My Favorite Pastime

Let me start by saying I have a very patient and loving husband who puts up with the year round season. Once a week I get some time to myself, with my friends. It is much needed and so rejuvenating. From September to March, I play indoor arena soccer. I love how quick the game moves and how it's more finesse than power. I have never been one to have a power shot, and in indoor that's ok. It is much more about short quick passing and ball placement. From April to August is outdoor. There are few things that are more enjoyable than playing a game on a beautiful summer night. I lack some power in outdoor, but being fast is a greater advantage, so it's a trade off. Indoor is mostly co-ed. I have done women's leagues in the past, but they are more accident ridden, and I am getting to old to risk that. In outdoor, I play one session of women's and one session of co-ed. In women's, I am happy to say my sprint speed hasn't seemed to diminish much and it is a fairly obvious advantage. Sometimes it makes it too easy and my biggest hang up is keeping focused and under control to avoid a silly shot over goal. It is frustrating that as a fast girl, I am only able to beat an average guy. It makes co-ed a little more difficult, but I have a stronger cast of supporting players.

Every year I tell Mark it is coming to an end. As much as I love it, I only will play as long as I feel like I am making a valuable contribution. I know at some point, my speed will decrease, the competition will be younger, and my competitive self will remember all too well what it was like to be good. It will be more frustrating than fun. I hope to coach at that point, I could never leave it completely behind! In the meantime, I am grateful that  I have been able to avoid any big injuries and that shockingly so, I am playing better the last few years than maybe I was in high school. I feel that I may not be as athletic or as brave(or as stupid), but I feel like a much smarter player who understands the game more and I play within my limitations.

I have had so much fun lately, and I am sure it has a lot to do with playing well. I also love the people I play with. I have some life long friends on the field. Michelle and I have played together since we were in 7th grade or so. She is truly an extension of my self, and I know where she will be at any given moment. Ashlee and I first met playing club ball in high school. Since that point, we have never had a season without each other, barring pregnancy of course. Pregnancy throws a whole new wrench in the rotation----well at least for some:) Ashlee possesses qualities I wish I had. She is tenacious, strong, and fearless. She would never back down from a header, while I pray it doesn't come close to me. Then there is the amazing Jackie. Jackie is unbelievable. She is forever young, and despite having 3 ACL repairs, hasn't slowed down a bit. I am grateful I play with her, so I never have to play against her. I am positive I would not be able to out run Jackie. In college, Jackie played with the boys since there wasn't a girls team. She puts us all to shame. Not to mention she is amazingly diverse and can do just about anything. Build a house, trim a horse, refurbish a horse trailer, endurance race, you name it...Jackie can do it. She is my go to gal in all things horse. I also firmly believe I am a better player because of her. She has forced me to step out of my comfort zone and play positions I never would have before. Jackie is also the "quarterback" of our team. No matter where you are, you can hear Jackie telling you what to do! These girls are my best friends. They have been with me through thick and thin, on and off the field.

I could go on and on about the players I play with. Even in coed there are guys I have played with for YEARS. It has been fun to grow up together, see each other get married and start families. Yet every year, we meet up again for 10 weeks to revisit our youth. We are a little slower, heavier, and injury prone, but out we go. Our women's team this year is on average the oldest in the league, and next week we will play in the championship game. It's great! About a year ago I put together an all women's indoor team that was a good ten years older than the competition, and we were undefeated all season, only to lose in the championship game. I have had 10 goals in my last 3 games--2 of these came in co-ed, scoring in co-ed is few and far between for me. I feel like soccer makes up a huge part of my identity. I feel so comfortable there. I love it.

I was never any good at juggling---still not so hot

The car pool ladies. We all drive together, and it is part of the fun to get to chat with these girls!

 

Poor Jackie and I have been trying to get a decent picture of the both of us for the last few weeks. Let's just say I am not great at selfies. We should throw in the towel and do it the old fashioned way by asking someone to help us out! This was last night after we both played every minute of the game in 85 degree heat. I get tired, Jackie does not. Love the random strand of hair I have billowing.

This was last week at co-ed. I thought we were doing silly faces, but we weren't according to Jackie. So I am the only one with the goofy, cheesy face. I love this girl. I count myself lucky to call her a friend.

 

The countdown continues. The moving truck comes today. Yesterday, Paige and I stopped on our way to the pool. Paige has had a fever on and off, and I guess being super mom I thought she would have fun swimming. Needless to say she did not, but I held her while she slept and got to visit with my cousins. She sat and rocked with my dad for about a half an hour before we left, not normal for the girl who won't sit still. I love how she is just looking at him. We will sure miss him.