Musings of a High School Lacrosse Coach

{via}

Player: Coach Susan, can we get a pet groundhog?
Me: No.

Player: Are you a dentist?
Me: No.   
Player: Why?
Me: ???????????????????

We spent 1 entire month going over defense and practicing it an hour a day before our first game. First game comes:
Me: Alright guys, first game...does anyone have any last minute questions?
Player: Oh yeah- How do you play defense?
Me: Good luck out there, Kid.

Player: I saw Chris making out with Emily in the hallway today and I was like, "Ew, that's like totally PDA. Get a room."
Me: Did you tell them that?
Player: No. I just subtweeted them.
*What the heck is subtweeting?!?!*

Player: Can you give us all of those pictures you took the other day?
Me: Yeah, I'll just upload them on facebook.
Player: Uh, that was so last spring. No one uses facebook anymore. It's all twitter.
*Then they probably subtweeted about me*

Player: Coach Susan, can you come to prom?
Me: No.

Player: How old are you?
Me: 24.
Player: Oh, so you have like babies and stuff then, huh?
Me: You have a lot to learn.

Player: Do you have a boyfriend?
Me: Yes.
Player: Oh. My friend wanted me to tell you to tweet him. *is this what kid's do these days???*
Me: How old is your friend?
Player: 16.
Me: Stay in school.


Why did I think coaching high school would be like a real-life High School Musical?! Maybe next year.

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

Woo my first giveaway ever! And this one is awesome. Ready for it?

Shabby Apple is giving away a $50 gift card to one of my readers. If I could enter, I would...because this place is terrific. Yes- it's terrific. Let me tell you why.

1. You kind of get the vintage/retro shop down the street when you peruse their website.
2. They have a crafts section. <---You heard me.
3. They have free returns (this is always a big selling point for me. I love knowing that if something doesn't fit, or it's not what I expected I don't have to pay more to send it back.).

Just some of their MANY dress categories

Caaaaa-ute Accessories.

Just a few of my faves: 1  // 2 // 3

Here is how you enter:

Mandatory Entries (3 total):
*Like Shabby Apple on facebook and comment on this post saying you liked it.
*Comment on this post and tell me what dress or other Shabby Apple item you like best.
*Follow Suzels Says via GFC and comment on this post saying you did.

Optional Extra Entries:
*Like Susan Lines Photography on facebook and comment back here saying you liked it.

For those of you who don't win, Shabby Apple would still like to give you 10% off a purchase using the folling coupon code (good for the next month).

Coupon Code: suzelssays10off

*must be a US resident

Call me, Maybe?

6 days, 12 hours of baseball, and a butt that now hurts from roller coasters and sitting in the stands. This is what my week consisted of. This past week I got to spend 6 days in a row with David. The last time we got to spend more than three days together was when we were both in college together (2 years ago). We were blessed to be able to spend this much needed time just hanging out and not worrying about saying by to each other…until day 6 came.

One of David's teammates wrote this on a ball and tossed it to me in the stands. The sad part was David was standing right next to him encouraging him to do it. Boys these days.

Signing autographs after the game. Just another hard day's work.

Guess which roller coaster David made us ride first: The kiddy one (top) or the one that might "make him pass out." (bottom).


Make sure to check back this week for a great GIVEAWAY I am doing for a $50.00 giftcard to an awesome store.

Some new blogs to help pass your Friday.

Heya. First off- HAPPY FREAKING FRIDAY! Even though I feel like I've been on vacation since Wed, just the fact that I can say it's Friday makes me giddy. And I know most people don't like this 90-100 degree heat. But I LOVE it. Maybe I'm born to live in Texas?

Anyways, here are a couple new blogs for you to check out to make your Friday go by a little faster. They're supper cute, so go stop by!

What She Saw

i love Jesus, reading & writing, and the color orange. i believe singleness is a gift even when it isn't easy, that faith is a journey, and that it isn't until i lose my life that i find it. what she saw is my attempt to chronicle that belief.

