Weds Nights for 34 Weeks

After next week, for 34 weeks, Jeff and I will be on a bowling league together. We will be on the same team and I've already warned him to not get upset with me if I don't live up to his expectations!

We had played on a rec center volleyball team for a few years, before I was pregnant with Drew. We loved it! The teams would rotate after so many weeks, so the shuffle would allow you to play with different people and get to know everyone who was playing. I was a little rusty when I had first started, it was to the point I was ready to quite. But, I stuck with it and it grew on me. Then I couldn't get enough.

I hope its the same for bowling. I've only bowled for fun, from time to time. Nothing too serious. So, last night Jeff and I went to the bowling ally to "practice". Jeff said that it was really to see what he was working with (since I'd be on his team). That is when I warned him and reminded him this was for fun! Next week is the official meeting to chat with everyone who is signing up to go over rules and regulations, then the following week, it all begins.

Wish me luck!!

Touchdown!!

Hey, just encase you didn't know, the Superbowl was yesterday. I know, I know its hard to believe that the season is over, but it had to end sometime. It will be missed until the fall!

I really wasn't up for the big game this year. I don't know if I was focused on other things this year, or I just wasn't interested in either of the teams or I just knew that we wouldn't be doing our usual route this year.

We stayed home rather then going to my in-laws like we usually do since it wouldn't have worked out with Drew being up past his bed time. We made some appetizers, had those goodies for supper and watched the game while Drew played in the living room. The game really didn't hold my attention, but I liked some of the commercials. There was a few I liked, but not as many as in the past years. Maybe the appeal is wearing off since its advertised so much and the pre-game is so long, but who knows. It was still nice to hang out with the family, eat yummy fattening food on a Sunday evening.

Hey, thats Jeff!

We have a local restaurant called the 99. Its a casual sit down burger, salad and sandwich type of place. They have local memorabilia on the wall related to the town the restaurant is located in including the town's high school sports teams that go back several years. We have a couple in the area, so its interesting to see all the neat stuff on the wall.

One day, my mom and I were in the restaurant that is located in the town I grew up in. I am always checking out the sports pictures on the wall since I played in high school along with Jeff and my in-laws. So, I noticed the years posted were around the years we were in high school (yeah, that made me feel old when I realized they were posting pictures from over 11 years ago, yikes!).

While mom and I were waiting for our food I noticed a volleyball picture, but I didn't see the year. I knew Jeff and my BIL played vball in high school, so I got up and checked it out. It was Jeff's Senior year team photo. I couldn't belive it! I started laughing and told my mom that it was Jeff. I snapped a photo with my phone and text it to Jeff.

He couldn't believe it! I asked him for his autograph since his photo is up in a restaurant. He just laughed!

Here is the "famous" photo. Jeff is in the middle row, first on the left side with #28 on his shirt.

Superbowl Ads

This years game was OK. It was a little exciting in the beginning, around half time it got it little stagnant and at the end it was down to the final seconds who would pull off the win. But regardless of who you were routing for, isn't it about the commercials you really watch the game? Well, this year it was for me since my team didn't even make the play-offs.



But, even the commercials were a little dull this year. But there were a few good ones randomly placed here and there which made watching for the good ones like finding a diamond in the rough.

My favorites this year were (not in any order)-

1. Budweiser - Clydesdale Circus
2. Pepsi - I'm good
3. Bridgestone - Astronauts in Space
4. Monster.com - Moose Double take
5. Etrade - Singing Baby
6. Telafloras - Talking Flower
7. Budweiser - Clydesdale Stick
8. Doritos - Free Doritos
9. Miller High Life - 1 second ad
10. Cash 4 Gold - Ed McMahon & Mc Hammer
    

What are your favorites from this years game?

One of the many places to check out the ads if you missed them is on youtube.

Yoga Continued

Last night I went to my second class in my 10 week series of yoga. I didn't go last week, so I was definitely was looking forward to last nights class. We were worked hard last night. The instructor changed the tempo of the class and we were movin' hard and quick. I guess in pilaties yoga the point is to get those muscles workin' and they surly where.

We repeated some of the same poses as the week I went, but at a different pace. I like some of the repetition, so I can get used to the moves since its easier to remember them on my own time and practice it when needed at home. I'm going to need to do yoga on my own the next couple of Mondays since I will be away, so it was good practice. Unfortunately I can't remember the names of the poses, so I can't tell you but I hope to soon.

Also, what a great night sleep I had since I did the class. I was so refreshed and I could definitely tell my muscles had a workout. So, when it was time to go to bed, I was so relaxed I had no problem falling asleep. Among all the health benefits of yoga, the night sleep is definitely one of the many personal benefits I experience.

Yoga Class

Last night my friend Char and I started a 10 week session of pilate's yoga. Yes, sir! Warrior stance, here we come.

The classes lasts about an hour and half once a week for the 10 week period. I haven't done yoga since the holidays. So, I was pretty excited to start back up again.

