Basketball

 Today i had an amazingly fabulous time playing in our alumni basketball game at MCCS (errr, i guess its Legacy now?)  As usual i was a little nervous about playing. I tend to forget that my body is ten years out of school, but my mind feels like it was running lines just yesterday.

I feel a mix of emotions.  I forget about the feelings that whirl through me every year. That is, until I feel them again.  I truly enjoy being on the court.  I may not be as quick or aggressive or in shape as i used to, but my heart. My heart is still in it.  There is so much you learn and experience being a member of a team and no matter what you go through, you experience it together. I like that. You form memories that last a life time. And for me, they are wonderful ones.

As i ran up and down the court today i reminisced about the days gone by...
I remembered how Mr. Budish would buy me a bottle of Cranberry Ocean spray before the games.  I remembered how when we were running around tense and frustrated on the court, i would look over at Mr. Budish and all he had to do was put his hands in front of him palms facing down and lift them up and down. Reminding us to "settle down"  It worked amazingly.  I can still see him shake his head with disappointment after we would miss a lay up. Never miss a layup.  On practice days when we were so tired, i remember Kari and i thinking (i don't know why) that maybe he would forget to have us run lines. As if.  But, like always, he would pause and look down at the notecard he was holding... "Alright, everybody on the line" he would say with the calm demeanor that he always had.  That was it. Kari and i just took a deep breath and did as we were told.. Some days, we thought we wouldn't make it, but somehow we always managed to get to the end.  And it was always a buggar running next to Kristen or Emily (Or Amy or Katie). Man those guards could run fast! (and competitive to the core)

I can remember coming into a game after being out for a few days, sick.  Kate was on a fast break and i was in front of her. I  vividly remember her yelling "GO!!!!" to me. (notice the exclamations? They are there to emphasize her, ummm, commanding enthusiasm?)  But I  remember thinking, "This is my GO!!..."  Hahaha, I couldn't get going any faster after being so sick  (or maybe ever).  I am pretty sure that she took that basket for herself.
I couldn't imagine playing without my other half. The other "Tower of Power", Julia. There was no greater team mate. She seemed to know just when to pass and just when to push. She made me look like a better athlete than i was. That girl was a ball player. (still is)
 I remember Merry always at the top of the key, turning and somehow always getting a traveling call.  She moved fast.
Tonya was on the ground more than she was on her feet i think.  If there ever was a better "scrapper," i never knew. She was tough.  Sweet little Tonya, who would have thought?
 And who could forget Amy? That girl could steel the ball from anyone. She had more break aways than anyone. But, she was a Budish, would we expect less? 

Kinsey Munds. That name still burns my hide. She better hope she never runs into me in a dark alley. That was a feud that i will have in my head forever.(Though strangely, i can't even remember why?) I just know I didn't like her.  Then there was Caroline Moose. Anyone remember her? I do. The gigantic 6 foot 6 star of Blake High School. That highlight reel  played on the news over and over (you know, the one where she faked right and someone (me) totally fell for it! Argh.). I can still remember doing that jump ball . I squatted with all my might and jumped as high and as hard as i could. I was just hoping to catch a piece of the ball. You know, be a competitor? I remember hearing the whistle and jumping...I must have closed my eyes or something, because the next thing I know I'm face first in her armpit!!   Not a good game. Not a good game at all.

Those are the memories that i will cherish forever. I felt untouchable when i was out on that court.  When i think of the best memories of my high school experience, i think of basketball. 

So today, i enjoyed playing. Really enjoyed it.  But being on that court, in a corner of my heart, i felt sadness. I miss Mr.Budish.  My fondest memories of basketball always included him.  So to go through the motions today without hearing anyone else express the loss, makes me sad.  I know i thought he hung the moon. Truly. From the first practice, i respected him.  And that respect grew and grew. Even as an adult. When i would see him at church i felt like i had to sit a little taller and make sure i was always at my best. I know that i feel about 1/1000th of the pain that his family feels. But i still feel it.

 I watch his amazing daughter, now a mother and wife. I see his fantastic sons playing on the court. I talk to his wonderful wife and all the while, i feel a little tug of sadness. What a family. They are so amazing. There is a strength, a depth in them. Its phenomenal. It was amazing watching Nathan play ball today. Everything about him reminded me of Mr. Budish.  What a gift.

 As i remember the highlight of my high school career and feel the joy and happiness that consumes me when i am part of a team, i also remember Mr. Budish.

 My memories are happy ones.  My team mates are my friends for life. My emotions are mixed.
There is nothing like being part of a team. Nothing. Especially one as fantastic as the one that i belonged to.

