Uhm....Gaffney???

"It has been discovered that Gaffney Middle School basketball player's unusual height is due to the nuclear waste found in the ground water in Gaffney. Studies over the past 10 years have shown a explosion of tall boys in 7th and 8th grade. Doctors and researchers finally found the answer. The photo below is just one example of the large difference in height between Gaffney and other middle school players."

Okay, okay. Yes, this is a joke. And I am sure you can tell by the tenor of this post that Carver lost to Gaffney tonight. Final score was 38-47. We started out strong in the first quarter and were ahead. Second quarter Gaffney put in their first string. It became a full court fouling extravaganza. Geeze...do the refs even KNOW the game of basketball?? This comic truly depicts how these jokers were tonight.

When you can HEAR our players arm get SLAPPED by Gaffney you just know it is a foul. That should be an easy call to make. One ref could hardly walk down the court much less run. You really have to wonder how these guys even become refs.

Yes, our team made mistakes but between FOULS and BAD CALLS it is hard to win. The Wildcats played much better and held Gaffney far better than the first time they were matched up.

Half time score - 22 v 22

End of 3rd Qtr - 33 v 32

Final - 38 - 47

Matthew played and played hard but he was so disappointed after the game....

Carver is 3 and 7 going into the tourney.

Carver v. Granard - Lost 51-61

Lost to Granard. Wildcats are now 3 and 6.

Matthew played off and on throughout the game and scored 2 points. He played hard and despite the loss he was upbeat afterwards. Granard boys definitely take after Gaffney and eat lots of meat. Those boys are SO TALL! And of course the refs were a bit off..oh well.

(Matthew shooting....)

(Waiting on Granard's free throw)


Their last regular season game is Thursday against Gaffney Middle. Playoff tourney starts two weeks after that.

(Team cheer before the warm up.)

Nathan - The Guitar Dude

As I mentioned in previous blogs, Nathan has been teaching himself to play the guitar since we got the guitar in August. The past month he has really amazed me with his increased ability and the songs he is learning. I need to start looking for someone who can teach him.

I sat down with him tonight to hear the latest song in his repertoire. Here is a sample. We tease him a little about his voice but that is improving as well.

And of course Sophie was in the audience tonight....

Carver vs. Whitlock - Won 60-29!

(Showing off the team's new warm up suits!)

Another Win!!!! Beat Whitlock and Matthew scored 8 points! Woot!

Carver is now 3 and 5.

Matthew had a very good game. He played most of 2nd, 3rd and nearly all of 4th quarters. He seemed to get into a groove in 2nd quarter and got comfortable taking shots. He had two beautiful layups and made 4 of 5 free throw shots.

Next week they have two home games - Granard and Gaffney. My Mom is coming to town to cheer him on.

(Taking a free throw...he made both of these shots)


(Final score!!)


(Happy boy after the game!)

First Snow of 2009

A Blizzard!!! ;)

We got our first snow in SC today. We had maybe an inch or so at our house. Not much - but enough to close schools. Buses do not drive on icy roads here in SC.

I kinda wish we had more snow but it was beautiful nonetheless.

(birdies on the feeders in the backyard)



(in our neighborhood)

Welcome to our 44th President!

Congratulations Barack Obama!

Welcome to the most challenging job of your life.

I look forward to new things from you. I look forward to changes you will make. I look forward to a renewed hope throughout our country.

Do not let the politics in Washington go on as usual. Make changes. Stand strong.

Good luck in your first 90 days and of course through your first four years in office.

Sincerely,

An American looking forward....

Carver vs. McCracken

Lost 21-45. Now 2 and 5.

Oh well. Matthew played quite a bit. Most of 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. He is only one of four 7th graders. When he is on the court the 8th graders do not pass to him...or any 7th grader. Sooooo stupid. These boys do not understand the concept of "team player." Matthew was wide open a dozen times. Coach was even calling out for them to pass to Matthew. grrrr.

McCracken had a huge crowd that was really pumped up. I wish we had more kids show up at our games. Evidently there was something special going on at school that night and it was an unusual showing. It nearly sounded like a high school game. Good for McCracken.

(Matthew during pre-game warm up)

(During 3rd quarter)

Carver vs. Ewing: A win!

Woot! Another win! 46-40. Now 2 and 4.

Matthew played most of 2nd quarter. He had a nice fast break and went in for a layup and got fouled HARD after his shot so ref called a technical. He made one of two shots. He really should have made the first shot but the silly refs were not in sync and the buzzer was buzzing and kids moving around.

I am beginning to think Junior High School refs are the newbies of the bunch.

Here are some pics from the game.

(Zach, Colby and Matthew - Colby was too cute in his "#1 Fan" t-shirt.)

Updates

I took Sophie to our regular vet Saturday for a check up. She ended up getting 3 staples put in to close the hole. Doctor numbed her up then pop-pop-pop. Almost like getting her ear's pierced. She is doing great now.

Matthew has two games this week. Tomorrow against Ewing (Gaffney) and Thursday against McCraken. Carver lost to them in previous games but they have improved a good bit so we are hoping for good outcomes this week.

Nathan continues to amaze me with how he teaches himself various songs on the guitar. He is actually learning some of the alternative and rock songs he likes so much. I am really proud of him.

I am still conducting year end reviews for my team at work. They should be all finished this Friday thankfully.

Carver vs. Gaffney Middle

Lost 32 - 46.

Grrrr......

Bad calls by bad refs and very tall boys make for a bad game. Matthew got some play time in 3rd and 4th quarters. He played hard and had a nice steal and a very nice assist. He has a great attitude especially considering the team is now 1 and 4.

Some pics (albiet blurry) from the game...

Poor Sophers!

Nathan came home from school today and found Sophie at the gate shaking. Not her normal greeting of jumping and wagging her tail. Once she got inside she went and hid under Matthew's bed. Nathan noticed she had some blood on her shoulder.

Unfortunately I was on a conference call so it was over an hour before I could get home and sure enough she was hiding under Matthew's bed. I could not lure her out - not even with Pupperoni. Nathan and I had to move the bed twice but finally got her out. She whimpered so much when I picked her up.... :(

We took her to the emergency vet. Thankfully no broken bones (was afraid she got hit by a car) but she has a nickle size gash in her shoulder. We are guessing she got out of the fence then when coming back in she got caught on the chain link fence and pulled it. Yuk!

The vet fixed her up pretty quickly but without stiches. It is all open - double yuk!! She has pain meds and antibiotics. $145 and peace of mind.

Nathan was such a trooper. He is not much for blood but he held her gently in the back seat to and from the vet.

She will not let me get near her cut at the moment. I guess I cannot blame her.

Doesn't she look pitiful?

No blogs!!?!?!?

Happy New Year!

Sorry gang - no blog updates of late.

I have been busy with year end reviews at work.

Matthew has a basketball game tomorrow against Gaffney so I will keep you posted on that with some new pics as well!