Isn't God Great?

A meteorologist in Jackson and one of my spiritual heroes, Barbie Bassett, has a blog. She mostly uses it for sharing her thoughts and a daily devotion. It's pretty great and inspiring. Check it out here. However, sometimes, since she is a meteorlogist, she blogs about the weather, what is going on, what to watch for, etc. She's been giving updates about Gustav. Today she did the same. But also, she answered a viewer question about how to deal with children who are afraid of the weather. She said she dealt with the same thing with her 5-year-old, Gracie. Then she said this:

"The truth is tornadoes, hurricanes, and storms occur everyday all over the world. When God made this earth, He made it to work in cycles. Although we seem to be more afraid of the damage from hurricanes, the churning of the ocean waters help to "mix up" the water and bring more nutrients closer to the surface so sea creatures and plant life can have more to feed on. We are scared of damage from tornadoes, but tornadoes often have rain that accompanies it. Plants and animals need the rain that comes from these storms. So you see, storms do have a place in this expansive world."

It really made me realize how awesome God is and how He really does have a reason for everything and has everything under control. It's so neat to learn how those things we are so afraid of also do some good in this world. You can always find something in a situation to bring God glory from it.

On another note, my girls (volleyball) beat Auburn tonight, at Auburn, in their own tournament, in three straight games, for the first time in school history. We were 0-4 against them. It was incredible to see. To see these girls turn around from going 6-21 two years ago to 16-13 and having the first winning season in school history, to beating a team like Auburn, was so fun. You would have thought that they won the national championship by the way they celebrated after but I know it was just because they were so proud of themselves and each other. They really worked as a team. No one player stood out among the rest. The burden was never on just one player. They worked together and it was so fun to see them get something good out of it. And the people who needed to step up and be leaders, did so. And it showed.

We have a new coach; he's pretty awesome. Already you can see how hard these girls are working and the discipline they are learning and how that is paying off. Also he's a spitting image of Dane Cook so just being around him is a treat. I cry everytime from laughing so hard.

Anyway, it's almost midnight and I have to get up in about seven hours to get ready for a match at 11:30 and then wait around about seven hours for another one. And then drive back to Birmingham. It's going to be a very long day.

Sidenote: Tulane is evacuating to Samford this week. Let the fight for facilities and practice times begin, especially if it rains all week. Southeastern Louisiana's tennis team is also evacuating to Samford with the possibility of UNO coming as well. Geez, there's going to be a lot of people on campus next week.

And the Saints just evacuated to Indianapolis. Really? Why so far? I guess they are not taking any chances.

Gustav, stay away from NOLA. Please. I don't think it can take much more. Plus, Casey really, really wants to have her bachelorette weekend there. Be kind.

Are You Ready For Some Football?!?!?!?!

Ladies and Gentlemen. It has creeped upon me again but football season is upon us. And volleyball season...and cross country season...and soccer season. This is the day that my life officially is not my own anymore. It is, for the next nine and a half months...or at least until Christmas...surrendered to the sports gods. I will no longer be able to go on a whim and do something fun. Why, I have to schedule things three months in advance and it has to work around the Samford Athletics composite schedule including dates and times for around 12 different sports. So long life. See you in May. Don't have too much fun without me.

It didn't hit me until I was greeted this morning my a nice little email from Christopher including a few small words: "It's gameday! Five o'clock cannot come fast enough."

Really 5:00? How about 11:00 p.m.? That's when I'll be heading home. Actually, how about May? That's when things will finally start winding down. At least he gets to sit on his couch and eat a steak and watch football from the comfort of his own living space. I get to sit in a cramped press box, answering a phone with one hand, running a copy machine with the other hand, all while trying to explain to a first-year female student worker why those guys in the blue jerseys are running through the grass with the brown oversized egg thingy and why those other guys have to be so mean when they try to stop him. Really. This is my life for the next few months.