So, to honor those memories, i dug out the old pictures and i want to share them with you guys.(Just imagine an awesome song playing inspirationally in the background!!)

                                      

preparing for 2011

As the Christmas celebrations come to an end and the New Years planning begins, i have a few things on my mind.  I love the New Year because it is a time to share and plan for the future. It is a time where we all set goals and try to attain them.  I love that.  There is nothing better than setting goals for ourselves. With out goals, what would we be reaching for?  As i am getting older and more methodical, i find that goal setting is a big part of my life.  I learned it from a dear friend of mine  If you set a goal, it is exciting to accomplish it. It can be something as simple as getting the dishes done or as difficult as putting money away or making great spiritual change.  I love it!  As i plan for my goals this year, i reminisce on the past year.  I have come into contact with so many people and so many strong opinions this season. And i have realized that it is great to have an opinion and to be passionate about it. But you can hurt your own cause by the way you go about expressing your opinion.  I sit and watch people passionately defend their feelings. But as i watch i see many errors.  I see such hypocrisy.  Defending one thing as you tear down another?  Overpowering the conversations with your own thoughts with out letting any one else say theirs?  It just seems to hurt their cause. Who values the opinion of someone who disrespects yours?

As i grow older and i hope wiser (i hope) i wonder why people feel the need to push their opinions and feelings on others anyway.  Why do we try to change others thought with our words?  I have been impacted so much deeper with the quiet spirits. The meek person. Humility.  Those are the things that i want to embrace this year. I want to learn to be quick to listen and slow to speak.  It may sound easy to some of you, but to me...its extremely hard. I usually want to be quick to speak and I'd listen, depending on who was talking. 

This year, i want to show Christ's love though my actions.  And my tongue.  I want to speak volumes with out saying a word.

 I have learned, through alot of mental evaluating and pondering, that one thing that matters is the fact that we know we are of worth in Gods eyes.  Its sounds simple, but really take it in.  There have been so many different issues that i have faced this year and challenges that i have met... and failed.  I let my "flesh" get the better half of me. I cared about what someone thought of me. I was upset when i was interpreted wrong. I was angry about misconceptions. I couldn't grasp why someone would aim to hurt. But through evaluating what the real issues were for me, i realized that if i can just know that i am valuable in Gods eyes and that i am making choices to please and honor him...well, that is good enough for me.  If it is interpreted that i am weaker, I am okay with that.  I am choosing to honor God, and by doing this i have finally overcome some struggles. People can think what they want and interpret my actions however they please, but if I know in my heart that my motives are pure and honoring to God. Well, than i have won. I have pleased the one who truly counts. And that gets me excited.  It doesn't mean that i have anything figured out or that i am one step ahead or behind, it just means that, to me, i am learning. And i really like to learn. Especially when my teacher is the Alpha and Omega...He's kind of a big deal! :)

So, as we make our resolutions this year to eat healthier, and to work out more, lets not forget to maintain a healthy inside too.  Lets train our minds and hearts to be strong and healthy. Lets strive for spiritual growth. Lets fill our lives with things of substance.  Lets love our neighbors. Lets love our enemy. Lets give glory to God. Lets pray for those who persecute us. Lets not become weary in doing good.
In John 14:29 Jesus tells us that "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teachings..." And I happen to think rules were made to be followed, soooo i like that verse:)

Here's to doing our causes justice through love this year... 
2 John 4:16 "God is love."

Bring on 2011, i am ready.

How is your day going?

After a difficult night getting the kids to bed, i was up bright and early this morning with big plans of finishing my Christmas cookies. Ruby got off to school and the little ones were anxious to get into the forbidden box of Christmas ornaments. Jeromy put the tree up while i was out last night and now we are ready to decorate it. I warn the kids not to dig in the box until i can help. Wouldn't you know that the minute that i run downstairs, i hear a crash.  Seriously? I think. Not even a minute after i warned them? I run back up to see a few very special ornaments that my brother gave Ruby as a baby, broken. I can feel the steam coming out of my ears. Laney instantly tells me that "ju ju did it!" I warn them NOT to do it again and try my hardest to keep my composure.  "Please don't do it with out Momma, okay?"  Sure. They were right on board with that. Anything to get out of a spanking.

