It's been a long time my freinds

It has been way too long since my last post.

Volleyball is now finished for the season. We won the district championship once again. This time it took some hard work in a play-off game against Grace King. We play the best 3 out of 5 and we took it to 5 games. Winning the 5th and deciding game 15-7. I was very pleased buy my young players. I only have 2 seniors this season. Most of my player are Sophomores and a couple of Juniors. They are like players from the past. What I mean is they are young and hungry. They want to learn and they want to get better. I wish they all had the means to play "club ball." But when you teach in a public school, those players are far and few between. But still they did respectful. Our overall record was 18-6. We won not only the district title but we won the Higgins tournament. We have a lot of positives to take us into next season.

Next volleyball season I will take on a new responsibility. I am going to be the coordinator of the State volleyball tournament. It is a big job and I will need a lot of support personnel. The ladies that have done it for many, many years are ready to retire and they wanted me to take it over. After a lot of thought I agreed to shadow them this year. It was hard but I believe I can keep it going just as they did...with a couple of small changes. Wish me luck !!!

In October I took a break from volleyball to attend the Saints game in London, England. What an experience. I have posted some pictures from the trip but I am waiting for my cousin to email me some pictures from her camera. For me, it was the first time I have ever been to Europe. I had a very good experience....besides the driving. Wow, was that crazy. I could get us to the steering wheel on the other side of the car but the other European drivers were absolutely CRAZY !!! They did not care about anyone else but themselves. On the second day of driving, I just had to get into their mode of thinking. I feel sorry for the Hertz man who checked our car in....it had scratches from the front left side to the back left side. It was kind of hard to judge that first day. We toured three Castles. The one I liked the most was Hever Castle. It was where King Henry VIII spent a lot of time. The grounds were the most beautiful. I thought that was the best part of all the Castles were the grounds. The garden were so awesome. Some even had mazes that we could go through. What a life those people had...of course until Henry got tired of you and chopped your head off...Ouch!!!

Hurricanes Gustav and Ike...kiss my...

Well now, I have not written in a while. It's been kind of hectic around here. Gustav was a nasty one....only to be followed by Ike, who wreaked Galveston, Texas. Let's back up...

I had a decision to make about going to New York with my friends or staying to see what would happen with Hurricane Gustav. I figured if I stayed home and it did not come I would be upset that I gave up the trip for nothing. If I stayed and it did come...I would have to evacuate and probably be without electricity for a week or so....NO BRAINER....I went to New York. My husband and son went with his parents across the Lake to Sun, LA. They were very safe. Now, New York...I love that town. So much to do and see. It was the perfect place for an evacuation. That is until the airport in New Orleans opened back up. We were stuck there a week....but like I said at least there were millions of things to do. I did everything from Broadway plays to bike riding in Central Park. The weather was fabulous and the company was outstanding. 9 people together on one trip and we all had a great time. I did have to fake cry to the front desk to get a room for the remainder of our trip. I must have done a pretty good job....they put us in a 2 bedroom 2 bath Deluxe Suite. It was so perfect....worth every tear !!!

Hurricane Ike hurt Texas more than us. Although we have not been able to get to our fishing camp to see if there is any damage. I feel that like Hurricane Rita we probably lost a lot of the wharf. I'll have to keep you posted on that subject later.

My volleyball team has lost a lot of matches because of the Hurricanes. We lost 2 tournaments and one match. We have played three matches and have been successful in all three. I'm so proud of them. they are working so hard. Tomorrow will be a strong test. We are playing Chapelle High School. They are always good and it is always a battle between our schools. If our blocking is on then we will have a good shot at winning. If we are slow to the block it could be our downfall. I'll keep you posted on that also. Our young players are really doing well. We have a strong core of 10th graders who are gamers. They leave it all on the court and as a coach you can't ask for more than that.

Until next time.....

Away we gooooo !!

