Varsity Basketball

The season begins! Mom, stay in control!! The excitement is almost as high as the apprehension. I can't explain why it is so important for Barry and I , but I will try! Since Justin was born all his grandparents have talked about was the day they would be on the court together. Garrett could hit a basket from anywhere when he was 2 years old. He practiced non-stop. I have no idea why! It was just his absolute passion. Since then his passion is divided many ways, but every time our boys hit the floor together Barry and I tear up, it has nothing to do with the fact that we think our boys are great basketball players, it is the thought of their grandparents looking down from heaven and being so proud. If Harry and Jackie Vratil were alive today you would avoid them because you would be sick of hearing about their grandkids. My boys may not always get along but neither of them wants to be on the court without one another. They know they can count on one another to give it all they have. School and girlfriends and other hobbies have separated the two, life will be that way, so this is so bittersweet for their dad and I. For the last time they will fight as warriors together on the court. I can't remember when I have seen Barry cry, even when both his parents died within 6 months of each other, but watch close because at sometime this year during all our last times with Garrett a senior, you are gonna see Barry cry, I guarantee it. Sports aren't everything it just seems to be the only thing we all enjoy doing together. It is our common ground! God has taught us many lessons through sports, and trust me he isn't done, as early as this morning I had to be careful of my emotions, MAMA BEAR!!!! Encouragement, is what they will get sick of from me, and their FIRE.........ya that comes from me too! Their jumping abilities, that is dad all the way, not to mention the basketball knowledge. Proud, yes I am. If there were a million boys lined up, I would still pick the three God so lovingly gave me!!!!!

see ya at the MARVIN WEBSTER COURT!!!!

Rhonda

ps, those little bastards better no steal anything this year!

High School Chums, Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!! Haven't packed yet and have done little to prepare for our lunch tomorrow, but had my first cranberry and vodka, not too bad. I have these wonderful angels that visit me every once in awhile, Tom, Cathy and Kim, it must be a holiday!!

They introduce me to a new drink every once in awhile and we are right back where we started from 2o something years ago. It was good to talk and laugh. I miss the unconditional companionship!!!

Having lunch with the fam at noon tomorrow and then the boys and I are off to Guymon. Poor Barry has to work, the boys just couldn't give up hunting and being with their beloved cousins. Hoping for a safe trip, and a thankful loving time with the parents and my sister and her family. Bret and his family will not be able to make it, but hopefully they will all be here in Larned for Christmas!!

I am so very thankful this Thanksgiving! Thankful for more than you can know!!

This is the time of year I hear so many broken hearted parents that can't be with their kids for so many reasons, for some it is a death, for some it is just distance, for some it is just that they have to share holidays with the in laws and then the very saddest stories of all, the one's who make the choice to stay away from their families for reasons that they will so definitely regret someday!! Let me tell you we are all dysfunctional in ways, it is time for people to quit letting things come between them and loved ones. So lets all get together and be THANKFUL for the bounty the Lord has given us!!

I will write next week and let you know if the @#*^ hits the fan in Guymon!! Ha Ha

For God's sake........................ Love ya and see ya later!!

And by the way, we haven't seen Archie for 3 weeks, boo hoo !!!!

Once again thank GODDDDD I have a sense of humor, cause I really just want to cry!

Ok, my loved one's or the one's just looking for entertainment, you will never believe this crap! I drank Barry's spit, skoal ya know, ohhhhhh yessssss I did! When am I going to learn to not drink out of cups unless it has not left my sight!! I heaved over the sink for a good 5 minutes. Those of you that know me or have read my birthday post know that I have a weak bladder, do the math people, u-g-l-y. You know, can I just be dignified somewhat? Let me know, do you think people just act dignified and just don't share this nonsense with other people, or am I really that big of a freak show. I gotta tell ya, I don't ponder too long on this crap or it is the crying game.

It was Sam's birthday and I forgot the camera at his first basketball game! So next week I am Bobby Crawford minus the tight white lace up speedo. Pictures will be posted! I will have to tell you that the B team is quite impressive. I was so pleased with the growth and skill level progress. They won big!! It is going to be an enjoyable season, keepin the faith baby!!!

