soccer.

for those of you who think that i'm writing this post about someone who loves soccer, maybe someone else who is playing soccer or has something to do with it.

i never in a million years thought that person would be me.

yes, my friends, i am playing soccer. mind you, it's on a beginner level with other ladies who are moms (who also can kick my hiney at the sport), but it still is soccer. there is a soccer ball involved, turf to play on (it's indoor), and me running around trying to catch that elusive ball. not really my idea of a good time.

or is it?

let me start at the beginning. i have some friends who started san angelo indoor soccer here in....well,you know. when i met them, the soccer complex was a little more than an idea to them. i don't think the construction had even begun. well, the building was built, people signed up to play, and business soon took off. one day as i went to visit my friend out at the complex, she mentioned to me that they were starting a beginning women's league and asked if i were interested in joining a team. after i stopped laughing, i politely informed her that i would not be playing soccer any time soon.

creak....groan....don't know what that sound is? it's the oven door as humble pie is being placed in there.

a few nights later, a few other friends are out at soccer, and thinking it would be a hilarious joke, signed me up to play on a team. the team would be made up mostly of moms/teachers/people associated with our school and they thought it would be great fun. obviously, those people have severe brain damage. after throwing a good-sized fit for someone my age, i caved in. i decided that if i absolutely hated the sport (which i knew i already did), i could quit after the first season.

so off i went to the first practice, where i kindly but oh-so-necessarily suggested that we begin with prayer. no such luck. then we actually start practicing. here's where i found out that i have zero skill in the soccer world. i can run, and by run i mean limp in a slighlty faster pace of walking. i wouldn't even call it a power walk. and i couldn't even make it down the field. i think it ended up being thirty (ok, fine-ten) feet. forget actually running and kicking the ball at the same time. i tried a couple of time. but after making a dent in the turf, i decided kicking the ball in soccer was a bit overrated. sort of like being able to dribble and run in basketball. who needs to learn how to kick a soccer ball?

the humble pie is almost finished.

in case you haven't figured it out, my attitude was not what it should be. i whined. i complained. i griped. i almost quit before the season started. but something kept me going. i decided to stick it out.

ding! it's done!

that was two seasons ago. i just started my 3rd season of playing indoor soccer. and guess what? I LOVE IT!!!! i totally didn't see that coming. not only am i exercising (gasp!) but i've made some great friends who are just like me...soccer challenged! it has been fun. and i'll be the first to say-

humble pie is not that bad.

i have to go...soccer practice is soon.