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!

On this first football Friday...

A local business purchased an ad in our Ethel football program and added this Bible verse. I thought what an awesome verse and how it could relate to the gridiron.  Happy Football Friday!

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

My favorite football song....

Not the typical pick for some but one of my favorite pregame songs!

How I spent my weekend...

Working on the Ethel football program Friday night, Saturday morning and all day Sunday! I have access to the software and since it will save the football team at least $1,000, it's my annual contribution to the football team. Well, that and 30 dozen brownies and/or cookies.

It's not big secret...

I've always been the "big girl" and even now looking back on it I really wasn't a "big girl" until 2008 but needless to day my weight has always been an issue. It's too bad when I was in high school and thought I was a COW that I wasn't. I just happened to be taller and bigger boned.

I can remember weighing myself at 10 years old about 4'10 and thinking that 90 lbs. was too big and I needed to go on a diet. I don't remember anyone telling me that I needed to go on a diet. However, I do remember the "diet" gum I chewed at my grandmother's house.

And remember being told to "hold my stomach in" though really and truly,

I didn't have a much of one to hold in. Who says that to a child?

Now, at 33 years old, I am at my heaviest and after being on vacation and having some time to think, I knew I had to do something. Within a week of coming home, Paul got an email from Ethel High School secretary Dawn Bouchillon about a weightloss powder mix and pill called Plexxus Slim. I read about it and having used and abused my metabolism and tried ever plan known to man. I figured why not try it. It's all natural and it helps to supress your appetite.

Three weeks later -- 6 pounds down. I'm starting my walking plan this week but so far it's been sporadic. I have more energy and my clothes are looser. I have to get the weight off for numerous reasons

but the main reason is me!

Me with my sister and dad on Father's Day this year.

December 2004. I was hardcore working out and lifting weights. Still thought I was a COW.

Before my senior year in 95. I'm the one in the floral dress and I thought I was a COW. What was I thinking?