Drafted to the UFL

Over the weekend we got a special call...Brian has been invited in to training camp for the inaugural season of the UFL. He has been selected to play for the San Fransisco team.

Background:

After we became engaged we discussed the possibility of being finished with football. We decided together that it was best for our family that we remain together in the same city (aka not go to Canada). Brian has accomplished so much and has so many achievements to be proud of. He achieved more that most people do in the NFL and it was now time to focus on us becoming a family. Well, fast forward one month...

Brian received a call from a recruiter in a new league called the United Football League (UFL). This league will be a type of feeder league for the NFL. It is focused on those players who were with an NFL team but were released or fell short of making the team roster. In other words, this is another opportunity to play. There will only be 4 teams in 4 cities: New York, Las Vegas, Orlando and San Fransisco. (I know, Orlando would have been too perfect)

After talking about it, Brian decided that he wanted to give football one last chance, agreeing to attend the east coast workout that just happened to be in Orlando! When he came home later that night (after the workout) we decided that we were going to keep it quiet so no one would get their hopes up in the event that it did not work out. We further decided to put it in God's hands and let Him guide us. If He wanted Brian to continue playing football, he would let us know.

A few weeks later, Brian was drafted to the San Fransisco team! We do not know all of the details yet. Only that he will be leaving for training camp in Casa Grande, AZ on September 1st. He is not guaranteed a roster spot. He must fight for that in camp as his contract would only be valid if he made the team roster just like in the NFL. (I am told they bring in about 60 guys and only keep 50 per team). If he makes the team roster he will be away for a total of 3 months.

Right now we are waiting to hear more details. After the contracts are finalized we will know more. I will miss him a lot while he is gone. Thank goodness I have a wedding to plan. That will keep me occupied and I imagine somewhat stressed at times! And not to mention...I have never been to San Fransisco!

I am so excited that he can continue following his dream! I am so proud of him!

I copied the picture above from the UFL website. There are more of Brian from his Orlando workout. Also, you can see the full list of the UFL draft and a video clip including my fiance!. Here are the links:

http://www.ufl-football.com/press/2009/06/19/_premiere_season_draft

http://www.ufl-football.com/media/2009/06/07/orlando_workouts


http://www.ufl-football.com/media/2009/06/12/head_coach_dennis_green_on_ufl_workouts

Soccer and Cat Scratches

Being a teacher is truly beautiful...working with God's littlest children, positive and encouraging environment, and 2 whole months off each year!! My summer break has been so relaxing and yes, very lazy! I love sleeping in...for those of you teachers out there sleeping in means past 8am. It feels so great. I wake up in the morning, speed time with my animals, clean the apartment and get ready for the daily drive to Tampa. Without school, the drive has been no problem. I am finally getting enough sleep.

This past weekend the Tampa Bay Hellenic had 2 away games in North Carolina. This was also the weekend that Mia, Timmy Joe and Julie went out of town leaving Brian to care for all of the animals. In case anyone was keeping count, that was a total of 5 animals for Brian to care for (Charlie was luckily staying with Grandma this weekend).

I left for North Carolina on Saturday morning. This was very hard to do because it was the first time I was going to leave my fiance for more than a day and also Layla was having some eye issues (more on that later).

As soon as we flew into North Carolina, we all prepared for the game at 5pm. We played the Charlotte Lady Eagles who had tied us 2 to 2 at home the weekend before. Mom, Dad, Nana and the girls all came to the game! We came back from down a goal to tie the game 1 to 1.

Sunday's game was in Cary, North Carolina against the Lady Clarette's (whatever that is...). It was blazing hot but we came together to win the game 2 to 0. My entire family came for that game as well! It was so hard saying goodbye at the end of the game : (

After the game on Sunday! All that is missing is Brian!

We traveled back to Tampa Monday morning. Brian picked me up from the airport and when I walked in the door, I came home to this...


Layla was STILL having eye trouble as you can see! Before I left, we were flushing her eye out with warm water per the Vet's directions. Obviously this was more than allergies! Something was wrong. After much speculation as to what happened, we finally concluded that she must have gotten scratched by Julie's new kitten. In the light you can actually see the scratch. Poor baby! (Background: Julie, my roommate, adopted a cute little kitty from the shelter. Let's just say he likes to attack all of his toys, your hand when you try to pet him, your feet when you walk by, and apparently eyes of much larger animals. He really is sweet-just a lot of energy!)

The Culprit: Mr. Cat

We took Layla to the vet immediately that same day. The Vet confirmed our suspicion. An animal of some kind (orange kitty) scratched Layla's cornea. If I would have waited another few days, she would have been in really bad shape as the scratch was very serious. She is doing much better now! She still has one more day of antibiotic ointment left but is sure to make a speedy recovery. God love her!