Oh, but all is not lost because with football season comes volleyball season and road trips (when football is not home) and free meals. Over the past two years, I've come to love the sport of volleyball. I hated it prior to my coming to Samford. It's actually and interesting sport and pretty intense. (t's even more fun when you add sand and let only two people play. But that's another blog for another day.) Not only do I get to visit a new city and college campus just about every other week, I get a free hotel room and free meals at places like Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel and Ruby Tuesday. Yum. Yum. Yum.

I'm actually looking forward to this volleyball season since I've gotten to know the girls and the new coaches and we are supposed to be pretty good this year.

However, the highlight of my year will undoubtedly be the one MSU game that I MIGHT get to go to. The Auburn game. I really don't care who we play, as long as I get to see my DAWGS play, but it's even more fun to watch us play another SEC and be surrounded by friends. I hope that the DAWGS will back up their goals this year and be headed to another bowl game in December. (Just not on December 29th because I have a basketball game to work. See how my life is?)

Anyway, I'll leave you with a few snapshots of our football campaign for this season. The company that did it is playing on the fact that we are a private Christian school. It's pretty clever if you ask me.

One Word

I stole this from LT.

Object: answer questions with one word ONLY. Not necessarily as easy as it looks! Can you do it?

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Where is your significant other? non-existent
3. Your hair? brown
4. Your mother? musical
5. Your father? hero
6. Your favorite thing? laughing
7. Your dream last night? interesting
8. Your dream/goal? ministry
9. The room you're in? office
10. Your hobby? painting
11. Your fear? snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? marriage
13. Where were you last night? Boehm's
14. What you're not? working
15. One of your wish list items? iTouch
16. Where you grew up? Jackson
17. The last thing you did? yawned
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? off
20. Your pet? Randi
21. Your computer? on
22. Your mood? sick
23. Missing someone? definitely
24. Your car? saturn
25. Something you're not wearing? rings
26. Favorite store? Target
27. Love someone? undoubtedly
28. Your favorite color/shade? maroon
29. Last thing you ate? orange
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? today

The SEC Football Maniacs 10 Commandments

This is great! Since football season is upon us, I thought this was appropriate to share.

Extremely important recommendations for wives, girlfriends, fiances, mothers, sisters and daughters.

1. From the first weekend in September until the end of the bowl season, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. The remote control will be fingerprinted each night, any sign of your fingerprints and all shopping trips will be canceled for a month.

2. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, for an important reason such as preparing snacks or getting the beers, I don't mind, as long as you crawl along the floor.

3. During the football season, read the sports section of the newspaper so that you understand who I'm yelling at during the season. As a tip, check the box scores for the referees names too.

4. During the games I will be drunk as Cooter Brown. You cannot expect me to listen to you, open the door, kill any spiders, answer the phone, etc. It ain't gonna happen.

5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.

6. Please, please, please!! if you see me upset because my team is losing, DO NOT say I'll get over it, it ' s only a game, or don't worry, they'll win next time. If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about
football than me and your so called 'words ofencouragement' will only lead to a break up or divorce.

7. If a great play occurs while you are in the room, you may be required to freeze or repeat your act for the rest of the game as good mojo. If my team wins, you will be showered with gifts for the next 6 days. If they lose, you will be blamed repeatedly for moving, blinking or secretly
not believing in your heart of the power of mojo.

8. Tell your friends NOT to get married, have any babies, or any other social related parties or gatherings that requires my attendance because: I will not go, I will not go, and I will not go. However, if a friend of mine invites us to his house on a Saturday to watch a game, we will be there before the Coors Light bottles reach 'Code Blue'.

9. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. College Game day and the highlights on Saturday night are just as important as the games themselves. Even if I curse Lou, Herbie, and Corso like the anti-SEC, biased dogs that they are, I still want to hear what they say.

10. And finally, please save your expressions such as: 'Thank God the football season is only during the Fall.' I am immune to these words, because after this comes the NFL playoffs, the Pro Bowl, AFL, AFL2, the CFL, and the replays on the college sports channels.

Fun Weekend With The Family

I got to go home this weekend and see my family. It was my brother-in-law Ross's birthday and it was also the last weekend I get to go home until Thanksgiving.

