Lady Cats Finish A Really Good Run

Our girls' season came to an end tonight against a very tough opponent. Upperman very well might end up the AA State Champions. We led by 1 at the end of the 1st quarter, down by 7 at the half, and then we ran out of gas. We had a couple of key injuries that reduced us to about 6 players and they ran us in the ground. I am so very proud of this team. They were picked almost last in the district at pre-season and ended up tied for third in the regular season and went into the tournament an underdog and finished second in the district tournament and were the only girls' team from our district to win a game at the region level. Way to go Lady Cats.

I am in Texas for a series of meetings and got to catch up with some old friends that we knew when we lived here and some folks who have transplanted here that we knew from Nashville. A good day. Got a 5-miler in this morning and hope to do 8 or more in the morning before heading to my other meetings.

The weather is great here in Dallas. Mid-70s for a high and perfectly clear skies. I like it.

Underdog Lady Wildcats Win

The girls pulled it off tonight. We were definitely not favored even though we were the higher seed and had the game at our place. Shelbi had the best game she has probably ever played. She was very big on the defensive end and had 10 rebounds overall and threw in 5 points. She just made some big plays when we needed it.

Caralisa Connell (a freshman) threw in 20 points and Jamie Loftis added 14 I think. The girls just played good defense. I know that Macon Co. went away discouraged. They were very cold from behind the 3 point line and missed many key free throws.

It was a good win for our girls. We get Upperman on Monday night and it is safe to say that they will be very difficult to beat. They are hosting the region so it will be tough to beat them on their floor. Pretty stinking, fun run we are having. Should bode well for the future too since we are losing no one to graduation this year.

On another note, I ran 5 this morning and just took it easy. Got a lot of writing done and got some key contacts made for work. It has been a good day but I am headed to bed and hoping for a good night's rest.

Our guys play tomorrow night against Livingston Academy and I am sure I will make the hour plus drive to support them. Hard to not go support them.

Our Daughters Are Fun

We had the DCA girls' basketball team over for burgers and hot dogs tonight and just some time to hang out together. It was big fun! I think we ended up with 16 or so girls which means I was outnumbered big time. They put away more hot dogs and burgers than we almost counted on. Thankfully we had enough to go around. Not so good on the blossom cookies though. They blew through them pretty quickly.

They play Macon Co. tomorrow night at our place and if they win, we keep moving on. To say that we are proud of this group of girls is a great understatement. Not only are they fun to watch play ball, they are good girls. Not perfect of course, but a really good bunch of girls.

On a running note, I ran a 12-miler today in 1:36 which is roughly an 8 minute pace. Fastest I have run that fast that far since last fall. Granted that is not fast, but seemed quick to me today. Supposed to be about 30 degrees in the morning so looks like pants again for the run.

Second in District

Station Camp got the best of us tonight in the district finals. They played really well and we had a less than stellar second quarter. I am really proud of our girls and special congrats to Jamie Loftis and Caralisa Connell for making all-district regular season and all-district tournament.

The weather has turned off pretty nice with temps in the high 50s, low 60s and looks like a little rain tonight. It was so nice to run in shorts today. My skinny, bird legs got to breathe.

I get a couple of fillings redone in the morning. Oh joy! My dentist is a great guy though and minimizes the pain well. I just hate having dead lips and talking funny.

Another Win

Our girls' pulled a big upset last night against White House. We had lost to them twice already this year and lost by double digits. But . . . last night, we played really good defense and quite honestly, White House did not adjust to our different defense. We were outsized, but not outhustled, and White House just did not adjust.

We play in the district championship Tues. night against Station Camp and they have beaten us twice already this year. I have a feeling they will be ready for us though. We can play well and get a win though.

Our guys lost to Station Camp last night and really just did not play too well. They had a big guy that we made look pretty good last night. I think he is decent, but we made him look very good. Our guys play tomorrow night to seed for the region tourney this weekend.

Hopefully this is the last cold day for awhile here in Middle Tennessee. Calling for 50s and 60s this week. I am ready to thaw out, especially on some of those early morning runs.

DCA Wins

Both the girls' and guys' teams got a big win in the first round of the district tournament. It will be a very good experience for our girls and the boys's win was their first over Goodpasture in many years. One of the interesting things about their win over Goodpasture is that Goodpasture was favored and is also hosting districts. I have to admit, it was a pretty sweet win over one of our biggest rivals. Our girls play White House tonight which will be a tough game. The win last night assured our girls at least three more games in the post-season, so that will be good experience and the first trip to any post season stuff for many of our girls. Investing in the future.

I did a 5-miler in the snow this morning. It was pretty cool to run in the snow again and there were very few people out so it was pretty safe running.