Enjoying the Journey Blog and Shop

 By day I am a practicing interior designer and by night I design every other aspect of life. I love creating new things, designing new things, and most of all sharing these things with the people I love. My blog and Etsy shop are an outlet for me to share my designs outside of the corporate world.
My shop is a labor of love and such a joy to have. I have always enjoyed making jewelry and crafting, and the shop is a way for me to share my creations with others outside of my small town. Everything in my shop is something that not only would I wear, but something that I would share with my friends and family. And hopefully you too!

Amusement Park for the Day

David surprised me (read: I suggested) that he take me to an amusement park for my birthday. Usually we go back and forth and have a hard time figuring out what to get each other- so I thought going somewhere together would be more fun.

So yesterday I played hooky from work (read: I responsibly requested the day off) and went to Kings Dominion in Richmond, Virginia. David had a 3 day mini break from baseball, so he was able to come back up to VA. Our plan was to stop at Kings Dominion on the way back down to NC. Now I get to hang out here the rest of the week, work from home, and watch him play baseball.

This roller coaster was a monster. I'm a roller coaster junkie and will sit in the front row of anything. David, however, is a little more "cautious." Needless to say, we didn't make it on this one.

 But we looked at it from a far. 

Swings on steroids. These went 301 feet up in the air. It was a near death experience for both of us.

Eiffel Tower....replica.

Hope everyone is having a great week so far. One more day until Friday, and that means two more days until the weekend. Yeahh buddy!

Photography Website

Happy Monday! It's rainy here- and for some reason, I love rainy Mondays. Anyways, I finally got my photography website up and running. There are still some small clean-up things I need to do, but I would LOVE for you all to go check it out...anddddd *like* me on facebook! Puuhhleasseeee!

Like me on FACEBOOK <----here!

Sneak Peak of the Home Page:

 Sneak Peak of the About me Page:

And click HERE to check out the rest/visit the website.

SusanLinesPhotography.com

Back East Blonde

How cute is this girl? Meet Nadine! Nadine blogs over a Back East Blonde. I've never meet Nadine, but by reading her blog I feel like we would be bffs. Her posts always make me laugh, and she's not too embarrassed to look a little goofy. My type of gal. Go check out Nadine's blog and let her know who sent you!

Hi, I'm Nadine. I'm a 24 year old Cali transplant who relocated to the east coast after college. I blog at Back East Blonde about the cool stuff I find at thrift stores, living life on a budget, seeing way too many movies, and anything else life throws at me.

Why did you start blogging?
After being an avid blog reader for over a year, I realized it might be something I wanted to try out for myself. I knew the kind of blogs I really liked reading and the types of things I'd enjoy writing about. And thus, Fancy Frugal was born!

Tell me an interested fact about you that people may not know.
I've lived in 3 states, 17 different houses, and attended 11 schools.

Three words to describe you. Ready, go!
Hopeful, Happy, Over-thinker 

Most embarrassing thing that has even happened to you. Don't hold back...

So I'm on a family vacation at the beach. The beach is packed and I'm sitting in a beach chair next to my dad and stepmom reading a book. I turn a page, hear a SNAP, and my bandeau bathing suit SLING SHOTS OFF MY BODY and lands about ten feet in front of me. I scream and cover myself. My stepmom yells, "Get her a towel!" Obviously I can't move my arms because they are covering my ta-tas. My dad isn’t scrambling fast enough so I proceed to attempt to lay down on the beach towel on the ground in front of me like a beached whale (try laying down without using your arms, it's not a good move). I don't actually know who was more embarrassed: me or my dad. Moral of the story: Never ever ever buy a bathing suit with a plastic hook. Ever. I am so careful about this now. Metal only! <-----This is honestly my worst nightmare. Hah!

What do you live for?
The idea that one person can change the world.

Name a few of your favorite blogs.
Stay Blonde, Ski Local (www.stayblondeskilocal.blogspot.com) - My RL bestie!
You Don't Even Know...(http://calliesyoudontevenknow.blogspot.com/)
Taking Notes Coast to Coast (http://takingnotescoasttocoast.blogspot.com/)
The Life of the Wife (http://www.thelifeofthewife.blogspot.com/)
and of course, Suzel's Says!

Go check Nadine out now! She's honestly a breath of fresh air.

