More Pics from National Senior Games 2015

East Coast Bouncers - Fourth Place

Michigan Spirits - Gold  They beat us 30-28

Texas Ball Hawgs - Silver  Three 3-point shooters. We beat them Friday when I scored 22 and they beat us the next when I only scored 6, taking us out of the tournament. :-(

Three Shades of Grey - Dining on last night with teammates.

Rest of the team...

 

National Senior Games

On Tuesday, July 7, the East Coast Bouncers basketball team met in Minneapolis for participation in the Senior Games. After registering for the games and checking in to our hotel, the Hilton Minneapolis, we drove to our venue for a practice session. Since I had rented the Chevy Traverse and had the most experience driving in big city traffic, I was driver for the week.

Tuesday night, upon returning to our hotel after dinner, I heard someone calling my name. I kept looking around and finally spotted Phyliss and Sharon Stark sitting in Jody's car. Jody, whom I've known since I was 5 years old, was inside registering as they had driven up from Iowa to surprise me and watch our Wednesday games. And I was surprised!! I was also very tired as we had gotten up at 3:30 am to catch our flight. I didn't feel like I could go to bed too early since they had driven all that way AND spent $300 to stay in the same hotel. I took them to the bar in the hotel for a drink and food. We had almost two hours together before I began fading quickly.

My former teammates at the venue where we played basketball. Beautiful campus!!

Wednesday we played North Carolina Shooting 70's and Connecticut High Fives and won both games. My former high school teammates loved it and said they had a good time They headed back to Iowa around 4:30.

Thursday we played San Diego and a second game with the Shooting 70's. We won both games and finished pool play at 4-0. Today our cheerleaders were my sister, Jan, niece Brittany and two of her teenage daughters as well as niece Marla. They enjoyed watching the old ladies play and my nieces felt the need to get in shape. They all wanted to get out there and play.

Friday was the start of medal play. Cheering section today consisted of Jan, niece Marla, nephew Stan, his wife and four little kids, as well as some Village people. Our first game was against Texas Ball Hawgs. They have three 3-point shooters while we have very little outside shooting, which would be our downfall. This game I had 22 points, several hookshots, and my teammate, Julie, had 19. The last few minutes they sank some threes but we were able to hang on for the win. We starters played all 30 minutes of this game.

Edna shooting free throw against Ball Hawgs in Championship game.

Our second game was against Michigan Spirits, who had beat us for gold in Utah last October. We did a good job holding down "Big Edna"  but lost 30-28. Played all 30 minutes of this game also. I missed a layup in the last minute. Needless to say, I thought about that shot over and over. For the fifth night in a row, I did not sleep well.

Since it's double elimination, we played on Saturday. First game was a 9:00 against New Mexico Foxtrotters, a team we lost to in Utah. We beat them this time and that put us up against the Ball Hawgs again at 11:00.

After scoring 22 against this team the day before, I only got 6 points. I did block a couple 3 point attempts but I was so tired. My legs felt like rubber and I couldn't get my offense going. Plus they were putting all three of the players across the key and we had no one to pull them out. I got so frustrated with one of the players hanging on my arm as I moved across the lane that I swung my shoulder around and told her to get off me. The official felt I was too aggressive and  gave me a technical. My first one ever! I wish I'd swung as hard as I could to make the foul worthwhile! We lost the game and we were now out of the tournament, one game short of getting at least a bronze medal. Instead, we came home with another ribbon for fourth place.

Notice how I'm leaning against the wall. I was TIRED! And here I thought I was in great shape.

As I reflect on our four days of competition, I realize there is more to this than a medal, which is what I really wanted! I received many compliments on my play, many people thought we'd be in the championship game. We also inspired the younger people who watched and were in awe that someone could play that level of ball in their 70's. I hope they will work to keep themselves in shape. Anyone can start participating in senior games at age 50. I wish I had known about them at least 10 years earlier. There are presently 19 sports but I'm sure they'll be adding soccer in the future.

On Sunday, I dropped my teammates off at the airport and I drove to Osakis to spend a couple days with sister Jan and her family. That evening we all gathered at nephew Stan's home for a BBQ. About the time we were going to eat, the sky became very dark and the tornado sirens began. We headed for the basement carrying our plates. Nephew Ron is a volunteer fireman so he had access to a radio which kept him in contact with other first responders. While it got windy, there was no tornado and Osakis was spared.

Monday, Jan took me on a tour. First stop was her church, which is out in the country. They had done lots of remodeling and it's a very nice country church. From there, we went back into Osakis and had lunch at Just Like Grandma's. It was so nice, we decided to eat outside. From Osakis, we drove to Alexandria. Two of Jan's four children and their families live there. She took me by all of their schools, including the brand new high school. A stop at Fleet Farm to say hello to Jan's husband, Don, and her daughter, Brittany, both of whom have worked here for years. A drive by her children's homes, a stop at DQ where her granddaughter served our cones, and a stop by son-in-law Tom's work so I could greet him. That evening, we were back at Stan's for shishkabob. Delicious!

