March Madness

So the title actually means several things in my family. First and foremost it is basketball playoff time. Woo hoo!! It is my second favorite sports time of the year (only to college football bowls) and I'm so excited to get the games started. I watched Purdue win the Big 10 championship Sunday afternoon and then watched the selection show right after. It was great to see some teams really excited to be in the tournament. And then there was Memphis. Ok, I know they are upset to not get the #1 seed, however, show some class. When Memphis was announced as a #2 seed, their players barely clapped. How pathetic! The best thing they could have done was show some excitement and then go out onto the court and PROVE you should have been #1. Well, as soon as the selection show was over, I was online completing my brackets. I've done 2 cause there were several matchups I couldn't decide who I thought would win. Also, I like picking the upset every once in awhile. So, bring on the basketball! I will, of course, be rooting for my Sooners, but would like to see Purdue and Butler do well.

The second stage of my March madness is work. Yesterday, we had a large ceremony at one of our hospitals (did I mention that this is my large project for the next couple of years and anything and everything to do with this expansion is mine - when it comes to marketing) that is going through a $130 million expansion. So, I spent all day yesterday setting up, coordinating, tearing down, etc for this event. We had a great turnout and were covered on all the major network news shows last night. Here's a photo from the event.

Madness part 3 is our personal schedule. From soccer to school to church...it's BUSY. I had to create a family calendar for March through July and color code each event based on who it pertained to. It is CRAZY. We have something every day/night this month except for Fridays. I'm going to do my best to keep those free. So, in the midst of my madness, I'm trying to find ways to relax - mainly running, working out and reading good books. There has got to be some sanity in my madness :)

Amazing people

A friend of mine shared this with me and I wanted to share with you. What an amazing story.

Something that happened last week at the Indianapolis airport
Take the time to read this albeit-long email and share it with someone else; most heartwarming and impressive. Not me, someone else."Last Friday I was going through the Indianapolis Airport . People in the Security Checkline were grumbling about what nonsense the process was, blah, blah, blah. An elderly lady (in a different line) was struggling with her luggage, pocketbook, etc. She was also confused about what to do, how to do it, couldn't get her shoes off (and a host of other things). The Security Officials weren't helping the situation either (they can be mighty callous at times). I started to move her direction, but before I could get out of the line I was in, a gentleman (close by) sat down all of his stuff, and began to help the lady.I thought he looked familiar, but it didn't register; it was fascinating to see him come to her aid (nobody else was making a move to help!). He was talking to her, making conversation, helping her untie her shoes, putting her things in one of those bins, and making sure she was AT EASE. He helped her through the screening gate, then calmly put his things on the belt, went through and immediately began to help the lady put her shoes back on, gather her belongings, etc. In the meantime she had reached in her purse to show him pictures of her family. He made a big fuss over the photos, then asked for a wheelchair so he could get her to her gate. Honestly, it was a Hallmark script. They disappeared down the concourse together...he was pushing the wheelchair and she was jabbering with him. It made me smile...a lot. NOW HERE'S THE KICKER: I got through security and went to get something to drink. Just beyond the little restaurant was a group of people gathered, all excited, shaking hands, etc., and in the center of them was THE KIND GENTLEMAN. Guess who it was? TONY DUNGY, the recently retired coach of the Indianapolis Colts! I looked at his hand and, SURE 'NUFF there was the HUGE diamond Super Bowl ring. The point: The elderly lady didn't know who he was, or care WHO HE IS, of would even have known had she been told. HE DID THE RIGHT THING FOR THE RIGHT REASON. Important people serve others with a sense of purpose. These kinds of things are still THE BEST LESSONS EVER. Thanks for letting me share it. "

I have always been a HUGE fan of Tony Dungy, not only as a coach but as a human being. If you have not read his books, please take the time to do so. They are well worth reading and this story gives you an idea of how great a man he is and what a kind and loving heart he possesses.

Out of the meatlocker and into the frying pan???

Well, not actually. But with the drastic change in temperature that I'm going to experience tomorrow, I think that's what it will feel like. Today's high is a balmy 3 degrees with wind chills at -20. Tomorrow will be a balmier 9 degrees. Since I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, I will leave meatlocker temps of 9 degrees and arrive in 50-60 degree weather (not quite a frying pan, but major difference). If I had to choose, I'd prefer to be well baked instead of frozen.

Anyways, tomorrow 12 of us leave for Florida to participate in our 3v3 soccer tournament at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. This is our 6th year doing this and it is always a great time. The facility is beautiful and Ben loves the scenery (i.e. the NCAA cheerleading championships are at the same complex during the same time) :) Our teams will play Saturday-Monday and then we come back to the meatlocker on Tuesday. A nice break to thaw out...I can't wait.

National day of mourning

Today is a national day of mourning. Gators were released in Florida and killed the Sooner. Please move your flags to half staff and wear black in honor of the marvelous, fantastic, amazing, incredible and still love Sooners!

BCS National Championship

In honor of tonight's game, I think we should all listen to some inspirational music.

http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/okla/multimedia/boomer_sooner.wav

Go Sooners!!!