Tailgating And Sports

[westexas]

THOUGHT THIS TOPIC WOULD BE FUN....

Since Ref and I have been going back and forth on our #1 teams...he thinks Ohio State and I know #1 University of Texas......

Why not chime in on your favorite team and why you think they are so special. Does not have to be just football. Any team or sport and do not be shy about your favorite tailgate party.. I here we have the best down south.....

How about a friend of mine that brings his old beat up Suburban to all the Texas Tech games. He rigged the very back with a keg inside and a spout that comes outside. Just filler up with good ol' LONE STAR beer....just sayin..

[westexas]

By The Way,
Could We Go Ahead And Eliminate Texas A&M From This Thread???

Who Are The Aggies Anyway????????

[referee54]

Obviously, The Ohio State University Buckeyes, The Cleveland Browns, The Indians, The Cavaliers, Muskingum College (Where I did my undergrad stuff)---I played football there a rather long time ago.

TSC

[doug]

O.K., The Floridia State University, Miami Dade Community College. I fought on their Judo Teams.
Pros- N.C. Panthers, Tampa Bay Bucs, Green Bay Packers.

[westexas]

Ref/Doug,

So Which One Of You Has Had The Better Tailgate Party?....

I say Doug, because of all the mean barbequeing.......

Do they serve HASHBROWNS before or after the game at Ohio State? Just curious.....

[doug]

I would bet that at least in 03-05, I ate better.
My last three years at the the police department, I was Special Operations Commander which included Special Events. That meant that any large event, I coordinated traffic/security responsibilities.
For F.S.U. games that entail putting 75-80,000 folks in a stadium and creating a mini city for about six hours.
My command post was located in the sky box on the alumni side.....Now I don't know about you all but the folks in that rarefied air are in a different tax bracket than me. They rent a box for $150,000 per season.
Being the state Capitol, there are always politicians from local, state and federal government.
Dignitaries from visiting cities and opposing teams are also present.
Which leads to food.
The F.S.U. Hotel and Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts program provided an open buffet that was probably 40' long. There was always a different "theme" for the food. When we played Miami, it was seafood/Latin. Always large boiled shrimp/BBQ/Sausages/Bean and pasta salads/Nachos.
They loved having me and two Lt.'s up there and we were well taken care of.
Oh, and in the fourth quarter, the waiters always walked around with baskets of Hagen Daz ice cream.
Rough life wasn't it?
I'm sure if we had played a second rate team like Ohio State, we would have had freakin hash brown and milk, tofu, and some rice pudding.....just sayin.

[Skeet]

Doug, you are asking for it, just sayin'.

My team are Oklahoma unless they are playing UT, then I go with Texas. UT, OSU - Oregon State University (one of our HS kids is on the team now - Andrew Seumalo, his dad is the defensive coach), University of Oregon (since one of the kids from our school is on the team - Rob Shader), Cal Berkely, and pros are the Cowboys, of course, Packers, Bears. Used to be the 49ers when we lived in SF, Vikiings in the days of Tarkenton, Colts with Unitas, Redskins and Theisman - I love the good old days before they starting moving teams all over creation. The colts are always going to be Baltimore, Cardinals are St. Louis, Rams are LA, etc. It ought to be illegal to mess with Football like they do.

[Josephine]

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b286/flagady15/smilies/blowup.gif

[westexas]

Doug, you are asking for it, just sayin'.

My team are Oklahoma unless they are playing UT, then I go with Texas. UT, OSU - Oregon State University (one of our HS kids is on the team now - Andrew Seumalo, his dad is the defensive coach), University of Oregon (since one of the kids from our school is on the team - Rob Shader), Cal Berkely, and pros are the Cowboys, of course, Packers, Bears. Used to be the 49ers when we lived in SF, Vikiings in the days of Tarkenton, Colts with Unitas, Redskins and Theisman - I love the good old days before they starting moving teams all over creation. The colts are always going to be Baltimore, Cardinals are St. Louis, Rams are LA, etc. It ought to be illegal to mess with Football like they do.SKEET,

US BEING FROM TEXAS.....

HOUSTON OILERS....1960 -1996

Then they became the flippin Tennessee Oilers 1997-1998(where were the Oil Wells?)
Then they became the flippin Tennessee Titans 1999 to present

That is why we love those DALLAS COWBOYS....

[westexas]

Hey Doug,
Speaking Of The Houston Oilers....early 80's....Worked For A Friend Of My Dad's....Owned A Sky Box.... the time was BOOM of the 80-'s.....all I Can Remember Was The Drinks galore(non-alcoholic, of course) And Shrimp That Had To Be Bigger Than My Arm....oh My Gosh.... Booze And Shrimp....promise You, I Have Never Seen Shrimp Again As Big As That....Would The Shrimp Be Considered Quadruple Extra/Extra Jumbo Large Shrimp??? Just Asking......

[doug]

The super huge shrimp are usually called Prawns. Darn near little lobsters.

Skeet, I agree with you. I just can't remember where the teams moved to. And for me, I just like watching some football. I don't really get caught up in the frenzy of who is better or hate someone because they like another team.
Having worked so many FSU games, I guarantee I have been in dozens of fights with drunks who are simply rival football fans. No other reason. Just hate someone from FSU and start fighting.

[westexas]

I Guess We Need To Ask Ref About The Drunks....You Know The Ones That Have Their Shirts Off In Sub-zero Weather With The Team Marked On Their Chests Screaming in the Stands.......

Example....How Many Ohio State Idiots....I Mean FANS Would Tatoo Their Chests In A Blinding Snow Storm With No Shirt On?....

O-H-I-O-S-T-A-T-E I Guess That Would Be Nine Guys In A Row After Row...After Row....Go Figure.....

[bnew]

I'm sorry, but I just have to bring up KU basketball. I'm still on my high from the recent NCAA championship!! Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!!!
And I must admit, I'm sort of the drunk right now from my night out, as I am posting at 2:25. My husband thinks I'm CRAZY, but this is just what I do before I go to bed.
Bridget

[westexas]

Congrats on that one Bridget at 2am this morning...lol...

The Longhorns came out 7th overall with the AP Poll....I may have been mistaken Ref but I did not see the Buckeyes in the top 25....go figure.....

