would come! Every "older" (we have 3 newbies) skater that skated last night was under the 1 minute mark!! And they all improved their times...some (like me!) improved by almost 10 seconds! I am so proud of all of us! We've worked so hard!!
After a quick water break (man was it ever hot in there) we practiced hitting drills. I love these! After all...roller derby is all about the hitting right?? This...is where we are lacking.
Our league has only been together since January and really havent been hitting. Then it happend.... we welcomed a skater from another league who had been hitting. She's good! Better then most of our skaters! And in her defense she didnt know we werent hitting. So that first practice, when we practiced pack drills, she laid a hit on me that took me completely off the floor! It was an awesome hit..that I was totally not prepared for!! Our girls have never seen anything like this before. Some have never been to a bout! So when this girl stepped on the track and blew everybody away, there was instant tension from some of our girls. And I really dont get it! Shes here to be a part of us! Not be against us! Shes a wonderful skater and a very sweet girl. If they only took the time to get to know her instead of acting like junior high girls! Totally irritates me! Ok...enough of the ranting... I will leave you with this one final thought. The definition of teamwork:
Show IPA
After a quick water break (man was it ever hot in there) we practiced hitting drills. I love these! After all...roller derby is all about the hitting right?? This...is where we are lacking.
Our league has only been together since January and really havent been hitting. Then it happend.... we welcomed a skater from another league who had been hitting. She's good! Better then most of our skaters! And in her defense she didnt know we werent hitting. So that first practice, when we practiced pack drills, she laid a hit on me that took me completely off the floor! It was an awesome hit..that I was totally not prepared for!! Our girls have never seen anything like this before. Some have never been to a bout! So when this girl stepped on the track and blew everybody away, there was instant tension from some of our girls. And I really dont get it! Shes here to be a part of us! Not be against us! Shes a wonderful skater and a very sweet girl. If they only took the time to get to know her instead of acting like junior high girls! Totally irritates me! Ok...enough of the ranting... I will leave you with this one final thought. The definition of teamwork:
team·work
[teem-wurk] Show IPASunday, June 5, 2011
Our League
Hello and welcome to my blog! I don't have much experience under my belt, but I'll post what I know. First...a little about our league...
Our league was founded in 2010 by a very dear friend who recruited my husband as a member of his board of directors. Originally I had no interest in skating at all! I could not imagine myself participating in roller derby! I was an overweight mother of 5 (2 of my own and 3 step-children) who had never really had any interest in sports. I just thought it would be cool to watch! For the first few months my dear husband would work third shift, come home and shower, work on "derby stuff", go to meetings, sleep for about 3 hours and start all over. I couldn't understand what the big deal was and why he was literally killing himself for this thing called roller derby!
And then.....it started....
I was asked to join them. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what I could offer. All I knew was I would get my husband back...and quite frankly thats all I really wanted. Little did I know how much derby would change my life!
When we started our journey, we were known as RiverCity Roller Girls, Peoria Illinois. As things progressed, we soon noticed all of our skaters were from Fulton County, not Peoria County so we made a decision to move our focus from the city to small town USA. It has been the best decision we made in the early days of our league!
We recruited our friends, family and siblings to get involved and skate with us. What we found was so drasticly different from the city girls and the farm girls were, those farm girls could skate! Don't get me wrong...the city girls could skate too. But those girls from small towns were skaters! They'd been skating every weekend since they could tie their shoes. And they had heart! The knew we were just getting started and had nothing to offer them, but still they wanted to skate for us. So we set a date for our very first practice and when that day got here we were so nervous, excited, and scared. We had no idea what would happen...but something was about to!
Since that first practice in January, we've lost skaters due to various reasons, (jobs, injuries, lack of motivation, etc.) we've gained more great skaters, coaches and NSO's. We've undergone a name change and are now called Spoon River Speed Demons, and most recently we've joined USARS. Though we are not ready to compete yet we have learned so much in the last 5 months about derby, but more importantly about ourselves. I think what we've learned most is never give up!!
Our league was founded in 2010 by a very dear friend who recruited my husband as a member of his board of directors. Originally I had no interest in skating at all! I could not imagine myself participating in roller derby! I was an overweight mother of 5 (2 of my own and 3 step-children) who had never really had any interest in sports. I just thought it would be cool to watch! For the first few months my dear husband would work third shift, come home and shower, work on "derby stuff", go to meetings, sleep for about 3 hours and start all over. I couldn't understand what the big deal was and why he was literally killing himself for this thing called roller derby!
And then.....it started....
I was asked to join them. I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what I could offer. All I knew was I would get my husband back...and quite frankly thats all I really wanted. Little did I know how much derby would change my life!
When we started our journey, we were known as RiverCity Roller Girls, Peoria Illinois. As things progressed, we soon noticed all of our skaters were from Fulton County, not Peoria County so we made a decision to move our focus from the city to small town USA. It has been the best decision we made in the early days of our league!
We recruited our friends, family and siblings to get involved and skate with us. What we found was so drasticly different from the city girls and the farm girls were, those farm girls could skate! Don't get me wrong...the city girls could skate too. But those girls from small towns were skaters! They'd been skating every weekend since they could tie their shoes. And they had heart! The knew we were just getting started and had nothing to offer them, but still they wanted to skate for us. So we set a date for our very first practice and when that day got here we were so nervous, excited, and scared. We had no idea what would happen...but something was about to!
Since that first practice in January, we've lost skaters due to various reasons, (jobs, injuries, lack of motivation, etc.) we've gained more great skaters, coaches and NSO's. We've undergone a name change and are now called Spoon River Speed Demons, and most recently we've joined USARS. Though we are not ready to compete yet we have learned so much in the last 5 months about derby, but more importantly about ourselves. I think what we've learned most is never give up!!
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