Christmas and Sammy...

They go hand in hand in our house. It's getting harder and harder to surprise hubby anymore. So I had to think long and hard and try and come up with something that he would like for Christmas that was significant, and that he would appreciate. Guys in general are hard to shop for, and then throw into the mix one who does not like to receive presents and one who has picky tastes.

So this year, a fellow redhead (Sammy fan) owns an art studio has fallen on hard times and needed to liquidate some drawings he did. And I happen to fall upon his posting and grabbed it!

I managed to get this Charcoal drawing #1 of a series of 2 for my honey:

There is only one other like it, and it is hanging in Sammy Hagar's house. :)

He was very surprised and loved it!

Now we just have to save up to get it framed, and find a wall spot to hang it among the other paintings of Sammy. I'm loving our collection! It's a collection of many stories, covering 20+ years of being a fan, traveling all over to see him, meeting him, making new friends for life and having a ball through it all. Each item we have comes with a story.

Without my hubs, there wouldn't be a story. ♥

XOXO

B O W L I N G...

I'm sure there isn't a soul on this earth who hasn't heard of Groupon, and if you haven't, well, then I'm sorry your missing out on affordable heaven on earth. Email me and I'll hook you up. With my not working, our household budget has been very tight this past year, and being able to afford luxuries like eating out, entertainment or treats has had to come to a stand still. But as most of you know, you can only hibernate in your home for so long, before either the kids or you go batty and you need a break. So these last few months I've been squirreling away and grabbing the Groupon deals when they pop up for our area. It's a great way to be able to afford a few hours out with the family for 50-75% off the regular price.

So I had purchased a Groupon a few months back for a Family deal for Bowling, and seeing how none of us had been bowling in a few years, I thought it would be fun to get the Fam Bam out on Saturday and enjoy a few hours.

It was a great deal that included Bowling for 6 people, 2 hours on a lane, shoe rentals, A large Pizza and a pitcher of Soda. Now, the kids complained LOUDLY that Bowling was boring, no fun, and totally NOT cool according to my teenage son. But I insisted and DH and I loaded everyone up and off we went.

We bowled with the rails up since my lil girl had never bowled, and since it had been about 4-5 years since my son had so he had forgotten how. And of course with my family, it's not fun unless you make a challenge out of it. So we all ganged up on my poor DH and our goal the whole day was to beat his score.

And let me tell you parents of kids who complain loudly and insist that it's "boring" and "uncool" to try something new and out of their comfort zone, these kids had a BLAST!

They were cheering, grinning, laughing, trying stunts with the ball, and overall enjoying themselves. But it was one little girl in particular that caught our eye and had us grinning and laughing.

Emily.

She had us cracking up. Each time she would grab her ball and walk up to the line, and throw it down the lane with a chunky THUD, and then stand there with her arms straight up in a touchdown pose with her one leg bent in the air behind her waiting the whole time until her ball knocked down the pins. Then she would jump in the air and cheer, clapping loudly for all to see and run to grab her ball again. It was hilarious. I wish I had remembered my camera.

She kept us on our toes, calling out whose turn it was and patting us on the back if we did poorly. Austin started the cheering chants several times to get us rallied to play, and the food disappeared quickly.

We had a great time. And for two hours that day, we all forgot about doctors appointments, homework, jobs and stress. We spent quality time as a family and made lasting memories.

So don't fear parents, stand firm with your kids, because you just never know if they try something new, whether they'll like it or not, but chances are, it just might be "cool" enough for them.

I think we did alright, when leaving the building my lil girl asks when we can come back and do that again. :)

Oh and that same lil girl, beat us all on the last game! She kept rolling strikes! Go figure! I'm signing her up for a team. :)

XOXO

Rugby...

Has anyone heard of Rugby? Or watched a game on TV or caught a local one?

Do you know Rugby is a cross between Football and Soccer and is played on a Football field, with cleats, but with NO helmets or pads?

Did you know that Rugby is by far one of the most roughest sports in High School for injuries?

Did you know...my son...Austin...is playing Rugby?

Ten years! Ten year of Soccer. Ten years of Baseball. Gone. Out the window.

This year, he decided, without our knowledge, to sign up for Rugby and tried out for the team and made it. This year, he decided to not play Soccer and Baseball. He had no knowledge of what Rugby was, how to play or the rules. But a friend told him it was fun, so he signed up.

Austin is wearing a scrum cap - they get their ears smashed bad and get the "Cauliflower" ear, so this protects them.

And this shy, humble kid, who takes criticism to heart, gets his feelings hurt easily, loves hard and plays harder...LOVES it!!!

He literally LOVES Rugby! He can't stop grinning, or stop talking about it. He even got his TWO cousins to join with him. And THEY love it!

That's Austin on the bottom tackling and taking the opponent down.

I don't get it. It must be a boy thing. Because at our first tournament, I was cringing and biting my nails, even weeping behind my hand watching them get kicked in the head with cleats, stepped on with cleats, broken fingers and legs, broken noses and bloody gashes coming off the field. Asthma attacks, Paramedics, bags of ice, our tent area looked like a triage scene from a battlefield. And yet...they were all SMILING.

This group of boys are the nicest group I've ever met. They treat each other with respect, support each others games, lift up spirits, cheer each team on, share food or supplies with the ones without, protect and care about each one.

My heart swarmed.

My boy...has found his calling. Has found what has made him happy. Is having the time of his life. And he's doing it with the greatest group of kids who i know will have his back.

So although we have been to the Urgent Care twice already for cleat injuries to his hands, arms, legs and fingers...I will just make sure my health insurance is paid in full, and sit in the stands cheering my boy on. Because there isn't anything I would give to see that smile on his face.

XOXO

Today...

I'm loving my life...

Could have something to do with the Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte I made at home too...

XOXO