New Milestones

I have crossed the 240 barrier!!!

When I started my "lifestyle changes" (eating habits and excercising) I was at 248.
I am now at 240... I haven't crossed the threshhold, but I am at 240... fully clothed... in work attire.... with my leather shoes... and belt... and... cell phone...

Worldwind events.

My weeks tend to blur together sometimes... if you ever want to know why?

Here's basically my week since Thursday. For starters, the 9th grade team played first - which meant the 8th grade team (Christopher's team) didn't start until 9pm. We didn't get home until after 11.

The game was more of the same, with some subtle difference. They played the Bumpus Bucs. The Bumpus Bucs are the middle school team for the Hoover Bucs which are currently ranked #1 in the country. We got off to a really good start with an onside kick - a recovery - and a touchdown ... all in 37 seconds.

We lost... again... making the record 0-4. On the positive side, the coach played more players.

Christopher played kickoff return and defensive end.

It was kind of funny. The coach put in the 2nd string and they were holding their own... they were containing - no big gains... then he put the starters back in, and they scored in 2 play... I have 3 words coach... WATCH THE TAPES!

The picture is of Christopher - performing some good outside containment on defence.

Fast forward to Saturday Morning.

Caleb had a football game Saturday morning. One of his primary jobs was to rush the quaterback. In upwards football, you can place a player 10 yards out who gets to rush the quaterback once the play has started.

These 2 pictures demonstrate Calebs closing speed. In the fist picture, he has planted his right leg... in the second picture he's planted his left leg in order to stop. Thay makes his strides around 5 yards... I don't know about you, but I'm impressed...

Then... to wrap things up - the twins had their 10th birthday party this evening.

Did I say 10? They're 10 already?


Their party was at a place called Pump-It-Up.

You basically gt a room that has inflatables. You can invite 1 - 20 kids for the same flat rate, then you get a party room for your party.

For an hour and a half the kiddies run around, playing dodge ball, running, jumping bouncing... I get tired just thinking about it.

To wrap up the weekend, we have Church in the morining, then a family get together at the church in the evening.

Never a dull moment.

Workout updates

I started working out on 9/12/2005.

My basic workout consists of 60 minutes of cardio, followed by ab work and upper body sculpting.

The terrible thing about our society is that it teaches the expectation of dramatic results. If you watch a program like "Celebrity Fit Club" or "The Biggest Loser" you see people that lose 5 to 9 pounds in a week.

I was talking with Patti about it and she really stressed "slow and consistant" is the way to go.

The "problem" is that my working out simply makes me feel better. My posture is better, I stand taller - I look slimmer.

The last time I worked out for 3 months and dropped 35 pounds. I really didn't notice that I had lost - except the fact that I could get into a couple pairs of pants that I couldn't get into anymore.

I have "before" pictures... I'm not posting pictures until I reach my after goals.

I see the results... and that's a good thing.

Sports update

I AM NOT an overindulgent sports parent, but I am going to make an appointment to talk with Christopher's coach.

Christopher's coach plays the same 11 players on offense and defence.

As a result, the guys that sit the bench are losing interest, the parents of the kids that sit the bench and the kids that play are getting upset and overall morale is tanking.

I want to sit down with him and talk with him regarding what TEAM means and team development.

We can lose just as easily playing all 32 as we can playing 11.

The team that we played hadn't scored a touchdown in like 9 games.... here's the score... of the third loss on the season.















To wrap our sporting activities of the week, Caleb had his flag football game today. The league is really small, so the 4th, 5th and 6th graders play on the same team. Likewise, there are only 2 teams, so every week, they play the same group of people.

Caleb had a blast as usual














And to wrap things up... Joshua is on the A/B honor roll... so congratulations to all!!!

Stick-to-it-tiveness

Well... I'm 3 days into my new workout regimine.

Currently my workout schedule is to bike 5 miles, walk a mile, work my abs, then upper body.

I try to do some variety so it's not always the same thing. I can honestly say that I feel good!

