Thursday, May 19, 2011

Love and Basketball

I am pleased to share that I am now playing women's basketball again. I have looked for women's leagues around here in the past and was unsuccessful. Finally, I noticed a posting for a new women's pick up league in the Downingtown Rec. Spring flyer. I signed up right away. The first night, I was so nervous. The first person that walked into the gym after me turned out to be a girl I roomed with back at Keystone Invitational Camp back in 1995. We remained friends after that summer for another year, but then once college started, we lost touch. It was so fun to catch up with her. And so very random! I didn't know anyone else there, but after a few weeks, I already feel like we are all teammates. The first week kicked my ass. I was so tired...we played full-court for two straight hours--no subs. I could barely walk the next day. You'd thing I'd be in decent shape since I just ran a 10 mile race----nope....totally different kind of running!

Anywayyyy....I honestly feel like a little part of my youth has been restored. Out of all the millions of activities I had the opportunity to engage in as an adolescent, basketball was the one constant. I loved it to the core. I practiced with intensity and passion and I never missed a practice or a game. I thought about it day and night. I think the reason I love it so much is because when I am playing, I think about nothing, but that. I have to focus on it so much that I can't stop and worry about grading papers or if my kids are getting enough vegetables. It just kind of takes me away from any other worry or stress. And it's healthy!! I was about to say that a few nice glasses of wine suffice at times too, but at least with basketball, I am burning calories and competing.

I just feel different now that I am playing again. Maybe "playing" is the key word here? The motto of United Sports Training Center where Greg works is "Never Stop Playing." I totally get that now!

I am fully aware that my 'playing' may be severely limited once my kids are old enough to start activites of their own. Brielle starts ballet in the fall and I can only imagine what the future holds beyond that!

Oh and, I have also learned that playing basketball is like riding a bike because well....I STILL GOT IT! Ha!

Happy Birthday Cami!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet baby girl, Camryn!!! She is full of smiles and happiness today. She totally gets that it is her day and she's just so overjoyed! The things she is happiest about are the balloons and the cake. Any time the cake is mentioned, all she says is, "and and and and a fork!" That means she wants to make sure we give her a fork to eat her cake when she gets it! Brielle is being very good about Camryn getting a lot of attention today. If Cam gets too much, she'll say, "No, it's Hoppy Birthday Baaaaaa." She calls Brielle "Baa" so I think she feels bad after awhile and wants her sister to share in the joy. The love between those two girls is seriously awesome.

Their swingset arrives tomorrow and we have someone coming out to install it early next week! That is their big gift from the Grandparents! (All of them)!