Things Change...

One of my favorite movies recently has been Varsity Blues. If you haven't seen it, it's about a high school football player who goes from the bench to the starting lineup because of his best friend's injury. On the way home from the hospital, his best friend's girlfriend hits on him. "But you're Lance's girlfriend." She replies with a classic line; my favorite because it is so very true, "Thangs change, Mox..."

I have a hard time accepting change, but I am trying to overcome that. Recently, I had to make one of the biggest changes of my life; I left my home church. I know that sounds ridiculous, but if you knew me, you would know that my church was one of the things that most defined me. I worked with the children there in many capacities, I was baptized there, I have more memories than I can count. And I cried last Sunday when I left; I cried for leaving the kids, I cried about leaving my friends, and I cried about leaving my past.

But today I have learned that change is not always bad. Not only will the change in churches mean a lot to my husband, but it has meant a lot to me. My sister and niece and nephew are coming with us and I have time to truly commune with God for a change, which is really nice. It's a much more close-knit community than was my larger church. And for what is most likely the first time in my life, I am not running from change, but EMBRACING it...

Go, me!

MU v. Troy

First, I will mention the three bright sides of the game for me--the band is much improved this year, I got a free meal consisting of a Mountain Dew Pitch Black and a hotdogs from 93.7's tailgate celebration, and Gavin Herscher from St. Albans got in the game (my dad coached him and I have his little sister, in Sunday School).

I cannot believe that I am writing this next part. I cannot believe that Marshall lost to TROY for two years in a row! Of course, I am trying to be optimistic--maybe it will make OSU and Georgia not take us seriously and we can take them by surprise. Maybe this devastating loss will mold these guys together as a team. Maybe I could get a cheap ticket to the OSU game on ebay. ;-)

Seriously, though, I want (probably need) to vent about the game. I could not believe the poor, poor officiating. I am a coach's daughter, so I was trained from an early age to blame all horribly played games for my team on bad officiating. Well, this time it really was the case and now I am the little girl who cried wolf. Oh, don't get me wrong. Our offensive line was BEYOND horrible and we made some sophomoric mistakes. I will own up to that. There were several things Marshall did wrong. I own up to that with all of my heart and soul. But those official were OBVIOUSLY out to get Marshall!!! There were at least six game-affecting calls that they screwed up on! SIX! And one of them was GIVING a touchdown to Troy. I know you think I am speaking out of my head because my team lost, but if you get a chance watch the game tape. You will see what I mean. Okay, enough about the officials. On to the offensive line.

You can pronounce offensive one of two ways if you live in West Virginia. The first is pronounced off-fensive. This is the football term. The second is uh-fensive. That refers to what Merriam Webster Dictionary defines as "giving painful or unpleasant sensations". So I would like to rename Marshall's O-Line the Uh-Fensive Line until they straighten up. They were AWFUL! They didn't block worth anything. I have literally seen better blocking from my brother's 9th grade football team! And I guarantee that unless they block better than that next week, not only will we be totally humiliated against Ohio State, but Stan Hill will get hurt. They pretty much just let the entire defensive have a free hand at him. (Okay, I know that is an exaggeration, but I am AGGRAVATED...) And let me clarify this--everything is not the quarterback's fault; he's just the most visible guy. If he doesn't have time to throw because the defense is breaking through, and they're all coming at him, who can blame him for the job he did (or didn't do) tonight?

I'll tell you who--the fans. I only heard a few sprinklings of people who recognized that the officiating and the uh-fensive line were more at fault than Stan Hill. I realize that it is emotion talking when people say things like "Stan sucks" or "Send him back to Mississippi". But people really have to realize that they have absolutely no idea who is around them. It could be Stan Hill's mother or girlfriend or grandmother seated right next to them. I even heard one person say, "Fire Coach Pruett!" Are you kidding me? Fire Coach Pruett? And hire WHO, exactly? Coach Pruett has done more for Marshall football than any coach I can remember! He's a genius. Remember, he's responsible for Byron Leftwich (who the same fans said sucked once upon a time). I love and support the Marshall team (even the uh-fensive line). I like all the boys I have met on the team and all the coaches I have met. To me, being a fan means supporting your team regardless of the outcome of the game. It doesn't mean cheering when they're winning and booing when they're losing.

