The Football Widow

I'm Coming Back!

2010-06-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Hellllllo people! I know I have been away for so long. It's been so long that I couldn't even remember my own password - Ha! I'm in now and watch out! I am going to give this blogging thing one more good chance. We have so much going on each day that I should have plenty to talk about - I just don't know who will want to read it!

Starting Kindergarten? Already??

2009-02-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend will be Sarah Grace's 5th birthday. Can you believe it? 5 short years ago. She could be in Pre-K this year and starting Kinder next. I can't get over the fact that 5 years have passed. It seems like just yesterday. It is as clear and vivid as this morning.

Her birthday is actually Leap Day (Feb. 29th), but we will celebrate/remember on the 28th. I would like to do something special for her. We usually do flowers and a balloon. I am afraid to do the balloon because I dont want Bailey to freak out. She loves balloons, and I don't know if she would understand leaving it :)

It never really does get easier. I think I am managing better than Dusty. He never has been himself since her death.

I ask that you remember us this Saturday. Just say a little prayer to help us make it through the day.

~ Wendy

No News is Good News?

2009-02-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

You have always heard the saying 'No news is good news', right? I guess that it must be true.

I have been turmoiling over what to write about for the last couple of days. However, I have nothing. It is not like I am standing still in a bubble, but I don't figure anything has been that interesting really. I guess not really interesting enough to write enough about. Instead, I thought I would bring you a list of the recent 'dos' in our lives lately.......

1. I won Teacher of the Year for my campus. I was completely surprised and overwhelmingly honored.

2. We have had a birthday party for Bailey (see post below) and been to 3 since then. What a busy life my 3 year old lives!

3. I introduced Bailey to the joys of the Dollar Tree store.

4. I had bunko last night. I enjoy getting together and spending time with the girls. We had a Mardi Gras theme. Thanks to Boudreau. She had gumbo, jumbalaya, and zydeco music.

5. Oh, I guess most importantly.........The Coach's basketball season is OVER!!!!! I finally get my husband back - at least until the first day of May (Spring Training)!

Well....that's it. Our week's highlights wrapped up in 5 points.

~Wendy

Does music describe a person?

2009-02-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

I got on a gadget kick this past Christmas. One of my new gadgets that I received was an Ipod Touch. I really love it. I am not real Ipod savy, but I am working on it. Did you know that they do not come with manuals. I have discovered that I love manuals, so you can understand my dilemma. I have been researching alot on the web. I want to know everything this gadget has to offer. Of course the obvious is music. If I have learned anything from my Ipod is that I don't know what kind of music I like.....

There are so many types of music. I used to be a C & W fan, but it has gone too hip hop. I am not really a rocker. I don't like all the loud guitar solos. There is no sense in screaming the lyrics. I find myself drawn to acoustic/folk. Does that make me look like a tree hugger? Don't get me wrong - we need to save as many trees as we can (that is my recycle plug), but I am not all about chaining myself to a tree to save it. When I think of folk music, I think of barefeet, broomstick skirts, long, stringy, ratty hair, etc.... That doesn't describe me.

I need someone to help me. Does anyone know any good music? I am open to all. I will give everyone a shot. Who is your favorite singer/band?

~Wendy

The Birthday Girl

2009-02-09T19:32:00.000-08:00

We will call this the official beginning of my comeback :)

This weekend was a blur. Bailey's birthday was Sunday. She is 3 years old. Can you believe it? Time has flown by. It kind of makes me sad :(

Anyways, I decided to have an actual party this year. The last parties were just family. I thought she was beginning to get to the age where she might enjoy and understand a party. Me being new at this, I decided to do a little research on toddler parties. I discovered that you should keep it small and simple - makes sense really. Guest list number should be the age the child is turning plus one. So Bailey is turning 3 plus 1, I should invite 4 kids. 4 kids? I can handle that. Then the stress kicks in: what to feed kids, what to do to keep them entertained. This is alot of pressure.

Bailey decided on a Minnie Mouse party. I finally found someone to do a great cake. We got decorations, invited some friends and bought her present. I thought I was ready. The closer it got to 2:00, the more I realized I wasn't ready. My intention was to have the party outside. Little did I know that Gale Force Winds would be blowing. We had to do a little improvising, but all in all ~ I think the party was a success. At least it gave me an opportunity to get my feet wet for future years.