Friday I got together with some of my friends, two of which I haven't seen in quite a while. Of course we talked wedding talk, since we are all in Casey's wedding in January. We all can't wait.

Me, Julie, Casey and Hollye

Saturday, we celebrated Ross's birthday with family time at my parents' house and pizza. Ross is fun and cute and all but not as cute as the nephew William is, so all photo ops were centered around the little man. My sweet boy had a surprise in store for his Boompa, Lili and KK. Check it out:

I'll close it out with a few cute pictures of William. He's growing so much! I can't believe it. He's got his front two top teeth and front two bottom teeth and some are now coming in the back. He'll be a year on October 31, Halloween! I can't believe it!

These cymbals, along with the drum behind him and a tamborine, were his daddy's when he was a babe.

This is the high chair that Anna and I used when we were little.

Cute face!

Another list...Friday Five!

I stole this from Rossie's blog, mainly because I'm bored at work.

Five things that make me laugh out loud:
1. That 70's Show
2. FRIENDS
3. Myself
4. My nephew, William
5. That show, Wipeout

Five reason why I love the Olympics:
1. Michael
2. Phelps
3. In
4. A
5. Speedo

Five websites I visit more than five times a day:
1. Facebook.com
2. Blogger.com
3. Samfordsports.com
4. Dayoldnew.blogspot.com
5. MSN.com

Last five movies I watched:
1. Mirrors
2. Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
3. Stick It
4. Rumor Has It
5. Cool Runnings

Five places I haven't been to but I want to go to (one day):
1. Fenway Park/Boston
2. Hawaii
3. Australia
4. L.A.
5. Italy

Five places I have been to and can't wait to go back (one day):
1. London
2. New York
3. Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
4. Paris (hopefully the next trip will end better)
5. Knoxville, Tenn.

It's time for my list...

After reading everyone else's list of "Things You Can't Live Without", I starting thinking about the things that I really can't live without. At first I thought that there really isn't much that I can't live without. But then, I started thinking about all the things that make my life great, besides my family and friends. So here goes...

1. ICEEs and mashed potatoes - Not necessarily together. I love ICEEs and I'd get one every day if I could. And mashed potatoes are my favorite food. My Grandma used to make the most amazing mashed potatoes ever. Homemade. I never thought that I would find another recipe for mashed potatoes to top it. That is, until I went to Honduras. It was like eating clouds. So good. I don't know how they made it but I would have begged the women that made them to make them every day. They were soooo good!

2. The cellphone/text messaging - I really don't know what I would do without it. Most people know that I don't like talking on the phone so texting is a lifesaver for me. It's not that I HATE talking on the phone. I can definitely talk on the phone especially if its my parents or sister or a boyfriend. BUT...because of text messaging, gone are the days of calling someone to ask them a simple question and then getting into a long conversation. You just type the question, send it, and, TADA, you've got your answer. This is also good for me because I like to make sarcastic remarks and instead of saying it to myself when no one is around, I just send it to Casey, Bethany or Chris, all of whom usually appreciate it.

3. TV Remote Control - I hate commercials. Especially Alabama commercial. Sticks 'n Stuff is the worst. And Suzuki Man. There are maybe three commercials on TV that I will sit and watch. Mostly Sportscenter commercials. (The Michael Phelps one is classic). Anyway, when I commercial break comes up during my TV viewing, I immediately change the channel. The remote control makes this easier. I can't funtion if the remote doesn't function or if it is missing.

4. TV - Staying on the same page, I don't think I could live without TV. Actually, I know I could because I did it in Honduras. But it absolutely one of my pleasures in life. How else would I live vicariously through other people without Big Brother, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Real World, Jon and Kate Plus Eight, Deadliest Catch, and The Hills. Also how would learn how do survive life or be a superhero without Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, Chuck, and 24. Or hone my gameshow skills without Wheel of Fortune. And not to mention the sports. Football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, the Olympics. Everything. The TV is on when I'm at home and it's on in my office.