[referee54]

What poll you lookin' at? HEre is the final AP poll--
1. LSU (60) 12-2 1,620
2. Georgia (3) 11-2 1,515
3. USC (1) 11-2 1,500
4. Missouri 12-2 1,347
5. Ohio State 11-2 1,346
6. West Virginia 11-2 1,342
7. Kansas (1) 12-1 1,303
8. Oklahoma 11-3 1,139
9. Virginia Tech 11-3 1,096
10. Texas 10-3 962
10. Boston College 11-3 962
12. Tennessee 10-4 904
13. Florida 9-4 685
14. Brigham Young 11-2 654
15. Auburn 9-4 648
16. Arizona State 10-3 587
17. Cincinnati 10-3 566
18. Michigan 9-4 508
19. Hawaii 12-1 460
20. Illinois 9-4 443
21. Clemson 9-4 353
22. Texas Tech 9-4 308
23. Oregon 9-4 253
24. Wisconsin 9-4 202
25. Oregon State 9-4 110

[westexas]

BASKETBALL....DUH

And, the Polls....Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports, CNN, ESPN/USA Today...just sayin.....MR. Ref

I understand from my source that the Buckeyes lost the Championship Game two years ago and did not even make it into the NCAA tournament this year. Rumor has it that three of your top players left early to join the NBA...And rumor has it that Greg Oden who was one of the ones that moved up never got to play because he was injured all year.....just sayin....again.......

[Eeyore346]

I'm going w/ Cleveland Browns (I used to work at the Cleveland Stadium), Cleveland Indians, Lake County Captains, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Cavaliers and my favorite team....

Geauga County Metzenbaum Special Olympic Teams. Go Blue Streaks!

Sandy

[Skeet]

Bridget, you should have been on the forum during the NCAA finals. We all "watched" the game together and posted during it. My hubby is from Ransom, KS (Ness County) and we were all hoping they'd win.. except for the NC fans. It was a great game. Fun talking to each other during the game.

Doug, I do love football and I enjoy seeing good plays regardless of the team. I often have lots of great compliments for our HS opposing teams when they have a good punt, or nice run or block or something. Amazing game. Made me wish I were a boy so I could play... did powder puff in HS - of course we tackled. Now my 17 yr old plays to help me fulfill my dream. He's wonderful. About to go off to a lineman's camp at Western Oregon University to help get ready for his senior year. GO EAGLES!

[referee54]

Actually my favorite team was the one that I was on---I was the referee, there was an umpire (he's is the guy by the LB's), a linesman (he has the chaincrew behind him and is on the visitor's side of the LOS), the line judge (on the home side of the field opposite the linesman on the LOS), the side judge (15 yards down field from the linesman), the field judge (15 yards downfield from the line judge) and the back judge (15 yards in the middle of the field.)

People don't realize there are actually three teams on the field---the two opponents, and the team of officials. As a team, the officials go on the field together and leave the field together.

TSC

[1jt@atime]

GO TEAM REF!!!!!!!

Hey, I was thinking about your big bike trip you've got scheduled and wanted to bring something up that you may or may not have thought of..... Last year, a good friend, and also an avid bicyclist came here to DC to ride the C&O with my husband. They were doing DC to Cumberland MD (185 miles) Sam did a lot of practice riding and was in really good shape but there were a couple of things he was not prepared for and was only able to complete half the trip. First, he prepped by road biking and this is trail riding. Much much harder and also the bumpiness of the trail on his backside (to be kind) just about killed him the first day. Are you doing some trail riding now in prep and do you have a really really good seat and shorts with lots and lots of padding? Just something to think about........ Karen

[referee54]

We have the Ohio Canal Towpath, which is a Federal Park---all crushed limestone and bumpy. I have four pairs of excellent cycling shorts---all with great padding, but for the sake of humanity, I wear gym shorts over them. I also wear cycling shoes that clip right to my pedals---SPD clips with Shamano MT-41 shoes---very efficient. My saddle also has great padding and a shock absorber post, as well as my front fork.

Here is what I looked like this AM on my Sunday morning after-church ride...
http://usera.imagecave.com/referee54/BikePics005_edited-copy-copy.jpghttp://usera.imagecave.com/referee54/BikePics001_edited-copy.jpg

[1jt@atime]

Good! I didn't want you to plan this trip and then have something like this go wrong....My husband had to get a new bike seat this weekend. He went to the shop and they have a special machine that measures...well....you can imagine what it has to measure, to get the right seat for the right....well....you know.... I wish I had gone with him to see exactly how that worked.

What are your dates?

[westexas]

Now Ref....I Am Quite Impressed with Pics...Just Wondering Though About My AP Polls???.....Just Sayin.....lol.....

[JenniferG]

Enjoyed the pix ref. Thanks for sharing them.

[doug]

Measuring?? Down there for a bike seat? I think NOT! Especially if the dude is well ...no ...don't do it fingers.....g rated...gotta go...measure my..no..no...no.
Drive a freaking car!!

[1jt@atime]

Doug, I don't think there were any fingers or other human touch used to measure my husband's, ah, groin, to measure for a bike seat......all mechanical!! :D

[doug]

Why do I have visions of "Edward Scissorhands"?

[Nursepair]

Doug, glad to see you are still here. When is your mum's TKR? Soon I think? Please wish her all the best from me. I am sure you will be able to look after her really well as you will know exactly what she is going through. (((((((HUGS))))))) Sue

[doug]

Hey Sue, good to hear from you. I go down to Palm Bay tomorrow. Her surgery is scheduled for 1:30 on Wednesday. I'll give her your best wishes.

[sewell44@bellsouth.net]

Doug,
I missed the beginnings of all this, my whole family is in Port St Lucie about 45 minutes north of west palm beach.
Where are you?
Judy

[doug]

I'm in Tallahassee

[sewell44@bellsouth.net]

Doug,
I remember that now!!!
Must be the drugs.
Thought if you were closer to my strange family it would give me a diversion next time I visit.
They don't like me when I live in California so the visit is always fun.
My older brother won't even talk to me!!!!
Didn't get a good luck on your surgery call from my parents, they forgot, and told me they forgot!!!!!
Judy

[referee54]

All I know is that nobody touched me a clame close to measuring anything...it is really simple, though; your leg should be ever-so-slightly bent at the bottom of your pedal stroke---not fully extended. Too many people pedal their bikes with too short a stroke and damage their knees---not that we can do that anymore---our knees are bionic!

Tim C.

[Nursepair]

Doug, have a safe trip and enjoy being able to look after your mum. Hope all goes well for her on Wednesday.Let us know how she is doing. How long will you be there? Sue

[doug]

I am hoping that I'll be there one week but my wife is telling me to stay for three. She keeps reminding me of how I needed her around......now how do you argue that one???

I'll try and sign on at my sisters to give an update..
Computer is dirty word at my parents.

[Rowdy66]

Doug, Tell Your Mom She Is In Our Prayers. I Know You Will Take Good Care Of Her And Enjoy Doing It. You Know Better Than Anyone What She Is Going Through And What It Will Take To Get Her Back To 100%. Rowdy

[westexas]

Doug,
We'll be thinking about you and your mom today. Hang in there....Patty

[westexas]

HEY REF,,,,,

SINCE I POSTED THE AP POLLS, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM YOU....

THIS IS ONLY FOR YOUR INFORMATION....JUST NICELY SAYIN.....

AS OF 6-24-08.....CLEVELAND INDIANS HAVE WON 35 AND LOST 42
GAMES.....TEXAS RANGERS HAVE WON 39 AND LOST 39 GAMES...

