Hello! I'm Completely Lame

So! It's only been, oh -- I don't know -- 4 months since my last post! Scary how quickly time flies. Apparently, my life of tennis has completely overshadowed my desire and ability to blog. And now, so much has taken place that is seems ridiculous to fill in the blanks.

USTA season officially began the week I returned from Indian Wells. I went down to Palm Springs the 2nd week of March for the BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament with some fellow tennis teammates, our tennis director and one of of our club pros. Honestly, I think we all could have used a vacation to recover from our vacation.

This is my first year playing USTA. The 'Mixed Doubles' season just wrapped up in late February. I played on a Mixed 6.0 team and played in the last handful of matches. We won 2, lost 2. Our losses were close, ending in tiebreakers. I love Mixed! I had a great partner, Randy -- who as tall and aggressive at the net. Great combo. I could play Mixed all year long.

Now the USTA Women's is underway. I'm playing Singles on a 3.0 & 3.5 team. So far we've had one 3.0 match -- and two 3.5 matches. Seem to be fighting my nerves more than anything; am hoping it will continue to get easier as the season progresses.

Holiday Cheer

Hello everyone. Yes, you're right -- it has been awhile since I last blogged. I bet you can't guess what I was up to!? Now the holidays are right around the corner and it seems like between playing tennis and attending holiday parties, there's little time for much else. Ok, don't fall over but I did find the time to cook this week. Seriously. I probably should be embarrassed to admit (though strangely I'm not) that it may have been the first dish I've cooked all year. I say this being fully aware that boiling pasta does not count as cooking.

Anyhow, I made Beef Stroganoff for my tennis cup team's holiday party. Amazingly, it was the hit of the party. Well, it shared that honor with the seemingly unending supply of vodka coupled w/Rock Band well into the night. It was like Josie and Pussycats -- for real! My fingers were sore for days. Several people texted me for the recipe, which I unfortunately couldn't pass on as I just made it up as I went along. Which is just how I happen to cook : on the fly and when the mood strikes me. Actually my mother is an amazing award-winning cook. It's like having a European-trained chef at your disposal, which as I think about it is pretty sweet. Her cooking is really the best part of the holidays. (Now I'm starting to get hungry!) Who knows, maybe along with her tennis-genes, my mother passed along to me a smidgen of her cooking sensibility. I should make a mental note to thank her for that.

Happy Holidays!

Update: My 2nd Tennis Tournament

For those of you who may care, either a little or not so much:

As this is my tennis blog, I thought I might mention the outcome of this last Saturday's doubles tournament which I, at the last minute, participated in. After playing 4 matches over the course of the day, my partner and I did in fact end up winning our division! Gosh, I think we even get a plaque or somethin'. Imagine that. It was actually a lot of fun and I wasn't very nervous at all. Thank you, thank you very much.

p.s. In case you were wondering, that's me in the yellow shirt and nifty matching headband. :-)

The Tiniest Dose of Bah Humbug!

First, let me say that I bet none of our Thanksgiving celebrations will look anything like this. At the risk of sounding like a complete tool, I can't help but feel so over holidays which mainly serve an excuse for people to overeat and drink too much. And please, don't get me started on the daylong TV football marathons. (Jeezus, what is that about? Did the pilgrims even know how to play football?!) I should just stop there. I know, I know: It's all about being with family. Anyhow, just expressing my opinion. It is my blog afterall. On the bright side, I bet you will never be able to guess what I will be doing for part of Thanksgiving day. It begins with a T, ends with a S. Thankfully there are other like-minded folk, so game on!

Functional Tennis Shoes? Not so much.

As we head into the winter season, the ankle boot is making its cyclical comeback from the 80's. This trend further verifies the widely held fashion belief that "Style" recycles every twenty years, though thankfully returning a tad updated. (Prairie skirt and buffalo plaid, anyone?)

It is a well known fact that I possess a bloodhound-like ability to hone-in on & then fall in love with the most expensive shoes displayed in a store, be it online or in person. Case in point are these amazing ankle boots by Robert Clergerie whose shoes I first discovered while living in France. And for a paltry $685, they could be mine. Nevermind the fact that I most likely would be unable to walk to my front door in them.

Santa? Are you taking notes?

The Upcoming Week

This coming week is going to be a busy one!

Tomorrow (Monday) I have 4 matches -- 2 in the early morning and 2 in the evening, plus mid-day I have my first conditioning appt. w/Casey, one of my tennis coach's (I almost said tennis couch -- isnt' that funny?!) best friends. = 7 hours

Tuesday I have 2 matches, a drill class, and a lesson. = 5.5 hours

Wednesday is an early morning lesson, 2 matches and my USTA singles practice. = 4.5 hours

Thursday will be 2 matches (7:30am/7:30pm), my cup practice, and tennis lesson (weather permitting). = 5.5 hours

Friday through Sunday are still getting worked out but just in those 4 days, I will have put in approximately 21+ hours of court time.

Bring it on! :-)

Tennis History Has Been Made!

Yes, you heard right. There is exciting news!

Even though I'm still feeling under the weather, I managed to get my husband on the tennis court yesterday for a late morning match.

And guess what? I **finally** beat him! Fair and square.

Jim is one of those natural born athletic types. You know, the kind that doesn't pick up a racquet for months or years, then walks onto a tennis court and makes it all look so effortless. (Where do these people come from?!?)

Yesterday, he came prepared with an arsenal of perfectly delivered curvy left-handed serves, lots of spin on his returns, and plenty of quick footwork. Trust me, he wanted to win and gave it his all. Still, I took the match 6-3, 6-3.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel very hot later in the day, but I have to say -- it was worth it. Honey, just let me know when you're up for a rematch, k?