5. The CHI/GVP - See my CHI post for background info. Even though I don't have crazy frizzy hair, I love this product and couldn't imagine not using it. Like Tricia told me once, "Once you CHI, you never quit." So true.

6. Coke/Dr. Pepper/Wild Cherry Pepsi - One of the three must be stocked in my house. I don't think I could go a day without just one.

7. Pepper's chips and rotel - Need I say more? Birmingham needs to get a Pepper's. McAlister's just doesn't cut it.

8. The internet - How else would I keep up with friends I haven't seen in years?

9. Flip flops - I don't like wearing shoes, and since I can't just go barefoot outside, this is the next best thing. My feet are suffering because if it. I have plantar fascitis in my left foot. I'm convinced there's just a huge crack in the bottom of my foot. Possibility?

10. My Bible - I've read more of my Bible in the past year than I think I have in my life. I just read when I'm bored and it's so good! There's some good stuff in that book people! Even in Deuteronomy and Judges. God is good!

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day...

I blogged about this a couple of months ago I think but I can't help but blog about it again. Death has yet again reared its ugly head. Not for me personally, but for a few people in my circle. I don't know if I just become more aware of it as I get older if it really is coming faster and faster now.

A few days ago one of our football players, who also plays baseball, lost his mother and his grandmother in the same day. That's tough. He's a two-sport athlete about to start his junior year of college, and he's hit with this. That's hard. I pray for his strength through this and that he sees the glorious handprints of God as he walks this hard road. Praise God that he has coaches and friends that will pray for him and with him and just speak truth into this situation.

Also our head athletic trainer's brother is battling cancer and has been on the brink of death for the past couple of days. It's heart-breaking watching a family member being eaten away by cancer and knowing that there is nothing you can do about it...except pray. I pray for peace for the family, knowing that most of them have been preparing for this stage for a while and glorifying God that he will soon be completely whole and untouchable by any sickness.

We have to just thank God that everything we face, even death, has been conquered by Christ and we can know that if we have accepted the amazing grace of God and believe in what he has done for us and confess that Christ is Lord of our lives and build that relationship with him, that our fate is sealed and we have eternal glory in heaven awaiting us.

Death is a bittersweet thing for me. I often miss those I've lost, but I'm quickly reassured of where they are and who they are with and I'm instantly jealous and become homesick for heaven. It only spurs me on to listen intently to God revealing his plan for my life and strive daily to be the person he wants me to be and to do the things he wants me to do, especially making disciples of all nations.

I think that is why I've become restless with my job. I'm not seeing the potential that I have right in front of my face. I pray that I will focus on what God has in store for me right here in Birmingham and then have a willing heart to do what he wants me to do.

"We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

A Real American Hero

Michael Phelps. Have you seen this kid swim? Of course, you have. If not, you've either been living under a rock or have no contact to the outside world or are really unpatriotic.

Being a swimmer myself, I'm in awe. I can't believe how good he is. He is the fastest swimmer ever. Ever. This is raw talent. No artificial flavors. No preservatives. Pure, raw, unexplainable talent.

He has won gold in ever single race he has swam in this Olympics, and done it in world record time. Five gold medals already in these games. Two more and he gets $1 million from Speedo. He's got 11 overall. The most decorated Olympic athlete. Ever. Top that! Oh, and did I mention he made history with his eyes closed. Yep. Sure did. His goggles were malfunctioning and the more he swam the 200 meters the more water filled his goggles. No stroke is easy to swim with your eyes closed but the butterfly definitely has to be the hardest.

Have you seen his mom too? She is too cute. She's a middle school principal. And a single mom to three kids. What a legacy she is seeing played out right now! God's definitely blessed her.

I usually get excited about the Olympics. Especially the summer ones. There are more sports that catch my attention in the Summer Olympics than the winter. However, I don't think that I've been more into any other Olympics (besides '96 in Atlanta and the Magificent 7) than the Beijing installment. This picture says it all:

This was my expression as I was watching the men's 4x100 IM the other night. I think that my neighbor's probably thought I was being attacked because I was jumping on my couch, yelling, "Go Jason! Go Jason! Get there! Get there! To the wall! Push it! Go! Go! Go!"

