Watching soccer from a ref's perspective

Since my last post, Mikie has had a couple track meets and soccer games. His best time in the mile is 4:57. His best time in the 800 was a 2:10. He has another meet on Tuesday at home vs Marshall and Harper Creek. The soccer team has tied both their games. Both were State cup games, so we don't know how that will play out. His team definitely played better then the other teams, but is having a hard time scoring.

Yesterday and today Michael refereed soccer games. Yesterday was a u12 girls game on the north side of Battle Creek. Today was a tourney in Kalamazoo area. He had four games today. He was center ref of a u12 boys game and a u10 girls game. He was sidelines on a u12 girls game and a u14 girls game. He made $90.00 so he was happy about that. I'll have to sneak a picture of him in his ref uniform!

Steve and I watched the games. It was a different perspective for us. Parents take the games way too serious, and place too much pressure on the kids. The fathers of the girls teams were the most vocal. From the ref side of it, don't yell at the ref it will only make him want to make calls against your team. The refs do want to call a fair game and don't really care who wins.

We have had some spring like weather finally! I'm ready to plant flowers but have to wait another 3-4 weeks! Yes, I live in MI.

Steve has Fridays off now so we have been doing things together during the day. Mostly yard work and errands, but makes for nice long weekends.

Hope all is well for everyone. I am counting down the days until Megan comes home!

love to all...

SPRING BREAK?

Spring break in Michigan is an oxymoron. Sunday evening we got 6 inches of heavy wet snow that broke trees and created power outages! We were out of power for 16 hours, which means we were unable to use our water because we have a well. Michael and I were supposed to go to U of M engineering school for a tour, but we canceled. I really need a shower or I look like crap, just ask the "bub". We played board games and had a very low key day. I guess the only good part was the quality time I had with Michael. No x-box or TV. We go to Purdue school of engineering and technology, Indianapolis on Friday. Hopefully all will go as planned!

Yesterday Michael and I went to Kalamazoo. They have a store there that will buy his old x-box games. He made $40. We went to the mall to look for khaki pants for him. I was amazed to find no khaki pants. We went to Abercrombie "just to look". I asked a clerk if they had any khakis' and he said they had some that were on sale in the back room. He found Michael's size, so we lucked out finding a pair for $20. He got a couple polo's that were also on sale and a good buy.

Michael went to track today, they were able to run inside which was nice. His track meets and soccer games will start next week. It will be busy but fun for all of us.

Denso offered a buy out. After much deliberation and getting all the info Steve decided to stay and not take it. Due to the fact almost 40% would be taken out for taxes and health benefits would be $1000 per month, and trying to find a job could be difficult and stressful it isn't good timing.

I only work one day this week, but the rest of the month looks to be busy, so hopefully I'll recoup the lost days.

Hope everyone is doing well. Good luck to Mitch on his Dr appt. Love to all!

Happy Easter this weekend!