Just thought you might be interested.........

[westexas]

hey Ref,,,,,

Since I Posted The Ap Polls, Have Not Heard Back From You....

This Is Only For Your Information....just Nicely Sayin.....

as Of 6-24-08.....cleveland Indians Have Won 35 And Lost 42
Games.....texas Rangers Have Won 39 And Lost 39 Games...

Just Thought You Might Be Interested.........

6-25-08,,,,,Cleveland....35....43....Texas.....40.....4 0....

[referee54]

Hey---I was just visiting MLB.com...did you know that I could see that the Cleveland Indians have been in a few World Series? The Texas Rangers, on the other hand, are one of four teams to have NEVER BEEN A IN A WORLD SERIES...

TSC

[westexas]

Hey---I was just visiting MLB.com...did you know that I could see that the Cleveland Indians have been in a few World Series? The Texas Rangers, on the other hand, are one of four teams to have NEVER BEEN A IN A WORLD SERIES...

TSC
I know....well maybe I didn't know....but thought I would just keep tabs on our two favorite teams anyway....WORLD SERIES....could be an interesting season....There is always a FIRST for everything....

[westexas]

Cleveland....37.....43......
Great game last night...by the way....6-0

Texas....41......40
8-7 Pulled it out.....

Any other baseball fans keeping up with your team?

[westexas]

Cleveland....37.....43......
Great game last night...by the way....6-0

Texas....41......40
8-7 Pulled it out.....

Any other baseball fans keeping up with your team?

6-29-08.......

Cleveland.........37.....45

Texas..............42.....41

[westexas]

FOR YOU SPORTS FANS

Had the Larry Johnson Celebrity Golf Classic here in Odessa to support Odessa College this past Monday. Larry started his career at Odessa College and then went on to play for the Univ Nevada at Las Vegas and finished his career playing for the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks. My son Will was in their fivesome group and they ended up winning by 1 stroke. Larry was elated and at 6'7" he kept high-fiving everyone in the group. And you have to realize, no one but Larry was over 6'2"(my son) in the group. Looked like Larry and his midget team....lol....
We also had our own homegrown Roy Williams who now plays for the Detroit Lions. And, retired Bobby Knights son Pat, who took over the Texas Tech basketball team.
Lets put it this way, Larry wants the same team next year. He just kept saying, "I won my own tournament." And yes, they were served big huge Texas sized steaks afterwards....Patty

[westexas]

6-29-08.......

Cleveland.........37.....45

Texas..............42.....41

Ooops......

Cleveland Indians.........37...........48...........
Texas Rangers.............44...........42...........

Just keepin up with my RIVAL...........NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT IS THERE????????????

[westexas]

Well Skeet,
I am bringing this one back especially for you. I think Ref got tired of me posting the Indians and Ranger baseball...lol...

Anyway, I hope everyone will keep us posted on their kids / grandkids sports. Does not have to be just Football. Lots going on out there.

Our HighSchool Permian High is ranked #1 in district...8th in region...and 20th in State...We played Duncanville v Permian(televised by ABC) on Thursday. Beat them 28-21 so hoping to bring down our 20th spot. My daughter is on the Panther Paw Dance Team so we will be going to a lot of the games.

My oldest started a TailGate party at 8:30am today..in Lubbock..Tech plays Eastern Washington at 6pm tonite. I told him he had better pace himself for the long day. They already had an army of food and tons of ribs cooking.

So, whats going on in your sports world, even as we speak...

[Skeet]

We played Rainier last night. 14-7, they won. It was close down to the very end when they got the ball on about the 42 and made a nice sweep to the left where we are weakest and scored a TD. Hard to lose, but it was the first game with a new coach and staff and not a league game. Next week starts the real season. Haven't seen 'real' rankings but some polls put us anywhere from #2 to #5 in the state for 3A (we have a 6A system in Oregon).

My son is offensive tackle - right or left; nose guard or defensive tackle; o line for PATs and FGs. He did pretty well last night. Didn't see as much time as usual due to coach working on finalizing assignments and rotating in folks that will be 2 and 3 in depth.

I love football something fierce (I am a Texan) and this is his senior year so I'm relishing every minute. He got his senior pictures taken today, so when I get some proofs, I'll post them. He's 6'2" and 255 - pretty solid muscle.

[westexas]

Skeet,
I guess we will be posting on our own...Cannot believe no parents or grandparents to brag on any sport.......Anyway, daughter practicing tonite for the Peprally tomorrow.. I really want to see Permian make it to State this year and I forgot, we are 5-A...for Texas....Patty

[westexas]

Ref....Sure do miss you....just sayin..... By the way, you tell me how the Indians and Rangers are doing......

[Linda2]

The sons are grown and the grandchildren are 2 and 4 months respectively. Not much to contribute.

[doug]

O.K. Patti,
I'll brag....My son is taking a pre-test this Saturday for his third degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. Our style is a particularly hard style of Kenpo in that it encompasses Shaolin Kung Fu, Shotokan Karate, Filipino stick and knife fighting. If he passes the pre test , he then goes before a Grand Master who flies down from Boston for the final test in one week.
Add to that, I just shelled out over $200 for Lacrosse equipment. He is all hot on that now. It is a varsity sport now in our area high schools and if he stays in it, he could graduate as a four letter player.
Me.....I'm tired from just driving his active butt around.

[westexas]

Doug,
Post a website for that...Just interested...Only thing we have here is Tae Kwon-Do. My soon to be x-sister in law was really in to that for a long time and she was good. I don't know what degree she was on with the black belt but just up and quit one day and went to palates....go figure.....

[doug]

This is the "parent" school of our system. http://www.masterscenters.com/Home.html
They are very strict with the promotions. For the senior rank testing, One of the two Masters flys from Boston to conduct the test.
I also studied Tae Kwon Do....Many people get frustrated with it because as taught in the U.S. it is largely a sport and not the fighting art it is in Korea. They do point sparing which hasn't got a practical application against a street fighter.
In Kenpo, we do full contact sparing. It dosn't stop until the clock runs out, or someone submitts.

[westexas]

Neat Website....One great thing about Martial Arts is the discipline and respect they teach these kids....Post tomorrow and let us know how he does. Being a novice, how many black belts are there that he has to go through?

[doug]

There are 10 degrees of Black Belt. Very very few ever get past 5th or 6th. Usually that means, in a credible art, that they have studied for 20-30 years.
If Scotty passes his test, he won't be allowed to test again for four years. They don't want 20 year old kids running around proclaiming themselves masters without the maturity that comes from senior rank. Which is the problem I've seen with many schools that have a two year "black belt" contract. Essentially, if you pay the money, in two years you'll have a black belt. No one should me a black belt at two years of study.
In Judo, it took over five years and you didn't dare ask about a promotion. You were told to test.