I felt like I could've been there standing by Debbie Phelps because I felt like such a part of the the experience. That is the most exciting relay in history. I hope nothing tops it. Nothing. Unless Michael Phelps is involved. (Did I mention I'm moving to Baltimore just to be closer to Michael Phelps. I think he'd be into me.)

It's just so fun to watch these guys (and girls) do what they do and do it at their best and be proud to say that they are an American. This is patriotism at its best. I want to be an Olympian. I could be...if I lost about 50 pounds, grew a couple of inches (unless I was an gymnast and in that case, I'd have to be really, really flexible), and be really, really fast...in the water and on land.

It just gives me such great joy and just a great feeling of pride to say that I am an American. I was proud to say that I come from the same country that the men's gymnastics team does even after they won the bronze. That was a huge deal for them. Three of those guys competed, and just a few months ago they thought they would be watching from the stands. They acccomplished an amazing feat and did it as a team. The women's gymnastics team was a bit sad that they couldn't push for that gold medal but they were happy to have that silver medal around their necks, even after all that they've been through. The best thing about it though was when someone messed up, no one blamed. They encouraged. And that's what it is all about. Believing in yourself and believing in your team. That's what sports is about and that's what life is about. Believing and pushing towards that goal. Being glad that you are able to participate, never being satisfied with second best, but always, ALWAYS, doing your very best.

YAY AMERICA!

Let the Games begin...

I just finished watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies and I couldn't not (yes, I just used a double negative) blog about it. I'm in awe right now. Seriously, jaw on the jar. I cannot believe what I just watched. It was amazing!

I feel like I just watched the God of the Universe do something spectacular through humans. And I know that he did. I just hope that the people that were doing it, as well as the people who created it, realize where their talent came from.

It was the most immense display of creativity and culture I have ever seen. I feel bad for whoever has to top that. I mean, the Olympic Flame was lit by a man who flew (suspended by wires, of course) all the way around the top of the stadium while images of the torch tour were displayed on a scrim attached to the top of the stadium. Wow! That's all I can say.

This weekend is the last weekend I have to myself before work gets busy with football and volleyball starting. Then I will have no life until Thanksgiving. That is why it will be Katie's Lazy Weekend. I hope to not have to leave my house at all tomorrow and stay in my PJs and watch the Olympics all day long.

Beautiful Day!

This is my second post today. Can anyone tell that I can concentrate on work? Who could when it's such a gorgeous day outside. Good thing I don't have a window in my office or I'd be no good. It's feels great outside today. No humidity. Or if there is...you can't tell because it's such a big difference from a couple of days ago. It's just gorgeous. Go outside and look! Seriously, stop reading and go outside and marvel at God's glory. Go! I'll wait....

Oh, good. You're back. It's it great! See, now you're not going to want to concentrate on work either. Ha! God is good!

You may now return to normal living...

Brett Favre is going to the Jets. Everyone can rest easy and return to normal sleeping patterns because you know I lost sleep over this one.

This is all I watched all day yesterday because I feel like ESPN must be on my TV at work so that people in my office won't think I'm just watching TV all day long. I wanted to post this yesterday but there were not Brett Favre "Jet" pictures on the internet yet.

Well here you go, America! Mr. Favre better be glad he has the money that he has because we all know that Mrs. Favre will be spending it as fast as he makes it, being that close to NYC. I know I would.

VOTE FOR BOB!

I received this email from my dad a few minutes ago and thought I should start the campaign trail before it was too late. My dad has decided to run for president. I think it's a pretty good idea. If you don't know my dad, you should. He's pretty much a superhero. He's overcome a lot in his life and he can fix anything...I mean, ANYTHING. He's pretty funny too.

If he wins, I will be his press secretary as only I can do, and he has graciously offer a wing in the White House.

Here is the text of the email with his platform: (P.S. We really do like Mexicans. Good food! Great times!)

After a careful review of the options for the up-coming election: I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE. HERE IS MY PLATFORM:

(1) Press 1 for English is immediately banned. English is the official language. Speak it or wait at the border until you can.

