Captain at Sunset

Originally uploaded by Kelli Rocha

This is quite possibly my favorite picture of the season. Since I’m
still a bit meloncholy about the season… I thought I would share it
with you. By the way, it is un-retouched. Those were the vibrant
colors of the night. The bright orange sunset and vibrant green turf
field at Folsom High School in September. CC vs. Vista del Lago

If you follow football at my kid’s high school, you probably know who I am. I’m a constant, vocal and physical presence at the games. I take pictures at all the games, publish a weekly newsletter and send out weekly email informational updates to the parents. I figured out a long time ago that if I hold a camera and take a few pictures, I get to hang out with the team on the sidelines, and that’s a much better place to experience the game. My kid has played for 10 years and my husband has coached for 9 years. From August to December (and actually longer than that) we eat, live and breathe football. There have been many weekends that I’ve watched 5 live games. Two high school games on Friday night and 3 games from our youth league on Saturday afternoons. I am a fan.

Most people assume that since I’m so involved in quite possibly the most successful youth and high school teams in our area, I would know a lot about football. I’m here to tell you, that I don’t know much. I can tell you the difference between offense and defense. I can tell the difference between a run and a pass. I can tell you what position my kid plays and I can name most of the kids on the team and tell you their jersey numbers… but that is where my expertise ends. I don’t know the names of the plays. I don’t understand what “holding” is and I have no idea what formation the players are in. I don’t know what our current standing is or updated stats. People ask me all the time about our plays, strategies and positions and my answer is the same… “I don’t know.” Most of the time they think I’m just holding out, but the truth is that none of that stuff really matters to me.

What I do know is much more important. There is a brief moment just before the snap of the ball when anything is possible. The moment when the score, the game and even the final outcome are not the priority. The only thing that matters in that moment is the play before them. The offense has a plan of execution that will require the full commitment and effort of each of the 11 players on the field… a precise choreography. The moment when the defense, anticipating what will happen and relying on the hours and hours of practice and the shared focus of their teammates to defend their goal. The moment when everyone gets a second chance… regardless of the score or field position. I know that downs represent opportunities. You get at least 4 of them at a time… and if you’re successful… with small steps, you’ll keep moving forward towards your goal. If something doesn’t work the first time, you change the play and try something different.

I know that football is a game that turns boys into men. I know that football brings together strangers and transform them into brothers. I know that physical talent is not what makes a team successful. Discipline and the “WE” philosophy is the secret. Heart and strength of character will make you more of an asset to the team than your size or how much you can bench press. I know that the respect a player holds for not only his coach but his teammates and his opponents will serve him well as he enters the real world after high school and college. I’ve witnessed boys do the right thing by their team despite the fact that their parents had a “me” attitude and wanted what was best for their boy regardless of the implications for the team. I know that the boys that put their heart and soul into the game, the players who leave everything on the field, never regret the decision.

I know that families that invest their time, money and energy in the team they support, forge unbreakable bonds with their football family of choice. I know that the friends that we’ve made through the teams we’ve supported will be life long members of our extended family. I know that parents that let the coaches coach and let their kid play enjoy the whole experience much more than those who think they know better. I know that when you work for the good of the team, it doesn’t feel like work at all. It’s a pleasure and the benefits always out number the cost.

For 10 years I’ve had a kid on the team… and I have cherished every moment, every down, every quarter, every win and every loss. I have enjoyed the privilege of being a part of the team even if I never put on pads and a uniform. I have been blessed with experiences and relationships that have made me a better mom, wife, friend and human being. I have learned much more than I taught, received much more than I gave and celebrated more than I complained.

My kid has played his last down of high school football. That part of my life is over, but my participation in the sport I love is not lost, it’s just different. I’m sure it won’t be the same experience, but you’ll still find me on the sidelines from time to time. After all, it’s not about the final score, it’s about living in the moment and the new opportunity with each snap of the ball. That’s life. That’s what football gives each of us… the lesson of learning to live in the moment, to pick yourself up off the ground, huddle up with your team and try again.

Who knows… maybe with some more time on the field, I will finally learn how to execute a “Z” Kick.

Day 199

This photo is from day 199 of the Great Grow Out. I know I haven’t been keeping up with this blog lately, but I’ve been busy with school, football, online classes and that blasted “other” blog. If you really want to know what I’ve been up to, check in with the Blessings Blog.

As part of my homework for my MJC online class, we had to talk about any online presence that we have so I listed the website. I received 3 comments back (all positive) but the part that cracked me up is that people actually made comments about growing out my hair. These people don’t know me at all, but they are still interested in hearing how the process is going.