So my little one is 3. I am amazed daily by her. It is when you are about ready to hang her from her toes, when she says something so sweet and endearing that it makes you want to cry for thinking about hanging her from her toes.

I am going to attempt to post a picture of the birthday girl.

Love to all~

Wendy

I'm coming back!

2009-02-08T20:05:00.000-08:00

Oh the shame of not keeping up with my blog.... I am so sorry! However I am here to tell you that I will be making a comeback! Thanks Tedra! Therefore look for me in the very near future. I have so much more to talk about. Weddings, old long lost loves, and Bailey of course!

Stressful afternoon....

2008-10-01T20:04:00.001-07:00

Today was a pretty good day. I was pretty busy at work. My new position makes the days fly by. I love it!!!!

After work, I went by and picked up Bailey. She had a great day. We decided to go to Wal-Mart and get the oil changed in my truck. Things went well in there. She didn't have any meltdowns. We picked up some fall decorations for home and my bulletin board at school. Thanks to Donkey - I am now the proud owner of some pumpkins and gourds for my front porch. :-) Anyways, we are leaving Wal-Mart and I call Dusty to tell him we are on our way. I am probably a mile from the house, when I see cars stopped in front of me. I stop and look in my rear view mirror and see a truck pulling a trailer racing towards me. I know there is absolutely no way that truck can stop in time with that trailer behind him. I have enough wits to pull into the turning lane before the guys slams into the back of me. He hit us, but only the back passenger side. The truck jack knifes and the trailer slams the driver's side of the truck. Oh, it was ugly. I throw the truck in park, jump out and check on Bailey. I swing the door open and she looks at me, points to the dvd player and says "Look momma, Kipper". She didn't have a clue that anything had happened. Her world revolved around a British dog cartoon named Kipper. We are fine. I am just really shaken. It scared me to think how quickly things can happen. As for my truck - well that sucks!!! I haven't made a payment on it yet. It has been through 4 states running from a hurricane and now a wreck. Whew! I am beginning to think that truck might be unlucky.

Speaking of luck. Just thought I would tell you that the Lethal Ladybugs are 4-0. Woo-hoo!

Love you all,
~Wendy

Oh, I almost forgot....

2008-09-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a little fantasy football update for you. We are going into week 4 of our season. This is where it starts to get a little tricky. Players are starting to get hurt and teams are starting to have bye weeks.

I just thought I would let you know I need you to keep your fingers crossed. The Lethal Ladybugs are 3-0 this week. I am the only undefeated team. I have a tough, tough, tough opponent this week though. So keep those fingers crossed that the only woman in the league can show those men how it is done!

~Wendy
Lethal Ladybugs

Where does time go?????

2008-09-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

We finally made it back to Texas. It was actually a couple of days ago, but things have been very busy. We had a little more damage than we thought. However, none of it compares to the devestation that others have endured. It is absolutely heartbreaking to see some of the damages. Do you know that there are still people without power? It has been 2 weeks. They are much stronger than I could even think about being. We have declared ourselves "King and Queen Pansies". Don't think I won't be running back to TN for the next storm. I have lots of insulation and needs lots of cold AC :-)

I want to thank my dear friend Tedra for blogstalking. She saw this counter (see it on the top right hand side of my blog?) and told me that I needed to add it to my blog. It is in honor of our first daughter, Sarah Grace. I can't believe it has almost been 5 years. My how things change so quickly. It is all so real that it seems like yesterday. I can see it all so clear and vivid - each minute as it passed that day. My hope has always been that no one should ever have to go through that. Sadly, a dear former student just walked in our shoes this past week. There are so many things I want to say to him, but nothing I say will ever take away the pain he feels. It lives inside Dusty and I. Not a day goes by that we don't think about Sarah Grace. It is nice to have everyone think of you and be there for you in the beginning, but soon those people will go on with their lives. My life has a void in it -there will always be something missing. I know that God has his reasons and sometimes I think I know why and understand why He took her from us, but it still doesn't make it any easier. However, life can't stand still and we must go on. We are so fortunate that God blessed us with Bailey. She is truly our miracle and I thank God daily for her.

Well now that life is somewhat getting back into the swing of things, I hope to be a more faithful blogger and finally figure out how to get this page up and running with all the bells and whistles to go with it.

Much love
~Wendy

Still here....