We also found out that our court date has been dismissed! Thank You so much Lord! I have to tell you, I did not want to testify in court or even have to face the culprit, they settled out on some plea, we should get a letter in the mail to explain. We know that he did confess to criminal trespass in our home at 4am in the morning. I have a feeling that they dropped the stalking because it was the felony. All I know is, lets hope it is over! The kids have not been harassed since he was arrested, thank goodness. Lets just hope the message is crystal clear!

I am going to bed, good to talk............

Rhonda

What a Birthday!!

OMG! I am sick!! I hate to be sick, I am never sick and on my birthday, crap! I guess it is not like we ever do anything on my birthday anyway but I hit rock bottom today I sware.

I decide that I can muster enough strenghth to go eat at Applebee's. So off we go to Great Bend. We get there and before the lady can bring my water, the coughing fit begins, oh boy, off to the bathroom I go. Ribs aching and eyes watering and of corse pant wetting! So I get my self undercontrol and make it through supper and I am fading fast. We finish our meal and all seems to be ok, I drank alot of water and coffee! Kept the tickle in my throat under control. After we finish we head to Walmart to return something and get cough drops. As I am walking around Walmart in a daze I realize that I have just hit rock bottom. I look down and I have barbeque sauce on my white shirt along with a crumb, I zip up my jacket just to notice that my coffee has spilt all down my front, I go to the bathroom and see that my mascara is running from my coughing fit, and I have wet pants, and its my birthaday!! The best birthday present I could have given myself would have been to stay home and I would have 80.00$ and a lot more respect for myself. Tomorrow will be a better day and thank you God for the sense of humor you gave me!! The highlight of the day was I had around 45 people wish me a Happy Birthday!
And my sweet boys actually got me a card and a present. Wow, I am loved!!! Despite it all~~

Rhonda

Parent's meetings, are you serious!!

Oh how I hate parents meetings before a new sport begins! Its like I am excited until the parents meeting, and then I am like, oh yeah, reality! Basketball is starting for Sam and it will be fun! Big ole Mr. Clean {Werner} is the coach along with Craig and a new guy, ha ha there is always a new guy! And of course baseball meetings, yes already. I love to watch my kids play ball, I could sure do without the rest of it though. Isn't that life, yes it is and making the best of it is the only way to survive. We have been very fortunate to have kids who can play it all, and it has all been worth it. It has made us who we are! Fast aproaching an end for our oldest, unless he plays on in college. That is up in the air! I am always ready for the new stage of life!

My favorite things about sports has been the most halarious stories I have buried in my brain of all of these young men I know and love from the years of watching them play. For instance tonight was a funny story! So inapropriate to tell, but here I go. Justin comes in from shoot around, so he thought, they actually scrimmaged. Well Justin has never been a true believer in the good ole jock, never will wear one. Tonight he came home walkin funny and sayin, " Oh mom my balls, oh gosh my balls, what have I done. After I told ya so and an Ibprofen, I handed him a frozen bag of corn and told him to sit down and ice em for awhile. I love it when finally they learn the lesson, I just hate it when it is the hard way. Needless to say, I do believe Justin is growing up. It was halarious and a night we are sure not to forget. I got a play by play of the "boys" and their trauma while playing.

I could also tell of the times in baseball when we went to buy the first jock and cup! My boys were 7 and 8. Ok it was a first for me because Barry would never share this with us. We make the purchase and go out to the car, and I can hear Garrett and Justin discussing what this thing is. I have not mentioned it I guess. Garrett says "what is it for?" So I explain it is to protect their penis while playing baseball so that they would be able to have a family someday! Justin thought about it for awhile and said to Garrett " Oh, I get it, in case you have to pee!"

I have a real love for coaches because my husband coached several teams for some years and we have always been friends with coaches and seen the good, the bad and the absolute ugly! My heart has been literally broken in the past for parents, kids and coaches, we have got to remember that how we act and the way we handle things makes a huge imact on lives.

My goal for this year is to enjoy watching my sons give it their all, and enjoy the sports family we are given for this new year of hoping and anticipating a great season!

Rhonda

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Archie Update

Archie visited us tonight, he is getting so big, he is almost all healed. He came in for some yogart covered raisins, and some play time! He is roaming free now and seems to be getting along fine. Amazing! Bandit is missing and I have a feeling it is going to cost me money! That darn dog! Anyone want a black and white border collie?

We are almost finished with the slate floor in our front room, man that has been a lot of work watching Barry do that!! lol I have helped seal it, that ain't easy for this gal! On your knees for a long long time, yuk. I am just gonna be glad to have my husband back one of these days!!