I get people coming up to me all the time and asking about my hair. Most are honest enough to say they notice a difference and I really haven’t had anyone say they didn’t like the new look. But I’m still just in shock over the amount of attention my hair receives… so if you’re interested… here’s the truth!

I hate it. It’s in a middle stage right now where it’s too short to leave straight, and too long to curl. I’ve resorted to using velcro rollers and hairspray to style it which leaves me with BIG TEXAS HAIR! Ick. I haven’t colored it in about 6 weeks, so the big patch of grey right in the front by my cow lick is really obvious… but this part doesn’t bother me. As a matter of fact, I like it because it’s a constant reminder of the fact that it IS growing. It’s very frustrating right now, but I am committed to at least 365 days of growth before I make a final decision about style and length. Keep checking in with me for updates.

By the way… Yes… that is the same dress I’m wearing. It’s my sister-in-laws and I really like it so I wore it again to a wedding on Saturday.

WAC Preview: Central Catholic locked and reloaded – High School Football: Stories – The Modesto Bee

Shared via AddThis

It has been quite difficult to keep up with the Blessings Blog… especially lately. I’ve been in a very bad mood for about three weeks and I can’t seem to pull myself out of it. Don’t get me wrong… the blessings keep coming, it’s just not so easy to focus on them. I’m going to be real honest here and say that it irritates the crap out of me when people post negative comments about their lives on Facebook. I’ve got my own problems to worry about, I really don’t want to hear about how crappy your job is or how much you hate your mother-in-law… so when I turn to this blog to vent, I feel a little ridiculous. I’ve often said that I should have started a blog about things that irritate me… that would be a piece of cake. Maybe in 2010!

I’m a little late with the post, but here’s a picture of my hair from Day 153… (actually, today.) It really isn’t styled as nicely as it could have been. On day 100, I was going to a wedding. In this photo, I was headed to Target. Big difference. It continues to grow… ever so slowly. It’s laying down more now and I only use a blow dryer and a round brush (most of the time.) However, a couple of weeks ago I experimented with velcro rollers with some success. I was just impressed that I had enough hair to actually wrap around them.

Thanks again for all of the positive encouragement.

The results are in 83% say grow it out… 17% say cut it short. Thanks for voting.

Should Kelli continue to grow out her hair?(answers)

Day 0

The style that it is now (day 100) will not last. For me it is only a transition. If I decide to keep it pretty short, I know it will be shorter than this because there is too my “styling” involved in this length. (I hope that makes sense.) I agree that as I get older a little “softness” is more complimentary but the greatest benefit of short hair is the ease. So if I keep it short, it will look closer to day 50 (at least.)

Now… as for long lengths… I’d love to have really long, beautiful, flowing hair… Something I could put up in a pony tail and/or an up-do for special occasions. In my mind… that is perfect hair. But I don’t have perfect hair… (mine is very fine and pretty oily) and so I’m not sure that would even be the best thing for me even if I could survive the growing out process. I do like some of the slight wedge styles… but there again, styling.

I wish I had an after picture and you could just vote on before or after but I really don’t know what I’d be satisfied with in the longer length. I guess that’s the real problem, I’m not quite sure what the goal is. I loved it short so I know I’d be happy with that… I just don’t know what I’d be willing to keep with it longer. So we’ll keep taking pictures and I’ll keep asking for feedback. Make sure to drop to yesterdays post and vote if you haven’t already!

Great Grow Out Day 100

Today is the 100th day of my Great Grow Out… It has been 100 days since I had a “real” haircut.  Tammy trimmed up the back for me a couple of weeks ago just to clean it up, but she didn’t cut enough to even count.

I’m still not sure this is the thing for me.  I HATE spending the time on styling and when I look at pictures in the magazines, I still like the short hair shots.  But on the other hand, I’ve come this far… I almost feel like I should see it through to a real style and then make my decision.  I even tried on a wig last weekend and thought about going into a shop, trying on several different styles to see if I wanted to continue.  I’m just so confused.  

So here’s the fun part.  Since I’ve had so much interest in this little project of mine, I’ve decided to let you vote.  I’m not saying that I’ll go with the voting decision, I’m just curious on what you guys think. The voting is anonymous, but please only vote once.   Thanks for the feedback.  Voting will end on the 6th of July and I’ll let you know the results.

It has been 50 days since my last haircut.  Here’s a photographic update.