Okay, I feel better. I'm sure nobody got entirely through this post, but it was therapeutic for me. :-) Have a happy and safe Labor Day!

SHEW!!!

Well, my summer is officially over (signalled with beginning of football season) and this year (probably for the first time ever) I couldn't be happier. We have been SO busy this summer and with Matt's boat being out of commission until yesterday, it's really not seemed like summer.

Our office move took a lot out of me and what that didn't take was absorbed by other responsibilities like Vacation Bible School or Church Camp. I am finally starting to feel like a normal person again. :-)

But now my other favorite time of year begins--the part that I live pretty much solely for me. FALL! There's no softball games, no Wednesday night programming at church--no more living solely for the benefit of others. That may seem very selfish (and it is). But Fall starts football and Garden Club and mystery parties. And it will also bring Cheryl's baby and the anticipation of Cindy's new addition.

And this Fall, more than ever, I promise to myself to take the time to breathe, to relax, to enjoy my life because there's only one trip through it. I vow to stop taking my husband for granted and spend more time with my niece and nephew. I want to strengthen existing friendships and maybe even rekindle a few old ones. I will value my family and will work on my writing. I will be the person I was meant to be in all the ways I can. I will not waiver in my passion for Marshall football, regardless of how much it embarasses Matt. I will not be guilted into going to a picnic rather than watch Marshall play a nationally ranked team (AND BEAT THEM). There are only ten (12 if we're lucky) Marshall games this year and I'm not going to miss one of them. :-) It's the little things, after all.

A Civilization Gone With the Wind

"There was a land of Cavaliers and Cotton Fields called the Old South. Here in this pretty world, Gallantry took its last bow. Here was the last ever to be seen of Knights and their Ladies Fair, of Master and of Slave. Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind."

This line begins one of my favorite movies, Gone With the Wind. I used to associate it only with that wonderful saga of the South. However, I can now identify with the last sentence--"Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered, a Civilization gone with the wind."

It reflects what I see happening to the world. There was a small-town world that I grew up in which, while it was far from perfect, was so much friendlier and slow-paced than the one I know today. Nobody has time for anything anymore and I'm as guilty as the next guy. But I'm trying to change. I finally have a job that lets me leave it totally behind at 5:00. I've been trying to make time for things in life that are really important, but I am finally learning that time is the most scarce and precious commodity of all.

So, if you see me out in a straw hat working in my garden or going to a family reunion or rolling down my MaMa's hill with my sister, smile for me because you will know that I am getting back to what I wish for everyone--the simple life (not the one with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, though). :-)

Dependability

What ever happened to dependability? What ever happened to saying you were going to say something and doing it? I am certain this is the reason of so many divorces and depressions. Accountability and dependability are dying virtues. It's very unfortunate...

My First Blog

Well, from what I understand, blogging is just letting everyone on the Internet know what you're thinking--on the premise that they will care. (I think it's more of a therapeutic tool and that's good, too...)

I want to make my first blog about the fact that I love my life. That's not something you often hear from people, but I really do. I have a great husband, Matt. I have two really pretty dogs, Vivienne and Marco. I love my job--I'm an application support specialist at a law firm in Charleston, WV. I love my house (the only thing I would change about it is make it closer to Charleston). I love my friends, I love my family. I really have a great life. I don't always appreciate that fact, so I am making a note of it here so I'll always remember.

Anyway, I just turned 31, which I thought would bother me, but didn't--I had a great birthday that proved I have some wonderful friends, a wonderful husband, and a wonderful family...

I'm a very busy person, but that's kind of the way I like it... More later. :-)