Locked Out, Part 3

image: www.technorati.com

Well, we're not really Locked Out any more!  But we're not really back to normal yet either.  The guys haven't returned to their teams, they haven't resumed working out, they're not practicing.....so they're still kinda locked out!  Even though a judge has ruled on the injunction against the lockout in the players favor, the NFL and the players are still on two different pages.  Matter of fact the owners are filing an appeal on the ruling and are saying that it is out of this judge's jurisdiction to even make a ruling on this matter.  So basically, in boxing terms this was just Round 1 and who knows how many rounds there will  be before this is over.  Thankfully, there are still 4 months until this interferes with the season!

Locked Out, Part 2

What's it like to be locked out?!?!?   So glad that you asked.  Today is 4/15/2011.....this is what a typical  day looks like:

8:00
Mister - wakes up
Me - turns over

9:00
Mister - eats breakfast and does his quiet time
Me - wakes up

10:00
Mister - work out
Me - starts working on my "Things To Do" list

11:00
Mister - still working out
Me - maybe reading blogs and emails

12:00
Mister - still working out
Me - probably headed towards the shower

1:00
Mister - still working out
Me - finishing lunch headed out to run errands

2:00
Mister - finishing up the work out
Me - probably dropping by to see Bryce and Daylen

3:00
Mister - home to shower and eat a late lunch
Me - checking to make sure I have everything for dinner

4:00
Mister - checks his email and handles his business (www.SoSportz.com)
Me - helps Mister with his "Things to Do" list

5:00
Mister - telling me about his day
Me - listening to Mister talk about his day

6:00
Mister - back to working (www.SoSportz.com)
Me - start dinner

7:00
Mister & Me - eat dinner

8:00
Mister & Me - watch tv

9:00 - 12:00
Mister - watching tv
Me - knocked out on the couch

Usually by now Mister with his team for off season workouts.  Or what the football world calls OTAs (Organized Team Activities).  My days would typically be the same...with some slight variations.  All in all, being locked out is a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because Mister is around for a longer period of time and we get to spend some QT together.  A curse because of the uncertainty of this season.  I, like most other folks, love football so I hope to see both sides come to an agreement.  But I do know the importance of the fight and I support the players in all that they are fighting for.  So if that means no football for a few months so be it!  My prayer is that the money goes where it's most needed and the game is safer once this is all said and done.

The NFL is not just a game of football that is being played on Sundays every fall, it's a business.  It is the way that thousands of men support their families, risk their well being, grow as men, compete as warriors, bond as friends, and play a game that they so passionately love.  The funny thing is that every man who plays the game at this level will tell you it's not what they thought it was, that it was their dream to play in the NFL.  But very few walk away from the game because they love it and they have played since they were boys.  So this lockout is not to take away the game but to enhance the it as well as the lives of the men who give so much to it!

Locked Out

Image: Orlando Sentinel

I know I haven't been updating regularly...but we are officially LOCKED OUT!!!!  I'll explain in greater detail what being LOCKED OUT has looked like around these parts ;)  Give me a minute to gather my thoughts and I'll fill you in.....I can say that because we are LOCKED OUT, it left our schedule open for Mister's brother and sister-in-law to come visit for the very first time!!!  So hopefully now I'll have something exciting to blog about!

Temporary Home

Today Mister and I moved out of our temporary home!  Now that the season is over....we're going back to our permanent place to enjoy our home and each other during this time off!  I loved our little place while we were here but I'm really looking forward to sleeping in my bed ;)   Here are a few pictures of our little spot all empty, it reminds me of the song Temporary Home by Carrie Underwood...click on the link to see her video ;)

Destination: Atlanta

Over the Christmas holiday my family and I took a trip to Atlanta to visit some friends and family and also to go to a big game!  We had a blast.....it was a quick trip.  We spent less than 48 hours in the "A" but it was worth it.  Here are a few snapshots from our 2 days there...

 A few of my friends from college came to the hotel....I can't believe it's been 5 years!!!

Keyta and me catching up....I hadn't seen here since 2004!

The Mister and his college roommate Marlin

Kaletta and me...we went to college together, she and Marlin were in our wedding, and now they're married and have a baby girl!

Neish at dinner.....it was so late.  We were to busy hanging out and catching up!

Aunt Karen and Neish....it was freezing cold in Atlanta!