The weather for my week in Minnesota was very comfortable for me. I had a great visit and it was fun spending time with so many family members.

Tuesday, July 14, I left Osakis at 9:15. Dropped off the rental at 11:45 and headed in to wait for my 2:40 flight. While eating lunch, I got a message that my flight was delayed to 3:35. I headed for the gate and said I wouldn't be able to make my 4:55 connection in Milwaukee. I was told that flight is also running late so I should make it. Seems there was a glitch or weather issue at LaGuardia and many flights were delayed as a result. I made my connection with 90 minutes to go. After a shuttle ride from Orlalndo, I arrived home around midnight. LONG day and three days later, I'm still tired!

Iowa Family and Friends, May 29-June 5, 2015

Brother Kevin's youngest daughter, Sarah, got married May 30. I spent three nights on the farm with family and three nights at Lake Panorama with high school friends. It was a fun week but much cooler than I like. I only took one pair of long pants and wore them 5 out of 7 days.

Jan, Larry, Sharon, Marla, Kevin at the wedding.

Boating with high school friends. Where's the sunshine?

We three "ran around" together in high school.

I arrived home at 2:20 AM Friday morning and these beautiful flowers were waiting for me!

 Thank you, Arne!

Spring Fling in NM and AZ - April 9-21, 2015

Erik and his buddy, Jeffrey/Lil E

Jeffrey at the Skate Park

Jeffrey with Sisters and Their Friends

Hiking with a teenager. Next time, no phone. :-)

Proud Grandma

Beautiful colors on one of my walks.

From Los Alamos, I traveled to Phoenix and spent a week with sister Marla. We hiked several days, went to Terravita one day, and made a trip to Jerome. We were lucky enough to hear Moondog play for a couple hours. We spent the night at the hotel above the Spirit Room and enjoyed a nice breakfast with him before driving back to Phoenix.

Christmas in Arizona

With Lisa gone, I decided the family should be together this Christmas. Lisa loved the family holiday gatherings. So, I reserved a condo at Legacy Golf Resort in south Phoenix. We stayed there for grandson Aaron's wedding on Feb. 1. Everyone liked this place because it had activities for everyone and a full kitchen for cooking family dinners.

Erik, Kadin, Gracie and Jeffrey arrived first on Dec. 21. They brought Christmas decorations and a small tree so it was very festive. They picked up Arne and I around 8:30 that same night.

Monday, Dec. 22, we were joined by Nick and Taylor. Nick was only going to be able to stay for two days because of work but...he broke his collarbone the previous week-end while snowboarding at Tahoe. We were sorry for his injury but very happy that he now would be staying in Phoenix until Jan. 6. Grandson Aaron and Kristina joined us for dinner and spent the night. It was great having so much time with them. They both seem very comfortable with us now.

Jeffrey showing off his new hairstyle.

Tuesday, Erik treated his girls, Nick and Taylor to a Suns game. Arne and I got to have Jeffrey to ourselves and it was a delightful evening. He was so good, with no sisters to harass him.

Jeffrey making a friend.

How do I look, Grandpa?

 Wednesday night, Nick and Arne stayed home while the rest of us went to the Phoenix Zoo for Zoolights. I know we should have gone to a Christmas Eve service but just didn't feel like it this year.

Christmas morning, the kids opened their many gifts. Santa was employed this year so they had a pretty good haul.

 

Moondog arrived around 2 and we ate dinner around 4:30. We all wondered where Daniel might be. 

 Family gifts were exchanged that evening. I gave each of the kids and grandkids a personalized book titled "Remembering Lisa." While they brought tears, there were also happy memories. Only Moondog was not able to look at his book as his grief is still heavy.

Friday afternoon, we all headed over to the fire station where grandson Aaron is a fireman. He gave us a tour of his fire truck and where he and the other three men on his team hang out when nor on call.

Aaron and Aaron

Brothers

Saturday morning, Erik and kids headed back to New Mexico. It was sad to see them go but we had a fun week. Nick, Arne and I headed to Marla's, where we would spend the next four nights.

We had a nice time with Mark and Marla, in spite of the cold weather. Marla and I hiked three mornings. We celebrated their anniversary with Mark grilling fillet mignon. We celebrated Nick's 28th birthday at Oregano's. Nick left on Tuesday to spend the next week with a friend. Arne and I flew home on Wednesday, arriving in time to spend a couple hours at a neighborhood New Year's Eve party. We didn't last for the 10 PM ball dropping, however.