You know you shouldn't watch the bachelorette when...

It’s okay...that I watched 20 min of the bachelorette on Monday night and then had a dream that I was the bachelorette. Or is that okay? I’ve been trying not to watch it. Gahh! Why is she so pretty!

{via}

It’s okay...that someone asked me when I graduate high school the other day...even though I graduated [college] over two years ago.

It’s okay...that I secretly am counting down the days until June 21st. Why? Because Jwoww and Snooki’s show comes out. I’m embarrassed to admit I watch that junk.

It’s okay...that it took me over a month...and still going...to get my photography website up and running. Here’s a sneak peak!

It’s okay...that my boyfriend hates that I’m a wedding photographer now because I constantly am saying things like “I can’t wait to pick out a wedding photographer,” and “At my wedding, I’m going to do this...”

It’s okay...that my favorite song is still R.Kelly Remix to Ignition. It always puts me in a good mood. And I’m not ashamed to admit it.

It’s okay...that I have the BEST weekend and week lined up and that Friday is ALMOST HERE! Wooo!

Birthday stuffs

In honor of my 24th birthday, I acted like a five your old all weekend.

1. Kicked some little kids off of a moon bounce so the big girls could play.

2. Was the piece of popcorn on a trampoline in a game called popcorn. If any of you had a half-decent child hood…you would know this game.



3. Ate a banana split in honor of national banana split day.

4. Played with a puppy.

The first call I got this morning was from my dad. He answered with “Last night, we were all debating how old you were turning today. I guessed 25.” Wrong. And since when did this become a guessing game? You know you’re getting old when your own dad can’t remember your exact age anymore…they all just kind of blend together.

Happy Monday! I am blessed!

Meet Denise! You will thank me later.

 I am so happy to introduce all of you to Denise from Gratefully Inspired. This girl is UNREAL, and her blog is really cute, definitely one of my daily reads! You’re welcome for introducing you to Denise. You will thank me later. Seriously- check out her about me page, you will want to be real life friends with her!

Is this girl beautiful or what?!

Gratefully Inspired focuses on things that inspire me and things of which I am grateful – hence the name. Each post is a part of my heart, my soul and the inner-craziness that is my brain. I’m ooey gooey mushy and like to go all sentimental like that. We talk life, love, eats and fashion.

Why did you start blogging?
I started Gratefully Inspired to reflect, inspire and share. Reflect on my life and remain present in my day-to-day happenings. Inspire myself and others to live better, be better and make a difference. And share. Share and document this thing called life and encourage others to do the same. I hope to challenge my readers and pray they will challenge me. In this fast-paced, always on-the-go, running-late world of mine - this blog is my (and hopefully your) breath of fresh air.

Tell me an interested fact about you that people may not know.
- I married a twin who can’t tell himself apart from his brother in baby pictures.
- I am an ESL teacher and speak Spanish but can’t roll my “r’s” to save my life.
- I have an overgrown Yorkiepoo named after a city in Spain where I studied.
- I’ve never had a cavity or broken a bone. <---side note from Susan- who has never had a cavity?! Seriously! I think I have bad genes.

Three words to describe you. Ready, go!
Eeeeek. This is tough. Only three? I need to work on being concise so here goes…
inspired (too predictable? Sorry guys…)
passionate
clumsy. I run into walls, doors, corners, people, and usually end up on the ground

Most embarrassing thing that has even happened to you. Don't hold back...
First time ever hanging out with my soon-to-be brother and sister-in-law I wore a white bathing suit in the ocean. Some of you can guess where this is going… I was excited, the bathing suit was new… I got home only to realize the bottoms were completely see-through… need I say more?

What do you live for?
The little things! The smoke alarm going off while I’m cooking (burning) dinner; my 12 pound Yorkiepoo verbally assaulting every human who passes by; my husband’s sleepy voice and cuddles; my best friend’s brutally honest opinion of my terrible outfit before being seen in public; soy chai lattes on a cold winter day; fourth of July bikinis; red wine and a best friend; my mom’s subtle way of telling me my house is a mess; getting to share Jesus’ love with a new friend. Every morning I choose faith, hope and love – and sometimes that is a tough decision. But in this messy world of mine this life is all I’ve got – so I choose to live for today, whatever that entails.