Mommie and her Big Sis...having a good laugh!

Daddy and Uncle Slim....laughing too!

My little cousins...Lacy, Elexis, and Ma'Kari

Daddy waiting on us to go to the game

Mommie and Neish after we did make up!

Neish and me....so many people ask us if we're twin!  

All ready for the game!!

Riding the train to the game!

After the big win!!!

Not a big game without ESPN!

Menu Monday

Without further ado....here's what will be gracing our table this week :

Monday: leftover spaghetti, salad, and Texas Toast
Tuesday and Wednesday: chicken stir fry and rice
Thursday and Friday: pan seared salmon and steamed veggies

I'm adding photos of the chicken stir fry....this is when I was still learning how to make it!

I cook the chicken first

Then the veggies

 Add the stir fry sauce

Cook some rice

Dinner is served!

No plans for the weekend because it's Wild Card Weekend and I've learned to never plan dinner when Mister is out of town....sending up lots of prayers for a win for Mister's team!

End of the Regular Season

I'm sitting here watching ESPN recap the playoff schedule and waiting for the Rams/Seahawks game to start.  But I cannot believe that the regular season is over....really....where did these 17 weeks go?  This season has been very interesting....definitely not what I expected it to be.  It's been a mix bag, but that's life, part disappointing and part exciting.  I can honestly say that the biggest lesson that I learned this season is to not have any expectations and that minimizes the rate of disappointment and maximizes the chance of surprise.

So, since we're being honest here....if you would have told me in Week 1 of the regular season that we would be in this new city with this new team I would have been like "nah, we're not on their radar."  But  I'm proof that you never know what God is up to.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity that this new team has offered Mister but somewhat disappointed that it wasn't more.  Nevertheless, by Week 5 when this new team called Mister and told him to come on over I was excited to go.  More so excited for him and the change of scenery.

But I say all of this to say that Mister absolutely loves his teammates and has enjoyed playing for this organization more than any other.  For this I am so grateful, there is nothing like seeing your boo leave with a smile on his face and returning home the same way.  In this thing called the NFL....you have to constantly remind yourself that this is a blessing.  No matter the struggles, injuries, contracts, instability, pending lockout, crazy coaches, FANatics, and insane media.....this is Mister's dream come true!  I'm pinching myself as I think about the fact that Mister has been doing this for 5 years and so thankful that this is the 1st season since '06 that he's heading into the offseason completely healthy (being "injury prone" has been one of the knocks against him).

So kudos to the Packers, Saints, Bears, Patriots, Colts, Eagles, Chiefs, Ravens, Jets, and whoever wins  the NFC West tonight!  Let me not forget the wives and families who have made it through this season too....they definitely deserve a pat on the back because I'm giving myself one! ;)  As of now the 2010 season is officially in the books and while some teams start their offseason tomorrow...the playoffs are just beginning! Mission: Go Big Or Go Home

**Updated - Seattle Seahawks won the NFC West.

Transition

Mister and I am in the midst of yet another transition!  Fortunately, Mister has been picked up by another team.  We are so excited and so thankful....but it definitely adds so many things to my "Things To Do" list while Mister spends his days with the Pigskin.  So needless to say I have had little time for blogging, emailing, or much of anything  other than settling here in this new place.

So, even if I were blogging it would be no fun! I forgot my camera at home so I haven't taken any pictures in almost 3 weeks. I should be back on track in a couple of days and I can really sit down and recap what's happened over the last 3 weeks....it's been quite a whirlwind...but such a blessing! ;)



P.S. -- Just to put it on the record, we lost yesterday.  :(

Smiley Bycie

I got a message today from Colorado from the cutest little smiling baby!  He's away from home nursing his Daddy back to health.  This was his way of saying his Daddy's surgery was a success and they had a good day post-op!  I'm sure Bycie is holding down the fort, big brother Daylen is leading the troops!  So many prayers going up for Bycie's Daddy...for a fast recovery!  And plenty for Bycie's Mommie too!  ;)

Waiting

"Whenever God closes one door He always opens another even though, sometimes it's Hell in the hallway." --Unknown

As I mentioned before it's "cut" weekend in the NFL...and well....we got CUT!

So now we WAIT!

Wait for the next TEAM.

Wait for the next CITY.

Wait for GOD to turn the page to the next chapter in our book.

