Game Day

To all my Ohio State friends out there in blogland... O-H-I-O!

Go Buckeyes!!

Congrats Angier Bulldogs

Tonight our son's team became the Harnett County/Lee County Pee Wee Football Runner-Ups. It was 0 - 0 score until the 4th quarter, when the Lee County team scored twice. We fought a hard battle, but in the end the Angier Bulldogs lost 12 - 0. It was even more sad, considering we haven't lost a game all year.

I still haven't managed to figure out action shots or night shooting with my camera, so my pictures are crappy. But here are a few shots of the team and Chris getting his trophy. My action shots are so blurry they look like I took them from a rc helicopter.

What a bittersweet night. My favorite sport to watch and I won't get to see my son (or anyone) play for 3 years, as American football is not played in Japan.

Congrats Bulldogs!!

Sunday Scramblings

So I am not blogging about big Buckeye games anymore. I think my blog is jinxed. But I have to say that the Buckeyes played a good game and I am still proud to be a Buckeye this am. Those boys have nothing to hang their heads about.

This is our first weekend without Matt here. So far it still has the "daddy is on a business trip" feel to it. Matt travels so much, especially from January to July (which won't be even half that in Japan, woot!), that we are used to fending for ourselves. Once we hit about 10 days I am sure reality will start sinking in.

Friday night after Emily's practice the kids all stayed for a 3 hour open gym. I used that time for myself (Just like a orovo user treating herself for the night). Went to dinner (and not fast food), got my toes painted (it was the best pedicure I have ever gotten) and treated myself to Starbucks (note to self: No more lattes at 8 pm). I figure there won't be many more opportunities for myself in the next few months so I took advantage of it. Then somehow I wound up with 4 extra kids (I deserve mother of the year) for the night, bring me to a total of 7 kids. I was totally outnumbered.

Yesterday morning I went grocery shopping. Matt would die if he saw how much I bought considering I am supposed to be thinning out my never ending food supply around here. (Note to self: Look into finding food shopping addict help group) We then had Chris's football game, where they put another line in the win column, remaining undefeated for the season. Afterwards we went to dinner with our neighbors to a Japanese Steakhouse that opened here in town. The owners are actually from Tokyo so I was able to practice some of my Japanese with them. My teacher would be so proud. Then of course we had the game.

Today I am using the morning to get our house back in order. Trying to get everything ready for Matt over the past few weeks has turned my usually organized house into a land of chaos. I just need to figure out where to start. This afternoon the kids have their Japanese lesson and then mine follows that.

Over the course of the next few weeks I need to start going through drawers and closets weeding out what we will take with us and what we will put in storage. It is easy deciding furniture and such, but the small things, not so much. One of Emily's teachers had been overseas in Germany for 4 years. She told me that it was funny to get their storage back after that time and see what they had put in there.

So there you have it. Our boring weekend in a nutshell. And you will hear no complaints from me. Of course if my children do not stop slamming doors and chasing each other screaming how horrible each other are I may have to start blogging from prison (note to self: Check into Internet access availability in jail).

On a side note I have a few friends that I would love to have some extra thoughts for. First, our good friend Kate's (her DH is Matt's BFF) dad was diagnosed with lung cancer on Wednesday. Jim is an awesome man and I ache for the family. Then my extra special friend Jamie was rushed to the ER and had emergency surgery yesterday morning to remove her gall bladder. During the surgery they found some issues with her bowels and she is having another surgery this am to correct that. All of this came out of the blue and is so strange considering I was just there 2 weeks ago. Finally, my ultra-talented kick butt friend Val is having surgery on Thursday. When it rains it pours, huh? So many things going on and I hate not being there for any of them. I just hope they know that they are never far from my thoughts.

What is going on tomorrow?

Not going to jinx it, but I know you want to see what I am talking about.

Days... Days... Days...

Days until Matt leaves .......... 7
Days until David Cook's Album comes out.............. 33
Days until Matt comes back for Thanksgiving (Just confirmed this morning)................... 35
Days until Ohio State Plays Michigan......... 37
Days until they pack our sea carton ............. 63
Days until Christmas.................... 70
Days until New Years .................. 77
Days until Emily's first meet................... 87
Days until Emily's 13th birthday..................... 89
Days until we leave for Japan....................... 96

Weekend Wrap Up

It's been a productive, yet very fun, weekend.

Friday night I finished cleaning the house (yes another thing off my to-do list!) while Matt cleaned up the boat. Afterwards, Emily had a friend spend the night and we just hung out around here.I think Matt enjoyed spending some extra time with Emily and her friend.

Yesterday we dropped Emily off at practice and then spent the morning getting some stock up items for Matt's air shipment (they are packing his stuff on Oct. 15), as well as picking out a small TV for our bedroom in Japan. The old tube TV in our bedroom here will become victim of the "digital converter" in February, so it just made better sense to get a new one for Matt to take with him. While a pop up tv would be pretty cool so we won't have to see it all the time, we just settled on one to mount on the bedroom wall.

Last night Matt and I caught up with some of our closest friends, Matt and Kate, as they were in town from Ohio for the night before they headed to the beach for the week. We managed to catch dinner and the big Buckeye game (what a win!). We will be meeting up with them and their kids at the beach next weekend. I am looking forward to spending some time with them. It's hard to believe and Matt and Matt (imagine calling their place during college) have been best friends for over 15 years.