[westexas]

Well our good ol' Friday Night Lights team Permian High won their first district game against San Angelo Central 46-14. The AP highschool poll ranked us 7th for Class 5-A.
What is amazing is the money that is put into these programs. It is pretty hard to beat some of the these schools around the Dallas-Ft.Worth area. They have these fantastic indoor facilities AND lots of money flowing through the district.$$$ We too have one now but it took lots of fundraising to do it. So, rain, sleet, snow you can be inside for all the practices. A definite advantage....

As for Texas Tech and Univ. Texas we will have to see. Tech is ranked higher than Texas this year...I think they both play tonite. Tech at Nevada and Texas at ElPaso UTEP...And glad Tech is away...My son is beginning to turn into Tailgate King....

[westexas]

Now Doug, I go in to check on Clay....Pretty bad...when he is hooked on the South Florida v Central Florida game...just sayin......Geeeeeeezzzzzz

[doug]

Well, ole FSU came through tonight. Even with a new quarterback and 11 starters suspended for acedemic cheating. I mean really....They didn't come to college to study. What a stupid thought.

[Skeet]

Have to say Texas looked really good. Oklahoma did, too. Love both those teams. Dad went through OK on a FB scholarship; all my relatives go to UT. We follow Oregon State which had a really bad day at Penn State. Speaking of which, Paterno sure looks great for 82 years old. Amazing guy.

Our team won this Friday against a 2A team (we are 3A). Good game but nothing noteworthy. Our starting QB quit due to differences with the new coaching staff (I don't care much for their style or lack of knowledge - I could probably do better). Cody has had sporadic play - one week starting then one week only 4-6 plays. Coach does that with lots of the seniors and they are fuming. That's why the QB quit. Now we have a sophomore QB with potential but no real experience and with a huge head and ego. The rest of the team isn't seeing him as a leader... lots of issues.

My son was fed up after the game, but we told him to hang in there and be the bigger man. The coach has no previous experience except with 5-6th graders; defensive coach never played FB, just rugby; helpers are all their good friends - not the best qualifications; offensive coach is the only one with a clue! Coach was well known by the board (good friends with many) and that had a lot to do with hiriing.

Good news, Doug, is that we win the Oregon Cup for school highest grade point average on our sports team every year since it started (may have missed one year) so we do focus on academics.

[Skeet]

Cowboys looked good today, too :)

[doug]

Tell Cody to hang in there. I know he's put so much effort in preparing for this season. To bad its mess up like this. Hate it when politics get in sports.
The fact that that he's had the pads on are important but that academic achievement will get him further.

[beachcomber]

I'm sorry too Skeet. I know how much you and Cody have been looking forward to this season. I hope he hangs in there and provides leadership for the others. He will grow a lot and become stronger as a result. (But DRAT those decision makers..... what WERE they thinking?)

When do you play Dayton? Sometime in September? Hope we can get together somehow....

[Skeet]

We play Dayton this Friday, 9-12, at Dayton. 7 pm start time. Call my cell if you decide to come and I'll find you! Let me know if you don't still have my cell number.

[Skeet]

Thanks for the kind words. Cody is so sick of the politics. Lots of the boys are. Many want to quit, but parents are working to keep them involved. Good life lesson. Learning to overcome is also important. This coach is so fickle, who know what could happen next week? Not bragging, but Cody didn't make one mistake in either game and others are missing blocks, etc. So, I hope things start to get straightened out. We'd sure appreciate any prayers you all are willing to send up. God's will be done.

[westexas]

Skeet,
Been busy this weekend so I just got back on. I know the coach feeling. My son has a $9000 scholarship to finish his senior year in Golf. He has great academics (3.8) but the coach is another story. Young, inexperienced and has caused my son to have a horrible attitude. We told him also to be the better man and play his butt off this last year. In Golf it is the attitude. Being married to a Golf Pro and having one play in college can get moms crazy around here. I'll keep you posted on that one. And, Cody needs to hang tough.....Patty

[Skeet]

He is hanging in there. I'm proud of the maturity he is showing. Now to top things off, my daughter has a fever of 102 and feels really bad. Hope the rest of us stay well, esp. Cody. Once one member of the team falls, they all go. Our best RB broke his hand in the last game and is out for 2 weeks... that won't help much.

I keep telling myself, it's only a game, it's only a game, a darned important game, but it's only a game....

[jessie]

I know it's not the same type of tailgating, but I have to tell you that I'm a Pat's fan. Oh, the misery, oh the pain...Tom Brady is out for the season. We have Cassel. Can't say much more, but we have him. Barely beat the Chiefs, if you remember they din't do so good las' year. Skeet, I do hope your team comes through the sickness intact. Wahaaaaaaaa!!!!!

[Skeet]

Took my daughter to the doctor, quick strep was negative but they are doing a 48 hour culture, think if that is negative that she has mono...

[beachcomber]

Skeet--- we'll hope for the best! Tell Mandy to get well soon! And I hope everyone else stays healthy!

[westexas]

Well it has rained and rained and rained around here and it rained so bad in Lubbock that they cancelled schools today because of the flooding. Wild to say the least. But our team is headed that direction to play tonight...highschool and then Tech has a game tomorrow. We ended up getting the tropical storm that blew through Cabo San Lucas...Anyway, have one son on the way to Lubbock...Cannot miss a tailgate party with his older brother tomorrow.

[doug]

Just got back from Scotty's latest Kenpo test. I'm now the proud dad of a third degree black belt in Kenpo Karate. I'll post a picture when I can.

[1jt@atime]

Congratulations to Scotty!

[beachcomber]

Congratulations to all three of you! His effort and accomplishments are terrific--- but it takes a couple of pretty terrific parents to raise such a fine young man! Way to go!

[westexas]

Doug,
I ditto that....Way to go....Scotty....
My second left about three hours ago for Lubbock....the big Texas Tech tailgate party tomorrow...could care less who wins....its how you play the game in the parking lot....UGH......

[Skeet]

Cody got lots of play time last night; didn't miss a block and made a few nice holes for the RB. We won 21-0 against our old nemesis, Dayton. No league games yet, that starts this Friday... Good night over all.

[westexas]

Way to go Cody....
Permian had a shut out against Lubbock Coronado 42-0. We have 10 teams in our district so every game counts towards district. Kind of nerve racking to say the least....

[Skeet]

Way to go, Scotty! That took a lot of work and discipline. Good parenting plays a major role in all this, too. High fives all around!

[doug]

Hey Skeet, post a pic of Cody in his football uniform...need to stick it on my fridge door.

[beachcomber]

Skeet,
The first thing I did with the newspaper this morning was check the football score to see how your guys did. Congratulations to Cody and the team! Glad he had a good game and that they won.
I checked your score even before I checked for our high school's score... but don't let that word out!

[Skeet]

Don't have one from this year. I'll have to post last year's version.

