Loving my kindle

This summer I said I would probably like a kindle and I got one for Christmas. I am such a nerd that I've been downloading classics for free.

So long 2011...hello 2012...

Most of you know that since September, I've been battle one kind of an illness after another. So, I'm ready for this year to be over with.

It's also made me appreciate a lot of things in my life:
-- My husband who has listened to me cry and freak out and want to pull my hair out. He must love me.
-- All the people out there who have prayed for me or sent me messages. I'm glad to know that I have made good friends over the last four years since we moved to Kosciusko and of course, all my friends from places far and wide.
-- My mom and dad. They would do anything for me as parents should!
--I've learned that my house doesn't have to be clean and I don't have to have make up on everytime I leave the house. I have to do what I have time to do.
-- My health -- I have to be a healthier person -- take vitamins, exercise, no stress, eat balanced diet. Sure, I'll probably get sick from time to time but at least I can fight the battle.
--The things our side business allows us to do -- travel, etc.

I am definately ready for the new year. :)

I sure am going to miss my boys!

I'm a little behind on this one. This year, the booster club decided to do a fall sports banquet and a spring sports banquet.

They were in the 8th grade when we moved here and well they've grown on me through the years. I can't believe their seniors and they won't ge tout there when I take photos in August. They are really a great group of young men and I know they are going to do great things in the future.

Coach Wood, Coach Parish, Corey Mac, JerMich, D.W., Coach Dees, Steen, M.J. aka Predator, Brento and Coach Dillinger.

Lisa's Christmas present

My sister told me she got me an extra christmas gift so would I take some preggo photos of her and Bryan.

They turned out really good. She and Paul have been telling me how I need to start taking them professionally.

So if you are interested in me taking photos of you and your family, let me know.

Merry Christmas

We are very blessed to be able to see almost all our family at Christmas this year. Unfortunately I didnt get any photos from my grandparents because I was to busy passing out gifts
Here are some photos from Christmas eve and Christmas day in rolling fork

Disney at Christmas

These are all from magic kingdom.

Still got this sinus crap but I'm at the happiest place on earth!

My string of illnesses continues but at least I know what it is now. Two types of bacteria in my nose and I just got over a urinary tract infection.
Paul and I are celebrating our 7th anniversary in Orlando just as we did on our honeymoon in 2004.
It's our place!

Pray I'm well by Christmas eve!

A little thanksgiving

I've been sick with a viral common cold for about two weeks and let me just say "it sucks." I'm 33 years old and I've never had one. Luckily I was able to spend thanksgiving with my Newman family in valley park.
Next year huck and Audrey grace will have a new cousin to play with because I'm going to be an aunt in march!

Another 5 things I'm thankful for

16. Not having to worry about money. I always use to worry about that when i was growing up.
17. My Newman cousins. They are the biggest group of distinct personalities.
18. Simple things. Clean sheets. Fuzzy socks. Homemade goodies.
19. Chocolate. Any and all kinds.
20. Books - they are the greatest source of knowledge, imagination and power to think outside of the box.

And I'm thankful for...

11. My children. They aren't really mine but its such a privilege to be "mom" to the 40-plus football players. The hugs and smiles and laughter are worth all the brownies I bake during football.
12. Our silly pets. We have three -- two cats and a dog. The furry babies love is unconditional.
13. Traveling. Growing up we only took two family vacations. It's important to have time away and I'm glad that we are able.
14. My former co-workers at the commercial dispatch. It was an ever changing group but so much fun. I'm glad to say that I can still call yall my friends. Yall taught me a lot.
15. All the coaches' wives that have become my instant friends. It's a great support system especially when at sometimes during the year your husband is with the coaching staff more than he is with you.

posted from Bloggeroid

What I'm thankful for...top 10

1. God. Cause without faith in him I don't know where I would be.
2. My husband who is my best friend.
3. My mom and dad. Not everyone gets both parents these days.
4. My little sister. She's enough not like me and yet the same too.
5. Ability to pay bills and have a roof over our heads.
6. My job. Though trying at times, I know that not everyone has one. It can be a lot of fun.
7. Lifelong friends that I don't talk to often but when I do, its like it was yesterday.
8. Growing up in a small town. It sheltered me from a lot of things people have to deal with these days. Also everyone knows your name.
9. My grandparents. Just because they taught me through their life experiences. Good and bad.
10. My almost grandparents -- uncle Horace and aunt Florence. They treat everyone like family. I'm just glad they are actually in mine.

posted from Bloggeroid

Seniors Last Game

It's hard to put into words how much I'm going to miss this bunch guys! What a group of hard-working, and as Paul would say "Good Character Kids." I know they are going on to do great things. I'm so proud of these young men.

Our Senior Captains -- D Dub, MJ, Steen, Corey Mac, Garrett and Brento. Apparently I cut off JerMich. Oops.

Paul talking to the Seniors after the game.

Seniors "breaking it down" one last time.

I always say being a coachswife is like ....