(2) We will immediately go into a two-year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports. We will use the 'WalMart' policy: 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'

(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.

(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (Six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.

(5) Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin' in, you ain't getting' nuttin' out. Neither the president nor any other politician will be able to touch it.

(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour work week and the successful completion of urinalysis.

(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive you will be banned for life.

(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method: The first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There will be no more life sentences -- if you are convicted of a Capitol Offense, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim, gun, knife, strangulation, etc.

(9) One export will be allowed - Wheat -- The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.

(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it's a worthy cause.

(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress.

(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.

Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes, but a vote for me will get you better than what you have and better than what you're gonna get.

"My Name is OLD COACH BOBBY WALDEN and I approved this message!"

Burnin' Down The House!

Saturday I drove to Memphis to meet Casey and Dane and their neighbor Justin for the Dave Matthews concert at Autozon Park. I've been looking forward to this Casey bought our tickets three hours after they went on sale and was way pumped to actually get there.

The concert started at 7 p.m. so we left the hotel at about 6:30 to walk about a block and half to catch the trolly. Festive, right? Not so much. It was way too hot. 101 degrees, too hot. We hadn't gotten half a block and we were all dripping sweat, not to mention Casey had blisters on the bottom of her feet from her new Rainbow flops. It was miserable.

We finally got to the trolly stop, after two trollies had passed us on the way and thought there would be no problem getting a trolly. Wrong again. After waiting 20 minutes, we flagged a cab down to take us the two miles to the park, but not before we had to stop so the cabbie could fill his tank up. Meanwhile, Casey, Dane and I are crammed in the back of the cab, sweating profusely while the lovely engaged couple (Casey and Dane) argue about why we didn't just pay the 10 bucks to park at the venue. dane's argument was that it wasn't about the money. It was about having to wait to get out of the parking lot afterwards. I agreed, but I didn't say anything as I felt Casey's pain with the blisters. My plantar fascitis in my left foot was killing me. Curses! Anyway, little did we know, we'd be waiting forever anyway. (We ended up walking back the two miles back after the concert...well one and a half until Casey could walk anymore and Justin ran, literally ran, to the hotel to get the car. Thanks Justin.)

Anyway, we got there at 7:30 and Willie Nelson was opening. He was okay but I felt kind of bad because nobody was really paying attention...that is, until he starting playing "Mommas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys."

Around 8:30, Dave began and rocked it out for about three hours. Being my first Dave experience, I was wide-eyed the whole time. It was great! He's just so good and Carter Beauford has to be the most amazing drummer ever! I'm ready to see him again. He and Mac Powell from Third Day could take turns singing me to sleep every night.

Here are some pics below. They are kind of blurry but you get the picture. Casey and I opted not to take a picture after we had sweated all our makeup off and become a hot mess with drenched (seriously) clothes and bad, bad hair. We should have been smart and taken one before we left the hotel. But who knew, we would perspire so much. I'm confident we lost at least 10 pounds.

Dave starting

"It's not a too-mah!" - Kindergarten Cop

Today, I suffer from one of my bi-monthly headaches. I get a two-day headache about every too weeks and it makes me...worthless. I don't want to do anything. I joked with my sister once that maybe I had I tumor. She didn't think it was very funny, hence the title to this post. I guess I shouldn't joke about it either. My best friend, Billy Puckett, died from a brain tumor when we were in kindergarten. And no he was not imaginary. He was a real kid. We had a special memorial for him at our kindergarten graduation. I miss that kid. He was cool.

Since my headaches make me worthless, and right now I should be working on player bios and reading through the questionnaires that I have new players fill out every year, I decided try and answer some of the questions myself. I'll throw out the ones that actually have to do with playing a sport, since I don't and never have, and get to the good stuff.

Here goes...

Full name: Katherine Jane Walden

Name you prefer: Katie. Please, Katherine is so formal. Not that I don't like it. I love my name.

Birthdate: July 26, 1983

Father's name: Bobby Walden

Mother's name: Libby Walden

Do they live together?: Yep. For 35 years.