Heading out for Nick's birthday dinner.

Arne and I on visit to Terravita

A memento from the Swensens for the Swansons

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I wish everyone good health and happiness in 2015.

Cruisin' with Neighborhood Ladies

A week ago I joined the Miona Shores Ladies' Cruise for the first time. My next door neighbor, Rose Ann, was my roommate on this four night adventure. We were on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas. Arne and I were on this same ship in 2012 when we took a 10-night cruise from New Jersey to Quebec City. I must admit my after-cruise survey was not glowing. I listed six items with which I was displeased. Someone told me they think the cruise lines have cut back on staff.

On a positive note, entertainment on the second and third nights was very good. The comedian kept us laughing for a solid hour. Our only port was Cozumel. I took the three hour tour of Mayan Ruins since there's not much else on this island of 97,000 inhabitants. Our guide was excellent...native born, humorous, with lots of knowledge about the Mayans.

Before this trip, I had been on several other ladies' trips; five hiking trips, two golfing trips and four basketball trips. I have to put the cruise at the bottom of the list for lasting memories. The ladies were wonderful but I prefer trips with more physical challenges. Yes, I could have tried the rock climbing wall but it was too windy and wet for this old gal. Next year, they are planning a five night trip back to Cozumel with a stop in Key West. I will not be going on that trip.

Huntsman World Senior Games

The first week in October, I traveled to St. George, Utah for the Huntsman World Senior Games. Since we have to fly to Las Vegas, two friends and I got in around 2 PM and spent the night. We went through Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden, next to the Mirage, where we were staying. We then walked down the strip. On the way back, our feet were tired so we had a 10-minute foot massage. We went to Toby Keith's Bar and Grill for dinner. We were up in our room by 9 PM. Such old ladies!

On to St. George, Utah, where Basketball was scheduled Oct. 6-8.

 Monday night was the sponsor's dinner for women's basketball. We went to a restaurant which served their meat on a very hot slab of granite. You cooked to your liking. Surprised someone didn't get burned.

Tuesday night was the Opening Ceremonies. Three skydivers came onto the football field with the third carrying the American flag. There was wonderful entertainment and a super speaker named Thurl Bailey, NBA basketball player who was on the NC State team which won the 1983 NCAA tourney.

We had a fun time, until the final game.  There were five teams in the 70’s bracket.. We won our first three games quite handily but our third game on Tuesday, we lost by three points. Very disappointing.

On Wednesday, we were seeded #1 and played the #5 team, which we easily won. That afternoon, we played the #2 seed from Detroit, Michigan. This was a team we had beat on Tuesday. During that game, one of their fans yelled “Racist” whenever the ref made a call against Michigan. One time, I was sitting on the bench when she yelled it. I turned and looked incredulously at her and she yelled that I had never experienced what she had experienced. I just shook my head. Anyway, in our second game with them, going for the gold medal, the ref called next to nothing on Michigan. They had a gal about my height who outweighed my by at least 40 lbs. Our first time on offense, the ref told me to move out of the lane, “in and out”, but he never once called "Big Edna" for lane violation. He never called her for offensive fouls either. As a result, I ended up with a jammed finger, bruised ribs (and that’s with a chest protector) and the final charge she gave me sent me falling like a tree. I think she stepped on my foot, not intentionally, which caused me to go straight down. The ref called no foul nor time out while my teammates helped me up. There were over 7 minutes left in the game but the First Aid nurse told me not to play for at least 15 minutes so I was done. I will play in the Senior Games in Minneapolis next summer, but if the officiating doesn’t control the game, that will probably be the end of basketball for me. I’ll find a sport with less contact in which to participate...pickleball, swimming and track come to mind.

With our silver medals

From Utah, I went to New Mexico, getting into Santa Fe around 6 Thursday night. Friday and Saturday, I was able to watch Kadin and Gracie play volley ball in a tournament. Jeffrey was so cute, yelling "Go Hawks" as he's playing a game on Erik's phone. Guess he's been to a few games.

Gracie's (#37) 7th grade team took home the first place trophy.

Monday was a holiday so we went to Santa Fe. The girls love to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings and after lunch we did some shopping with a stop at Pet Smart so Kadin could get more fish to try in her tank. I wonder how long these poor things will last.

Gracie braiding Kadin's hair while Jeffrey plays on Dad's iPad.

I had a full day of travel on Tuesday, the 14th. Erik and Jeffrey took me to the Los Alamos Airport where I got on a 9-passenger plane for a 20-minute flight to Albuquerque. I had three hours before my flight to Houston. I finally got to Orlando around 8:15 PM, where Arne was waiting for me.