So while we believe that He has a plan...we just don't know what....so we'll WAIT!

"...then you will know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed who WAIT for Me."  

-- Isaiah 49:23 NKJV

Scenes from Preseason Game 3

Pregame Warm up....I can never get him facing me!

The crowd after the LOSS....not too happy.

Daddy, me, and Momma after the game!  We were heading home....it was a long night!

Hopefully we get a win this week!

Ready For Take Off

So....it's been one week since Mister was officially cleared to go back to football. He's had countless MRI's and X-rays....but he's ready. Back in December he went out to 3 different teams, but little did we know he wasn't healed. Now the draft is over and the door has been opened for all of the draft picks and free agents out there. Through this process I've been taking an evalutation of where we are mentally and emotionally. I'm happy to say that we are finally in a good place, when it comes to football and the idea of a new city.

Before all of this happened I went back and forth over "should I stay" or "should I go". Some women go with their husbands while others stay back and take care of the home front. I had mixed emotions and I've finally decided that wherever he goes, I'm going too! Other than a job I have nothing holding me back. I really and truly believe that a family should stick together! After all of these years of my own family moving around the country, I don't know what made me think that when it came to my new little family it should be any different.

My parents, my sister, and I started out in Dallas and from there we've been all over. It was definitely crazy but it was worth it. I can applaud my mom for being bold enough to follow my dad around the country. Who knows what it would have been like had he always been away. I credit my parents to my being so open to picking up and moving. So here I go, ready for whatever! I can always come back to a job, but I want to support him while he has this chance. I have to remember how blessed we are to even be in this situation. Now that I have my priorities straight (God, my marriage, and then the rest) I'm ready for take off!

Road to Recovery!

I don't really know why I stopped posting....I think that the whole injury thing caught me so off guard. I've been told that when people go through things they tend to hide or keep to themselves when in actuality that's when you need to be around positive people the most. In this situation, I haven't had time to hide....I just haven't been as well connected as I had been before.

Before we got married people told us that you are never prepared for what will come your way, but just be prepared to go through it together. That is definitely where we are...we're almost 9 months deep into the marriage it's been quite an experience. We've had a lot of fun together, no doubt....but football is something that you can never prepare yourself for. The Snickers commercials say "life comes at you fast"......I understand the true meaning of that phrase after these last few months.

Since October, Mister has had 5 doctors and 2 procedures done to his thigh to heal what was originally deemed as just "a bad thigh bruise". Now, that he's a free agent, it's imperative that he's completely healed and back in shape. So I've been determined to walk with him through this entire process. He's officially healed and working toward being back in shape. I'm happy that he's healed, I'm happy that he's happy, and I'll be happier once he's signed!

We have grown so much in 9 months.....not just in our relationship, but also in our prayer lives and our social lives. Before we were home bodies with the exception of date night....but our Bible Study was exceptional. You talk about a shoulder to cry on, a friend to call, and smile when you need one. So through this "thigh bruise" we have found friends and also some things in each other that we didn't know where there. Can't wait for the next 9 months!

It's Been A Long Time!

Wow...I didn't realize that it's been a month since I last posted. So much has happened...I don't really know where to begin so I won't try to rehash the recent past. I'll just pick up on today. Now that I getting used to Mister being at home on Sunday's, I know that I don't have long before he'll back out on the field. His injury is definitely getting better, I just can't believe that it has taken this long for a thigh contussion to heal.

This has definitely been an adjustment for Mister to be at home and watch football on Sunday's instead of playing. To my surprise he's kept a great attitude...but he's ready to get back on the gridiron. Our social calendar has picked up and so we really haven't had time to sit down and be sad about what happened with Mister and the Texans. Not to mention that we've had so much support from family and friends.

In the meantime work has been kicking my butt! I'm still on my weight loss binge and I've loss a total of 17 lbs. I want to get back to working out on a regular basis....I'm just always tired or headed somewhere. My down time is very limited nowadays. Until I get another minute to sit still....take care!

Recovery Mode

This past weekend I anticipated a very different ending! Sunday's loss left a bad taste in my mouth, the team is stunned, and the city is angry. Here in Houston there is not a good feeling about football right now. One thing that I have been oblivious to is that it's still baseball season, and unfortunately the Astros are finished. Basically, the sports teams here in Houston are giving their fans absolutely NOTHING to cheer about!