By 11:40, Ruby got home and we start to tackle the tree. As we are unwrapping each ornament I thoughtfully tell the kids who gave what ornament to whom. The kids seem more anxious in digging than they are about listening to my wonderful stories.  No one can find the hooks. The tree won't hold the ornaments on it. I am getting annoyed that they are unwrapping, but not helping. And i decide that no matter how much a tree with short needles costs next year, we are getting one.
Finally, we get it all decorated.  I specifically tried to have fun with them and not to expect perfection. Hey, they are just excited right? This is what the season is all about, making memories and remembering old.   After a few more threats about leaving the tree alone and trying to teach them not EVERYTHING is at their disposal. Some things we just look at. I finish up these muffin things and we are on our way.  After about another hour, Ruby tells me she is so hungry. I realize we were so busy with the tree and cooking (and sampling) that we skipped lunch.  Its about 2 o'clock so i say lets get a burger.  I have a $10 bill burning a hole in my pocket and it gives me a few minutes of a "break" in the car while everyone is buckled in. I started the car and realized we needed gas, bad.  Thankfully, i have a giftcard. Which is awesome, cause that about all we have. I get the kids all loaded and grab the card and head off.  Relaxation, here i come. Nope. I realized just before i got the the station that i forgot my purse in the entryway. Argh. I quickly check my pockets and find that i put my gift card in my pocket. Hey, i forgot my purse and coat, but i remembered the giftcard and kids. I've had worse.
As i pull into the station, i start to fill up and look through the center council in hopes of finding  the check book. I swear that is where it is.  Its not the one i want, its an old one with a big scribble pen mark through it (thank you Ruby) but it will do. I see Kandi is working at the DQ and change my plans to get a burger there then i can explain the lame check and all will be okay.  We are still sitting pretty. We can do this.
After the tank is full i run inside.  As i hand the cashier the card she looks at it and says "Umm, this is for Super America and you are at Holiday!" Nooooooooooooooo!!  Are you kidding me? My brain scrambled for an idea and i remembered that i have that check in the car.  I ask if I can use an old check and she says sure. But she looked at the other worker. The minute she did that, i felt like a dirtball. I knew they weren't sure about me. I was a total mess. I had my unwashed hair, ghetto sun glasses, huge sweatshirt and pants half way tucked into somes big ol' pink uggs (with a rose on the back). They stop me and ask if i have used a check here before.  I say i am sure that i have. Then i throw in a smile and tuck my hair neatly behind my ears. You know, just for good measure.  "Well, you'll need your license." Uhhh, thats the problem i scream inside my head. I have NO purse.!! Just then it dawns on me that i had to use my license to get into the jail the night before to visit someone. Yes! I have the same jeans on. "I DO have my license!" I say a little too over the top. They just look at me and say okay then. I run to the car and get my check. As they are asking me a few security questions i am talking and talking about what a mental case i was and how sorry i am. They didn't seem to care about how i got here. Okay. whatever.
As we head home the kids start crying because they are soo hungry now and really want a burger. Ruby is talking about how much her stomach hurts while Laney grabs this big calculator (yes, that is what she brought to play with) and throws it at Ruby and hits her right in the head!! Argh. NO WAY!!!  Seriously, what is wrong with us?  Before we can get home Junior falls asleep and i promise the kids that we will grab my 10 dollars and turn around.  I ran into the house grabbed my stuff and headed back down 65.  All I wanted today was a special coffee. But that is in Cambridge and we need to go somewhere close. We head back to DQ and get a few burgers and head home. I am happy to get food in the kids stomach, even if its not the healthiest. What a bad mom, i think. We get home and i wake up june and head in the house. Well, to my surprise i find that stinkin' Christmas tree has tipped over and is now laying on my couch!!! Are you kidding me??!!!  Where did the fresh sugar water that i put into the stand go? I don't even want to know. I run downstairs to grab something to clean it up and what do you know?  I hear a crash. Laney broke an old home made ornament that i got from my sister in law. Are you kidding me? I grabbed her and gave her a spank. My mind was whirling.  I was somewhere between breaking down screaming, or silently jumping off the roof!!!
Seriously, i wonder if everyone has days like this. I tell ya, my kids are giving me a run for my money these days and i am NOT winning. Ages 5, 3 and 2 are starting to be the hardest ones that we have faced.
So, as i exhale loudly downstairs, my tree is still tipped over, the kids are playing, i haven't showered and i Don't. Even. Care.
What a day, what a day. To all of you mothers that have kids that obey, trees that stay standing. and purses that have money... I am jealous. :)  You keep doing what you do, and i will keep wondering why i can't quite keep up...
Happy cleaning to you all! I am going to go and embrace my place in this crazy house and hope to have a better evening than I did afternoon... Onward and Upward, friends. Onward and Upward.