[Enter my Lawry’s Dinnertising Giveaway for a chance to win Rachael RAy’s Cookware and Lawry’s New! Spices]
On Monday I sat on my bicycle in spin and I thought I was going to die.
Actually, I may have died momentarily. I blacked out, so I’m not really sure.
My instructor played this song called “Bossy,” while I died my slow death.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FDlRMrpT-w
When the refrain, “I’m just a little bossy,” would come on, she’d scream it at the top of her lungs.
And then she’d yell and tell us we were cheating, and slacking, and that if we didn’t work as hard as humanely possible, she would really punish us.
And I believed her.
So even though my thighs were burning and sweat was dripping into the corners of my eyes, and that darn wedged seat continued to ride up my tail, I spun, and I spun, and I spun.
Not because that crazy lady told me to.
Not because my butt droops and my stomach loops.
But because all I could think about was my 8 year old kid, who was just 7 years old 2 weeks ago, and how she played NINE softball games last weekend, 5 on Sunday, IN THE HOT, HOT, SUN, on a dusty, dusty field, all from the losers bracket in which they had to play back, to back without any break.
And yet. . . . .
She and her teammates played.
They hit.
They slid.
Their cleats flew and their hearts grew.
They were tired. But they fought amidst yells, and cheers and jeers from their parents. “OH. COME ON! DO THIS! DO THAT! RUN TO SECOND!!! HIT THAT BALL. SLIDE, SLIDE, SLIDE!!!!”
Faces full of grit.
Thighs aching.
Feet tired. Sweat dripping.
Hearts pounding.
They played.
From 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon.
They played inning after inning, until all the other teams were sent home, except two.
And then they played one more game.
And they won.
And their hearts soared.
And my heart soared for them.
And now, I feel like I have no right to complain.
Ever.
Because they taught me, its possible to bear the heat. the pain. to endure what seems impossible.
No matter how big or little you are or horribly tired you feel.
We all have the power to be great.
Its just whether or not you choose to be.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
So here are the winners of The Battle of the All-Stars Tournament.
The Blaze.
Here’s a video clip at the moment they won.
They are doing it all over next weekend. May the force be with them.
And with us all.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Oh Lordy.
It sure was hot out there.
Bella didn’t look dehydrated, but I know I was. When I sit in the heat for the day, and my kids are in a competition, its hard for me to eat or drink. Basically my stomach gets into knots, and I pace around the bleachers and get nauseous.
So today I’m dehydrated.
I should drink plenty of water.
But because I’m on such a high, from my kiddos performance yesterday, I think it calls for a fancy water.
Pretty water.
Water that calls to you and tells you that its wonderful and so are you.
Water that screams YOU DESERVE TO BE SPECIAL. To have essence of citrus and mint dancing in your mouth.
Water that says, “It’s summer, summertime. Why not sit back and unwind?”
Orange Lemon Mint Water
WE played (when I say “”WE” I mean them) again this weekend. WE (they) got third place. They looked hot and tired. I think they may have needed Orange Lemon Mint Water.
Ingredients:
1 Orange
1 Lime
1 Lemon
4 Quarts Water
2 Sprigs of Mint
Ice
Directions:
1.) Fill your pitcher halfway with ice. Slice orange, lime, and lemon into thin slices and place into pitcher. Fill with 4 quarts of water, and stir. Place sprigs of mint into the pitcher and serve.