[doug]

Skeet, Beach, what is the name of your local newspaper? Are they online?

[beachcomber]

Our paper here in McMinnville is the News-Register and yes, it is on-line. It covered Cody's game only because the opponent was local (Dayton). Usually it would not have had Santiam-Christian's results since they are not a local team. Skeet, which paper does cover your games? Salem? Albany?

[1jt@atime]

Doug, I know you didn't ask for my local newspaper name but thought you might find it "interesting." It is Fauquier Democrat. Pronounced as Fa qeer.....Everyone jokes about this.

[doug]

And ours is "Tallahassee Democrat".

Can't believe the state I was born in has a Fa qeer newspaper.

[1jt@atime]

I live in Fauquier County so there's a lot of Fa qeering going on around here :D

Where were you born?

[doug]

Portsmouth...My dad was in the Navy and stationed there. We moved when I was 6 and I've never been back. Then we moved to Key West for 5 years. A tropical paradise back then.

[Skeet]

We have a couple of papers - Corvallis Gazette Times (gtconnect.com) or the Albany Democrat Herald. Neither give us much press even when we win big... we are 3A and they both have 4A schools - some that are quite good. But you can check them out. YOu might check out the 3A football forum at http://www.oregonlive.com/forums/football3a/ where you can find out a lot more about Santiam Christian than elsewhere. My name on the forum is TexasGal.

[Skeet]

I finally "got" the pronunciation of Fauquier.... :) Had to say it out loud a few times first.

[jessie]

I used to live in NH. We had a congressman named Dick Sweat. 'Nuf said.

[westexas]

i Finally "got" The Pronunciation Of Fauquier.... :) Had To Say It Out Loud A Few Times First.

did You Say Focker????

[Skeet]

Kind of........

[doug]

Bad BAD girl....

[Skeet]

Bad to the bone... that's me :)

[doug]

I was going to make a Gatiger type of statemtent as to the need for a spanking but I figured it would probably start a whole new thread.

[1jt@atime]

Finally someone got it!!!!! My daughter gets to say she graduated from Fauquier High School! The jokes just go on and on here. It is a nice place to live though......

[westexas]

Well I think that is FOCKING great....

[westexas]

Well Skeet,
One another game this weekend. Played Amarillo...47-10..4-0 so far...We are still ranked 14th. Thought it would be lower. The top teams are mostly around the Dallas area.
We have a BYE this week and then on to our biggest rival...our hometown team Odessa High School ( home to Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin brothers and sisters...HA) Does not matter if they have a record of 0-8...they still give us HELL...and so far this year they have not lost a game either....so we better be ready for anything....
So all around good....Permian, UNIV of Texas, Texas Tech and Dallas Cowboys...and how was your week sports fans.......

[doug]

LOL, when I first read it I thought you said you played Armadillo. I thought what a sick name for a school.
FSU got taken to the wood shed this weekend. Bad quarterback problems 5 interceptions and over 120 yds in penalties.

[beachcomber]

The Oregon Ducks lost to unranked Boise State 37-34. So much for their #17 ranking..... worse still-- they lost 2 more quarterbacks to injuries(lost 2 others in earlier games). They finished the game with their #5 freshman quarterback--- who is no longer red-shirting! He led them to 3 touchdowns and a comeback--- but fell just short....

And our high school team got skunked 35-0. Ouch!

[doug]

I'm really enjoying these high school games now. I enjoy watching the kids interacting as much as the game....except that now the hot dog antics of the pros, i.e., the strutting and showing off on the field has crept into the high schools.
I have to drive my son to Jacksonville Fl.(170 miles) the next two Saturday's. He has Lacrosse scrimmage in the a.m. Which means I have to leave the house at 4:30 a.m. to get him there for warm ups.
But what the heck. If it keeps him out of trouble, I'll drive where necessary.

[Skeet]

Our HS team won 26-0 in one of the strangest games ever. Bizarre calls - even one do-over - and tons of penalties and turnovers - sometimes given to the wrong team, but thats life. Cody got some good play time. Played some defense and got his bell rung once. Made me laugh a bit.

We play on Saturday night this week because the football stadium at our opponent's (Jefferson) is condemned. Bleachers are unsafe or something, so we have to play at another school and it wasn't available on Friday. Hope that doesn't throw off our game.

One of our starters has knee surgery Thursday and will be out for the remainder of the season... he's trying to get healed before basketball season starts. Oh, the pressure of seniors looking for athletic scholarships.

[doug]

Sounds like Cody is having a pretty good season after all . Also sounds like mom is having a good one too.
I remember guys who had their "bell rung" going into the locker room and just sitting in front of their lockers. Couldn't recall the combinations. Coaches had to get the clipboard with the combinations and open their locker for them.
One linebacker walked by the locker room, headed to the parking lot to drive home. In full gear. Trouble was, he didn't have a car!!
We all laughed our butts off.

[westexas]

SKEET,
Whipped Arkansas's Butt.....GO UT......\
Doug, Florida....OUCH.....

[doug]

Florida State got its act together and beat Colorado.
Florida....good..They are always our last game and you see the most disgusting fan behavior you can imagine.

[westexas]

That fan sentiment starts in HighSchool. All you can hear is, "Hey Ref, stupid call" or "Ref, your an idiot." Then it moves into college where they are half dressed with crap painted on their chests and screaming much more than should be allowed. Try the Texas / Okla U. game or even worse...Texas / Texas A&M game...They really get obnoxious...

[westexas]

Have to brag on our Class 5A Permian Panthers....We beat our cross-town rivals Odessa High 54-20. We are now ranked 7th in the state....Just hope we can get the Friday Night Lights Mojo going....but there are still those tough teams around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

My brother and his daughter flew to the Longhorn Game against Colorado...Game time 6pm...GO LONGHORNS......

[Skeet]

Next week the Sooners and Longhorns play... I hate this game cuz I never know for whom to cheer! I'm a Sooner at heart, but I love Texas, too.

[westexas]

Well Skeet,
The Longhorns are doing so so well.....I just hope they keep the streak going just like our highschool team.....
How did your son do this last week??
By the way, George W. and Laura were here yesterday....touring George W.'s parents old home in Odessa and Midland...Wish I could have been there....

[Skeet]

We are still 3-0 in league play. We won Friday against a good team. 26 to 3 I think. Heres a hoot - my daughter and I sang the national anthem for the game! Last minute thing. It was fun.

Cody's having a good year. Did miss one block (went outside when he should first have gone inside) and it resulted in a QB sack.... but aside from that he had a great game.

The other exciting news is that he is one of the three guys nominated for homecoming king. The other two guys are great guys, too, so they would all be good choices. It would be cool for Cody, though. We'll see. He's honored to be on the court.

And if that isn't enough interesting news, my 21 yr. old daughter has her first boyfriend! He's a really nice guy even though he is not a football fan.... but he treats her well and she's happy.

