Lakeland Raiders Arena Football

I was born a New England Patriots fan. And I married a HUGE Alabama fan. I do watch games occasionally but I have to admit I'm pretty much one who only watches the bowl games. So when one of our local magazines did an article about Arena Football I was curious. And they had a really cool skull and crossbones logo, lol. So Hut and I decided to check out a game. That was all it took. I am HOOKED!!

These are the Lakeland Raiders Dance Team. There are actually 10 of them, but these 7 were nice enough to post for a picture with Hut.
And the dance team is getting ready to welcome the team on to the field. I have a really awesome video of this, but for some reason FB or Blogger won't let it upload.
Some of the players warming up.
Done with warm-ups the team is getting ready to kick some Mississippi Hound Dog Tail!
These two pictures are the team shield and the team mascot logo. These symbols were both taken from the WWII Marine Corp bombing battalion. The logo is the exact replica. Out of respect for the Marines, at the beginning of each game they have Marines come out in battle gear like they are ready to strike. And then they have a Marine in dress blues come out with the color guard. As the players come out on to the field they all run up to the Marine and salute him. It's very moving. And I have it all on a video I can't upload.
This is the final score at the end of the game. We kicked butt! And I guess I should mention that the game is played on a 50 yard field. Tons of action. And if the football should end up in the stands, the lucky catcher of the ball gets to keep it. Even when they kick field goals. The End Zones are a good place to sit, lol.The coolest part is after the game, the players and the dancers stay on the field and then the fans are allowed down there to get up close and personal. Photos and autographs, some ball tosses with the kids (big kids, too), it's great fun for everyone. We decided to pass on going on the field because there were alot of fans.

If you ever have a chance to see an Arena Football game, I suggest you go. I've never had so much fun. I can't wait to take the kids and the grandkids. And the tickets are not expensive at all.

Craft Shows

Years ago my SIL Missy and I used to do "tons" of craft shows. We had some much fun crafting together all the time. Then life changed. Missy moved to VA and there was no one to craft with anymore. So I stopped crafting and doing shows. A couple of years ago, the bug bit me again and I made a few crafts and got back into one of the better shows Missy and I used to do. My DIL Diana helped me work the booth the last couple of years and she had a blast doing it.

Now Diana has learned how to sew and the craft bug has bit her, lol. So I have started looking for craft shows to do. Most of them are in the fall and around Christmas, but I found 2 that are this spring. And Diana is going crazy trying to get things made for them.

This one listed above is a brand spanking new event and a great event it is. I am so excited to be doing this one. It is a chicken wing contest that goes on for 2 days. This event benefits Bryce's Buddies. Bryce's Buddies was started by a local firefighter and his wife when their son Bryce was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. While learning all they could about the disease and taking Bryce to doctors appointments and getting his meds, they learned alot of parents couldn't afford the visits or the meds, so they weren't getting their children the help they needed to live with this disease. Shannon and Brandy (Bryce's parents) told these other parents to get whatever help they needed for their children and not to worry about the cost, that they would cover the bills. And that's when Bryce's Buddies was born. This is a cause close to my heart as I am a Type 2 diabetic and my sister has Type 1 or Juvenile Diabetes. The people with Type 1 or Juvenile diabetes are insulin dependant. I am very excited about doing this event because the food proceeds are a 20/80 split with vendors getting 80% of the proceeds and 20% going to the cause. Craft vendors are a 90/10 split with 10% going to the cause. And I think I may have a giveaway to make extra $$ for the cause and possible just put up a donation jar also. I am hoping this event goes really well and that this will be the first year of many more to come. If you happen to be local and are reading this blog, please come out and show your support AND invite all your friends.This event is a small craft show that I was lucky enough to have seen posted on a friends FB page. It's a new area for me and I'm hoping it works out well. It's only a 4 hour show and it only has about 45 vendors. But they had to approve our items in order for us to be there and Diana and I were approved. I'm excited about this event too and if you are in the Orlando/Maitland area on May 6 please stop in and say hello.

There are at least 3 more shows I want to do, but they are all in the fall and around Christmas. So we will have a big break between to catch up and get tons of stuff made. I am, however, taking some Halloween and Christmas items to these other events because you all know it's never to early for the holidays.

I am so excited about doing these events. I will keep you posted on how well we do and especially how well Bryce's Buddies chicken wing event goes. I forgot to mention that it's taking place at our airport and they have reserved 150 spots for airplanes to fly in for the event.

New Rage

Isnt' this beautiful? My friend Donna's daughter Drew is getting married soon and this is the type of bouquet she is going to carry. It's called a Brooch Bouquet. Seems to be the latest rage with brides. Drew's colors are purple and silver so we are on the hunt for those colors in old brooches and other types of old jewelry. In researching these I found that some people actually mix artificial flowers in with the brooches. And so easy to make. Just hot glue jewelry to a styrofoam ball attached to the bouquet base. I think these would be pretty just sittin in a vase. What do you think?