Value

I sometimes wonder if the things we get to do really bring value to life and to people in particular. Much of the media lately has been consumed by the death and subsequent craziness that has followed the death of Anna Nicole Smith. I really do not know or see the overall value of the media's hype about her. I do not mean to sound crass or mean, but in the overall scheme of the world, I am not sure what value she brought to the betterment of other's lives. It is a tragic story about her son and now her, but why does the media insist on playing her life out day in a day out?

Got me to thinking about the value that I bring to others. I guess others are best to comment on that, but it did cause me to reflect on people who have brought value to my life. People like my parents, Art Criscoe, Shelby Baucum, my wife and daughters, various aunts and uncles, co-workers past, current and present; all of these have brought value to my life.

I reminded a co-worker today of the great value she has brought to our work. Her gifts and talents are many, and she not only brings value to our work but to many lives as well. I guess it is good to be reminded of that. Sometimes we might get lost in the life of things and forget the lives. I want to bring value to others.

The Long Run

Today I ran a 12-miler with one of my buddies who is training for Boston. This is his first Boston experience and one that he is really excited about. Running Boston is really a cool thing and if I ever get my act together again and train like I should, then I may go back again someday.

It is cold man. Actually, with the wind, it is really cold. I just do not like cold weather unless you get snow with it and we got a little flakeage, but nothing to play in. Granted, I do not want the amount that Ohio, Pennsylvania, and NY have been getting, but a few inches would be good if it is going to be this cold.

Our daughters' team start district tournament play tomorrow night and a win guarantees at least three more games counting regions. It would be good for our girls to get the postseason experience. They can win a couple of more games I think if they will play together. We will see.

Fans of Lost may be a little confused like me after watching last night's episode. The whole story/backstory around Desmond was pretty weird. I am not sure if it was deja vu, real time, bad dream, concussion, time travel, etc. Weird explains it. Looks like Charlie is not long for the Lost world though. He is pretty petty and annoying anyway, so good riddance.

Man, It's Cold

I took off this morning for a 5-miler before I headed to yoga class. Now, me taking yoga is pretty weird. I can do about half of the stretches and anything with the hamstring involved is really pretty funny. I do not get into all the meditation stuff and the instructor does not stress that, but the stretching really seems to help. I actually have been attending the class for almost a year, when I am in town, and I think it helps.

The run was really cold today. A front came through last night and it was probably about 20 degrees and someone told me the wind chill was 7 when I got back to the Y after running. I have been cold all day.

Lunch was nice with my wife today. Being Valentine's Day we headed to Calypso for a lucayane salad and fruit tea. It is her favorite lunch place in the whole world I think. She is an incredible lady and I am one fortunate guy.

Probably doing a 12-miler tomorrow and I am going to be sure to have plenty of clothes on. It is supposed to be cold again.

Winter Is Still Here

After a short reprieve from the cold and windy weather, it looks like it is coming back full force later today and tomorrow. I got an 8-miler in this morning with some 3x1 miles in just for grins. It is the first semblance of speed work that I have done since my last marathon in Oct. 06.

Shelbi's team played pretty hard last night but lost to a really good team. Shelbi had her best effort by far this season. She played hard and was great on the defensive side. A couple of nice moves to score too.

Morgan continues to get stronger. She made it all day at school yesterday and was pretty tired last night, but a full day of school was good.

I need to do a little Valentine's shopping today. I was going to buy some Ghiradelli chocolate last week when I was in San Francisco, but thought better of it since my wife said she was not really needing in chocolates right now. For those of you who read this and have not prepared something for Valentine's, let this be a reminder.

A Restful Weekend

It was good to be home this weekend. The weather is still fairly cold (although it did get up in the mid-40s today) and the sun is shining. It always seems a little better when the sun shines. Yesterday I got a 5-miler in during the afternoon and then my wife and I headed out with some friends for a good dinner at Carrabba's (that's good eating) and a walk around Green Hills Mall. The Sharper Image always provides a good gadgety distraction and the massage chairs bring comfort and relief. We did not buy anything but did run into some friends while we were out.

Today was a good day of worship at New Hope. Tony Forehand, who is a LifeWay trustee, and a church planter in Las Vegas did a good job dealing with the leadership of Joshua. He is biblical and funny and a very good communicator.

Our Sunday School class continues to grow and looks like we may have to request a bigger room soon. The attendees are a great group of young adults who love God and are interested in becoming who Christ desires for them to become. I just try to stay out of their way and let God do His work. They are a great encouragement to me in my walk.

No travel this week that is planned. It will be nice to be home. Our last regular season game is tomorrow night and then we will see where we are seeded and when we play in the district tournament. It will be nice to have some of our evenings back with no ball, but I do love watching our girls play ball.

Back from California

It was rainy in San Francisco when we left this morning and made our way to LAX to catch a flight to Nashville. It was somewhat of a "famous person" flight with a couple contemporary christian artists that I have done some work with in the past. It was good to reconnect with them and my family is somewhat impressed that I get the chance to be around some of the folks in the "music industry".