Oh, and I have a stinking cold....

[doug]

Skeet,
Didn't you recently have a birthday?...I though I recalled that you and I were only a couple of months apart.

Sounds like Cody is having a great year. That QB will never let him forget the missed block..I know that from personal experience. When I missed mine, the QB got a broken nose. The few times we've crossed paths in the last 35+ years, he reminds me of it.

Scotty is doing extremely well in his new sport, Lacrosse. I'm still trying to figure out the game. It looks like someone gets the ball and you just beat the crap out of them with the stick until they drop it. If you get it, they then beat you. They've won all four of their pre-season scrimmages against well established private schools.

The girlfriend stuff has been put on hold for now. He doesn't have time for girls. High school homework, weight workouts, Kenpo, and Lacrosse have him so busy and tired, I don't have make him go to bed. Mom is happy with this.

[Skeet]

Doug, my bday is 11-1. So it is coming up soon. Thanks for thinking of me, though :)

THis QB is just a sophomore so he isn't up to giving a huge senior much trouble, yet.

Glad Scotty is occupied with something other than girls. Good job, Dad. And your description of Lacross had me laughing until I cried.

[beachcomber]

Hey--- we are fellow Scorpios Skeet! My bday is November 6th. I was born on election day in 1956 and my parents planned to name me after the new president or first lady..... Thank goodness they changed their minds--- or I could have been Mamie!

Doug-- when is your bday?

[Skeet]

Beach, we just find more and more in common all the time!! I have to get through Jesse's 16th Bday on 10-15, Jan's 50th on 10-24, Cody's 18th on 10-29, and then I can chill for mine. In fact, I have oral surgery to do a graft on my lower gunline on 10-29, so I am taking the rest of the week off to relax before my big day. My gift to myself.

[beachcomber]

Ouch! The oral surgery is something I sure DON'T want to have in common with you! Which b-day? Mine will be my 52nd.... I think....lol.... too many candles. I am afraid of burning the house down!

I got a new cell phone recently. I am still figuring out how to use it. It rang during class the other day and I realized I didn't know how to shut it up without answering it.... my students told me to push the button on the side without even looking at it! I am so far behind! It is a picture phone but I don't know how to use that either or how to send photos to others.... what's the fun of having it if you can't share?

How are your kitties doing? Our new one is settling in well. Shayna doesn't hiss at her anymore. In fact they do a cute little kitty "nose rub" from time to time. Maybe it is kind of like an "eskimo kiss"? Bo is pretty timid and scared still, but is getting better slowly and starting to show an interest in going outside. She watches Shayna using the kitty door and we hope she figures it out soon. I hate having litter boxes in my house. Ugh.

Congrats to Cody and the team on their good season. Do they play Thursday or Friday this week? We have a Thursday game due to the statewide teacher inservice on Friday. I always look for your results in the Saturday paper.

[Skeet]

This will be my 56th birthday. I think Doug and I are the same age??

The kitties are great. They kind of rule the house. Cat doors into the bathroom and the laundry room to protect their food, water, and litter boxes from the dogs. Now the older cat has decided we don't have to open the doors for him anymore and he uses the doors, too. But he has taken a liking to the kitty food and I am constantly having to refill their dish. He doesn't touch his own food. I think they get along fine now. A hiss now and then when the kitties decide to attack him for no reason, but they sleep together and get along fine with other and the dogs. Our labs love them to pieces - lick, lick, lick. Yuck.

We play tonight at Toledo... then I have my 6 am exercise class in the morning. I'll be dragging for sure. Weird playing tonight. Throws off my whole schedule! This will be a touch and important game so pray we play our very best. We need to beat them. That will keep us tied for first place in league until 10-31 when we play Regis, the other 1st place team right now. This week were were ranked #6 in state, up one from last week. Toledo is #11. But these are coaches polls and in many ways they are totally useless.

If I can sneak in and get a picture without waking the cats, I will post a picture of them shortly.

[Skeet]

OK, posted a kitty picture.

Doug, I'll see if I can get a picture of Cody in uniform tonight for you.

Love you all!!

[doug]

Skeet, Beach, I turned 56 on Sept. 28...Figures, Libra, a frigging pair of scales!
I'll see if I can get Scotty to stand still long enough and get a shot of him in the Lacrosse stuff..
Skeet, Soooo after your oral surgery, while you're on dope, make sure and sign on the forum..That way the newer folks get to see you stoned like I did back in Jan/Feb.

[westexas]

How bout them LONGHORNS.....So sorry #1 ranked SOONERS.....Texas 45 - OU 35....

Had to mention MOJO Permian High School....won last night....Class 5A beat Midland Lee....35-17...... Sure am feeling GOOD today....Gonna have to wait on the COWBOYS.....

[beachcomber]

Skeet--- How did SC do on Thursday night? It wasn't listed in our paper today.....

[westexas]

Skeet--- How did SC do on Thursday night? It wasn't listed in our paper today.....

Beach,
Are you talking about South Carolina and Kentucky???? SC 24 Kentucky 17.....??

[beachcomber]

Oh.. sorry. No I meant Santiam Christian--- Cody's high school. Skeet lives close enough to me that our local newspaper usually includes their game in the listings but not this week....

But thanks anyway!

And my Oregon Ducks are leading UCLA right now.... the Oregon State Beavers clobbered Washington State too. We sure saw a lot of cars flying UO and OSU fans driving down the freeway on their way to the two stadiums today! Easy to see that our teams were both playing at home today!

[westexas]

Beach,
Looks like 7 -0 for Oregon Univ....hope they pull it out....Hubby just told me that Texas will possibly move into 2nd or 3rd with OU moving to 7th or so.....I have to stay COOL about this....you know us TEXANS.....still lots of games to be played.....

[beachcomber]

The Oregon State Beavers won their game today. The University of Oregon Ducks are up 7-0 at halftime over UCLA. They started out ranked in the top 20 this year, but lost their top 3 quarterbacks to injuries and have been struggling with the 4th and 5th stringers since the second game.... hard to win at that level playing true freshmen at quarterback!

I am switching back and forth between the baseball playoff game and UO game.

Texas should definitely move up this week since #1,2 & 3 all lost and Texas won and beat #1 to boot, huh? Way to go!

[westexas]

Beach,
Headed to bed but please post after the game....I do hope Oregon Ducks win....If only Skeet were on...I just love it when everyone gets excited about football no matter what....
And yes, I hope my brother and nephew behaved in DOWNTOWN DALLAS this evening.....Until tomorrow.....Patty

[Skeet]

SC beat Toledo 20-0 on Thursday night. Lots of personal fouls and bad calls by the refs on both sides. Don't know why do much emotion, but one of our players was punched in the chest and then kicked in... well, where it hurts most. He was out of the game from then on and missed school yesterday. He kind of had something coming based on his attitude - he is way too aggressive. But still... not injury. Two of the players were limping around on Friday. Glad it wasn't Cody. He didn't play much as his knee tendons/ligaments needed resting for some reason - I never heard the whole story. Cody went in the for injured player and gave the guy that hurt him an earful... might have threatened him, but no one overheard it :)

Next two games are fairly easy then we play Regis - the team that is tied for 1st place in the league with us.... last game of the season before playoffs. We will definitely be in the playoffs, but not sure how far we will go.