Hometown newspaper: The Clarion Liar...oops, I mean Ledger

High School: Forest Hill High School

Other sports played in high school: Does paper football count? No, really. "Other" would require me to have played at least one sport to start with. Not I. Dad says when I was little that I didn't like heat so he gave up on me playing anything where I would get hot. I almost played soccer my senior year when they started the girls' program but the coach and I didn't get along and it worked out well because I ended up playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, fulfilling a life-long dream.

H.S. Athletic awards and honors: Really? The closest I got was captain of the cheerleading squad.

H.S. Academic awards and honors: I actually had lots of these. I won't go into detail.

Relatives who played college athletics: Dad was a defensive lineman (tackle, I think) at Mississippi State.

Hobbies: Singing, painting, watching TV

Your most memorable sports moment: Junior year, last game of the football season, Michael Harris takes a hard hit and is paralyzed. I did a follow-up story on him in the school paper the next year. He was determined to walk again.

In 10 years I'd like to be: A) Hopefully married. B) Running my own sports ministry or at least working for one. Anyone know anyone?

My pregame ritual is: Set up.

The strangest nickname I ever had was: It's a toss-up between "Bubbaette" and "G-Money".

My earliest sports memory was: Either my first Egg Bowl or a state (I think) championship soccer game my dad coached in.

The biggest obstacle I've had to overcome is: Having confidence in myself to do the things that I want to do, even when someone tells me I can't.

My parents were right when they said: Putting your faith in God is the most important thing you will ever do in your life.

I am proudest of: This year -- My parents. They've been through a lot together this year and have never given up on each other or God. In life -- The way that I've bounced back from adversity.

My biggest frustration has been: Not having the money or resources to accomplish my ultimate goal in life.

I can't imagine going a week without: Wow. Talking to my parents, text-messaging (actually did this in Honduras and it was brutal), bathing.

I have to admit, I'm really good at: putt-putt and making up words and convincing people that they are actually legit words. That's the writer in me!

My most prized possesion: my Bible (something that has become more prized in the last couple of years) and my photos

The hardest thing I've ever done is: Give up on someone.

If I could change something about myself it would be: NO MORE TWO-DAY HEADACHES!

My worst fear is: Drowning and losing loved ones

My craziest dream is: I once had a dream that I worked at Sea World.

Person (past of present) you would most like to meet: A lot of my athletes say, "Jesus," which makes my heart smile, but since I know that I will meet him one day, I'm going to say that I would like to me Prince William because I know that he would instantly fall in love with me. Seriously. We are soulmates.

Favorite sport besides the one you play: Football

Favorite place to eat: Cheesecake Factory, Olive Garden, O'Charleys, PF Changs, Pepper's

Favorite food: Shrimp, Crawfish and mashed potatoes (Not exactly together).

Favorite thing to do on a day off: Sleep, lay by the pool

Favorite movie: The Wizard of Oz

Favorite singer/group: After this weekend, Dave Matthews

Favorite Holiday: I like them all. Halloween was when William was born, Thanksgiving brings lots of food and a whole weekend of football, Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birth and we get presents, Easter, we are reminded of what Christ did for us and how he lives forever in those who choose to put their faith in Him, Fourth of July is just fun.

Favorite color: MAROON....WHITE...

Favorite Cartoon Character: I'm going to have to go with the Powerpuff Girls. They are just too funny.

Favorite actor or actress: I heart Matthew McConaughey and Amanda Bynes

Favorite Song: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Favorite Book: Blue Like Jazz

Favorite Athlete: Andy Roddick and Dwayne Wade

That's it for me. I'm going to post about the Dave Matthews concert later when I can get my pictures uploaded.

Great Song!

I ran across this video this morning. It's by Daughtry. It's called "What About Now." I think the video makes the song. It definitely speaks my heart right now. Take a look.

Unfortunately, I can't embed it because it was disabled by request. But follow this link to view it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ylgchWR-Ig

I'm off to Memphis to see Dave Matthews!