Being a politician's wife....most of the time you smile and nod and make small talk.
However sometimes enough is enough.
So I will start with this ...my husband is the best person I know. He deals with more bull crap and headaches of teenage angst and parents complaining.
There are a few things I want to address:
To the fans who think eating at the rustic kitchen is the reason we lose the game. That is the most absurd think I've heard lately. They eat thriree chicken strips, potatoes and a roll or spaghetti or hamburger steak. They aren't eating steak or a seafood buffet. They ate from burger king three time this year as well.
The annual stew sale. We've been every year and I've taken off work to make deliveries. This year we didn't. and now we are just horrible. Here is my problem. I really don't enjoy people being nice to our face and then stabbing us in the back.
Paul works on football from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to sleep if he goes to sleep.
He continuely is a positive influence on those children's lives. To those that don't have fathers around. He's their father. They have team devotionals on game fridays and probably more concerned with kids grades then their own parent (some of them).
So we didn't win a lot on a year full of injuries and sickness. Small teams don't leave room for many backups. Our team record isn't a reflection of how hard the players and coaches work .during the season.

posted from Bloggeroid

Rest of the test came back all good.

Got the blood cultures back on the mycoplasma and I was free of mycoplasma. The other culture said I had had it before. Called Friday and got the rest of the results everything was good. Mow I'm being treated for allergies.

posted from Bloggeroid

So here's what's been going on...

This I promise will be the short version. I tested positive for mycoplasma bacteria/walking pneumonia on Sept. 6 and then I string of unfortunate events including not strong enough antibiotics and a lot of freaking out. And messing up my labs. On September 26, I made an appointment with my dad's ENT doctor in Vicksburg.

Two weeks of Cipro and by the way, you don't ever want to take Cipro. Lots of really bad side effects.

Then a week off meds, then return to V'burg for a CT scan of my sinus and two doctor's appointments -- one with an ENT and one with infectious disease doctor.

CT was fine with no blockages. The blood cultures have to "grow" for 6 days before they will know if I still am carrying the mycoplasma bacteria.

So, for now I'm fine. Hopefully, I will continue to be that way.

Leslie

Stew sale time.

Awesome movie!

Paul and I rented this movie off of Dish over the weekend. It was really good! 5th Quarter, based on a true story! I will be catching up on my blog about football and what's been going on in our world soon.

Homecoming snapshots

So from the top: Brittany got homecoming queen; Sweet little Ava Bell was the flower bearer; Adam didn't get to play because his knee brace but he'll be back next week; Neat little pick of the lineup; and my boy Potsy. We didn't win but the effort was definitely there!

Happy birthday to you

Paul's birthday was September 12 and it was also the third time I went to the doctor for this allegry/sinus mess. It's needless to say that I didn't bake a cake. Here is what he did get...

posted from Bloggeroid

First Division Game

Michael Erving carries the ball against West Lowndes. Thought this was the best photo I took all night.

QB Bobby Potts scrambles for some yardage.

Michael Johnson playing like a wild man.

Well, the final score was 42-22 with West Lowndes coming out on top. To many turnovers killed us along with a few questionable calls. Next week is homecoming so we gotta get better and well fast.

I'm still not a 100 percent back from this mycoplasma infection. Paul is well, I think. I have to get well. I don't know the last time I've felt so yuckie! No fever since Thursday. Just weak and achy with a little sinus junk mixed in.



Football Thursday -- One of my fav football films...

Is "Remember the Titans!" The biggest message to me from the film, which chronicles the integration of a public high school and football team, is that their is no color in "TEAM!"

Football is the most integrated male sport at Ethel High School and for those that don't know the make up of our school it is 60 percent white, 40 black. I tell you all this because I see a group on young men on Saturday night after Dees Antique Auction. They were laughing and talking about things they've done together and well, the things that teenagers talk about it.

Two of them are white and three of them are black. I am sure without football they would still be friends they would be but football binds them together.

I bring all this up for the simple fact as this -- I sit in the Attala County School Board meetings every month and listen to the same thing over and over -- The white people of Ethel this and the white people of Ethel that. We are the PEOPLE of ETHEL PERIOD! The white or black, we all, care about the school.

It is disheartening that in 2011, race is still so much of an issue especially over at McAdams, when compared to our school.

Now that I'm off my soap box! Let's get ready for some Friday night high school football action. Hopefully, I will get to go with my mycoplasma and all. Paul's better today but I went back to the doctor today and got my meds upped and a shot!

Good LUCK, TIGERS!

Ethel comes out on top of the Battle of Attala County

We played a little flat the first half but we came back with a vengence to win 40-22 over county rival McAdams. And to the unsung heros of the offensive line -- I salute you. Without you our running backs wouldn't get in the enzone.

Paul is still battling his infection from last week plus now we both have mycoplasma bacteria -- it causes walking pnuemonia. UGH!

Game song of the week!

We play McAdams, our county rival this week, so I thought this was fitting. Go TIGERS!

When coach gets sick....

Well, he never gets sick! However, he's been running a little bit of fever in the afternoons after football practice and it's gotten increasingly worse.