Now that the team is well into the recovery phase and looking forward to this weeks' game against Miami...I'm still here trying to nurse Mister's thigh contusion! Everyday Chris goes to the stadium and he tells me that he's going through "treatment" 3 times each day. Then every night when we are having a discussion about our day....he says that his thigh doesn't feel any better. I'm getting a little concerned!

The team doctor told him that this would take awhile to heal....but goodness! One of the trainers told Mister that this is probably one of the worst contusions he's ever seen. I really enjoy going to the games, sitting in the crowd, and cheering loud...but when Mister is on the sidelines my excitement declines. I am a Texan fan...no doubt, but I am an even bigger fan of Mister! So, I am anxiously awaiting his return to the football field. Not to mention the fact that he has been tossing and turning at night because he can't get his leg in a comfortable position. I'm missing my good night sleep!

Hopefully this will be the last week that everyone is operating in recovery mode. If the team gets a win and Mister can make some progress, we may finally be getting somewhere!

Everybody Else Is Doing Good!

So...I'm extremely happy that Mister will be home this week for the first time this season. Unfortunately, he has a slight injury that throws him into the "questionable" category for Sunday's game. But in the mean time some of his other friends had some good games this past week.

The NFL is really a small world, there are only 32 teams and each team only has 53 players. So a lot of them either know each other from college or from some stint of playing together on different NFL teams. Well Mister's closest friends had very good weekends! Let me just mention that before Mister got hurt he was having a good Sunday as well....check out some of their highlights!

http://www.nfl.com/players/christaylor/profile?id=TAY113550

Tramon Williams...he started out as a Texan....but it looks like the Packers love him more. I'll be honest when I saw this highlight I screamed like it was Chris....his fiance is my closest NFL friend! She and I understand each other's struggles....Tramon, like Chris, was an undrafted free agent and he deserves every bit of his success and much more.
http://www.nfl.com/players/tramonwilliams/profile?id=WIL545231

James Hardy is a fellow Hoosier....he's really "puttin" on in Buffalo!
http://www.nfl.com/players/jameshardy/profile?id=HAR108650

Tracy Porter, another Hoosier, Porter is wearing #22 well in New Orleans!
http://www.nfl.com/players/tracyporter/profile?id=POR632160

In the meantime, Chris is really rehabbing to get back next week. Thank God they will be home for the next couple of weeks. Our biggest focus is this thigh contusion...I'll keep you updated on how it progresses over the next couple of days. In the meantime, somebody has a birthday coming up....so it will give me time to plan something special for his big 25. Anybody have any ideas?

Another Day, Another MRI

So....here we are week 3 of the NFL season and the day after the Texans third game. Last night I was looking forward to an uneventful week.....today is definitely a different day. Let's just say this whole thigh contusion thing is not looking good.


While I was at work he sent me a text message saying that he was on his way to the hospital to get a MRI on his thigh. The first thing I thought was "here we go again, I don't have time for this". Basically, to make a long story short, Mister had a MRI on this lingering thigh injury and we have to wait until tomorrow to get the results. Sunday he played hurt and during the game one of Jacksonville's defenders tackled him and put his helmet right on the injury. From what I understand the MRI was done to be cautious. The team doctor and trainers think that he doesn't have much to worry about, they just want to make sure that it's nothing more.

Today when Chris woke up his upper leg was swollen down to his knee. I didn't know anything about this swelling, because when I left for work he was sleeping like a baby. So this whole MRI thing caught me off guard. But i'm keeping my hear to the ground and a positive perspective....injuries are just apart of the game. Thank God it's not worst! I'll keep you posted!

Bringing You Up To Speed!

It's been a whole week since I've had time to sit down a blog about how chaotic my week has been. This week has been so crazy because I left Dallas late after the wedding...therefore I got home late Sunday night. I never had time to sit down and catch my breath. So....recap of last weekend, the wedding was absolutely beautiful. I had flashbacks of our special day just 3 months ago! As for the Texans loss to the Titans....I would rather not comment. But I will face the critics....the news media here is not happy with the Texans' performance. They are ready for a new quarterback and maybe even a new coach. I, fortunately, did not get to see the game (Mister forgot to set the DVR) but I've heard all about how it was just a disaster.

