Sorry for the delay in posts, but I have to admit that I have been doing a few things for myself for a change! I call it my Prescription for a Sane Mom! So, instead of posting about my kids today, I am going to take the time to brag a little about myself!
For those of you who don't know me very well, I grew up playing tennis - and not just fun tennis, I mean the kind of competitive tennis that kept me and my family (my brother played, too) on the road all summer, every summer, traveling to every tennis tournament we could get to! We pretty much just lived out of what Tyler and I affectionately called the Tennis Wagon or Tennis Lemon (picture [and smell] this: one of those lovely Dodge burgandy mini-vans with wood paneling down the sides, full of kids and tennis gear, and smelling of old, sweaty socks barreling down the highways and biways of the Southeast) - what a site behold, but what wonderful family memories we have! I have to admit that I truly believe that this is the sole reason for our family being so close - we spent every second of our summers together as a family! People just don't do that anymore! Everyone is too consumed with "doing it all"! And even though my dad traveled, he always seemed to show up at most of our tournaments. Memories of Dad being there go kind of like this: Mom, Tyler, and I travel to the tournment; we sign in and get our match times; show up at our 1st match and warm up; look over to the courtside and there is mom sitting quietly clapping, smiling, thumbs up (regardless of how you were playing -UUUGGHHHHH); and then there pops dad pacing behind the fence. Even though he was pacing, he was always there and that is what mattered to us! Ok, well, long story short, I got burned out and quit playing altogether at the ripe old age of 13 when I realized that I had nothing in common with anyone that I went to school with during the year and wanted to be in the "in crowd". Me? I know, you can't imagine that!
Well, fast forward to today - haven't really played a whole lot (other than a few spurts of leagues scattered through the years) and 2 babies later. I've been playing on a league that plays once a week at night and have had a great time and decided that this time is for real - I want to play again! And play seriously again! Wow, how things have changed since I was playing competitively at age 11! My partner, Chris, and I decided to play in a local ladies tournament last weekend and we had a blast! Not to mention, we played very well! We lost our first match (to our teamates on our league), but then went on to win the consolation championship! I have to admit it - I've been bitten by the tennis bug again (as an adult) and I love it! The good thing about learning to play as a child? It's like riding a bike - you can quit and pick it back up so easily! Mary Mac also had her first clinic a couple of weekends ago and she has been bitten too! We cannot get enough tennis! I have a video of her that I will try and post if I can get it edited to a short video!
So, I'm going to post some pics from the tournament and the Casino Night party before the tournament started. Another aspect of me playing again is that my husband has finally gotten to see me in action and is so proud! He's never played before, but I think he is really getting into it with me and Mary Mac and is just as excited! See Sam, I told you that I am a tiny bit athletic! Ha! I'll keep you all posted on my tennis adventures as they happen - so stay tuned!
4 comments:
Yea for you! And when Sam wants to start hitting with you, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, hit him in the head with a ball. Just speaking from personal experience with your brother! Granted, Sam is a lot more athletic than me...I'm sure he'll get out of the way of the ball. (That was right after we got married. No wonder it took me so long to want to learn to play!)
I seem to remember the hot tubs and the short skirts, but maybe that's what happened to me. Take it from me however, you are NOT 18 (or 13) anymore- your mind may ask you cash a check your body just can't write. Glad to see you are enjoying tennis again, remember to keep it fun this time around. Be sure to throw in a few courtside beers and a "Diesel-fitter" joke for Dwayne's sake.
Hey everyone, Leigh really was good. I know we are prejudice, but Hal and I thougt she was the best player out there. Wish I had started early playing. It made we so happy to see that her memories of traveling and playing tennis was wonderful, cause they were for her Dad and I. Keep on going and she will be back on top of her game and everyone in T-Town will want to be her partner.
Great memories for me. Being the competitor I was (am), I played every point with both you and Tyler. I just didn't think ya'll could see that far and behind the fence too. Leigh...going to the tennis matches isn't what made us close as a family...we were close from the beginning. That's what family is all about..."wanting" to be a part of each one's daily lives. You'll find that regardless of what Mary Mac, Anna and Blake do, you will "want" to be there for them and with them.
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