Since we didn't know what was wrong, Paul and I went to the Trace and he was diagnosed with a bacterial urinary tract infection. He missed work Monday and went to practice only yesterday and today he went to school a half day. The antibiotic is working but its making him a bit sick at his stomach.

He's had a much more severe case of this about 11 years ago. I'm just glad we caught it early this time.

We play McAdams this week and it's a county-rivalry showdown too.  

Prayers would be greatly appreciated! :)

Week 2 Snapshots

I guess I was pre-occupied and this are the best of the best that I took from Friday night. Next Friday, we play McAdams (the other county high school) and I will hopefully take more!

And sometimes you have to look at the big picture

I got on the field early Friday night. I couldn't take it. I needed to walk off the nervous energy after all we were playing the South Pontotoc Cougars.

Our stat guy, Charles Fancher, asked me if I was "Okay." I guess I looked a little white faced. "Yes, I'm fine. I'll be okay," I told him. "It's a just a lot to take in. I love Coach Chism and Denise but it's just to much to take in." And my eyes welled up with tears.

Then the clock started and y'all played ball. I've never seen y'all play like that. Every ounce of effort. Never quit. I've only seen one Ethel team play like that and the seniors were in jr. high. Potts was standing on the sideline as manager in the 7th grade.

I could not be more proud of y'all. I know y'all wanted to win for your coach and let me tell you, it was an awesome effort.

Friday morning, I didn't pray for a win (I figured that would be just me wanting revenge and that's wrong). I prayed for no injuries, for Paul not to get strung out and for us to show that we could play football. Everything I prayed for came true.

Moving here will always be one of the greatest changes in our lives. He was going to get that Sebastopol head football job (we were told later after he didn't go to the job interview and he could have been worked at Ridgeland High School) and we picked you.

I win would have been great but the bigger picture is that we are changed by you and for the better. And I know Coach has changed you. So no matter where you go and no matter what you do, Coach and I will always be here. We love y'all so much!

There were three young men, long past their playing days (I'm guessing they are about 25), standing on the fence cheering on the Ethel Tigers and dressed in black because Coach Dees coached them at South Pontotoc from the 7th grade all the way through their senior year. Some bonds can't be broken.

Now let's get ready to take the Attala County Champion title back to Ethel!

Four years ago...

Paul and I moved back to the place he called home and that was now "our home." And it wasn't by our choice and it was basically because God had a plan.

He coached for 10 years at South Pontotoc and over that 10 years, he went on multiple job interviews at big schools and nothing. Then after finishing his 10th season with 5-5 and a post-season loss, we felt pretty good. The next year looked even brighter...February came and a witch-hunt by school board members ensued.

It dragged on until June. Multiply job interviews and each turned into a closed door. Then, he and his long-time friend, Junior Graham, were talking on the phone about Ethel's head job and Junior said you are going to get the job. I know it.

So we drove to Ethel and I stayed at his parents' house and waited and waited. We met him in town and he said to me, "I was told we are going to be very happy." Paul then called his friend, Kenny, at Ridgeland and then canceled his interview at Sebastopol for the following day.

From that point on everything fell into place, renting our house in Pontotoc, finding a house in Kosciusko, me getting a job and Paul finally got to come home and coach at the one place he always wanted to.

When he first graduated from college, all he wanted to do was come home and coach at Ethel. His friends got to come home and work nearby. He will also tell you that going to South Pontotoc, saved his life and brought him to a relationship with God. We have some great and wonderful friends. We miss them so very much.

But the greatest joy in our lives is the football players at Ethel High School. Cause if different things had happened and we had gone on to Sebastopol, there wouldn't know have been an Aaron Blaine, Jarrett Smith or Jamerious Beck; no "Smiley" and no Matt Morgan; a Hunter Dempsey, Keith Colllins and Dustin Wood or even a Dylan Simmions and Nick Winters. You get my point.

I know he touched their lives because they have certainly touched ours.

Win or lose against South Pontotoc tonight, I will still believe in "Vegas and Black" and "I bleed Black & Gold," and this is where we are suppose to be.

Football Thursday -- Song Choice #2

Van Halen's "Right Now." Maybe I"m "old" but it's a great song for football pregame. Happy High School Football Eve.

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y: Ethel 29, West Lincoln 20

 Brent Simmons & Co.

 Antez Hopkins

 Antez, Colby Mac and D.W.

Bobby Potts completes a pass to Ryan McKinley. 

We were very proud for the win over West Lincoln (Brookhaven) on Friday with a score of 29-20. I think the players were happy with the win as well but wanted to play better. And better they must play this coming week when we take on the South Pontotoc Cougars. 

In case, you don't know -- Paul was the head coach of the Cougars for 9 years and an assistant for one year prior to becoming the head coach. Also, Roger Chism is now the head coach. He was Paul's right  hand man and one of our dear friends. 

I know the kids are going to get up to play for this game.  I'm going to be on "pins and needles all week." 

I look forward to seeing lots of old friends and some of his former players! 

I've been hearing that at least three former South Pontotoc players will be dressed in Black and Gold and sitting with the Ethel fans!