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?

The longest and best vacation ever!

 Paul and I finally got to go on vacation in the middle of July for over a week. Usually we go on vacation right after he gets out of school.

We started in Destin, Fla., and spent two days having fun in the sun, eating seafood and shopping. It was good to rest.

Then, we headed to Kissimee, Fla., for a week's stay at a condo and our friends, Denise and Roger, meet up with us for several days. We have never been so many places while on vacation! It was a blast!!!!

 

 We went back to St. Augustine and did the Trolley Tour again. This time we went and toured a San Sebastian Winery and learned about wine tasting. While the Chisms were touring the "Old Jail," we went to the General Store, where you interact with store clerks and look at all the "new" general  merchandise. Below is a demonstration of a dog-powered washing machine. It's all the rage!

 Paul on the "party line" getting the latest gossip in St. Augustine.

 On the way back from St. Augustine, we stopped by Daytona Beach and the speedway and took some photos. We'd never been to a beach where you could drive right on it and the water was so cold.

 Of course, you can't be that close to Disney and not go! We went to all four parks and get our favorite things. We went to Disney on our Honeymoon and will be going back for our 7th anniversary in December.

 We did a few things at the Kennedy Space Center and we just missed the last launch by a day or so. I don't know why they didnt' wait on us! I never realized how cool astronauts were. The exhibits were neat. That's Paul and Roger above.

Paul and I ate our last meal in Orlando and Sweet Tomatoes and Soulplantation. It's an all you can eat salad, soup, potato bar with desserts. It was the freshest food I had eaten in awhile. Nothing there was fried. It was awesome! We need one of these in Mississippi.

So the littlest Chism gets hitched!

We traveled to Ecru by way of Pontotoc on Saturday to see Jason and Rebecca say "I do."

It was such a sweet wedding, they even expressed in their own words how they felt about one another.  They walked out of the church to "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch." It very much suits Rebecca's personality.

They left in a John Deere Tractor since Jason now works for a sod farm in the area. 

This is the only photo I got! You should have seen Rebecca's blue cowboy boots! Too cute!

I have to mention that I got to see all of my FAVORITE people from South Pontotoc @ the Wedding. Miss them so much! It's not that often that you come across a group of people with the same morals/ways of life that you do. I will see them soon when they travel to Ethel for the football game this season!

High School shouldn't be the high point

I think alot about today's high schoolers and where they will be in five years. Ten years. Fifteen years.

My greatest fear is that someone of them do not make the most of the opportunities laid out in front of them.

Four years ago, a fantastic athlete had the opportunity to go to Northeast CC from Ethel. They wanted him and offered him a scholarship. He was smart enough to make the grades. Alas, he refuse to leave Attala County and his baseball career was over simply because he didn't want to leave home.

As Paul told me today -- You can always come "home" but sometimes its harder to "leave home."

It's okay to leave home! It's okay to meet new people. It's okay to go out into the world and find out who you really are.

Today, I heard of another recent graduate that was suppose to be headed to college in the fall but has oped out for work. Sure the pay is good but in a world where the economy is not the greatest, blue collar jobs are the first on the chopping block.

Added into the fact that at 45 are you still going to want to be doing back breaking work when your body isn't in the best shape.

My whole point in this is simply -- When you are in your 60s and you look back on your life, high school shouldn't be the "high point" but merely a stepping stone into a whole new realm. Make the most of the present, work toward a future and when all this becomes the past smile and know you did all you could do.