I can't remember all of the poses we did since the evening flew by, but some were easy and then worked their way up to a great intensity. The main focus was on a moonbeam pose which consists of several individual poses and then we did each side 4 times. Phew, that was hard but refreshing at the same time.

Some of the other poses we did where the 5 Star, Warrior Stance, runners pose, upward facing triangle and so many others that I can't remember the names. Some I couldn't even do since they were so complicated, but I did my best.

So, I can't wait until next week to see what we do!

Throw in the towel, your done!

Tonight was our volleyball play-offs. Yup, 10 weeks of play have passed us by in a blink of an eye. I really didn't talk about our stats or competitions this time around since I really wasn't into it this session.

I'm not 100% sure why I wasn't buy maybe it had something to do with one of my teammates. I had the guy that mostly everyone dislikes in the legue, so that brought the energy of the team down to start with. Also, I missed a couple of nights due to the opportunity of some over-time and a hair appointment, but besides that I just wasn't feeling it this time around.

But, with that said my team ended up tying for 4th place for tonight's play-off. My team was tied with Jeff's. So, we had to battle it out to see who placed in 4th & 5th. On tournament night, we play the best 2 out of 3 games, playing up to 11 points (instead of 15 points during the other weeks). So, we matched up and my team lost 2 games in a row. Oh, well! So, our standings for the end of the session was Jeff's team 4th place, my team 5th place. At least we weren't last (there are 6 six teams).

Jeff really didn't want to play either, but his team kept advancing. He kept waiting to lose, but his team kept beating the other teams until it was his team against the first place team to see who would be the winners of this session. He wasn't expecting that. After Jeff was now head on head with the first place team, he figured he would put in the effort since they have a 50/50 chance of winning overall.

His team went on and beat the first place team, 2 games in-a-row! Nice! So, they are the champions. They all won a $25 gas card! Sweet!

Volleyball is now over for us until the fall since we play in a middle school's gymnasium and within a few weeks school will be over and the gym closed. So, we are hanging up our volleyball shoes for now and concentrating on other things for the summer like golf, bike riding, yoga and video games. I had to put that last one in for the hubby!

4-n-1, Yeah!

Last night we returned to volleyball. It was the kick off of another 10 week session. I met my new team (not a bad group), but I don't know our color yet since we didn't get our tee-shirts. That won't be for a few weeks, but our team number is 1 (hmmm, is that a prediction?). We went 4-n-1 last night, sweet!

My husbands team went 3-n-2. Guess what team we lost to? Yup, his. Darn it! At least there wasn't too much trash talking on the way home. I did tell him we let his team win since we felt bad they lost the first two games. So, now its on baby! Bring it on!

Red Sox Won!

The sox won there season opener in Japan against the A's, yeah! I'm not a huge fan, but I do try and follow the team so I have something to talk about with my co-workers and I run bus trips to Fenway a few times a year. So, its nice to at least know who the players are!

I was speechless the first time I went to Fenway Park. It was amazing! It was a few summers ago when it was brought up that we should run bus trips to see the Red Sox. It was right after they won the world series for the first time. That year, we only ran one trip to test the waters.

But while I was there, I bought a Red Sox shirt so I can blend in with the other fans for future trips (since the first one was such a hit, I knew there would be other trips in my future). I had my first Fenway Frank (oh, yummy a definite must when you are at the ball park). Then I polished off a bag of peanuts and a soda. It was so much fun. Then I get home and my husband sees the tee-shirt and tells me I'm on the band wagon. Oh, here we go.

Let me explain about my husband. He H.A.T.E.S. the Red Sox with a passion. He cannot stand any New England team, especially when they are winning. I don't know exactly why, but its something about "all the band wagoners around here" he tells me. So, of course I get accused of being on the band wagon when I really wasn't, but oh well. Its something I deal with when its game time for work since I'm the trip coordinator and have to go on most trips.

But oh, well. Its still fun to rattle his cage when ever they win or when I get ready to go on trip. And good luck to the Red Sox!

Vball Tournament Results

Before I get to the results, let me explain how tournament night plays out.

There are 6 teams. On a normal night, each team plays 5 games. Each team is made up of 5-6 players, depending on how many people sign-up. The 5 games are shuffled around each week, so games are not in the same order each week. Then the teams who win, circle their team number on the current nights schedule. This helps determine the ranking of each team.

On tournament night, your team record determines who plays who and when. If there is a tied record, those two teams play a normal game (who ever makes it to 15 points first, wins), then the tournament begins. The teams with the worst record play first and then the winners of those games work their up to the better standing teams. The teams play the best 2 out of 3 games, to 11 points.

So, the night went like this:
My team was ranked in first place
My husbands team, the purple team, was ranked in 6th place (last place)

My husbands team played the 5th place team. They won their games. While my team waited for all the other teams to play.

Then it was our turn to play my husbands. Honestly, I was surprised that his team made it as far as it did (shhhh, don't tell him I said that). We played and we beat them the first two games.

