Lull

Well, the season ended for the team, and it was a long, phenomenal ride. I look back at what the coaches and the team have accomplished this year and it is nothing short of amazing. Just speaking from my perspective, a non-player, non-coach but busy yet involved spouse (BYIS), it's also been a tough, rewarding, emotional ride. The conclusion of the season signaled a date for us out to a movie. We're making plans for next weekend, too, which includes some serious yard projects.

I'm a wimp

Last night our real estate agent and her husband took us golfing at their country club. To say I was a wee bit nervous was an understatement. Before last night, I have golfed a total of 18 holes in my entire life (minus the driving range), and that wasn't exactly the best performance. We raced out to get a pair of golfing shoes (which are kind of dorky cute, if there's such a thing), and a collared shirt. Although I made some really bad shots and missed the ball off the tee more than once, I think I did okay. My drives were decent; I just need to work on my short game. The hardest part was the walking. I'm thinking I'm in shape, but man, lugging that bag uphill for 500 yards on one hole was tough! Plus, I did the most walking by far because I had to chase my ball all over the fairway. Getting out of bed today was more challenging than usual...my forearms are tight, my abs are tweaked and my hands are sprouting callouses. But as much as I struggled, I kind of want to keep going. I think if I practiced, I could be decent. Plus, what better way to be outside in the summer than standing on a pristine course? I suppose I could put at home with the ol' cup...so I'll always be looking for some ladies to practice with. Let me know if you're interested.

Date day

Sundays are the best when you partake in fun activities and mostly forget that Monday is soon approaching. Corey and I took off because of our open house and went out to brunch at this wonderfully quaint little place near the lake. Only about 20 tables but well worth it if you have to wait. Homemade blueberry pancakes. Yum. Afterwards we went to see Leatherheads, which was more or less an homage to the town for which the team was named. It was actually filmed in NC, and the setting could have really been anywhere in 1925. But the views of Clooney were spectacular, as usual. We hit the grocery store and then had Kim and Tom over for dinner. We played Loaded Questions and watched baseball: a great end to our weekend. We had planned to grill for most of the day, but when the sleet starting falling we decided the "Welcome Spring" BBQ would have to wait.

Snow in the desert

I just returned for Tuscon where I had been for a conference. We were lucky enough to stay at the Biosphere2 and man, for not being a scientist, I was pretty amazed with the place! It kind of brought me back to being a kid again, where everything that surrounds you supplies a certain type of wonder and awe. It certainly didn't hurt that every morning when I woke up and looked out the window, there were mountains surrounding us. We stayed in little casitas which, during the academic year, are dormitories for students doing research in the Biosphere. I was struck by the desert and how vastly different the landscape is from what I'm used to. The southwest is just going in to their spring, which is really the only time of the year where they see rain. There were notes posted warning visitors to watch for the javelinas (wild pigs), deer, racoon-like animals, mice, and very rarely, the Gila monster. That was more than enough to keep me on the path to the parking lot.


Last Tuesday night we actually celebrated Valentine's due to my leaving early on Thursday. We went to Pizza Luce, which we've been known to frequent on the 14th, and then stopped at another watering hole for a glass of wine. We actually both made homemade cards this year which was great. Corey got a tie and some cheeky boxers (which I get him every Valentine's) and I got Obama's book The Audacity of Hope. I was really touched; I had mentioned the book a few weeks ago and was pleased he had remembered. I can't put it down. Thanks for the great Valentine's Day, babe. I heart you.