Birthday and Basketball

There is nothing like high school basketball in Indiana. To celebrate my birthday yesterday, we attended the high school game to watch our Greensburg Pirates take on arch rival Batesville Bulldogs. The last time we played the Bulldogs on my birthday was Jonathan's senior year. He was still battling back issues, and didn't play in the game. The team came to our house for dinner the night before the game, and I told them I wanted a win for my birthday. When they ran off the court after a hard-fought victory, Jon's buddy Josh looked up to find me and shouted "happy birthday!" It was so much fun.

My birthday and basketball games seem to go together. In fact, my parents like to tell that I was born after they attended a double overtime game watching these same Greensburg Pirates. Well, not the same players, but you know what I mean.

It is fun to be able to live in the same town in which I grew up, cheering for the Pirates, watching our own kids play, and enjoying the community support of the young athletes. In a couple weeks, there will be an alumni game, giving past players of all ages the opportunity to return to the court for a fun day of competition.

There was excitement in the air as the game got started. We have gone to several of the games this year. The team is pretty good. As in undefeated good. Also, they have a new guy this year as the voice of your Greensburg Pirates. He's pretty good too.

The coach gives encouragement to the team.

The students were out in force. Is that a gorilla? And a banana?

The team struggled a bit in the first half, and were behind at half time.

The Pirateers gave a great half time performance. The one in the middle is Alli's sister Tori. It was easy to find her with her name on her leg. :)

They have posters up for the senior players. I thought this was kind of ironic because just a few years ago there were 2 seniors up there, also named Stewart and Lee. The current Lee is Josh's younger brother. The current Stewart, however, is not related to us.

It's a full house as play begins in the second half. When we play the Bulldogs, it is a sea of blue and white, since both teams wear the same colors.

There's the announcer about whom I was speaking. He does a great job. Yes, I know, I'm his mom. :)

The Pirates battled back and tied the game with 3:41 to go.

Down 2 with 14.8 on the clock.

OVERTIME!! A classic Indiana high school basketball game on a snowy night in January.

The student section waves the rally towels.

Final score: Pirates 85, Bulldogs 82. Yay for the good guys!!

The teams shake hands.

And then, the students rush the court.

And drop to take a Tebow.

Under the watchful eye of Principal Chapple.

On, oh Greensburg....

And I even got the boys to pose for an after game photo.
Adam, Andrew, and Jonathan.

Coach Meyer comes out after each game to give an interview to the local radio station.
I think this photo needs a caption. Any ideas?

Word to the Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday already, and time for a little Hodgepodge. Time does march right along, doesn't it? Please enjoy my answers, and then click on over to see Joyce and the others. It's great fun, you know!

1. Lake Superior State University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English in 2012-

amazing, baby bump, shared sacrifice, occupy, blowback, man cave, the new normal, pet parent, win the future, trickeration, ginormous, and thank you in advance.

Which of these words/phrases would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why? Go here to read more about how the words are chosen.

I would banish 'baby bump.' It is not a phrase I use, and, as said in the LSSU article, makes being pregnant sound like a new fashion accessory. Trust me, it is much more than that!

2. Are you easily embarrassed?
When I was younger, definitely, in old age, not so much.

3. What is your go-to snack?

Anything involving chocolate. Or ice cream.

Or any combination of the above.

4. Have you ever been to Washington D.C.? If not do you have any desire to go? What site/attraction would you most want to see in that city? If you have been, what's your favorite site/attraction?

We took the kids to DC back in 1997. They were ages 6, 9, 11, 12, and 14, and they all enjoyed and learned from the trip. There is so much history to see and experience. We stayed right in the city, and took the Metro or walked to almost all the attractions. Of course, there was that little incident when Jim was Lost in the Smithsonian, but that's a story for another day.

I am inspired by all of the many sights to see in our nation's capital, but I will choose a couple of favorites. It seems I can never choose just one! Arlington National Cemetery is a place to honor and remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is an especially impressive ceremony.

Another favorite was the National Cathedral. We took a tour which included afternoon tea in the tower, and I loved it. Though the kids weren't too keen on crumpets, the view was amazing, and it was so interesting and awe-inspiring to tour this amazing building. 