I cut 2 minutes off my mile today. I'm not trying to win any awards or train like I did when I played soccer. My basic pace is about 3 miles/hour - which is a 20 minute mile. Today, I did a sub 18 minute mile.

I really don't mind the excercise so much - it's the dietary changes that are killing me.

I've reduced my caloric intake - but the hardest thing of all is cutting out the miscellaneous carbs... I am a notorious snacker, and there's nothing more frustrating than working out then negating it by eating a whole pie.

Okay, I'm not currently eating a whole pie, but I've done it in the past.

I need to choose a weigh-in day and stick with it. Since I'm mentioning it now, I may as well make it Wednesday.

First, I would like to officially state that at my heaviest, I weighed 265.
I am currently at 245 and shrinking.

Wish me luck.

Joshua's new calling...

Joshua was asked if he wanted to play flag football... he decided that he wanted to take this year off and not play.

We got to the first game and he decided that he wanted to plug in.

Joshua came running across the field and said, "Mom, Dad! I get to get the football and dry it off and take it out in between plays!"

It really turned out to be Joshua standing around with the guys from First Baptist Pelham talking about flag football. He had fun.

When it was all over, they gave him a free water from the concession stand... He was a happy camper.

I'm fatter... I mean flattered...

In February of this year I took "FAT PICTURES" - that's pictures of me with my shirt off so I could see the rools of flab that have taken over my once muscular body. Shortly thereafter, I concluded that I could layer my clothes and hide the layers of flab.

It was my intention to start working out in February so that when we all got together for Mom and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary, I could show off all the progress we made.

What is that old statement that people make? The one about best intentions going awry???

Anyway, I have a new goal. My new goal is to be fit and trim by the time the 25th reunion comes around.

There... I've said it. I've put it in print... in black and white even...

I started my dietary changes today and I even worked out.

From time to time I'll make updated regarding my progress.

Wish me luck.

Upward Flag Football

Today was the Jamboree for the Upward Football league. After only 2 practices, the boys had the opportunity to play 2 quarters of football. It was really kind of interesting because they had not yet had the opportunity to play with flags yet.

This was also the first time that they played on a lined field. It was a day of first, I suppose.

Caleb had a lot of fun.

Just 8 more games to go...

Riverchase plays Homewood

Last night was another looooooooooong night of football. Christopher got in on a few more plays this week. In all honesty, the Homewood school was bigger and better coached. That's the end of my comentary for the day... another loss.

Upward Flag Football

Caleb and Joshua were asked if they wanted to play flag football through a program called Upward. Upward is a Christian Athletic program that a lot of churches do around here for 1st through 7th grade. We generally participate through the one at Pelham First Baptist Church.

The teams are small, everyone gets to play the same amount of time, the emphasis is on teaching the funamentals of the game, and there's a Bible study that occurs during each game. It's a really neat concept.

Joshua decided that he didn't want to play this season, so Caleb is carrying the Woodard torch this season.

Attached is a picture of Caleb running the tires at todays practice.

First game of the season...

Christopher had his first football game of the season last year.

On Thursdays, the 7th and 8th grade teams play.

The 7th grade team looked very good. They were well coached, executed flawlessly.

The 8th grade team looked like a bunch of disoriented 5th graders.

A lot of parents were upset because the coaches aren't substituting.

They also were making very questionable play calls. For all you football fans out there, here's a summary of the play calling...

Every 3rd and long, run a reverse to the strong side. (Ummmm yeah).

Every 2nd down, run up the middle.

No passing game at all... and the same players kept making the same mistakes over... and over.

We don't mind losing, if everyone gets to play. We can lose playing everyone as well as we can playing the same 11 players on both offense and defense.

I was a little excited that Christopher got to get in to play. I grabbed my camera and tried to snap the above picture. I missed my target a little and all you can see is his life leg. I circled it in the above picture.

I think Christopher got in in the 4th quarter for 2 plays... which was more than we can say for some of the other players.

First game results?