Then it was time. We matched up with the second ranked team. My team won the first game, no problem. The second game, we were ahead and then it just slipped away. The third game was tough. The score kept going back and forth with each team being ahead. It doesn't seem like a lot of points, but eleven is a long way to go when the points rack up so slow. We had volleys that lasted for minutes at a time. Each team wanted to win! But my team made it, we beat the green team. Phew! Que, the Queen song, we are the champions......we won!

So with this win, I don't have to pay the sign-up fee. Yup, a free round of volleyball for me and my husband had to pay!

Vball Show Down

Tonight is the end of the current 10 weeks of volleyball and that means its tournament time. Wish us luck! Go orange!

5 Hour Energy Drink

5-Hour Chaser Energy Drink 2 Fl Oz (60 Ml) 1 Bottle

Last night, before volleyball, I tried the magical 5 Hour Energy Drink. The commercial promises 5 hours of energy, no instant crashes and with no calories. I'm sure you have seen the commercials on TV.

My husband and I went to a connivance store to get our water and energy bars before we headed to volleyball and I noticed they had the magical energy drink sitting on the counter for sale with two choices of flavors. One was citrus and the other was berry. We went for the berry flavor.

As we drove to our destination, I opened my little shot bottle of energy goodness and took a big swig. Oh my goodness........yuck! The flavor was horrible! It tasted worse then cough syrup. I assumed it would taste like red bull, boy was I mistaken. I finished off what was left, but I thought it tasted even worse then the first swig.

About an hour into playing volleyball I got this heavy feeling in my stomach. It felt like I had a lead balloon sitting inside my belly. It's not a nice feeling while you are running around. I am assuming it was from the energy drink from hell since I have never had this feeling after drinking water and an energy bar.

Oh, and I didn't even feel energized. I was yawning a couple of hours after drinking it!

So, my opinion is to stay far, far away from it. Don't believe the hype!

Rain, Rain, Go Away......

We found out around 2pm that the race yesterday was delayed due to rain. So, after my husband and I settled on our couches he found golf to "watch" (I wouldn't really call it watching, but it was on TV while I read my book and my husband slept on the coach) while we waiting for the rain to stop in CA.

Before supper we checked on the race and still a delay. After supper I checked again and it looked promising as the raceway was being dried by NASCARS version of a pavement dryer. But, there was no talk about it starting any time soon. So, I popped in a movie (It was invasion and it was OK).

After the movie I check back and there was still no racing. But, I noticed the announcers were talking about how everyone raced 21 laps and there was a huge crash. Of course now, I really wanted to see the crash and see what all the hype was about. Finally they showed a re-run of the crash and it was pretty significant and everyone was OK. We turned it back on just in time to see the drivers getting back in their cars and Jimmy Johnson and Jeff Gordon check out the track.

Then the race starts and there are countless cautions. Well, we gave up about about lap 60 something to get into our Sunday night routine of getting ready for work. Then right before bed we tried to find the race and we found out it was rain delayed again.

I think its funny how in my household we base our Sunday (and even sometimes Saturdays) around a race. I'm just glad I wasn't at that race!

Boogty, Boogty, Boogty......

Let’s go racing!

Yeah, NASCAR has started for 2008! The race was pretty boring until the end with the handful of issues causing cautions. I used to cheer for Dale Earnhardt Jr but since he switched teams and went to the dark side, I just can't this season. If he does good, good for him, I just can't cheer for him since he is now a team mate with Jeff Gordon.

So, this season it’s all about Kasey Kahne. He's a decent driver and a hottie. I was always a secretive fan of Kahne's since I was a Jr fan and my husband said I can't cheer for two drivers. But, not it’s legit. I can switch since Jr switched.

I'm also not the only won who is jumping ship. My dad used to like Earnhardt Sr and we all know what happened there. So, he cheered for Jr until this season. He is now cheering for the Gibbs team since he really doesn’t know who to pick and has to cheer for someone/team.

My husband is a Ryan Newman fan, so he was happy last night (since Newman won the biggest race of the year).

So, with this all out there, let’s see how the season unfolds.

Rec Center Volleyball

There's nothing like it (well for me at least).....playing Volleyball once a week to get some exercise, get out of the house, get your aggressions out, beat your husbands team (oh wait, did I say that one out loud?).

My husband and I play Volleyball for a Rec Center that is a few towns over from ours. We have been playing in this league for about 5 years. The teams are randomly picked (well, that's what the people in charge say anyway) and change every 10 weeks from the fall into the early spring. At the end of 10 weeks, there is a tournament and which ever team wins, the people do not have to pay for the next session. So this is a great way to help get through the dark, cold winter days.

So, last night was week 5. My husband and I are on separate teams (only twice have we been on the same team). My team went 3-2 last night. Its not the best record we have had since week one, but we'll take it since we were short 2 players (oh, each team ranges from 5-6 people and my team currently has 6 people). But the only team I really want to beat is, well my husbands. And we did! Then I get the bragging rights for a week and vise versa when his team wins.

I know this may sound awful to some, but we are so competitive against each other. Its great to finally be able to beat him at something!