One of these dayssssss!!!!!!!

Rhonda

Another picture!

A pretty girl like that standing next to you and you have your eyes closed, what the hek! Justin and Somer the night she got Homecoming Queen!!

Home alone!!

Just found a random picture and wanted to post it, I am hoping I can get this all figured out.

Skipped the football game to practice on the computer.

FOOTLOOSE??????

Just watched "FOOTLOOSE" wow I didn't expect the tears!! Watched it from a parents perspective this time. It was a good trip back to the 80's.

Winding down football and looking so forward to the wonderful indoor sport!BBAASSKKEETTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!! Just ordered Sam's shoes! He ought to be able to fly in these suckers!

My nephew visited us this weekend from K-STATE, it was a nice surprise, we didn't know he was coming! I think they all had a great weekend together.

We are just starting to visit colleges for Garrett! This is interesting, I feel like it is the right thing to do and I am not sure he even cares, but I have a hard time readin that kid! We will see what God has in store for that awesome young man! I wouldn't dare think I knew what was best, I just don't. School never appealed to me much. I just did it because I was supposed to. I am glad for the experience.

Trying to finish the house, shewwwww, almost done. Trying to keep the ball rollin, I know we must press on, because if basketball starts and the house isn't finished, it will be Easter before it gets done.

Ordering Senior pictures this week, I want them all!!!

BYE, Rhonda

Flowers, football and college life!

You are not gonna believe it!!! I actually got flowers today, nope not from Barry! A beautiful girl named Somer, along with a thank you note that touched my heart so much I can't express how much. If she ever leaves my family I may stalk her { inside joke } I do feel very humbled by her nice words.

You know, can you have one of the worst days and one of the best all in one day! I guess so!

Sam's middle school team is the bomb, by the way! I am not much for understanding football, but I know a big score when I see it!! These young one's are definitely getting their taste of victories! We played in Hays, and after the game saw Morgan Koch's apartment and roommates, wow, I want to do it again and enjoy it this time. What great friends she is making and wow what a nice place!!

Archie update

Archie is healing nicely, wants to run and play. It is very hard to give him penicillin shots, he hates all this crap. He is very OVER IT!!!! Tonight was interesting, Barry had him between his legs with a towel wrapped around him and Justin was holding his head {kind of} of course he went crazy and this went on for a few minutes of yelling and blaming one another. Finally Barry was successful and the cranky coon got his shot. Patience is a virtue with these creatures, and I do mean all five of these creatures. We are considering letting him go soon, we are apprehensive, a three legged coon might not make it long, but he will be happier free!!

Sam has football tomorrow and my parents are coming. The whole family helped clean the house tonight, only took us an hour, now that is what I call heaven. Looking forward to a football game in Hays with the boys and my parents and hopefully some Carlos o kelleys!!

Remembering the Good Times

My first day of blogging, a new one for me! I never had the courage to do something like this before, my courage has always been used in different ways. Now, I am into not forgetting! My life has flown by me and I am stopping it! We are having the best times of our lives and I don't want to forget them!

We have had a pet raccoon named Archie, since April. Barry found this little helpless 3 day old nasty little thing lying on the ground at the feedlot. Barry picked him up and knew it was a baby coon. {looked like a rat to me}. The baby was bleeding from the mouth and had fallen a long ways. Barry thought it was so cool and wanted me to see it! The rest is history. We immediately started researching on the internet, it was all as clear as mud and the laws are not clear as to what to do either. So we decided to go for it! If we get in trouble for saving a baby coon well then somebody needs to find something better to do!

Archie has lived the life of a KING, when he was off the bottle, {3 months later} we started leaving his cage open. He as come and gone as he pleases for 3 months now, showing up at night to get pet and played with. We knew one night when he didn't show, something might be wrong. A few nights later we saw him in the distance and he looked injured and scared. We went to him and he had somehow broken a leg and the bone was exposed. Yee gods, what now! We could never ask a vet to help, so we had to get resourceful. After a week of trying to decide what to do, we decide Barry and a friend can do it. OH YES THEY DID!!! They amputated Archies leg. He has also survived that and it is simply a miracle. We have a long recovery ahead, but lookin good so far! He has entertained many of our guests and I hope he is around for a long time.

Enough for today, no need to go on...and....on, until next time!!

Rhonda