Well, school is in full swing. All of the students have been in school for one week now. Our volleyball team is looking pretty good. We competed in the Ben Franklin summer league and did OK. We have a lot of work to do, especially with the young ones. Some are eager to learn and just think they know it all already. Boy, do they have a rude awakening. We have a scrimmage on Tuesday and another the following week. After Labor Day we open up with Slidell. They have always had a real scrappy team and it is always a good match. I did schedule kind of hard this season because we are so young and I want them to stay playing at a certain level throughout the season. I am looking forward to playing in a new tournament this season. We are going on a road trip for two nights. It's just to Baton Rouge but I know they will enjoy themselves.

These are some recent pictures of Brett in our back yard with his sunflowers. He planted them and now they are taller than he is.

Brett started in the third grade this year. He is always nervous about the start of the school year. He makes excellent grades but he goes through this every year. I know he will do well because he is so loved and supported. That is all kids want...is to know they are loved and supported.

My real estate career is on hold until after volleyball season but I did get the OK to start working. I am going to try to contribute when I can.

Fun with the family

What a week so far. I was brave enough to take Brett, Joseph and Jordan to Blue Bayou water park yesterday. We had a good time. We met my Wife-in-law there. She and her husband had 9 boys and girls from the Jr CYO at our church. This was the last leg of their summer trip. OK-- for those of you who do not know what a Wife-in-law (WIL for short) is....here is a quick explanation. Patty was married to my current husband a while back. We became quick and close friends once we moved around the corner form them. We do a lot of stuff together. We walk in the neighborhood, go on girls' vacations, you name it we do it. People often look at us and shake their heads...but it works for us.

I have only ONE week of summer break left. I have to report to school next Wednesday. I feel as if I am already back because of volleyball. The girls are almost finished their second week of training. I hope next week to start working with the balls....but once again it depends on if the gym floor is ready. If not I may have to go elsewhere. We have a tough schedule and I need to get cracking with these girls. I'm ready to see who is serious and who is not. I have my eye on a couple of girls that I think are going to be tremendous players....I already know they are serious.

Well, I wanted to take time to thank Mary for getting me into this blog. I think it is going to be fun. Here are some more pics you requested Sunshine !!! This Brett and his cousin Joseph. Tonight is the first time Joesph is sleeping over.

Enjoy !!!

Practice makes Perfect....NOT...Perfect Practice makes Perfect !!

Today was our second day of conditioning for volleyball plractice. I have the girls doing different strength training exercises. Some are doing well....and some you can tell have just been lying around all summer....OUT OF SHAPE !!!

I am excited about this season. We are the defending district champs and we lost our district MVP in Blandis to graduation. Our team is going to be young but we played a lot of young ones last season. At least they will have that year under their belts. I have big expectations for this team if they can stay out of trouble and get along. Girls are so hard to coach. My husbands' friend said it best when he said " I'd rather eat government cheese then coach girls." Having coached both I'd have to say that the boys were a tad easier to keep together as a team then the girls I have coached. Only one team in 19 years had that cohesiveness that we always strive for and they made it to the State Finals in 1996.

Our backyard at home backs up to a canal. Therefore, we have plenty ducks outside who have found refuge in our backyard. My son have named them all. With that being said, they have become a small part of the family. I am proud to say that we have a new edition to our duck family. "Puffie with White" had babies. They are so adorable. Right now they are in the stage of being bright yellow with brown on them. They are sooooo cute.

A big Happy Birthday to my friend Rhonda. She turned 43 today and is spending it in the Cayman Islands......NICE !!!!!

Till another day......

Can we talk ???

Hi all !!! Welcome to my life. I am a 1st time blogger.....so bare with me.

I guess I'll just start with today and take it from there. Today I took the Real Estate Salesperson Exam. I studied all summer for this test and today finally came. I was a nervous wreak driving to the test. After going back to the car to drop off my cell phone ( not allowed) and my book bag, I finally got settled. I only had 39 minutes left of a 3 hour exam when I got the results.....I passed. I was in shock.....me...pass...1st time. YES !!!

I immediately called Tommy and he was so proud. I then called my soon-to-be boss, George. He also was very encouraging. I can't wait to see what he has planned for me. If you know George, you know he has a plan all ready for me. I'm so excited !!! After almost 19 years of teaching and coaching....I'm staring a new chapter in my life.

Watch with me as it unfolds ........