The Cathedral sustained significant damage in the earthquake last August. They are currently in the process of repairing the damage, which occurred primarily in the highest parts of the building. You can read more about it here, and learn about the fund-raising efforts to finance the repairs.

5. sit ups-planks-lunges-squats...which do you hate the least?

I hate them all equally.

6. What's a small act of kindness you were shown that you've never forgotten?

One spring break, Jim was working, and I decided to take the five kids on a road trip. We didn't have a plan, and I told them they could choose a direction, we would find a hotel, spend the night, and come home the next day. I also had little slips of paper in the car, on which I had written things like, 'stop at a church,' 'stop and buy a pop from a machine,' and 'stop in a university town.' We made our first stop at the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. It happened to be the day they were inducting new members,so we got to see some famous Indiana basketball players. From there we headed north, stopped at Purdue (the only university town on their list), and then on toward Chicago. By this time, it was evening, and since I wasn't sure I wanted to drive into the city and find a hotel at night, we stopped and stayed in Merrillville, with the promise that we would visit Chicago the next day.

Although we did visit Shedd Aquarium that day, the highlight for my group was Michael Jordan's Restaurant. Even though he wasn't there, his aura filled the place, and my boys were in Michael Jordan awe just looking at the photos and memorabilia on display. And yes, there is an act of kindness in this rambling story, I promise.

We ate lunch there, and had a sweet waitress, probably college age, who was impressed with the five kids and  a crazy mom on a road trip to Chicago. She was friendly and efficient, and surprised us when, at the end of the lunch, she brought us dessert, which she had gotten permission to offer us at no cost. She said that she  grew up in a large family, and they never got to have dessert, so she wanted the kids to have it. It was very sweet, and I was touched by her kindness.

7. Have you ever been a blood donor?
Um, no. Have I told you I hate needles? And my blood? Not so good for sharing.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

 (source)

I have decided that my word for 2012 will be OPEN.

I hope to keep my eyes open to really see others around me.

To see those who are hurting.

To see those who are in need.

To see those who are celebrating.

Those who are lonely.

Those who are are growing up right before my eyes.

To enjoy every moment, because I have learned how quickly those moments fly by.

I hope to keep my heart open to share love.

To show compassion.

To reach out to others.

To lend a hand.

I hope to keep my mind open to learn new things. (Hard as that may be for someone my age.)

To embrace all God's children.

To listen more, and speak less. 

To imagine the possibilities that are open to each of us every day.

Do you have a word for 2012?

Fleur de Fleece

Fleece blankets are very popular around our house. I made my first one several years ago, and although I have not kept count of how many I've made, it is surely in the hundreds by now. For the 'standard' size, I use two yards of two colors of fleece, a print and a solid. For the big and tall version, I use three yards.

Matthew asked for a Saints blanket for Christmas, and I decided to use three yards so that he could 'grow into it.' :)

I use my living room floor for the construction, and lay the solid piece down first, with the print piece on top.

Make sure it is smooth, and as even as possible.

Then I cut the selvage from the print piece, cutting the solid layer at the same time, to straighten and even up the edges.

I use my tape measure to cut a 7 inch square out of each corner. I sometimes make this smaller for a small blanket, but I find that this size makes the fringe easy to tie and nice looking.

I need to find a good use for the cut squares. Beanbags, maybe? Pin cushions? Doll pillows? Dust rags?

After the corners are cut, I start cutting the fringe. I usually lay my tape measure across the blanket for a cutting guide for the length of the fringe. I just eyeball the width of the fringe, but it's probably about an inch.

After all four sides are cut, then I go back around tying the knots. It's hard to see in this picture, but I always tie mine together like a tassel. Take the top and bottom together, loop it around and pull it through. I like the way the fringe looks with this kind of knot.

I can usually make one in just under an hour.

As I said, they are pretty popular around here. They wash well, travel well, and keep big kids and little kids warm and cozy.

All folded up and ready to be 'wrapped' for Christmas. I always wrap them in a garbage bag, of course.

Happy Matthew with his Saints fleece blanket.