Random Pics

As I was deleting photos from my work folder I ran across some I had never posted. So without further adieu I am posting them. I believe they are some pics from a couple of different trips to Old Town in Kissimmee, FL for their Saturday Night Car Cruise. I will try to narrate some of the pics.Rossi being "gansta" in Grampy's hat.
Proud Daddy! Playing with Daddy.Grampy pointing at Rossi's "pom poms" or as we all know them....pony tails.
Not sure what kind of truck this is, but Wade liked it and took this picture. I'm thinking it must have been raining or at least sprinkling.
This is what Wade's Chevelle should look like. He's been working on it alot lately. Wade's Chevelle is a 4 door. We just LOVE it! I believe this to be a Chevy II which later was renamed the Nova.And who doesn't know a Chevy Belair when you see one?This is a Karmann Ghia, made by Volkswagen. Their version of a sports car.These two pictures are of an original FIAT. Isn't it cute? We have a Fiat dealer in town and the new ones are not this small. Last but not least is this picture of the girls. Sorry Diana's head got chopped but Wade was the photographer, lol. We had just played the water gun game and won a blue dog for Rossi. We played again and got one for Layla, too, who also wanted a blue dog. We always stop and play this game because we are usually the only ones playing and that way we ALWAYS win something for the girls.

First Crush

A few people really liked my first kiss blog so I thought I'd ask.....do you remember your first crush? My first crush was in the second grade, yes I started young, lol. His name was Donald and I just thought he was the cutest of cute. I followed him like a puppy dog all year. We moved in the 3rd grade to a new town, so I'm sure Donald was relieved, lol.

That first crush was only the beginning. I was what people would call "boy crazy" growing up, "falling in love" as often as the dates change. And my one and only crush on a celebrity was Donny Osmond. There was not an empty space in my bedroom for all the pictures. Couldn't even look in the mirror as it was covered with pictures too. And I would scan the TV Guide every week to see if Donny or the Osmonds were on any TV shows. Back then they were on the Andy Williams show quite often. Oh yeah, I had it bad for Donny.

So what do you remember of your first crush(es)?

First Kiss

Do you remember your first kiss? Do you remember the first kiss with the Love Of Your Life?
My first kiss was not all it was cracked up to be. Kissed a boy who was friends with my friend Mary's boyfriend. Hated it. Not romantic...he just wanted to make out. I was 14 and now realize that I was probably too young, lol.But then your Prince Charming comes along. Even the first kiss with the Love Of My Life was not in a very romantic place. But it was a magical kiss. And 20 years later, his kisses are still magic!

Our first kiss actually took place in the bathroom door way of his work shop. We were hanging out after he got off work with some of his co-workers, drinking some beers and ladies, you know what beers do to you. Numerous trips to the bathroom. Well after coming out of the bathroom after one of many trips, I was just standing there with my hands on the sides of the doorway and Hut walked over and kissed me. Definitely the element of surprise. And he told me later that he had expected me to slap him for it. Not this girl. That kiss made it "love at first sight". Curled my toes, lol. I still remember it like it was yesterday.




So did I bring back any wonderful memories for you?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

Triple By-Pass Surgery

Right now the Lord literally has my husband's heart in His hand. My husband will be going in for a triple by-pass surgery on Monday morning. He has severe blockage in 3 of his main arteries.

I am only posting this because it helps to to deal with the anxiety I am feeling right now. We have both spoken to the surgeon and he has made us feel at ease about the procedure. Plus we have talked to numerous other people who have told us Dr. Dodd is one of the best heart surgeon's in the Southeast.

However, I am still feeling very anxious and nervous. Everyone tells me that's normal and I suppose it is. But I'm also trying to be strong for my husband, who is trying to be strong for me. And I can see in his face that he is just as nervous as I am. But the Lord got us through his stroke in August and He will bring us through this. I do have faith.

And my friends, both local and computer, long-distance friends have truly been a blessing to me through all my issues. I truly could not get through these hardships without your heartfelt prayers and words of wisdom. I do get alot of strength and encouragement from each and everyone of you and I love you all.

Thank you all for sticking by me and letting me vent, rant and rave, cry, giggle, laugh. I always try to return the favor but am not as good at words and such as most of you, so I tend to stick to the background. But I do want you all to know that I do pray for you, feel your pain and anxiety also, even though I may not leave a message or send you an email. I am with you, regardless.

Most of you follow me on Facebook, so I will try to update when I can on Hut's progress. If I am unable I will get one of my kids to post a comment on my page. I beleive most of you are friends with at least one of my kids, too, lol.

This blog did not go in the direction I was thinking when I first started it, but it went the way I believe it was supposed to. I wanted to let you all know a little about what would entail with the surgery, but instead I was meant to tell you how much I love you guys. I thank God everyday for each and everyone of you.