And dang those Sooners.... I was so bummed.... but if they have to be beaten, Texas is the team I'd pick. They are my two favs. Hook 'em Horns!

I still have Boomer Sooner as my ringtone... just sayin' - it ain't over until it's over.

[Skeet]

OSU owned Washington State 66-13. Great game. Kind of feel sorry for Washington State - they have given up 66-3, 63-13 (or someting like that) for the past two games and now 66-13....

[Skeet]

Doug.... FSU???

[westexas]

Skeet,
As we say in Texas, SOOOOOEEEEYYY PIGS......just sayin....lol....

[westexas]

Just heard the news...THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS RANKED #1....HOOK EM HORNS.....

[doug]

FSU was off this weekend. Good time for healing from whooping Miami.

[Skeet]

I am so proud of our Longhorns! I thought beating OU would get them a #1 rank. Now to stay there...

Doug, that explains why I didn't see a score. I figured you'd have the score ... Glad they have time to recoup. Who is next on their schedule?

[westexas]

ASHAMED at those COWBOYS....sickening....

But, they did draft our Odessa boy Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions...We will have to see how this plays out....

As for the Longhorns....HOOK EM HORNS

[Skeet]

Update on Santiam Christian... last night Cody got a wild chance to play fullback and he ran the ball three times for an average carry of 12 yards, then scored a running touchdown! What a hoot. Never thought I'd see my 6'2" 255 lb son running the ball and certainly not repeatedly then scoring! It was my husband's 50th bday and he could not have had a better gift.

Next week we play the other team we're tied with for the league championship. It will be a fight to the finish!

[doug]

OUTSTANDING FOR CODY!!!
I bet they other team hated trying to bring him down.

[beachcomber]

Congrats to Cody! I always check for SC when I get the local paper and saw the blow-out score. What great fun!
Who are they tied with?
I was in Halsey again today for yet an another auction and always think of you when we drive thru Shedd. Hope you enjoyed the beautiful fall day!

[westexas]

Way to go Cody....I know you were in the stands Skeet trying to contain yourself. It is always so exciting to see our kids in action.

Have to say, next weekend will be a WILD one in Lubbock....TEXAS TECH is ranking high on their tailgating and then throw the LONGHORNS there way and you get complete CRAZINESS. It will be wilder than the OU-TEXAS game...Both my older sons will be there. They could not get tickets so they will be watching from the parking lot like a thousand other people. Of course they will be rooting for TEXAS among all their TECH crazed friends....Should be fun....Brings back those college memories......

[Skeet]

Carolyn, SC is tied with Regis.... and they are a mean a$$ team. They push legal hits to the limit and beyond. They have one kid - Gower - that can make or break the game... praying we play our best. That's all we can do.

Patty, both Oklahoma and Texas have tough schedules, Texas especially, and it's getting exciting as we get down to the last portion of the season. I just hope the great games are on DISH so I can watch them.

Cody is still walking on air. After last week's game the rest of the season is just icing for him! It was so cool. Thanks for sharing in my joy.

[Skeet]

Doug, it took 3-4 guys each time to bring him down. Fun to watch.

[doug]

Oh I imagine it did. The problem with hitting a back that big is that if you go high, he'll drag you. If you go to the legs you can plan on getting your bell rung good.
I would like to have a video of you in the stands.
Took my crazy son to the stadium so he could run stairs and then do sprints. He's working hard to impress the coach.
Then I had to go out on the field and play catch with the Lacrosse sticks. Do you know hard it is for a 56 yr. old to catch a hard rubber ball, with a three foot stick?? Especially when you can see it coming fast and your glasses shift to bi focal?? I got hit in the chest, then on the shin.
I would have laid down and cried but the cheerleaders were practicing. Instead, I told my son to go run some more and I limped to the truck feeling very old.

[Skeet]

And I would like to have a video of that, Doug! I was whistling and whooping like crazy as were the other moms. We all support each other and every boy is like our own. It was so fun!

[beachcomber]

Skeet,
I loved that part of sports when Kris was playing. I called it "rent a dad" since his father chose not to be a part of his life. I had a great time in the stands with all the other parents. Lots of great memories.

I had sad news about one of the other moms this week. Her son, Michael, was Kris' best friend throughout their school years. Michael was killed in Iraq 1 1/2 years ago and I heard this week that she had committed suicide. Michael was their only child and I guess she just couldn't make it through the grief.

Tonight we should all say a prayer of thanksgiving for those supportive parent groups in the stands and one of peace for Deborah and Michael as well as for George, the husband and father they have left behind. They are a multi-generational military family but this war has taken the most precious toll of all.

Godspeed.

[Skeet]

Yes, I will lift George and his family up in prayer tonight. I cannot imagine burying a child. I pray I never have to experience it. God bless and give strength to those dealing with that loss. And to lose your spouse, too, is almost too much to bear. I pray strength and peace for George.

[westexas]

Beach,
I too will say a prayer for son and his mother. And, we all know that feeling sitting in the stands when our kids are playing sports. That is one memory our kids will always have knowing mom, dad, brothers, sisters, friends grandparents or whomever are watching over them. I remember my dad watching my brother play football. Oh my gosh, he was so proud. Just wish he were here to see the grandkids.

On a different note.....my son has called ten times about this coming weekend with Texas Tech and Texas at Lubbock....My other son will leave here Friday to join his brother for all the tailgating/halloween festivities and my daughter will leave early Friday afternoon to head to Amarillo for our HighSchool football game. On the bus, that is about a 5 hour drive. Lubbock is about 2 hours. Just pray for them on the road with all the other thousands of fans...Things parents worry about all the time, especially me.....

[westexas]

Well, I will say one thing, the UT-Tech game was tear jerker till the end and yes, us UT fans are in mourning.....enough said.....

[Skeet]

We leave today for Medford, OR, for our first round of state playoffs. So, it will either be the last time I see my baby play football or it puts us one step closer to state. I'm going to enjoy it regardless. We'll be spending the night there and coming home tomorrow. Wish us well and GO EAGLES!! Especially #74!!

[Skeet]

It was hard to watch UT go down, but I had just watched the Sooners pound on Nebraska so it wasn't as painful for me. Texas is my screensaver... so I am reminded of it all day long!