This morning the kids had their second language class (they are loving their teacher) and then we met Val and her family. Yes they are here! We spend the afternoon tubing, skiing, wake boarding and swimming out on the boat and then went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for supper. It was funny watching the kids. There was no awkwardness and it was like we have never been apart. Val and the kids are here all week and Neil is here until Tuesday night. I can't wait to show them some of the cool places in the Raleigh area. I am sure I will have lots of pictures from the week to share.

So what did you do this weekend? Leave me a comment and give me a wrap up.

Go Buckeyes!

Well Emily and I just got back this morning after flying the red eye all night. To those who doubted my ability to last 5 days without my computer I actually did it. And no I didn't even think once to consider laptop rental. We were so busy my computer never would have been even turned on. So I am off to try to get a few hours of sleep before the festivities start this evening.

What festivities? The big National Championship football game of course. Ohio State is playing LSU for the title of National Champion tonight. You really didn't think the game would happen without a post from me, did you?

GO BUCKEYES!!!

New Orleans Get Ready for the Buckeyes

It's official! Ohio State will play LSU on Jan. 7 in the National Championship football game. Who would have thought? Too bad Emily and I are flying back from Las Vegas that morning or it would be an awesome road trip. I wonder if we can "accidentally" miss our connection in Atlanta.

Go Buckeyes!!!

PS: Chel tell Brad to tell the team thanks. I guess I need to send not only the Sooners some cookies but West Virginia as well. Good luck in Arizona!!

Wordless Wednesday: Go, fight win!

Yes, Yes, Yes I do

I got spirit, how about you?

Go BUCKEYES!!!

And I Am Still Smiling

Yes, the Buckeyes won. But that is not why I am smiling. Anyone who follows college football knows about the big news this past weekend. And for those who know how much us Ohioans dislike that team "up North" you know why I am smiling.

Are you ready for some...

FOOTBALL!!!

Can you hear the excitement in my voice? For those that know me, I love college football fan. Of course I bleed scarlet and gray (GO BUCKEYES!) but I love to watch any game on television.

Tonight is the first set of games of the season. As I type I am watching the LSU vs Mississippi State game. And Saturday is the big Buckeye opener. Sadly I will not be watching all the Buckeye games this year due to the Big Ten Network taking over game coverage (Don't even get me started on my opinion). Now I just need to find some friends with Direct TV so I can watch the Big Ten Network at their house. (Note to self, ask all neighbors who their satellite company is)

I apologize in advance for all the football/Ohio State posts. But I can't help it. It is in my blood. After all, I was conceived at an Ohio State Football game.

So here is my kickoff to another great football season. And again... GO BUCKS!

O-H-I-O

It's gameday!!!

GO BUCKEYES!!!!

More Than Just Football

Tomorrow night's Ohio State versus Florida game isn't about who wins or loses. It's not about who is the best football team in the nation. It is about making one special little boy's wish come true.

Special Wish Recipient Goes to Arizona

A twelve year old boy with sickle cell anemia from West Carrollton, Ohio is heading to the national championship game. He was granted a special wish from the local special wish foundation. Earlier this week, he visted the Buckeyes in Columbus for a football practice and got to meet his favorite player Ted Ginn Junior. The boy, his aunt and sisters will head to Arizona by limousine early Saturday morning.
(story was reported on Dayton's wkef)

A video can also be seen on cnn.com.

And the countdown is on...

You didn't think that you would get away with me not blogging about the big OHIO STATE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, did you? With the big game only 4 days away, I am getting out all my buckeye gear (and yes Val, putting on my shoes) and getting ready to watch the Buckeyes kick some Gator butt. Heck, I may even find myself same 'gator on a stick to grill up in honor of the big day.

So get ready my friends. And as always... GO BUCKS!!!!

We Are Marshall

Whether you are a football fan or not, everyone needs to see the movie "We Are Marshall". Matt and I went last night and it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. (And no ladies it isn't because Matthew McConaughey or Matthew Fox stars in it) It is a movie about life and how in a blink of an eye it can change. How to cope in the time of sorrow and grief and how to learn to live again. It is how one town and one school, rebuilds itself after a tragedy.

As someone in line for the restroom said afterwards "I don't think I have cried as much since I saw Titanic".

Go see it. Rent it. Netflix it. Buy it. I promise, you won't regret it.

Fingers Crossed

I **think** we just landed tickets for the National Championship football game. (GO BUCKEYES!!) I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we aren't getting screwed or scammed. Matt will totally kill me if we are. But I think I have all my i's dotted and t's crossed and have covered all bases and **should** be okay.

And the bonus of the whole situation ... we are paying face value. *thud**

Arizona Bound

Buckeyes beat the scUM!!!!! And yes, I am crying.

See you on Januray 8, 2007!!! As Sam says "We're #1!!!"


GO BUCKEYES!!!

We're #1

At least that is what Sami thinks!

It's gameday!!!



GO BUCKEYES!!!

'Twas the night...

'Twas the night...

Twas the night before game time,
And all 'round the shoe,
Not a creature was sleeping,
They were screaming Beat Blue!

The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
Thoughts of a National Championship in their heads
Tressel in his sweater, Neutron Man on his mind,
Hoping that Michigan would be caught in a bind.

The banners were hung by the lamp posts with care,
In hopes that St.Troy would find Ginn through the air,

Drunken and crazy and burning their beds,
While visions of kick off danced through their heads.

When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the keg to see what was the matter.
When there in the sky, in a Coupe Deville sleigh,
Was Woody Hayes decked out in scarlet & gray.

He looked on the crowd that was gathered around,
And said that he heard that a game was in town.
I came here to watch it and wish you good luck,
Though it's not like you need it, cause Michigan
SUCKS!

GO BUCKS!!!