2008-09-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

We are still in Tennessee. The weather here is wonderful! The high has been 68. It is clear, crisp, and sunny. I love these kinds of days. A chill in the air, but the sun keeps you warm. Bailey has been having a wonderful time. We have spent the days with her Papaw. We have seen cows, horses, been to the park and created a stick garden (I am not sure what that is, but it kept her entertained for a long time). At Mimi's, we have rode the 4 wheeler, rode her 'hi'-cycle (tricycle - everything starts with 'hi' - 'hi' cream, 'hi' cycle,) and played upstairs in the play room. She has even discovered the game Memory (the matching game) and LOVES it. It has been fun watching her learn and discover new things here in TN. However, we are ready to go home.

LaPorte still won't let residents return. Even with strict orders not to return, my dad and sister did. Fortunately for them, they both had power. We on the other hand - do not! My dad drove over to our house yesterday. It is worse than what we had previously been told. We did loose the window in the back, but don't know the damage inside still. We lost our entire fence. Bailey's swing is a mangled mess. Dad said there was no salvaging it. We lost shingles on the roof, so we are praying there was no leaking during all the rain. We even lost a tree in the front yard. Praise the Lord it didn't fall on Dusty's car or truck. All of it is minor damage really, but it is so disheartening. I feel really sick about the swing. Bailey got it for her birthday this past year and she absolutely loved it. It breaks my heart for her. I guess we know what someone will be getting for Christmas or her next birthday :-)

I hope everyone is well. Dusty, Bailey and I will continue to enjoy our little vacation. School is supposed to resume Monday. I guess we will see.

Love to all
~Wendy

Good news....

2008-09-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would let everyone know that we have talked with our neighbor. He went and looked over our house. We lost our back fence. Funny thing is that he doesn't know where it is, but it isn't there. We had a window blow out the back of the house. Dusty called one of his fellow coaches (who rode it out there) and Coach Torres went by and patched up the window. He checked inside the house and it seems that everything is in tact. No flooding or anything! Praise the Lord! God is good!!!

Thanks for your prayers!
Love
Wendy

Looking out my hotel window....

2008-09-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

Two days, 450 miles, and 11.5 hours of traffic later, I find myself sitting in Jackson, MS. waiting to see what kind of damage Ike will do to the Gulf Coast. I have sat here in this hotel room flipping channels from the Weather Channel to every news station, surfing the net and fighting a bored 2 years old all day long. I have accomplished nothing, but have caused myself great stress worrying about my house. I live very close to the coast. This incredible surge they keep talking about is causing me to 'meltdown'. I am very worried about my house. I know that I left with everything that is truly important - my child and husband (Kennedy too), but you can't help but still worry. There are thousands of memories collected within those walls. I would love to be able to create more. I come to you today and ask for you to say a prayer for me and my family - for our safe travel and our home we left behind.

God bless you all and be safe!
Love,
Wendy

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here we go again! I am so frustrated with Hurricane season. When does it end? Hurricane Ike is making his way towards the Texas coast. It looks as if we are in for almost a direct hit here in the big LP. Question is "Do you evacuate?" Mmmmmm......been through that with Rita. It is hard for me to believe that Contraflow lanes will solve all those problems. We have booked a room near Intercontinental Airport just in case. However, is that really far enough inland? What do you do? I am the kind of person that needs plans (in advance) and structure. Ike does not fit into my schedule. I have too much going on in my life to have Ike to come along. Things are going to be interesting around here!

Also, thanks Lianna (Donkey), I love you!

Say a prayer
~Wendy

The Season has started....

2008-09-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

Can you smell the excitement in the air???? As if living and breathing high school football isn't enough at my house, the fantasy football season kicked off today at noon. Can I get a woo hoo? I am fired up! I have a kick butt team this year. Yea that's right, I play. Normal I am the annoying person that smashes the 'real' players hopes and dreams of making it to the Super Bowl. Not this year baby. I am a contender! Thank you Willie Parker! Muah - I love you man! I even stepped out of the box and drafted a Co..Co..Cow...Cowboy! Ugh! I know, I know....I can't believe it myself. I ashamed! I am so sorry, but the money sounds so good. I could do alot with the winnings. And I am well on my way after taking out Buddy Blues today. Ha ha ha - he thought I would be an easy win. NEVER, EVER count out the Lethal Ladybugs!

~Wendy

A cool feeling....

2008-09-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

I remember several years ago listening to the radio on the way to work. My favorite radio station (back then) had a DJ named Robbie. Robbie always did cool feelings. I thought they were humorous and could often relate. I had a cool feeling today and thought I would share.