Made it back to for the ballgame tonight and Shelbi played pretty good but we lost by 5 in OT. A disappointing loss for sure and we are waiting now to see where we are seeded in the district tournament next week and when we will play.

It is good to be home. We are catching up on a few episodes of 24 tonight. The best action-packed show on television, period. Go Jack Bauer!

San Francisco

I flew to San Francisco yesterday to teach at the Southern Baptist seminary we have out there. It is always fun to come out here even when it is rainy like it is right now. I did get to run along the wharf, Chrissy Field and to the Golden Gate Bridge and back and also did a 5-miler this morning.

The Carolina win over Duke last night was good. Hard place to win and Carolina showed alot of poise coming from behind in a hostile environment. Brandon Wright, a Nashvillian, showed out in a good way. He is something special.

I teach today a couple of times and then am really considering red-eyeing back to Nashville so I can be sure to make it to our last district game of the season.

Morgan is getting stronger every day it seems. She is going to more school everyday and is even staying for practice tonight. Not practicing but spectating.

Some Cold Weather

It seems like the deep freeze has visited Middle Tennessee. The early morning runs have been in the mid-teens and today low-20s with wind. Cold man, if you ask me. I realize that it is Winter time, but I am not really a cold weather person.

Morgan has been getting a little stronger every day and is eating pretty well. She is still pretty thin but her wit is pretty much back to normal.

Our girls' team won tonight and need to win Friday against another district foe to end up in 3rd place and get a little better seed for the district tournament coming up. They executed pretty well and seem to have some fun doing it.

I am looking forward to March Madness coming up soon and rivalry week is in full bloom. Texas A&M looks really strong right now and you know that I am still pulling for the Tar Heels. Always have and always will. Beat Duke tomorrow is all we can hope for right now with them playing at Cameron Indoor Arena. Go Heels!

Good For Dungy

I like it when good guys win. Tony Dungy is one of those guys who goes about his work with a quiet demeanor and seems to genuinely love his players. I like the way he handles himself. Last year during the death of his son, Dungy showed that he had character and that he had a strong faith. Whether you agree with his belief in Christ or not, you have to respect a guy for holding to his convictions and speaking about the difference Christ has made and is making in his life. I happen to agree with him, but know that many would think Christ is a crutch for him. If it is, so be it. I am one of those who needs a crutch as well.

It was good to get some rest this weekend. What a difference sleep makes. I must have gotten close to 7 hours of sleep a night over the weekend. Hopefully I will be nicer and more adept at conversation and treat my family better. Looking back I have been less than desirable to be around and I have some apologies to make tonight when I get home.

Morgan is trying a couple of hours of school today. It is hard to believe that she is so weak. She looks so thin and vulnerable to me. I do have to say that she has had a great attitude throughout this whole ordeal. Her basketball season is over and she is not allowed to do any physical exertion or exercise until March 1. Not that she could, but she won't be.

Restful Weekend

After the whirlwind January schedule with travel to India, New Orleans, and Morgan's hospital stay, it was good be home this weekend and just rest. Friday night our varsity team headed to Hendersonville to play Station Camp and really just laid an egg. Fairly disappointing game for our girls.

Yesterday was just a laying around day and getting some caught up on rest. It is hard to catch up on three weeks rest in one day, but it was a start. Today has been pretty good with some snow down before church and then a good day of worship. And then home for some rest after a Cinco de Mayo lunch. We are headed to a friend's house to watch the game tonight. Not really concerned about the outcome, just looking forward to some good football and hopefully some good treats.

Snow Day and Dr. Visit

We got some snow today so classes were cancelled and our oldest was greatly thrilled. There is still some remnant left out there now and fear is that what melted will be black ice tonight. We are headed to a high school basketball game even though schools were out today.

Morgan met with her surgeon today and he was greatly encouraged on how she is doing. He did say it would take a good three weeks to start getting her strength and stamina back. She got to eat a taco for lunch and was glad to eat something "a little out there" for what she has been able to eat.

This just in: Brett Farve is going to play one more year and thankfully the ground hog did not see his shadow so an early spring is on the way. Hard to tell by the way it feels today.

Missed It By That Much

The snow event that Nashville was to get overnight never really developed. There were many disappointed kids because school was on. I am in Chattanooga for a conference that I am teaching in and then headed home on Fri. It did snow about 2 inches down here and I got out and ran 5 miles in the snow. It was nice and quiet which is always a welcome break.

Morgan is getting better every day but is really experiencing fatigue and tiredness. She slept too long yesterday and was not able to sleep very long last night which is a big drag. I have not slept well since coming back from India on the 17th. I need some good sleep for a change.

Looking forward to getting home tomorrow and then headed to a ball game up in Hendersonville tomorrow night. It would be good to win since Station Camp is leading the district. We would have to play really well to get a win. That would be nice.