Geaux Saints! Who Dat!

Phone Photo Friday - Hello 2012!

I am sharing some New Year fun with phone photos.
On New Year's Eve eve, 

we ate at our favorite, El Reparo. 

I took pictures of those who were there with us 

for the delicious chips, salsa, and of course, margaritas!

Adam and Alli. 

Adam is wearing his glasses in preparation for his LASIK surgery.

Shylah and David. 

Back in the 'burg for the weekend to celebrate the new year 

before heading back to NC.

And Big Jon, 

who almost never lets me take his picture without pointing at me, 

striking one of those 'senior picture' type poses. Cute.

We had a quiet New Year's Eve, with burgers on the grill, 

Jon out delivering pizza, and David and Shylah spending the evening 

with the parents watching the ball drop. 

New Year's Day was for football and family, 

as we had one last Christmas celebration.

More on that later.

 Hillbilly Stemware ~ Sing it, Sandi!

New Year's Day spread ~ Two little Who Dats

Granny and Hay ~ Ella and Aunt Fer

On Wednesday, I took some more photos of Haleigh with my phone. 

Actually, Jon took the first two. 

I think she was having a golf club tea party.

She loves the magnets I had made from my Instagram photos. 

 I ordered them from StickyGram, and they are awesome. 

So much fun to have and to share. 

I mailed some shots I had taken of friends in their Christmas cards as a little treat.

 Haleigh takes them down, lines them up, and names each one.

And then she gives kisses. Mmmwah!

And don't forget the hugs!

Each hug, of course, is accompanied by an "awwwww." 

So sweet.

Linking up with Dawn at My Home Sweet Home.

Happy New Year Hodgepodge

Happy New Year! I thought I would start out the new year with the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Always on Wednesdays, and always so much fun. Thanks to Joyce for hosting this fun little get-together each week. Be sure to click on over to pay her a visit, and check out the other Hodgepodge participants as well.

 

1. What are three words you would use to describe your 2011?

Blessed. Good. Fleeting.

2. Do you like shrimp? What's your favorite way to have it prepared?

I love the Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill. Delicious! I don't use the chopsticks though.

And because I can, I'm also including another favorite, the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo's in Indianapolis. Spicy and delicious as well.

3. Is your house de-Christmased? If so when did you tackle that job? If not, when will the decorations come down?

I hope to de-Christmas the house today, or at least get the tree undecorated. We had our last Christmas gathering here on New Year's Day, so I wanted to leave it up for that. Kids were still here on Monday, Tuesday has passed, so hopefully I will get to it today. Of course, I will have almost 2-year-old Haleigh and her little sister Ella here all day, so I may find better things to do. :)

4. Do you like to watch scary movies?
Definitely not. I don't even watch CSI or any other show in which a dead body appears in the first five minutes. Give me a happy show please.

5. ice skating~sledding~skiing~snowboarding~of the four listed which wintertime activity do you most enjoy?

I don't really like to be cold. Even less so now that I'm, well, um, older. I have never been on skis or a snowboard, but did my share of sledding and ice skating when I was much younger. I will choose ice skating though, as I always had dreams of being the next Peggy Fleming. (Yes, I'm that old.)

6. Did you have a childhood hideout? Describe it.

We had a tree house that my mom built for us. It was great. We also built, with our neighbor kids, a little wooden clubhouse in a vacant field behind our houses. Thinking of those two 'hideouts' reminded me of another such place, a green trailer behind the dance studio where my best friend and I would go between dance classes to eat our Dairy Queen treats. She may read this, so I will be curious to see if she remembers 'the green thing' as I do.

7. What's a place or space that motivates you?

Motivates, hmmmm..., well, I am usually motivated by something I read, and that can happen in any place or space. Honestly, I think I am motivated more by time than by space. You know, my friend, the last minute? A great motivator.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This little cutie is 8 months old today! She was crawling around in her Saints tutu after watching Drew Brees and the Saints win their last regular season game on Sunday. She'll be cheering for them on Saturday night as they face the Lions in the first round of the playoffs. Can you say Who Dat!

Happy 8 months birthday, Ella Kate!