Going on holiday!

Tomorrow I'll be flying to Portland, Oregon for the ASA Women's (Class C) National Championship Tournament. I'm really excited about this trip for many reasons. Not only do I get to take a brief vacation from work, but I get to visit the northwest for the first time and I get to play ball while I'm at it. The crappy thing about it is that my husband and daughter aren't coming with me.

Tournament play starts Friday and continues through Sunday. Hopefully, we'll be playing on Sunday. Aside from playing softball, I'm looking forward to visiting the Nike World Campus in Beaverton and checking out Voodoo Doughnut in Portland. The entire team is headed to the Nike campus on Thursday morning for a tour and some shopping at the employee store. I can't wait! I don't know when we'll head over to Voodoo Doughnut, but a bunch of the gals are curious about the place, and it's 'products'.

I'm looking forward to being away for a few days. I won't be back until Monday, so I've got 5 days of personal retreat, sort of. I was able to make enough money through freelancing to cover my trip, which works great for the budget. All you fellow Dave Ramsey fans should love that.

Broken heart

My heart is sad today. A good friend of ours called us yesterday to ask us to pray for her and her husband. Apparently, he has decided to file for divorce when he returns from duty overseas. It breaks my heart to see this happen to dear friends. This is not the first time we've had this call, but this is the first time there have been children involved.

It's just plain sad that adults give up. We can attest that marriage isn't easy. And contrary to what many Christians argue, divorce is the greatest threat to the sanctity of marriage, not Gay marriage. As a Christian, it breaks my heart each time this happens. What kind of example does this set to your kids? That when times get hard, it's okay to throw your hands up and call it quits?

Hey, I don't live in a bubble. I know that relationships are hard and that circumstances that lead to divorce are no cake walk. But, most of the divorces I've seen and causes can be worked out. It's just that people choose not too. I have to work at my marriage because I'm not perfect and neither is my husband. We just don't let those things get the better of us.

I don't know. I'm just sad today. There's nothing we can do for our friends but be there to listen and pray for them. And we'll do that.

Quote for the day

"Success is not an entitlement, it has to be earned."
Howard Schultz

Couples' fitness challenge

After some friendly banter with my husband, we found ourselves in a challenge to see who can make the most progress in the area of fitness. We've recruited our best friends who were just as excited to do this. What makes this exciting is that we're facing off guys versus gals.

I have to say, I'm really looking forward to getting back into shape. The best part is that the winner gets $100 do with what they please. The trash talking has already begun, eventhough the contest won't officially start until Sept 3rd.

Movie: 300

I finally saw 300 last night. My husband has been dying to see it for some time. We had some free time last night after our daughter went to bed, so we ordered the movie on PPV (this is why I love satellite). I knew Gerard Butler was hot, but man, did he look fabulous in this movie. His acting wasn't too bad either. Just kidding. (Sort of)

I enjoyed the movie. It was full of action, blood and drama. I could've done without all of the naked women, but it is a guy movie after all. 300 is no exception to the ultimate guy movie. Blood, gore, naked chics, and hot leading lady.

Yea, Lena Headey was fantastic. Her character was strong willed and phenomenal. Most female characters in historial epics play more submissive roles, and Headey's role was far from that. I can't recall any previous movies Headey was in, but she did a fantastic job in 300. I do remember Butler from Timeline, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Reign of Fire and other good flicks.

I definitely recommend 300. Just make sure you put the kids to bed first.



You can check out pics of 300 by clicking here.

Election peaves

With the new election year nearing, I'm reminded of the things that irritate me about voters. As a minority, I know the importance and significance of voting. Regardless of what the media says, your and my vote do count.

But, as the political rhetoric spins on television and cable, I can't help but think of all the things that get under my skin in an election year. Not the politicians mind you, they're in a category all their own, but every Jane and Joe that can vote.

What is it that irritates me so? Let me share.

Election Peave #1: The single issue voter
That's right. Nothing irritates me more than the voter who votes for a party or candidate based on one single platform. Don't get me wrong, any single issue can have a dramatic impact on the lives of individuals. But, to narrow down your vote when there are a number of important factors that impact you and others, is quite simply stupid. I could use more 'pc' terminology, but it's my blog and I don't care.

Election Peave #2: Historical voter
What's a historical voter? Someone who votes a certain way because that's what they've always done. They don't look into where their particular allegiances are today, only what they've done in the past. Political parties have changed and your momma's party isn't what it used to be.

Election Peave #3: The 'I'll show you' voter
These irritate me to no end. You know these folks. The ones that vote for one candidate because they don't like the other. Oh, you showed him. Come on, grow a life. Find a candidate that you believe and vote. Don't just vote for someone because you don't like the opponent.

Election Peave #4: Trusting voter
There are far too many of these around these days. It's quite odd actually, seeing that the level of government skepticism has increased. But, too many voters don't do their research. They listen to only one side of the story, or one media outlet to make a determination. We all know that media bias exists, so get off your duff and research the issues.

Funny clippings

I was glancing over a couple of news sites and came across these funny clips. We've got a couple of winners this morning:

The Hamburglar strikes
A 48-year old man brandishing a tire iron, busted a glass door and grabbed $20 from the cash register of a Kansas City McDonald's. Wanting more money, he swung the tire iron at employees who ran to the back of the restaurant. As he followed, one employee wrestled the tire iron from his hands. As he turned to run out of the McDonald's, employees flung kitchen utensils at the thief.

The burglar was caught by police after a brief chase that left his green Ford Explorer with a flat tire. He is being charged with burglary, armed criminal action and resisting a lawful stop.

Nondiscreet
A Kansas City, Kansas man is charged with one count of second-degree invasion of privacy after he was caught videotaping men in bathrooms at the Missouri State Fair. A State Fair employee noticed the 41-year old carrying a briefcase making several trips to the bathroom within a two and a-half hour period. The employee followed the man into the bathroom. Noticing that the man wasn't 'doing' the business, he alerted state troopers.

Troopers later found a video camera covered by a blue towel in the briefcase which had recordings of male body parts.

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Sources:
When a man tries to rob a McDonald’s, employees fight back
Man charged with filming in Missouri State Fair bathrooms