After my long day of work, I go pick Bailey up from daycare. We grab her a Happy Meal, wash my truck and run a few errands before heading home. Once we get home, I let the dog out and run Bailey's bath water. I put her in the tub and fill it with bubbles. I go to let the dog in the house, but he isn't at the back door. Ten minutes later I go back to the door and still no dog. Finally, I have enough snap to look at the gate - it's wide open!!!! What the heck????? Now what? My dog is running down some street like a lunatic and my child is in the middle of her bath. What do you do????????? Obviously, I said a prayer for the dog and finished giving Bailey a bath. We eventually got in the truck and started our search. It took about 30 minutes and 14 good samaritans, but we finally caught him. The smallest aroma of freedom and he is CRAZY!!!!

Cool feeling for the day....You are rescuing one love from all the dirt and germs of the day, while you pray your other love doesn't get hit by a car. Now that is a cool feeling!

Thank God that Kennedy was okay. I don't know how I would have told her that her puppy was gone!

~ Wendy

A giant step.....

2008-09-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

Today was monumental for me. Bailey went to an actual daycare for the first time today. I have pics, but don't know how to post yet. Yes, I am a dork taking pictures on her first day. She did awesome! No tears, no screaming, no kicking! She walked in and went straight to the other kids. She is so much more social than her dad and I. I was pleased. She told me that she would see me later and that was it, so I left. Then the tears came - not from her, but me. I can't believe how grown up she is becoming. I felt so empty leaving her :-( I am sure you are thinking that I went on to work and continued my day with never a thought more - WRONG!! I am the secret neurotic mother that calls. Yes, I called to check on her midway through the day. She was fine, of course. As the school day ended, I bounded for the door to pick up my sweet baby girl. I got there and she was excited to see me. No bumps, bruises, cuts or scratches. She was just the same way I left her (just a tad dirtier and sweatier). What a relief. They said it was like she had been there everyday. She fit right in. Thank the Lord for answering my prayers!! God is good!

~Wendy

The Beginning

2008-09-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Well.........here we go! My super duper best friend Tedra started a blog awhile back. She has been after me to keep up with it, so I have been trying. I found it rather humorous and continued to check back more often. I have even left a comment or two. This got me to thinking. Maybe I should begin a blog. Then I thought, naw...we are pretty boring over here in the big ol' city of La Porte. Then I thought 'Why not?'

"We interrupt this marriage to bring you the high school football season"

If there is a special place in heaven reserved for the mothers of little boys, I maintain that the same could be said for the wives of high school football coaches.

High school football lasts for three months every fall, but it is certainly a year-round job. Football coaches are hard-working, dedicated, resilient, patient (except at home), competitive, and tough.

Their wives are all of that and then some. They are the "coach" at home in every sense of the word. They possess unique skills, talents, and world-class patience that allow them to survive each season. To say that they are right up there next to saints and other worldly figures is a fairly accurate comparison.

If you are a little unsure of that statement, watch what happens the next time a wife gets sick during the season and see the wheels come flying off the wagon at home faster than a 4.4 40-yard dash.

Wives hold the household together during the season by being chef, maid, counselor (talking coach off the ledge after a loss), landscape technician, plumber, mechanic, schedule coordinator (this one can be a real joy), event planner, parent, spouse, bill collector (from the husband), chauffeur, mediator (between the husband and the kid), shopper (this one can actually be fun), sounding board, public relations liaison (this role can take many forms), and the list could continue.

She also probably works, because coaches make the big dollars (Ha ha ha). As an added bonus, she gets to sit in the bleachers on Friday nights and listen to all the grumblings, insults, profanity, gestures, and play-calling/strategic moves advanced by all the "coaches" in the stands.

Coaches are absent both physically and mentally so much during the season, that wives truly must be a jack (or jill)-of-all-trades to keep the fort held down. Football takes substantial amounts of time, energy, and commitment from coaches. Twelve to fourteen hour days are the norm. It is difficult for coaches to come home after these days and make significant contributions. Exhaustion settles in after awhile.

Thus, the need for the extraordinary energy (she also worked all day) and resolve of the wife to take up the slack for their husband. Whoever coined the phrase "behind every great man is a great woman", was giving a rock-solid description of coaches and their wives.

I AM A FOOTBALL WIDOW!!!