Instant replay anyone?

8th grade champs, Chris Street Memorial Tournament

Riley drained an NBA 3-pointer at the buzzer today. Too bad it didn't count. The ref said he got the shot off too late. But it totally rocked anyway.

La, la, la

Every once in a while Carly will drop a line that makes you think Jerry Seinfeld only masquerades as a middle-aged comic. He's really a young girl with impeccable timing and a dry wit that leaves you shaking your head. You can't help but laugh, even when the joke's on you.

Carly likes to tease me when I sing. She says I'm out of tune. I think I sound as good as Beyonce. Which led to the following conversation tonight . . .

Carly: "You're off key. Off key."

Me: "Have I told you that Riley is my favorite? He never tells me I'm off key."

Carly: "Yeah, but he thinks it."

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

I've learned over the years that nothing kills a New Year's resolution faster than making one and talking about it. So this year I proclaimed to not have any. Although I secretly did. Just one.

2012 Resolution - Exercise the brain.

I've mentioned before that I have a hard time remembering things. Or maybe I haven't. It's hard to say. Somewhere between 1985 and yesterday my mind developed a pothole. For whatever reason, most details funnel into it and are never seen again. I realize it over and over in conversations. I should know what you're talking about but most of the time I don't. The fact that everyone else but me seems to have recall is a little weird.

I've started to pay attention to news stories that talk about exercising your brain to keep it functional. Find ways to keep it active, the experts say.

Which brings me to yesterday, when I found myself with some time to kill (no pun intended) in a sportsman's warehouse. Not being much of an outdoors person myself, I went to the place that felt most familiar, the book section, and found this. Here's something I don't know, I thought. A chance to learn something new.

What did I learn? Grizzly bears and black bears will eat you. Maximize your chances of staying alive by using a neutral-colored tent. Don't pee or poop near your tent. Don't try to climb a tree or run to get away from them. They're faster than you. Girls, whatever you do, don't go camping when Aunt Flo is in town. Remind your significant other that, like at home, you-know-what isn't going to happen. Those bears smell it all. And they think you stink.

I know I won't remember most of this, but here are my take-aways. Make sure your vacation plans include a Holiday Inn. When you check in ask if there are bears nearby. If the answer is yes, get the hell out of town.

Sigh . . .

It hardly seems fair that I'm the only one around here who got a flu shot - and now I'm the only one who has the flu.

Yes, mom, I know life isn't fair.

Whew! I'm exhausted!

One weekend. Two tournaments. Eight games. Two championships.

Gym Rats Shootout

Elite Iowa Sports Basketball Crawl

Let's Go Bowling!

Who remembers Let's Go Bowling? If you grew up in Iowa in the 1970s, it was must-see TV on the weekends. In fact, it was on the air for more than 30 years. Hosted by Jim Zabel, a name most Iowans will know.

When my brother and I were kids, we bowled every Saturday morning at Ankeny Lanes. Bowling runs deeps in my family. My parents bowled, my grandpa bowled well into his 80s, and my brother continues to bowl. He rolled his first 300 last night, an achievement most bowlers never reach. His accomplishment led to this exchange with my mom. Enjoy!

Getting ready to rumble

Finally, the first day of school ball is here. Go Hawks!

I love Riley's tie. 1980s anyone?

It's my lucky day

I put on a jacket I haven't worn in a while and guess what! I found $11 in my pocket. How great is that!

Clearing out the clutter

Around here, the end of the year means it's time for some serious cleaning. My goal is always to get the clothing donation to Goodwill before closing on December 31. We rarely make that deadline, although the APB to get busy arrives the day after Christmas.
For three of the four Hoop-lahs, it is no problem. Closets and drawers are cleaned without a second thought. Too small? In the bag it goes. Haven't worn it in a year? Gone. Out of style and never coming back? See you later.

The fourth Hoop-lah wants nothing to do with this yearly ritual. And I mean NOTHING. If the request is met at all, it is met begrudgingly. And I mean BEGRUDGINGLY. It takes hours for Hoop-lah #4 to accomplish what could be done in 20 minutes.

I have no problem with saving the things that have meaning. But when everything has equal meaning it becomes overwhelming for everyone involved. Then today it hit me. There's some sort of sentimental attachment there that I do not understand. A fear of letting things go.

I see the same thing in my mom. She has boxes upon boxes of things she brought home when my Grandma died - 27 years ago. They've never been opened. They never will be unless my brother and I take the time to do it someday.

It all illustrates why memories are best stored in the heart, where the capacity is endless.