[Skeet]

Well, an era has ended....Cody played his last football game. The entire team was in tears, many sobbing, and most of the parents (me included) joined in. We lost our first round playoff game... which isn't such a big deal except for those of us with seniors, it is all over. I can't quite "get" or accept that I won't ever see my son suited up for a game again. After 8 long years of never missing a game, a block, a sack, a tackle, a fumble recovery, a run, or even his one touchdown, it is all over. I'm washing football gear for the last time... and crying about it.

Well, just needed to share with you all, knowing you would understand and be supportive. There are new things to look forward to, but it will take me a few days now and then it will all sink in next year when football starts up....

[Skeet]

BTW, Cody played one heck of a game... I am so proud of him!

[beachcomber]

I've been thinking of you, girlfriend! First thing I did yesterday morning when the paper came was look for SC's game and was so sorry to see they lost. I remember those feelings when Kris was done with sports, too. Just remember the treasured times and hold them in your heart along with the gap-tooth smiles from 2nd grade and the first wobbly ride on a two-wheeler bike.

Sending you hugs from Mac! (That's what we "locals" call our town!)

Congratulations to Cody and to your great, supportive family. You are all blessed.

[doug]

Loosing is hard but I think in the long run it helps teach young folks a lesson in life...There. My philosophical thought for the day.
Tell Cody he has friends all over wishing him well. I've been where he is and it was hard to hang my cleats up then as it was for to hang up my Karate Gi earlier this year.
Sending my hugs to mom and a shoulder for a tear...Hang in there.

[Rowdy66]

Beach, You can be sure the poor soul who committed suicide and her son will be in my prayers for some time. As many of you know my youngest was murdered in North Las Vegas seven months ago and what a hard time I had dealing with it. This was my second son to pass away, thirty-two years ago I had an eleven year old who died of leukemia. The loss of a child is unnatural and something no parent should have to endure, unfortunately we do not always know the reason God takes a loved one, if we ever do. All we can do is trust that He knows all and that our beloved child is with Him in heaven and that one day we will be together again. God bless all of you who have carried me through my own grief, it was instrumental in my finding peace. Rowdy

[beachcomber]

Bless you Rowdy.
It is indeed so hard to understand why these precious young men died. It has tested my faith greatly. I had such anger for so long and am surely not over it yet, but have managed to find some peace in some small ways and hope to live my life in such a way that Kory would want me to and to see him again someday. I find myself understanding what Deborah did after her son Michael was killed. If I lost Kris too I don't know how I could go on.
I found a song that has brought me some measure of peace. JoDee Messina sings it. It is called "Heaven was Needing a Hero" and really speaks to my soul. Do you know it?
Isn't it amazing that our bad knees brought us together to help each other heal our hearts as well? Seems like Divine intervention to me, huh?
Beach

[westexas]

Been out of pocket but did want to say our highschool team and our cross town rivals are both in the district playoffs for the very first time in history. Also, the two Midland teams which are twenty miles from us.. This weekend should be interesting and then we have to move on to College....What will Texas Tech do next. How bout Florida?? Lots to still watch over the next few weeks....

[doug]

Florida State plays Boston College this Saturday...Should be a good one.

[doug]

Game day recipe just posted!!

[Skeet]

I remember being a teenager and all the angst that goes along with it. I thought about suicide more than once as a couple of my friends made stupid and thankfully unsuccessful attempts during HS. I was too afraid no one would miss me! Seriously, I just had enough of Jesus in my heart to stay on the straight and narrow, or only take a few short detours. Everything seems so life or death important during that time. And the stress is incredible because you feel so out of control of everything. School pressures (which are much more stressful now than they were for me), the high cost of college yet the realization of minimum wage without that degree, keeping up appearances with the friends, etc. Right now it is really tough for kids as they can't find PT jobs and parents aren't as able to fund all their activities. Drugs and alcohol offer a short respite for many and that just blossoms into real trouble.

I am so grateful my kids have good self esteem and good morals. So far we've been fortunate. But, Cody has the Marines recruiting him and Mandy is getting serious about her boyfriend... All you can do is love them and pray for them and offer good role models in your life and those of the folks with whom they associate.

My prayers are with all ya'll and the losses and grief. I love you all and pray for your comfort, strength, and peace.

[westexas]

Skeet and Doug plus ones with kiddos.......,,
Sitting here and feeling sorry for my self....Mr. Calling all EX atheletes has been back in the GYM and without me knowing started the lifting again....I am CRUSHED>>>>He quietly asked me yesterday if maybe he might have irritated his back again...He said the reason for the first injury was OVERDOING while practicing and not a one time thing....I actually have been quietly CRYING today....He is not a FOOTBALL player and yet he is considered a POWERLIFTER....What the HELL do we do as parents? Doug, he is really not a part of anything unless lifting....????????????....Need some help......

[Skeet]

Patty - no real words of wisdom as I have found I really can't tell my teenage boys much that they listen to (or so it seems). I will pray for wisdom and good judgment for him and protection as well. I'll pray for strength, peace, and comfort for you, too. I don't remember specifically what the doctor said, maybe you could remind me? Kids just don't have a real sense of their own mortality and they think they are invincible. I remember those days and just felt God must have had plans for me because I'm sure I should have been dead many times over the way I used to drive, do drugs, etc. I pray God has a plan for your son and that it won't involve back injuries. God bless you!

[doug]

Odd that I checked the forum several times today but your post wasn't highlighted. And very odd that your question regarding your son came up.
As my son was practicing his driving a couple of hours ago, out of the clear blue, he asked me if I was ever going to get back into Kenpo or Judo. I had tried it about five months post op but the knee said "no". Martial arts have been a part of my life since I got out of high school. I miss it terribly but don't want to mess with the knee. But I understand how your son feels.
Power Lifting is very "personally competitive". Only the lifter, knows if they've done their best.
The challenge is addicting, and I hate to say it, but your son is learning a life lesson.
Quick story....When I was a freshman in high school, I was a band geek. One day the head football coach walked into the band room and called me outside. He was a former pro football player. Once outside, he looked at me and said "you're gonna play football for me boy". And I did.
BUT, after a week of practice, I had bad blisters on both feet, and I couldn't imagine hurting anymore than I did.
One night, I got up and went to my moms bedroom. I actually woke her up. I told her I was hurting and wanted to quit football....
Ma sat up on the edge of bed, looked at me, and said, "you can quit if you want to but don't get in a habit of quitting just because something gets hard. That's how life is".
I didn't quit. Athletics became addicting.
The point is, you can't put a collar on him, restrict him, and monitor him in everything he does now. He has to and will be making more of the decisions impacting his life. If he is so into lifting that he is slipping around doing it on the sly, I recommend talking to him, and encouraging him to use good sense based on his medical condition. BUT, keep the communication open so that he feels free to talk to you about what he is doing.
Maby life is going to teach him a lesson. We just don't know but I pray with Skeet that He give you the wisdom and PATIENCE to deal with him.
On the bright side.....I'm glad he isn't addicted to computer games....just sayin'.