Armchair Football Mom

~*~*~*~*~

It was a momentous football weekend! Cam returned to the playing field after 6-weeks of appearing on the Injured Reserve list ... and boy was he excited!

His weight division has two teams. A Saturday team (similar to the JV team structure in High School) and the Sunday team (equivalent to the Varsity squad). After not being able to physically participate in practices for six weeks (Cam did attend, but couldn't do much of anything other than watch) I didn't expect him to play much of the game on Saturday night, and knew he'd just be suiting up for Sunday without any play time. It certainly wasn't the first time I was wrong ...

As it turned out, Cam not only played the entire game Saturday night, but he played a full possession series on Sunday as well - a possession that lead to a touchdown. WooHoo!!

I wanted to give y'all a look-see at one of the things I think is terribly wrong in this league. Cam is #41. He's what they call a "double stripper" He is just a few pounds away from the max weight allowance for this league and is limited to playing center or guard on the offensive line in Sunday games (they play "high school rules" on Saturdays so he is allowed to play any position on Saturdays).

See #49? He is one of Cam's team-mates. Although there is a maximum weight in this league, there is no minimum weight. We've seen a lot of these smaller kids with some pretty significant injuries this season (#49 included). They meet the age requirements (12-14 year olds) but are physically much smaller than many of the other players.

Anyway ... I digress ... Cam had a wonderful time both Saturday and Sunday and even told me it was worth it to go to all of those practices even though he couldn't play just to have the opportunity to play in these last few games of the season. I am more than proud of his dedication to this very difficult season for him!

Now, can we talk weather?? It was sunny and beautiful when we got to the game at 1:30, but by the time we were midway into the game these clouds rolled in. We got lucky and just had a few sprinkles, but it was looking pretty dicey there for a bit.

~*~*~*~*~

Friday Wrap-Up

~*~*~*~*~

Did you see?? Did you see?? Clearly, Bank of America reads my blog because just this week they announced that they modified their Overdraft Fees And y'all thought I was just another egotistical arrogant every day blogger!

~*~

As I was waiting for Cam to get out of his team meeting last weekend, I noticed one of the fathers decided to make his team affiliation permanent. See that logo on his left leg? Ummm ... yeah ... that's a tat ...

He could have at least picked a good team *giggle*

You can make it bigger if you want *CLICK*

~*~

Speaking of football, there was an incident at Cam's practice on Tuesday - a bit of a scuffle and retaliation - it was handled by the coaches and all was well ... or so I thought until I pulled up to drop Cam off at school Wednesday morning and was met by the principal.

There are times when I really wonder if there shouldn't be some kind of test issued to determine if people are fit to have children ... or not ... I might have a difficult time passing such a test. Anyway ...

Tuesday at practice, Cam and another teammate we'll call "Linens" (because it's as close as I can get to his name without using it) went up against each other. This was Cam's first practice since returning from his back injury, and he was fired up. He beat Linens off the line ... and then went overboard with his victory celebration (seems he missed the humble lesson in church the other week).

So ... Linens is embarrassed ... and pissed! Linens decides it would be a good idea to cheap-shot Cam in the back as Cam was walking away. Linens knocked Cam down and in the process knocked the wind out of him.

Coaches witnessed the events. Yelled at both boys telling them that if either one of them acted like that again they'd be done with practice and possibly out of the next game. All is well and good, right? Nahhhh ...

Seems Father Linens called the head coach that night. Claims Cam face-masked, punched and then kicked Young Linens in the ... ummm gonads. Wants coach to suspend Cam for a game. Fortunately, coach had seen the incident and knew that wasn't what happened. Tried to calm Father Linens, who then said, "If you're not going to take care of this I'll find someone who will."

Enter in the phone call Father Linens makes to the school principal. Now understand, there is NO LINK between school and football. Middle school does not have a football team. But Father Linens wants principal to talk to Cam because Cam threatened to "kill" Young Linens. Yes, the story keeps getting bigger and bigger. Principal tells Father Linens that he'll talk to Cam only if Father Linens agrees that principal will talk to Young Linens at the same time. Father agrees.

As I drop Cam off at school, principal meets me at my car. Tells me a parent has asked that he speak with the two boys regarding something that happened at practice the previous night. I ask why he's involved since this isn't a school issue. He tells me Father Linens is concerned the issue might carry over to school. He assures me Cam is not in trouble (he better not be - it had NOTHING to do with the school). Fine. Whatever.

To make a long story short short story long, I have to wonder what motivates a parent like Father Linen. Was he pissed off that the coaches "sided" with Cam? Did he make the phone call to the school trying to get Cam in trouble? Or was he worried that Young Linens might lose his cool at school and do something stupid?

Unfortunately, after talking to the coaches and listening to the town gossip hearing from other parents, it appears there was quite a bit of malice intended. I'd like to believe that was absurd - that it was just a misunderstanding - but my heart knows better.

~*~

One of the benefits of having only one liquor store in town and earning frequent drinker points. OK ... maybe I don't have a frequent drinker card, but I'm in there enough that the owner knows me by name, and makes beer suggestions based on what he knows I like.