Mister came home with a thigh contusion (deep bruise) and has been hopping around here like a little kangaroo. He's been going in early all this week to have it treated and it looks like he's a go for Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Speaking of Jacksonville, we are way over due for a home game. Which brings me to, Tuesday Mister and I along with some of his teammates, their wives, and the Texans organization went to work in the Houston Food Bank. It was a welcomed distraction to the chaotic start of my week as well as Hurricane Ike. We had a lot of fun....check out our interviews with fellow runningback Darius Walker. http://www.houstontexans.com/tv/index.asp?mm_file_id=2582&play_clip=Y

The team announced today that the stadium will be ready for next week's home opener! Hooray! With Mister traveling for the last two weeks and the hurricane the week before that...it has gotten a little hectic around here.

The little bit of me that you've all been waiting for.....drum roll please! I'm starting a new job....yes, I'm putting down my corporate job to take a job in criminal justice. I am really excited, back when I was in Kentucky I interned at the local D.A.'s office and loved it...so I'm headed back to the public sector. Something else that is on my calendar for next week is I'm walking/running in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure with the Texans. I am really excited about this as well....my Aunt Karen is a breast cancer survivor and I am excited to honor her by walking/running in the race with other breast cancer survivors and women period! I encourage all of you to support and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness during the month of October.

Hopefully this week will be a little calmer....and I can blog again before next Friday. We'll see! Cross your fingers that Mister comes home with a win on Sunday.....he's desperate for one! I am too, they need a little momentum to bring to the city for the home opener. Hope you have a great weekend and a wonderful week!

P.S. - Just another way that both men and women can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month http://www.denimday.com/?sourceCode=lee.com

Hurricane Ike Relief

It's been almost a week since the storm ripped through Houston and most of the city still doesn't have electricity. However, the Texans have gone on.  Mister returned to the normal football schedule Tuesday. Luckily, we have electricity....but we have sat in the lines to get gas and stood in line to get groceries. After the excitement of this weekend dies down we are going to assist the organization in the relief efforts for the city.

We have a busy weekend ahead....Mister is going to Nashville and I'm the matron of honor in my best friend's wedding. I'm so excited about both events....one because this is the first time that I will get to be a bridesmaid. I guess I was blessed to be a bride before a bridesmaid. As for Mister, things are going to be extra "crunk" in Nashville because 15 of his family members are going to the game to cheer him on! Unfortunately, I won't be present for his Tennessee return but I know he's going to do well.

Tuesday parts of the Texans organization will team up with the Food Bank to prepare boxes of items for the people who are in need. This will be our first time volunteering....I'm so excited! We have been blessed through this storm and can't wait to help other people.

Anna Mae Eat Some of This Cake!

Well, now that the lights are back on and the sun is shining......we can discuss Hurricane Ike. Before the storm everyone that we talked to made jokes about the hurricane's name. Most of the jokes made reference to Ike and Tina Turner. Now that I'm here to tell the story of the night that Hurricane Ike came through....I can laugh!

The storm was scheduled to arrive late Friday night, so Thursday people were leaving work early to get gas, water, batteries, and more supplies. When I got off at 3:30, I hadn't heard from Mister so I decided to go get a few things (life jackets, rain boots, and batteries). When I turned into our neighborhood I saw a guy boarding up his house. I stopped and asked him was that necessary....he course said yes! So I went on a rampage trying to find some boards. Finally, I found 15 at Home Depot...but only after standing in line for an hour. Mind you, we have 30 windows! Now the problem was finding someone to put these boards up. Someone at Home Depot told me about somebody that they knew that probably knew somebody else who could do it! Yes complicated! I finally made it home at 8:30.....that's when Mister called and said that the team had decided to have Friday's practice that evening and they were going to have meetings until 10.

Here I am sitting at home....the news is reporting about how people better be prepared for the storm....and he's at practice! Question is, how are you preparing for a game....and a hurricane is only hours away? He called me on his drive home, and I filled him in on all of the chaos that the storm was causing....and he had no clue. The team had kept them in practice and "focused" that he didn't know that half of the city was evacuating and that most of the city had shut down at 12 o'clock.

When he got home he watched the news coverage of the traffic on the freeways of people evacuating. All along he's panicking, so I just sat at the island and ate my chocolate cake that I had gotten at McCallister's. Shewt, I was tired of panicking....I had been doing that all day (without him). That's when I took Hurricane Ike's advice and just ate some of my cake...I just needed some calm before the storm!