Fusball

I played in my first co-ed soccer game last night. Thursday night as usual Andrew had his league basketball game and his brother and his roommate Josh mentioned that they were playing on a co-ed soccer team Friday nights. How fun I thought, we'll have to go watch. I got a call Friday morning asking if I wanted to be a sub and then be put on the roster.

We should keep in mind that I am rusty and haven't played soccer for 10 years! I am not an athlete, I am just an active mom so I was a little worried. Furthermore, the team is comprised of my brother in-laws friends and his best friends dad's co--workers, so besides three people, I knew no one.

Cleats, check.
Shin guards, check.

Long socks, oops, borrowed a pair.
Confidence, undecided.

Energy, check, check.
Speed, check, check.



Before the game I was messing around at home; dribbling and trying to make some goals indoors....wish full thinking. So I am running around, Carson is laughing because I am being kind of silly.

I set the ball up to make a shot through one of our arches and I kick the ball on our wood when my slippery socks did not agree with the floors and I came falling to the floor. My wrists broke my fall and I land flat on my back! The only thing I could do was laugh and hope that nothing that that would happen on the field.
Not a great confidence builder.

The game went well and we couldn't have asked for better weather, breezy and around 70*. I played the entire game as right forward. I am in shape but last night my legs were a little sore after the game and I thought that I would be in trouble today because I used some different muscles than I do normally just running but they feel fine.

Andrew says that I didn't embarrass myself, which is a huge plus. The other girls on the team were real good. Needless to say, I have things to work on because the only real thing I have going for me is speed and endurance. I need to be more aggressive and work on my placement on the field, I think I might ask my mil (old soccer coach) for some exercises to strengthen my footwork...that is the perfectionist in me talking.

Overall, I had fun and am looking forward to next weeks game!

The Wedding

Whenever I am in the car-alone-I try to make personal calls in peace while I can. So after my EKG class this afternoon, that I loved btw, I made a few phone calls. After talking with Liz, I called my Mom.

As normal she didn't answer but called me back within 10 minutes...the consistent time delay is routine.

The conversation started out normal enough.

Her: "How was your day?"

Me: "blah, blah, blah"

Me: "How was yours?"

I heard the usual and then "_______and I got married."

I think I said, "Married???????????"

silence

Me: "Is this an April's Fool's Day joke?" It is obviously not April but the M bomb was just hit out of the blue so you never know.

Her: "No."

Me: "You really got married? What did you do, go to the courthouse"

Her: "blah, blah, temple, blah, blah, paperwork, blah, blah, appointment at the courthouse this afternoon"

again silence

Me: "You are really MARRIED??"

Her: "Yes"

By now the conversation is getting kind of awkward because I should be super excited but again, this was not expected!

Me: "Well, Congratulations!"-tried to be enthusiastic but I was caught off guard.

I am not sure what to think.

She is happy and in love so shouldn't I embrace it, inst step-dad, new grandpa, moved in with my mom...whoa, overload!

I feel like history is repeating itself. I am happy, I am angry, I feel betrayed, I am disappointed, I am overwhelmed, I want to cry, and am excited all at the same time.

I have read enough Dear Abby's and listened to enough Dr. Laura to know that my mom is an adult and she can make her own decisions but it seems rather quick, considering that they haven't been dating more than a couple months, they have known each other since high school so they weren't strangers. I understand their rush to do it without interjections from family or friends because someone always has an opinion.

However, I think many of the family, me included would have liked to at least know beforehand because this affects us as well.

So as of five minutes ago, we in the midst of trying to throw them a open house for family and then friends asap...craziness I tell you!

I am interested in making a congratulations banner, either sewed or made from paper, any ideas?! HELP, time is ticking!

Oh, the best part about the story is that they go to church together and no one knew that they were dating and they are going to show up Sunday married-funny huh?!

Tasty Tuesday

Spinach Artichoke Tortellini Salad
This one is tasty and the leftovers taste great days after preparation.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 12-16 ounce package of tortellini, I bought the rainbow kind and found it at Costco, I also doubled the recipe for a get together.

1 bag of fresh baby spinach

1 can (15-ounces) baby artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped

1 roasted red pepper from a jar, drained and chopped

1 clove garlic, cracked from skin

Grated zest of 1 lemon

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Bring 5 or 6 inches of water to a boil in a large pot. Salt boiling water and add tortellini. Cook 2 minutes, then add sun-dried tomatoes. Cook tortellini until it is just tender and floating, another 2 to 3 minutes. Drain tortellini and tomatoes, then cool by spreading them out on a large plate or cookie sheet in a single layer.

Coarsely chop spinach, or just de-stem and leave leaves whole (as shown). In a large bowl, combine spinach with artichokes and roasted red pepper.

Chop garlic, then add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and mash it into a paste with the flat of your knife. Transfer garlic paste to a small bowl and add lemon zest, lemon juice, and vinegar. Whisk in olive oil, thyme, and pepper. Add pasta and sun-dried tomatoes to the spinach salad. Dress salad and gently toss. Serve or refrigerate until needed.