Tell me this little contraption wouldn't make even a bottle of Bud Light look good!

This one *CLICKS* bigger too!

*EDIT* I've been using my mad google skills to attempt to find a source for this. What I've learned is that this was a promotional piece given out by Beck's last year (2008) right before Octoberfest. I did find an article that listed a link to purchase the item, but it's no where to be found. I'll talk to my guy at the liquor store and see what he might be able to do for me.

~*~*~*~*~

Friday Wrap-Up

~*~*~*~*~

*CLICK* to big

Good news on Cam's back injury. He has healed quite well - pain free for the past two weeks - progressing well with his physical therapy. The doctor says he can go back to "light" practice on Monday.

Anyone else think that's a bit of an oxy-moron? Light football practice? We aren't talking no pads light ... no, he can wear full pads and practice "light." How much compliance do you think I'll get from Cam on that? How 'bout compliance from the coaches?

I'll admit, I'm a bit apprehensive about Cam's return to football, but he has been so supportive of the team during this last six weeks - attending all practices - attending all games - he earned this second chance. Hopefully he can get through it without breaking something!

~*~

My bank has changed it's debit card practices. It now issues NSF fees based not on the actual balance on my checking account, but on the available balance. The available balance is the amount in the account that has been "promised" but not paid. So, if I go to the market at 9:30 the night before payday, use my debit card for the groceries knowing that my payroll will be direct deposited at midnight,if that purchase puts me at a negative PENDING balance, I'll be assessed an NSF fee EVEN THOUGH the money won't be paid to the market until the following day ... when funds WILL BE available. This was a $105 lesson.




And the kicker? When I log on to my bank account, the default screen is to the actual balance of my account, not the available balance. In this instance, the default screen showed money in my account, but when I clicked on the little, obscure link way up in the left hand corner of the screen, it showed my available balance to be in the red.

I wasn't happy. Right now $105 is a TON of money for me and I think the bank's practices here are - at best - misleading, and bordering on fraudulent. The issue here is that the money is still in my account - it hasn't been paid to the vendor - it hasn't left my bank nor my bank account - yet the bank is assessing an NSF fee?

~*~

Have I mentioned that I am a morning person? I'm one of those obnoxious people who wakes up in a good mood ... at 5:00 AM! My take on the start of the new day is that it hasn't been spoiled by my actions or inactions. It's a fresh start. That's why I'd rather watch a sunrise than a sunset any day, and this one was beautiful!

*CLICK* to big

~*~*~*~*~

Pat! I'd Like To Buy A Vowel!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spondylolysis. Try saying that three times fast ... with peanut butter in your mouth!

What is it? It's Cam's diagnosis. The word itself doesn't look too bad, although it could use a vowel or two, but just like antitransubstantiationalist (one who doubts that consecrated bread and wine actually change into the body and blood of Christ) and floccinaucinihilipilification (the estimation of something as valueless) spondylolysis is a big word for something fairly simple - stress fractures of the spine. Yep! Cam broke his back ... kind of ... he has four stress fractures on both lateral sides of his L4 vertebrae.

Cam's doctor is going with a rather conservative treatment plan - a back brace (he's being fitted today) and physical therapy for 6-12 weeks. The great news is that Cam can expect a full recovery, and although his football season this year (as a player) is over, his football career shouldn't be impacted.

For those of you not familiar with the circumstances surrounding this injury, it's one of those not-so-proud mom moments. During the second week of practice, Cam was talking smack to one of his teammates. You know ... the "I'm going to kick your ass" 13-year old boy kind of smack. Well, the kid he was going up against just happened to be the team's strongest defensive lineman, and he LAID.CAM.OUT Cam took a few minutes to get up - complained about his back hurting - then got back to practicing. He got nailed a second time and wasn't able to finish practice.

I am well aware that football is a physical sport. Players spend most of the season with something hurting. I wasn't too worried about Cam as I figured he probably pulled a muscle in his back and would be good as new after a few days rest. I did take him to our family physician as a precaution - he prescribed an anti-inflammatory and a few days rest. Cam was feeling better the following week and headed back to practice.

You're seeing where this is going, right? He complained about back pain after his first day back, but stuck it out a second day (with a little encouragement and taunting from his coaches, teammates and ... yes ... ME). It got to the point where I decided we should probably rule out any significant issue, but it really looked like Cam was milking this injury. One minute he'd be jumping across a creek, and the next he was walking all hunched over.

I took him to a Sports Medicine doctor about 2 weeks ago. The doc did a full set of x-rays that were inconclusive. He ordered a bone scan which we had done last Thursday. Since that appointment, Cam has been attending practices and games, but not actively participating in either.

Then Sunday, before Cam's game, I was spying on him saw him out on the practice field, jogging, kicking a soccer ball and diving for passes thrown by one of his teammates. Ha! I had been duped. Cam was just fine. No wonder his coaches and teammates were questioning his dedication to the team. The bone scan results were due back on Monday and I was certain he'd be suiting up for practice Monday night.