Name a few of your favorite blogs. No more than 5ish!
1. Suzels Says (DUH) – this is my first blog sponsor EVER!
2. Marshall’s Abroad
3. Across the Pond
4. La Mia Vita
5. Fairytales Are True

Go stop by Denise's blog and show her some love! HAPPY FRIDAY!!

When the going gets tough, dip your hand in ketchup.

Shooting a co-workers Sunday wedding // David and I were out to eat at dinner and he was having a hard time with some things going on. His got ketchup on his hand by accident and it looked like this. Even when you are going through a hard time, there is always something to smile about :) // Nationals Game and Big & Rich concert // This guy + Oreo Milk Shake = one great night :)  I know…that was cheesy.

Uganda Part 2: The God-Incidence

If you missed part 1, catch up here.


So there I was, the night before I would board my flight to Uganda, staring at the thousands of dollars of school supplies that were sent to me to bring over to Uganda. Looking at all of the school supplies that God provided really made me think. It was one of those moments when you realize how much you really have. I was bringing over not only pencils, but pencil sharpeners. They have so little over there that 5 years olds are forced to sharpen their pencils with sharp knives. My floor was also littered with play-do, coloring books, puzzles, and other things that we learn to do when we are a toddler. Yet these were things high schoolers have never seen.



It was amazing to see how much God had provided, yet I was in a panic because he provided so much, that I didn’t know if I could bring it over all by myself. I was traveling half way across the world with only two hands. I started to pack everything in to the three suitcases I had. After they were all fill, I realized that I still had about five more boxes of supplies I need to fit it. I unpacked the suitcases, tried to fit them in another way, still no luck. I must have unpacked and then repacked again about five times before I realized that there was no way this was all fitting.

At this time, I did the only thing that I could do. I prayed. I reasoned that there was no way God would have provided all of this without means to bring it over. I decided to let it be for the night, pray that God would help me out, then re-try one more time the next morning. And fell asleep.

The next morning I woke up to three suitcases, all of the supplies scattered over my floor, and a pile of my clothes that I also needed to manage to fit in the suitcases. Before I started to pack, I decided to take out all of the empty boxes that I didn’t need, just to make my room less like a war zone and maybe relax me a little. I prayed one more time that He would help me find a way to pack all of this stuff so I could bring it over to Uganda.

I walk downstairs to the condo dumpsters, swung open the door, and there it was. It was like music started playing, a light shined down from the sky, and everything else stopped. Like in a cheesy chick-flick where the guy see’s the girl for the first time <---yeah, you know what I’m talking about. There was a barely used SUITE CASE sitting there right in the middle of the dumpsters staring at me. It was the perfect size. If it had a note on it, I’m sure it would have said, “To Susan. Love God.”

I grabbed the suitcase as I looked around to make sure no one watched me remove this from the dumpster. But I decided that if someone was watching me and giving me weird looks, I would have said something like, “It’s okay! It’s from God!” Like that would have made a lot more sense….

I ran upstairs to find that it fit all of the left over supplies and my clothes…perfectly. Talk about a gift from God, literally. It’s times like these when there is no doubt that God exists. Some might say a coincidence…but I like to think it’s a God-incidence (Thanks Melissa for introducing me to that word!).



Luckily, David was there with big strong arms to help me carry all of the suitcases down, drive me to the airport and help me check all of the bags. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without him either. And I wasn’t 100% sure he was going to be there to help because he just found out he had to fly out to Montana the next day for rookie ball.

There I was, standing at the airport saying goodbye to David. I was going East to Africa to start an adventure in Uganda, and David was flying west to Montana, to start an adventure in the minors. It was a bitter sweet day for sure. I look back at me crying in his arms by the part where I had to go through security <---also like you would see out of a cheesy chick-flick. I was so excited, but so sad because I knew that it would be the last time I saw David for months. Looking back now, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Going to Uganda was a good distraction for me while David was away. Little did I know that God had more that would have came out of the trip than it being “just a distraction.”