Houston- We have GOLD!

One of the things we do for our sponsor, Celadrin, is go on TV Interviews and this last weekend, when we were in Houston, TX for the Texas State Senior Games was do a live appearance on the Weekend Morning Show  at KPRC-TV NBC CH 2.  This can be viewed by clicking here.


Here we are setting our sights for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Who knows?  If you don't reach high you won't get the best at the top!

We left home on Thursday Oct. 21st and I had to travel 12 hours before meeting the team for an incredible meal at Del Frisco's  at the Galleria Mall.  We discovered great sales, primarily at Macy's and Chico's but I snagged some beautiful boots at Clark's.
On Friday we practiced for several hours and did a radio interview with Robyn Cuffee at KPFT-FM.  I don't know when it's airing after she edits a half hour down to 3 minutes.
The TV interview above was Saturday morning and we had a frustrating trip there due to a misleading address and new freeway construction.  Our GPS lead us in circles for about 45 minutes until we phoned the studio and had Amber Willis walk us through the route.  We got back to the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in time for complementary breakfast and more shopping.  We weren't impressed with Cheescake Factory where we had to wait nearly an hour to be seated that evening and it was so noisy and hectic that Mavis' granddaughter, Madelaine, was not the only one who wanted to leave.

After the tournament on Sunday, held at the Jewish Community Center, we had a swim and hot tub.  Madelaine enjoyed skating at the Gallaria while Loretta shopped.  Kitty and I lounged at Del Frisco's outdoor patio with some Calamari and drinks.  Quiet at last with the warm Texas breeze and great service gave us a special moment before the rest of the team joined us for dinner.  Thanks Celadrin.
Another 12 hours to get home, made shorter by my IPOD and books from Audible.com.  I've finished the Ender's Game series and am now listening to Treason, by Orson Scott Card.
Poul arrived home shortly before me.  He had a welcoming fire in the fireplace and lots of good stories to share.

The Legacy Continues

The second session, October 13-16, of the Huntsman World Senior Games was more than a good time.  Our team on the right dominated a field of 12 women's teams coming from all over the Continent.  We are west coast girls except for Donna who is living wherever she parks her Motor Home. 
Back Row L to R:
Mary Bendsen.... Nanoose , B.C.
Kate Phlaumer....Seattle, WA
Jeanne Kestly.....San Diego, CA
Front Row
Susan Jamison....Seattle, WA
Grace Smith.......Olympia, WA
Donna Backus....Wherever!
Carol Hackett... Santa Monica, CA

These women are all in their late sixties or seventies and play aggressive competitive volleyball.  We are proud to represent seniors in a healthy active lifestyle.  Our team gets along well, supporting each other and enjoying time together between games.  Jeanne and I shared a room and there was always adventure. We danced at the socialfunction, put on for all Volleyball players.  We were fascinated by our new friends, the FLDS four young ladies with pioneer dresses and reversed french braids. We enjoyed  lounging by the pool, hitch hiking to the International Market and  shopping at the boutiques. We watched the Men's Basketball competitions and the finals of the Men's Global Cup in Volleyball.  Russia, by the way, soundly beat the USA team in the final with Brazil taking the Bronze from Estonia.  Above is Jeanne with her choice from the Russian team!

When it was all over, I flew from St. George to Salt Lake City to Seattle to Victoria.  My dear Poul was waiting there at Midnight to drive me the 2 hours home.  I was up at 7:15 doing the laundry and preparing breakfast for my daughter Sandi and Mark who were staying for the weekend with six month old baby Ethan while Mark roughed in the plumbing for my bathroom renovations. 

It's good to be home.  On Thursday I go again.  This time Houston, for Basketball.

Session 1 at Huntsman World Games

After four days of playing volleyball in the 60+ division at St. George, Utah, my team, FloorPlay 60's, finished with the Gold in the Silver Division.  The picture here shows our team in Black with our libero in powder blue (#3) and the Silver place finishers, Mix & Match wearing blue with their libero in pink (#2).

The weather here this time of year is to die for; 80's in the day and 60 at night.  We eat out most meals and lie around the pool or hike in the famous Zion Park mountains in our spare time.  But mostly we sit in the gym with whistles and sweaty aging athletes.  Fun eh?

The picture shows from left to right, our coach Don Hackett, me, Jeanne Kestly, Loretta Monaco, Patty Payne, Lee Farnsworth, Carol Hackett and Grace Smith.  Missing is Scherry Donato who left before playing due to the death of her Mother.

The Global Cup is going on simultaneously with 50+ men's teams representing Russia, Canada, USA, Latvia, Brazil, and several others which I can't remember right now.  There are teams from Bolivia , Mexico, Canada and Brazil competing in the womens' divisions.  There were 20 teams in our 60+ womens division.

I had a massage today before the final.  I don't know that it helped a great deal, but I sure enjoyed it.  The body gets stiff after the first few days but then I settle in and tomorrow we begin the 2nd session of 65+ women.  Our Legacy 65 team has four of the same players (Mary, Jeanne, Carol and Grace) and we bring in 3 more strong fresh players. 

Too Busy--Mind is a blur.

I'm usually very organized.  But when I headed for my Granddaughter Talis' birthday, I had to return home to pick up the pumpkin pie and whipped cream I had baked especially for her dessert because it's her favorite.  Then as I started on the two hour drive to Victoria on Tuesday, I left my cell phone and IPod on the dining room table, charged and ready to go.  Tomorrow I leave for 10 days and I'm paranoid that something important will get left behind. 

I've got the uniforms, sneakers, knee pads, volleyball and pump, rosters, airline tickets, passports and whatever clothes will cram into the remaining room in my carry-on.  I never check luggage; not because they now charge extra for even the first bag, but because I have to cross the border and change flights 3 times.  If the uniforms didn't get there, it could be more than a little upsetting.  My teammates laugh which makes me all the more determined to fit everything in.  This trip is to St. George, Utah and the Huntsman World Senior Games.  I have put together Volleyball teams for the 60+ (FloorPlay60) and 65+ (Legacy 65) divisions and we should be competitive in both.

I leave behind my bathroom renovation projects and my husband, Poul, ready to take over and frame in the new structures.  He's also going to drive me to the airport and come to pick me up, a 2+ hour trip each way.  He will supervise my son-in-law, Mark who will rough in the plumbing and electrical while I'm away.  Today I picked up the rest of the tiling supplies and Mark will bring up the plumbing fixtures from Victoria when he comes.

Maybe when I get back, the body will be weary, but the brain will be recharged and back on track.