I called the doc Monday morning and discovered they hadn't gotten the bone scan results from the hospital. I called the hospital and their computers were down - and had been since Sunday evening. I tried throughout the day but discovered Cam existed only digitally and there was no way we were going to get the results on Monday. He attended practice Monday night without pads or a helmet.

Yesterday I called the hospital - AGAIN - and got the bone scan results faxed to the doctor's office. I called the doctor to get the results and he was at his other office. His nurse told me he probably wouldn't get to them before today. At this point, knowing that Cam was milking a minor injury anyway, I told the nurse, "Well, I hope there isn't anything wrong because I'm sending him to practice tonight fully padded and fully participating." The doctor called not more than 10 minutes later.

I honestly thought the doctor was kidding when he told me we were looking at the "worst case" scenario. Seriously? But I was watching my kid play soccer just two days ago. Apparently this is the nature of the injury. Some physical activities cause no pain (like walking, jogging and kicking a soccer ball) yet others that might not be as physically demanding do cause pain. Hmm ... who'd have thunk it? Oops!

Cam's coaches have appointed him "team manager" for the year. He'll still attend all practices and games and will stay involved with the team, just in a different capacity.

*EDIT* Since some of you asked, and more of you will probably wonder, Cam has had mixed reactions to this news. He was extremely disappointed to learn he wouldn't be playing this season, but when I asked him if he still wanted to be part of the team - go to practices and games - his reaction was, "Well ... OF COURSE!" (said in his best 13-year old boy attitude) I've had to implement some physical limitations (like no bike riding) until we get clarification from the doc this afternoon, and he has been both receptive and compliant to those limitations.

I think in some ways he was relieved to learn that there really was something wrong with him. He had been taking a LOT of crap from his teammates and from his coaches as they presumed this was more of a "Football is harder than I thought and I don't want to work that hard" attitude (based primarily on the conflicting physical actions they were seeing at practice). I was right there with them after spying seeing him on Sunday and I also had several parents question the validity of his injury. These results "prove" that Cam really does have an injury and is not just a crappy teammate with a crappy attitude, and quite honestly, he seemed to enjoy the "I told you so" moment.

We'll see how compliance with the brace and physical therapy goes. I'll know this afternoon if the brace is rigid, or something more pliable. I'm guessing the more comfortable it is the better compliance we'll have. Physical therapy will focus on back flexibility, and core strengthening to stabilizing his spine. He's hoping a side benefit will be getting those 6-pack abs he's been dreaming of.

This also impacts school. The doctor is writing up a request for school modifications - no PE for 12 weeks, a second set of books at home (Cam won't be able to carry a backpack during this time), the ability to stand or sit, at will, in class to alleviate pain, etc. I've been nagging at reminding Cam that he'll recover more quickly if he follows ALL of the doctor's instructions. We'll see how it goes.

And for the record, not only will I allow Cam to play footbal again, I'll encourage him to play again next year. Football is a rough sport - injuries happen. He'll be fine.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Friday Wrap-Up

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It is Friday, right?? What a week - sales training at work (I didn't attend, but it always makes the work environment a bit more tense) - dinner with husband at my favorite micro-brewery on Tuesday - Cam's church youth group on Wednesday - back to my favorite microbrewery on Thursday for dinner with the sales force. Tonight? Other than cooking Thai Peanut Stir-Fry for dinner, the evening is mine! WooHoo!!

~*~*~*~*~

Our summer schedule is firming (and busying) up.

Cam's "official" last day of school is June 18th, however his last attendance day will be June 9th as we are heading to San Antonio June 10th (for a graduation June 11th) and won't be returning until June 18th. This will be an interesting vacation as we are visiting husband's family, but he will be there June 11th through the 14th only (he and step-daughter have work/school obligations). Cam, step-son and I will be there the remaining time without him. I'm looking forward to it!

Cam has football camp the week of June 22 - 26th. He is so excited about being able to play football this year - I hope it goes well for him.

Once Cam is done with football camp, I'm sending him off to church camp (almost as disturbing as sending him to band camp)! He'll be there June 29th - July 3rd. This will be his first "overnight" camp and the first time I have ever been away from him for more than 24 hours. Yes, I know, he's 13 and will be fine, but will I be fine??

July 4th we head to Spokane. We'll be there through the 14th. This is another vacation sans husband - he doesn't visit my family *shrugs* Actually, that is probably a good thing! This is a story in and of itself as husband had agreed to purchase the airfare for Cam and I to take this trip, then backed out of the commitment. At 44, I had to ask my parents for help in purchasing the airfare (Can we say humbling?).

Football season starts July 20th, so we'll get back just in time for 2-a-day practices for Cam. I think this is the busiest summer we've had.

~*~*~*~*~

Any of you ever write a post and sit on it, trying to decide if you really want to share your convoluted thinking with seventeen people who read you the world? I've got one of those - a follow-up of sorts to my I'm Tired post earlier this week. Maybe I'll get stupid brave this weekend and put it out there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~